Sports
Formidable rivals Richmond, Mahinda meet in the 119th Lovers’ Quarrel
by Reemus Fernando
Two formidable teams Richmond and Mahinda are expected to produce a close contest when the 119th ‘Lovers’ Quarrel’ gets underway at the Galle International Cricket stadium today.
The arch rivals are undoubtedly the most formidable First XI cricket teams in the Southern Province. With two Sri Lanka Under 19 players leading the teams a close contest is expected.
Both Richmond and Mahinda did not have the services of their skippers Malsha Tharupathi and Dinura Kalupahana for a number of matches this season as they were on national duty competing in the ICC Youth World Cup.
In Tharupathi’s absence Sheron Abhishek led Richmond from the front. He was the leading wicket taker accounting for over 60 wickets with his off spin. Kaveesha Induwara (24 wickets) joined him to make a formidable spin combination. In the matches he played Tharupathi has picked up 23 wickets. The team could not obtain the service of Yuri Koththigoda after the left arm spinner injured a finger. His probable return is likely to further strengthen their bowling attack in the Big Match.
The new ball will be shared by Malith de Silva and Sihath Ramanayake who have nearly 30 wickets between them.
In the batting department, Thamindu Pradeeptha and Chehan Subasinghe are maintaining the highest averages and are likely to share a good chunk of responsibilities. Wicket keeper batsman Subasinghe will open batting with fellow left hander Nikil Jayaweera. Pradeeptha, Seneth Sisan, Shehan de Zoysa, Tharupathi and Abhishek will form a long batting line up.
Mahinda College Galle Seated from left: Dhanushka Denagama (Head Coach), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in-Charge, Senior), L.P. Weeraman (Deputy Principal, Sports), Dinura Kalupahana (Captain), Rusira Maddumahewage (Principal), Tharusha Dilshan (Vice Captain), M.W. Ajith (Prefect of Games), Jagath Samarakoon (Master in-Charge, Junior), Pasan Kalansooriya (Asst. Coach) Middle row from left: Vinupa Nethmira, Dulana Rajapaksa, Deneth Kaushalya, Dileepa Liyanage, Arosha Udayanga, Pramesh Madubhashana, Kaveen Rukshan, Hareen Achintha, Chandupa de Silva, Sahanjith Samadith, Senuka Dangamuwa, Sadew Nethmina, Vishmitha Sathsara, Kaveesha Gimsara Back row from left: Randula Mabarana, Dulsith Darshana, Manitha Rajapaksa, Dineth Pahasara
For Mahinda, Pramesh Madubhashana (over 500 runs for the season), skipper Kalupahana, deputy skipper Tharusha Dilshan (close to 500 runs), Deneth Kaushalya and Senuka Dangamuwa are the batamen to watch. Kalupahana who played only five matches this season is bringing wealth of experience from the Youth World Cup where he was the leading batsman for Sri Lanka.
Mahinda will rely on Kaveen Rukshan to play the role of key strike bowler in the spin department. The leg spinner has 60 wickets against his name and is largely credited for their crushing 145 runs win against St. Sylvester’s as he claimed a match bag of 17 wickets. Left arm spinner Senuka Dangamuwa (28 wickets) and Arosha Udayanga (28 wickets) are the others taking slow bowling responsibilities.
Their pace attack is spearheaded by Kalupahana who shares the new ball with Sandew Nethmina.
In the tournament proper, Mahinda are the runners up of their group in the Division I Tier ‘B’ competition after having registered four outright victories against a single defeat.
Richmond remained unbeaten in the tournament proper with two outright victories and seven first innings wins. They are the runners up in their group in the Tier ‘A’ tournament.
Richmond lead the victory tally of the Big Match 24-23, after the Thaveesha Abhishek led team won the encounter in 2019. Mahinda’s last victory was recorded in 2008 when Sajitha Priyan captained the team.
Ireland Women 118/9 in 20 overs (Alana Dalzelle 14, Orla Prendergast 26, Leah Paul 10, Alice Tector 10, Louise Little 26*; Lauren Bell 1-39, Linsey Smith 1-20, Sophie Ecclestone 3-22, Charlie Dean 2-11, Dani Gibson 2-10) lost to England Women 119/6 in 17.3 overs (Dani Wyatt Hodge 16, Nat Sciver-Brunt 48, Heather Knight 26; Aimee Maguire 2-23, Orla Prendergast 2-17) by 4 wickets
Lionel Messi marked his record sixth World Cup appearance with his first hat-trick at a FIFA tournament as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 to open the defence of their global crown, he also became the joint highest scorer at World Cups with the feat.
