Sports

Sanga anoints Asalanka as his successor

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/8

Rex Clementine in Dubai

It took Sri Lanka three years to find Asanka Gurusinha’s successor at number three. In the year 2000, Kumar Sangakkara came along and he occupied the slot for 15 years breaking world records at will. For six years, Sri Lanka searched for Sanga’s replacement without much success. Given the way how Charith Asalanka went about things in the T-20 World Cup, there is enough evidence that we have found Sanga’s successor and the man himself confirms that.

“I think Charith Asalanka has done extremely well. He looks like the caliber of player who will have a long career, score a lot of runs and win a lot of games for Sri Lanka,” Sangakkara told Sri Lankan journalists during a virtual interaction from Colombo.

“His ability to deal with both good spin and good pace is terrific. He seems to have a fearlessness approach, which is good to see. When the side was in transition, there were various things that needed to be set in place. The things that will come into any player’s mind is a little bit of fear. Fear to fail; because you might feel the fear to take a risk as you could be dropped. The ability to take on the challenge puts reverses pressure on the opposition. Charith seems to have come to terms with all of that. He’s got poise. He’s got the game. From here on, it’s about getting his mental skills together; his game organization and adjusting from surface to surface, country to country, opposition to opposition. There’s a huge amount there already visible to say that he’ll be an excellent, excellent player,” Sangakkara added.

Sri Lanka’s campaign in the World Cup went beyond expectations. The team stormed through the qualifying round and beat West Indies and Bangladesh in the second round and narrowly lost to South Africa, England and Australia.

“Overall it’s been such an encouraging performance. Going in to this tournament everyone knew it was going to be a daunting task. There were questions in everyone’s mind, and rightly so, as to will this be the right team? Are these players capable of competing at the international level in such high pressure tournaments? It’s been such a heartening sight to see the way this team has gone about it. They’ve looked fearless. Unfortunately T20 is such a volatile format that a few deliveries, a run out can really cost you the game because there’s very little time for you to come back into a game when those mistakes occur.”

Not just Charith Asalanka but the emergence of a lot of young players augurs well for the game in the country. “The journey is just starting. All of you have spoken about Charith a lot. But if you take the whole unit in one, Hasaranga today is the number one T20 bowler in the world at such a young age. You see the beginning of a side if continuously and consistently developed; they have the makings of a side that will be a significant force, especially in white ball cricket.”

More than half of the team that came to UAE had played less than a handful of T-20 Internationals but they tested some of the strong forces like South Africa. The game against Proteas was decided in the penultimate delivery with Sri Lanka going down fighting. “Unfortunately, against South Africa, you had that one over against Miller. They were few options. One is to go fifth leg stump ball at the heel or go wider outside the off stump to Miller so that you are away from his arc. Sometimes the execution just doesn’t work. And that was a game that was really within our grasp to win. Then against England, you know about 38 runs needed in 20 balls, England were a side that looked in absolute control against every side that they played except us. England were completely under pressure and in a very desperate situation. In those games you see that we are capable of getting into situations where we can win games against the best opposition.”

Sangakkara was one of Sri Lanka’s most successful captains although his stint was brief. That was an extremely successful period as the team reached two World Cup finals and won a first ever series in Australia. Had he been in Dasun Shanaka’s shoes, would he have done things differently?

“I’m very reluctant to pinpoint areas like that because, you know, when you’re watching a game from the outside; you have the benefit of having a wider perspective. When you’re in the game and when you’re young and when you don’t have the same experience, sometimes things can get a little confusing. Not just confusing but it can get a little intense. Dasun has handled himself really impressively with this young side. There would have been a lot of pressure on him in terms of South Africa. I think the team had the plans right but unfortunately couldn’t execute in that last over. Perhaps in the England game Dasun not bowling himself in the 19th over maybe.”

