SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS
(MAY 2024)
Compiled by Victor Melder
SLC intends to put more focus on Test cricket and boost the interest and commitment of players with the increment of match fees
In a bold move aimed at reinvigorating the spirit of Test cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a substantial increase in match fees for players participating in the longer format of the game. The decision, which sees match fees for winning matches soar from US$7,500 to US$15,000, represents a 100 percent increase of the compensation currently received by players. With a clear intent to incentivise involvement in Test cricket, SLC has also raised match fees for draws to US$12,500 and for defeats to US$10,000. The moves comes at a critical juncture for Test cricket, which has been facing mounting challenges to its relevance and popularity in the wake of the rapid rise of T20 cricket. The allure of the shorter format, with its fast-paced action and high-scoring encounters, has threatened to overshadow the traditional charm and strategic depth of Test cricket for many years now. “We want to encourage more and more players to get into red-ball cricket,” remarked Ashley de Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket. “Our decision to increase match fees for Test matches is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the legacy of this venerable format.” The change is not solely motivated by financial considerations but also by a desire to foster a renewed sense of pride and purpose among players. By offering more competitive remuneration, SLC aims to inspire players to prioritise Test cricket and to approach each match with the dedication and In addition to the substantial increase in match fees for Test matches, SLC has also raised fees for One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) by significant margins. At present, a player gets US$ 4000 for an ODI game and US$ 3000 for a T20 international game. De Silva said that SLC has increased these payments by a substantial amount. ODIs and T20Is continue to play a crucial role in the global cricketing landscape and SLC’s commitment to reward the players comes as a significant move. Many view it as a positive step towards preserving the sanctity of Test cricket and reaffirming its status as the pinnacle of the sport. With the financial incentives now in place, there is renewed hope that Sri Lanka will produce a new generation of Test cricketers who are not only technically proficient but also fiercely passionate about the longest format of the game. (Times of Ceylon, 5.5.2024)
Moving into World Cup tournaments, Sri Lanka selectors have traditionally faced difficult challenges in relation to squad selection. From time to time, the selectors have made tough calls; some of which have paid off and some turned out to be shocking mistakes – such as leaving out a young Wanindu Hasaranga as a reserve player to include Jeffery Vandersay and Jeevan Mendis in the squad for the ODI World Cup in 2019. Usually, the selectors have always had trouble picking the spinners or batsmen, as the country did not have a lot to select from in terms of fast bowlers. However, arguably for the first time in history, the national selectors will have a very hard choice to make when they name possibly three or four fast bowlers in the final 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. In the preliminary squad, Sri Lanka have got Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Promod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, and Binura Fernando. Selectors will ideally go with four fast bowlers, considering that all-rounders Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka are almost certain to be in the Playing XI. Asitha Fernando is probably Sri Lanka’s best fast bowler in Test cricket. He has got decent pace and swings the new ball to cause enough trouble for batsmen, but most importantly, he is Sri Lanka’s Neil Wagner – when the going gets tough, the captains tend to switch on the chin music through Fernando. However, he is probably the least likely to be named in the World Cup squad based on his T20 performances. On the other hand, Binura Fernando has been given a lot of opportunities in the recent past. The lanky medium pacer has had plenty of injuries throughout his career and is probably the slowest bowler in the preliminary squad. However, drop-in pitches are expected to be used in the USA for the World Cup, and his variations could come in handy in such conditions. Promod Madushan, like Binura Fernando, has been representing Sri Lanka a lot in the shorter formats, but that’s mainly down to the fact that the senior men were injured. He has done well with the new ball, but in T20s, bowling death overs is hugely instrumental to the team’s success, and perhaps that’s not his strong suit. Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka made a name for himself when Sri Lanka lifted the Asia Cup a couple of years ago – very famously dismissing Virat Kohli with a brilliant in-swinger, but there has been a massive drop in his form in the last few months as he has been reduced to the bench. Should he find his rhythm back, he would be very hard to overlook. Lahiru Kumara has been really inconsistent over the years, but in the recent past he has appeared to lose some pace in order to gain much-needed control over his bowling. But then again, is he one of Sri Lanka’s top four fast bowlers going into the World Cup? This remains a big question mark. Matheesha Pathirana – given his form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – is likely to be one of the first to be named in the Playing XI should he remain fit. However, it is concerning that the former Trinity quick missed a few games for CSK through an injury he has been carrying for a few weeks now. Nuwan Thushara is also considered another ‘Baby Malinga’ given his action similar to that of former great Lasith Malinga, but what Thushara and Pathirana offer is absolutely different. While Pathirana is a death-over monster – CSK barely gives him an opportunity with the new ball. On the other hand, Thushara, who is far less in terms of pace, bowls superbly with the new ball, and demolishing Bangladesh single-handedly a couple of months ago is a fine example of that, but he is probably not at the same level at the death. It’s crazy to think that Sri Lanka had someone with both of these characteristics for nearly 15 years in Lasith Malinga – some things are not loved enough until they are gone. Dushmantha Chameera has been Sri Lanka’s spearhead in the post-Malinga era. (Daily Mirror, 6.5.2024)
The Sri Lankan Cricket Selection Committee has unveiled the 15-member squad set to represent the nation in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Under the captaincy of Wanindu Hasaranga, and with Charith Asalanka serving as the vice-captain, the team boasts a formidable lineup comprising seasoned veterans and promising young talents. The squad : 1) Wanindu Hasaranga – Captain 2) Charith Asalanka – Vice Captain 3) Kusal Mendis 4) Pathum Nissanka 5) Kamindu Mendis 6) Sadeera Samarawickrama 7) Angelo Mathews 8) Dasun Shanaka 9) Dhananjaya De Silva 10) Maheesh Theekshana 11) Dunith Wellalage 12) Dushmantha Chameera 13) Nuwan Thushara 14) Matheesha Pathirana 15) Dilshan Madushanka Travelling Reserves : 1. Asitha Fernando 2. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth 3. Bhanuka Rajapaksa 4. Janith Liyanage. (Daily Mirror, 10.5.2024)
The Netherlands beat Sri Lanka by 20 runs, in the T20 World-Cup, Warm-Up Match 4, played at Lauderhill, Central Broward regional Park Stadium, Turf Grounds, Florida. Scores:
Netherlands – 181/5 in 20 Overs (Levitt 55, Nidamaunuru 27, Edwards 27, Madushanka 2/39, Mathews 1/20, Wellalage 1/26)
Sri Lanka – 161 in 19 Overs (Hasaranga 43, Shanaka 34, D. de Silva 34, Dutt 3/20, Klein 2/13)
