Sports

Argentina creates History

Published

6 years ago

2020/11/16

by Rajitha Ratwatte

Under 10,000 spectators at Bankwest stadium in Sydney. Argentina undercooked said the experts, they had not played as a team for 13 months (since the last World Cup) 12 players had caught the virus and even the coach had been a victim. Argentina would have watched the last game played by the Wallabies and also the world cup semi-final and learned that the All Blacks are beatable, if their plan ‘A’ is disrupted, they don’t seem to have a plan ‘B’. The general opinion of all the experts with the exception Andrew Mhertens, the former All Black no10 was that the All Blacks would win easily, and the reason was that Argentina hadn’t played for over a year. What about fresh legs, I thought to myself and doesn’t commitment and attitude have anything to do with it?

Argentina kicked off with Angus Gardiner refereeing. Right from the start it was obvious that the Argentina Pumas had come to play, and they meant business. A deliberate knock on by All Blacks no11 Caleb Clark in the second minute could have been yellow carded by a lesser referee, but a penalty was awarded instead. The Pumas no10 Sanchez tried an early drop goal in the third minute but missed. Argentina was giving no quarter and in fact they tackled relentlessly and gave no room for the All Blacks three-quarters to run with any room throughout the match. The rough house tactics paid off, a penalty was awarded against the All Blacks in the fourth minute on the 50-meter line right in front of the posts. No problem for Sanchez and the Pumas straight into a 0- 3 lead. Another deliberate knock on but this time well inside the Argentina territory was awarded just a penalty (no yellow card) and since it was right in front of the posts Ritchie Muanga kicked it over 3 – 3, 13th minute.

The rough house tactics and untidy play continued with penalties awarded willy-nilly. In the 18th minute an Argentinian attacking move resulted in a try and they were playing under a penalty advantage as well. As soon as the referee’s hand went out giving the penalty advantage, Sanchez the brilliant Puma stand-off, chip kicked over New Zealand line, picked the ball up and scored under the posts. No question of missing maximum points and the score 3 -10.

A penalty awarded to the All Blacks was reversed when their hooker slapped an Argentinian player right under the referee’s eyes! This reflected the extent to which the All Blacks had been rattled by the Argentinian tactics. Totally unprofessional behaviour from Dane Coles, of all people! Penalties were being milked by both sides, in the 14th minute Aaron Smith in the no 9 jersey for the All Blacks, deliberately passed the ball onto an Argentinian player who was trying to get onside, Argentina retaliated with a player running onto Jodie Barret of the All Blacks after a challenge in the air. Again, this second incident could have been escalated to a tackle without arms and even resulted in a red card, but good sense prevailed. Angus Gardiner is one of the better referees around, but I wish he wouldn’t try to tell the props how to bind in the front row. He has obviously never been anywhere near a front row when playing the game and theory alone, doesn’t suffice in the front row!

All Blacks’ mistakes continued and in the 25th minute another kick able penalty was awarded, mid-left around 32 meters out and Sanchez obliged 3 -13 to the Pumas. The intensity was such that Pablo Matera of the Pumas and Lennert – Brown of the All Blacks both went off for HIA checks in the 28th and 30th minutes. Lennert- Brown’s departure saw Ricco Ioane come on at center for the All Blacks much to my dismay.

It was proved to be a mistake with Ioane dropping a vital pass on a move that looked like a certain try at a crucial stage of the game. In the 36th minute, Argentina crossed the New Zealand line once more but desperate defence from Aaron Smith and Ritchie Muanga saved the day. It took 32 minutes before the first scrum was held and Argentina gained a very kick able penalty straight away, 3 – 16 to the Pumas. At this stage it was clear that the All Blacks were being upstaged by the sheer determination and commitment of the Pumas. It was only a question of if they could handle the pace of the game for the full 80 minutes. Half-time came with the Pumas leading by the same margin of 13 points.

The scrappy play continued as far as the All Blacks went but it seemed to be a carefully orchestrated plan by the Pumas. A penalty was awarded to Argentina 35 meters out and mid-left and the lead was extended, score reading 3 – 19.

The All Blacks started to bring on the bench in the 48th minute with Codie Taylor at hooker, Ricco Ioane (this time officially at center, he was on earlier briefly as Lennert- Brown went for a HIA) and Hoskins Sotutu in the third row.

