Sports

Sri Lanka, India and South Africa kick off World Cup preparations with ODI tri-series

Published

1 year ago

2025/04/26

Priyan

Arundhati Reddy is expected to lead India's pace attack in the absence of Renuka Singh, Titas Sadhu and Pooja Vastrakar [BCCI]

The Women’s ODI World Cup is five months away and, after the drama of the qualifier in which Pakistan and Bangladesh confirmed their places at the tournament, preparation begins in Sri Lanka with a tri seried. Sri Lanka host India and South Africa for a seven-match tournament, which will include the pressure of reaching a final. All three sides have uncapped players in their squads so there are bound to be some new faces alongside old rivalries.

Here’s what you can look forward to over the next two weeks:

India’s quest for silverware begins

As hosts of this year’s World Cup, and after their failure to make the semi-finals of the last T20 tournament, all eyes will be on India to see if they can grab their first major trophy and continue to set the pace for the development of the game. Their players come into the series on the back of recent game time in the WPL and a six-match winning streak in ODIs, albeit against non-World Cup participants Ireland and West Indies. Regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur missed the Ireland matches but is back to lead the side in a sign that the leadership will remain unchanged heading into the World Cup.

Their most exciting prospect is 22-year old Kashvee Gautam, who was the most expensive uncapped player of the WPL and has Harmanpreet’s name on her wickets’ list. She was the joint-leading bowler among Indian players at the WPL with 11 to her tally (along with Shikha Pandey, who has not played an international in two years) and had best economy rate among Indian bowlers (and second best overall) and her international call-up is as deserved as it is expectant.

There was no such reward for the leading Indian run-scorer at the WPL. Shafali Verma scored two runs more than Harmanpreet and was fourth-highest overall but cannot find a spot in a squad that includes Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh. While India’s batting looks strong and familiar, their bowling reserves could be tested as all of Renuka Singh, Titas Sadhu and Pooja Vastrakar are injured which will leave it to Arundhati Reddy to lead the pace attack. Left-arm spinners N Shree Charani and Shuchi Upadhyay are the two others who could have their first international outing. Upadhyay was the third-highest wicket-taker in the domestic women’s one-day trophy last year.

Sri Lanka’s sweeping changes

Sri Lanka are back at the ODI World Cup after missing out on the 2022 edition and secured automatic qualification when they finished fifth in the Women’s Championship, ahead of New Zealand, but there’s work to be done to have a good tournament showing. Sri Lanka have lost their last two series – to Ireland and New Zealand – and will want to find form ahead of the World Cup, especially as they are not scheduled to play any other matches between now and the start of the tournament.

They’ve rung in the changes for this series, with six from the last squad, and included four uncapped players as well. Thirty-nine-year-old left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera is back in a squad that will be headlined by a strong spin contingent, including Malki Madara, who may get her first game. There are three other spinners in Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani and Kavisha Dilhari, which has left space for only two seamers. Achini Kulasuriya is one of them and 18-year-old allrounder Rasmika Sewwandi, who was part of the Under-19 squad, is the other.

Sri Lanka’s batting is well-settled and the challenge will be for them to continue finding contributions from sources other than Chamari Athapaththu, who will doubtless be key to their World Cup campaign, but has stressed the need for the load to be shared. Slowly, that’s started to happen. Harshita Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne both scored hundreds in the last year and became the only Sri Lankan batters other than Athapaththu to do so. Sri Lanka will want to see more names on that list soon.

South Africa without Kapp

Before South Africa can start thinking about whether this World Cup could be the one where they take one more step than usual to get to the trophy, they have to find their feet under a new(ish) coach Mandla Mashimbyi, who has enjoyed title-winning success with the Titans provincial team but had no prior experience in women’s cricket, was appointed late last year and oversaw part of the home series against England (which went badly as South Africa won only one match out of seven across formats), but this will be his first proper test.

He will take it without senior allrounder Marizanne Kapp, who is being rested as she manages her workload, or batter Anneke Bosch, who is injured, but has the core of the squad that reached the T20 World Cup final at his disposal. That includes legspinner Seshnie Naidu, who did not get a game in the UAE but may play a big role alongside Nonkululekho Mlaba in future visits to the subcontinent.

Wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso, who was key to South Africa’s run to the Under-19 World Cup final, is the talk of the town on the domestic circuit and could bring depth to a batting line-up that will have an in-form Sune Luus (third on the domestic run-scorers charts) and the experience of Laura Wolvaardt, Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon to lean on. South Africa have also gone light on seamers with Masabata Klaas and allrounders Annerie Dercksen and de Klerk to share duties as they aim to give their spinners a solid run. South Africa will also travel to West Indies and Pakistan before the World Cup.

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Sports

Well done AKD!

Published

20 mins ago

2026/04/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva had outlasted three Executive Presidents – Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe – and looked set to see off the new ball from Anura Kumara Dissanayake as well. For a while, it seemed like he had the measure of every spell thrown at him. But this time, the batter has edged one and walked.

