Charith Asalanka deprived of his TEST CAP though was the highest run getter in the ICC T20 WC – by Sunil Thenabadu (sports editor – eLanka)   It is unfortunate as is deprived of his first TEST CAP in the first Test against scheduled to begin at the Galle International cricket stadium in Galle today Sunday. Charith Asalanka, who was Sri Lanka’s highest run-scorer in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, will not play for the first Test against West Indies, which will commence today (21) in Galle.In a press conference Dimuth Karunarane the skipper had said he will open with Pathum Nissanka whuile Dinesh Chandimal will keep wickets, which means that promising left-handed batsman Minod Bhanuka also misses out… ...

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Dimuth to lead Sri Lanka in Test Series against West Indies – Sunil Thenabadu (Sports editor – eLanka) Opener Dimuth Karunaratne  sans any surprise has been preserved as the captain to lead Sri Lanka for the two-test series against West Indies which is scheduled to begin from November 21 at the Galle Cricket Stadium.Both Tests are scheduled to be played at The Galle International Cricket Stadium  The national selectors who are strongly contemplating on young talent have elected newcomers in dashing batsmen Charith Asalanka, Kamil Mishara, and leg spinner Suminda Lakshan and seamer Chamika Gunesekara based on their domestic performance to reinforce the team which was not performing well in the recent past. The other highlight of this squad is that there are ten specialised batsmen, two all-rounders and four spin bowlers while six fast bowlers are drafted in to keep the options wide open for selection.  The batting department is spearheaded ...

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SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS (OCTOBER 2021) Compiled by Victor Melder Minod Bhanuka, Ramesh Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Lakshan Sandakan and Ashen Bandara have been added to Sri Lanka’s original squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup – announced mid-September. Lahiru Madhushanka, who was named in the original squad will not travel with the team as he is recovering from an injury. Reserve-keeper Minod Bhanuka and the two batsmen – Ramesh Mendis and Pathum Nissanka – were part of Sri Lanka’s recent home series defeat to South Africa in August. They came away with underwhelming performances and were omitted from the initial squad. Ashen Bandara last played a month before at home in the series win against India, while Lakshan Sandakan’s previous outing for the national side came in July in England. Neither made a big enough mark to be considered initially, but Sri Lanka have now added to their squad, which ...

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Lahiru, Hasaranga,Theekshana unplayable as merciless Sri Lanka crush ignorant Netherlands by eight wickets – by Sunil Thenabadu (eLanka Sports editor) Photo Courtesy: Ceylon Daily news Player of the match Lahiru Kumara  Facebook  Chief Scores:  Netherlands: Colin Ackerman 11( Maheesh Theekshana 2 for 3,Lahiru Kumara  3 for 7, Wanindu Hasaranga 3 for 9 in 10 overs  Sri Lanka: 45 for 2 in 7.1 overs (Kusal Perera 33* ( 24 b 6 fours)  Though it was a dead rubber with Sri Lanka already entered the Super 12 stage in Group 1 Sri Lanka were ruthless with their execution skittling out the Netherlands for a paltry 44 runs.In year 2014 T 20 WC Sri Lanka had embarrassed the Netherlands by folding them for a meagre 39 runs the lowest total in WC history since year 2007.The Sri Lanka bowling trio of paceman Lahiru Kumara spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana claiming nine wickets ...

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Preview to the T 20 WORLD CUP Losing streak “HOODOO’ smashed, time to focus on T20 WC 2021 by Sunil Thenabadu In a philanthropic gesture, Sri Lanka’s white-ball skipper Dasun Shanaka has  donated his Man-of-the-Series prize money ( Rs 200,000/-) won in the SLC Invitational T20 League, to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila.It had been brought to his notice that the national cricketers are planning to set up a special unit at the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital with a fixed ventilator for the benefit of the COVID-19 patients.Dasun Shanaka had confessed that it is the responsibility to contribute for worthy causes like this as  the situation of the country is critical. The newly knit Sri Lanka’s T20 team recently triumphed the series 2-1 in the recently completed white ball series over the formidable Indian team all with IPL experience including five Test players. In order to recognize this triumph, ...

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The Legend of Lucky Rogers-by Rex Clementine Source:Island Quietly, sit next to a coach giving a pep talk to Under-13 cricketers before a game and you will be left with anger and bewilderment as you eavesdrop.  Coaches teach young kids some new tricks in the trade. ‘Appeal three times vociferously and there’s a good chance that you will get a decision in your favour that would have been otherwise given not out.’ That’s the current status of our school cricket. But then, there are also the rare coaches, the Lucky Rogers type. Here’s the Lucky Rogers story. Ananda College had had a terrific season in 2009 having won 12 games. They were skippered by Dinesh Chandimal. The title was going to be decided in the crunch game between Ananda and Royal at Ananda Mawatha. Royal had KJP. Ananda were set to secure the title after being set a paltry target ...

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Sri Lanka players sign national contracts till end of 2021 Sri Lanka players had previously refused to sign national contracts, citing ‘lack of transparency’ Source:Island Angelo Mathews isn’t among the 18 cricketers who signed the men’s national contracts, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced. It further said that the contract offered this time had no “deviation” from the earlier contract which was rejected by the players alleging lack of transparency. SLC had revealed a five-point grading system back in May, bringing down the number of contracts from 32 to only 24. As differences continued over the nature of the contracts offered, the players signed “tour contracts” for their series against England and India as a makeshift arrangement. ...

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Ananda-Nalanda clash put off due to COVID-19 Action from an Under-19 cricket match Source:Dailynews The 92nd Battle of the Maroons Inter-School Big Match between traditional rivals Ananda College and Nalanda College which was scheduled for June 5 and 6 has been postponed due to the prevailing health situation in the country. The encounter was scheduled to be played in Colombo. Out of the 91 matches played, Ananda have won 14 with Nalanda accounting for five and 67 matches drawn. ...

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SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS-(JANUARY 2021)Compiled by Victor Melder Spinner Akila Dhananjaya, who was banned from bowling, has been cleared to bowl by the International Cricket Council (ICC) permitting him to participate in International Cricket. Dananjaya was banned from bowling in international cricket for 12 months following an independent assessment of his action in September 2019.(Daily Mirror Online, 8.1.2021) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) released the list of the squad that are selected for the 2-match Test series against England, which will begin on Thursday (14). The squad, under the captaincy of Dimuth Karunaratne, includes newcomer Ramesh Mendis while middle-order batsman Roshen Silva joins the Test squad after a long lapse. Kusal Mendis, who scored three back-to-back ducks in South Africa, too has been named in the squad, but is highly unlikely to make it to the playing XI. Regular opening batsman Oshada Fernando, though being named, will miss the first Test ...

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Niroshan Dickwella – Sri Lanka’s Wicket Keeper in Fine Form – A friendly Sledge on English batsmen and Joe Root’s Sledge on Dinesh Chandimal – England Tour to Sri Lanka 2021 Niroshan Dickwella – Sri Lanka’s Wicket Keeper in Fine Form – A friendly Sledge on Bairstow, Dan Lawrence & Joe Root – a good clean sledge – how cricket should be played 🙂 Joe Root’s Sledge on Dinesh Chandimal – England tour to Sri lanka 2021 – “Come on Chandi, Throw You Wicket Away…” ...

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