SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS - By Victor Melder

SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS (AUGUST 2024) Compiled by Victor Melder

Sri Lanka Cricket team - eLanka

Victor-Melder- Two further Sri Lanka fast bowlers have been ruled out of the ODIs against India, with Matheesha Pathirana picking up a shoulder complaint, and Dilshan Madushanka injuring a hamstring. Sri Lanka are also without Dushmantha Chameera, who is out with illness, and Nuwan Thushara, who fractured his thumb. Both these players had missed the T20Is as well. For now Sri Lanka have brought uncapped right-arm seamer Mohamad Shiraz into the squad, team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed to ESPNcricinfo. Later in the afternoon, a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed a second uncapped right-arm seamer was added to the squad: Eshan Malinga. Three players were also put on standby: batter Kusal Perera, seamer Pramod Madushan and spinner Jeffrey Vandersay. “Matheesha has jarred his shoulder, and because it is the same issue that he had during the World Cup last year, they have chosen not to risk it,” Halangoda said. Pathirana had picked up the injury while fielding in the third T20I in Pallekele, and had left the field soon after, before he had bowled a single delivery in that game. Madushanka, meanwhile, had sustained the hamstring injury while training, Halangoda said. He had played only one match in the T20I series. Both Pathirana and Madushanka were likely to be in the XI for the first ODI against India, on Friday. Sri Lanka have lost their last 10 matches across formats against India. (Daily Island, 2.8.2024)

Right-arm pace bowler Mohamed Shiraz will make his ODI debut today against India in the first ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. He will be the 213th ODI player for Sri Lanka. Shiraz, who was playing club cricket a few days ago, has been called up to the squad as injury cover and will now make an unexpected ODI debut. In his career, Shiraz has played 47 List A matches, claiming 80 wickets with a best of 6 for 21, averaging 17.52 and with an economy rate of 4.57. Charith Asalanka leads the team as the full-time captain, despite missing six of their first-choice pace bowlers. The latest casualties are Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana, both ruled out due to injuries. Madushanka suffered a left hamstring injury (Grade 2) during fielding practice, while Pathirana sustained a mild sprain on his right shoulder while diving to take a catch during the third T20 match. Earlier, Sri Lanka lost Dushmantha Chameera and Binura Fernando due to illness ahead of the T20I series. Nuwan Thushara also got injured during training and has been ruled out. Lahiru Kumara is another player sidelined due to injury. In response to these setbacks, uncapped fast bowlers Mohamed Shiraz and Eashan Malinga have been added to the squad. Sri Lanka has also called up Kusal Perera, Pramod Madushan, and Jeffrey Vandersay as standby players. Playing XI :Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz (Ceylon Today, 2.8.2024)

The First One Day International between Sri Lanka and the touring Indians, played at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, ended in a tie. Scores:

Sri Lanka – 230/8 in 50 Overs (, Wellalage 67, Nissanka 56, Hasaranga 24, Liyanage 20, Patel 2/33, Singh 2/47)

India – 230 in 47.8 Overs (Sharma 58, Patel 33, Rahul 31, Kohli 24, Asalanka 3/33, Hasaranga 3/58, Wellalage 2/39)

One-Day debut: Mohamed Shiraz (India)

Player of the Match: Dunith Wellalage (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka’s team, already facing challenges due to a shortage of fast bowlers, has suffered another setback as spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out for the remainder of the ODI series against India with a left hamstring injury. Hasaranga experienced pain while delivering the last ball of his 10th over during the first ODI. An MRI confirmed the injury. Jeffrey Vandersay has been brought into the squad to replace Hasaranga. (Sunday Mirror, 4.8.2024)

Sri Lanka beat the touring Indians by 32 runs to win the second ODI played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Scores:

Sri Lanka – 240/9 in 50 Overs (Fernando 40, Kamindu Mendis 40, Wellalage 39, Kusal Mendis 30, Sundar 3/30, Yadav 2/33)

India – 208 in 42.2 Overs (Sharma 64, Patel 44, Gill 35, Vandersay 6/33, Asalanka 3/20)

Player of the Match: Jeffrey Vandersay (Sri Lanka)

