Sports
Onus is on Tissa to break four decades old hoodoo
by Reemus Fernando
Tissa Central, Kalutara have not won the annual Big Match for more than four decades but this time they are in contention to break the hoodoo when they meet arch rivals Kalutara Vidyalaya in the 64th Battle of Mangosteens today and tomorrow at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa.
Tissa Central captained by Hirusha Nethsara have concluded probably their best season in recent history after having earned a well deserving promotion to the top Division in the country’s premier Under 19 schools cricket tournament. In contrast former Division I team, Kalutara Vidyalaya have experienced fluctuating fortunes and were demoted to Tier ‘B’ of the Division II tournament.
That does not mean the team captained by Yuthika Dilruk are a weak outfit. They recorded three outright victories during the tournament proper. What went against them were the four outright defeats they suffered in the tournament and the first innings defeat they suffered in the relegation match.
Skipper Dilruk is expected to hold their batting together with Liviru Senmith, Nithika Nadhawa and wicketkeeper batsman Pasindu Dulanjana. In the bowling department, Kalutara Vidyalaya had Udan Thejaka, skipper Dilruk, Nadhawa and Adeesha Pabasara doing well in recent matches.
Tissa Central will bank on off spinner Malindu Dilshan and 14-year-old Tharuka de Silva for wickets. Dilshan, with over 80 wickets, is the leading wicket taker of the Division II tournament. They also have a trio of speed bowlers, namely Aditha Buddila, Minusha Malith and Thivin Vishwika to choose from.
Skipper Nethsara, his deputy Ishara Malith, Hesitha Anuhas and Ashan Vishwa are expected to take the bulk of batting responsibilities.
The series which began in 1949 has seen Kalutara Vidyalaya recording 26 victories against Tissa’s six. The last victory of the series was recorded by Kalutara Vidyalaya under the captaincy of Kavindu Jayawickrama in 2019. Tissa has not recorded a victory since Ajith de Silva led outfit won way back in 1983.
Kalutara Vidyalaya Team (Seated from left) Pamod Madubhashana, Lukindu Nimsara, Buddhika Madhshanka (Coach), Ishan Ratnayake (MiC), Yuthika Dilruk (Captain), Chaturanga Pradeep Leelarathna (Principal), Udan Thejaka (Vice Captain), Minuru Heshan (Asst. Coach), Pasindu Dulanjana, Warsha Hansajith. (Back row from left) Radeesh Theekshana, Ravindu Thathsara, Akesh Shaminda, Savindu Liyanage, Sachithra Liayanage, Kawshila Amodya, Shevon Malindu, Dinuka Kawshal, Achira Udantha, Adeesha Pambasara, Sheersha Tharaka, Uthum Vihanga, Liviru Senvith, Gayuka Dineth, Deshan Aloka, Vihanga Sapumal, Senehas Damsara.
A 36 ball 63 by Sahan Arachchige and three wickets each by Eshan Malinga [3-13] and Tharindu Rathnayake [3-19] helped Galle Gallants defeat Jaffna Kings by 60 runs in the 10th match of the Lanka Premier League 2026. Galle Gallants lead the points table with three wins from four outings.
Scores:
Galle Gallants 193/8 in 20 overs [Chris Lynn 46, Sahan Arachchige 63, Dasun Shanaka 12, Dinura Kalupahana 10, Mohammad Nawaz 27; Mohamed Shiraz 1-23, Dunith Wellalage 1-13, Shakib Al Hasan 1-27, Dilshan Madushanaka 2-35, Lizaad Williams 2-37]
Jaffna Kings 133 in 17.5 overs [Kamil Mishara 15, Ibrahim Zadran 11, David Weise 22, Dunith Wellalage 56; Dasun Shanaka 1-21, Tharindu Rathnayake 3-19, Akif Javed 1-22, Eshan Malinga 3-13, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth 1-32]
Half centuries by Rubin Hermann and Janith Liyanage and a three wicket haul by Mujeeb Ur Rahman helped Colombo Kaps defeat Kandy Royals by 24 runs in the 9th match of the Lanka Premier League 2026 played at Dambulla on Thursday [23rd July]’
Scores:
Colombo Kaps 192/9 in 20 overs [Rubin Hermann 53, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 14, Janith Liyanage 52*, James Neesham 24, Binura Fernando 21; Vijay Shankar 1-0, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-34, Nuwan Thushara 1-31, Moeen Ali 2-31, Dushan Hemantha 2-20]
Kandy Royals 169/8 in 20 overs [Kusal Perera 19, Dale Phillips 38, Vijay Shankar 30, Angelo Mathews 39*, Dushan Hemantha 11*; Shahnawaz Dahani 1-35, Wanuja Sahan 1-24, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3-34, Malsha Tharupathi 1-29, James Neesham 1-07]
Hosts Sri Lanka made a winning start to their Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group IV campaign, edging out Qatar 2-1 in a closely contested opening-day tie at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts in Colombo on Wednesday.
The visitors struck first when Mubarak Alharrasi defeated Sri Lanka’s Apna Perera 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in a hard-fought opening singles encounter, giving Qatar an early 1-0 lead.
Sri Lanka bounced back in the second singles as Thehan Wijemanne produced a spirited comeback to overcome Mossa Alharrasi 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. After dropping the opening set, Wijemanne showed great composure to win the next two sets and level the tie at 1-1.
The decisive doubles match proved to be a tense affair, with Apna Perera returning to partner Saha Kapilasena. The Sri Lankan duo held their nerve in two tie-breaks to defeat Jabar Al Mutawan and Mossa Alharrasi 7-6, 7-6, sealing the tie 2-1 for the hosts.
Sri Lanka’s ability to recover from the opening singles defeat highlighted the team’s resilience as Wijemanne’s comeback victory and the doubles pair’s clutch performance ensured a successful start to their campaign. The hosts will now look to build on the opening-day victory as they continue their quest for promotion in the Asia/Oceania Group IV competition.
Sheikh Hasina ally resigns as Bangladesh’s president
Oil prices hit $100 for the first time since May
US hits dozens of trading partners with new wave of tariffs
Arachchige, Rathnayake and Malinga pump Jaffna
Hermann, Liyanage and Mujeeb steer Colombo Kaps to a 23 run win
Showers expected in the Western and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts
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