Sports
Kerr and Devine tons lead New Zealand fightback to draw level
After a loss in the first ODI, New Zealand fought back with vengeance in the second via centuries from Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine to beat Sri Lanka by 116 runs and draw level in the three-match series in Galle.
Kerr and Devine added 229 for the third wicket, the third-most for New Zealand for any wicket and the best in a women’s ODI in Sri Lanka. While Kerr scored 108, Devine finished with 137 off just 121 balls, hitting 17 fours – the joint-most by a batter in an ODI innings in Sri Lanka – and two sixes.
Opting to bat first again, New Zealand lost Suzie Bates early but were back on track when Kerr added 50 for the second wicket with Bernadine Bezuidenhout. At 57 for 2 after ten overs, Devine joined Kerr in the middle and the pair ran the Sri Lankan bowlers ragged. Kerr slammed her second century at No. 3 off just 98 balls while Devine took 108 to get to hers a few balls later.
Offspinner Oshadi Ranasinghe, who finished with three wickets, broke the partnership with the wicket of Kerr and experienced left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani then dismissed Devine in the next over. New Zealand then added only 35 off the last 34 balls to finish on 329 for 7.
Sri Lanka’s challenge in the chase was nipped in the bud as seamer Lea Tahuhu, who finished with 4 for 31, picked up three wickets inside first eight overs. Only allrounder Kavisha Dilhari stood to be counted for Sri Lanka with her maiden international half-century. She finished on 84 and was the second last batter out for the hosts. But the damage actually was done way earlier.
The last ODI of the series will be played on July 3.
Brief scores :
New Zealand 329 for 7 (Sophie Devine 137, Amelia Kerr 108, Oshadi Ranasinghe 3-68) beat Sri Lanka 213 (Kavisha Dilhari 84, Lea Tahuhu 4-31) by 116 runs
The Sri Lanka women’s volleyball team, powered by Dialog Axiata is set to depart the country today to compete in the 2026 Central Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, which will be held from 22 to 29 May with the participation of eight nations from across the region.
The tournament will be played in two preliminary groups, with the Sri Lankan side, captained by Ashani Chamodika, drawn in Group ‘B’ alongside Kazakhstan, Iran and Bangladesh. Group ‘A’ will feature India, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives and hosts Nepal.
Sri Lanka Head Coach Amila Wijepala believes the team is well prepared to face the challenge despite being drawn in a highly competitive group.
“Our group is comparatively more challenging than Group ‘A’. Kazakhstan recently secured third place at the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship after defeating China, making them our toughest challenge. We are confident of overcoming Bangladesh, while I also believe our players possess the ability to defeat Iran. Our objective is to win at least two matches and qualify for the semi-finals,” he said.
Vice President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Mahinda Bandara, expressed confidence in the squad and praised the players for their commitment during the preparation period.
“We are fielding a very strong side for this tournament. The players have undergone close to two months of residential training at the Watupitiwala Indoor Stadium. We are grateful to the Ministry of Sports for its invaluable assistance in facilitating this tour. We also sincerely appreciate the continued sponsorship and commitment shown by Dialog Axiata towards Sri Lanka’s national sport and this international campaign,” he said.
The Sri Lanka squad for the Central Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship includes high-ball hitters Dilukshi Harshani, Nimeshika Sewwandi, Preethika Pramodani, Timi Mary, Arana Sanjeewani and Shalu Thilakshana. Short-ball hitters are Sanjeewani Karunaratne, Dilki Nethsara, Sesandi Ruwanya and Piumi Bhashini.
Naduni Nimansala and Kavindi Asanthika will serve as liberos, while captain Ashani Chamodika and Dilki Charuka have been named as setters.
The support staff includes Head Coach Amila Wijepala, Assistant Coach Udaya Rukmal, Trainer Upendra Perera, Women’s Team Officer Renuka Nilmini and Team Manager Mahesh Kariyawasam.
15TH STAFFORD MOTORS – MCA G DIVISION T20 LEAGUE CRICKET TOURNAMENT
Dayan Indunil starred with both bat and ball [86 off 48 balls and 4-10 in 4 overs] to power Brandix Apparel to a 70 run win over Stafford Motors at the Nalanda College grounds on Sunday [17] and qualify for the final of the Stafford Motors sponsored MCA G division T20 cricket tournament.
Invited to bat first on a cloudy day, Brandix were 108/1 at the halfway stage of their innings but were unable to keep up the run rate after the fall of the second wicket and were bowled out for 151. Chasing 152 to qualify for the final, Stafford Motors fell victim to the Brandix bowlers led by Dayan Indunil and Sampath Jayalath and were bowled out for 81 runs in 14.3 overs.
Brandix will meet Maliban Biscuits ‘B’ at the MCA ground next Sunday for the final.
Brief scores:
Brandix Apparel
151/10 in 19.1 overs [Dayan Indunil 86, Sampath Jayalath 14, Sasitha Ashan 13; Janith Maduwantha 3-29, Shanaka Sampath 2-25, Vihanga Malith 1-36, Sanjaya Fernando 1-17, Asanka Kumarage 3-20]
Stafford Motors
81/10 in 14.3 overs [Gajindu Yasas 24, Vihanga Malith 10, Vishwa Rajapaksha 27; Janaka Weerapokuna 1-20, Dayan Indunil 4-10, Sampath Jayalath 3-18, Akila Dhanuddara 2-14]
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