Sports
A smidgeon of cow dung to a pot of milk
The committee headed by Eran Wickramaratne, which has taken charge of cricket governance, has certainly taken several steps in the right direction. When discipline, accountability, honesty and transparency become the cornerstones of administration, those values inevitably filter through the entire system. Do not be surprised if better governance eventually translates into improved performances by the national team as well.
The selection process in particular has been impressive, marked by bold decisions and some refreshing out of the box thinking. Promoting Kamindu Mendis to open the batting was a gamble worth taking. Few players have enjoyed the kind of success he has achieved over the last two years and spending time alongside players such as Pat Cummins and Travis Head during the IPL would only have broadened his cricketing horizons.
For reasons known only to the decision makers, Sri Lanka had refrained from naming vice-captains for several years. It created unnecessary confusion and highlighted the absence of long term planning. There was little effort to groom future leaders. On occasions when the captain had to leave the field, even umpires seemed unsure who was in charge. The selectors have now put an end to that uncertainty by appointing vice-captains across all three formats, creating a clear line of succession.
While many of the recent decisions deserve praise, the selection and appointment of Niroshan Dickwella as vice-captain of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team has left a bad taste in many mouths. As the popular local saying goes, they have added a smidgeon of cow-dung to a pot of milk.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ cricket is meant to be a finishing school for emerging talent. It is the final stepping stone before players graduate to the national side. Dickwella, meanwhile, turns 33 in two weeks. He is firmly in the twilight of his career. Where is the logic in this selection and appointment?
The ‘A’ team series is against India. The Indian squad includes 15-year-old wonderkid Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Here we are, pitting a veteran of 54 Test matches against a teenager who is more than half his age. That fact alone should drive home the point.
This is not an attempt to run down Dickwella. If anything, it is a lament about how Sri Lankan cricket has failed to maximise a rare talent. Sampath Perera, the highly respected coach of Trinity College who has nurtured countless cricketers, had little doubt some 12 years ago that Dickwella was destined for greatness. Yet even then he issued a warning when speaking to the press.
“I hope he keeps his discipline,” Sampath said.
Dickwella made his Test debut at the age of 21 in a star-studded side featuring Sanga, MJ, Mathews and Rangana Herath. Yet he was the centre of attention. He blazed his way to 72, taking on Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel with remarkable audacity. A century on debut seemed inevitable.
South Africa looked clueless until Dickwella gifted away his wicket. He challenged, of all people, Quinton de Kock’s arm and paid the price. There was no dive. No visible frustration at missing out on a milestone. There was a hint of cockiness even then. Yet there was no doubt we had witnessed a special talent.
The Test hundred, however, never came.
Not in 54 Test matches.
Cockiness proved to be Dickwella’s Achilles’ heel. At times, James Anderson would tempt him mercilessly, bowling wide outside off stump with cover and extra cover strategically placed. It was a trap laid in plain sight. Dickwella would invariably take the bait and hit the ball exactly where Anderson wanted. He never seemed to learn.
Yet there was never any doubt about his skill.
A couple of years later in Durban, Kagiso Rabada was steaming in at express pace. Dickwella responded by scooping him over the wicketkeeper’s head as casually as if he were batting in the nets. Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford could scarcely believe what he had witnessed. Later that evening, Ford told reporters that this was the player who could change the fortunes of Sri Lankan cricket.
Sadly, Dickwella never reached the promised land.
As his seniority grew, so did the tattoos and the controversies.
He was sent home from England for breaching Covid protocols. It was a golden opportunity to send a powerful message. The retired judge who conducted the inquiry recommended a lengthy suspension. Yet the punishment was significantly reduced despite the judge noting that the players had shown little remorse during the hearing.
Cricketers have committed all manner of offences over the years. Some have been punished. Others have escaped sanction altogether. But cocaine use was something almost unheard of in Sri Lankan cricket. Yet Dickwella tested positive not too long ago. Once again, the punishment was reduced.
This time, however, a different set of learned men have gone a step further.
They have made him vice-captain.
So now a dressing room full of aspiring young cricketers is expected to look up to him for guidance and leadership.
Good luck to our cricket.
by Rex Clementine ✍️
Sri Lanka will begin their three match T20I series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Friday with an opportunity for several youngsters to stake their claims, although the absence of Pathum Nissanka leaves a sizeable hole at the top of the order.
Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s highest-ranked batter in the ICC T20I rankings, has been one of the side’s most consistent performers in recent years and his absence deprives the tourists of a proven match-winner against a Pakistan attack that will still carry plenty of firepower despite resting several senior players.