In the 52nd minute, the All Blacks after two successive penalties scored far left. A straight throw to Aardie Savea standing at the front of the line out caught the Pumas defence napping and Sam Cane the All Blacks skipper scrambled over the line. Muanga converted brilliantly and the score was 10 -19. Ritchie Muanga was caught off-side in the 56th minute and the result penalty was converted by Sanchez 10 -22. More changes from the bench for the All Blacks, Brad Webber came on at half -back for Smith and Damien McKenzie for Goodhue. This was the point at which Ricco Ioane dropped the ball at center from a move that looked like certain points and would have made the margin much smaller and possibly even changed the result of the game. Ritchie Muanga joined in the mayhem and tried a chip kick that resulted in giving the ball straight back to a blue and white player.

In the 69th minute, a kick able penalty was awarded to New Zealand and this was the first sign of lack of on field thinking and ability to adapt showing its ugly face, something that has dogged the All Blacks in recent times. At this stage the on field thinkers, or ‘brains trust’ (yes, such things do exist in Rugby Union!) in the team should have realised that this game was no cake walk. The margin was such that multiple scoring was needed, three points should have been taken. However, a kick for touch was the preferred option.

Two more kick able penalties were also discarded for a scrum and a short tap respectively. Argentina’s defence was unyielding and of course in retrospect it was obvious that all kicks should have been taken to keep the margin at reasonable levels.

Hoskins Sotutu made a nice break from no 8 off an attacking scrum but threw the ball wide without running for the line. Argentina was dominating at this stage and turnovers in loose play were almost par for the course. A penalty against the All Blacks around 55 meters out, with the angle to the posts was kicked over by Sanchez and the score read 10 -25 and Argentina was poised on their first ever victory over the All Blacks in the history of the game.

The full-time hooter sounded and just afterwards, Caleb Clark scored his first try for the All Blacks after back to back penalties. A tough kick was missed by Muanga and the full-time score read 15 – 25, a historic win for Argentina, against all odds and thoroughly deserved.

One thing for sure, there is no such thing as an expert in the game of Rugby football. Undercooked they said, All Blacks to win by 40 points said John Kirwan, to use an Argentinian beef-based analogy, underdone they may have been but it was still a prime rib eye steak.

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Sports

High-scoring draw gives West Indies rare series win

Published

1 hour ago

2026/07/9

Sahan Weerasooriya

Brandon King scored an unbeaten fifty in the fourth innings

After 1408 runs and 28 wickets, and even some rain delays over five days, the result that had long been telegraphed came to pass as West Indies and Sri Lanka and played out a draw in the second and final Test in North Sound. The stalemate means a first Test series victory in 11 attempts for West Indies, their last coming in 2023. For their last home Test series win, one would have to go back to June 2022.

And it was perhaps the significance – and rarity – of this achievement that informed the hosts’ approach over the course of this Test, which was also the first in 2026 to end in a draw. Following Sri Lanka’s imposing first-innings effort, West Indies’ response – on a good batting surface – never really appeared to be in search of a victory.

Set a target of 302 John Campbell and Brandon King never threatened to take it on. Even so, both scoring fifties – Campbell for the second time this Test – will have given the pair and the West Indies dressing room cause for optimism after their recent batting travails in the longest format.

Moreover, with WTC points of less importance since they have already been eliminated from contention for a final berth, the series win was all that mattered for West Indies. And in that context, it was incumbent on Sri Lanka to do most of the running, though on a true surface that scarcely deteriorated over the course of the Test, the visiting bowlers were always facing an uphill challenge in picking up 20 wickets to win the game and level the series.

They did come out on the final morning with belief – however implausible – that they might be able to manifest a miracle. The first part of the plan was quick runs, and in that they excelled. Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis were the overnight pair, and it was clear from the outset that they would look to take on the bowling.

West Indies, however, weren’t in any mood to make it easy, as they stuck to defensive fields and lines – stacking a 2-7 field to the seamers, while the spinners lived on leg-stump lines. Despite this, Sri Lanka galloped along at a scoring rate of 5.79 in the session, one where they struck 139 runs in 24 overs.

The risks they were forced to take also meant that six wickets fell in the first two hours of play – comfortably the most in a single session all Test. But a closer look at each and it was clear why Sri Lanka were not totally at ease with a lunch-time declaration.

