Sports

Hasaranga a world superstar says Arthur

Published

1 year ago

2021/11/4

Rex Clementine in Dubai

Sri Lanka’s chances of a semi-final berth in the ICC T-20 World Cup are gone but they have had so many positives in UAE and several young players have stood out during the campaign. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been the cynosure of all eyes having now emerged as the world’s number one bowler in T-20 cricket. The last time Sri Lanka had someone in the number one spot in official ICC Rankings for bowlers was Ajantha Mendis in 2011.

Hasaranga is also the highest wicket-taker in the World Cup and has the most wickets in T20 Internationals this year. He’s been not bad with the bat either coming up with match-wining efforts like in the Ireland game and that has seen him rise to the number four slot of ICC Rankings for all-rounders in T-20s.

“He just excites me. Every time I see him with a ball or see him with a bat or in the field, he excites me as a cricketer. Right from the start, when I saw him for the first time, I knew he was special,” Arthur said.

“His confidence is sky-high. And I just get really excited for what he’s going to achieve for Sri Lankan cricket down the line. He works unbelievably hard at his game and doesn’t leave anything to chance in terms of his preparation. He’s a genuine world superstar at the moment,” added Arthur.

It’s been a tough few months for Arthur as he was forced to rethink his strategy and bring in new players after three players were suspended. Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella were going to be the backbone of the side after several seniors were sidelined but the trio’s suspension came as a massive blow. But Arthur has put up a bold face and the young players have received a lot of praise in this campaign.

“Our T-20 team has turned the corner. I think our Test team’s in a good place. I think our one-day team is getting there. The selection panel, coaches and I have identified some really good young players and we’ve trusted them to deliver. We’re getting some very good performances out of them. The Sri Lankan nation can be incredibly proud of the attitude, intensity and work ethic of this group because they’ve been wonderful. We have shaken up the World Cup. We’re not going to go to the semis but Sri Lankan cricket is now in good hands.”

“I’d like to say we’ve just planted the seeds because I think in a year or two those seeds will start to turn into some pretty good flowers and Sri Lankan cricket is in a healthy state with this bunch of young players,” Arthur commented.

Sri Lanka will take on two-time World Champions West Indies today in Abu Dhabi in their last fixture of the competition and left-arm seamer Binura Fernnado is expected to come in for Lahiru Kumara.

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Sports

Lahiru takes five wickets as Joes take lead

Published

3 hours ago

2023/03/28

Sahan Weerasooriya

Lahiru Amarasekara

Under 19 Cricket

Off-spinner Lahiru Amarasekara produced a five-wicket haul as St. Joseph’s restricted Mahinda to 127 runs on day one of the Under 19 traditional cricket encounter at Galle on Monday.

Amarasekara was ably supported by spinner Yenula Dewthusa and Muditha Dissanayake who shared the other five wickets.

With wickets falling at regular intervals, batting opener Ranmina Hettiarachchi anchored the top order with a knock of 33 runs. Chandupa de Silva with 29 runs, Tharusha Dilshan (15) and Hiruna Gallalge (17) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

In their essay St. Joseph’s were comfortably placed at 132 for two wickets but back-to-back wickets in the last two overs placed them at 132 for four wickets at stumps.

At Welisara, Dinuka Tennakoon took five wickets but Maris Stella managed to post 268 runs as Shean Adithya top-scored with 83 runs. In reply Trinity were nine without loss.

Vihanga Nimsara and Rasindu Ilukshana were the heroes for Moratu Vidyalaya as their half-centuries helped them score 249 runs against St. Sylvester’s at Boyagane.

