Sports
Thomians hold the edge over Royal
144th Battle of the Blues
by Reemus Fernando
Pacemen will hold the key to success when S. Thomas’ meet arch-rivals Royal in the 144th Battle of the Blues which commences at the SSC today.
With both teams fielding wicket-taking speedsters who have collectively done better than their counterparts from other Colombo schools, the skippers are likely to back their quicks to share majority of the bowling duties on conditions favourable for them.
However, of the two pace departments, the Thomians are ahead with new ball bowlers taking credit for the matches they won. The big plus for them is the number of matches their pacemen have taken part in during this season.
Due to injury or for other reasons the four Royal pacemen have played only a limited number of matches compared to their opponents.
The Thomian pace trio of Akash Fernando, Nathan Caldera and Kavindu Dias have accounted for nearly 140 wickets as they played throughout the season.
The Royalists seemed to be experimenting with speedsters until the tail end of the season resulting in their speed quartet accounting for just over 50 wickets. Ranuka Malaviarachchi, who struck form in the quarter-final match against Trinity and the traditional encounter against Prince of Wales has bowled more than any other speedster from Reid Avenue and has 21 wickets against his name. Bulan Weeratunga, who is the only other paceman to have bowled more than 100 overs during the entire season has 16 wickets. Dan Poddiwela commenced the season on a positive note but has bowled just over 60 overs. Sandesh Ramanayake is another player who has not bowled much.
Skipper Dasis Manchanayake, Ramiru Perera and Nethwin Dharmarathne will perform spin duties for Royal, while batting will revolve around Manchanayake and their Sri Lanka Under 19 player Sineth Jayawardana, who has received an exemption from Sri Lanka Cricket to join the National Youth team in UAE after the conclusion of the Big Match.
Manchanayake is among the leading batsmen of the season after having scored over 1000 runs including a double century to an outstanding average of 62 runs. It would be interesting to note how Jayawardana fits into a three-day match after training with the Youth team for a Limited Overs tournament. Rehan Peiris, Uvindu Weerasekara and Sanvidu Senaratharachchi are the other batsmen the Royalists will rely on.
The Thomians have a long batting lineup with skipper Romesh Mendis leading from the front. Mendis has over 700 runs, while Thisen Eheliyagoda, Mahith Perera and Dineth Goonewardene have all contributed for the team to remain unbeaten this season.
When the two teams take the field the D S Senanayake Memorial Shield is in the possession of S. Thomas’ having last won under Sithara Hapuhinna’s captaincy in 2019. Royal last won in 2016 under G. Panditharathne. The Thomians count the victory tally of this historic series 36-35 in their favour, while Royalists claim it to be level 35-35. The difference is due to the disputed result of the 1885 match where Royal had been bowled out for nine runs in the first innings.
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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