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Hard-hitter Jacobs gets maiden New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka T20Is
Hard-hitting middle-order batter Bevon Jacobs has been handed his maiden New Zealand call-up by being picked for the upcoming three-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Jacobs was part of the New Zealand XI side that took on Sri Lanka in a 10-overs-a-side tour match in Lincoln on Monday, although he did not get a chance to bat.
Jacobs’ call-up comes barely a month after he was picked up by Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 auction, joining New Zealand internationals Trent Boult and the new white-ball captain Mitchell Santner. Jacobs’ maiden IPL contract came after an impressive Super Smash campaign last season, where he hit 134 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 188.73 while batting as a finisher.
“It’s obviously an exciting time for Bevon and his family,” NZC selector Sam Wells said. “He’s a promising player with a lot of talent and we’re looking forward to exposing him to international cricket. “He’s clearly got a lot of power with the bat, but he’s also shown in the longer formats that he has a decent technique and temperament.”
Having come through the system at Auckland, Jacobs had made a switch to Canterbury for whom he made his List A and T20 debuts just over a year ago. But he returned to Auckland ahead of the ongoing home summer, and made his first class debut for Auckland last month, with scores of 75 and 79.
After narrowly missing out on another half-century in his second before, he racked up 80 against his old team, Canterbury.
Fast bowler Zakary Foulkes, wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay and top-order batter Tim Robinson are also part of the T20I squad, and could play their first international home games, having made their debuts abroad earlier in the year.
Foulkes and Robinson debuted in the T20Is in Pakistan in April, while Hay’s debut came in Sri Lanka in November. Hay is set to keep wickets in the T20Is, and will be cover for Tom Latham in the ODIs that follow.
While Jacobs, Foulkes and Robinson have only been called up for the T20Is, Latham, Will Young and Will O’Rourke will join the squad for the one-dayers. O’Rourke has been rested for the T20Is after a heavy Test workload, having featured in all eight Tests against Sri Lanka, India and England.
The series against Sri Lanka will also see Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Matt Henry make a return to the white-ball squads, having been rested during their tour of Sri Lanka to prepare for the home Tests against England.
New Zealand will miss many big names, due to their commitments to various franchise T20 leagues. Lockie Ferguson, Finn Allen, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert are away at the BBL, while Kane Williamson and Devon Conway are part of the SA20 which is scheduled to begin on January 9.
Ben Sears and Kyle Jamieson remain unavailable as they are still recuperating from knee and back injuries respectively.
The team will be coached by Luke Ronchi, with regular head coach Gary Stead taking a break. Ronchi will have Jacob Oram for support as the bowling coach, while Craig McMillan will look after the batting and fielding.
This will be New Zealand’s final ODI bilateral series before the Champions Trophy, where they will take on hosts Pakistan in the tournament opener.
New Zealand also will play a tri-series in Pakistan, also featuring South Africa, before the Champions Trophy begins.
“As with the squads that recently toured Sri Lanka, we’re keen to keep exposing new talent to the big stage and it’s nice to have an experienced core of players around them,” Wells said. “The Champions Trophy, like all ICC pinnacle events, is an obvious incentive for players and I know many will be keen to put their best foot forward in the ODI series to be in the frame for selection.”
The T20Is will be played on December 28, 30 and January 2 before the ODIs on January 5, 8 and 11.
New Zealand T20I squad vs Sri Lanka
Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith
New Zealand ODI squad vs Sri Lanka
Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Will Young
[Cricinfo]
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The Sun is directly overhead Warakapola, Aranayaka, Gampola, Bibile, Inginiyagala, and Akkaraipattu at about 12:12 noon today (08)
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (08th) are Warakapola, Aranayaka, Gampola, Bibile, Inginiyagala, and Akkaraipattu at about 12:12 noon.
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Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 07 April 2026, valid for 08 April 2026
Please be aware that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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Cabinet approves relief meaures to persons affected due to the War situation in the Middle East
Approval has been granted at the Cabinet Meeting held on 30-03-2026 to provide relief by granting up to rupees 20/- per litre of 92 Octane Petrol, and up to rupees 100/- per litre of Auto Diesel utilized for public transport to minimize the impact on the day today life of the people and the entire economy as a result of escalation of fuel prices due to the war situation in the Middle East region.
Apart from that, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to grant the following relief for low – income generators, electricity consumers, farmers, fisheries community, and small tea planters who have been exposed to the direct impact of the energy price hike:
(i) Provision of an additional special allowance for April 2026 to low-income generating categories registered under the ‘Aswesuma’ Programme, irrespective of family size: • Providing rupees 7,500/- to a family in the extremely poor category
Providing rupees 5,000/- to a family in the poor category
Providing rupees 2,500/- to a family in the transitional category
(ii) Instead of transferring the additional cost borne for engaging thermal power plants for generating electricity due to the fuel price hike and prevailing dry weather circumstances to the electricity consumers, the additional cost is to be borne by the Government for a period of 03 months so that a relief can be provided to the electricity consumers utilizing below 90 units.
(iii) Increasing the fertilizer subsidiary of rupees 25,000/- per hectare given at present up to rupees 30,000/- per hectare for the Yala season and increasing the fertilizer subsidiary of rupees 15,000/- per hectare given for additional crops that are cultivated in the paddy fields up to rupees 18,000/- per hectare for the Yala season.
(iv) Provide a 50 kg sack of Urea required for the Yala season at a fixed price of Rupees 10,200/- for farmers through Agrarian Services Centres.
(v) Provide a subsidiary of Rupees 50/- per liter for up to 25 liters per day per single-day fishing vessel, for a maximum of 25 days per month, for a period of three (3) months.
(vi) Provide a one-time payment of Rupees 150,000/- per multi-day fishing vessel engaged in fishing activities during the next three (3) months.
(vii) Provide an additional one-time fertilizer allowance of Rs. 5,000 per 50 kg bag of fertilizer to small tea cultivators, in addition to the existing Rs. 4,000 fertilizer subsidy provided by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
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