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Dharmaraja hold the edge

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Dharmaraja College Team (Seated from left) Isuru Pannala(Vice Captain), Duminda Bandara (MiC), Mahesh Karunaratne (Principal), Kapila Ekanayake (PoG), Senaka Dissanayake (Coach), Pulindu Perera (Captain) (Second row from left) Sanuka Rathnayake, Irusha Jayawardane, Lakvin Abeysinghe, Dakshika Manukalpa, Nisala Abeyrathne, Kavindu Gunarathne, Onija Sesath, Tharindu Warnakulage. (Back row from left) Methsilu Bandara, Sumedha Prasad, Chanuth Jayasinghaarachchi, Keshana Gunawardane, Kashyapa Dissanayake, Gavesh Purna, Chanuka Lakshan, Matheesha Rupasinghe, Jayodya Kadigawa

With the experience of playing tough opponents in the Division I segment of the Under 19 schools cricket tournament and two Sri Lanka Under 19 players featuring in their playing XI, Dharmaraja will hold the edge when they meet arch rivals Kingswood in the 118th Battle of the Maroons which commences at Pallekele Stadium on April 4.

Kingswood have done well this season to close the gap that existed between them and Dharmaraja to a great extent in the field of cricket. But Kingswood are still playing in Division II of the country’s premier schools cricket tournament. However they have some positives to take to the annual Big Match.

Kingswood have cleared the first hurdle in their quest to regain the Division I promotion. By reaching the final of the Division II Tier ‘B’ tournament they have booked their Tier ‘A’ promotion. A similar performance in the Division II Tier ‘A’ tournament will elevate them to Division I. Kingswood were scheduled to compete against Vidyaloka College Galle in the the Tier ‘B’ final from Saturday. The three-day encounter is expected to provide them much needed exposure to prepare for the challenges at the annual battle which is played as a three-day encounter for the first time.

At the last edition Kingswood suffered a heavy defeat. But this time they are a much better side.

Kingswood are skippered by Kavija Gamage whose stylish batting earned a place in the Sri Lanka Under 19 team for the Under 19 Asia Cup. He has scored over 1000 runs and has captured over 90 wickets with his off spin. Gamage forms the batting line up with his deputy Nikeshala Nanayakkara (over 600 runs), Chanul Kodituwakku (over 600 runs), Aadil Sherif and Yosath Abeykoon.

In the bowling department Yosath Abeykoon opens the pace attack, while left-arm spinner Kenula Pihilianga is expected to play a lead role with his spin alongside Upadi Jayawardane.

Dharmaraja could not make a big impact in the Division I Tier ‘B’ tournament this season. They avoided relegation scares thanks to an outright victory against St. Sylvester’s. It helped them end the tournament proper as the seventh placed team in the nine team group.

Sri Lanka Under 19 batsman Pulindu Perera leads Dharmaraja. The prolific top order batsman has amassed over 900 runs this season and will be the mainstay in their batting lineup. The left hander has two centuries and eight half centuries against his name. The other youth cap Lakvin Abesinghe who has three centuries this season, wicketkeeper batsman Isuru Pannala (over 600 runs) and Nisala Abeyrathne form the backbone of Dharmaraja batting.

The pace attack is spearheaded by Nisala Abeyrathne while Dakshika Manukalpa and Onija Sesath take greater share of spin bowling responsibilities. Left-arm spinner Manukalpa has over 40 wickets against his name.

Kingswood College Team (Seated from left) Kavija Gamage (Captain), S.P.K.Basnayaka (Head Coach), M.W.G.L.Thilakarathne (PoG), H.M.D.A.Herath (Principal), Indika Tennakoon (MiC), Hishara Bandara(Assistant Coach), Norman Jeyakumar (Assistant Coach) (Second row from left) Pamuditha Bandara, Sadeesha Rathnayake, Chanul Kodithuwakku, Umantha Kithsiri, Dominsara Pieris, Nadeesha Bandaranayake, Eshan Ayodya, Gayan Thennakoon, Upadhi Jayawardana, Gauranga Bandara. (Back row from left) Yosath Abeykoon, Aadil Sherif, Rizwan Rasak, Kenula Pihilianga, Theshan Daganpola, Heshan Weerasinghe, Dilshan Weerawansa, Manula Wijethunga

by Reemus Fernando



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Woods charged with driving under influence after crash

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iger Woods was fortunate to escape with his life from this 2021 crash near Los Angeles [BBC]

Tiger Woods has been charged with driving under the influence after rolling his car in a crash in Florida, police have confirmed.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said the 15-time major champion was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

Woods, 50, rolled his Land Rover after clipping a pressure cleaner truck while trying to overtake it at “a high rate of speed”, according to Sheriff John Budensiek.

The golfer, who had to crawl out of the passenger door of his vehicle, passed a breathalyser test after the crash but refused a urine test.

No-one sustained any injuries in the incident which took place on Beach Road in Jupiter Island just before 14:00 local time on Friday (about 19:00 GMT).

Sheriff Budensiek told a news conference: “The DUI investigators came to the scene and Mr Woods did exemplify signs of impairment.

