Sports
Jaffna Kings back in the hunt with six wickets win
Things had been drifting away from defending champions Jaffna Kings as they suffered three defeats in five games in the Lanka Premier League, but they moved out of Kandy with a six wicket win over Colombo Strikers on Tuesday.
Jaffna are now placed third in the points table with six points. B-Love Kandy and Dambulla Aura also have six points each but have better Net Run Rates than the three times champions. Colombo Strikers and Galle Titans are bottom of the table, but all the other four teams have played one game less than Jaffna.
Colombo Strikers openers Pathum Nissanka and Babar Azam continued to impress adding 57 runs for the first wicket in 42 balls. Babar was leading the side in the absence of the injured Niroshan Dickwella. Lahiru Udara at number three chipped in with a useful 29, but their middle order failed to cash in after the top order had given them a solid start; a trend seen throughout the competition.
One major problem that Colombo are facing in the competition is that they have not got enough batters and are depending too much on all-rounders. As the Sri Lankan team found out not so long ago, depending on too many all-rounders in white ball cricket could be counterproductive, especially when those all-rounders are not in the class of Mitchell Marsh, Ben Stokes or Wanindu Hasaranga.
Mohammad Nawaz with 27 off 20 balls and Chamika Karunaratne with 21 off 17 balls provided a decent total for Colombo to defend but that was going to be below par against such a power packed side.
Dunith Wellalage’s figures of two for nine runs earned him the Man of the Match award.
The opening wicket stand produced 58 runs in 32 balls as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Nishan Madushka provided an electric start as Jaffna began the run chase.
The middle order chipped in with useful contributions to reverse Jaffna’s losing trend.
Naseem Shah bowled superbly generating good pace and swinging the ball to deadly effect, but the team didn’t have enough runs to defend. Naseem finished with two wickets.
The tournament now moves back to Colombo with the race to find the four semi-finalists heating up. Jaffna Kings had cruised in all earlier tournaments without much trouble, but their domination has been challenged this time.
However, Jaffna has got enough resources to see them through to the title once again although Dambulla Aura seem to have a found formula to beat them. Those teams have met on two occasions in the competition and both games have been won by Dambulla.
B-Love Kandy also gained momentum during the Kandy leg of the tournament. Wanindu Hasaranga’s side started off the campaign having suffered two heavy defeats in their first two games in Colombo but once they were in Kandy they were unstoppable and won all three games played there and that too by big margins.
Hasaranga has had a massive impact in the competition. Not only is he this year LPL’s joint leading wicket taker, but the fourth highest run getter as well having notched up back-to-back half-centuries in the last two games.
Brief Scores:
Colombo Strikers
146-8 (20)
(Pathum Nissanka 36, Babar Azam 24, Lahiru Udara 29, Dunith Wellalage 2-9, Dilshan Madushanka 2-23)
Jaffna Kings
150-4 (14.3)
Nishan Madushka 46, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 39, Naseem Shah 2-22)
Result:
Jaffna Kings won by six wickets
by Reemus Fernando
Two formidable teams Mahinda and Thurstan are set to produce a thrilling contest when they meet in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket tournament final commencing at Sooriyawewa today.
After having recorded a remarkable Big Match victory over the weekend, Thurstan skippered by Thanuga Palihawadana will be looking to conclude the tournament with the coveted title. They had a minor set back on Tuesday when they were beaten by St. Anthony’s Wattala in a limited overs tournament match. Spinner Sethru Fernando who was rested for that match is expected to return for the decisive three-day final.
Mahinda are a team continuing to peak. The team captained by Kaveen Rukshan reached the final displaying a thoroughly dominant performance against St. Thomas’ Matara in the semi-final. The innings and 69 runs victory is their biggest win this season.
They also posted their highest innings total, 373 runs in that match with opening batsman Dulsith Darshana scoring a sensible knock of 96 runs and Senuka Damgamuwa hammering 200 runs in 153 balls.