Sangakkara was part of the Cricket Advisory Committee headed by former great Aravinda de Silva that persuaded ex captain Mahela Jayawardene to join the team in an advisory capacity during the qualifying round. “Mahela being there had a huge impact on getting those tactics and strategy refined, fine tuned and game ready. Adding to the experience of the coaching staff Mahela would have brought in an immense wealth of knowledge in terms of working with the analytics team, working with the players individually and getting those plans all set.”

With the white ball team constantly underperforming, early this year, the new selection panel adopted an aggressive youth policy shutting the door on six seniors. With a new bunch of players coming in there seems to be new energy in the side.

“I think the change of culture has to come a lot from within the team as well from the players themselves. I think the players have to take some time to really think about what they’re doing and how they’re doing it and really get together as a leadership group. If you want to set a culture, it has to have the players who buy into it. The coach or whoever else can come and demand things from the team. But if the team doesn’t buy into it, it’s very difficult to change the status quo. Sometimes it looks from the outside that maybe there isn’t the same passion, but I’m very reluctant to say that because I have been inside dressing rooms where we’ve had terrible losses and a few bad tournaments. But I know that every player has a burning passion to play the game. If you have a culture where you have to look over your shoulder and wonder whether you are going to get into the next team. What’s going to happen if I don’t score runs. If that continuous doubt is there in your mind it is very difficult to break out of that especially if you have a team with a lot of youngsters. So this new culture is giving them more certainty and more consistency. Telling them that we value them as players and individuals and this is the brand of cricket we want to see. This is the kind of excellence we want to have in the decision making process and in the way we play. The players seem to have really bought into that and really set that culture again where you see there is this positive energy on the field, always trying to fight always trying to win. It’s good to see.”

When the national selection panel launched their aggressive youth policy, the backbone of their batting was going to be Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis (vice-captain) and Niroshan Dickwella. But their suspension meant that it was back to square one. The trio are expected to return to domestic cricket shortly with their international suspension ending in June next year. What does Sangakkara expect from them when they return.

“Perhaps, a little bit of common sense would be good. Three extremely talented players and what a loss it has been for Sri Lanka cricket in terms of not having their services available. But at the same time, a strong message has been sent by SLC. Their commitment to the team, discipline and expectations as cricketers is important. It’s non-negotiable. They have been handed significant bans and fines. I just hope that they learn from this and come back stronger. I am sure everyone will welcome them back and also hope that they will start thinking better not just on the field, but off the field as well.”

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Sports

Wankhede braced for India–England semi-final blockbuster

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

Wankhede that hosted the 2011 World Cup final between Sri Lanka and India will host this evening’s T20 World Cup semi-final between India and England.

The second T20 World Cup semi-final gets underway at the iconic Wankhede Stadium today (Thursday) with England and India locking horns for a place in the final. Both sides are two-time champions and boast well-balanced outfits, setting the stage for a contest where there is little to separate.

India in particular have had to roll up their sleeves and graft their way through the Super Eight stage. Having stumbled in their opener against South Africa, they were forced into two must win encounters inside a week and came through with flying colours. Those victories have hardened their resolve and ensured the defending champions arrive at the business end battle ready.

England, meanwhile, began the tournament on shaky ground. They were given a scare by Nepal and later tasted defeat against West Indies, leaving them with little room for error. But like seasoned campaigners, the Englishmen have steadied the ship and found their rhythm when it matters most.

One of England’s biggest strengths has been their ability to play spin with confidence in recent months. Their bowling attack too has evolved. No longer overly reliant on pace and swing, England have shown the nous to mix things up, calling on a variety of spin options when conditions demand it.

There is, however, one blot on their scorecard. In the last five games, their opener Jos Buttler has struggled for runs, repeatedly departing for single digit scores. But his glovework behind the stumps has been impeccable and with several of England’s batters firing on all cylinders, they can afford to carry one misfiring gun in the line-up.

Still nursing the wounds of a painful Ashes defeat, reaching the World Cup final would go a long way in restoring pride in the England camp and perhaps even saving a few careers that are currently on the line.

