Sports
Cricket needs to address burning issues
by Rex Clementine
As a nation we are used to appointing commissions or committees when faced with disasters, natural or man-made. Often these committees and their reports are an eyewash, masterfully crafted by politicians to buy time during moments of crisis. Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe this week appointed a five-member Cricket Advisory Committee headed by former skipper Sanath Jayasuriya. It is hoped that this committee is fully empowered as well to take decisions at a time when cricket is going through a major crisis.
Sri Lanka’s participation in this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup to be held in India in October is in doubt after the former champions and two-time runners-up were denied automatic qualification for the sport’s showpiece event. Dasun Shanaka’s side now will have to play a qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe, an event where there’s little room for error as only two teams go through. It’s nothing but a sad predicament for a proud cricketing nation.
As we have harped time and again, Sri Lanka have adopted a flawed selection policy and that’s one key reason for the ODI team’s abysmal performance. The team’s inability to bat 50 overs has not been addressed during the current selection panel’s tenure. Some players who are capable of occupying the crease for long periods have been cold shouldered.
It also appears that Niroshan Dickwella’s batting has more consistency than the selectors’ fitness policy. There was a time when players were kicked out for failing fitness tests and the results were leaked but when certain players fail fitness tests those reports are pushed under the carpet and worse they are even tolerated. That makes you wonder whether the selectors have favourites? That’s simply not cricket!
The selectors also stick to the outdated theory of backing too many all-rounders or as Sanjay Manjrekar unkindly called ‘bits and pieces cricketers. This ploy has proved to be disastrous, and we need to move away from it at least for the qualifiers. You don’t see that happening if the current selectors persevere.
Shanaka’s captaincy in the ODI format also needs to be discussed for the simple reason that he doesn’t seem to be able to hold onto his place in the 50 over format. There are some hard and unpopular decisions need to be made and there’s a man by the name of Sidath Wettimuny who is capable of making those calls.
Having too many teams playing domestic cricket has been an area that has been highlighted for some time now and even former greats like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have voiced concerns about this. But sadly, since joining SLC ranks, MJ doesn’t seem to have addressed the issue. The number of domestic teams is another area that needs to be looked at as they keep mushrooming to please SLC’s vote base.
When several former administrators sought the help of the court to bring much needed changes to cricket structure and governance, the current Sports Minister won admirers when he informed the court that he did not have any objections for change taking place.
But the Minister has been rather slow in acting. He should have sacked the selectors the moment Danushka Gunathilaka was arrested in Sydney bringing the nation’s reputation to shame. It is the selectors who decided to keep the injured player on tour. After the latest debacle in New Zealand where the team failed to qualify automatically for the World Cup, he needs to act. Better late than never.
The uncapped trio of Malki Madara, Dewmi Vihanga and Piumi Badalge are among six changes to the women’s squad that toured New Zealand earlier this year, as Sri Lanka named a 17-member squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series against India and South Africa starting April 27.
There are recalls for veteran Inoka Ranaweera as well as Hasini Perera ans and Hansima Karunaratne. Making way are Imesha Dulani, Sachini Nisansala, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Chethana Vimukthi and the injured Udeshika Prabodhani.
The three new faces, 24-year-old spinner Madara made her senior debut during last month’s T20I series against New Zealand, impressing with a match-winning three-wicket haul in her first game.
She joins a strong spin contingent, bolstered by the returning Ranaweera, and one that also has the likes of Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, star allrounder. Kavisha Dilhari , and the uncapped 19-year-old spin-bowling allrounder Vihanga.
Another player who will be eyeing an ODI debut will be 18-year-old batting allrounder Rashmika Sewwandi, who was part of Sri Lanka’s squad at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. Sewwandi is one of just two seamers in the squad, alongside Achini Kulasuriya.
The squad is largely settled on the batting front, with skipper Chamari Athapaththu leading a mostly unchanged unit which includes Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva and Anushka Sanjeewani.
There are, however, slots for the taking with 17-year-old Manudi Nanayakkara one to keep an eye on, after she scored a brisk 35 in her only opportunity on the tour of New Zealand. Panadura CC captain Badalge, 29, will also be hoping for a first opportunity with the national side.
Sri Lanka play India in Colombo on April 27 to begin the series.
Sri Lanka squad for women’s ODI tri-series:
Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Manudi Nanayakkara, Hasini Perera, Achini Kulasuriya, Piumi Badalge, Dewmi Vihanga, Hansima Karunaratne, Malki Madara, Inoshi Priyadarshini, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Inoka Ranaweera
(Cricinfo)
In a bold stride towards sporting excellence, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) unveiled a state-of-the-art swimming pool at the National High Performance Center, located within the iconic R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
The eight-lane, semi-Olympic standard facility was ceremonially declared open by the Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sunil Kumara Gamage, at the invitation of SLC President Shammi Silva. SLC’s Ex-Co members too were present at the occasion alongside former Test captain and current Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya.
National women’s team captain Chamari Atapattu and her teammates also marked their presence, signaling the pool’s immediate value to elite athletes.
Spanning 25 meters in length and 21 meters in width, with a depth between 1.2 and 1.8 meters, the new pool is a cornerstone of SLC’s ambitious National Pathway Program.
It aims to bolster player fitness, post-match recovery, and injury rehabilitation for the National, ‘A’ team, and the fast and spin bowling squads. Visiting international teams will also have access to the facility during Sri Lanka tours.
Fully equipped with modern changing rooms, first aid units, and athlete support amenities, the new aquatic addition is more than just a pool — it’s a symbol of SLC’s commitment to building a holistic, world-class training environment.
The High Performance Center already boasts a full gymnasium, an international-standard cricket ground, under-lights training facilities, a dedicated physiotherapy wing, and the acclaimed Brain Center for data-driven performance analysis.
Coming soon in Phase Two: a Jacuzzi, an ice bath, and a new indoor net complex — all part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s drive to stay ahead of the curve in global cricketing infrastructure.
The Grade A category Colombo Championships, which is the oldest tennis tournament of the country, gets underway for the 110th time on April 25 at the SLTA (playing section) courts at Green Path. The tournament has attracted a record number of participants which include the cream of Sri Lankan tennis players.
The title sponsor of the tournament is eye care provider ‘Vision Care’. In addition, this year it is also Co-sponsored by ‘Thambapanni Leisure’. Events ranging from juniors (Boys/Girls- under 12 to 18), men’s, women’s and veterans (for over 35, 45, 55 and 65) are being held, giving every segment of the tennis playing community an opportunity to participate.
Making his title sponsorship commitment, Janaka Fonseka, Managing Director of Vision Care said “we are very happy to be involved in this prestigious tournament for over a decade. We believe sport is vital for the health of the nation and are strongly committed to supporting the Colombo Championships. The objective of the tournament is in line with our corporate objectives and as such we want to be part of this wonderful event.
Sria Munasinghe, President of the SLTA Playing Section said “I would like to place on record my utmost appreciation of all the sponsors specially Vision Care for unstinted support during the last ten years and the Managing Director of Thambapanni Leisure Prashanth Dissanayake and others who wish to remain anonymous”. The organisers have received 1200 entries for this tournament.
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