Sports

Henry Shipley leads rout of Sri Lanka with maiden five-for

Published

4 years ago

2023/03/25

Priyan

Pathum Nissanka loses his leg stump to a Shipley inducker (pic Cricbuzz)

Sri Lanka crashed to 76 all out in pursuit of a target of 275, after Henry Shipley blasted out the their top order, eventually claiming 5 for 31. Where New Zealand had scrapped to 274 all out, their scorecard featuring a highest score of 51 – by Finn Allen – Sri Lanka succumbed meekly against the bounce that Shipley, Blair Tickner, and even Daryl Mitchell generated, on an Eden Park surface with plenty of carry.

Some Sri Lanka batters fell to the short ball, which New Zealand’s batters had also struggled to contend within their innings. Others were dismissed by full deliveries that seamed. And the run-out of opener Nuwanidu Fernando, who had charged most of the way down the pitch for a third even though his partner was not interested, set off the whole, sorry collapse.

Only three Sri Lanka batters got to double figures; their best individual score was Angelo Mathews’ 18.

Shipley, a tall bowler whose braced front leg in his delivery stride ensures a very high release point, did not merely generate awkward bounce on a helpful pitch, but was also good when he pitched the ball up. His best delivery was perhaps to Pathum Nissanka, whom he bowled through the gate, having jagged the ball into the batter off the seam. Later, he had Dasun Shanaka edging a fullish delivery to the slips as well.

His three other wickets were from the short ball, though – Kusal Mendis was rushed into a pull and sent the ball to the fine-leg fielder, Charith Asalanka nicked a wideish short delivery to the keeper, and Chamika Karunaratne holed out trying to bludgeon a pull, late in the game. This was Shipley’s first five-for in internationals, in just his fourth ODI. In fact, he’d only had three five-fors before this across List A and first-class cricket.

Tickner and Mitchell took two wickets apiece, and Matt Henry was unfortunate not to produce a dismissal, such was the quality of his bowling, and the haste with which Sri Lanka’s batters seemed to throw their wickets away. Sri Lanka were all out in the 20th over. This was their lowest total against New Zealand, and their fifth-lowest ever.

Mitchell had also contributed with the bat, as his 47 helped New Zealand progress through the middle overs. Allen’s 51 at the top of the innings had given the hosts their impetus, though, as he prospered against the seamers’ fuller deliveries initially, before later walloping Wanindu Hasaranga’s legspin for consecutive sixes.

Debutant Rachin Ravindra’s 49 off 52 was not particularly flashy, but was perhaps the most important innings of the match, as he kept New Zealand ticking in the late overs despite the fall of wickets at the other end. He and Glenn Phillips had come together with the score 152 for 5 in the 30th over, and proceeded to put on the only half-century stand in the game, producing 66 off 59 balls.

When Phillips was dismissed, holing out trying to thump Dilshan Madushanka over the square-leg boundary, Ravindra continued to accumulate meticulously in the company of the tail. He hit four fours and a six, before he himself holed out – a common dismissal for the New Zealand batters, who kept trying to clear the short straight boundary but were forced to do so against shorter lengths, which Sri Lanka’s bowlers utilised heavily. New Zealand left the last three deliveries of their innings unused.

Though Sri Lanka showed little spine with the bat, they displayed spunk in the field and with the ball.Chamika Karunarathne relied on short-of-a-length deliveries to fetch him career-best figures of 4 for 43 from his nine overs. Lahiru Kumara was rapid, and intense, as he took 2 for 46, with Kasun Rajitha also claiming two wickets. And Sri Lanka took the catches that came their way.