Keeping Dangamuwa under control will be vital for Thurstan as he has the ability to turn the complexion of a game.
Mahinda will open batting with Dulsith Dharshana and Thevindu Rashmika. Wicketkeeper batsman Randul Mabarana, Sehas Ashinsa, Dineth Pehesara, Manitha Rajapaksha and Dangamuwa will form the top order batting lineup.
The new ball duties are shared by left-arm paceman Sadew Nethmina and Sahanjith Samadith. Left-arm spinners Senuka Dangamuwa and Arosha Udayanga and skipper Rukshan form a strong spin attack.
Thurstan too possess a strong spin department with Sri Lanka Under 19 skipper Vihas Thewmika, captain Palihawadana and Sethru Fernando sharing most of the duties.
Rachintha de Silva who excelled in the Big Match, Yovun Silpa and Lasindu Punsara form the pace attack.
Like Mahinda, Thurstan’s batting line up too produced their best performance of the season (383/8) in the semi-final with Sri Lanka Under 19 batsman Thanuja Rajapakse and Rachintha scoring centuries against their arch rivals.
Dinal Induwara and Rajapakse will open batting for Thurstan. Sethru Fernando, Janitha Rukshan, Thewmika, Rachintha and Pathum Dananjaya will form the top top order batting lineup.
This is not the first time these two teams are meeting this season. When they met during the league stage Thurstan posted 274 to earn first innings points. Mahinda could muster only 205 runs. That was a early third term encounter. Both teams have grown by leaps and bounds. Hence a mouthwatering encounter is on the cards.
In a groundbreaking move to enhance school cricket, the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the leadership of President Shammi Silva, has introduced three-day school matches in place of the traditional two-day encounters.
As part of this ambitious initiative, SLC has committed financial grants to 56 schools, enabling them to host their annual big matches as three-day contests. Until now, only three schools enjoyed this privilege, while the rest were restricted to two-day games. With this progressive shift, 28 big matches will now be played over three days, ushering in a new chapter for school cricket, effective from the ongoing season.
This transformation, executed in collaboration with the Sri Lanka School Cricket Association, is designed to provide young cricketers with extended match exposure, sharpen their skills, and ensure a seamless transition to first-class and international cricket.
Further strengthening this initiative, SLC has also revamped the U19 School Cricket competition by extending the three-day match format to the knockout stages of Division I and II (both Tier A and B), replacing the previous two-day structure.
Sri Lanka’s school cricket system is one of the most dynamic in the world, with over 6,800 matches played annually across U13, U15, U17, and U19 levels. SLC remains the primary financial pillar behind these tournaments, reaffirming its dedication to grooming the next generation of cricketing talent.
This initiative underscores SLC’s long-term vision for grassroots cricket, reinforcing the foundation that has historically produced Sri Lanka’s finest national players.
Dialog Axiata PLC proudly launches the 2025 Dialog Big Match Season, continuing its legacy of fostering school cricket and shaping future champions. As March arrives, the island will be swept by cricket fever as past and present students unite for this time-honoured tradition.
This year, Dialog sponsors seven iconic Big Matches, featuring 14 esteemed schools competing for pride and glory. The season’s crown jewel, the 146th Battle of the Blues, takes center stage at SSC on March 6th-8th, as Royal College and S. Thomas’ College renew their legendary rivalry. The Mustangs Trophy follows on March 15th.
Other marquee encounters include the 91st Battle of the Saints (April 3rd-5th) and One Day clash (April 26th), the 120th Lovers’ Quarrel (April 3rd-5th), and the 118th Battle of the Maroons in Kandy (April 4th-6th). Fans can also anticipate thrilling contests like the Battle of the Rocks and Battle of the Golds and more.
With its unwavering commitment to Powering the champions of tomorrow, Dialog invites fans to experience the excitement live at the grounds or via ThePapare TV and Dialog ViU. The 2025 season promises passion, tradition, and the birth of future cricketing stars.
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