India, meanwhile, carry the weight of expectation that only cricket in this country can generate. As defending champions, they have the backing of a cricket mad nation and Wankhede will be a cauldron of noise when the two sides take the field.

For Sri Lankan fans, the venue also stirs bittersweet memories. It was here at Wankhede that Sri Lanka’s dreams were shattered in the 2011 World Cup final, when India lifted the trophy.

One concern for India ahead of the big clash will be their catching. They have been sloppy in the field, grassing several chances and recording a worrying catching percentage. Their overall strength has masked those lapses so far, but dropped catches at this stage of the tournament can come back to haunt even the strongest of sides.

Earlier, South Africa and New Zealand were set to square off in the first semi-final in Calcutta on Wednesday. The winners will head to Ahmedabad where they will await the victors of the Bombay clash for Sunday’s grand finale.

Rex Clementine in Bombay

Sports

Perera, Sugandika, Ranaweera take Sri Lanka to T20I series win over West Indies

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

[File photo] Hasini Perera recorded her second T20I half-century

Opener Hasini Perera’s second T20I fifty, on the back of two wickets apiece by left-arm spinners Sugandika Kumari and Inoka Ranaweera, capped off another strong effort by Sri Lanka as they beat West Indies by nine wickets to seal the three-match T20I series 2-0.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and elected to field in Grenada, and much like in the second T20I, the spinners strangled the West Indies batters. Sugandika was introduced into the attack in the third over and she struck with her third ball, nipping out Hayley Matthews, caught and bowled for 8.

Ranaweera then struck with her second ball, prising out Shawnisha Hector, before Sugandika picked up a third wicket in the powerplay in the form of Eboni Brathwaite. Deandra Dottin struck three fours in her first ten balls as West Indies ended the powerplay on a high but slowed down spectacularly after that, only managing 28 off 39 balls as West Indies added just 34 runs in the ten overs after the end of the powerplay.

Ranaweera finished her frugal four-over spell by trapping Dottin lbw, and four balls later, Kavisha Dilhari cleaned up the other set batter, Stafanie Taylor, for 24.

At 83 for 5 after 18 overs, West Indies were in danger of falling short of 100 but Chinelle Henry gave the innings much-needed impetus, smashing an unbeaten 32 off 15 and helping them take 36 runs off the last two overs. Despite the late onslaught, West Indies finished on a below-par 119 for 5.

In reply, Athapaththu raced away again, crashing four fours in the first three overs with Sri Lanka going at nearly ten an over. Sri Lanka added 48 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket and while Athapaththu fell soon after for a 22-ball 32 to Afy Fletcher, she had set a solid platform.

With the required rate less than six an over, Perera and Imesha Dulani focused more on rotating the strike, putting together an unbroken 72-run stand for the second wicket off 64 balls. Perera took 58 balls to reach her fifty before Dulani finished the match and the series by striking a four off Matthews. Sri Lanka won the game with 14 balls to spare, making it a double success for them, having earlier won the ODIs 2-1.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka Women

121 for 1 in 17.4 overs (Hasini Perera 52*, Imesha Dulani 34*, Chamari Athapaththu 3; Afy Fletcher 1-14) beat West Indies women 119 for 5 in 20 overs (Stafnie Taylor 24, Deandra Dottin 28, Chinelle Henry 32*; Inoka Ranaweera 2-16, Sugandika Kumari 2-32, Kavisha Dilhari 1-13) by nine wickets

[Cricinfo]

Sports

CIC Holdings. MAS Active Kreeda, VS Information Systems, Emar Pharma, WSO2, Singer Sri Lanka, Alaris Lanka and Regnis Appliances register wins over the weekend

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

15TH MCA G DIVISION T20 LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

CIC Holdings, MAS Active Kreeda and VS Information Systems registered wins In their first round games of the MCA G Division 20 over League Cricket Tournament last Saturday while Emar Pharma, WSO2, Singer Sri Lanka, Alaris Lanka and Regnis Appliances won their games on Sunday.