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has approved an 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against England. The squad, which was greenlit by Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando, is part of the ICC World Test Championship.The Squad: 1. Dhananjaya De Silva – Captain 2. Dimuth Karunaratne 3. Nishan Madushka 4. Pathum Nissanka 5. Kusal Mendis – Vice Captain 6. Angelo Mathews 7. Dinesh Chandimal 8. Kamindu Mendis 9. Sadeera Samarawickrama 10. Asitha Fernando 11. Vishwa Fernando 12. Kasun Rajitha 13. Lahiru Kumara 14. Nisala Tharaka 15. Prabath Jayasuriya 16. Ramesh Mendis 17. Jeffrey Vandersay 18. Milan Rathnayake. (Daily Mirror, 8.8.2024)

Sri Lanka beat the touring Indians by 110 runs to win the third and final ODI played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Scores

Sri Lanka – 248/7 in 50 Overs (Fernando 96, Kusal Mendis 59, Nissanka 45, Kamindu Mendis 23, Parag 3/54, Sundar 1/29)

India – 138 in 26.1 Overs (Sharma 35, Sundar 30, Kohli 29, Wellalage 5/27, Vandersay 2/34, Thhekshana 2/45)

Sri Lanka won the 3-match series 2-0. ODI Debut: Ryan Parag (India)

Player of the Match: Avishka Fernando (Sri Lanka)

Player of the Series: Dunuth Wellalage (Sri Lanka)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated Ranjan Madugalle on becoming the first Match Referee to officiate in 400 Men’s ODIs. Madugalle, the longest-serving member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, reached the landmark in the third and final ODI between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo on Wednesday. To mark the achievement, he was presented with a plaque on behalf of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the ICC by SLC CEO Ashley de Silva. Madugalle, a stylish batter who played 21 Tests and 63 ODIs for Sri Lanka, has also refereed in a record 216 Men’s Test matches, 163 Men’s T20Is, 14 Women’s ODIs and eight Women’s T20Is. Sean Easey, ICC Senior Manager of Umpires and Referees praised Madugalle for reaching this milestone in his career that has already spanned over three decades. Sean Easey: “Ranjan’s portfolio of refereeing assignments is large and this latest mark of 400 ODIs is quite incredible. “The sheer volume of his work reflects the kind of passion he has for cricket and his role. On behalf of the ICC, I thank Ranjan for his hard work and wish him all the best for this match and beyond.” Madugalle said he had enjoyed officiating in matches the world over and he never thought he would have such a long career as a match official. Ranjan Madugalle: “It has been a great honour and privilege to have officiated in international cricket for so many years and it’s almost dreamlike to be reaching this milestone. “I was pleased when I got the opportunity to be associated with the game after my time as a cricketer but never thought that it would stretch to over three decades! “During this period, I have had the chance to officiate all over the world and in several World Cups, relishing every moment. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ICC, Sri Lanka Cricket and my colleagues with whom I have worked over the years for their support and friendship, as well as my family and friends, without whose support it would not have been possible to have come this far.” (ICC)

Ranjan Madugalle as a player and Match Referee:

Played 21 Tests and 63 ODIs for Sri Lanka between 1979 and 1988, including his country’s first-ever Test Match and in three World Cups – 1979, 1983 and 1987
He scored 1,029 Test runs, including one century, and added a further 950 runs in ODI cricket
His first appointment as an ICC Match Referee was in December 1993 for the Test Match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at Karachi
His first ODI appointment came later the same month between the same two teams at the same venue
His 31-year career as an ICC Match Referee is the longest by anyone in history
In total, he has refereed a record 216 Men’s Test Matches and now a record 400 Men’s One Day Internationals, as well as 163 Men’s T20 Internationals
He was Match Referee for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Finals in 1999, 2003, 2015 and 2019, and officiated in a total of seven World Cups
He was also Match Referee for the finals of ICC Champions Trophy 2004, 2006 and 2013 and of ICC Men’s T20 World Cups of 2007, 2010, 2016 and 2021
He has also refereed 14 Women’s ODI matches and eight Women’s T20 Internationals. (Daily Mirror, 8.8.024)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has charged Sri Lanka player Praveen Jayawickrama with three counts of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Jayawickrama has been charged with the following offences under the Code: Article 2.4.4 – Failing to report to the Anti-Corruption Unit, without unnecessary delay, details of an approach he received to carry out fixing in future International Matches. Article 2.4.4 – Failing to report to the Anti-Corruption Unit, without unnecessary delay, details of an approach he received in which he was asked to approach another player, on a corrupter’s behalf, to carry out fixing in the 2021 Lanka Premier League. Article 2.4.7 – Obstructing the investigation by deleting messages in which the approaches and offers to engage in corrupt conduct were made. In accordance with Articles 1.7.4.1 and 1.8.1 of the Code, Sri Lanka Cricket and the ICC have agreed that the ICC will take action with respect to the Lanka Premier League charge alongside the International Match charges. Mr Jayawickrama has 14 days from 6 August 2024 to respond to the charges. (ICC) (Ceylon Today, 8.8.2024)

