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Jayawardena calls for change after Pant IPL incident

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Mumbai Indians coach and ICC Hall of Famer Mahela Jayawardena wants to see greater communication between video umpires and on-field adjudicators and has called for change.

Jayawardena, speaking on The ICC Review, has made the recommendation on the back of the controversial finish to the IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals last week, where the umpires on the field seemingly missed a clear-cut waist-high full toss in the final over of the run chase.

The DC camp were infuriated with the missed call, as skipper Rishabh Pant displayed his displeasure from the bench and assistant coach Pravin Amre stormed onto the field to approach the umpires about the decision as the Royals held on for the victory.

Both Pant and Amre were fined 100 per cent of their match fee for their behaviour and Amre was also handed a one-match ban for entering the field, a move condemned by Jayawardena.

Clause 21.5 of the ICC Playing Conditions states “The third umpire shall review television replays of the bowler’s front foot landing and, if he/she is satisfied that any of these three conditions have not been met, he/she shall immediately advise the bowler’s end umpire who shall in turn immediately call and signal No ball.”

However, the clause makes no mention of the third umpire being able to check for waist-high full tosses and Jayawardena has urged authorities to use the incident in the IPL as a wake-up call to make better use of video umpires in the future.

“It is something going forward that I think we need to look at,” Jayawardena told Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.

“Is there an option for the third umpire to look at these things and inform the main umpires that it is a delivery that should be checked?

“It was disappointing to see that when you stop a game and have people come on to the field, but I honestly believe it was just emotions carrying over in the last over.

“A couple of sixes were hit and there was an opportunity that probably the umpires did get it wrong.

“But the rules say you can’t go to the third umpire to check on those things.”

Jayawardena said it was not a good look for the game to have Amre enter the playing field to dispute the decision.

“The spirit of the game and to see things moving forward, it is never an option for a player or a coach to come on to the field,” Jayawardena said.

“We (coaches) have the ability to come on to the field during the strategic time out at the IPL and that should be the only time that coaches or anyone else should be allowed on the field.”

Jayawardena said he discussed the incident with his Mumbai Indians squad and reminded them of their obligations during a match.

“We saw it on television. Most of the guys were watching it together and afterwards we had a chat,” the Sri Lanka legend said.

“We probably would have reacted similarly in the dugout, but it is never an option to go on to the field.

“That is not the way things should be and I am pretty sure that both Rishabh and Pravin would both regret what happened.

“I think Rishabh said it was the emotions and I think we need to give him the benefit of the doubt and move on.”

Jayawardena’s current thoughts are on trying to help his side move off the bottom of the IPL table and register their first win of the tournament.

The star-studded MI have yet to gel through eight winless matches and Jayawardena said his team’s batters need to lift their performance.

“For us, it is mainly with our batters, and that has been highlighted in the last few games as well,” he said.

“We have been in positions to win but have not been able to execute.

“It is tough for both coaches and players as well because every game becomes even more harder to cross that line and get that first win.

“We are taking it one game at a time, trying to settle everyone down and the players need to trust their ability and back themselves more as the tournament progresses.”

Jayawardena has already won three IPL titles as a coach in Mumbai but admits he is still working on finding the right way to pass on the advice given to him by the likes of former coaches Dav Whatmore and Tom Moody to his side’s younger players.

The Sri Lanka great, who was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame at the end of last year, said each new day as a coach provides him with fresh challenges and outlooks that he attempts to pass on to his players.

“There are quite a few different ways you have to approach this new generation,” Jayawardena acknowledged when asked about his modern coaching philosophies.

“It helps me to know what I have learnt and how it can be transferred to the new generation because the game has different demands at the moment with all the different formats.

“Every day we are learning about different competitions and different tactics.”

(ICC)



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Gaby Lewis to lead Ireland at T20 World Cup

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Gaby Lewis is Ireland's best batter and key to their chances at the T20 World Cup [Cricinfo]

Gaby Lewis has been rested for Ireland’s upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies at home in Clontarf as she recovers from a recent leg injury but has been named captain – for the first time at a global event – for the T20 World Cup in June-July in England.