The former 38-year-old forward thought he had opened the scoring in the eighth minute in Kansas City on Tuesday when he slotted home from close range, but the offside flag was raised.
The dream start to his record-setting appearance, which will be matched by Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal against DR Congo on Wednesday, was not to be denied for long though.
A trademark, mazy run was capped by a drive on the edge of the box from that famed left foot. The power too much for Algeria keeper Luca Zidane, son of World Cup winner with France, Zinidine.
Messi doubled his tally on the hour mark with a simple tap in from a rebound off the keeper following a drive from Alexis Mac Allister.
The moment that even a player as decorated as Messi came in the 76th minute when he drilled low past the keeper from just outside the box.
The strike took Messi level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals.
His substitution came just three minutes later to a standard ovation, even old maestro seemed disappointed to be removed – and most likely rested for Argentina’s tilt at becoming only the third side to defend a World Cup title.
Algeria – the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winners – offered little, but were themselves denied an early goal when Fares Chaibi’s ninth minute strike was ruled out for offside.
Messi saw to it that there was no opening game upset to be had tat this edition, having lost their opening game at Qatar 2022 to Saudi Arabia.
Messi, who spent the majority of his club career in Spain with Barcelona before moving to French giants Paris-Saint Germain, plys his trade in US football’s Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.
Jordan and Austria open their account in the group later on Tuesday in San Francisco.
[Aljazeera]
Iran twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with New Zealand in an exciting World Cup clash at Los Angeles Stadium as protests against Tehran’s government and a peace deal signed to end the US-Iran war formed a charged backdrop to the match.
High security presence and protests outside the venue were among the off-field concerns surrounding the match on Monday.
And when New Zealand took an early lead through Elijah Just’s volleyed shot from inside the box, after being set up by Chris Wood, some fans critical of the Iranian government celebrated with New Zealand supporters.
Many of these anti-regime spectators also carried Iran’s pre-Islamic Revolution Lion and Sun flag, against FIFA’s rules. Several also booed Iran’s national anthem before kickoff.
But most of the crowd of more than 70,000 appeared firmly behind Team Melli, chanting “Ir-ran! Ir-ran!” and erupting when Ramin Rezaeian equalised shortly after the half-hour mark.
Rezaeian, one of several Iran players who had not played club football since February after the domestic league was suspended amid US and Israeli air strikes, reacted quickest to a blocked shot and poked the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.
Wood and Just combined again early in the second half, the New Zealand captain sliding a precise pass into the 26-year-old forward’s path before Just hammered home to restore the All Whites’ lead.
Iran responded 10 minutes later with a superb goal from Mohammad Mohebbi, who headed Rezaeian’s perfect cross in off the far post to make it 2-2.
The stalemate means all the teams in Group G have one point after Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt earlier on Monday.
New Zealand, making their third appearance at the tournament, remain without a win at a World Cup after seven matches. Iran are looking to reach the knockout round for the first time.
The match laid bare divisions among Iranian American fans, many of whom said they felt torn between pride at seeing Iran on the sport’s biggest stage, anger over Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and concern over Washington’s bombing campaign.
Before kickoff, about 300 to 500 protesters gathered outside the stadium, waving anti-government signs and flags.
Some Iranian Americans had said attending the match would imply support for Iran’s government, while others said they wanted to set politics aside and support the players.
Iran will next return to Los Angeles to face Belgium on Sunday when New Zealand take on Egypt in Vancouver.
[Aljazeera]
Spinners make it two in two for England
Messi hat-trick fires holders Argentina to win over Algeria at World Cup
‘Dancing girl’s’ bare torso restored in Indian textbook after backlash
Tehran selling deal with US as victory – but for Iranians it was necessity
Plans to open underutilised state land for new investment opportunities
National Export Development Plan (2026–2030) presented to the President
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News5 days agoCIABOC summons Yoshitha over his participation in British Navy training programme
-
Sports2 days agoTharanga set for high-profile javelin clash in Ostrava
-
News5 days agoJustice Minister responds to social media claims he represented Easter Sunday ringleader
-
Features3 days agoPolitics of protected species
-
News4 days agoCommonwealth lawyers urge Lanka to uphold rule of law
-
News2 days agoTheft of USD 2.5 mn from Treasury: CoPF accused of complicity in NPP cover-up
-
News1 day agoBeijing Capital Airlines to resume flights to Colombo signalling boost to tourism
-
News2 days agoRelease of 2025 O/L results likely to be delayed