“They did several tests on him. He did explain the injuries and surgeries that he’s had and we did take that into account, but they did some in-depth roadside tests.

“When it was determined, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County jail.

“At the Martin County jail, and even on scene, we were really not suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case and that proved to be true.

“Mr Woods did a breathalyser test with triple zeros, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinary analysis test, he refused.”

Budensiek also said Woods had been “co-operative but was trying not to incriminate himself”.

“He has a right to refuse that test,” added the sheriff. “There is a statute which he will be charged with for refusing to take that test, but we will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash.”

US president Donald Trump was asked about the crash on Friday, saying: “I feel so badly. [Woods has] got some difficulty. There was an accident. That’s all I know.

“He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man.”

Sheriff Budensiek said Woods would remain in jail for eight hours then be released on bond. The charges are misdemeanours, not felonies.

The BBC has contacted the golfer’s representatives for comment.

This is not the first time Woods has been involved in a car accident – he has played a limited schedule since the serious crash in 2021 that left him with extensive injuries and fortunate to be alive.

In 2017 police officers also found him slumped at the wheel of his parked Mercedes-Benz not far from his Florida home.

A toxicology report found Woods had several legal medications in his system and marijuana’s active ingredient, and he was sentenced to a year’s probation after pleading guilty to reckless driving.

In 2009 Woods hit a fire hydrant, a tree, and several hedges in a bizarre collision outside his home.

The incident sparked accusations of extramarital affairs which led to the end of his seven-year marriage and the loss of lucrative sponsorship deals.

[BBC]

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Sri Sumangala cruise to semis after Kumarasiri heroics

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Sri Sumangala College, Panadura secured a convincing five-wicket victory over Sri Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya in their Under-19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket quarter-final at Kuruvita on Friday, sealing a place in the semi-finals with two sessions to spare.

‎All-rounder Mevindu Kumarasiri played a decisive role in the win, following up his outstanding bowling performance with a vital knock of 44 runs to guide his team to the target of 157.

‎Sri Sumangala’s run chase was anchored by Kumarasiri and Neksha Iddamalgoda, who shared a crucial 85-run partnership for the fourth wicket after the early setbacks. The stand effectively put the Panadura side on course for victory.

‎Kumarasiri’s brisk 44 came at just under a run-a-ball and included five boundaries, while Iddamalgoda top-scored with 49, striking seven fours in a fluent innings. Although both batsmen were dismissed before the target was reached, their partnership had already taken the sting out of the chase.

‎Bihanga Silva and Sadika Damyuru then completed the formalities, steering Sri Sumangala past the target to wrap up an impressive victory.

‎The win was particularly remarkable considering Sri Sumangala had been bowled out for 144 in their first innings. However, Kumarasiri turned the game dramatically in their favour with a superb six-wicket haul that dismantled Sri Dharmaloka for just 89 in the second innings.

‎His match-winning all-round performance proved to be the turning point as Sri

Sumangala capitalised on the opportunity to book their place in the tournament’s semi-finals.

‎Scores

‎Sri Dharmaloka 211 all out in 76.3 overs

(Kaveen Deneth 106, Senuka Pehesara 29, Koshitha Adithya 19; Mevindu Kumarasiri 5/82) and 89 all out in 35 overs (Tharusha Mihiranga 24; Mevindu Kumarasiri 6/41, Methum Fernando 4/42)

‎Sri Sumangala 144 all out in 48.4 overs

(Neksha Iddamalgoda 47, Bihanga Silva 36, Mavindu Kumarasiri 21; Tishan Nipun 4/43, Sathindu Prabhoda 3/44, Koshitha Adithya 2/27) and 160 for 5 in 34.3 overs (Vidura Basuru 33, Sandeep Wijerathna 19, Neksha Iddamalgoda 49, Mevindu Kumarasiri 44; Koshitha Adithya 4/64) (RF)

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PSL 2026: Teams allowed to submit two XIs and pick one after toss

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Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne warms up [PSL]

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Marnus Labuschagne, captains of Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen, walked out with two team sheets each for the toss ahead of the opening matchof PSL 2026 and selected their final XIs based on which way the coin fell.

This was in accordance with a new regulation in the PSL playing conditions, which permits the captains to submit two team sheets to the match referee before the toss and finalise one of the submitted line-ups after the toss.

The clause 1.2.1 in the “Nomination and Replacement of Players” section reads: “Before the toss, each captain may submit two (2) different XI lineups in writing to the PSL Match Referee. Each lineup must include 11 players and a maximum of 4 substitute fielders (subject to Clause 1.2.5). After the toss, each captain must finalise one of the two submitted lineups by signing the selected team sheet. Once the final lineup has been nominated, no player listed in the selected playing eleven may be changed before the start of the match without the consent of the opposing captain.”

Tosses can play a significant role in this part of the world in night matches as a result of dew. The ball often gets wet and difficult to grip for the spinners, making them ineffective in the second innings. This change in the playing conditions is expected to provide a level playing field – a team batting first can add a fast bowler instead of a spinner while a team batting second can look to add depth to their batting.

There were no signs of dew in the first match of the season however because of the wind throughout the day and cloud cover.

[Cricinfo]

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