The new government, elected on a platform of transparency and good governance, had been accused of shadow batting when it came to cleaning up cricket. There were murmurs in the stands, and not without reason. Eyebrows were raised when political heavyweights like Wasantha Samarasinghe – who wouldn’t know a short leg from a fine leg – were regulars at SLC gatherings. It gave the impression that the field placements hadn’t changed.

But in the end, President Dissanayake played it late and played it well. Timing, as they say in cricket, is everything and this was a shot straight out of the middle.

The Island learns that the government had been itching to make a move earlier, but were wary of playing a false stroke. With Shammi’s close links to ICC chair Jay Shah, there was a genuine fear of another suspension – a scenario Sri Lanka had already endured two years ago when Shammi was removed. Rather than charge down the track, the government chose to bide its time, build its case and wait for the right delivery.

When the moment arrived, they didn’t swing wildly. Instead, they tossed the ball back into Shammi’s court and invited him to take the honourable route. He did and like a collapsing batting order, the rest of the committee followed him back to the pavilion.

Crucially, Sri Lanka Cricket avoids the follow-on of an ICC suspension. This was a resignation, not a dismissal, a technicality that could prove decisive. Shammi, who had just one year left in his term, was reportedly exploring ways to extend his stay at the crease. With some of the country’s top legal minds at his disposal, tweaking the playing conditions was child’s play for him.

Now the spotlight shifts to the government. They must make a watertight case to justify extending the three-month window for fresh elections. Others have trodden this path before, South Africa managed it successfully and Bangladesh are currently following suit with ICC backing.

If handled well, it could buy Sri Lanka the time needed to bring long-pending reforms into play notably the recommendations of the Justice Chithrasiri report, which has been gathering dust.

Attention is already turning to the next innings. Former cricketer and ex-parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne has emerged as the frontrunner to head the interim committee, especially after former NOC boss Suresh Subramaniam opted out due to health concerns.

Another name doing the rounds is Kushil Gunasekara, a respected figure in international cricketing circles. A former Ananda College cricketer, Gunasekara played a key role as head of the organising committee for the 2000 Under-19 World Cup and he is no stranger at ICC. His off-field work, particularly in his native Seenigama, has earned widespread admiration, including honorary life membership at Marylebone Cricket Club.

For now, though, the headline belongs to AKD. After a long watch and a patient build-up, he has finally broken through, a wicket that had been a long time coming. This is a big fish indeed.

by Rex Clementine

Sports

Senuja, Rishma rescue Joes after early struggle

Published

22 mins ago

2026/04/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Senuja Wakunegoda

St. Joseph’s College produced a spirited recovery after an early batting collapse to reach 226 for four at stumps against Royal College on a rain-curtailed opening day of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket final played at the P. Sara Oval on Tuesday.

‎Having elected to bat first, the Josephians were rocked in the early exchanges as they slumped to 11 for three within the space of just three overs. Royal’s pace spearhead Mahiru Kodituwakku did the early damage, striking twice in a fiery opening spell to put Joes under severe pressure.

‎However, the innings was revived in emphatic fashion by a crucial fourth wicket partnership between Senuja Wakunegoda and skipper Rishma Amarasinghe. The duo combined resilience with positive stroke play to add a match-defining 179 runs, occupying the crease for 44 overs and steadily shifting the momentum.

‎Batting through testing phases before and after lunch, the pair frustrated the Royal bowling attack with disciplined shot selection and composure. Amarasinghe, leading from the front, compiled a fluent 73 off 120 deliveries, striking nine fours and two sixes before being dismissed. He was eventually separated from his partner by Dushen Udawela.

‎Wakunegoda, who anchored the innings superbly, remained unbeaten on 118 at tea after which there was no resumption of play due to a drizzle and lightning.

‎His knock came off 178 balls and included 12 boundaries and two sixes, highlighting both patience and authority. He found support towards the end from Chethina Kavinda, who was unbeaten on 15 as Joes finished the day in a relatively better position than what was expected after early collapse.

‎After a disastrous start, St. Joseph’s will take plenty of confidence from their recovery, while Royal will look to strike early on the second day to claw their way back into the contest.

Scores: ‎St. Joseph’s College –

226/4 in 61 overs (Senuja Wakunegoda 118*; Rishma Amarasinghe 73; Mahiru Kodituwakku 2/64) (RF)

Sports

Maliban Biscuits and Mobitel complete league stage undefeated

Published

23 mins ago

2026/04/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

15TH STAFFORD MOTORS – MCA G DIVISION T20 LEAGUE CRICKET TOURNAMENT

Maliban Biscuits ‘B’ and Mobitel Pvt Limited completed the league stage of the Stafford Motors sponsored MCA G division T20 cricket tournament undefeated.

On Sunday Maliban Biscuits ‘B’ overcame CDB ‘B’ by four wickets to top group A undefeated while Mobitel Pvt Limited beat Union Bank by 58 runs to top group E with six wins in six outings.

In the other games played on Sunday, Hayleys Group ‘C’, Wiley Global, VS Information systems, Sri Lanka Telecom, and DSI Group registered wins.

With only three more league stage games to be completed, MAS Active Kreeda, Star Garments, Amana Bank, VS Information Systems and Brandix Apparel lead their respective groups.

