Sports
In Asalanka Sri Lanka believe
by Rex Clementine
It wasn’t the ideal start for Sri Lanka in the New Year as rain ruined what could have been a comprehensive victory for the hosts in the opening fixture of the three match ODI series against Zimbabwe on Saturday. But there is some assurance that we are going to see lot more rescue acts from that diminutive left-hander Charith Asalanka.
This is Asalanak’s fourth year as an international cricketer. There have been many young players with so much promise over the last four years, but the glamorous lifestyle of a cricket player means that most of them go out of track. Asalanka has stayed focused; no tattoos, no studs, no late-night parties, no social media extravaganza and no coups to ouster captains. Like Rahul Dravid, he has remained determinedly low profile.
Batting at number five is an art. Not many succeed in that position. At times when the top order has fired you have to come and throw the kitchen sink in a bid to get quick runs and at other times when there has been a collapse you have to stage recoveries stitching crucial partnerships with the tail. It’s a role where you need to adapt. Technically you need to be sound and many calculated risks need to be taken.
Several soft dismissals had threatened to end Sri Lanka’s innings early when Asalanka played a blinder on Saturday. There was good running between the wickets, there was a period of consolidating and then when the last five overs came bit of improvisation trying to clear the boundary.
It is only Asalanka’s third ODI century and more will come this year which has lot of cricket.
Sri Lanka will engage in ten Test matches this year and there are several bilateral series home and away. Into the bargain there is a T-20 World Cup too.
By the looks of it, Wanindu Hasaranga, our T-20 captain is struggling with his fitness. He is a superstar, but not every superstar can become a captain. Lasith Malinga is a case in point. He was a disaster as captain. Let’s hope Hasaranga is not going the Malinga way. Anyway, to hand him the T-20 captaincy when he had not been cleared 100 percent fit is an interesting choice. But stranger things have happened in Sri Lankan cricket.
Being the designated vice-captain of the white ball teams, in all probability Asalanka will lead the country this year. That will be the dawn of a new era.
For so long we have waited for that leader who will fix our cricketing woes. Many have come and gone but none have had the capacity to take the team in the right direction.
Sri Lankan cricket and our fans have suffered for so long. People are losing interest in the game as evident by the low turnout on Saturday. Barely 3000 fans watched the game on a Saturday in a stadium that has a capacity for 35,000. Everyone will be desperately hoping that we find a leader who will take us to our glory days in the sport. That could be Asalanka.
This is not to say that Asalanka is the finish product. He has a lot of work to do. His fielding is horrendous and during the World Cup he must have dropped half a dozen catches. That is one area that he needs to work on. However, the overall package that he has to offer us is exciting indeed.
Finally, some hope for the national cricket team.
by Reemus Fernando
Two formidable teams Mahinda and Thurstan are set to produce a thrilling contest when they meet in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket tournament final commencing at Sooriyawewa today.
After having recorded a remarkable Big Match victory over the weekend, Thurstan skippered by Thanuga Palihawadana will be looking to conclude the tournament with the coveted title. They had a minor set back on Tuesday when they were beaten by St. Anthony’s Wattala in a limited overs tournament match. Spinner Sethru Fernando who was rested for that match is expected to return for the decisive three-day final.
Mahinda are a team continuing to peak. The team captained by Kaveen Rukshan reached the final displaying a thoroughly dominant performance against St. Thomas’ Matara in the semi-final. The innings and 69 runs victory is their biggest win this season.
They also posted their highest innings total, 373 runs in that match with opening batsman Dulsith Darshana scoring a sensible knock of 96 runs and Senuka Damgamuwa hammering 200 runs in 153 balls.
Keeping Dangamuwa under control will be vital for Thurstan as he has the ability to turn the complexion of a game.
Mahinda will open batting with Dulsith Dharshana and Thevindu Rashmika. Wicketkeeper batsman Randul Mabarana, Sehas Ashinsa, Dineth Pehesara, Manitha Rajapaksha and Dangamuwa will form the top order batting lineup.
The new ball duties are shared by left-arm paceman Sadew Nethmina and Sahanjith Samadith. Left-arm spinners Senuka Dangamuwa and Arosha Udayanga and skipper Rukshan form a strong spin attack.
Thurstan too possess a strong spin department with Sri Lanka Under 19 skipper Vihas Thewmika, captain Palihawadana and Sethru Fernando sharing most of the duties.
Rachintha de Silva who excelled in the Big Match, Yovun Silpa and Lasindu Punsara form the pace attack.
Like Mahinda, Thurstan’s batting line up too produced their best performance of the season (383/8) in the semi-final with Sri Lanka Under 19 batsman Thanuja Rajapakse and Rachintha scoring centuries against their arch rivals.
Dinal Induwara and Rajapakse will open batting for Thurstan. Sethru Fernando, Janitha Rukshan, Thewmika, Rachintha and Pathum Dananjaya will form the top top order batting lineup.
This is not the first time these two teams are meeting this season. When they met during the league stage Thurstan posted 274 to earn first innings points. Mahinda could muster only 205 runs. That was a early third term encounter. Both teams have grown by leaps and bounds. Hence a mouthwatering encounter is on the cards.
In a groundbreaking move to enhance school cricket, the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the leadership of President Shammi Silva, has introduced three-day school matches in place of the traditional two-day encounters.
As part of this ambitious initiative, SLC has committed financial grants to 56 schools, enabling them to host their annual big matches as three-day contests. Until now, only three schools enjoyed this privilege, while the rest were restricted to two-day games. With this progressive shift, 28 big matches will now be played over three days, ushering in a new chapter for school cricket, effective from the ongoing season.
This transformation, executed in collaboration with the Sri Lanka School Cricket Association, is designed to provide young cricketers with extended match exposure, sharpen their skills, and ensure a seamless transition to first-class and international cricket.
Further strengthening this initiative, SLC has also revamped the U19 School Cricket competition by extending the three-day match format to the knockout stages of Division I and II (both Tier A and B), replacing the previous two-day structure.
Sri Lanka’s school cricket system is one of the most dynamic in the world, with over 6,800 matches played annually across U13, U15, U17, and U19 levels. SLC remains the primary financial pillar behind these tournaments, reaffirming its dedication to grooming the next generation of cricketing talent.
This initiative underscores SLC’s long-term vision for grassroots cricket, reinforcing the foundation that has historically produced Sri Lanka’s finest national players.
Dialog Axiata PLC proudly launches the 2025 Dialog Big Match Season, continuing its legacy of fostering school cricket and shaping future champions. As March arrives, the island will be swept by cricket fever as past and present students unite for this time-honoured tradition.
This year, Dialog sponsors seven iconic Big Matches, featuring 14 esteemed schools competing for pride and glory. The season’s crown jewel, the 146th Battle of the Blues, takes center stage at SSC on March 6th-8th, as Royal College and S. Thomas’ College renew their legendary rivalry. The Mustangs Trophy follows on March 15th.
Other marquee encounters include the 91st Battle of the Saints (April 3rd-5th) and One Day clash (April 26th), the 120th Lovers’ Quarrel (April 3rd-5th), and the 118th Battle of the Maroons in Kandy (April 4th-6th). Fans can also anticipate thrilling contests like the Battle of the Rocks and Battle of the Golds and more.
With its unwavering commitment to Powering the champions of tomorrow, Dialog invites fans to experience the excitement live at the grounds or via ThePapare TV and Dialog ViU. The 2025 season promises passion, tradition, and the birth of future cricketing stars.
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