Sports
Mendis handed white-ball reins
Sri Lanka’s experiment with Dasun Shanaka as T-20 captain has ended far sooner than many expected. In truth, the only men fully convinced by Shanaka’s leadership credentials appeared to be the previous selection panel headed by Pramodya Wickramasinghe. That chapter has now been shut with Kusal Mendis appointed captain of both the ODI and T-20 sides.
Although a new selection panel headed by Kapila Wijegunawardene is officially in place, there is a strong sense that the squad for the upcoming West Indies tour had largely been shaped by the outgoing committee before they packed their bags.
Charith Asalanka, once viewed as Sri Lanka’s long-term leadership investment, has now been stripped of captaincy duties altogether. First removed from the T-20 leadership, he has now lost the ODI captaincy as well. To make matters worse, he has also been dropped from the T-20 squad and unless he delivers with the bat in the Caribbean during the 50-over series, his place in the ODI side could soon come under threat too.
Many, including us, argued that Charith was a captain Sri Lanka had groomed patiently for the future and deserved a longer rope. But it appears his shortcomings extended beyond a lean run with the bat. There have been whispers for some time regarding concerns over his attitude. The cracks reportedly began to show during last year’s Pakistan tour when, despite assurances from both governments regarding high-level security, he was keen to return home. It has also emerged that he was fined during the NSL final following an altercation with match officials.
Once the selectors decided to move on from both Dasun and Charith, there were hardly any obvious candidates left standing. Kusal Mendis became, in many ways, Hobson’s choice.
That said, the wicketkeeper-batter has been one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent performers in white-ball cricket over the last two years. Ranked 16th in ODIs and 22nd in T-20 Internationals, Mendis has been among the few batters who has managed to keep his head above water while others have sunk without trace. The concern, however, is whether the selectors have loaded too much onto his shoulders. He already carries the burden of opening the batting and keeping wickets across formats.
Kamindu Mendis was confirmed as vice-captain in all three formats, while Dhananjaya de Silva retains the Test captaincy.
Opening batter Nishan Madushka has earned a recall to the Test side alongside prolific middle-order batter Pasindu Sooriyabandara, whose domestic returns have been impossible to ignore.
Off-spinner Ramesh Mendis also returns to the squad despite underwhelming returns in recent Test outings. Left-arm quick Isitha Wijesundara has been rewarded for an impressive run with Sri Lanka ‘A’, with the Sri Jayewardenepura graduate finally receiving his maiden call-up.
Wanindu Hasaranga features in the white-ball squads after recovering from a hamstring injury, while all eyes will be on Eshan Malinga following his eye-catching exploits in the IPL. The young quick has bowled with serious wheels and swagger, and Sri Lanka will hope some of that firepower translates onto the international stage.
by Rex Clementine
Hurdler Kaveesha Dilshan of Kularathna MV, Godakawela and sprinter Risansa Hirupama of Lyceum International, Wattala were named best athletes for their outstanding performances at the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championships, which concluded at Diyagama on Tuesday.
Dilshan earned the title with a 14.02-second run in the Under 20 boys’ 110m hurdles. Kishal Oshada, the best athlete in the Under 18 category, also comes from his school. Both hurdlers are trained by Thiron Gamage, and both outclassed their opponents in the sprint hurdles.
Hirupama excelled in the Under 20 girls’ 200m. Her time of 24.23 seconds earned the highest score in the girls’ events (1,026 points).
St. Joseph Vaz’s College, Wennappuwa, and Lyceum International, Wattala, claimed the overall boys’ and girls’ championships respectively.
Kaveesha Dilshan and sprinter Risansa Hirupama with
their best athlete awards. (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi
St. Joseph Vaz’s amassed 118 points to finish ahead of Maris Stella College, Thimbirigaskatuwa (95). Rahula College, Matara, took third place with 82 points. Former track and field powerhouses St. Benedict’s, Kotahena (54), and Maris Stella, Negombo (54), missed out on the top three.
Lyceum dominated the girls’ category with 215 points. Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya (70), and Ave Maria Convent, Negombo (62), finished second and third respectively.
For the first time in more than two decades, Ratnayake Central were not among the leading teams in the girls’ category. Most of their athletes struggled after an outbreak of flu, but late performances over the last two days helped them secure fourth place. (RF)
Mahanma College, Colombo and Nalanda College Colombo registeted convincing victories in the quarter finals while dark horses Wesley ended Richmond’s unbeaten run with a win according to the DLS method to seal the semi-final spots of the Under 19 Division I Tier A tournament on Tuesday.
