Lahiru Kumara ruled out of World Cup qualifiers, Sahan Arachchige named as replacement Source:Dailymirror Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, who walked off the field with an injury during Sri Lanka’s Super Six win over the Netherlands on Friday, has been ruled out for the rest of the Cricket World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe. Kumara was diagnosed with a side strain, which has now ruled him out of Sri Lanka’s remaining matches, with uncapped all-rounder Sahan Arachchige, who was one of the three standby players who were already in Zimbabwe, called up as a replacement.  ...

Read More →

SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS – By Victor Melder Complied by Victor Melder   (JUNE 2023)     Experienced batsman Angelo Mathews was omitted from the Sri Lanka squad for the Cricket World Cup qualifiers this month, in an otherwise unchanged squad named for the three-month ODI series against Afghanistan.  Brought in earlier this year to support an otherwise inexperienced ODI batting line up, Mathews managed just scored of 18, 0 and 12 in three matches since his return, and with only 15 players allowed in the squad, the former captain failed to make the cut.  Of the 15 players named for the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe, only Chamika Karunaratne did not feature in a single game in the series against Afghanistan, which Sri Lanka won 2-1.  Sri Lanka begin their qualification campaign against the United Arab Emirates on June 19, but are scheduled to play two warm up matches ...

Read More →

 Angry awoken Lion’s savage Afgan intrusion.  Sri Lanka annihilate Afghanistan in one day duel. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE  Afganistan stepped on the tail of a sleeping Lion and paid the price of a savage mauling at its awakening in the one day series in Hambantota.  Game one saw the visiting Afgans jump the locals in a surprising turnaround. Don’t get me wrong, they are a force in world cricket at the moment. Sri Lanka isn’t.  Stung by the humiliation, Sri Lanka returned fire to annihilate the invaders in games two and three to clinch the three game one day series in emphatic fashion.  It would be fair to say the home team was depleted with the absence of key bowlers Dushmantha Chameera   Maheesh Theeksheena and Wanindu Hasarsnga De Silva in game one.  But the demoralising defeat in that encounter demanded action stations, and the selectors reacted swiftly to ...

Read More →

Sri Lanka crush Afghanistan to seal series win-by Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Hambantota   Source:Dailynews Sri Lankan paceman Dushmantha Chameera had fine figures of 4 for 63 while openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne hit half centuries as Sri Lanka notched up an easy 9 wickets win over Afghanistan to win the three match series 2-1 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International cricket stadium yesterday. It was superb bowling effort by Sri Lankan bowlers to restrict Afghanistan to 116 all out in 22.2 overs while Sri Lankan openers Dimuth Karunaratne (54not out) and Pathum Nissanka (51) also added 84 runs in 10.1 overs. They played anchor roles to reach their target in great style and Sri Lanka were 120 for 1 in just 16 overs and by 1.35pm the game ended with superb victory to Sri Lanka. They celebrated the 2-1 series win before the World Cup qualifier cricket tournament which will ...

Read More →

Sri Lanka square ODI series with 132 run win over Afghanistan Source:Dailymirror Sri Lanka bounced back to square the three-match one-day international series against Afghanistan on Sunday, with a comprehensive 132-run win at Hambantota. Having amassed a target of 324, the Sri Lankan bowlers skittled out the tourists for 191 inside 43 overs for their biggest win in ODIs over Afghanistan. Quick bowler Dushmantha Chameera, returning to the side after a seven-month layoff after ankle surgery, bowled a couple of hostile spells to finish with two for 18. ...

Read More →

Hot-Hot Cricket News: Monies & Lanka’s Team Selections-by Michael Roberts Victor Melder as Compiler Sri Lanka will earn as much as Rs. 8.6 billion per year over a four-year period (Rs. 34.2 billion in total income) as the island’s allocation from the International Cricket Council’s annual payouts.  In US dollars Sri Lanka’s share is 27.12 million compared to India’s lion’s share of USD 230 million but the amount in still massive by Sri Lanka’s standards. The International Cricket Council has made the allocations taking into account factors like performance in both the men’s and women’s teams on the international stage over the past 16 years and contribution to the ICC’s commercial value. The earnings of the ICC of over $3.2 billion come from the sale of its media rights alone, which recently, for the first time, were sold across five separate regions globally including the Indian market. The vast bulk of ...

Read More →

SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS Complied by Victor Melder  (MAY 2023) Sri Lanka will earn as much as Rs. 8.6 billion per year over a four year period (Rs. 34.2 billion in total income) as the island’s allocation from the International Cricket Council’s annual payouts.  In US dollars Sri Lanka’s share is 27.12 million compared to India’s lion’s share of USD 230 million but the amount in still massive by Sri Lanka’s standards. The International Cricket Council has made the allocations taking into account factors like performance in both the men’s and women’s teams on the international stage over the past 16 years and contribution to the ICC’s commercial value. The earnings of the ICC of over $3.2 billion come from the sale of its media rights alone, which recently, for the first time, were sold across five separate regions globally including the Indian market. The vast bulk of that money ...

Read More →

Thirty member cricket pool named for Zimbabwe tour-by Dhammika Ratnaweera Kusal Mendis who was named ODI Vice captain playing football while at training (pix courtesy SLC) Source:Dailynews Sri Lankan ODI cricket team is getting ready for the world Cup qualification tournament which is scheduled to commence on June 18 in Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka already have been relegated to play in the 10 team qualifier tournament where the finalists will join the eight automatic qualifiers in the main draw. South Africa is the latest addition to automatic qualifiers list and they were able to edge out Ireland to qualify for the direct qualification slot. Sri Lankan also an uphill task to get qualification slot while Ireland, Netherlands, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka (five super league bottom teams), Nepal, Oman, Scotland (League 2 top three teams) and UAE and USA Qualifier play off top two teams) are expected to take part ...

Read More →

  SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS Compiled – by Victor Melder   (JANUARY 2023) Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed Chris Clarke-Irons as the Lead Physiotherapist of the National Team, with effect from January 1, 2023. Chris is on a two-year contract with Sri Lanka Cricket and his first official tour with the Sri Lanka National Team will be the Sri Lanka Tour of India 2022–2023. Chris, who holds a BSc (Hons) Degree in Physiotherapy obtained from the University of East London and an MSc in Advanced Physiotherapy from Kings College, London, was the Head of Science and Medicine and also the Lead Physiotherapist of the Essex County Cricket Club, before joining Sri Lanka Cricket. He also held stints with the England Men’s Team during an ODI Tour of Australia and also functioned as the physiotherapist for the ECB’s Senior Men’s Pace Program. (Daily Mirror, 1.1.2023) India beat the touring Sri Lankans ...

Read More →

Kusal, Dushmantha among key players to play against England Lions before NZ tour Source:Dailymirror The Sri Lanka Cricket Selectors have decided to play 14 players including Kusal Janith Perera and Dushmantha Chameera as and when needed during the upcoming games against the England Lions Team, as part of their preparation for the Sri Lanka Tour of New Zealand. The Sri Lanka team is scheduled to tour in New Zealand in March this year for 2 Test matches, 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. It was reported that some key Sri Lankan players who have recovered from injuries will be included in the New Zealand tour. ...

Read More →