Sports
Highlanders in a big win
by Rajitha Ratwatte
The Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin was hosts to the NSW Waratahs with a Otago Highlanders side minus their star halfback Aaron Smith taking them on. The second minute of the game saw the ‘Landers on the board with Michael Collins dotting down under posts off a turnover obtained basically from the kick-off.
The Referee Damon Murphy got the TMO involved to check for obstruction but finally awarded the try, 7 – 0 to the hosts. Sevevn minutes into the game the ‘Tahs got a penalty 25 meters out and mid-right and Will Harrison made short work of that 7 – 3.
Three minutes later Jack Maddox ran outside the Highlanders speedster Jonah Nareki (a rare occurrence) and scored a seven pointer to take the visitors into the lead 7 – 10.
Thirteen minutes into the game Nareki earned his side a penalty by what was deemed a high tackle on him and the subsequent line out from the touch gaining kick saw Sio Tomkinson who is usually a midfielder but was playing on the wing this game, cut inside pick up a loose pass and scored mid-right for the Highlanders.
Another seven pointer taking the ‘Landers back into the lead 14 – 10. The man with the impossible name, Mark Nawaquanitawase ran through a few gaps in the Highlanders defence and got the Waratahs back into the lead with another goal 14 – 17. Grant Nesbitt the premier rugby commentator in New Zealand predicted a try fest at this stage of the game and boy was he right!
The Highlanders game plan to keep playing in Waratahs territory was working with Sio Tomkinson able to charge down a clearing kick win his side a turnover penalty and we had the magnificent sight of tight head prop Ethan De Groot charging his way over the Waratahs line to score mid-right.
The kick was not converted but the lead changed once again 19 – 17 to the hosts. The first scrum of the game was in the 20th minute and the ‘Tahs won a penalty that was kicked from 46 meters out and straight in front of the posts.
Eight minutes from half-time the Highlanders rolling maul got going and Ash Dickson their skipper and hooker benefitted, as usual, going over the line and after the referee checked for a clear grounding the try was awarded mid right.
Seven points resulted and another lead change 26 – 20. Both sides were not done yet and the Aussies strung together nine phases and finally decided to kick at goal from 22 meters out, mid-right, and shorten the lead to 26 – 23.
Almost on the half-time hooter the Highlanders Japanese number eight Kazuki Himeno made a great break and passed to Jonah Nareki who showed a clean pair of heels to score far left. Another seven points to the Highlanders with Mitch Hunt adding the extra points from a difficult angle. Half-time score 33 – 23 with 56 points being scored in 40 minutes of pulsating rugby.
Four minutes into the second-half, the ‘Tahs lost a defensive line out and the ‘Landers tight head prop De Groot got himself another try, going over the line mid-right. Mitch Hunt was in great kicking form and seven points more took the score to 40 – 23. 12 minutes into the half the ‘Tahs were denied a try by being caught out by the TMO for tackling without the ball or an early tackle on Jonah Nareki who also seemed to injure his shoulder badly. Nareki chose to continue playing and tackled ferociously and won a turnover penalty for his side. The subsequent touch finder, saw the Highlanders rolling maul activated once again and Kazuki Himeno got himself over the line. The conversion struck the left upright and the resulting five points to the score to 45 – 23.
Ten minutes from full-time, Josh Ioane playing at full-back and having a subdued game, drew two defenders and passed beautifully to Johan Nareki on the wing who switched the afterburners on and streaked his way through 20 meters to score again. Probably restoring some pride in beating his opposite number Jack Maddox who had got the better of him early in the game. Hunt converted spectacularly from a difficult angle and the fifty was up for the Highlanders 52 – 23.
A vital bonus point earned as there is little doubt now that the finalists will be from among the Kiwi teams who win with bonus points. The final try of this “try fest” came from Highlanders substitute number eight Ben Nicholas who went off the back of the scrum and scored in the old-fashioned, traditional number eight fashion to take the final tally to 59 – 23 with the Highlanders winning and securing the vital bonus point. No scoring at all from the Waratahs in the second-half concluding seven losses in 12 games played.
The uncapped trio of Malki Madara, Dewmi Vihanga and Piumi Badalge are among six changes to the 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 and Hansima Karunaratne. Making way are Imesha Dulani, Sachini Nisansala, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Chethana Vimukthi and the injured Udeshika Prabodhani.
Of 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)
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.
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