Sports
National cricketers expected to feature in NSL
by Rex Clementine
The nation’s top cricketers have been informed to take part in the next rounds of the ongoing First Class tournament. Although, playing domestic games is mandatory for selections for the national team, there seems to be more emphasis this time around as players have been advised not to rest but to keep themselves occupied.
Sri Lanka’s poor preparations ahead of the recent India Test series was a point that was highlighted. Accordingly, all players will return to First Class cricket today or next week when the semi-finals of the National Super League begins.
The final of the First Class tournament will take place before the team leaves for Bangladesh and several players will have around three First Class games under their belt before the tour while most would have played two games.
This week’s First Class games sum up the first round and four of the five teams will qualify for the semis.
There’s been no First Class cricket since the 2019-2020 seasons and the ongoing season has been a welcome addition as lot of effort has been put in place to address Sri Lanka’s alarming decline in international cricket.
The National Super League is the brainchild of The Cricket Advisory Committee headed by former great Aravinda de Silva. While the new competition has won many admirers the Committee’s decision to increase the number of clubs that are playing First Class cricket has been frowned upon.
Players’ performances in the inter-club First Class tournament will merit selections for the National Super League and the performance there will earn them their international spots.
Kamindu Mendis has been the standout performer having amassed 687 runs in eight innings with three hundreds and three half-centuries. He averages 81. Sri Lanka discard Oshada Fernando too has been impressive having scored 476 runs in eight innings with two hundreds and three half-centuries. He averages 68. One problem is that both of them represent Kandy, a team that has failed to win a single game in the tournament.
Prabath Jayasuriya nearly made his Test debut last year but failed the skinfold test paving way for Praveen Jayawickrama to come onto the scene. Jayasuriya is the second highest wicket taker behind Malinda Pushpakumara, also a left-arm orthodox spinner. At the age of 35, Pushpakumara is past his prime and Jayasuriya’s ambitions of becoming a Test cricketer is limited as the senior team has got two solid left-arm orthodox spinners in Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldeniya. However, stranger things have happened in cricket. .
Kasun Rajitha is the standout performer among the seamers having taken 11 wickets in two games. At a time when there are so many injuries for quicks and retirement of Suranga Lakmal, the form of Rajitha should serve the Test team well.
The uncapped trio of Malki Madara, Dewmi Vihanga and Piumi Badalge are among six changes to the women’s squad that toured New Zealand earlier this year, as Sri Lanka named a 17-member squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series against India and South Africa starting April 27.
There are recalls for veteran Inoka Ranaweera as well as Hasini Perera ans and Hansima Karunaratne. Making way are Imesha Dulani, Sachini Nisansala, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Chethana Vimukthi and the injured Udeshika Prabodhani.
The three new faces, 24-year-old spinner Madara made her senior debut during last month’s T20I series against New Zealand, impressing with a match-winning three-wicket haul in her first game.
She joins a strong spin contingent, bolstered by the returning Ranaweera, and one that also has the likes of Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, star allrounder. Kavisha Dilhari , and the uncapped 19-year-old spin-bowling allrounder Vihanga.
Another player who will be eyeing an ODI debut will be 18-year-old batting allrounder Rashmika Sewwandi, who was part of Sri Lanka’s squad at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. Sewwandi is one of just two seamers in the squad, alongside Achini Kulasuriya.
The squad is largely settled on the batting front, with skipper Chamari Athapaththu leading a mostly unchanged unit which includes Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva and Anushka Sanjeewani.
There are, however, slots for the taking with 17-year-old Manudi Nanayakkara one to keep an eye on, after she scored a brisk 35 in her only opportunity on the tour of New Zealand. Panadura CC captain Badalge, 29, will also be hoping for a first opportunity with the national side.
Sri Lanka play India in Colombo on April 27 to begin the series.
Sri Lanka squad for women’s ODI tri-series:
Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Manudi Nanayakkara, Hasini Perera, Achini Kulasuriya, Piumi Badalge, Dewmi Vihanga, Hansima Karunaratne, Malki Madara, Inoshi Priyadarshini, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Inoka Ranaweera
(Cricinfo)
In a bold stride towards sporting excellence, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) unveiled a state-of-the-art swimming pool at the National High Performance Center, located within the iconic R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
The eight-lane, semi-Olympic standard facility was ceremonially declared open by the Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sunil Kumara Gamage, at the invitation of SLC President Shammi Silva. SLC’s Ex-Co members too were present at the occasion alongside former Test captain and current Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya.
National women’s team captain Chamari Atapattu and her teammates also marked their presence, signaling the pool’s immediate value to elite athletes.
Spanning 25 meters in length and 21 meters in width, with a depth between 1.2 and 1.8 meters, the new pool is a cornerstone of SLC’s ambitious National Pathway Program.
It aims to bolster player fitness, post-match recovery, and injury rehabilitation for the National, ‘A’ team, and the fast and spin bowling squads. Visiting international teams will also have access to the facility during Sri Lanka tours.
Fully equipped with modern changing rooms, first aid units, and athlete support amenities, the new aquatic addition is more than just a pool — it’s a symbol of SLC’s commitment to building a holistic, world-class training environment.
The High Performance Center already boasts a full gymnasium, an international-standard cricket ground, under-lights training facilities, a dedicated physiotherapy wing, and the acclaimed Brain Center for data-driven performance analysis.
Coming soon in Phase Two: a Jacuzzi, an ice bath, and a new indoor net complex — all part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s drive to stay ahead of the curve in global cricketing infrastructure.
The Grade A category Colombo Championships, which is the oldest tennis tournament of the country, gets underway for the 110th time on April 25 at the SLTA (playing section) courts at Green Path. The tournament has attracted a record number of participants which include the cream of Sri Lankan tennis players.
The title sponsor of the tournament is eye care provider ‘Vision Care’. In addition, this year it is also Co-sponsored by ‘Thambapanni Leisure’. Events ranging from juniors (Boys/Girls- under 12 to 18), men’s, women’s and veterans (for over 35, 45, 55 and 65) are being held, giving every segment of the tennis playing community an opportunity to participate.
Making his title sponsorship commitment, Janaka Fonseka, Managing Director of Vision Care said “we are very happy to be involved in this prestigious tournament for over a decade. We believe sport is vital for the health of the nation and are strongly committed to supporting the Colombo Championships. The objective of the tournament is in line with our corporate objectives and as such we want to be part of this wonderful event.
Sria Munasinghe, President of the SLTA Playing Section said “I would like to place on record my utmost appreciation of all the sponsors specially Vision Care for unstinted support during the last ten years and the Managing Director of Thambapanni Leisure Prashanth Dissanayake and others who wish to remain anonymous”. The organisers have received 1200 entries for this tournament.
-
Business4 days agoDIMO pioneers major fleet expansion with Tata SIGNA Prime Movers for ILM
-
News3 days agoFamily discovers rare species thought to be extinct for over a century in home garden
-
Features6 days agoNipping the two leaves and the bud
-
Features5 days agoProf. Lal Tennekoon: An illustrious but utterly unpretentious and much -loved academic
-
Features6 days agoAvurudu celebrations … galore
-
Foreign News4 days agoChina races robots against humans in Beijing half marathon
-
News6 days agoCounsel for Pilleyan alleges govt. bid to force confession
-
Editorial4 days agoSelective use of PTA