Sports

A lot at stake in Sri Lanka – South Africa Tests

Published

2 years ago

2024/11/27

Kamindu Mendis has been sensational this year with big runs both home and overseas. On his first trip to South Africa, his success will be pivotal for Sri Lanka’s chances.

Rex Clementine in Durban

Sri Lanka’s cricketers wrapped up their final training session in Durban yesterday, exuding a sense of calm confidence ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa. Touring South Africa has historically been a trial by fire, with fiery fast bowlers and hostile pitches ready to humble visiting teams. But times have changed. With past victories on these shores under their belt, Sri Lanka seems to have cracked the code, proving that no mountain is too high to climb.

Both teams have their eyes firmly set on the World Test Championship final, adding extra spice to this series. Sri Lanka currently sit third in the standings, just behind Australia and India, with New Zealand and South Africa hot on their heels. A series victory here could put either team in the driver’s seat for a spot at Lord’s next year, where the grand finale awaits.

To prepare for this crucial assignment, Sri Lanka’s Test squad landed in South Africa ten days early for a residential camp, guided by former Proteas batter Neil McKenzie, who previously served as South Africa’s batting coach.

Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva was quick to highlight the value of McKenzie’s expertise.

“Neil McKenzie ran some excellent batting sessions for us. He’s played a lot of cricket and shared vital insights—like how to handle the bounce and what to expect from the conditions here. The sessions were really productive,” Dhananjaya told reporters.

The Sri Lankan captain, who was part of the historic series win in 2019 when Sri Lanka became the first and only Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa, remains grounded despite past glories.

“We can draw confidence from that series, but what’s done is done. This is a new challenge, and we have to start from scratch. The pitch looks flat, but we’ll decide on our combination after another look,” he said.

Dhananjaya also emphasized the importance of finishing 2024 on a high.

“We’ve had a fantastic year in Test cricket, and it’s crucial to cap it off with strong performances. Every Test matters, and winning away from home is a huge source of pride for us. We pushed England hard earlier this year and were disappointed not to win that series, but it was satisfying to get a Test victory there,” he added.

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma acknowledged Sri Lanka’s resilience, particularly in adapting to pace-heavy conditions.

“If Sri Lanka were vulnerable against fast bowling, they wouldn’t be sitting third in the Test Championship standings. They’ve performed well across different conditions. Playing in South Africa is always tough, but I’m sure their preparations will help them meet the challenge head-on,” Bavuma said.

Bavuma also tipped his hat to Sri Lanka’s middle-order sensation Kamindu Mendis, who has been in red-hot form in 2024. The 25-year-old has scored five centuries and three fifties in just seven Tests this year, making him the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.

“I haven’t played much against him, so it’ll be interesting to see him in action. But we’ve done our homework and have plans in place for him. The guy’s been phenomenal, anchoring their middle order. We respect his ability but won’t be caught off guard,” Bavuma noted.

Sri Lanka (Probable XI):

Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando.

South Africa (From):

Temba Bavuma (Captain), David Bedingham, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickleton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (Wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada.

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Ronaldo apologizes for Portugal walkout; says Jesus broke promise

Published

3 hours ago

2026/10/7

Priyan

Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal's leading scorer (Aljazeera)

Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Portugal ‌coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking his word, saying a failed agreement to publicly ⁠explain his omission ⁠against Norway drove him out of the camp, but insisting he remained available after any punishment.

In a lengthy statement, the 41-year-old gave his account of the dispute ⁠that prompted his departure from Copenhagen before Portugal’s Nations League match versus Denmark last week.

Ronaldo said Jesus had agreed a plan under which the forward would miss the Norway and Denmark ⁠matches to manage his fitness. However, on the day of the Norway game, the coach told him he would play for 30 minutes.

“Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from halftime onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t called on,” Ronaldo said.

“The manager had broken his word to me.”

Portugal’s ‌captain and all-time leading scorer said a subsequent meeting with Jesus, attended by his club side Al Nassr’s sporting director Simao Coutinho, produced an agreement for the coach to clarify events at his next news conference.

According to Ronaldo, an eight-point document was prepared saying he had never demanded playing time, had respected Jesus’s decisions and that the coach asking him to warm up without bringing him on had been a mistake.

Ronaldo said the agreed notes did ⁠not require Jesus to apologise to him but said the coach’s ⁠public remarks bore no resemblance to their private discussion.

“It was the second time he had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said. “I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises.”

The statement provided Ronaldo’s account⁠, but on Sunday, after Portugal’s win over Norway, Jesus denied he had made any agreement with the player, nevertheless leaving the door open ⁠for his return.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) did not immediately respond ⁠to a request for comment about Ronaldo’s statement.

