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SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS – (JANUARY 2020) – Compiled by Victor Melder

Victor Meldor

The national cricket team will undertake their first assignment of this year taking wings to India today for a three match T-20 series. The opening encounter will be played on Sunday (January 5) in the eastern city of Guwahati. The port city in the state of Assam is bordering China. The remaining two games will be played in Indore (January 7) and Pune (January 10). The team will fly to Madras today morning, where they have a five hour layover before taking the next flight to Guwahati. The Sri Lankan series is sandwiched between the tours of West Indies and Australia. Lasith Malinga’s side will not be playing in any of the major cities with all premier cricket centers allocated for the West Indies and the Australians. The tour was not on the Future Tour Programme (FTP) and the Sri Lankans are replacing Zimbabwe. Former captain Angelo Mathews returns to the side after being overlooked for the shortest version of the game for more than a year. Mathews last played a T-20 International in August last year. The selectors had indicated that Mathews should start bowling again if he were to be considered for T-20 cricket. The injury prone all-rounder has resumed bowling and he is expected to share the new ball with skipper Lasith Malinga in the three match series. The spotlight is on Malinga’s captaincy after the team suffered successive series losses under his leadership. Dasun Shanaka, meanwhile, led the team for a 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan away from home after several seniors pulled out of the tour due to security reasons. Fast bowler Kasun Rajitha was drafted into the 16 member squad after Nuwan Pradeep got injured while training lead up to the tour. The squad was approved by the Ministry of Sports only last evening. Sports Minister Dallas Allaperuma had instructed SLC to submit squads for approval 14 days prior to the team’s departure. SLC sources said that practically it will be impossible to submit teams two weeks prior to the departure. SLC is expected to take up the matter with the Minister. There will be a lot of focus on T-20 cricket this year with the T-20 World Cup scheduled later this year in Australia. Sri Lanka needs to play a qualifying round ahead of the tournament also in Australia. The former champions will play Ireland, Papua New Guinea and Oman in the qualifying round in Geelong in the state of Victoria before the tournament proper gets underway. Prior to that, Sri Lanka will host South Africa and India for T-20 series. (Daily Island, 2.1.2020)

The first T20 match between the touring Sri Lankans and India, scheduled to be played at Barsapaa Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, was abandoned due to rain. India won the toss and chose to bowl, but that’s as far as the weather allowed.

India beat the touring Sri Lankans by 7 wickets to win the second T20 played at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. Scores:

Sri Lanka – 142/9 in 20 Overs (M.Perera 34, Fernando 22, Gunathilaka 20, Thakur 3/23, Saini 2/18, Yadav 2/38, Sundar 1/29)

India – 144/3 in 17.3 Overs (Rahul 45, Iyer 34, Dhawan 32, Kohli 30no, de Silva 2/30, Kumara 1/30)

Player of the match: Navdeep Saini (India)

India beat the touring Sri Lankans by 78 runs to win the third and final T20, played at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. Scores:

India – 201/6 in 20 Overs (Rahul 54, Dhawan 52, Pandey 31no, Sandakan 3/35, de Silva 1/27, Kumara 1/46)

Sri Lanka – 123 in 15.5 Overs (de Silva 57, Mathews 31, Saini 3/28, Thakur 2/19, Sundar 2/37, Bumrah 1/5)

Player of the match: Shardul Thakur (India)

Player of the series: Navdeep Saini (India)

India won the 3-match series 2-0.

The national cricket team has got a hectic schedule in 2020 where they will play nine Test matches, 12 ODIs and at least 16 T-20s. They will be playing more T-20s than the other two formats for the obvious reason that this year the World T-20 will be staged in Australia in late October. This is apart from the Asia Cup, also a T-20 tournament to be played in Pakistan. Accordingly, Sri Lanka will host England and Bangladesh in Tests at home while their Test tours will be only to the African continent. Later this month, they will travel to Zimbabwe and will spend Christmas in South Africa. While the series against Bangladesh consists three games, all other series scheduled are two Test series, Sri Lanka Cricket officials told The Island yesterday. Bangladesh will be here in June. The biggest attraction of them all will be India’s tour to the island. Virat Kohli’s side will play three ODIs and three T-20s followed by South Africa who will also play a similar number of games. West Indies are due in February to play three ODIs and two T-20s. A home series against Zimbabwe comprising three ODIs and two T-20s is unconfirmed. In October, Pakistan will arrive for three ODIs and two T-20s. Sri Lanka need to play a qualifying round ahead of the World T-20 where their opponents will be Ireland, Oman and Papua New Guinea. Currently, Sri Lanka are ranked sixth in Tests, eighth in ODIs and seventh in T-20s. Lasith Malinga’s side needs to win at least one of the three T-20s in India to avoid slipping to number eight in T-20 Rankings. If they lose all the games, Afghanistan will overtake them. (Daily Island, 3.1.2020

