SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS (NOVEMBER  2024) Compiled by Victor Melder The Australia Men’s National Cricket Team will tour Sri Lanka from January to February 2025 to participate in a two-match Test series and one ODI.  The Test series is part of the ICC World Test Championship Cycle for 2023-25.  Sri Lanka Cricket said that the Australians will arrive in Sri Lanka on January 20, 2025. The first Test is scheduled to be played from January 29 to February 2, 2025, at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, followed by the second Test from February 6 to 10, 2025. (Daily Mirror, 1.11.2024) The legendary Galle International Cricket Stadium is set to be the battleground for the two-match Test series between Australia and Sri Lanka this coming January. With both games counting toward the World Test Championship (WTC), the stakes couldn’t be higher – this series might well be the stepping stone to ...

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Sri Lankans Smother Windies Comfortably in ODI at Pallekelle Source:Thuppahis Andrew Fidel Fernando in ESPNcricinfo, 23 October 2024, where the title reads “Hasaranga and Theekshana spin West Indies out and seal Sri Lanka series win” Rutherford and Motie put on a WI record ninth-wicket stand but it was in vain. Theekshana celebrates … Mote and Alzarri Joseph struck once apiece inside the powerplay. Aside from these stretches of dominance though, Sri Lanka ran away with the game. Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Asitha Fernando had sent West Indies crashing to 58 for 8, before that ninth-wicket resistance came. Then, after the loss of two early wickets, Sri Lanka recovered through a 62-run partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Nishan Madushka, before the in-form Charith Asalanka came in to produce a fluent half-century, and take Sri Lanka to a substantial victory, and another series victory under his fledgling captaincy. Though the pitch for this 44-over match – drizzle had delayed the ...

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   SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS (JULY  2024) Compiled by Victor Melder Former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya has been appointed as the interim Head Coach of the Sri Lanka men’s national cricket team. Jayasuriya will lead the team for the home series against India and the Test tour to England while Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) searches for a replacement for Chris Silverwood, who resigned last week. Jayasuriya also served as a Consultant for the team during this year’s T20 World Cup.    Chris Silverwood has resigned from his position as head coach of Sri Lanka’s men’s team last week. (Daily Mirror, 8.7.2024) National Men’s T20I Captain Wanindu Hasaranga has decided to resign from the captaincy, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed in a press release. Hasaranga said it is in the best interest of Sri Lanka Cricket that he decided to relinquish the captaincy duties and remain in the side as a player. ...

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India throttle Sri Lanka in Riveting Cricket Match-by Shashank Kishore Source:Thuppahis Shashank Kishore  in ESPNcricinfo, 27 July 2024 …. with highlights imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi India 213 for 7 (Suryakumar 58, Pant 49, Jaiswal 40, Pathirana 4-40) beat Sri Lanka 170 (Nissanka 79, Mendis 45, Parag 3-5, Arshdeep 2-24, Axar 2-38) by 43 runs India’s new T20I era under Suryakumar Yadav began on a winning note, even if it was jittery at various points in their defence of a big score. A spirited Sri Lankan batting unit, spearheaded by Pathum Nissanka and his free-stroking 79 left an Indian team playing with just five bowling options hanging onto crumbs of hope. One of them was scoreboard pressure. Sri Lanka had nine wickets in hand, but they still needed 74 off 36. Yadav sweeps   &  Riyan Parag celebrates a wicket Nissanka, reprieved a ball earlier by Ravi Bishnoi at deep midwicket, fell to Axar Patel to open the floodgates. India converted that opening into a double-strike when Kusal ...