In the Group C game played at the D S Senanayake College grounds on Saturday morning Achala Jayalath smashed 75 runs off 37 balls [8 fours and 5 sixes] while Asela Priyadarshana captured 4 wickets to help CIC Holdings to crush LSEG by 113 runs. In the afternoon game played at the same venue VS Information Systems overcame Inqube Global by 30 runs in their group F encounter.

In a group B game played at the Dharmapala College ground in Pannipitiya MAS Active Kreeda, powered by an unbeaten half ton by Jineetha Malith [62 not out] and an all-round performance by Sivkumar Patheepan [3/21 and 26 not out] defeat Synergen Health by six wickets.

In the games played on Sunday,

A 53 ball 93 [11 fours and 4 sixes] and 2-27 by Deshan Fernando helped Emar Pharma crush LOLC Insurance by 88 runs in the group B match played at Darley Road..

In the group A game played at the same venue in the afternoon, Unbeaten tons by WSO2’s Devin Jayasinghe [103 not out in 54 balls with 8 fours and 7 sixes] and Jetwing Travels’ Wageesha Balagama [100 not out in 62 balls with 7 fours and 7 sixes] were the highlights which WSO2 won by 31 runs.

An unbeaten 30 ball 60 [9 fours and 2 sixes] and 3-13 by Ahamed Rifad and a three wicket haul by Srimal Peiris helped Singer Sri Lanka B defeat Ceyline Holdings by ten wickets in the group B game at the MCA in the morning. In the Group E game played at the MCA in the afternoon Alaris Lanka overcame Acuity Analytics by 63 runs.

In an evening game played at De Mazenod College grounds Regnis Appliances, playing in group B of the tournament beat Synergen Health by five wickets with 5 balls to spare.

On Saturday:

At DS Senanayake College ground :

Achala, Asela propel CIC Holdings to a 113 run win

Brief scores:

CIC Holdings

212/6 in 20 overs [N Danushan 35, Eranga Madushan 24, Achala Jayalath 75, T Innoshan 62; Chathura Maurice 2-50, Hishara Mudalige 1-17, Kalpa Gamage 1-31]

LSEG

99/10 in 16.2 overs [Rishane Liyanage 27, Kalpa Gamage 17, Nuwan Amarasinghe 18, Gangul Ediriwickremasooriya 21; Suranga Jayasuriya 1-25, Eranga Madushan 1-07, N Danushan 2-11, R M Aravinda 1-15, Asela Priyadarshana 4-14]

VS Information Systems win by 30 runs

Brief scores:

VS Information Systems

136/8 in 20 overs [Kisal Ranathunga 27, Chamath Chamupathi 36, Shamilka Wickrematilake 45, Nimnada Kirindage 11; Sanindu Deshan 1-28, Ravindu Subashana 3-22, Kanishka Eshan 2-22, Isuru Lakshan 1-28]

Inqube Globa

l 106/9 in 20 overs [Yasintha Lakshan 14, Suresh Madushanka 27, Kanishka Eshan 14, Kasun Lakshitha 11; Chamath Chamupathi 2-16, Kasun Bandara 1-17, Shan Aniketh 2-23, Nimnada Kirindage 1-24]

At Dharmapala College Grounds Pannipitiya

MAS Active Kreeda defeated Synergen Health by six wickets with 14 balls remaining

Brief scores:

Synergen Health

135/9 in 20 overs [Ridma Ranathunga 41, Chamath Liyanage 13, Pubudu Roopasinghe 35, Chanul Gawaramanna 17; Sivakumar Partheepan 3-21, Anju Amaradasa 4-22, Chamath Sumithraarachchi 2-21]