Sri Lanka Cricket

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) this week decided to terminate the contract of suspended Head Cricket Coach Chandika Hathurusingha after a one-man committee found him guilty for all six charges of failing to discharge his obligations under the contract, creating disharmony within the team and for gross insubordination. The report which was tabled at Thursday’s Executive Committee meeting comes just days after enraged Hathurusingha sent a letter of demand to the tune of US$ 5 million for wrongful termination of his contract and causing damage to his reputation. The letter of termination will now be served to Hathurusingha who remained suspended since August last year. SLC has charged him on six counts including failing to prepare the Sri Lanka team physically and mentally for tours; failing to build confidence of players in need to [sic] support; for creating disharmony and failure to build team spirit; failure to adhere to the ICC’s Code of Conduct; insubordination; and acting in a manner which is totally unbecoming of a National Head Coach. The report was prepared by Justice Lalith Jayasuriya against the alleged breach of contractual obligations by Hathurusingha. “By the said report, Mr. Hathurusingha was found guilty for all the six charges levelled against him for failing to discharge his obligations under the contract, creating disharmony within the team and for gross insubordination,” a SLC ExCo submission reads.(Sunday Times, 12.1.2020)

Sri Lanka Tuesday named a 15-member squad for the two-match Test series in Zimbabwe, the first in the African nation since its suspension was lifted by the ICC. Both Tests will be held in Harare, the first from Sunday and the second starting on January 27th, Sri Lanka’s cricket board said. Zimbabwe last played a Test match in November 2018 when they toured Bangladesh and they were barred from ICC events in July last year because of political interference but was readmitted by the International Cricket Council three months later. Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan and Suranga Lakmal. (Daily Island, 15.1.2020)

The touring Sri Lankans beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets to win the first Test, played at Hararare Sports Club. Scores:

Zimbabwe – 1st Innings 358 (Ervine 85, Kasuza 63, Masvaure 55, Tiripano 44no, Raza 41, Embuldeniya 5/114, Lakmal 3/53, Kumara 2/82)

Sri Lanka – 1st Innings 515/9 dec (Mathews 200no, Mendis 80, de Silva 63, Dickwella 63, Raza 3/62, Nyauchi 3/69, Williams 2/104, Tiripano 1/82)

Zimbabwe – 2nd Innings – 170 (Williams 39, Taylor 38, Lakmal 4/27, Kumara 3/32, Embuldeniya 2/74)

Sri Lanka – 2nd Innings 14/0 (Karunaratne 10no, Fernando 4no)

Player of the match: Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka)

Test debut: Ainsley Ndlovu, Victor Nyauchi, Kavin Kasuza, Brian Mudzinganayama (Zimbabwe)

Feb 3, 2020 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Victor Melder Tagged Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Head Cricket Coach Chandika Hathurusingha, Kasun Rajitha, Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Niroshan Dickwella, Sri Lanka Cricket, Vishwa Fernando Comments 0

SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS (DECEMBER 2019) – Compiled by Victor Melder

Victor Meldor

Pakistan will be hosting Test cricket for the first time in more than ten years, that too against a full-strength Sri Lanka line-up, in December 2019. Dimuth Karunaratne will lead the Sri Lanka side, with experienced batsmen Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal present in the 16-member squad. The team leaves for Pakistan on December 8 to play two Test matches that will count towards the World Test Championship. Less than three months ago, Sri Lanka had toured Pakistan for a series of limited-overs matches, but as many as ten high-profile players had opted against travelling. The Test series was originally scheduled for October at a neutral venue because of security concerns, but the PCB requested Sri Lanka to play the entire bilateral series in Pakistan. The white-ball games were played as a test of sorts for the security measures taken by the hosts, and following the success of that tour, Sri Lanka agreed to play the Tests in Pakistan too. There was only one change to the Sri Lanka squad that played the second Test against New Zealand at home in August. Kasun Rajitha, the right-arm fast bowler, replaced leg spinner Akila Dananjaya, who is currently serving a one-year suspension for an illegal action. The first Test will start on December 11 in Rawalpindi, followed by the second in Karachi from December 19. Pakistan has not hosted a Test match since the 2009 Lahore attack that wounded several Sri Lankan cricketers, support staff members and others. Of the current players, fast bowler Suranga Lakmal was part of Sri Lanka’s squad back then as well. (ESPN cricinfo)

The Sri Lanka Test Squad for the Pakistan tour: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Oshada Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Mendis, Diiruwan Perera, Lahiru Kumara, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Vishwa Fernando, Kusal Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha and Niroshan Dickwella.