This defeat means automatic qualification for this year’s World Cup appears unlikely for Sri Lanka. If South Africa win their two matches against Netherlands, or Ireland win their three remaining games, those teams put themselves on 98 Super League points each (provided no over-rate penalties), which Sri Lanka now cannot reach even with two wins against New Zealand.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 274 (Finn Allen 51, Rachin Ravindra 49, Daryl Mitchell 47, Chamika Karunaratne 4-43, Kasun Rajitha 2-38, Lahiru Kumara 2-46) beat Sri Lanka 76 (Henry Shipley 5-31,Daryl Mitchell 2-12, Blair Tickner 2-20) by 198 runs

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Sports

Dickwella axed, Bandara earns maiden Test call up

Published

18 hours ago

2026/10/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Anjala Bandara, 22 years of age and from far off Matale, has earned a call up to the Test side.

by Rex Clementine

The Niroshan Dickwella experiment has proved short lived, with the national selectors deciding to move on and handing a maiden Test call up to 22-year-old Anjala Bandara, who is expected to take over the wicketkeeping duties for the two match Test series against Pakistan.

Dickwella’s recall after more than three years in the wilderness had raised quite a few eyebrows. The selectors defended their decision, arguing that he remained the finest wicketkeeper in the country. Few disputed that claim. The concerns, however, were never about his glovework but rather his ability to shut out the noise, keep his emotions in check and maintain discipline off the field. True to form, India’s fielders managed to get under his skin in the second innings of the Galle Test and the left-hander duly lost patience and threw his wicket away.

A fellow left-hander, Bandara’s journey to the national side has been anything but conventional. He first emerged from the little known Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya in Matale before being snapped up by St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota. He eventually found his way to Mahanama College for his Under-19 cricket and now turns out for Colombo Cricket Club.

While Bandara has been prolific with the bat, boasting a formidable First Class average of 65, his work behind the stumps remains a work in progress. The selectors, however, believe he has made sufficient strides to be thrown into the deep end of Test cricket.

“We had a special programme for Anjala. In fact, we sent him to Mahesh Gunathilaka, one of the finest wicketkeepers produced by the country. He has worked on a few areas and we feel he is ready for Test match cricket,” Chairman of Selectors Kapila Wijegunawardene told The Island.

Wijegunawardene also confirmed that Pasindu Sooriyabandara would open the batting in Pakistan.

The former Royal College batter made his Test debut as a concussion substitute against India in Galle after Dinesh Chandimal was injured, but his introduction to the highest level was hardly a fairytale as he departed for a first ball duck. He made amends in the second Test, however, with impressive knocks of 80 and 92, showing that his baptism by fire had done little to dent his confidence.

Although Pathum Nissanka has been included in the squad, his availability remains subject to fitness. The prolific opener had been expected to return for the tri-nation series in Pakistan beginning later this week, but his recovery from the hamstring strain that ruled him out of the T20 series has taken longer than anticipated.

The Pakistan series will also mark Kusal Mendis’ first assignment as Test captain. His predecessor, Dhananjaya de Silva, who stepped down from the leadership, retains his place in the squad, although whether he makes the playing XI is another matter.

With competition for middle order places heating up, the former captain could find himself in a straight shootout with Kamindu Mendis for one of the remaining berths. It is an intriguing selection headache, particularly given that Dhananjaya was leading the side only a few weeks ago.

Another interesting inclusion is Eshan Malinga, who has largely been regarded as a white ball specialist. The selectors have now opened the door for him in the longest format, offering the young quick an opportunity to prove that his skills extend beyond the limited overs game.

Sports

Richmond edge Maris Stella to move closer to quarter-finals

Published

18 hours ago

2026/10/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Spinner Tenusha Nimsara has taken nine wickets in three matches.

by Reemus Fernando

Richmond College are all but through to the quarter-finals of the Under-19 Division I Tier A Limited Overs Tournament after a nine-run win over Maris Stella College, Negombo, under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method at the Army Grounds in Karandeniya on Monday.

‎It was Richmond’s third straight victory, and it puts them at the top of Group ‘B’ with one match remaining.

‎Batting first, Richmond posted 171 for nine in their allotted 50 overs, with Bevin Jayawardana top-scoring with a patient 55 off 88 balls. Punal Hansajith contributed 24 off 39 deliveries, while Risinu Rupasinghe made 22 and Ravinu Randinu added 18.

