Sports
Fragile top order, moving ball bring woe to Sri Lanka
Rex Clementine
in London
Sri Lanka’s 33-year-old record of being unbeaten at Lord’s came to an end on Sunday when they suffered a 190-run loss with a day to spare at the Home of Cricket. Heading into the third Test match at The Oval on Friday, they have little time to turn things around.
England seamers have got the moving ball cause havoc while Sri Lanka had got their sums wrong when they opted to bowl first when conditions were bright and sunny at Lord’s. On day two and three it was cloudy and conditions were ideal for the fast bowlers. Sri Lanka were knocked off for less than 200 runs.
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva conceded at the post-match press conference that his team had been defensive in deciding to bowl first in the second Test to protect their fragile top order.
Former captain Dimuth Karunaratne batted for over two hours to post a half-century but overall has struggled while his partner Nishan Madushka is facing the axe after making three single digit scores. Pathum Nissanka making a comeback to the side made 12 and 14 at three and Kusal Mendis batting at three at Old Trafford had scored 24 and a duck.
“The new ball is the key. They attack with the new ball and once the ball gets older, it is easy for batting. The top order needs to be solid. Either you have to stay at the wicket or play some shots. We need to chat about that and come up with a plan,” he told journalists.
Dinesh Chandimal raced to a half-century in the second innings at Lord’s reaching the milestone in 42 balls but England kept attacking as they had the runs to play with. Ian Bell Sri Lanka’s Batting Coach has been asking the players to build a method that will work for them and the top order needs to come up with plans to counter the moving ball.”
Joe Root dazzled for England with hundreds in each innings at Lord’s and overtook Sir Alastair Cook as the leading century maker for England. After opting to bowl first, Sri Lanka had England in trouble reducing them to 216 for six but what they didn’t expect was a hundred from Gus Atkinson, who hadn’t scored a century in First Class cricket.
Sri Lanka’s options against Atkinson was poor but the moment they started bowling short at him, his batting deficiencies were exposed.
“After tea on day one, things started drifting away from us and we didn’t do enough to pull back the game. Once the ball had got soft, it became easy and Joe Root smartly started rotated the strike and put the loose balls away to the boundary. We lost the grip of the game after that.
Asitha Fernando finishing with a five-wicket haul to become the second Sri Lankan after Rumesh Ratnayake to get his name in the Lord’s Honours Board was a highlight in the game.
In Sri Lanka’s second innings, three batters made half-centuries but none had the application or the appetite to go on to make a hundred.
After back-to-back losses, Sri Lanka have now slipped down to seventh place in the World Test Championship although they were well placed at four prior to the start of the series.
England have now moved to third spot.
A monumental innings by Dulnith Sigera who put on a commanding opening stand with Sineth Veerarathne highlighted proceedings as Mahanama College posted 387 for nine declared and secured major honours in their annual Big Match against arch rivals DS Senanayake College at the SSC Ground on Sunday.
Resuming after DS Senanayake had posted 344 in their first innings, Mahanama built their reply around a superb 192-run opening partnership between Sigera and Veerarathne, laying a solid foundation for a dominant batting display.
Sigera emerged the chief architect of the innings with a magnificent 189, anchoring the batting for more than 70 overs in an innings that combined patience with aggression. Facing 209 deliveries, he struck ten fours and nine sixes in an entertaining knock before being run out, narrowly missing out on a double century.
At the other end, Veerarathne provided ideal support with a valuable 91, facing 135 balls and hitting seven boundaries and a six as the pair frustrated the DS bowling attack with the opening stand.
Mahanama continued to capitalise on the strong platform even after the opening breakthrough, with useful contributions from Chamika Heenatigala (30) and Sanul Weerarathne (28), enabling them to declare on 387 for nine in 87.4 overs and gain the upper hand in the traditional encounter.
For DS Senanayake, Oshadha Perera claimed three wickets for 63 runs, while Randisha Bandaranayake and Haamid Afdhal picked up two wickets apiece.
The drawn encounter was notable for three outstanding batting feats and an impressive six-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Chamika Heenatigala.
If seasoned campaigner Sigera stole the limelight for Mahanama on the final day, it was 14-year-old Miyuru Bandara who captured attention on day one with a composed century that helped DS Senanayake compile 344 in their first innings.
The young opener displayed maturity beyond his years, scoring a patient 100, while Randisha Bandaranayake (48) and Chanul Athale (47) made important contributions lower down the order.
Heenatigala was the standout bowler for Mahanama, bowling tirelessly to finish with impressive figures of six wickets for 100 runs in 41 overs.
In their second essay DS Senanayake reached 54 for one before the match ended in a draw, with Shevan Welgama unbeaten on 25 and Sithru Gunarathna not out on 14.
Championing youth potential and performance at the President’s Trophy Inter-School Knockout Final
Hayleys Mobility proudly served as the Official Automobile Partner for the President’s Trophy Inter-School Knockout Final, organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association.
The thrilling encounter between Royal College, Colombo and Trinity College, Kandy, held at Sugathadasa Stadium, brought together some of Sri Lanka’s brightest young athletes in a remarkable display of skill, determination and sportsmanship during which Trinity College emerged victorious following an outstanding performance.
This partnership reflects Hayleys Mobility’s strategic focus on nurturing youth development at every stage, from grassroots participation to national-level competition. Through its support of schools rugby, the company contributes to instilling core values such as resilience, teamwork and ambition.
Commenting on the initiative, Roshani Dharmaratne, Executive Director of Hayleys Mobility Limited, stated:
”Sponsoring schools rugby is an important way for us to invest in the potential of Sri Lanka’s youth. From their first match to performing on a national stage, these athletes are on a journey of growth, determination, and achievement. Providing them with opportunities to excel is as important to us, and we are proud to energise them to perform at their best.”
Adding further perspective, Hasith Prematillake, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons Limited, stated:
”Rugby is a game defined by intensity, strength, and forward momentum—qualities that reflect a mindset of progress and performance. As a brand, we are inspired by this same spirit: a drive to move with confidence, embrace challenges, and push boundaries. Supporting schools rugby allows us to stand alongside the next generation as they channel their energy and passion into excellence, both on and off the field.”
Rajieve Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of Hayleys Mobility, added:
”At Hayleys Mobility, we believe in empowering journeys, whether on the road or on the field. Supporting school rugby reflects our commitment to enabling the next generation to move forward with confidence, discipline and ambition.”
Roshani Dharmaratne, Executive Director of Hayleys Mobility greeting the finalists
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