The first Test between the touring Sri Lankans and Pakistan, played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawapindia, ended in a draw, with rain affecting play. Scores:

Sri Lanka – 1st Innings – 308/6dec (de Silva 102no, Karunaratne 59, B.O.P Fernando 40, Dickwella 33, Mathews 31, Afridi 2/58, Shah

2/92, Shinwari 1/54, Abbas 1/72

Pakistan – 1st Innings – 252/2 Abid.Ali 109no,Azam 102 no, Azhar Ali 36, Rajitha 1/5, Kumara 1/46)

Player of the Match: Abid Ali (Pakistan)

Test debut: Abid Ali & Usman Shinwari (Pakistan)

Pakistan defeated the touring Sri Lankans by 263 runs to win the second and final test played at Karachi National Stadium, Karachi. Scores:

Pakistan – 1st Innings – 191 (Shafiq 63, Azam 60, Abid Ali 38, Kumara 4/49, Embuldeniya 4/71Fernando 2/31)

Sri Lanka – 1st Innings – 271 (Chandimal 74, Perera 48, de Silva 32, Karunaratne 25, Afridi 5/77, Abbas 4/55, Sohail 1/11)

Pakistan – 2nd Innings – 555/3 dec (Abid Ali 174, Masood 135, Azar Ali 118, Azam 100no, Kumara 2/139, Embuldeniya 1/193)

Sri Lanka – 2nd Innings – 212 (Fernando 102, Dickwella 65, N. Shah 5/31, Y. Shah 2/84, Sohail 1/10, Abbas 1/33, Afridi 1/51)

Player of the match: Abid Ali (Pakistan)

Player of the series: Abid Ali (Pakistan)

Leading all-rounder Thisara Perera has joined Sri Lanka Army. Thisara has enlisted to the Gajaba Regiment and holds the rank of Brevet Major. He will be playing domestic cricket for Army this season. “General Shavendra Silva invited me to join Army. I have enormous respect for General Shavendra and it was a request that I could not turn down,” Thisara tsaid. Army has been investing a lot to improve their cricket and become a force in the domestic season. Before the ongoing season got underway, Army recruited former Test captain Dinesh Chandimal. Thisara is unlikely to feature in the upcoming three match T-20 series in India. Instead, he will be in Bangladesh playing in the BPL. Army has been nurturing quite a few cricketers over the years. Ajantha Mendis and Seekkuge Prasanna made quite an impact for the soldiers before going onto represent Sri Lanka. Mendis was the hero as Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup in 2008 in Karachi as his mystery spin humbled India’s famous batting line-up. (Daily Island, 3.12.2019)

Dec 31, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Cricket News, Victor Melder Tagged Diiruwan Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella Comments 0

Malinga, Perera, Mendis, Dickwella return for Australia tour

SOURCE:-Island Cricket

lasith-malinga_srilanka_4_wickets_balls_2019-1-min

With an eye on World T20 qualification, Sri Lanka have recalled four players who missed the winning series in Pakistan.

Lasith Malinga will return as skipper of the T20 side, replacing Dasun Shanaka along with Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella.

Shanaka, who successfully led Sri Lanka in Pakistan to record a rare 3-0 win in the series, will however retain his place in the 16-man squad.

Wicket-keeper batsmen Sadeera Samarawickrema and Minod Bhanuka, all-rounder Lahiru Madushanka and middle-order bat Angelo Perera traveled to Pakistan but are likely to sit it out making the way for the four seniors to re-enter the squad.

Oct 28, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Niroshan Dickwella Comments 0

Lasith Malinga returns to captain Sri Lanka in Australia T20 series

malinga

Text Source: SportingNews

Lasith Malinga returns to captain Sri Lanka, while Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Oshada Fernando have retained their places in the Twenty20 International squad for the series in Australia.

Malinga was among a host of players who opted out of the recent tour of Pakistan, which Sri Lanka ended with a historic 3-0 whitewash of the top-ranked T20 side in the world.

Dasun Shanaka skippered an inexperienced team in Malinga’s absence, but the paceman is set to resume leadership duties in a three-match series that starts at Adelaide Oval on October 27.

Batsmen Rajapaksa and Oshada are also among the 16 players selected after making their debuts in Pakistan.

Sri Lanka squad:

Lasith Malinga (captain), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha.

Oct 19, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Cricket News, English Videos Tagged Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga (captain), Niroshan Dickwella, Nuwan Pradeep, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Wanindu Hasaranga Comments 0

SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS (AUGUST 2019)Compiled by Victor Melder