The three T20Is will be played in Rawalpindi on October 9, 11 and 13 before attention switches to the seven match ODI tri-series involving hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England.
While Sri Lanka will miss Nissanka, his absence opens the door for highly rated Sineth Jayawardene, who has been earmarked as one for the future. The former Sri Lanka Under-19 captain now has an opportunity to show that he can make the considerable jump from domestic and age group cricket to the international stage. Sineth skippered Royal College, Colombo with distinction.
There will also be considerable interest in leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, another player Sri Lanka have invested in with an eye on the future. With Wanindu Hasaranga out of the equation, Viyaskanth has an opportunity to make a strong case for a regular berth rather than remain on the fringes.
Sri Lanka will be encouraged by the fact that Pakistan too have opted to look beyond some of their established names for the T20I leg of the tour.
Sahibzada Farhan will captain Pakistan after leading them at the recently concluded Asian Games in Japan, taking over from Salman Ali Agha, who has been left out of the T20I squad. Salman remains part of Pakistan’s ODI plans.
Pakistan have also rested Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the T20Is, although both return for the ODI tri-series, where Shaheen will continue as captain.
The hosts have named uncapped all-rounders Razaullah and Mohammad Imran Randhawa in their 15-member T20I squad, while Maaz Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz have been rewarded for impressive performances at the Asian Games.
Hasan finished the tournament as Pakistan’s leading run scorer with 123 runs, including a blistering 96 off 51 balls against India in the final, although Pakistan had to settle for silver.
Fast bowler Naseem Shah returns to Pakistan’s T20I squad having last played the format against Sri Lanka in February, while Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed provide experience.
For Sri Lanka, while Nissanka’s runs will be sorely missed his absence means someone else has the chance to put his hand up. Sri Lanka will hope one or two of their young guns grab that opportunity with both hands.
The ODI tri-series will follow the T20Is, with the first three matches being played in Rawalpindi before the tournament moves to Lahore for the remaining league games and the final.
Pakistan have retained a more experienced core for the 50-over competition, with Babar, Salman, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf among those included.
Former Pakistan Under-19 captain Saad Baig has earned his maiden ODI call-up after scoring more than 1,000 runs in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, while left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Moqim is another notable inclusion.
Pakistan have also strengthened their backroom staff, bringing back former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait as bowling consultant. Tait previously served as Pakistan’s bowling coach in 2022-23 and replaces Ashley Noffke, who left after the Asian Games to take over as Netherlands head coach.
ATF Under-16 Colombo Week 1 Tennis
Sri Lanka’s junior players delivered a series of impressive performances on Wednesday, with the girls claiming all four semi-final places at the ATF Under-16 Colombo 2026 Week 1 tournament, held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts.
Damsath Peiris
Methuli Naotunne led the charge with a notable quarter-final win over India’s Yashmitha Santhosh, recovering from a set loss to prevail 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Kiara Jayamanne also came from behind to beat India’s Ahnavi Shaw 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Risindi
Hewawasam
In an all-Sri Lankan quarter-final, Risindi Hewawasam overcame Desandi Peiris 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, while Disini Samaraweera defeated Sayli Basnayake 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.
The Sri Lankan boys also impressed. Damsath Peiris beat Buvindu Jayawardhana 8-2, 7-6, and Yonal Dankumbura battled to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Jayan Sebastian.
The visiting players, however, proved tough to beat. The Philippines’ Anthony Castigador defeated Sri Lanka’s Dehan Wickramasinghe 6-2, 6-4, and India’s Gurshaan Chahal fought back to overcome Udeera Gunasinghe 2-6, 7-5, 7-5.
(RF)
Mosvold Sixes 2026 concluded on Sunday at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club with Travel Trends Leisure crowned champions after a closely fought final against last year’s winners, Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka, who finished as runners-up. Transco Travels were second runners-up.
Twenty three destination management companies took part in the six-a-side softball cricket tournament, organised by Mosvold Sri Lanka.
The Mosvold Martinus Challenge Trophy 2026 was presented to the champions by Nilanka Martinus, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Mosvold Boutique Hotels. Chief Guest Farveez Maharoof, the former Sri Lanka all-rounder, presented the runners-up award to Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka.
This year’s twenty three competing DMCs were Tangerine Tours, Sri Lanka Tailormade, Olanka Travels, Antiquity Sri Lanka, Travel Trends Leisure, House of Travels & Tourism, NKAR Travels & Tours, Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka, Hayleys Travels, We stay Ceylon, Transco Travels and Ceylon Tours.
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