Sports
Kavin shines as Methodist High School clinch title
Under 19 Division III Tier ‘A’ Cricket Final
Opener Kavin Fernando scored a blistering century as Methodist High School Moratuwa beat Jaffna Central by six wickets to emerge champions of the Inter-School Under 19 Division III Tier ‘A’ cricket tournament at Minneriya on Sunday.
The boys from Moratuwa reached the final as an unbeaten team and lived up to their reputation as they scored the win need of 251 runs with 15 balls to spare.
Fernando was the undisputed star of the final as he scored 14 fours and six sixes in his knock of 141 runs which came in 123 balls. He had the support of wicketkeeper-batsman Thisara Jayanga for a better part of their chase as the pair out on a stand of 157 runs for the second wicket.
Jayanga contributed with 43 runs.
When Fernando departed in the 42nd over they were 32 runs behind the target. Skipper Sihina Fernando and Sandun Fernando then kept their wickets intact to reach the target. Thakuthash Abilash who was introduced to the attack as the eighth bowler took one wicket. Of the four wickets to fall in the Methodist innings three were runouts.
Earlier deciding to bat, opener Jayatheeswaran Vithusan anchored the batting lineup with a top score of 86 runs (in 131 balls with nine boundaries). Matheeswaran Sanjayan (31), Vinajakaselvam Kavitharsan (24n.o.) and Ananthan Kajan (22) were the only other batsmen to top 20 runs.
For Methodist High School Sihina Fernando picked up three wickets for 48 runs, while Naveen Madusanka, Nimsara Silva, Kavin Fernando, Akila Dilruk and Lakshan Chamika took a wicket each.
Scores:
Jaffna Central
250 all out in 49.1 overs (Jayatheeswaran Vithusan 86, Matheeswaran Sanjayan 31, Vinajakaselvam Kavitharsan 24 n.o., Ananthan Kajan 22, S. Sarangan 16; Sihina Fernando 3/48) Methodist High School 251 for 4 in 47.3 overs (Kavin Fernando 141, Thisara Jayanga 43, Sihina Fernando 17 n.o., Sandun Tharanga 14 n.o.)
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to establish the proposed National Higher Performance Centre for atletes.
India opener Shafali Verma has received an official reprimand and a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Shafali, an ICC release said, breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”
It was Shafali’s first offence in a 24-month period.
The incident occurred in the 12th over of Zimbabwe’s innings when Shafali threw the ball into the ground in frustration after dropping a chance at mid-off offered by Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano off Sree Charani.
Shafali admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee GS Lakshmi, which meant there was no need for a formal hearing.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
India currently lead the three-match series 2-0 with the third game to be played on Tuesday evening. The T20Is will be followed by three ODIs in Vadodara from October 23.
(Cricinfo)
A total of 146 players will be competing for 27 available slots in the WPL 2027 mini auction on October 28 in Kochi. Of these, England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australia captain Sophie Molineux are the only two players who have listed themselves at the maximum base price of INR 50 lakh.
The auction pool has 119 Indian players, including 22 capped and 97 uncapped players, with 20 slots available for Indian players. The overseas pool has 27 players – 14 capped and 13 uncapped – including six from Associate teams, with seven slots available.
G Kamalini (released by Mumbai Indians), Kiran Navigre (released by U P Warriorz), Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen have registered at the second-highest base price of INR 40 lakh, while a total of 30 players have registered at INR 30 lakh.
Among the notable absentees are West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin, who was released by UPW, and Australia legspinner Alana King, who was released by Delhi Capitals. Lizelle Lee, who was DC’s highest run-scorer last season, has also not listed herself after being released by the franchise.
What the teams look like going into the auction
Only two English players – Dunkley and Kira Chathli (INR 10 lakh) – have registered for the auction, with several others, including Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Lauren Filer and Linsey Smith opting to skip the WPL next year.
Cricinfo has learned that England are likely to play three T20Is in Sri Lanka in early February, which will clash with the final week of the WPL. While the ECB is likely to allow players to stay in India to complete the tournament, most players have instead chosen to prioritise their international commitments ahead of the Champions Trophy later that month.
The relatively low salaries on offer at the WPL are also understood to be a factor in many English players deciding not to register, with most internationals earning significantly more to play in the Hundred (up to £190,000 last year) than the highest permitted base price in the WPL of INR 50 lakh (£40,000 approx).
Molineux was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru [RCB] title-winning squad in 2024, and had bagged 12 wickets in ten games at an economy rate of 7.31. She was retained by RCB for the 2025 season but a knee injury ruled her out of the season. Dunkley, meanwhile, played for Gujarat Giants [GT] in 2023 before opting not to register for the 2024 season. She went unsold in the 2025 auction.
Among the premier internationals who have listed themselves for INR 30 lakh are Australia allrounder Grace Harris (released by RCB), Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, South Africa left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba and South Africa allrounder Chloe Tryon.
UPW, who released nine players, will go into the auction with the biggest purse of INR 3.75 crore.
[Cricinfo]
Import and Export (Control) Regulations No. 08 of 2026
Draft Bill of the Public Private Partnership Enterprises Act to be gazzetted
Amendment of the Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961
Cabinet nod to amend the Sri Lanka Development Administration Institute Act No. 9 of 1982
Establishment of the National Higher Performance Centre
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
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