Victor Meldor - eLanka

Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to terminate the contract of Chandika Hathurusingha, the Head Coach of the national cricket team, after the two parties failed to come to a mutual agreement to sever ties. Following the ICC Cricket World Cup where Sri Lanka finished sixth, SLC had indicated to the Head Coach that they were looking for a replacement but Hathurusingha was interested in staying on till the end of his contract in December 2020. SLC had agreed to pay him six months of his salary to bring an early end to the contract but Hathurusingha maintained that he could still help development of players. Hathurusingha is expected to fight his case in courts, much like Geoff Marsh, who successfully sued SLC eight years ago after being unceremoniously dumped from his job. Interestingly, it took Marsh four weeks since winning Sri Lanka their maiden Test match in South Africa to be booted out. Similarly, four months after winning a first ever Test series in South Africa, Hathurusingha has been sent home. SLC will indicate the national cricket’s terms poor performances as the reason for the early termination of contract. The board is expected to point out their displeasure at Hathurusingha’s conduct during the ball tampering controversy in the Caribbean last year as well. Hathurusingha will have a strong case to argue in courts as he was stripped of selector’s duty midway through his contract and he will point out that he cannot be held responsible for something that was beyond his control. Meanwhile Chief Operating Officer of SLC Jerome Jayaratne is set to take over as Interim Coach during the bilateral series against New Zealand. Jayaratne, one of the longest serving employees of SLC having joined the governing body in 2000 is a career coach with international reputation. Until 2017, he functioned as Director Coaching when SLC sprung wholesale changes to the coaching set up. The results since then have been disastrous. Jayaratne functioned in a similar role in 2015 after Marvan Atapattu stepped down as Head Coach. He is expected to be retained in his usual position of Director Coaching replacing High Performance Manager Asanka Gurusingha, whose contract will end later this month. (Daily Island, 6.8.2019)

Former Captain Dinesh Chandimal has been named in the 15-member Sri Lanka squad for the first Test against New Zealand, which starts on 14th August in Galle. Chandimal was dropped from all formats for loss of form in the past six months. Since captaining the team in Australia earlier this year, Chandimal missed the South Africa tour, World Cup and the recently-concluded Bangladesh series. However, he will have to fight for a place with wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella, who was the vice-captain of the Test team in South Africa, where Sri Lanka recorded a stunning 2-0 win. Apart from Chandimal, Sri Lanka have also included Angelo Mathews, who missed the South Africa Test series due to a hamstring injury. Mathews, however played a key role with the limited-overs team in the World Cup and won the Player of the Series award against Bangladesh. From the 22-man preliminary squad announced earlier this week, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilruwan Perera and Angelo Perera have missed out on selection. The more-experienced off-spinning all-rounder, Dilruwan Perera has been left out due to an injury concern and should be available for selection only from the 2nd Test in Colombo. Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya will be the main strike weapon for the hosts, along with Akila Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan as they form a three-pronged spin attack. Dhananjaya De Silva, provides another reliable off-spin option. Suranga Lakmal will be the more experienced seamer out of the three fast-bowlers included. Lahiru Kumara and left-armer Vishwa Fernando complete the attack. Sri Lanka Squad for First Test – Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya De Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Oshada Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando. (Daily Island, 10.8.2019)

The three-day warm-up match between the touring New Zealanders and the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI, played at the FTZ Sports Complex (BOI), Katunayake ended in a draw. Scores:

Sri Lanka Board President’s XI – 323/6 dec (Gunathilaka 98, Samarawickrama 80, Priyanjan 56no, Nisanka 35, A.K.Perera 32, Patel 5/41, Somerville 1/70)

Sri Lanka defeated the touring New Zealanders by 6 wickets to win the first Test played at the Galle International Stadium. Scores:

NZ, 1st Innings – 249 (Taylor 86, Nicholls 42, Raval 33, Latham 30, Dananjaya 5/80, Lakmal 4/29)

Sri Lanka, 1st Innings – 267 (Dickwella 61, Mendis 53, Mathews 50, Lakmal 40, Karunaratne 39, Patel 5/89, Somerville 3/83, Boult 2/45)

NZ, 2nd Innings – 285 (Walling 77, Latham 45, Somerville 40no, Embuldeniya 4/90, de Silva 3/25, Kumara 2/31)

Sri Lanka, 2nd Innings – 268/4 (Karunaratne 122, Thirimanne 64, Boult 1/34)

Player of the Match: Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka)

The touring New Zealanders beat Sri Lanka by an Innings and 65 runs to win the Second Test, played at the P.Sara Oval, Colombo. Scores:

Sri Lanka, 1st Innings – 244 (De Silva109, Karunaratne 65, Mendis 32, Southee 4/63, Boult 3/75, Sommerville 1/20, Grandhomme 1/35, Patel 1/48)

New Zealand 1st Innings – 431/6 dec (Latham 154, Watling 105, Grandhomme 83, Perera 3/114, Embuldeniya 2/156, Kumara 1/115)

Sri Lanka, 2nd Innings – 122 (Dickwella 51, Mendis 20, Southee 2/15, Boult 2/17, Patel 2/31, Somerville 2/49)

Player of the Match: Tom Latham (New Zealand)

Player of the Series: B. J. Watling (New Zealand)

The 2-match series was levelled 1-1.

Sep 10, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Cricket News, Victor Melder Tagged Dhananjaya De Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal Comments 0

Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga in action for the last time

Much improved Sri Lanka exit before semis – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE

England grabbed the World Cup in controversial manner after an epic final against a plucky New Zealand and debate will rage into the next episode about the fairness of the competition rules which crowned them champions for the very first time.