MAS Active Kreeda

138/4 in 17.4 overs [Jineetha Malith 62*, Adeesha Miyusara 21, Sivakumar Partheepan 26*; Chanul Gawrawamanna 2-19, Mahesh Wijesinghe 1-16, Noor Aslam 1-19]

On Sunday:

At Darley Road

Emar Pharma beat LOLC Insuarance by 88 runs

Brief scores:

Emar Pharma

216/4 in 20 overs [Deshan Fernando 93, Amitha Dabare 48, Dushyantha Darshana 10, Devinda Ayesh 39*; Dinesh Chathurang 1-32, M Z Osman 2-27]

LOLC Insuarance

128/10 in 19 overs [Tharindu Mohan 15, Dinesh Chathuranga 16, M Z Osman 21, Deneth Nissanka 33; DeshanFernando 2-27, Amitha Dabare 4-33, Kurusamy Than Lakshan 1-08, Pathumanabahan Sujeedaran 1-11, Chandana Dodangoda 1-13]

WSO2 overcome Jetwing Travels in High scoring game

Brief scores:

WSO2

205/5 in 20 overs [Shivanga Ranasuriya 21, Kaveesha Rajapaksa 35, Devin Jayasinghe 103*, Dev Wijewardena 24*; Sanjeew Prasanna 1-37, Shehan Dinuka 1-23, Wageesha Balagama 1-30, Tharindu Almeida 2-41]

Jetwing Travels

174/8 in 20 overs [Thanuka Peiris 19, Wageesha Balagama 100*, Shehan Dinuka 11; Dev Wijewardena 1-20, Shan Anjana 2-10, Osanda Herath 1-34, Shivanga Ranasuriya 1-07, Rakitha Rupasinghe 1-41, Dimuthu Madushan 2-23]

At MCA grounds,

Singer Sri Lanka crush Ceyline Holdings by 10 wickets

Brief scores:

Ceyline Holdings

99/10 in 18.4 overs [Tharindu Munasinghe 14, VKS Kithmina 16, Chameera Manamperi 12; Prashan Weerawarna 2-22, Roshan Derling 1-14, Ahamed Rifad 3-13, Sajitha Sanjeewa 1-07, Srimal Peiris 3-16]

Singer Sri Lanka B –

100/0 in 8.4 overs [Sheyal Vithanage 36*, Ahamed Rifad 60*]

Alaris Lanka overcome Acuity Analytics by 63 runs

Brief scores:

Alaris Lanka 210/6 in 20 overs [Sameera Perera 91, Sruhan Anuruddika 44, Lakshitha Peiris 35, Sameera Rukshan 15, Chiran Vishmitha 17*; Gajendran Shanmugarasa 1-35, Pranavan Premarajah 3-34, Sudaraka Keshara 1-29]

Acuity Analytics

147/7 in 20 overs[Nadeera Ranathunga 11, Nakrushan Chithrasenan 15, Gajendran Shanmugarasa 61*, Lashika Alakumbura 20, Sudaraka Keshara 13; Asuntha Indika 3-16, Lakshitha Peiris 1-22, Priyanka Pradeep 2-26, Mahesh Devapriya 1-33]

At De Mazenod College grounds

Regnis Appliances by five wickets

Brief scores:

Synergen Health

138/9 in 20 overs [Ridma Ranathunga 12, Hansaka Chandrasiri 20, Chamath Liyanage 13, Chanul Gawrammana 26, S Thuwargashan 17, Shanilka Uggalpitiya 16; Tharanga Dammika 3-23, Nimesh Madushanka 1-20, Asela Sanjeewa 2-27, Gaveen Yatawara 1-26, Banuka Gunawardena 1-07]

Regnis Appliances

139/5 in 19.1 overs [Gaveen Yatawara 16, Yasiru Sandaruwan 18, Imalka Fernando 34*, Pubudu Mendis 46; Dinesh Dewanarayana 1-17, Chanul Gawarammana 1-20, Isuru Weerasinghe 1-19]

[PDES]