Kamindu spliced a top edge looking to crash an off-side length ball from Jayden Seales, Dhananjaya de Silva holed out to long-off, while both Chandimal and Kusal Mendis carved chances straight to gully. Sonal Dinusha, meanwhile, was run out courtesy a direct hit from deep point as he strained to make it back for an ambitious second run, while Isitha Wijesundara missed with a wild heave.

After days of obdurate Test cricket, this period resembled the later overs of an ODI, as Sri Lanka scrambled desperately for every run on offer, but it was more batter errors than any demons in the surface.

At lunch, the lead had swelled to 281 and many speculated an imminent declaration, but Sri Lanka made the surprise call to continue batting. The target, it seems, was a lead of at least 300, and this was achieved in three overs after lunch, after which the declaration was promptly signalled.

Considering the relative ease with which Campbell and King proceeded for the remainder of the session – and the day – there was perhaps merit in padding the target – and in turn eating into roughly 25 minutes of play in the second session that would otherwise have been afforded West Indies to chase.

Scores:

Sri Lanka

549 for 9 dec 139.3 overs (Lahiru Udara 188, Kamindu Mendis 84, Kusal Mendis 69, Dinusha 92; Jayden Seales 2-98, Shamar Joseph 2-98) and 251 for 9 dec in 49 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 71, Kamindu Mendis 44; Alzarri Joseph 2-44) drew with West Indies 499 in 165.5overs (John Campbell 72, Shai Hope 112, Justin Greaves 180; Asitha Fernando 5-130, Prabath Jayasuriya 3-131) and 109 for 0 in 40 overs (John Campbell 51*, Brandon King 51*)

(Cricinfo)

Sports

Bipun, Pathiv shine with outstanding feats

Published

1 hour ago

2026/07/9

Sahan Weerasooriya

Bipun Alwis

A superb century by Pathiv Vehan for St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa and a five wicket haul by Bipun Alwis for De Mazenod College Kandana were among the top individual performances of the day in the Under 17 Division I cricket tournament continued on Wednesday.

‎‎Bipun Alwis continued his outstanding form with the ball, producing another match-winning five-wicket haul as De Mazenod College, Kandana defeated Christ King College, Ja-Ela by six wickets in their match played at the De Mazenod College Grounds, Kandana.

‎Alwis ripped through Christ King’s batting line-up, claiming a superb 5 for 19 from his 10 overs, including three maidens at an exceptional economy rate of 1.90. His victims included top order batsmen, Ashen Anjelo (24), Shevon Vihanga (29), Tujan Adithya (0), Sayura Akash (0) and Saduka Fernando (0), triggering a collapse from 65 for no loss to 91 for six. Christ King were eventually dismissed for 159 in 49.3 overs.

‎De Mazenod comfortably chased the target, reaching 163 for 4 in 38.1 overs. Dimeth Imendra anchored the innings with a composed 70 off 132 deliveries, while Ashel Perera struck a brisk 37 and Ushan Adithya remained unbeaten on 21 to steer the hosts home.

‎Alwis’ latest five-wicket haul further underlined his consistency this season, adding another outstanding spell to his growing list of match-winning bowling performances. His ability to dismantle top order batsmen has made him one of De Mazenod’s key performers in the 2026 Under-17 Division I campaign.

‎Meanwhile a superb century from Pathiv Vehan set the stage for St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa to record an exciting 24-run victory over Sri Sumangala College, Panadura in their Group A encounter played at the Bandaragama Public Grounds.

‎Batting first, St. Sebastian’s posted a formidable 291 for 8 in their 50 overs, built around an outstanding knock of 130 off 97 balls by Pathiv Vehan. His match-deciding innings featured 21 boundaries and two sixes, dominating the Sri Sumangala bowling attack. Navinu Fernando provided valuable support with a composed 54, while Nisila Dimath contributed 29 and Nithusha Fernando remained unbeaten on 25. Sakun Pansilu claimed 4 for 72 and Chanithu Ranyuru picked up 3 for 57 for Sri Sumangala.

