Sports
India series chance for Sri Lanka to solve some puzzles
Rex Clementine in Bombay
Under Chris Silverwood, the Sri Lankan team made many improvements in 2021 and while many applaud the victory in Asia Cup, a lot of people have ignored how well the team played against Australia.Not only did they win the ODI series but drew the Tests too. Given the hiding the Aussies are giving South Africa currently, it gives us a reminder how special that win in Galle was. A bit more ruthlessness would have given Sri Lanka a 2-0 series win.
Silverwood is a methodical coach and the biggest improvement the team has made under his charge is that fast bowlers are coming up with match winning performances.Winning the T-20 series against India that gets underway on Tuesday in Bombay obviously will be the priority of the team, but the bigger picture is next year’s T-20 World Cup in USA and Caribbean.
The national cricket team’s poor standing in T-20 cricket saw them playing back-to-back qualifying tournaments ahead of the last two T-20 World Cups but recent improvements in performance saw them qualifying automatically for the 2024 event.In leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga the team has a world class player and his performance will be key for Sri Lanka’s success. Maheesh Theekshana is an important member of the attack while it remains to be seen how the selectors will handle young Dunith Wellalage having surprised many by leaving him out of the World Cup squad.
Apart from his tidy left-arm spin, Wellalage is handy with the bat as he proved against Afghanistan with a cameo during the record run chase at Pallekele. He will turn 20 next week.Kasun Rajitha emerged as the leader of the attack in the absence of Dushmantha Chameera. Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka will be the player to watch during the series.
Sri Lanka have a settled top order in Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, who have given the team some good starts last year. With Avishka Fernando returning to the side having missed the entire 2022 due to knee surgery, there’s even more stability in the top three. The middle order though remains a concern and the onus is on Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dhananjahya de Silva to turn things around.
The second and third T-20s will be played in Pune and Rajkot. The team will move to eastern part of India with Guwahati and Calcutta hosting the first two ODIs and the southern city of Trivandrum hosting the final game.
The Rose Bowl, which has been awarded to the winner of ODI series between the women’s teams of Australia and New Zealand since 1985, has now been expanded to include T20Is as well.
New Zealand’s three match T20I tour of Australia, which begins on Sunday at the North Sydney Oval, will be the first T20I edition of the Rose Bowl. The teams will get to face off again for the trophy in March 2027 when they meet again for three ODIs, also in Australia.
For Rose Bowl series that include matches in both white-ball formats, the trophy will go to the team with the most wins overall. In case of a drawn series, the current holder will retain the trophy.
“The Rose Bowl is a prestigious trophy that holds a lot of meaning to current and past players, and it’s a series we’ve always taken a lot of pride in competing in,”Catherine Campbell, NZC’s chief cricket operations officer and a former New Zealand player, said. “With so much T20I cricket now being played, this is a brilliant opportunity to keep the Rose Bowl relevant and to build on the history between us and our Australian rivals.”
New Zealand captain Melie Kerr was excited by the broadening of opportunities to compete for the Rose Bowl.
“We’re all aware of what the Rose Bowl represents and the importance it holds in the White Ferns whakapapa [genealogy],” said Kerr. “Great players and teams have fought for it over the years and we’d love the opportunity to claim our own piece of that history.”
Australia have held the Rose Bowl continuously since wresting it back from New Zealand in 2000. Since that 3-0 win, Australia have won 18 times with one series – in 2008-09 – shared 2-2. Overall, Australia have won 26 of the 31 ODI series played for the Rose Bowl, with New Zealand winning three times and three series drawn.
North Sydney will host all three T20Is of the upcoming Rose Bowl series, on October 18, 20 and 22.
[Cricinfo]
The inaugural Sastralian Premier League (SPL), a T10 cricket tournament aimed at strengthening the cricketing fortunes of Ananda Shasthralaya National School, Matugama, will get underway next month, bringing together eight teams.
Organised by the Old Sastralians Cricket Association in collaboration with the school, the tournament is designed to provide a platform for emerging talent while generating much needed financial support for the school’s cricket development programme.
Each franchise will be required to assemble a squad of 16 players, excluding the captain, with the competition featuring a unique set of regulations aimed at encouraging participation across different age groups.
Cricketers from other schools in the Matugama area will also have an opportunity to showcase their skills under the ‘Guest Players’ category. Each team can recruit up to six guest players, with four required to feature in the playing XI.
In a move designed to nurture the next generation, every team must include two current school cricketers in its squad, with at least one guaranteed a place in the playing XI.
The tournament will also accommodate experienced campaigners, with teams permitted to select five players over the age of 20 and three over 40. The provision to use an ‘Impact Player’ is another feature of the competition.
The eight teams have been divided into two groups. Group A comprises JSD Challengers, Jagath Express, Liveka Power Lions and Rexhill Warriors, while JPI Royals, Five Star Heroes, Marine Titans and Finnk Falcons make up Group B.
A total of 16 matches will be played across November 7, 8 and 15, with November 16 set aside as a reserve day.
Beyond the action on the field, organisers hope the tournament will provide a financial boost to school cricket while forging stronger ties between past and present cricketers.
Squad for the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer [VC], KL Rahul [WK], Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna*, Kuldeep Yadav
Squad for fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan [WK, VC], Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav
[Cricbuzz]
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