Sri Lanka has stormed into the top six of the latest ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings following their 2-0 ODI series win over India at home. Sri Lanka’s monumental jump came after their dazzling ODI series win over the T20 World Cup 2024 champions, which sent shockwaves in the cricket world and pushed England down to the latest ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings. The Sri Lanka cricket team, known for their unpredictable flair and fierce competitiveness, won a historic bilateral ODI series against India on August 7 Wednesday in Colombo, and this triumph propelled them to the sixth spot in the latest ICC ODI Team Rankings, pushing England down to number seven. Sri Lanka’s ODI series win over India rockets them to sixth spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings Sri Lanka’s triumph over the Men in Blue was not just a spectacle but a bold statement of their resurgence in ODI cricket, showcasing their explosive prowess and tactical brilliance. The series win has catapulted them into a position of newfound respect and fear among their opponents. Meanwhile, India, the undisputed giants of ODI cricket, has held onto their number one spot in the latest ICC ODI Team Rankings despite facing back-to-back defeats in the recent three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. India’s dominance is undeterred by recent setbacks in Sri Lanka. India remains the number one ranked team in the latest ICC ODI Team Rankings with 118 rating points, followed by Australia (116), South Africa (112), Pakistan (106), and New Zealand (101) at the second, third, fourth, and fifth spots, respectively. On the other hand, the Sri Lanka team is in the sixth spot with 97 rating points, while England found itself in the seventh place with 95 rating points. The West Indies (78), Bangladesh (53), and Ireland (26) have completed the chart of top-10 teams in the latest ICC ODI Team Rankings. On the other hand, Indian captain Rohit Sharma finished the Sri Lanka ODI series as the highest run-getter with 157 runs in three games, which pushed him up in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings. (Ceylon Today, 9.8.2024)

Playing three Test match series in England give more opportunity for Sri Lanka team and hope to do well in all three departments for a successful test series said Sri Lanka interim Head coach Sanath Jayasuriya before the Sri Lanka teams departure yesterday. Test cricket is most important format to get exposure and we have to play good cricket .All team members are in good shape. Our batters have to do their part while fielders and bowlers have to put in their best effort in test matches which is the best place to showcase the talent said Sanath Jayasuriya. This England series is my last assignment as interim Head coach. I saw this players did excellent job to win last India ODI series. Their dedication was very high. I told before the India ODI series to encourage and support our team and are confident after India ODI series win. We have to play in English conditions and adjust to that and already seven players in England to get practice . Nisala Tharaka who is on his debut tour said his dedication paved the way to get selected for the team. If I will get chance to play this series I am keen to give my best effort. as a paceman English conditions are suitable for fast bowlers. I started my cricket from Mahinda College Galle and presently play for SSC. I know getting chance to enter the National team is difficult and hope to give of my best. The Sri Lanka team left yesterday after taking part at a religious ceremony at Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters . The first test match will commence on August 21 at Manchester. (Daily News, 12.8.2024)

Ian Bell, the former England batter, has been appointed Sri Lanka’s batting coach for their upcoming tour of England. Sri Lanka are set to play three Tests starting August 21, and Bell will begin his role on August 16, which will last till the end of the series. “We appointed Ian to bring in a person with local knowledge to help the players with key insights on the conditions there. Ian has a lot of experience playing in England, and we believe his inputs will help our team in this crucial tour,” SLC CEO Ashley De Silva said. Sri Lanka will hope Bell’s expertise helps them win their first Test series in England since 2014. Sri Lanka announced their squad for the England Tests last week, with Dhananjaya de Silva set to lead the team. The three Tests will be in Manchester (August 21-25), Lord’s (August 29-September 2), and the Oval (September 6-10). (Daily Island, 14.8.2024)

