Latest News
Australia on brink as Sri Lanka eye Super Eights spot
Australia have no room for error now. Mathematically they won’t be eliminated with a defeat against ri Lanka, but it would leave them needing something close to a miracle. For Sri Lanka, the stakes aren’t quite as high, but with a confident Zimbabwe as their last opposition in the group stage they would ideally not want to leave their fate uncertain. A win would lock them into the Super Eights.
T20 World Cups hold an odd position in Australia men’s cricket. Poor ones, of which there have been a few over the years, don’t really lead to calls for wholesale changes that defeats in marquee Tests can do or underperforming ODI World Cup campaigns (as rare as they are). But it’s fair to say, more people are now engaged with Australia’s fortunes following the ;oss to Zimbabwe. A group stage exit would be a significant failure.
The initial fallout to that loss has raised questions about both the batting and bowling. Only taking two wickets has shone a light on a lack of strike power, particularly when Adam Zampa is kept quiet, but in truth Australia should still have been able to chase 170 given their whole T20 philosophy over the last 18 months has been the depth and power of the order. With form questions over a few players coming in, and lack of cricket for others, the injury to Mitchell Marsh was especially untimely.
Sri Lanka had enough to get past Ireland (aided by the latter’s fielding) and were comfortably too strong for Oman. That contest was a nice ego boost for the batting with Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake and the under-pressure captain Dasun Shanka flaying half-centuries. In their opening game, Kamindu Mendis had produced an eye-catching display. They certainly have the tools to cause Australia’s undermanned attack problems.
These two sides have not played each other in a T20I since the 2022 World Cup when Marcus Stoinis hunted down the target with an 18-ball 59. And while no one is really an unknown in international cricket these days given the franchise game and accessibility of footage, it is worth noting Australia have never faced Matheesha Pathirana, this generation’s slinger, although in all T20s only Marsh from a potential top order has been dismissed by him. Glenn Maxwell has 26 runs off ten balls against him, Tim David 21 off 12.
Left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Sunith Wellalage has yet to play a T20I against Australia, but in ODIs he has had quite the time of it with 16 wickets at 20.12 from eight matches which included making his debut as a 19-year-old in 2022. Eleven of those wickets have come at the Premadasa, in five matches, compared to four in two games at Pallekele, but Australia have not always combated left-arm spin well. He has started the tournament with tidy figures of 1 for 28 and 1 for 17. He shapes as even more important given the tournament ending injury to Wanidu Hasaranga and the uncertain form of Dushan Hemantha who went for 45 against Oman.
Tim David’s elevation up the order was a key part of Australia’s planning for this tournament during 2025 when their T20 game clicked nicely. But the hamstring injury he picked up on Boxing Day for Hobart Hurricanes put a spanner in works because it has left David short of match time. He wasn’t ready for the series in Pakistan and was left out against Ireland. Facing Zimbabwe, he picked out short fine leg second ball as part of the powerplay collapse. If Australia are to go deep in this tournament, David will need to fire.
Sri Lanka have a couple of issues to ponder. One is whether they stick with Hemantha or bring in an extra seamer, Pramod Madushan. Another option would be to alter the balance of the side and include Charith Asalanka as a spin-bowling allrounder. Kamil Mishara’s spot could be under pressure after a couple of low scores with Kusal Perera an alternative.
Sri Lanka (possible) Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha/Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
The word from the Australia camp is that Marsh has improved and could come into contention but he will have to get through training on Sunday. Stoinis has avoided serious injury after the blow to the hand while bowling against Zimbabwe. Steven Smith is now with the squad but has not been officially added, although there is still time before facing Sri Lanka. If Marsh is fit, a big call will need to be made on who misses out given Matt Renshaw has impressed. It could come down to between Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green unless the selectors opt for just three specialist bowlers.
Australia (possible) Mitchell Marsh (capt), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matt Kuhnemann
[Cricinfo]
The Iranian warship Iris Dena was given permission by India to dock three days before it was torpedoed by a US submarine, India has said.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said Iran had sought permission for three of its ships to dock at Indian ports on 28 February – the day the US and Israel began a war on Iran – and permission was granted by India on 1 March.
The ships’ movements between 1 and 4 March are not clear and nor is why only one of them made it to India.
The sinking of the Iris Dena, with 130 sailors on board, in international waters off Sri Lanka’s southern coast on 4 March marked a dramatic widening of the war – and raised questions about India’s authority in its backyard.
It was the first military strike outside the Middle East since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran. President Donald Trump has said destroying Iran’s navy is one aim of the assault.
The three Iranian ships – Iris Dena, Iris Bushehr and Iris Lavan – had all participated in a military exercise hosted by India between 15 and 25 February in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam.
They left Indian waters on 25 February and were likely to have been in international waters on 28 February – when the US and Israel began attacking Iran.
“The Iranian side had requested permission on 28 February for three ships in the region to dock at our ports. This was accorded on 1 March,” Jaishankar told parliament on Monday. “Iris Lavan actually docked on 4 March in Kochi. The crew is currently in Indian naval facilities. We believe that this was the right thing to do.”
On 4 March, Iris Dena sank after being hit by a torpedo fired from a US submarine, killing at least 87 of its crew members.
According to the Indian Navy, the Iris Dena was operating about 20 nautical miles – roughly 23 miles (37km) – west of Galle in waters that fall under Sri Lanka’s designated search-and-rescue zone on the day it was struck.