Orla Prendergast, the vice-captain for the World Cup, will lead the side in the tri-series in Lewis’ absence. No vice-captain has been named for the tri-series.

In terms of ins and outs, Jane Maguire, the right-arm medium pacer, has been ruled out of contention with an injury, but her sister Aimee Maguire, the left-arm orthodox spinner, has returned from her own injury and has been included in both squads. Apart from the missing Lewis, there are no changes from the squad for the tri-series, which is a 14-member line-up, for the World Cup.

At the T20 World Cup, Ireland have been grouped with tournament hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and past winners West Indies.

Ireland are ranked ninth in the format, ahead of only Scotland (11th) among the teams in their group, and will start their World Cup campaign on the second day of competition, against Scotland in Manchester.

Ireland were most recently in action at the T20 World Cup qualifiers played in Nepal in January-February this year, and finished second to Bangladesh.

Lewis’ fitness will be key for Ireland at the World Cup, with her being their top-ranked batter, currently at joint-14th on the ICC T20I rankings. She was also the top run getter at the qualifiers with 276 runs in seven innings, scoring her runs at a strike rate of 119.48.

Prendergast is the next best at No. 26, followed by Amy Hunter at No. 29. Prendergast is also the seventh-ranked allrounder in women’s T20Is.

Ireland squad for women’s T20 World Cup

Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell

Ireland squad for tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies

Orla Prendergast (capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell

[Cricinfo]

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Kapila Wijegunawardena to head SLC’s new selection committee

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The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports  has issued a statement approving  the members nominated for the new Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

The appointments have been made by the Sports Minister  in accordance with the powers vested under Section 39 (1) of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 and the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2437/24 dated May 21, 2025.

The members of the new selection committee are:

Kapila Wijegunawardena – Chairman

Amal Silva – Member

Brendon Kuruppu – Member

Waruna Waragoda – Member

Vanessa De Silva – Member

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Afghanistan refugee women’s team set for England tour under ECB initiative

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The visiting Afghanistan women's team will also attend the final of the Women's T20 World Cup
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will host an Afghanistan Refugee Women’s Team for a tour beginning on June 22. The programme will include T20 matches and high-performance training opportunities and will be delivered in partnership with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the MCC Foundation. The visiting players will also attend the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Lord’s, scheduled to be held on July 5.

The tour is significant because the visiting squad comprises former Afghanistan women cricketers who had to leave the country following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, after which women were effectively excluded from sport and public life. Many of the players eventually resettled in Australia, where they have continued to pursue cricket. An Afghanistan women’s team played against a ‘Cricket Without Borders XI’ at the Junction Oval in January 2025 ahead of the Women’s Ashes Test at the MCG, a game that was streamed by Cricket Australia.

The ECB said the tour aimed not only to provide competitive opportunities but also to reaffirm cricket’s commitment to inclusivity. “Since being displaced from Afghanistan in 2021, these players have shown extraordinary resilience in continuing their cricket journeys, in incredibly challenging circumstances,” Clare Connor, ECB Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women, said.

“We have worked with It’s Game On to build an itinerary and a set of experiences that we hope will be enjoyable and memorable. We are also delighted that the squad will attend the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

“Cricket has a responsibility to stand for inclusion and opportunity, and we are proud to be hosting this tour and supporting the players in deepening their connection to the game.”

The relocation and continued support of the players has been facilitated in part by It’s Game On, a global sports consultancy co-founded by former Australia cricketer Mel Jones and Emma Staples, along with Dr Catherine Orway. Jones, in particular, played a pivotal role in helping the players relocate to Australia. Her organisation has worked with international sporting bodies on initiatives centred around equity and opportunities for displaced female athletes.

“This tour is a major step forward, but also highlights how much work remains,” Jones said.

“These players have shown extraordinary courage and commitment to the game, despite everything that has been taken from them. They deserve more opportunities like this; they deserve to be recognised as part of the global cricket community. Moments like this matter, but we need to see plans for sustained and meaningful action beyond this year.”

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