Sports
Can Sri Lanka Tame the Windies?
Rex Clementine in Dambulla
Dambulla has become more than just a town in Sri Lanka; it’s now an icon in the nation’s cricketing landscape. As the T20 International series against the West Indies unfolds with two of its three matches set on holidays, cricket enthusiasts have every reason to journey to this historic town. Known for its ancient cave temples and the nearby marvel of Sigiriya, Dambulla is a blend of cultural richness and sporting passion—a setting that makes it the perfect cricketing destination.
The city’s accommodation offerings are just as varied as the fans who arrive. From luxury stays like Jetwing Vil Uyana and Kandalama to mid-range favorites such as Sundaras Resort or Pelwehera, and even budget spots like Freedom Village or Evergreen Hotel, Dambulla has something to suit every budget. With tickets disappearing as fast as T20 overs, fans from Colombo, Kurunegala, Matale, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa crowd the venue. And for those looking for a quick return trip, round-the-clock buses ensure fans can make it home the same day.
The stadium here owes its inception to former cricket boss Thilanga Sumathipala, with ex-Test captains Bandula Warnapura and Duleep Mendis leading the project in 2001. While it faced initial criticism, the ground has become essential to Sri Lanka’s cricket. Nestled in one of the driest parts of the country, Dambulla provides the ideal conditions during Colombo’s rainy season, ensuring uninterrupted play.
This carnival of cricket brings fans from all corners, and the demand for tickets is so high that even the trees around the ground don’t go unscathed as fans scramble for the best vantage points. The cricket buzz has also bolstered local businesses, with supermarkets, guest houses, eateries, and small vendors thriving around the stadium.
Under the guidance of Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka have been on an upward trajectory. Their recent triumph over India in the ODI series, ending a 27-year wait, and a string of Test victories that have elevated them to fifth in the world, are testament to their progress. Yet, in the T20 format, there’s still room to improve—a goal Jayasuriya is laser-focused on.
Recent results may not look flattering: an early World Cup exit followed by a 3-0 sweep by India, leaving them at eighth in the ICC rankings. But Jayasuriya’s squad has been hard at work, honing their skills and fortifying their resilience. The hallmark of his leadership is grit, and he’s set on securing a series win.
Changes are also shaping the team’s lineup. Former captain Dasun Shanaka, after a string of disappointments that included three consecutive ducks, has been dropped. Filling his spot is Bhanuka Rajapaksa, the powerful hitter known for clearing boundaries. Yet Rajapaksa is also on thin ice; his place in the squad depends on his fitness and fielding. If he doesn’t step up, Sri Lanka might need to search elsewhere for a dependable finisher.
The stakes are high for Sri Lanka, with the 2026 T20 World Cup looming—a tournament they will co-host with India. Fine-tuning the lineup is paramount, and all eyes are on the fast-bowling duo of Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana. Thushara, recently back from a finger injury, delivered a standout performance in the NSL final, securing a win for Colombo. Pathirana, still finding his footing after his return, showed flashes of his devastating T20 form despite a costly eight-over spell in the longer format.
The West Indies squad, meanwhile, arrived in a subdued form, missing key players like Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, and Akeal Hosein. Without their usual firepower, Sri Lanka has a golden opportunity to rewrite history and claim their first-ever bilateral T20 series win over the Caribbean side. With home-field advantage, fervent fans, and a new found resilience, this series could mark the beginning of a new era for Sri Lankan T20 cricket.
Shammi Silva has once again taken guard at the top of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), securing a fourth consecutive term as President at the Annual General Meeting, held amidst much fanfare at Colombo’s Cinnamon Grand Hotel yesterday.
Already calling the shots as President of the Asian Cricket Council, Silva’s crowning achievement in recent years has been bringing the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup to Sri Lankan shores. The marquee tournament will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India next year, a feather in the cap for the country’s cricket administrators.