‎In reply, Sri Sumangala fought bravely and finished on 267 for 9 in 49.5 overs. Chanithu Ranyuru led the chase with a blistering 74 off 57 deliveries, while Sanithu Hemsara scored 40 and Dinuga Thathsilu remained unbeaten on 40. However, St. Sebastian’s bowlers held their nerve, with Adeesha Lakshan producing 4 for 41. Sanoj Perera, Navinu Fernando and Nithusha Fernando claimed a wicket each as St. Sebastian’s secured a hard-fought 24-run victory.

(RF)

Sports

Sri Lanka Tennis Premier League unveils vision to transform the business of tennis in Sri Lanka

Published

1 hour ago

2026/07/9

Sahan Weerasooriya

From left: Avishka Silva (CL Synergy - Title Sponsor), Yasser Farook (Wilson - Powered By Sponsor), Arjun Fernando (SLTPL Steering Committee), Kamal Munasinghe (Cinnamon Hotels - Hospitality partner), Chalaka Bogoda (DIMO - Luxury Automobile Partner), Iqbal Bin Issak (President SLTA), Rukmal Cooray (Vice President SLTA ), Roshan Silva - (Director SLTPL), Pradeep Goonasekera (Secretary General SLTA)

Stake holders of the Sri Lanka Tennis Premier League at the launch

The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) officially launched the Sri Lanka Tennis Premier League (SLTPL), at The Studio – Cinnamon Life City of Dreams, unveiling a landmark franchise-based sporting property designed to redefine the future of tennis in Sri Lanka through professional league management, corporate partnerships and technology-driven tournament operations.

The launch event was attended by key stakeholders including Iqbal Bin Issak – President SLTA, Rukmal Cooray – Vice President SLTA, Roshan Silva – Director SLTPL, and Steering Committee Members Aasiri Iddamalgoda, Sanjay Wijemanne, and Arjun Fernando. The event also saw the presence of potential franchise owners, prospective sponsors and strategic partners, reflecting strong early interest in the League’s commercial and sporting potential.

Set to be held from 27–30 August 2026, the inaugural edition of the SLTPL will feature eight franchise teams, bringing together Sri Lanka’s leading tennis talent across multiple age categories in an innovative team-based competition.

The League has been conceived as a long-term platform that extends beyond competition, with the objective of creating sustainable commercial value for the sport while providing players, franchises, sponsors and fans with an enhanced tennis experience.

A significant milestone at the launch was the announcement of the League’s founding commercial partners, who have committed to supporting the SLTPL from its inaugural season.

CL Synergy was announced as the Title Sponsor, Wilson as the Powered By Partner, Cinnamon Life as the Hospitality Partner, and DIMO as the Exclusive Luxury Automobile Partner.

League officials presented commemorative tokens of appreciation to each partner in recognition of their confidence in supporting the League during its formative stages and contributing towards the establishment of a new era for Sri Lankan tennis.

Another defining feature of the launch was the unveiling of the League’s integrated digital ecosystem, developed specifically to manage every aspect of the tournament.

The official website, www.sltpl.lk, together with the SLTPL Digital Platform, provides a comprehensive technology infrastructure encompassing player registration, player management, franchise auctions, tournament scheduling, live scoring, results management, player rankings, statistical reporting and performance analytics.

Designed as a fully integrated operational platform, the system enables efficient administration while significantly enhancing transparency, accessibility and the overall experience for players, franchises, officials, sponsors, media and fans.

The initiative has received enthusiastic support from the wider tennis community, including players, coaches and administrators, who view the League as a significant step forward for the sport in Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the launch, League officials highlighted that the SLTPL represents more than a tournament; it is a strategic investment in the future of Sri Lankan tennis. By introducing a professionally managed franchise model, the League seeks to create new commercial opportunities, strengthen player pathways, encourage greater private sector participation and elevate the overall standard of the sport.

The League is expected to serve as a catalyst for increased investment into tennis infrastructure, player development and high-performance competition, while creating a sustainable ecosystem capable of supporting the sport’s long-term growth.

With strong institutional leadership from the Sri Lanka Tennis Association, the support of leading corporate partners and the deployment of modern digital infrastructure, the Sri Lanka Tennis Premier League aims to establish itself as one of Sri Lanka’s premier sporting properties and a benchmark for the professional management of sport in the country.

As preparations continue for the inaugural tournament in August, the League is expected to announce further strategic partnerships, franchise developments and player-related milestones in the lead-up to the opening serve.