Mahanama rattled St. Joseph’s for meagre 84 runs before cruising to a seven-wicket win at Mattegoda. Kaushika Thilakarathne and Sanuka Ganepola shared seven wickets between them to trouble the Joes.
Thilakarathne spearheaded the bowling attack, claiming four wickets for 13 runs in nine overs, while Sanuka Ganepola supported him with an impressive spell of three for nine in nine overs. Sanul Weerarathne captured two wickets for 12 runs.
Mahanama reached 85 for three wickets as Sineth Veerarathne top scored with 52 runs (53 balls).
Nalanda College defeated St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota by 77 runs at Campbell Place.
Nalanda posted a competitive 234 for six in their allotted 50 overs, with Ranmith Senarath top-scoring with 52 off 79 balls. Nemindu Akmeemana contributed 47, while Lithum Wijekumara made 32. Mihin Zoysa added 29 before Santhul Wijeyarathne provided a late boost with an unbeaten 30 off just 13 deliveries.
In their essay St. Anthony’s were dismissed for 157 in 44 overs. Sadew Amarakoon fought hard with 47 off 94 balls, while Kaushika Kumarasinghe scored 38 off 41 deliveries. However, Nalanda’s bowlers maintained control, with Rusandu Silva taking four wickets for 22 runs. Osanda Pamuditha supported him with two wickets for 22 runs to seal a convincing victory for the hosts.
After posting 141 for six in 30 overs, Wesley did well to restrict Richmond to 109 for eight in 23 overs to stay ahead according to DLS method at Weeraketiya.
Adhyaan Zain and Senura Lakshan bowled controlled spells taking three wickets each to seal the semi-final place. Wesley are set to meet Nalanda in the semis. (RF)
by Reemus Fernando
Heshara Jayasinghe, Shashen Rajapaksha and Dilini Rajapaksha were among the athletes who excelled creating meet records during the morning session of the final day of the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship at Diyagama on Tuesday.
Shashen Ravihansa Rajapaksha of Ratnayake Central Walala set the tone on the track, clocking an impressive 8:58.50 to win the Under 18 boys’ 3000 metres. The time established a new meet record and made the school’s presence felt to a great extent. Many Ratnayake Central athletes had fallen ill recently denying them their usual top positions in the overall points table.
Dilini Rajapaksha in action in the Under 18 girls’ triple jump (L) / K.K. Baalasooriya of Sumana Balika Vidyalaya Ratnapura in action in the Under 20 girls’ discuss throw (R)
In field events, Heshara Jayasinghe of St. Joseph Vaz’s College Wennappuwa produced a landmark performance in the Under 20 boys’ shot put. His effort of 17.30 metres made him the first athlete in the event’s history to clear the 17 metre mark, and it also broke the meet record previously held by Jayavi Ranhinda Alwis.
Abhimani Kodituwakku of Dharmapala College Pannipitiya delivered a remarkable run in the Under 20 girls’ 400 metres hurdles. Her time of 1:01.57 erased the nine-year-old record held by Yamani Dulanjali of Ambagamuwa Central.
K.K. Baalasooriya of Sumana Balika Vidyalaya Ratnapura joined the record-breakers with a throw of 41.82 metres in the Under 20 girls’ discus throw.
Lyceum International Wattala’s Dilini Rajapaksha then created a new meet record in the Under 18 girls’ triple jump, clearing 12.73 metres.
Shashen Ravihansa Rajapaksha of Ratnayake Central Walala
won the Under 18 boys’ 3000 metres with a new record mark. (L) / Gimhani Pulle of St. Andrew’s MV won the Under 18 girls’ 3,000 metres. (R)
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northern and Southern provinces and in Anuradhapura district.
Low-quality coal causes power cuts: Ex-LECO Chief
Power cuts continue
GL stresses importance of post-war Shangri-La investment after CIABOC questions him
Coal inquiry gets extension until 16 December
Dilshan, Hirupama named best athletes at All Island Schools Games Athletics Championships
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features3 days agoKotahena:A Small Enclave, An Extraordinary Legacy
-
News4 days agoAsgiri Mahanayake calls for immediate release of Gnanasara Thera
-
News3 days agoRecord 1,600 students take Russian Classical Ballet examination in Sri Lanka
-
News6 days agoAC President recuses himself from hearing prison attire case pertaining to Gnanasara Thera
-
News5 days agoNaval officer testifies Yoshitha received Rs. 5.15 mn in salaries during SLN service
-
News3 days agoKarannagoda pushed for £24,536 for Yoshitha’s UK training, Court told
-
Editorial5 days agoSaving Anojan: Beyond Executioner’s Blade
-
News6 days agoCID informs Fort Magistrate’s Court investigation into money laundering case against Namal completed