At Darley Road

Gihan and Adeesha power Hayleys Group ’C’ to a 49 run win

Hayleys Group ‘C’

196/4 in 20 overs [Gihan Gunatilake 92, Adeesha Jayarathne 52, Omath Gallage 11, Dilan Suraweera 16*; Tharindu Almeida 2-26, Wageesha Balagama 1-43, Ashan Wijerathne 1-36]

Jetwing Travels

147/6 in 20 overs[Edirige Sam 15, Budhdhika Chathuranga 10, Satheesh Sasu 26, Ashan Wijerathne 23, Wageesha Balagama 35, Tharuka Peiris 25*, Chandika Jayarathna 13*; Lasantha Prabath 2-16, Deemantha Weerakoon 3-35, Pasindu Adithya 1-21]

At MCA grounds

Mobitel Pvt Ltd beat Union Banka by 58 runs

Mobitel Pvt Ltd

211/3 in 20 overs [Krishan Santhusha 78, Dasun Bandara 24, Sachin Indrarathna 26, Sachin Bulathsinghala 11, Sandeepa Halangoda 65*; Kasun Dilshan 1-45, Gavin Fernando 1-21, Ayeshan Perera 1-34]

Union Bank

153/7 in 20 overs [Gavin Fernando 26, Nishan Maduranga 48, Ayeshan Perera 17, George Banushanth 21, Isanka Rathnayake 16*; Sachin Indrarathne 1-25, Lakmal Siriwardena 1-25, Dinidu Samodana 3-16, Dasun Bandara 1-08, Indushan Basnayake 1-07]

Wiley Global beat Acuity Analytics by 27 runs

Wiley Global

161/8 in 20 overs [Gawesha Basnayake 14, Lilan Kularathne 50, Omal Bhagya 14, Sayuru Wanasinghe 38, Panitha Dangalle 10; Prabath de Silva 2-32, Mihindu Samarasinghe 3-32, Sudaraka Keshara 2-22, Pranavan Premarajah 1-22]

Acuity Analytics

134/8 in 20 overs [Prabath de Silva 24, Mihindu Samarasinghe 28, Suhail Salman 36*, Hamdhan Othman 18, Navodha de Silva 10; Sayuru Wanasinghe 1-26, Lilan Kularathna 1-16, Panitha Dangalla 1-19, Pradeep Sanjeewa 3-21, Thushara Peiris 1-23]

At Thurstan College grounds

Bowlers power VS Information Systems to a 69 run win

VS Information Sytems

156/10 in 20 overs [Shamika Wickremathilake 39, Kisal Ranathunga 14, Chamath Chamupathi 38, Shan Aniketh 11, Ishara Sandaruwan 19, Ayesh Lakmal 10*; Sanura Dias 2-40, Thiwanka Ginige 2-21, Malith Fernando1-32, Suranga Gamage 1-22, Reshan Basnayake 1-20]

Home Lands Group

87/9 in 20 overs [Suranga Gamage 17, Thevindu Senarathne 31; Adeesha Bandaranayake 2-30, Shan Aniketh 2-24, Nimnada Kirindage 4-07]

Maliban Biscuits ‘B’ overcome CDB ‘B’ by 4 wickets to lead group A

CDB ‘B’

94/10 in 19.2 overs [Chathuranga Dikkumbura 18, Savin Gunasekera 21, Dasun Senevirathne 26; Tharindu Siriwardena 2-15, Dilan Alwis 1-10, Chamara Rathnayake 3-19,Chathuranga Dewapriya 3-17]

Maliban Biscuits ‘B’

95/6 in 17.1 overs [Gihan Ranasinghe 10, Mohammed Shilmi 38, Sameera Lakmal 21; Vishwa Danajaya 3-20, Praveen Abeysinghe 2-11]

At Nalanda College grounds,

Rasika’s five fer helps Sri Lanka Telecom to a 9 wicket win

Regnis Appliances

89/10 in 19.3 overs [Imalka Fernando 12, Asela Sanjeewa 34; Sudam Jayawardena 2-16, Rasika Damith 5-11, Sandun Wijayarathne 1-14, Sandakelum Fernando 1-10]

Sri Lanka Telecom

90/1 in 7.1 overs [Namal Dissanayake 45*, Asela Ekanayake 10, Thaveesha Gunawardena 28*]

At Royal College grounds,

DSI Group won by 84 runs

DSI Group

202/8 in 20 overs [Ochintha Nadeeshan 12, Yasas Weerasekera 65, Nilinda Maddumage 37, Udith Indunil 20, Pradeep Kumaranayake 10, Thilina Danushka 18*; Thilanka Sachin 2-37, Subash Mendis 1-42, Dasun Gunathilake 2-42, Damian Shehan 1-32, Praveen Chandrasekera 1-27]

Transco

118/7 in 20 overs [Subash Mendis 19, Sachin Silva 32, Thilanka Sachin 30; Pradeep Kumaranayake 1-29, Udith Indunil 2-10, Asitha Wijesekera 1-18]