‎Maris Stella’s Malan Kadigamuwa led the bowling effort with three wickets for 37 runs in nine overs, while Rosel Perera claimed two wickets for 31 runs in his 10-over spell.

‎In reply, Maris Stella reached 127 for six in 42 overs against a revised DLS target of 136. Richmond therefore secured victory by nine runs under the method.

‎Punal Hansajith and Tenusha Nimsara claimed two wickets each to keep the Maris Stella batting line-up in check. Hansajith conceded just 20 runs in nine overs, while Nimsara gave away 14 runs in seven overs, with both bowlers maintaining tight control.

‎For Maris Stella Kavith de Silva scored 29 off 46 balls, while Gaveesha Induwara remained unbeaten on 24 off 38 deliveries. Manuja Nayanajith added 23 off 55 balls, and Yumeth Sathmira contributed 16.

‎In their previous encounters bowlers domnated for Richmond to beat Sri Sumangala College Panadura and St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa comfortably.

‎Sri Sumangala were dismissed for 106 runs with Hiruk Akalanka, Tenusha Nimsara and Punal Hansajith claiming two wickets apiece. Akalanka returned figures of 2 for 21 in six overs, while Nimsara took 2 for 21 in five overs, including one maiden. Hansajith also claimed two wickets, conceding 24 runs in 5.3 overs. Hiruka Akalanka then lead the chase with a knock of 45run (in 46 balls with5fours and 2 sixes) to seal a six wickets win.

‎The match against St. Sebastian’s saw Tenusha Nimsara hog the limelight, taking a five-wicket haul to restrict the Moratuwa outfit to 115 runs.

‎Richmond had a few anxious moments in reply but got home with two wickets in hand.

‎In Group ‘A’ the contest is still open with S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia slightly ahead of others after Jaden Amaraweera scored a cracking 76 off 75 balls (7x4s, 4x6s) to lead them to six wickets win over Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa (153/8 in 50 overs) on Monday. S. Thomas’ (200/9 in 50 overs) had a DLS tie against Trinity (126?4 in 36) and their other match ended in a no decision.

‎While Mahinda were leading Group ‘C’ by Monday, Nalanda completed their quota of first round matches unbeaten in Group ‘D’.

Sports

CIC Holdings partners Rumesh Tharanga on his journey towards Olympic glory

Published

18 hours ago

2026/10/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

From left: Gayan Lakshan Perera, General Manager - Marketing and Corporate Communication; Ashan Ransilige, Chief Executive Officer, Link Natural Products; Waruna Madawanarachchi, Managing Director, CIC Agri Cluster; Ajith Weerasinghe, Chief Executive Officer, CIC Feeds Group; Aroshan Seresinhe, Group Chief Executive Officer, CIC Holdings PLC; Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage; Physiotherapist Chandima Sarathchandra Gurusinghe and Thushara Premakeerthi Pathirage.

Diversified conglomerate CIC Holdings PLC (CSE: CIC) has partnered with Sri Lankan national athlete Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage as his Official Nutritional & Wellness Partner, supporting his journey towards the 2028 Olympic Games and his ambition to bring home Sri Lanka’s first ever Olympic gold medal.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment that extends beyond conventional sports sponsorship, with CIC standing alongside Rumesh through the years of preparation.

Rumesh Tharanga has established himself among the world’s leading javelin throwers following a landmark 2026 season. He set a Sri Lankan national record of 92.62 metres in Rome, claimed the Commonwealth Games title and became Sri Lanka’s first Diamond League champion. He strengthened his position as the world’s No. 1 ranked men’s javelin thrower by winning gold at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest with a 91.09 metre final round throw. Most recently, he won Sri Lanka’s only gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 by winning the men’s javelin throw

For more than six decades, CIC has been part of the lives of Sri Lankans through its presence across agriculture, healthcare and wellness, personal care and other sectors. The partnership extends this longstanding role of nurturing Sri Lankan lives to supporting the journey of an athlete pursuing an ambition with significance for the entire nation.