The US tracks vessels across the world’s oceans, and a quarter of its submarine fleet of 65-70 is at sea at any given time, according to analysts.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said last week the US had “perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores” and that the warship was “struck in international waters without warning.”
Later, Sri Lanka said it had provided sanctuary for Iris Bushehr on 5 March, a day after it requested for docking following an engine malfunction.
Eventually, India also confirmed that Iris Lavan was docked in its southern city Kochi.
The BBC has written to the Iranian embassy in India and India’s external affairs ministry seeking clarification on the movements of the three Iranian naval vessels after Delhi granted them permission to dock.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has touted the attack on Iris Dena as an example of America’s military prowess, claiming it was “the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War Two”.
While it is the first time since 1945 that an American submarine has sunk an enemy ship this way, the UK and Pakistan have both sunk vessels using torpedoes since then.
The Iris Dena was one of about 20 Iranian navy vessels destroyed since Israel and the US launched co-ordinated strikes on Iran.
[BBC]
The white ball series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled to be held in the UAE from March 13 to 25, is likely to be postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing military conflict in West Asia.
While neither ACB nor SLC has issued an official statement, ESPNcricinfo has learned that both boards have agreed the series cannot take place in the UAE, keeping the ongoing crisis in mind. While both boards are still discussing alternatives, the bilateral series is unlikely to be shifted elsewhere due to logistical challenges.
The series comprising six white-ball matches was scheduled to start on March 13 starting with the three T20Is. The T20I leg was scheduled in Sharjah – on March 13, 15 and 17 – while the three ODIs were scheduled in Dubai on March 20, 22 and 25.
The series was set to be Afghanistan’s first under Ibrahim Zadran’s leadership, with the opener taking over the reins from Rashid Khan after a group-stage exit in the World Cup.
Last week, six matches of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in Nepal involving Oman, UAE and the hosts were postponed because of the conflict.
The travel plans of several teams that were in India and Sri Lanka for the men’s T20 World Cup have also been disrupted owing to airspaces being closed or limited in West Asia.
Despite being knocked out over the last week, the contingents from West Indies and South Africa have been stuck in Kolkata, and received clarity only on Sunday, that they will be flying out on Tuesday.
[Cricinfo]
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially announced the appointment of Gary Kirsten as the new head coach of the men’s national team. Kirsten, who comes with a hefty coaching pedigree, will take over the reins on April 15 on a two-year contract that runs until April 14 2028.
The former South Africa batter will take over a Sri Lankan side seeking stability and a blueprint for consistency in the modern game. While outgoing head coach Sanath Jayasuriya was undoubtedly a household name, Kirsten is without question the most blockbuster appointment to the position in Sri Lanka’s history.
He famously guided India to their 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory. And under his tenure, South Africa reached the top of the Test rankings. Most recently, he served as a consultant for Namibia during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
As a player, Kirsten was a stalwart for South Africa, amassing over 14,000 international runs and becoming the first from his country to reach 100 Test matches.
Kirsten hopes to join a long line of non-Sri Lankan coaches who have significantly influenced the nation’s cricketing history. This tradition includes Dav Whatmore, who orchestrated the historic 1996 World Cup win; Tom Moody and Trevor Bayliss, who led the team to World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011; and Chris Silverwood, the most recent foreign head coach before Sanath Jayasuriya took over as interim and then full-time coach in late 2024.
The appointment comes at a critical juncture following the team’s limp exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup, and marks a pointed departure from the post-2024 World Cup pivot towards coaches with more local knowledge.
Jayasuriya, who officially resigned as head coach following the tournament’s conclusion, will now lead the High Performance Centre. Sri Lanka enjoyed historic home successes in 2024 under his leadership – including a first ODI series win against India in 27 years – but their recent World Cup campaign ended in the Super Eight after disappointing losses to England and New Zealand.
Sri Lanka’s campaign was marked by competing philosophies, with batters in particular seemingly lacking clarity in their roles. SLC, in a media release, stated that the “appointment of the new head coach is part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s efforts to revamp the structure of the National High Performance Center,” and Kirsten will first and foremost be tasked with establishing a clear path to success.
With the 2027 men’s ODI World Cup set to be held in his native South Africa, alongside Namibia and Zimbabwe, Kirsten’s intimate knowledge of those conditions would have also likely played a role in his hire, but SLC will be hoping that his impact will be longer lasting and help build a winning culture similar to those he helped established in India and South Africa.
[Cricinfo]
Prime Minister on official visit to Manila, Philippines
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure women’s rights are realized in everyday Life, and are not confined merely to Laws – PM
North Korea cancels Pyongyang Marathon for ‘some reasons’
Canadian officials rescue 23 people who floated away on ice sheet
India offered sanctuary to Iranian ship three days before US sank it
Afghanistan-Sri Lanka white-ball series set to be postponed due to West Asia conflict
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News4 days agoUniversity of Wolverhampton confirms Ranil was officially invited
-
News5 days agoLegal experts decry move to demolish STC dining hall
-
News4 days agoFemale lawyer given 12 years RI for preparing forged deeds for Borella land
-
News3 days agoPeradeniya Uni issues alert over leopards in its premises
-
Business5 days agoCabinet nod for the removal of Cess tax imposed on imported good
-
News4 days agoLibrary crisis hits Pera university
-
News3 days agoWife raises alarm over Sallay’s detention under PTA
-
Business6 days agoWar in Middle East sends shockwaves through Sri Lanka’s export sector