Sports
Ananda Sastralaya meet Sandalanka Central today
Under 19 Division III Tier A Cricket Semi-Final
Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte will meet Sandalanka Central College in the semi-final of the Under 19 Division III Tier ‘A’ Limited Overs cricket tournament at Bandaragama today.
Ananda Sastralaya captained by Kushith Sudusinghe reached the knockout stage of the tournament as the champions of their group and knocked out Kekirawa Central and Sri Sumangala College, Hikkaduwa to book their place in the semi-final.
Sandalanka Central is skippered by Dameesha Palinda. Sandalanka advanced to the second round as the third placed team in their group and beat President’s College Maharagama, Harischandra National School Negombo and Debarawewa National School in a row.
The winners of today’s match will meet the winners of the other semi-final between Royal College, Polonnaruwa and Vidyaloka College, Galle in the final at Sooriyawewa on Sunday.
Teams
Sandalanka Central (from):
Dameesha Palinda (Captain), Uvindu Punsara (Vice Captain), Arusha Fernando, Yasiru Randes, Sithum Theekshana, Dasun Nethsara, Hashmika Nethshan, Sasiru Nethsuka, Mineth Sasanka, Tharusha Dulmina, Sayura Sankalpa, Tharusha Damsara, Thenuka Nirmal, Tharusha Indumina, Kavindu Dilupa, Maheesha Nilhan, Oshadha Arthanayaka, Janith Viduranga, Senesh Kavindya, Nehan Rajapaksha.
Officials:
Rev. Gonulle Sudammawansa Thero (Master in Charge), Chalitha Chamod (Head Coach), Sandeepa Induwara (Assistant Coach).
Ananda Sastralaya Kotte (from):
Kushith Sudusinghe (Captain), Yohan Lakshitha, Ameer Majeed, Charuka Eshan, Abuthahir Athif, Anushka Perera, Venura Santhushi, Sadew Indeepa, Adeesha Dissanayake, Randhika Silva, Nelith Nimdiya, Rukshan Waravita, Sathsiul Perera, Poshitha Madanayake, Nithish Kalansooriya, Binupa Thathmira, Ushara Yahampath, Kalana Perera, Senith Thilakarathne, Manzil Perera.
Officials:
Harshana Bandara (Master in Charge), Shashila Fernando (Coach).
Ananda earned first innngs honours against Royal as a five wicket haul by spinner Kithma Vidanapathirana and useful contributions with the bat from Nethula Edirimanne (34), Vidanapathirana (30), Lithma Perera (44), Rashan Dilaksha (52) and Himira Kudagama (24n.o.) stood in good stead for the home team in the Under 19 traditional cricket encounter at Ananda Mawatha on Friday.
Scores
Royal 189 all out in 53.1 overs (Rehan Peiris 58, Udantha Gangewatta 33, Sehandu Sooriyaarachchi 22; Kithma Vidanapathirana 5/34, Ashinsa Nainayake 2/38) and 222 for 9 in 62 overs (Hirun Liyanarachchi 57, Rehan Peiris 29, Udantha Gangewatta 47, Thevindu Wewalwala 37; Danindu Sellapperuma 5/45)
Ananda 239 all out in 69.5 over (Nethula Edirimanne 34, Kithma Vidanapathirana 30, Lithma Perera 44, Rashan Dilaksha 52, Himira Kudagama 24n.o.; Himaru Deshan 2/56, Ramiru Perera 5/61)
Bens looking for first innings advantage against Thomians at Kotahena
Day One Scores
S. Thomas’ 189 all out in 63.3 overs (Mahith Rajapaksha 29, Ludeesha Matarage 25, Reshon Soloman 20, Raphael Hettige 44, Shanil Perera 22; Vihanga Rathnayaka 4/30, Lithika Jayasundara 2/17)
St. Benedict’s 134 for 4 in 31 overs (Mario Fernando 49, Mihila Jayaweera 47, Vihanga Rathnayake 22n.o.; Gimhan Mendis 3/29) (RF)
Todd Murphy is firming to play his first home Test, after the SCG’s head curator declared the pitch’s green covering would be near-irrelevant come day one.
With administrators still on edge after last week’s two day debacle in Melbourne, an extremely green SCG surface raised eyebrows in Sydney on Thursday.
But chief curator Adam Lewis insisted on Friday that should not be a concern, and he was hopeful Sydney would extend into a fifth day.
“You want to see green tinge three days out,” Lewis said. “If you’re not seeing any live grass three days out, then that’s when it’s a worry, … I’m really comfortable with where we’re sitting.
“We had a little bit of sun this morning. They’re saying a bit more sun tomorrow. That will take the greenness out of the pitch. We’re really happy with the pitches at the moment. We’re looking good.”
Lewis admitted he felt for MCG counterpart Matt Page last week, but said he felt no external pressure to ensure the fifth Test in Sydney went the distance.
It’s estimated that Cricket Australia (CA) has lost in the vicinity of AUD15 million in profits this summer, with the opening Test in Perth also finishing inside two days.
Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked at a function with teams on Thursday night that they had to ensure the game went to day three, in order to support the McGrath Foundation fundraiser.
One of the hardest grounds in the world to bowl on between 2014 and 2023, last year’s SCG Test was over in just two-and-a-half days.
Lewis said that his ground staff would go with 6mm of grass this year compared to 7mm last season, while also reducing its density. That in itself generally acts to flatten out the wicket and produce less movement, while also inviting the chance of spin late in the match.
“We just thought … we could thin our density out a little bit,” Lewis said. “That’s what we’ve done this year. We’ve practised that in the Shield matches and we’ve received very good marks.”
CA CEO Todd Greenberg said he too was confident the SCG Test would last the distance.
“I’ve had more phone calls and conversations about wickets and millimetres of grass than I thought I’d ever have,” Greenberg said. “But I’m hopeful and confident we will have a long and productive Test match here.”
All of which should spell good news for Murphy. Australia’s coaching staff had a prolonged conversation around the pitch on Friday morning, after leaving Murphy out and going with four quicks at the MCG.
Murphy then spent most of Friday’s training session bowling to Australia’s top order, while Alex Carey also had an extended run keeping to him.
With seven Tests to his name overseas, Murphy would be expected to come in for Jhye Richardson if he does play in Sydney.
England have promised to take the attack to Murphy, who played two Tests during the 2023 Ashes were he conceded 4.72 an over.
“Whoever plays, I think that’s the mantra of our team, is to try and put pressure on people,” opener Zak Crawley, said. “Todd’s a very good bowler, but I can envisage us trying to put some pressure on him, like we would all their bowlers.
That’s going to come with some risks, and if it’s turning it’s definitely going to be a threat. But I think we’ll try and put pressure on all their bowlers.”
The other question for Australia will be whether Cameron Green remains in the side, after Beau Webster was spotted fielding in the gully during slips training on Friday. Green has averaged 18.66 with the bat in this series. The SCG was the scene of Webster’s debut a year ago against India.
[Cricinfo]
Young Pramod Madushan has become the talk in cricket circles after he scored 42 runs in an over for Mercantile Services Cricket Academy against Sigi Cricket Academy at Ambalangoda recently.
In an over that contained nine deliveries, including two no-balls and a wide, Madushan cut loose hitting three fours and five sixes. In all, the over bowled by Bihandu Sandiv went for 45 runs.
The young cricketer from D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo shares the same name as Sri Lanka fast bowler Pramod Madushan. However, the 19-year-old is a wicketkeeper batter.
His knock of 103 came in just 38 deliveries and contained eight fours and ten sixes.
Showes about 75 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and in Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Polonnaruwa districts.
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