Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign has hit another pothole on a road already full of bumps after champion leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the tournament with a torn hamstring. The injury, sustained during Sunday’s opener against Ireland, leaves the former champions nursing a second casualty following young quick Eshan Malinga’s shoulder setback earlier this month. Fellow leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha has been drafted in as replacement.

Hasaranga, no stranger to the physio’s table, saw his troublesome left hamstring giving him worries after just one over on Sunday. He limped off, returned to soldier on, but the pain proved too sharp to grin and bear. Doctors expect a six-week lay off, a cruel blow for a side that leans heavily on his box of tricks. Hasaranga remains the only Sri Lankan bowler inside the ICC’s top-ten rankings for bowlers and his absence robs the attack bite.

Hemantha brings a handy bit of willow to the table, having featured in five ODIs and three T20Is, yet what Sri Lanka will truly miss is Hasaranga’s street-smart experience and big moment nerve.

While Colombo has been a hive of activity, the team have slipped into Kandy to fine tune their plans for today’s clash with Oman at Pallekele, followed by Monday’s heavyweight bout against Australia. The win over Ireland wasn’t all that convincing with middle over wobbles, playing spin and boundary drought concerning the team.

Questions swirl over team balance after Charith Asalanka was benched for the opener with pundits wondering whether he and Kamindu Mendis can be squeezed into the same XI. Kusal Perera, another man capable of clearing the ropes at will, has been reduced to water boy duties despite his late call up, adding to the selection conundrum.

Critics have also taken aim at Sri Lanka’s habit of fielding Test style batters in a format that demands dash and daring rather than dead bat defence.

On paper, Sri Lanka should have enough in the tank to see off Oman and even Zimbabwe, but Australia will be a different kettle of fish for a batting line-up short on swagger. Two wins from the remaining three games is the equation, anything less and the campaign could go belly up.

It will be an early 11am start at Pallekele today.

by Rex Clementine

Under 19 Cricket

Damesh Mathishan hogged the limelight with a knock of 144 (139-ball) runs as his innings and a half century by Nethan Fernando (71) helped Isipatana post 325 for eight wickets declared (65.2 overs) against St. Joseph Vaz’s Wennappuwa (134/3) in the Under 19 Division I Tier B match at Colts ground on Wednesday.

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‎In the matches concluded on Wednesday,

‎St. Anne’s College Kurunegala (411/7) enjoyed the result most as they registered an innings and 97 runs win over St. Anthony’s Wattala (171 and 143). Manuja Wijerathna bagged six wickets in the Tier ‘B’ encounter at Kurunegala.

‎‎A five-wicket haul by Bihanga Silva was the highlight as Sri Sumangala, Panadura (245 & 17/2) forced Wesley (132 & 222/6dl.) to follow on in another Tier B match at Bandaragama. Wesley were better in the second innings but Sri Sumangala had first innings points in their bag.

‎‎Nethuja Basitha (5/59) and Minaga Ariyadasa shared nine wickets between them for Richmond (283 & 150/3) to record a first innings win over St. Anthony’s Katugastota (216) in the Tier ‘A’ match at Ambepussa. Ariyadasa then followed up his four wicket haul with a half century.

‎‎In a Tier ‘A’ match which started on Wednesday, Venura Kaveethra led the way with a four wicket haul for Mahanama to bowl out S. Thomas’ for 203 runs at Mount Lavinia. Mahanama were 69 for one wicket at stumps. (RF)

Dinara de Silva and Mayooran Kubherane reached the girls and boys quarter-finals of the J30 ITF Junior Week 3 tournament continued in Colombo.

‎Dinara beat Padmapiriya Ramesh of India 6-0, 6-0 in her second round match to seal the quarter final place.

‎In the boys singles second round match Kubherane beat Ariyapal Leelekul of Tailand 6-3, 6-2.