Sports
Axing of Pathum Nissanka doesn’t go down too well
The Lanka Premier League tournament has seen some tight contests over the last week. There have been some standout performers and last ball thrillers. The franchise tournament will stand in good stead for Sri Lankan cricket moving forward with last year’s LPL enabling selectors to identify new talents. This year too several young players have come up with some impressive performances. There have been also some strange decisions and the one that has sparked much debate has been the dropping of Pathum Nissanka.
The 23-year-old Nissanka was a revelation during the recent T-20 World Cup in UAE where he outperformed several senior players and finished as the second highest run getter for Sri Lanka. In fact, Pathum’s 221 runs during the World Cup was the seventh highest in the competition and he was the cynosure of all eyes. Pathum’s ability to play the anchor role by batting through the innings and his skill to accelerate when the demand rose with minimum risks earned the applause of South African fast bowling great Dale Steyn.
Colombo Stars decision to drop him after just two games surprised many. The franchise replaced Pathum with Ashan Priyanjan, who at 32 is past his prime.
Mickey Arthur who has just completed a two year stint with Sri Lanka as the Head Coach did not agree with the decision. “Pathum Nissanka is the national opening batsman and should play every game,” he wrote on Twitter.
Mickey wasn’t the only one who was upset with the decision as many others expressed their dissatisfaction in social media at the snubbing of one of the nation’s brightest talents.
Nissanka made his Test debut early this year and became the first Sri Lankan to score a hundred on debut overseas. He finished off the recent Test series against West Indies scoring three half-centuries
Colombo Stars is the only locally owned franchise in the LPL and they have chosen a formidable team with some big names. Their Head Coach Ruwan Kalpage is someone who is well respected in the field having been involved in international cricket for over two decades. Kalpage is one of the best all-round coaches in the world having worked with SLC as Computer Analyst, Spin Bowling Coach and Fielding Coach. Elsewhere he has fitted in in many roles like Assistant Coach and Head Coach and was an excellent choice by Colombo Stars to rope him as their coach. Since Colombo Stars is the only locally owned franchise, a lot of fans seem to be supporting them in this LPL and that maybe one reason why their decision to bench one of the up and coming players received most attention.
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
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