After scores were tied at the end of the England innings and tied again after the super over it seemed a travesty of justice that the number of boundaries scored by the two sides ultimately decided a winner. To make matters worse one boundary by a deflected default in the crucial stages.

All in all, it was a wonderful competition highlighted by some close encounters and apart from quickly emerging Afghanistan, there was little to choose from the other competing teams which augurs well for the sport on a global level.

The ICC must be chaffed at the tremendous response it received for the tournament which registered record interest from around the world. Billions of viewers took in this World Cup which saw some titanic contests the only downside proving to be the unseasonal rain which caused the abandonment of some crucial games.

Pre-tournament favourites, Australia, India and hosts England cruised through to the semis but my dark horse to win the tournament New Zealand, scrambled through to the final four before stunning India in the semi-final to have a second crack at glory after being undone by Australia in the last episode. Sadly, it was not to be once more for Kane Williamson’s men who did everything but win a nail-biting final.

Sri Lanka under Dimuth Karunaratne showed glimpses of fight before being bundled out before the World Cup semifinal but dispelled all the doom and gloom predicted by their detractors prior to the tournament.

Amidst the usual turmoil that is now customary in Sri Lanka cricket, they went into the important event half baked and seemingly not expected to beat anyone according to the experts outside the boundary.

Yet, the returned home with three wins, two no results washed out by unseasonal rain and losses to Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and India, two of them winnable if they capitalized on early ascendency.

On reflection now, Sri Lanka had the rare distinction of knocking off the eventual World champion England in a stunning upset while also claiming wins over Afghanistan and the West Indies. They missed out on the semis by 3 points ending sixth ahead of South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. England lost three games falling to Pakistan, Australia and Sri Lanka before storming into the semis.

Under Dimuth Karunaratne whose selection to lead came under fire from critics who stereotyped him a Test cricketer only, he went on to prove many wrong, heading the batting averages at the outset before failing in the last few games. What he gave the team was stability at the top and clever leadership drawing from the experience of the senior players in the squad before executing his plans. He also helped heal the division between certain members in the team.

Sr Lanka will also rue some poor selections to the squad which would definitely have benefitted with the inclusion of Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, the latter for his experience although out of form, perhaps Dhanushka Gunatillake and a better all-rounder than Thisara Perera who had a horrid run.

Sri Lanka fans are hopeful that a more settled line-up will travel to Australia this summer and are in anticipation that they will produce a better showing than the last time they toured here.

Jul 16, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged Dhanushka Gunatillake, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kane Williamson, Niroshan Dickwella, Thisara Perera Comments 0

Lankans slip sliding from World Cup heroes to near zero

malinga

BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE

Sri Lanka’s triumphant Test match euphoria has quickly dissipated into the previously familiar role of eating humble pie as the South Africans exacted revenge for their embarrassment in the Tests by grinding their opponents into the dust leading 3-0 in the one-dayers in a relentless display of ferocity.

Already, the series has moved into a dead rubber situation with two games remaining as the struggling Sri Lanka lineup find that their horses for courses squad does not match up to the heroes that dethroned the hosts in the two Test series a few weeks prior.

One- day skipper Lasith Malinga’s desperate move to publicly scorn his squad for their lack of respect at being given national selection and reminding them of the pride associated with donning the Sri Lanka cap appears to have added more fuel to the fire rather than douse it judging by the reaction in the third game. Factions within appear to suggest that a change at the head may yet bring out the best from this talented but currently dysfunctional team.

Port Elizabeth and Cape Town beckons in the next two encounters which will be of academic interest before the Lankans figure in three T20’s before departing the Southern Hemisphere with little comfort but plenty to dwell on for their efforts.

What has been clear in the whitewash is that the current squad lack the temperament and depth in their batting as they clearly squandered a chance of winning games they could have after the bowlers did a great job in containing the strong South African batting line- up.

Niroshan Dickwella has failed as an opener and should move down the order for better impact and experienced Upul Tharanga should be made to prove his worth in the squad by filling that role or consider his career over.

The Sri Lankan fielding which was exceptional in the Tests, was appalling to a point where fielding coach Steve Rixon was visibly wincing as if in pain at the morass of mistakes.

Everything fell apart in the rain hampered third match where they let the South Africans get away to a huge total thanks to sloppy fielding and erratic bowling mainly by proven specialists like Thisara Perera whose form or motives need questioning.

With the World Cup fast looming on the horizon Sri Lanka desperately need some wise heads and proper direction in a hurry if they are to avoid humiliation after their proud record in previous editions which included that historic victory in Lahore in 1996. They are winless in six encounters in 2019.

Mar 12, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged Lasith Malinga, Niroshan Dickwella, Thisara Perera, TREVINE RODRIGO, Upul Tharanga Comments 0

Lakmal the shining light as Sri Lanka bats falter – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE

Suranga Lakmal

Going into a Test with pre-conceived nightmares of a bouncer barrage from the Australian quicks, Sri Lanka’s mindset destroyed their ability to make the first Test a contest as they let themselves be bundled out for an under par 144 and gave the home side the initiative at the Gabba on day one.

