Sports
Dickwella told to get his act together
by Rex Clementine
Since Niroshan Dickwella came into the Sri Lankan side as injury replacement for Kusal Perea, there has been criticism from various corners. Despite being a regular in the Sri Lankan set up during the last decade, Dickwella failed to cement his place. He featured in 54 Test matches but failed to score a hundred and his discipline has been a talking point over the years. Chairman of Selectors Upul Tharanga while explaining the reasons that led to picking Dickwella for Bangladesh T-20s, said that a clear message had been sent to the wicketkeeper batsman that indiscipline will not be tolerated.
“Pathum is injured and KJP is injured. We needed someone for the top order. Shevon Daniel and Lasith Croospulle we took into consideration. They are both young players. They have good futures ahead of them. But their stats in domestic cricket aren’t great. Shevon I am sure will play for Sri Lanka for the next ten to 15 years. When he is struggling I don’t think it’s prudent to put him in the deep end. We chatted to captain and coach and they felt that bit of experience would be better to have and that’s how Dickwella made it to the side,” Tharanga explained.
“Discipline is very important. I spoke to Dickwella. The team is doing well. There has been no issues as per discipline. I explained to him why discipline is important and it has to be a priority.”
Tharanga also explained that Bhanuka Rajapaksa had gone out of the reckoning as he had not played domestic cricket.
“Bhanuka was in the reckoning for T-20s. He is an ideal replacement for someone like Kusal Perera. Bhanuka was part of one of the teams in the NSL. He had informed the manager that he wanted some rest due to a niggle. So, he withdrew from the domestic tournament and we had to rule him out. He had consulted a personal physiotherapist.”
Tharanga said that he had chatted to Kamindu Mendis asking him to bowl more in the nets so that one of the top five batters in the line-up gives a bowling option for the captain.
“If Kamindu can give us that option it is a plus point. We chatted to him before the team went to Bangladesh. In our T-20 side, among the top five, only Kamindu can bowl. Going into the World Cup, that’s crucial. If he can give us two overs of off-spin, that will be a huge thing.”
Tharanga also highlighted Charith Asalanka as a captain in waiting across all formats. The former Under-19 captain will stand in for the suspended Wanindu Hasaranga in the first two games.
“Charith has been earmarked as a future captain. The way he bats and the manner with which he builds an innings you can see that he is using his head a lot. He will show us his leadership qualities in this series.”
91st Battle of the Saints
St. Joseph’s hold the edge when they meet arch rivals St. Peter’s in the 91st Battle of the Saints’ big match starting today. After having beaten Petes by nine wickets in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ quarter-final at Polonnaruwa the Joes arive at the SSC ground to prove that the victory registered two months ago was not a fluke.
St. Joseph’s captained by wicketkeeper batsman Kenath Liyanage are concluding a successful season after having remained unbeaten until they were eliminated in the semi-final by St. Sebastian’s .
A strong batting lineup and a dynamic spin department are making them a formidable outfit.
Experienced campaigner Yenula Dewthusa and Demion de Silva with their left-arm spin and Aveesha Samash and Nushan Perera with off spin provide the Joes variety in the spin department. Dewthusa, Demion de Silva and Nushan Perera are their leading wicket takers. Spinners doing well at schools matches have not been effective at the SSC during the last few big matches. It will be interesting to watch as to how the spinners in these two teams would fare during the three days.
For pace the Joes will look to Maanasa Madubashana and Dunick Perera who are expected to share the new ball.
Abishek Jayaweera and Aveesha Samash will open batting, while Senuja Wakunugoda, skipper Liyanage, Dewthusa and Rishma Amarasinghe form the rest of the top order batting lineup.
St. Joseph’s registered three outright victories this season (beat St. Servatius’, St. Benedict’s and St. Peter’s) and remained unbeaten.
St. Peter’s under Oween Salgado’s captaincy did well to reach the business end of the Tier ‘A’ tournament. But the Petes were uncertain of Salgado’s participation in the big match as they were yet to assess his fitness yesterday morning. He was wounded during a match and the stitched wound had not fully healed according to team sources.
Petes beat Gurukula, St. Aloysius’ and Holy Cross this season. Their only defeat was at the hands of their arch rivals. They will look forward to avenge the defeat at the big match.
The Petes will rely on the likes of Dilana Damsara, Thareen Sanketh, Nathan David and Jason Fernando to take a greater share of batting responsibilities. The middle order batsman Sanketh is their leading batsman and has maintained an average of over 50 runs.
Speedsters Ethan Ransilige and Joshua Sebastian will share new ball duties for the Petes.
Lashmika Perera and Sanketh will share most of the slow ball duties.
St Peter’s are in the possession of the coveted Rev. Fr. Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy having last won the big match under the captaincy of Vinu Mohotty in 2016.
St. Joseph’s lead the series tally 12-10. They last won under Ruwantha Fernandopulle’s captaincy in 2008.
St. Peter’s College Team
(Seated from left) Harsha Prabath Perera (Asst. Physio/Trainer & Massuer), Thushara Maduhanka (1st XI Asst. Coach),
Nalin Wijesinghe (Head Coach), Priyadarshana Cooray (MIC – Senior & Junior), Oween Salgado (Captain), Rev. Fr.