Silva’s administration has made a concerted effort to bridge the yawning gap between domestic and international cricket. One of the bold strokes in this innings has been trimming the number of First-Class teams – a move aimed at upping the quality and sharpening the edge of domestic cricket.
SLC Ex-Co also played a straight bat when it comes to developing cricket beyond Colombo’s city limits. High Performance Centres have sprung up across the outstations, rolling out the red carpet for raw talent from the hinterlands, who had previously been left in the pavilion.
The school cricket circuit too has been given a shot in the arm, with infrastructure development and skill enhancement taking centre stage. By strengthening the grassroots, the current administration hopes to widen the talent pool and unearth future stars of the game.
SLC’s balance sheet tells its own story – healthy and in the black. Over the past five years, the board’s financial stability has not only benefited cricket, but has also allowed it to lend a helping hand to other sports disciplines, at the request of the Ministry of Sports.
With over three decades of experience under his belt as a sports administrator, Shammi Silva is the long-serving President of the Colombo Cricket Club (CCC), one of the game’s oldest institutions in the country.
The 64th AGM was largely a case of “same XI, new season,” with only one notable change to the playing field – Secretary Mohan de Silva making way for seasoned campaigner Bandula Dissanayake. No stranger to the inner workings of SLC, Dissanayake has previously chaired the Tournament and Umpires Committees, and brings a wealth of experience to the table.
Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa and former First-Class player Ravin Wickramaratne retained their Vice-President slots, while Sujeewa Godaliyadda continues to hold the Treasurer’s post. Chryshantha Kapuwatta and Lasantha Wickremasinghe will once again don the hats of Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, respectively.
The election, part of SLC’s biannual cycle, was overseen and greenlit by the Election Committee chaired by retired Court of Appeal Justice Malani Gunaratne.
Vidyaloka College fought back on the back of a valuable century by Nimesh Aavinda to pull off two wickets victory over Kingswood in the Under 19 Division II Tier ‘B’ cricket tournament final played at Saliyapura, Anuradhapura on Monday.
Vidyaloka had a deficit of 36 runs in the first innings but a combined effort helped them restrict Kingswood to 161 runs in the second essay. They were left with a target of 198 runs to chase. And they achieved it with Nimesh Aavinda top scoring with 115 runs.
Scores
Kingswood
227 all out in 83.3 overs (Chanul Kodituwakku 33, Aadil Sheriff 69, Kavija Gamage 25, Nikeshala Nanayakkara 56; Seniru Ninduwara 4/74, Lidula Nuwanga 2/58, Nimesh Aavinda 2/48, Pulindu Chamuditha 2/19) and 161 all out in 65.3 overs (Kavija Gamage 57, Nikeshala Nanayakkara 45; Seniru Ninduwara 2/45, Pulindu Chamuditha 2/07)
Vidyaloka
191 all out in 79.3 overs (Lidula Nuwanga 81, Seniru Ninduwara 34, Tharusha Jayamith 23; Kavija Gamage 4/63, Upadi Jayawardane 2/41) and 200 for 8 in 48.3 overs( Nimesh Aavinda 114, Lidula Nuwanga 34, Seniru Ninduwara 28; Kavija Gamage 3/80, Dominsara Peiris 2/51)
by Reemus Fernando
There was a growing sense of uncertainty surrounding the hosting of the 120th edition of the Lovers’ Quarrel Big Match after Richmond College raised concerns over an attempt by Mahinda College to field a newly recruited player in the team at the historic match which was scheduled to commence on Thursday.
Richmond College authorities have informed Mahinda that they would pullout from the match if the newly recruited player who played for St. Aloysius’ in the just concluded Under 19 cricket tournament is included in the Big Match team.
According to sources Mahinda College have recruited St. Aloysius’ skipper Charya Paranavithana at the end of the Under 19 cricket tournament and are yet to register him under their name with Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association. They have included the player in the Big Match squad.
A source close to Mahinda said that though the player is included in the squad he was not certain to be in the playing XI.
Heavy rainfall of about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kurunegala and Polonnaruwa districts
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