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Introducing the Premier League in Sri Lanka, 2024 Series ESPN Summary Preview …. at …. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/lanka-premier-league-2024-1421415/teams Source:Thuppahis photo of 2023 winners Kandy Falcons Squad size: 22 (six overseas) Players bought: Pre-signings and retentions: Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Dushmantha Chameera, Kamindu Mendis, Andre Fletcher and Kyle Mayers Auction signings: Ashen Bandara (US $20,000), Dinesh Chandimal (US $40,000), Dasun Shanaka (US $85,000), Ramesh Mendis (US $10,000), Dimuth Karunaratne (US $10,000), Mohammed Hasnain (US $30,000), Chaturanga de Silva (US $30,000), Lakshan Sandakan (US $20,000), Azam Khan (US $50,000), Salman Ali Agha (US $10,000), Mohammed Ali (US $10,000), Kasun Rajitha (US $26,000), Pawan Rathnayake (US $5000) Chamath Gomez, (US $5000), Kavindu Pathirathne (US $5000) and Sammu Ashan (US $5000) Hits: All the work was done by Kandy prior to the auction proper. Retaining Hasaranga and Kamindu was vital, as was having the experience of Mathews. That apart, the signings of Fletcher, Mayers and Chameera have bolstered the spine of the side considerably. Misses: Kandy might ...

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  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 ...

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Signature teams up with Sri Lanka Cricket as ‘Official Formal Clothing Partner’ for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 16th May 2024, Colombo: In a testament to their enduring partnership, Signature, Sri Lanka’s most admired menswear brand, has once again teamed up with Sri Lanka Cricket as the ‘Official Formal Clothing Partner’ for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Building on their past collaborations, this renewed alliance signifies the mutual trust and shared commitment to excellence between both entities. The company previously served as the clothing sponsors for the Cricket World Cup in 1996 and the T20 World Cup in 2014, both victorious tournaments for Sri Lanka. Signature’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the realms of fashion, as the brand strives to make a meaningful impact in the sporting arena. By reaffirming its support for Sri Lanka Cricket, Signature aims to inspire athletes and fans alike to reach new ...

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Windies floored by Sri Lanka at Harare-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Image Source:Thuppahis The once mighty West Indian cricket squad have been in the doldrums for some time and were at the bottom of the table going into their final match in the competition among the second tier teams being held in ZIMBABWE for placement in the 50-over World Cup — with only two teams securing such coveted spots. The Windies faced the leading squad, namely, Sri Lanka, in this match. Sri Lanka were already ensconced at the top of the table and had little discomfort in beating the Windies — even though they rested two key players (Dhananjaya and Hasaranga). Maheesh Theekshana led the way with three early wickets to restrict the West Indians to 243 runs in their 50 overs. Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne then indulged in an opening stand of 190 runs to build the foundation for ...

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Three Cricket Captains for Sri Lanka?-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis News Item in the Daily Mirror, 16 December 2023 …. https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/De-Silva-Mendis-and-Hasaranga-to-appoint-as-Test-ODI-and-T20-captains/108-273379The newly appointed selection committee of Sri Lanka Cricket led by Upul Tharanga, reportedly decided to change the leadership roles for the Sri Lanka Test, ODI and T20 teams.As per reports, Dhananjaya de Silva is slated to take on the role of Test captain, with Kusal Mendis assuming the position of vice-captain.For the ODI team, Kusal Mendis is set to be the captain, and Charith Asalanka will serve as the vice-captain. In the T20 format, Wanindu Hasaranga is to be appointed as the captain, with Charith Asalanka named as the vice-captain. The final decisions regarding the Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe tournament in January will be deliberated in the next meeting of the selection committee, scheduled for next Monday. ...

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Sri Lanka leave out Wanindu Hasaranga from World Cup squad Source:Dailymirror Despite earlier indications that all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga could be part of Sri Lanka’s Cricket World Cup squad, the ace-spinner was not included in the 15-member contingent that leaves for India today.  The spinner is still recovering from a grade 3 hamstring tear and is expected to be fully fit towards the latter stages of the tournament, with multiple reports suggesting that selectors could be compelled to still include him in the squad with the expectation of him featuring at the back end of the World Cup.  However, SLC confirmed that the player had not been included, with leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha, who was earlier set to travel as a reserve, taking his place.  Hasaranga can however be added to the squad in the event that any of the 15 players who have been named sustain an injury during the course ...

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