Sports
Trinity seek back-to-back titles against Richmond
Under 19 Division 1 Tier A Cricket
by Reemus Fernando
Defending champions Trinity College Kandy will seek back-to-back titles when they meet formidable Richmond in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket final starting at the SSC ground today.
Captained by Sri Lanka Under 19 players the two teams are inclusive of formidable players to produce a close contest.Winning the final will be a huge accomplishment for defending champions Trinity who also bagged the limited overs title early this season.
Both teams have used the knockout segment of this tournament to warm up for the three-day final. Richmond batted for 120 overs in their first innings in the quarter-final encounter against Nalanda. In their first innings win over St. Sebastian’s in the semi-final, Richmond batted for 87 overs.
Trinity batted for 90 overs in their first innings in both the semi-final encounter against Mahanama and the quarter-final against D.S. Senanayake.
Richmond under Malsha Tharupathi are equipped with a strong bowling department. Sheron Abhishek, who led Richmond when Tharupathi was doing national duty is joined by Kaveesha Induwara to make a strong spin combination. Left-arm spinner Yuri Koththigoda’s presence on his return from an injury layoff was felt very much in the match against St. Sebastian’s.
In the pace department Malith de Silva and Sihath Ramanayake are the new ball bowlers.
In the batting department, Thamindu Pradeeptha has peaked at the right moment with his best knock of the season (191) coming in the semi-final victory. Chehan Subasinghe has maintained the highest average among batsmen. The wicket keeper batsman will open batting with fellow left hander Nikil Jayaweera. Pradeeptha, Seneth Sisan, Shehan de Zoysa, Tharupathi and Abhishek are expected to form a long batting line up.
Trinity will expect the conditions at SSC to favour their skipper Manula Kularathne who has the ability to spearhead the pace attack to deadly effect. He is joined by Malith Rathnayake, left-arm spinner Dinuka Tennakoon, Tharana Wimaladharma, Vathila Udara, Thisal Yapa and Jayavi Liyanagama to form a strong bowling unit.
Opener Dimantha Mahavithana, who scored a decisive half century in the semi final, Viduka Dhammage, Dinusha Peiris, Supun Waduge, Kularathne, Janith Ravishka and Udara form the backbone of Trinity batting.
Road to the final
Trinity are in the final after eliminating D.S. Senanayaka (quarter-final) and Mahanama (semi-final). They reached the knockout stage as the fourth placed team in group ‘X’.
Richmond advanced to the quarter-final as the champions in group ‘X’. They registered first innings wins to oust Nalanda (quarter-final) and St. Sebastian’s (semi-final).
When these two teams met in the league stage Richmond scored a first innings win.
Teams:
Trinity (from):Manula Kularathne (Captain), Dinusha Peiris (Vice Captain), Tharana Wimaladharma, Supun Waduge, Dinuka Tennakoon, Janith Warnakula, Viduka Dhammage, Malith Rathnayake, Vathila Udara, Dimantha Mahavithana, Pulisha Thilakaratne, Thisal Yapa, Ometh Bandara, Sweath Anurajeewa, Rajindu Thilakarathne, Viduneth Dhammage, Kaveen Gamage, Kavindu Jayaratne, Jayavi Liyanagama.
Team officials: Bryan Senaratne (Master in Charge), Naveen Ekanayake (Head Coach), Lakshitha Alahakoon (Asst. Coach).
Richmond (from):Malsha Tharupathi (Captain), Sharon Abishek (Vice Captain), Thamindu Pradeeptha, Chehan Subasinghe, Malith de Silva, Seneth Sisan, Yuri Koththigoda, Sihath Ramanayaka, Kaveesha Induwara, Shehan de Zoysa, Nikil Jayaweera, Pubudu Mihiranga, Rasanga Thejan, Nethsara Akash, Punal Hansajith, Chamod Punsara, Sachindu Nimsara, Tenusha Nimsara, Bevin Jayawardena, Minaga Ariyadasa.
Team officials: Nuwan Jayasinghe (Master in Charge), Lakmal de Silva (Head Coach), Lahiru (Asst. Coach), Sidath Priyankara (Asst. Coach).
Richmond College Team
Gaby Lewis has been rested for Ireland’s upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies at home in Clontarf as she recovers from a recent leg injury but has been named captain – for the first time at a global event – for the T20 World Cup in June-July in England.
Orla Prendergast, the vice-captain for the World Cup, will lead the side in the tri-series in Lewis’ absence. No vice-captain has been named for the tri-series.
In terms of ins and outs, Jane Maguire, the right-arm medium pacer, has been ruled out of contention with an injury, but her sister Aimee Maguire, the left-arm orthodox spinner, has returned from her own injury and has been included in both squads. Apart from the missing Lewis, there are no changes from the squad for the tri-series, which is a 14-member line-up, for the World Cup.
At the T20 World Cup, Ireland have been grouped with tournament hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and past winners West Indies.
Ireland are ranked ninth in the format, ahead of only Scotland (11th) among the teams in their group, and will start their World Cup campaign on the second day of competition, against Scotland in Manchester.
Ireland were most recently in action at the T20 World Cup qualifiers played in Nepal in January-February this year, and finished second to Bangladesh.
Lewis’ fitness will be key for Ireland at the World Cup, with her being their top-ranked batter, currently at joint-14th on the ICC T20I rankings. She was also the top run getter at the qualifiers with 276 runs in seven innings, scoring her runs at a strike rate of 119.48.
Prendergast is the next best at No. 26, followed by Amy Hunter at No. 29. Prendergast is also the seventh-ranked allrounder in women’s T20Is.
Ireland squad for women’s T20 World Cup
Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
Ireland squad for tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies
Orla Prendergast (capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
[Cricinfo]
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a statement approving the members nominated for the new Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
The appointments have been made by the Sports Minister in accordance with the powers vested under Section 39 (1) of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 and the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2437/24 dated May 21, 2025.
The members of the new selection committee are:
Kapila Wijegunawardena – Chairman
Amal Silva – Member
Brendon Kuruppu – Member
Waruna Waragoda – Member
Vanessa De Silva – Member
PM meets academic experts from the British Council
Gaby Lewis to lead Ireland at T20 World Cup
PM meets Sri Lankan community living in London
Kapila Wijegunawardena to head SLC’s new selection committee
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