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to inform the public that cricketer Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended from participating in all forms of cricket due to an alleged anti-doping violation. The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice. The test, which was conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, is part of SLC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, is aimed at ensuring that cricket remains free from the influence of prohibited substances. SLC, together with the Ministry of Sports and SLADA, conducts these tests during domestic tournaments randomly to safeguard the sport against anti-doping violations. The commitment to a clean and fair game is of utmost importance to SLC, and any allegations of violations are taken with the highest level of seriousness. (SLC media release) (Daily News, 17.8.2024)

The touring Sri Lankans were defeated by Eng Lions, by 7 wickets in the opening match of the tour, played at County Grounds, New Road, Worcester. Scores:

Sri Lanka, 1st Innings – 139 ( Karunaratne 26, Jayasuriya 20, Akhter 5/32, Hull 3/30)

Eng Lions, 1st Innings – 324 (Shaika 91, Aldridge 78 McKinney 46, Yates 25, Jayasuriya 5/102, Rajitha 2/51)

Sri Lanka, 2nd Innings – 306 9 Madushka 77, de Silva 66, Mathews 51, Karunaratne 43, Ahmed 3/73, James 2/34, Hull 2/44, Akhter 2/59)

Eng Lions, 2nd Innings – 122/3 (Yates 57no, Rew 23no, de Silva 2/37)

FC Debut: Farhan Ahmed, Hanza Shaika (Eng Lions)

Sri Lanka will play a six-day Test match against New Zealand with a one-day rest in between due to the Presidential election next month. New Zealand will tour Sri Lanka for two Test matches. The first match will be held from September 18 to 23, with a rest day on September 21 due to the Presidential election. Both matches will be played at Galle: 1st Test: September 18-23, 2nd Test: September 26-30. (Ceylon Today, 23.8.2024)

Niroshan Dickwella has opted not to undergo a ‘B’ sample test, effectively admitting to the anti-doping allegations against him. This decision follows his positive test for cocaine, during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, as detected by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) on July 14.As a result, Dickwella has been provisionally suspended from all forms of cricket. Although the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) does not consider out-of-competition cocaine use an offence, the timing and circumstances of Dickwella’s positive test have serious consequences. During the 2024 LPL, held from July 1 to July 21, Dickwella captained the Galle Marvels, who lost to the Jaffna Kings by 9 wickets in the final. On Friday (23), Dickwella appeared before a three-member disciplinary committee, chaired by President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa and including Prof. Rohini Fernandopulle and Dr. Nimal Herath Gunaratne. The session, held at the National Institute of Sports Science (NISS), was also attended by attorney Panduka Keerthinanda, representing SLADA. The proceedings were recorded to ensure accuracy and prevent any potential misrepresentation, highlighting the gravity of the charges against Dickwella. Facing a potential four-year ban from all sports, Dickwella has agreed to submit a written statement within a week to present his side of the story. This statement will be crucial in determining the committee’s final decision. However, Dickwella’s history of controversies does not work in his favor. Three years ago, he, along with Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis, was suspended for breaching COVID-19 protocols during Sri Lanka’s tour of England. That incident resulted in a one-year ban for all three players, later reduced to six months upon appeal. Since the use of cocaine is against Sri Lankan law, Dickwella may also face criminal charges under the country’s legal system. (Ceylon Today, 25.8.2024)

England beat the touring Sri Lankans by 5 wickets, to win the first Test played at Old Trafford, Manchester. Scores

Sri Lanka, 1st Innings – 236 (de Silva 74, Ratnayake 72, Kusal Mendis 24, Woakes 3/32, Basher 3/55, Atkinson 2/48)

England, 1st Innings – 358 (Smith 111, Brook 56, Root 42, Lawrence 30, Asitha Fernando 4/103, Jayasuriya 3/85, Vishva Fernando 2/73)

Sri Lanka, 2nd Innings – 326 (Kamindu Mendis 113, Chandimal 79, Mathews 65, Karunaratne 27, Potts 3/47, Woakes 3/58, Atkinson 2/89)

England, 2nd Innings – 205/5 (Root 62no, Smith 39, Lawrence 34, Asitha Fernando 2/25, Jayasuriya 2/98)

Player of the Match: Jamie Smith (England)

Test Debut: Milan Rathnayake (Sri Lanka)

Points: England 12, Sri Lanka 0.

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced the playing XI for the second Test against England, which will be held at Lord’s starting tomorrow. Sri Lanka made two changes: Kusal Mendis has been dropped, and Pathum Nissanka will bat at number three. Additionally, Lahiru Kumara replaces Vishwa Fernando in the bowling department.