Sports
While batting clicks, Sri Lankan bowling now becomes a concern
Rex Clementine in Delhi
It was Sri Lanka’s batting that remained a concern lead up to the World Cup as the bowling had done reasonably well. From the slow turners at home to the flat decks at the World Cup, more than a few chink in Sri Lanka’s armour have been found out during the run fest in Delhi.
Records tumbled as Sri Lanka took a severe beating and the former champions are badly missing Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.
Injuries of course beyond the team management’s control, but they need to figure out a few things.Batting will be taken care of on these pitches, but how are they going to control the run flow if they have any hope of making it to the semis?
Semis at this stage looks a long shot, but there’s no harm in aiming higher. Sri Lanka at least should look at seventh position finish, which means they need to beat Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Netherlands.There’s nothing much you can do with the bowling. The skill levels of our bowlers are not up to the mark and on good batting surfaces they will be found out.
You do have Lahiru Kumara and Dushan Hemantha as backups and they wouldn’t have fared any better on that Delhi belter. You just need to hope that Theekshana is available for the next game and back the guys whom you had picked for the opening game.
Playing their first World Cup, Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana, both 20-year-olds, came into the competition with much hype, but South African batters showed that they are not yet the finished products.
They need to be persevered with. These two youngsters are the future of the team, and they are well grounded as well and like Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka they will go a long way.
Kusal Janith Perera cut a poor figure during the run chase in Delhi and Sri Lanka will be hoping that he comes good in Hyderabad as he is such an important member of the squad.
The Sri Lanka women’s volleyball team, powered by Dialog Axiata is set to depart the country today to compete in the 2026 Central Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, which will be held from 22 to 29 May with the participation of eight nations from across the region.
The tournament will be played in two preliminary groups, with the Sri Lankan side, captained by Ashani Chamodika, drawn in Group ‘B’ alongside Kazakhstan, Iran and Bangladesh. Group ‘A’ will feature India, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives and hosts Nepal.
Sri Lanka Head Coach Amila Wijepala believes the team is well prepared to face the challenge despite being drawn in a highly competitive group.
“Our group is comparatively more challenging than Group ‘A’. Kazakhstan recently secured third place at the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship after defeating China, making them our toughest challenge. We are confident of overcoming Bangladesh, while I also believe our players possess the ability to defeat Iran. Our objective is to win at least two matches and qualify for the semi-finals,” he said.
Vice President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Mahinda Bandara, expressed confidence in the squad and praised the players for their commitment during the preparation period.
“We are fielding a very strong side for this tournament. The players have undergone close to two months of residential training at the Watupitiwala Indoor Stadium. We are grateful to the Ministry of Sports for its invaluable assistance in facilitating this tour. We also sincerely appreciate the continued sponsorship and commitment shown by Dialog Axiata towards Sri Lanka’s national sport and this international campaign,” he said.
The Sri Lanka squad for the Central Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship includes high-ball hitters Dilukshi Harshani, Nimeshika Sewwandi, Preethika Pramodani, Timi Mary, Arana Sanjeewani and Shalu Thilakshana. Short-ball hitters are Sanjeewani Karunaratne, Dilki Nethsara, Sesandi Ruwanya and Piumi Bhashini.
Naduni Nimansala and Kavindi Asanthika will serve as liberos, while captain Ashani Chamodika and Dilki Charuka have been named as setters.
The support staff includes Head Coach Amila Wijepala, Assistant Coach Udaya Rukmal, Trainer Upendra Perera, Women’s Team Officer Renuka Nilmini and Team Manager Mahesh Kariyawasam.
15TH STAFFORD MOTORS – MCA G DIVISION T20 LEAGUE CRICKET TOURNAMENT
Dayan Indunil starred with both bat and ball [86 off 48 balls and 4-10 in 4 overs] to power Brandix Apparel to a 70 run win over Stafford Motors at the Nalanda College grounds on Sunday [17] and qualify for the final of the Stafford Motors sponsored MCA G division T20 cricket tournament.
Invited to bat first on a cloudy day, Brandix were 108/1 at the halfway stage of their innings but were unable to keep up the run rate after the fall of the second wicket and were bowled out for 151. Chasing 152 to qualify for the final, Stafford Motors fell victim to the Brandix bowlers led by Dayan Indunil and Sampath Jayalath and were bowled out for 81 runs in 14.3 overs.
Brandix will meet Maliban Biscuits ‘B’ at the MCA ground next Sunday for the final.
Brief scores:
Brandix Apparel
151/10 in 19.1 overs [Dayan Indunil 86, Sampath Jayalath 14, Sasitha Ashan 13; Janith Maduwantha 3-29, Shanaka Sampath 2-25, Vihanga Malith 1-36, Sanjaya Fernando 1-17, Asanka Kumarage 3-20]
Stafford Motors
81/10 in 14.3 overs [Gajindu Yasas 24, Vihanga Malith 10, Vishwa Rajapaksha 27; Janaka Weerapokuna 1-20, Dayan Indunil 4-10, Sampath Jayalath 3-18, Akila Dhanuddara 2-14]
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