Match Details

At Galle: Mahinda 127, St. Joseph’s 132/4

Scores:

Mahinda

127 all out in 57 overs (Ranmina Hettiarachchi 33, Chandupa de Silva 29; Lahiru Amarasekara 5/34, Muditha Dissanayaka 2/23, Yenula Dewtusa 3/32)

St. Joseph’s

132 for 4 in 42.1 overs (Sadeesh Jayawardena 53, Naren Muralidaran 41; Shehan Hasaranga 2/39)

At Welisara: Maris Stella 268, Trinity 9/0

Scores:

Maris Stella

268 all out in 93.5 overs (Kaveen Fernando 26, Shean Adithya 83, Anshen de Silva 28, Ramith Bandara 33, Nethum Basnayake 26, Levin Fernando 22; Jayavi Liyanagama 2/40, Dinuka Tennakoon 5/74)

Trinity 9 for no loss in 4 overs

At Boyagane: Moratu Vidyalaya 249, St. Sylvester’s 5/1

Scores:

Moratu Vidyalaya

249 all out in 93.1 overs (Vihanga Nimsara 82, Rasindu Ilukshana 54; Isuru Gunasekara 2/28, Pansilu Bandara 2/50, Akila Wickramasinghe 3/48, Khanka Wickramasinghe 2/31)

St. Sylvester’s

5 for 1 in 4 overs.

Sports

Sowmiya clinches a triple crown, Silvijan bags a double

Published

3 hours ago

2023/03/28

Sahan Weerasooriya

Winners posing with their awards.

Northern Badminton Championship 2023

T. Silvijan Dalima was crowned men’s singles champion while S. Sowmiya clinched a triple crown at the Northern Badminton Championship 2023 in Kilinochchi during the weekend.

At the Provincial Indoor Stadium in Kilinochchi, Silvijan met K Thusan in the final clash in which the latter retired in the second set with scores reading 21-14, 16-11 in favour of the champion. L Hentry and K Kajan were the losing semi-finalists.

Meanwhile, S. Sowmiya won all three of her open events, the women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles with respective partners.

Sowmiya clinched the women’s singles crown with a 21-15, 21-13 win over R. Ragavi in the final following her doubles title win with B. Oliviya. Sowmiya and Oliviya overcame Athmika and M. Kavinaya 21-9, 21-15 to seal the women’s doubles crown.

Earlier, Sowmiya and Silvijan, the best singles duo in the tournament, also won the mixed doubles title by defeating R. Sulacsan and S . Thanojana 21-12, 21-16 in the final.

The men’s doubles final was won by L. R. Reminsan and T. Thusyanthan who beat G. Thanukanth and R. Yuthakaran with a 21-13, 21-9 score line.

The tournament, organised by the Northern Province Badminton Association, was conducted under the guidance of Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB). SLB President Rohan de Silva and a host of top officials were among the special guests at the presentation ceremony.

Sports

St. Peter’s Tennis teams up with Yeti

Published

3 hours ago

2023/03/28

Sahan Weerasooriya

(From left): Manesh Kajan (U-17 Captain), K. D. Y. Pathiraja (Coach), Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo (Rector, St. Peter’s), Dilshan Balasuriya (Director, Yeti) and Malik Perera (CEO, Yeti). (Pic by Kamal Wanniarachchi)

St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya teamed up with isotonic sports drink manufacturer Yeti, who will meet the hydration needs of the school tennis team during their upcoming Inter-School tournaments.

Yeti will provide the St. Peter’s Tennis Team with isotonic sports drinks to meet their hydration needs and as part of the partnership, the players will also have access to the elite Yeti portfolio of sports isotonic products.

This year, St. Peter’s will have a busy schedule as they are set to participate in several age group championships including the Inter-Schools Tennis Tournament, Inter-Schools Nationals and the Arjan Perera Tennis Tournament.

The Peterites had mixed fortunes last year as they emerged overall runners-up in the Inter-Schools Tournament and their Under-17 and Under-19 Teams reached the semi-finals of the Inter-Schools National Championships.

This time the Peterites are hoping for an improved performance with five coloursmen in the Under-20 side and four coloursmen in the Under-17 team.

Yeti isotonic fluid has been specially formulated to provide superior rehydration and provide the body the necessary water, minerals and energy lost during exercise.