By the end of day two, the Australian batsmen demonstrated what patience and application can deliver as they meticulously built up a commanding 179 run lead throwing down the gauntlet to the visitors to show some guts and determination or perish within three or four days in what is turning out to be a predictably lopsided contest.

Suranga Lakmal Photo Source: espn cricinfo

Suranga Lakmal

(photo source: Stuff.co.nz )

Niroshan Dickwella Just two players stood out for Sri Lanka in their disappointing show and unless a few more can step up to the plate and show some fight the Sri Lankans start to the new year could spell heartbreak for a lengthy spell until they can come up with a winning formula.

Medium pacer Suranga Lakmal, (5 for 75), and feisty middle order batsman Niroshan Dickwella (64), kept the tourists in the fight but the rest, including skipper Dinesh Chandimal who is having a horror run with the bat at the moment, will have to stand up if Sri Lanka are to attempt to save this Test.
Photo source: CricBuzz

Niroshan Dickwella
photo source: Sky Sports UK

Marcus Harris, Travis Head and Test debutant Marnus Labuschagne ensured Australia built up a reasonable score against a initially tight Sri Lankan attack as they helped the home team gain a psychological advantage of 300 plus after the tourists wilted in the Brisbane heat in their poor first effort.

Tim Paine’s men hold a whip hand over Sri Lanka who will have to dig in and overcome the 162-run deficit on day three before setting Australia at least 150 to make it seem like a reasonable contest.

History suggests that this Sri Lankan team lacks the mental capacity to stand up and fight and make their country proud.

Jan 26, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Cricket News, English Videos, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged Marnus Labuschagne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal Comments 0

SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS – (DECEMBER 2018) – Compiled by Victor Melder

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Victor Meldor Sri Lanka’s off-spinner Akila Dananjaya has been suspended from international cricket with immediate effect after an independent assessment has found his bowling action to be illegal, the International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced. The ICC said the assessment revealed that his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations. “In accordance with Article 11.1 of the ICC Regulations For The Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspect Illegal Bowling Actions, Dananjaya’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations for domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction. However, according to Article 11.5 of the Regulations and with the consent of the Sri Lanka Cricket, Dananjaya may be able to bowl in domestic cricket events played under the auspices of the SLC,” it said. Dananjaya was reported with a suspect bowling action during the first Test against England, which the visitors won by 211 runs in Galle and had undergone an independent assessment of his bowling action on November 23 at the National Cricket Centre, Brisbane. The ICC said Dananjaya can apply for a re-assessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with clause 4.5 of the Regulations.(Daily Mirror, 10.12.2018)

Batting Coach Tilan Samaraweera has become the second casualty after Sri Lanka’s humiliating 3-0 whitewash at the hands of England as Sri Lanka Cricket did sweeping changes to the national cricket team’s support staff. Accordingly, Samaraweera along with Fielding Coach Manoj Abeywickrama will relinquish his duties midway through the tour of New Zealand. Samaraweera is expected to return home after the Test leg of the tour that gets underway next week. Sri Lanka’s batting was a letdown during the England series with not a single batsman managing a century during the three match series. The team’s batting also failed miserably during the Asia Cup campaign where Bangladesh and Afghanistan handed Sri Lanka heavy defeats. He is now expected to be part of the High Performance Center where coaches work with second string players. Sri Lanka Cricket were yet to make an official announcement at the time this edition went to print, but sources told The Island that SLC had signed up with the 48-year-old Jon Lewis. Lewis like Steve Rixon is believed to have been signed up on a short seven month stint that will take him through to the World Cup in England. The Island learns that Lewis had been signed up due to his extensive knowledge about conditions in north England where Sri Lanka will play most of their World Cup games. Lewis is expected to arrive in the island shortly. He will accompany the ODI specialists to New Zealand later this month. Sri Lanka will play three ODIs and a T-20 International in New Zealand apart from two Tests. Sri Lanka also hired Australian Steve Rixon as Fielding Coach after Chairman of Selectors Ashantha De Mel made a scathing criticism of the team’s fielding. (Daily Island, 12.12.2018)

Sri Lanka’s leadership roulette continues with Lasith Malinga now being appointed as the limited-overs captain, and Niroshan Dickwella as his deputy, for the upcoming ODIs and a lone T20I in New Zealand. The board took a big call in reinstating Angelo Mathews into the side, after dropping him for the England series, citing fitness concerns. The Mathews axing episode got quite ugly, with the all-rounder accusing the board of making him the scapegoat of an abysmal Asia Cup campaign. Sri Lanka will be without their lead spinner Akila Dananjaya, who is under suspension after being called for illegal bowling action. Upul Tharanga, who played just the first two of the five-match series against England (didn’t bat in the first, scored a duck in the second) – has also been left out. The pair of opener Sadeera Samarawickrama and left-arm spinner Amila Aponso – who played three and four fixtures respectively in the England series – also didn’t find a place in the 17-man shortlist. SLC went with Danushka Gunathilaka at the top of the order, while Asela Gunaratne also comes in after having played his last ODI in Bangladesh in January this year. Sri Lanka also recalled leg spinner Seekkuge Prasanna who played the last of his 38 ODIs in October 2017. Top-order batter Kusal Perera has recovered completely from his quad strain that he sustained in the second ODI against England and missed the remainder of the series. Kusal Mendis, who came in as his replacement and scored a half-century, has managed to hold on to his spot.