Ronaldo apologised for failing to greet supporters after the Norway match and for leaving his teammates, accepting that his captaincy made his conduct more serious.

“The consequences of my actions must be assessed ‌and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation,” he said.

Despite the rupture, Ronaldo said he was not limiting his international ambitions to a farewell appearance.

“If I’m physically fit, playing for my club – scoring ‌goals, ‌I hope – after serving whatever suspension is imposed on me, I’ll be available, as I’ve always been until now, to compete and win for our national team,” he added.

(Aljazeera)

Sports

Nalanda on the cusp of reaching knockout stage as unbeaten run continues

Published

4 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Rusandu Silva has nine wickets against his name after three matches.

by Reemus Fernando

Nalanda College, Colombo continued their unbeaten run to come closer to securing a berth in the knockout stage as they beat Gurukula College by nine wickets in the Under 19 Division I Tier A Limited Overs Tournament match played at Campbell Place on Tuesday.

‎With Rusandu Silva continuing his impressive run in the tournament, Nalanda did well to restrict the team from Kelaniya to just 113 runs (in 35.4 overs).

‎After two outings Rusandu had six wickets against his name coming to this match.‎Rusandu and Methuka Perera claimed three wickets each. ‎Lithum Wijekumara also impressed with two wickets, while Santhul Wijeyarathne took one.

‎Adeepa Pinsara was the only batsman to make a contribution of note as he top-scored with 35 off 49 balls, including four fours and two sixes, while Javindu Madusanka made 20.

‎In their chase Nalanda made light work of the modest target, reaching 114 for one, scoring at a rate of over a run a ball.

‎Nadul Jayalath cracked an unbeaten 62 from just 52 balls. His innings contained four fours and five sixes. He received valuable support from Lithum Wijekumara, who scored 35 off 42 deliveries with six boundaries.

‎Ranmith Senarath completed the successful chase with an unbeaten 10 off seven balls, including two fours.

‎Nalanda lost only one wicket as the opening pair added 89 for the first wicket. Jayalath and Senarath then finished the contest comfortably, securing a convincing nine-wicket victory with many overs to spare.

‎It was Nalanda’s third successive victory in the Tier A tourney after having beaten Thurstan (155) by seven wickets and St. Servatius’ Matara (187) by four wickets in the first two matches.

‎As of now, they are the leading team in Group G where they have only St. Joseph’s Darley Road to meet before the knockout stage.

‎With just two teams advancing to the next stage from each Group Nalanda are almost assured of their place.

Sports

Wins for Hayley’s Group ‘A’ , HNB ‘A’ and CDB on Saturday

Published

4 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

33RD SINGER – MCA Super PREMIER LEAGUE

Hayley’s Group ‘A’, HNB ‘A’ and CDB registered wins by defeating Colombo Aces, Fairfirst Insurance and SLC Youth in the matches of the Mercantile Cricket Association’s Super Premier League cricket tournament on Sunday (04).

The MCA Super Premier League is sponsored by Singer Sri Lanka for the 33rd consecutive year.

At the Bloomfield Cricket ground, Nishan Madushka, Pulindu Perera and Minod Dhanuka smashed half tons as Hayley’s Group ‘A’ registered their second win of the tournament defeating Colombo Aces by six wickets.

At the Thurstan ground, Nipun Dhananjaya and Muditha Lakshan posted eighty plus scores to help CDB amass 307/8, which the bowlers defended by 71runs.

At the Colts Ground Milan Rathnayake starred with bat and ball [71 and 3-24] to help HNB ‘A’ overcome SLC Youth by 41 runs. Rehan Pieris topped SLC Youth score card with a 108 ball 77 with six fours and a six.

At Bloomfield Ground Colombo:

Hayley’s overcome Colombo Aces by six wickets

Colombo Aces 222/10 in 49 overs

[ Kavin Bandara 62, Dinura Kalupahan 50; Dhanajaya Lakshan 2-14, Ramesh Mendis 4-36]

Hayleys Group A 227/4 in 25.2 overs [Nishan Madushka 61, Pulindu Perera 51, Minod Bhanuka 54; Dinura Kalupahana 2-35]

At Thurstan College Ground:

CDB BY 71 runs

CDB 307/8 in 50 overs

[ Vishsd Randika 53, Nipun Dhananjaya 86, Muditha Lakshan 89; Himesh Ramanayake 3-49, ]

Fairfirst Insurance 236/10 in 46.4 overs

[Sanoj Dharshika 58, Yasiru Rodriga 78; Movin Subasinghe 3-27, Lahiru Madushanka 2-16]

At Colts ground;