Sports

Tillakaratne junior in Test pool

Published

6 years ago

2020/09/5

Duvindu Tillakaratne has the unique distinction of representing both S. Thomas’ and Trinity in school cricket.

One of the rising stars in domestic cricket Duvindu Sachin Tillakaratne has been picked in a 23- member Test pool to take on Bangladesh in the up coming Test series. Duvindu is the son of former Test captain Hashan Tillakaratne, the first Sri Lankan to score a Test hundred in South Africa.

Like father, Duvindu has a reputation of working extremely hard on his game. He was born in the year Sri Lanka won the ICC Cricket World Cup. His twin brother Ravindu also played First Class cricket.

Duvindu had a prolific season for Burger Recreation Club in Premier League this season and came in for high praise from BRC boss and former Test cricketer Charith Senanayake. His career best figures of 13 for 118 was recorded last month against NCC. He was the highest wicket taker this season finishing with 61 scalps at 19 that included five five wicket hauls and three match bags of ten wickets.

Duvindu had the rare distinction of attending two leading schools in the country. He had his initial education at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia and then moved to Kandy and attended Trinity College.

Lahiru Udara, Santhush Gunathilaka and Minod Bhanuka, players who had good domestic seasons have been named in the pool of 23.

Young all-rounders Kamindu Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga are also in the squad.

The players will resume training next Thursday.

SLC is yet to announce the schedule for the series but sources said that the tour will include three Test matches and would start on the last week of October.

Bangladesh will arrive later this month to conduct training and play warm-up games.

Sri Lanka have not had any international cricket since February this year. The successful completion of the Premier League tournament is an indication that the game is ready to move forward after the pandemic.

Sri Lanka pool for Bangladesh Tests:

Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Santhush Gunathilaka, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya, Duvindu Tillakaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando.

All News Advertisement

Sports

Dharmaraja and Kingswood set for historic rugby clash today

Published

4 mins ago

2026/07/11

Thilina Walpola

Dharmaraja Rugby Captain Gayan Samarathunga, and Kingswood Rugby Captain Samantha Nadeesha. with William Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy

The annual rugby encounter between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College, played for the William Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy, is set to take place today (July 11, 2026), at 4:00 PM at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.

The official unveiling of the trophy took place this week at the Dharmaraja College premises with the participation of the Principals of the two schools, teachers-in-charge of sports, coaches, the Rugby teams, and several distinguished guests, including Dharmaraja College Old Boys’ Association President Mahesh Wijetunga, Kingswood College Old Boys’ Association President Muditha Abeykoon,

Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake

Latest News

Dharmaraja and Kingswood set for historic rugby clash on Saturday

Published

14 hours ago

2026/07/10

Priyan

Dharmaraja Rugby Captain Gayan Samarathunga, and Kingswood Rugby Captain Samantha Nadeesha. with William Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy.

The annual rugby encounter between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College, played for the William Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy, is set to take place tomorrow (July 11, 2026), at 4:00 PM at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.

by S K SAMARANAYAKE

Latest News

Mbappe and Dembele net as France beat Morocco to reach World Cup semifinal

Published

23 hours ago

2026/07/10

Priyan

Kylian Mbappe of France, centre,celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with Dayot Upamecano, left, and Ousmane Dembele, right, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match [Aljazeera]

Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele were on target as France surged past Morocco 2-0 to book their place in the World Cup semifinals.

Mbappe curled in his eighth goal of the tournament on 60 minutes on Thursday before Dembele doubled Les Bleus’ lead six minutes later to settle a clinical victory at the Gillette Stadium outside Boston.

The win sends the 2018 champions into a last-four showdown against either Spain or Belgium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday.

African champions Morocco had been tipped to pose a serious threat to France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.

But Didier Deschamps’ men were always in control against a limited Morocco side who failed to register a single shot on goal until an 83rd-minute free-kick by Azzedine Ounahi was parried away by France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

France, though, struggled to find a breakthrough, and missed the opportunity to take the lead on 28 minutes when Mbappe saw a penalty saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Mbappe had won the penalty after being brought down by Noussair Mazraoui but was forced to wait several minutes before being allowed to take the kick after a protracted VAR check.

Morocco managed to hold out to half-time, but it was always only a matter of time before France’s relentless pressure paid off.

The breakthrough came on the hour mark, with Mbappe bending a brilliant right-foot shot past Bounou from the edge of the area.

Paris Saint-Germain star Dembele made the game safe in the 66th minute, striding forward menacingly from midfield before steering a low finish into the bottom corner.

France now await the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal in Los Angeles between European champions Spain and Belgium.

[Aljazeera]