ODI and T20I Squad: Lasith Malinga (captain), Niroshan Dickwella, Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Gunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara

Sri Lankan cricketer Lahiru Kumara has been fined 15% of his match fee and has also received one demerit point after being found guilty of using an audible obscenity during the third day’s play in the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Monday, the ICC said. In a statement, the ICC said the bowler was found to have violated Article 2.3 of the code, which relates to “use of an audible obscenity during an international match”. “Kumara used an audible obscenity after an outside edge off Tom Latham’s bat in the 96th over went for a boundary. These comments were heard by the on-field umpires and also picked up by the stump mic. After the day’s play, Kumara admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing,” it said. The charge had been levelled by on-field umpires Rod Tucker and Michael Gough, third umpire Richard Illingworth, all from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, as well as fourth umpire Tim Brown. (Daily Mirror, 18.12.2018)

Sri Lanka’s new Sports Minister Harin Fernando has invited three former cricketers-Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Aravinda de Silva, to present their views on the development of cricket in the country. Former ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama is set to be the president of the SLC new Interim Committee, the Pakistan Observer reported. This news was revealed exclusively to a reporter in Mumbai. Speaking exclusively from Colombo, he says, ‘I want to discuss with former Sri Lankan players about how the game can achieve its best height in the country. Earlier they had prepared a presentation but nothing had happened thereafter. I am sure they will come forward now for the betterment of the game in Sri Lanka’, he hoped. Elaborating more about his future plans, he also revealed, ‘the selection committee will soon be replaced and Sidath Wettimunny will be appointed the Chief Selector. Mahanama has worked with the ICC and he will be the ideal candidate to head the interim committee’, he added. All these new appointments will be subject to these players’ availability. Ashantha de Mel and other selectors very recently replaced Graeme Labooy and company and in a few weeks’ time, the new selection committee will be announced. ‘I have also decided to write to the ICC and propose to have its Anti-Corruption Unit be head-quartered in Sri Lanka’ (Daily Mirror, 23.12.2018)

The first Test between the touring Sri Lankans and New Zealand, played at Wellington, ended in a draw. Scores:

Sri Lanka, 1st Innings – 282 (Mathews 83, Dickwella 80no, Karunaratne 79, Southee 6/68, Wagner 2/75)

New Zealand, 1st Innings – 578 (Latham 264, Williamson 91, Taylor 50, Nicholls 50, Kumara 4/127, de Silva 2/54)

Sri Lanka, 2nd Innings – 287/3 (Mendis 141no, Mathews 120no, Southee 2/52, Boult 1/62)

Player of the match: Tom Latham (New Zealand)

Sri Lanka’s chances of saving the second Test against New Zealand suffered a major blow after Angelo Mathews retired hurt with an apparent hamstring trouble during the fourth day’s play on Saturday. Mathews has been sent for a scan later last evening to see the extent of his injury and the chances of coming out and resuming play will depend entirely on the results of the scan. On day four. Sri Lanka were batting in chase of a mammoth 660, Mathews felt his right hamstring pull up while taking a couple of runs. He struggled at first and had the medical staff attend to him immediately. He continued to bat on until tea as he opted not to come out to bat after the break. The former Sri Lanka skipper has had recurring injuries in his hamstrings and calves over the past two years and had missed several entire series. The latest injury could keep him out of the limited over series that follows the New Zealand Tests and also the two Test series against Australia late in January. (Sunday Times, 30.12.2018)

Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand and is also doubtful for the subsequent two Tests against Australia due to a hamstring injury. The 31-year-old was forced to retire hurt after picking up the injury during the afternoon session on the fourth day of his side’s second Test against New Zealand, which the latter went on to win by huge 423 runs in Christchurch. Now, the scans have revealed that a grade two strain in his left hamstring, something which will keep him out of action for at least four weeks. Mathews was earlier dropped from Sri Lanka’s limited-overs squad before Lasith Malinga, who was named the side’s skipper for the New Zealand tour, decided to pick him for the three ODIs and lone T20I against the Kane Williamson-led side. Sri Lanka and New Zealand will lock horns in the ODI series from January 3 at the Bay Oval while they will face Australia in the two-match Test series, beginning January 24 at the Gabba in Brisbane.(Daily Mirror, 31.12.2018)

