Sports
Sri Lanka plan early departure to South Africa
Rex Clementine at Pallekele
Sri Lanka’s national cricket team is considering an early dispatch of some players to South Africa ahead of their upcoming two-match Test series against the Proteas. With an increasingly packed international calendar, the team faces a tight window between the home ODI series against New Zealand and the Test series in South Africa, making pre-tour adjustments essential.
Plans are underway to send Test specialists to South Africa early, allowing them to acclimatize to the unfamiliar playing conditions. Some ODI players may also be pulled from the New Zealand series to join the group departing early for Durban.
Points for Sri Lanka in the World Test Championship are crucial as they are in with a chance to feature in the final.
“By November 12th, our Test players will head to South Africa with two coaches,” explained Sri Lanka’s Batting Coach, Thilina Kandamby, during a media briefing. “We’re also evaluating which players can be released from the New Zealand white-ball series to make this happen.”
However, Sri Lanka’s ambitions to improve their rankings in limited-overs cricket may limit the availability of players for early departure. Facing New Zealand, a team ranked higher in the ODI format, presents an opportunity Sri Lanka is keen to capitalize on.
“New Zealand is ranked above us, and we need to win that series. But South Africa is not an easy place to play either,” Kandamby noted. “It’s a tough decision, and we feel it might be beneficial to send some players to South Africa early.”
The team’s lineup also hinges on player readiness. Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka, sidelined during the first two ODIs, has reportedly recovered, though his selection for the upcoming game remains uncertain. “Pathum is ready to play, but the final decision will be made by the selectors,” Kandamby said.
Sri Lanka’s squad rotation may also see left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka rejoining the side, particularly as he returns from injury. Madushanka may play ahead of left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, with the team’s strategy emphasizing an additional pace option.
“We’re discussing combinations and think it’s a good opportunity for Dilshan,” added Kandamby. “Consistency is our focus, so we’re careful not to make too many changes.”
Following a comeback win in the T20 series at Dambulla, Sri Lanka clinched the ODI series against New Zealand with a game to spare. Today’s third ODI at Pallekele, therefore, will be a formality, but it still adds to Sri Lanka’s impressive record this year—winning 11 of their 14 bilateral series and dominating at home with nine series victories out of ten.
Gaby Lewis has been rested for Ireland’s upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies at home in Clontarf as she recovers from a recent leg injury but has been named captain – for the first time at a global event – for the T20 World Cup in June-July in England.
Orla Prendergast, the vice-captain for the World Cup, will lead the side in the tri-series in Lewis’ absence. No vice-captain has been named for the tri-series.
In terms of ins and outs, Jane Maguire, the right-arm medium pacer, has been ruled out of contention with an injury, but her sister Aimee Maguire, the left-arm orthodox spinner, has returned from her own injury and has been included in both squads. Apart from the missing Lewis, there are no changes from the squad for the tri-series, which is a 14-member line-up, for the World Cup.
At the T20 World Cup, Ireland have been grouped with tournament hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and past winners West Indies.
Ireland are ranked ninth in the format, ahead of only Scotland (11th) among the teams in their group, and will start their World Cup campaign on the second day of competition, against Scotland in Manchester.
Ireland were most recently in action at the T20 World Cup qualifiers played in Nepal in January-February this year, and finished second to Bangladesh.
Lewis’ fitness will be key for Ireland at the World Cup, with her being their top-ranked batter, currently at joint-14th on the ICC T20I rankings. She was also the top run getter at the qualifiers with 276 runs in seven innings, scoring her runs at a strike rate of 119.48.
Prendergast is the next best at No. 26, followed by Amy Hunter at No. 29. Prendergast is also the seventh-ranked allrounder in women’s T20Is.
Ireland squad for women’s T20 World Cup
Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
Ireland squad for tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies
Orla Prendergast (capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
[Cricinfo]
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a statement approving the members nominated for the new Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
The appointments have been made by the Sports Minister in accordance with the powers vested under Section 39 (1) of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 and the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2437/24 dated May 21, 2025.
The members of the new selection committee are:
Kapila Wijegunawardena – Chairman
Amal Silva – Member
Brendon Kuruppu – Member
Waruna Waragoda – Member
Vanessa De Silva – Member
PM meets academic experts from the British Council
Gaby Lewis to lead Ireland at T20 World Cup
PM meets Sri Lankan community living in London
Kapila Wijegunawardena to head SLC’s new selection committee
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