Rohitha Rodrigo (Rector), Rev. Fr. Praveen Wijesekara (Priest in Charge – Cricket), Lashmika Perera
(Vice Captain), Dilana Damsara, Rohan Fernando (MIC – 2nd XI), Dinuka D. Godakanda (2nd XI Coach).
(Standing 1st row from left) Dinsara Rathnaweera, Dineth de Silva, Tharin Senvidu, Nathan David, Hiruka Silva, Thareen
Sanketh, Virul Amarapala, Yatheendra Jayaweera, Salith Gallage, Raphael Hettige. (Standing 2nd row from left) Jason Fernando,
Joshua Sebastian, Savi Fernnado, Ethan Ransilige, Asadisa De Silva, Sadeesha Kariyawasam, Enosh Peterson
by Reemus Fernando
120th Lovers’ Quarrel
The stakeholders of the Lovers’ Quarrel Big Match were still pursuing to make the historic 120th edition a reality on the eve of the match after Richmond authorities threatened to pull out citing that Mahinda had violated an accepted norm by included a newly recruited player in the big match team.
The historic edition was scheduled to commence as a three day encounter at the Galle International Stadium today. But the match remained doubtful at the time this edition went to press. The officials of both teams were unavailable for comments on the eve of the match. According to sources close to the two teams the joint big match committee was scheduled to meet in the evening yesterday to take a final decision regarding the match.
Richmond threatened to pull out after Mahinda included Charya Paranavithana in their big match team. Paranavithana captained St. Aloysius’ this season. He is not eligible to play matches that come under the purview of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association as he is yet to be registered as a Mahinda player. Big Matches are not played according to SLSCA rules but Richmond authorities had raised concerns over the player registration citing that the two schools had honoured the norm even at the big match.
According to sources Richmond were threatening to pull out if Paranavithana’s name was included in the playing XI on the match day morning.
Mahinda concluded a highly successful season as the team captained by Kaveen Rukshan earned the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ promotion this year. They were also the joint champions of the Tier ‘B’ tournament with Thurstan. In contrast former Division I champions Richmond had to fight relegation scares. The team captained by Thamindu Pradeeptha later successfully retained their Tier A position by recording an outright victory.
Mahinda College Team
Seated left to right: T.D. Ajantha Kumara (Head Coach), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in Charge – Senior), L. P. Weeraman (Deputy Principal –
Sports), Kaveen Rukshan (Captain), Mr. Janaka Peduruheva (Principal), Arosha Udayanga (Vice Captain), Mr. M.W. Ajith (Prefect of Games), Mr.
Jagath Samarakoon (Master in charge – Junior), Mr. Sachith Lakmal (Asst. Coach)
Standing (Middle row) – left to right – Dineth Pahasara, Thiyon Helika, Vinupa Nethmira, Sahanjith Irugalbandara, Dulisth Darshana, Senuka
Dangamuwa, Sadew Nethmina, Manitha Rajapaksha, Vishmitha Sathsara, Charya Paranavithana, Randula Mabarana
Standing (Back row) – left to right – Sajeew Punsara, Sehas Ashinsa, Kaveesha Githmal, Thevindu Rashmika
by Reemus Fernando
CR & FC huffed and puffed before beating Havelocks Sports Club 25-24 in a keenly contested Clifford Cup semi final game worked off in Colombo yesterday before booking their berth in Sunday’s rugby final, scheduled to take place in Kandy.
In Sunday’s final, CR will meet Kandy SC, the winner of the first semi final.
CR dominated the first half, but Havies came from behind in the second half to be in contention of pulling the game off till the last minute. Havelocks’ chances were boosted with two powerful tries coming from Chathura Dilshan late in the second half. But unpardonable mistakes by the men in the pink and chocolate jerseys helped CR to slip away with the game. Havelocks gave away two yellow cards during extra time in the second half.
The winners collected their points through three tries, two conversions and two penalties while Havelocks responded with three converted tries and a penalty. The winners led 15-10 at half time. Referee Raveen Alexander controlled the game.
By A Special Sports Correspondent
PM underscores the outstanding universal value of Anuradhapura’s Living Heritage at International Expert Conference in Paris
Deshabandu Tennakoon further remanded until April 10
President appoints committee to submit recommendations to the Government on the new US tariff system
-
Sports5 days agoSri Lanka’s eternal search for the elusive all-rounder
-
News4 days agoBid to include genocide allegation against Sri Lanka in Canada’s school curriculum thwarted
-
News6 days agoGnanasara Thera urged to reveal masterminds behind Easter Sunday terror attacks
-
Sports19 hours agoTo play or not to play is Richmond’s decision
-
Business7 days agoAIA Higher Education Scholarships Programme celebrating 30-year journey
-
News5 days agoComBank crowned Global Finance Best SME Bank in Sri Lanka for 3rd successive year
-
Features5 days agoSanctions by The Unpunished
-
Features5 days agoMore parliamentary giants I was privileged to know