Latest News
Madushka, Mathews, Dhananjaya find form but England Lions close in
N8shan Madushka, Angelo Mathews and captain Dhananjaya de Silva found form with half-centuries but Sri Lanka are facing a defeat to an inexperienced England Lions team at New Road.
Trailing by 185 runs on first innings, Sri Lanka were bowled out in 87.1 overs on the third day of their tour match in Worcester. After Dimuth Karunaratne top-scored with just 26 on the opening day, Madushka, Mathews and Dhananjaya registered Sri Lanka’s first three half-centuries of the tour as they racked up a total of 306.
But that left the Lions a target of just 122 to win, and they made a dent into the requirement on the third evening. Ben McKinney, the Durham opener, made 20 off nine balls – hitting three fours and a six – and the Lions need only 75 more runs for victory heading into the fourth day, with eight wickets in hand.
Offspinner Farhan Ahmed, the 16-year-old younger brother of England legspinner Rehan, was the most successful bowler for the Lions, taking 3 for 87 from his 29 overs and dismissing Madushka, Mathews and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 25. Seamers Josh Hull, Zaman Akhter and Lyndon James took two wickets apiece.
Dhananjaya took two wickets in two balls in the third over of the Lions’ run chase, knocking back McKinney’s leg stump and having Ollie Price caught at slip on the reverse-sweep. But the Warwickshire pair Rob Yates and Hamza Shaikh saw the Lions through to the close, and will have the opportunity to take them home on Saturday morning.
The tour match is Sri Lanka’s only match practice before the first of three Tests against England starts in Manchester on Wednesday. This is their first Test tour to England since they lost a three-match series 2-0 in 2016.
Brief scores:
England Lions 324 and 47 for 2 need 75 more runs to beat Sri Lanka 139 and 306 (Nishan Madushka 77, Dhananjaya 66, Angelo Mathews 51)
(Cricinfo)
Latest News
Warm welcome extended to the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Presidential Secretariat
The official welcoming ceremony for the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, who is on a State visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was held this morning (08th May 2026) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Dissanayake.
President To Lam is undertaking this State visit with the aim of further strengthening the economic, cultural and social ties between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat, escorted by the Police Mounted Division, President To Lam was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Following the playing of the national anthems of both countries, the official welcoming ceremony for President To Lam formally commenced.
On the occasion, President To Lam was accorded a ceremonial gun salute with full State honours.
Thereafter, President To Lam and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reviewed the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour, following which the Vietnamese and Sri Lankan delegations were introduced.
The two leaders also posed for official photographs.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka at the occasion were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology Professor Krishantha Abeysena, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Environment Dr Dhammika Patabendi, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Ranaraja, along with a number of senior officials from both countries.
(PMD)
Latest News
BCCI to conduct surprise checks on IPL teams over compliance of guidelines
Latest News
President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam arrives in Sri Lanka on State Visit
President To Lam, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, accompanied by a delegation of 209 members arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday (07) night on a state visit.
-
News2 days agoMIT expert warns of catastrophic consequences of USD 2.5 mn Treasury heist
-
News4 days agoCJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
-
News5 days agoUSD 3.7 bn H’tota refinery: China won’t launch project without bigger local market share
-
News6 days agoEaster Sunday Case: Ex-SIS Chief concealed intel, former Defence Secy tells court
-
News7 days agoTen corruption cases set for court in May, verdict ordered in one case – President
-
Business6 days agoDialog Surpasses 1,000 5G Sites, Strengthening Nationwide 5G Coverage
-
Editorial2 days agoClean Sri Lanka and dirty politics
-
Editorial5 days agoDeliver or perish
