Sports
Back-to-back wins give Holy Cross chance to avoid relegation scares
by Reemus Fernando
Holy Cross College, Kalutara registered back-to-back outright victories to have hopes of avoiding relegation scares as the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ tournament enters the decisive phase.
Holy Cross recorded victories against Dharmasoka and Zahira in their last two encounters to improve their position in the Tier ‘B’ points table. They also scored first innings points against Ananda after conceding defeats at the hands of Thurstan and Lumbini.
Holy Cross beat Zahira by ten wickets at Maradana after pulling off three wickets victory against Dharmasoka at Bandaragama.
Holy Cross were ranked among the last four teams before the outright victories elevated them to the fifth position in the nine-team group.
However, there is no room for error as they have just two more matches remaining in the league. With the last four teams in each group having to play a relegation tournament all teams ranked among the last four will be eager to do better during the last couple of matches.
While Zahira (9th) are the lowest ranked team in Group ‘X’ of Tier ‘B’, Dharmasoka(8th) are ranked just one position above Zahira. Ananda (7th) and St. Aloysius’ (6th) are the other lowly ranked teams.
In Group ‘Y’ Dharmapala(9th) are the lowest placed team. St. Sylvester’s (8th) who have three more matches are ranked one place above them. St. Sebastian’s College (7th), Katuneriya and Devapathiraja College(6th), Ratgama are the other teams in the last four rankings in that group.
According to tournament rules, the last four teams in each group in the Tier ‘B’ tournament will have to play relegation matches. The four losing teams will be relegated to Division II.
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
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PM meets Sri Lankan community living in London
Kapila Wijegunawardena to head SLC’s new selection committee
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