New Zealand beat the touring Sri Lankans by 423 runs to win the second and final Test played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Scores:

New Zealand, 1st Innings – 178 (Southee 68, Watling 46, Taylor 27, Lakmal 5/54, Kumara 3/49, Perera 1/13)

Sri Lanka, 1st Innings – 104 (Mathews 33no, Silva 21, Boult 6/30, Southee 3/35, Grandhomme 1/19)

New Zealand, 2nd Innings – 585/4 dec (Latham 176, Nicholls 162no, Raval 74, Grandhomme 71no, Williamson 48, Kumara 2/134, Chameera 1/147, Perera 1/149)

Sri Lanka, 2nd Innings – 236 (Mendis 67, Chandimal 56, Perera 22, Mathews 22 ret hurt, Wagner 4/48, Boult 3/77, Southee 2/61)

New Zealand won the 2-match series 1-0.

Player of the match: Tim Southee (New Zealand)

Jan 2, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Cricket News, English Videos, Victor Melder Tagged Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga (captain), Niroshan Dickwella, Nuwan Pradeep, Seekkuge Prasanna, Sidath Wettimunny, SriLanka test against new Zealand, Thisara Perera Comments 0

Wounded Lions seek solace in New Zealand and Australia – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE

SriLankaCricket-Gunatilleka

Gunatilleka has much to prove.

Dimuth Karunaratne

Dimuth Karunaratne will be key to Sri Lanka’s revival.

Sri Lanka’s wounded Lions desperately seek some form of solace on their tour of New Zealand that has just begun after a humiliating home series drubbing by the Englishmen recently.

And if New Zealand looms large, the Lankans face the acid test of pitting themselves against Australia followed by similar hostilities in South Africa in the beginning of next year.

Two Tests against the New Zealanders followed by three one-dayers and a T20 game will set them up for the tougher encounters against the Australians , two Tests before they depart to the African leg which will test their worth.

Indifferent form, bad selection and a huge question mark hanging over coach Chandika Hathurusinghe who promised much and has delivered nearly nothing has the Island nation’s cricket in a head spin much akin to the political situation gripping the country as its leaders valiantly attempt to wade through the blundering process of ascertaining the true meaning of democracy and the cricketers the meaning of sportsmanship.

A reasonable showing in New Zealand away from political meddling may yet see an unlikely turnaround although that seems an uphill task against a home team that has been making giant strides at home and away unlike the Lankans who are currently on an all time low in the past few years.

Hathurusinghe left Bangladesh with the credentials to steer a Sri Lankan turnaround and the prospect of a home-grown coach for once taking them to the top of the world game. But the ploy appears to have backfired so far and the popular belief is that internal meddling or some form of interference in the Coaches direction has pushed the talented nation back further than they have anticipated.

With their confidence destroyed at home which the impregnable fortress of visiting teams was once, where to from here is the question on every Sri Lankan fans lips as they ponder what needs to be done to restore lost pride.

Obviously, it is in deciphering where the weaknesses lie and rectifying it. But their inconsistency with the bat and a mediocre bowling attack further compounded by atrocious fielding has them in a position where everything cricket must be addressed. Huge task for a new coach and a fragmented support team from reports coming here which is a clear recipe for a bad brew.

History suggests that a local coach will always struggle to come to terms with having his way in Sri Lanka due to overbearing influences from outside the coaching staff. Furthermore, there is questions lying around the roles of the batting and fielding coach who are said to have extreme views on some players whose natural style is being tampered with creating uncertainty and failure among genuine young talent.

Fielding is crucial to Sri Lanka’s revival considering the few opportunities their limited attack possess.

It is understood that Australian legend Steve Rixon has been roped in to fill this important void and though critics challenge the validity of his selection due to him being a former wicket keeper, he has proved to be invaluable in this role and should be given the opportunity to prove his worth.

Sri Lanka’s on going commitments in New Zealand and Australia will benefit from Rixon’s inclusion to the coaching staff due to his important input into local conditions.

What they need to establish in faster and bouncier conditions in this part of the world will be for the young breed to adapt quickly and find consistency or the tour may end in major embarrassment.

There is plenty of talent in the current Lankan squad but harnessing it and getting them to perform on a consistent basis is the key as the Australians are currently finding out against the world’s best Indian side.

Australia unlike Sri Lanka have natural fighting qualities and will give their all in any situation as was witnessed in the first Test in which they went down narrowly.

Much will depend on Skipper Dinesh Chandimal who has been impressive on previous tours to this part of the world with Angelo Matthews and they should find support from Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya De Silva, Roshen De Silva and Dhanushka Gunatilleka who are showing clear signs of being the future generation.

Dec 11, 2018 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged Chandika Hathurusinghe, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen De Silva and Dhanushka Gunatilleka, Steve Rixon Comments 0

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