AUSTRALIA BOUNCE BACK TO CRUSH SRI LANKA TO EAT HUMBLE PIE – By Sunil Thenabadu Source : info-rain Australia bounce back with first win Openers Kusal Janith Perera and Pathum Nissanka made 125 runs stand   Australia executed a superb all round performance which guided them to an easy five wickets win over Sri Lanka in their World Cup cricket fixture played at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium at Lucknow yesterday. It was very unexpected batting performance by Sri Lanka team who made 125 for no loss at one stage but were reduced to 209 all out in 43.3 overs. Australia chase their 210 runs target in 35.2 overs with loss of only five wickets. After losing two early wickets for 24 runs opener Mitchell Marsh 52 in 51 balls with 9 fours, wicket-keeper Josh Inglis who scored 58 in 59 balls with 5 fours and a ...

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Shanaka and Pathirana double blow will test Sri Lanka resolve. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports editor) Injuries to Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka and young paceman Matheesha Pathirana has worsened injury stricken Sri Lanka’s chances of making it past the first round.  And while the Wolves baying for Shanaka’s blood will feel vindicated about derailing their country’s progress and still expecting success, it does nothing in my opinion to enhance their chances of progressing any further. It definitely underlines a divisive nation expecting success to meet their personal gain. This goes against the grain of the best teams that have represented that country.  Sri Lanka have shown fight in defeat in the last two games despite battling the odds to field their best line-up. Injuries have dessimated  a once formidable team who have gone through an extended rebuilding process.  But agendas among the outer with vested interests,  ...

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Sri Lanka’s Prospects in Cricket World Cup-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Madushka Balasuriya in ESPNcricinfo, 6 October 2023:  “Injured Theekshana to miss SL’s opener against South Africa” Head coach Chris Silverwood backs Sri Lanka’s rookie bowlers in the absence of seniors. Sri Lanka will be without Maheesh Theekshana for their World Cup opener against South Africa, head coach Chris Silverwood has confirmed on the eve of the game, with the spinner not yet fully recovered from the hamstring tear he suffered in the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka, however, will have the services of both Kusal Perera and Dasun Shanaka. Chris Silverwood, the coach “Theekshana is still recovering from a hamstring injury, so he won’t be available for this game,” Silverwood said. “But we expect him to be available very soon. The rest of them are fine.” KANDY, SRI LANKA – AUGUST 31: Maheesh Theekshana of Sri Lanka (L) and Matheesha Pathirana of Sri Lanka celebrates taking the wicket of Mustafizur ...

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ICC World Cup squads announced Source:Dailynews The ten countries have finalised their squads for the ICC Cricket World Cup on Thursday (28). The matches will commence from October 5. India team led by Rohit Sharma will be looking to become the fourth consecutive host nation to win the tournament, a run which began when they lifted the trophy themselves in 2011. Defending champions England, welcome back Ben Stokes, who has come out of ODI retirement as his side look to retain the trophy, while Kane Williamson will be hoping to win his fitness battle having been named to lead 2019 runners-up New Zealand. Last edition’s runner-ups, New Zealand will meet England in the opening game at Ahmedabad on October 5 and the final will be played at the same venue on November 19. Each team will play nine group stage matches before the semi-finals and all teams are expected to ...

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No swansong for Matthews as Sri Lanka opt for youth at World Cup – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports editor) Sri Lanka Cricket have done away with emotional sentiment and ruled out a swansong for former Skipper Angelo Matthews and perhaps Dinesh Chandimal, opting for youth, at the upcoming World Cup in India.  It was rumoured earlier that Matthews was a consideration for his experience and 40 plus percent batting average. He doubles up as a handy all-rounder with the ball.  Matthews is expected to bring the curtain down on a memorable career which has given Sri Lanka’s fans and Cricket fans around the world many reasons to cheer when he was on top of his game.  Sri Lanka have also ruled out strike weapons Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasarsnga De Silva who have not shown improvement to their injuries.  It opens the door for youngsters Dinuth Wellelage and ...

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Asia Cup At Khettarama: Disaster! Comedy! …. Hara-Kiri?-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Given the humid and rainy conditions, why the Sri Lankan management chose to bat on winning the toss is a major issue for deate after the collapse for 5 runs in  the face of some excllent seam and swing bowling from Siraj, Bumrah and Pandya. ...

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Sadeera, Matheesha and Asalanka star in big win-by Rex Clementine at Pallekele Matheesha Pathirana finished with four wickets as Sri Lanka bowled out Bangladesh for 164 at Pallekele yesterday. Source:Island There were doubts about how Sri Lanka’s depleted bowling attack will go about things in the Asia Cup, but the backup bowlers came up with a splendid performance in their opening encounter yesterday at Pallekele helping Sri Lanka to a seven wicket win over Bangladesh. Hometown boy Matheesha Pathirana was sensational finishing with four wickets providing early breakthroughs and then coming back for a last spell to destroy the tail as Bangladesh were bowled out for 164 runs with five overs to spare. Sadeera Samarawickrama then smashed a half-century to help Sri Lanka to a comfortable win with 11 overs to spare. He was joined by Charith Asalanka, who posted an unbeaten 62. ...

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Pathirana and Theeksheena lay the platform for a sensational Sri Lanka triumph over Bangladesh – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (Elanka Sports Editor) If early indications count for anything, Sri Lanka showed pride and poise of it’s symbolic Lion as they cruised past Bangladesh with a clinical five- wicket victory at Pallekelle. Hamstrung with a number of injuries, and perhaps resting some players for the upcoming World Cup, Sri Lanka showed some promise with available stocks, particularly Matheesha Pathirana who teamed up with Maheesh Theeksheena to rip through a respected Bangladesh batting line-up and bowl them out for 164 in 42.4 overs making the task for the batters a relatively easy task . Sri Lanka strolled to the target in 39 overs losing five wickets thanks to fighting knocks from Sadeera Samarawickrema 54 off 77 balls, and Charith Asalanka 62 off 92 balls after a top order stutter. Sri Lanka’s ...

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Sri Lanka Squad – Asia Cup 2023 Dasun Shanaka (c) Pathum Nissanaka Dimuth Karunaratne Kusal Janith Perera Kusal Mendis (VC) Charith Asalanka Dhananjaya de Silva Sadeera Samarawickrama Maheesh Theekshana Dunith Wellalage Matheesha Pathirana Kasun Rajitha Dushan Hemantha Binura Fernando Pramod Madushan. ...

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13 SL cricketers picked for ILT20 league – by Sunil Thenabadu Source : info-rain Eight more Sri Lankan cricketers have been signed for the UAE’s International League T20 (ILT20), ahead of the second edition which is set to begin on 13th January 2024. Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Thushara, and Sadheera Samarawickrama have been signed by Dubai Capitals. Kusal Perera and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth have been signed by MI Emirates. Sri Lankan cricketers Dilshan Madushanka, Kusal Mendis, and Maheesh Theekshana have been signed by Sharjah Warriors. Earlier, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Chandimal and Matheesha Pathirana had been retained by Desert Vipers. Charith Asalanka was retained by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, while Dushmantha Chameera was pre-signed by Dubai Capitals. All together, 13 Sri Lankan cricketers are set to feature in the UAE’s ILT20 which will kick off in January next year. (NewsWire) ...

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