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Uncapped Dunith Wellalage in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad
Left-arm spinning allrounder Dunith Wellalage has made Sri Lanka’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup despite never having played a T20 international. Top-order batter Kamindu Mendis and round-arm seamer Nuwan Thushara are also in the 15.
From the older cohort, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dasun Shanaka also find places in the squad.
The team is led by Wanidu Hasaranga who missed the IPL with a long-standing heel injury, largely so he would be fit for the World Cup. He has made his return to competitive cricket in the ongoing pratice matches in Sri Lanka, where he has batted in the first two matches but not bowled.
Missing out are players like opening batter Avishka Fernando, left-arm seamer Binura Fernando, and batter Kusal Perera. Avishka had modest performances on the tour of Bangladesh in March, Kusal Perera had not impressed selectors after a long injury layoff, and Binura has been outperformed by Thushara, who took 5 for 20 including a hat-trick in his last international outing.
The batting order is somewhat predictable: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka and Angelo Mathews are likely to form the top six. On the spin front, they have Maheesh Theekshana and captain Hasaranga as likely first-choice players, with Hasaranga poised to go up the order when required.
There is serious competition for fast-bowling places, however, with Dushmantha Chameera the likeliest starter, but with Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka providing tough competition.
Sri Lanka are in group D at the T20 World Cup along with Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands and South Africa. They play their first game of the tournament against South Africa on June 3 in New York, before travelling to Dallas to play Bangladesh on June 8. Their last two group games are against Nepal and Netherlands, in Florida on June 12 and St Lucia on June 17.
Sri Lanka squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Wanindu Hasaranga (capt), Charith Asalanka (vc), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka
Travelling reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage
(Cricinfo)
The Sri Lanka Navy, during a special operation on the high seas about 110 nautical miles (200km) west of Sri Lanka, intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler suspected of smuggling narcotics.
The operation, conducted by SLNS Nandimithra, resulted in the apprehension of 05 suspects linked to the illicit activity. Upon escorting the vessel to Galle Harbour, a detailed inspection uncovered approximately 46kg and 116g of heroin, concealed in 40 parcels packed into 02 sacks. The seized narcotics is estimated to have a street value
exceeding Rs. 1152 million.
To support the national goal of eradicating the drug menace, the Navy remains vigilant, conducting relentless operations across maritime zones to intercept and prevent narcotic trafficking.
The apprehended suspects, who are between 23 to 33 years of age, have been identified as residents of Gandara. The 05 suspects, together with the haul of heroin and the fishing trawler held in this operation will be handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for onward legal action.
The Sri Lanka Navy, under the able leadership of Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Commander of the Navy and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force to Combat the Use of Poisonous and Dangerous Drugs, has been instrumental in curbing narcotics smuggling.
In 2024, the Navy’s relentless operations have resulted in the seizure of narcotics worth over Rs. 18,790 million in street value, and have been handed over to authorities for legal action.
Against this backdrop, the Navy urges the public to report any individuals posing as fishermen and engaging in drug smuggling to the Navy or law enforcement agencies.
This collective effort aims to safeguard future generations from the devastating effects of drug-related activities.
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya,who was sworn in as the 17th Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka earlier today [18] officially assumed duties at the Prime Minister’s Office on Flower Road this afternoon’
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
New Zealand fast-bowler Doug Bracewell has served a one-month backdated ban from cricket after being found to have consumed cocaine. The 34-year old had tested positive for the banned substance back in January this year following a T20 game between Central Stags and Wellington. Bracewell had won the Player of the Match award for figures of 2 for 21 with the ball while also scoring 30 runs off just 11 balls with the bat.
The Sports Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui handed the ban to the cricketer. However, it was also found that the consumption of cocaine was before the start of the tournament and hence, he received a reduced sentence. The sentence which was initially three months long was reduced to one month after the bowler completed a treatment programme to address the substance use.
The one-month suspension was backdated to April 2024 and as a result, the bowler has already served his ban thereby allowing him to resume playing cricket at any given time.
Bracewell last appeared for New Zealand in a Test against Sri Lanka in March 2023 in Wellington. He has made 69 appearances (28 Tests, 21 ODIs, 20 T20Is) for the nation across all three-formats of the game.
Navy intercepts fishing trawler with 46kg & 116g of heroin
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya Assumes Office as the 17th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
Doug Bracewell serves one-month ban after testing positive for cocaine use
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