Sports
Sri Lanka collapse in overcast conditions
Rex Clementine in Worcester
Sri Lanka’s batters were tested in overcast conditions after England Lions won the toss and opted to bowl first here at Worcester on Wednesday. Sri Lanka had slumped to 81 for six at tea on the opening day of the game after the toss was delayed due to a wet outfield.
Sri Lanka’s openers were steady seeing off the new ball as Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka added 36 runs for the first wicket.
The introduction of Zaman Akther put Sri Lanka on the back foot. The 25-year-old quick from Gloucestershire dismissed Karunaratne in his first over as the former captain ended up getting a leading edge and was caught at point.
Madushka departed in the next over offering a return catch to Akther.
Akther then claimed a third wicket when he had Kusal Mendis caught behind for 11 and Sri Lanka soon slumped to 55 for three.
Then, 19-year-old left-arm quick Josh Hull changed ends coming in for his second spell and bowled a brutal spell running through Sri Lanka’s middle order.
Hull, who represents Nottinghamshire in First Class cricket picked up a wicket in each of his overs to reduce Sri Lanka to 81 for six. He had Angelo Mathews caught behind while captain Dhananjaya de Silva lobbed one to covers. Dinesh Chandimal was bowled by a superb yorker.
Hull was generating serious pace and troubled all the Sri Lanka’s batters in his second spell. It is only a matter of time before he goes on to represent England in Test match cricket.
Sri Lanka have the second innings in the game to make amends to their shortcomings with the bat in the first innings. But with exactly one week left for the opening Test match at Old Trafford, the selectors would want to see their batters making big contributions.
It wasn’t the most easy day for batting though with the ball seaming around. It was overcast and gloomy as well and although it is the summer in England, it hardly looked a mid-summer’s day.
There are a few selection headaches lead up to the opening Test match. Kamindu Mendis is yet to reach UK and he will feature in the starting line-up at Old Trafford having been in prolific form in Sri Lanka’s last series where he was Player of the Series.
One of the seven batters will have to give way for him and it remains to be seen who will be left out. It was the perfect opportunity for the batters to put up a good show and secure a spot but none showed appetite.
There is also Pathum Nissanka waiting in the wings and given his prolific form in limited overs cricket, Sri Lanka will be better off having him in the top of the order.
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.
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