Sports

How Sanath turned a sinking ship into a cricketing juggernaut

Published

2 years ago

2024/10/1

Sanath Jayasuriya’s bold decision-making as Head Coach has been pivotal. Dropping Ramesh Mendis for the second Test was a gamble, but debutant Nishan Peiris proved his worth, bagging nine wickets in the game.

by Rex Clementine

Few could have imagined the meteoric rise of Sri Lankan cricket team over the past three months. A team once stranded in the shadows of the ICC rankings, mired in mediocrity for over a decade, has suddenly transformed into a force that even the giants of world cricket now fear. Last year’s humiliating defeats have been replaced by triumphs that have sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.

A 27-year drought against India was washed away in August when Rohit Sharma’s men were forced to swallow a bitter pill of defeat. England, riding high on their audacious ‘Bazball’ wave, found their tactics unraveling as Sri Lanka broke a decade-long curse. Then came the mighty Kiwis, unbeaten in a series against Sri Lanka for 15 years, only to be steamrolled in a lopsided contest that saw the hosts triumph 2-0. The team is now firing on all cylinders, but how did this remarkable turnaround come to pass?

The answer lies in the steady hands of one man: Sanath Teran Jayasuriya. Sri Lanka’s Head Coach hasn’t conjured these victories out of thin air, nor does he possess a magic wand. Instead, his secret lies in meticulous planning, backed by a personal touch that has unlocked the full potential of his players.

“They have my trust and respect. I’ve simply given them confidence and freedom,” Jayasuriya shared after the emphatic win in Galle. “The door to my room is always open. Whether it’s about cricket or something else, they know I’m there for them. When players feel that level of support from their coach, they play with freedom.”

Slowly but surely, that sense of freedom has breathed life into the dressing room, turning it into a sanctuary where pressure dissipates and joy takes root. “International sport is a pressure cooker, but if you focus on the basics and let the team breathe, miracles aren’t necessary,” he added with a smile.

Jayasuriya, ever humble, is quick to deflect praise to his support staff, a group he describes as the backbone of the team’s resurgence. His decision to put faith in a team of local coaches has already begun to bear fruit, as they collectively shape Sri Lanka into a side brimming with potential.

“I’ve got a dedicated group behind me, and we make decisions together. Before every game, we sit down and strategize. It’s a team effort, and while we’re not yet a finished product, we’re working on tightening those loose ends,” Sanath explained.

One area where Jayasuriya has demanded nothing short of excellence is in fielding. He’s raised the bar, expecting his players to treat every run and every catch like gold dust.

“When I took charge, I made it clear that energy in the field was non-negotiable. You might have a bad day with the bat or the ball, but there’s no excuse for laziness in the field. Fielding is where we show our character. I also put pressure on them to run hard between the wickets—turn singles into twos, and twos into threes. These little things may seem insignificant, but they can turn the tide in tight games.”

As a former Test captain, Jayasuriya has a reputation for nurturing young talent, and he’s continuing that legacy as coach. He’s tipped Milan Ratnayake to be Sri Lanka’s next big thing, urging the nation to support this rising star.

“Milan has already shown his potential in England as a fine all-rounder. Now, it’s about giving him the confidence to go further. I’m working with him to extend his batting sessions and fine-tune his bowling. He’s a rare gem, and we need to handle him with care,” Jayasuriya said, his eyes filled with optimism.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Ronaldo apologizes for Portugal walkout; says Jesus broke promise

Published

7 hours ago

2026/10/7

Priyan

Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal's leading scorer (Aljazeera)

Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Portugal ‌coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking his word, saying a failed agreement to publicly ⁠explain his omission ⁠against Norway drove him out of the camp, but insisting he remained available after any punishment.

In a lengthy statement, the 41-year-old gave his account of the dispute ⁠that prompted his departure from Copenhagen before Portugal’s Nations League match versus Denmark last week.

Ronaldo said Jesus had agreed a plan under which the forward would miss the Norway and Denmark ⁠matches to manage his fitness. However, on the day of the Norway game, the coach told him he would play for 30 minutes.

“Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from halftime onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t called on,” Ronaldo said.

“The manager had broken his word to me.”

Portugal’s ‌captain and all-time leading scorer said a subsequent meeting with Jesus, attended by his club side Al Nassr’s sporting director Simao Coutinho, produced an agreement for the coach to clarify events at his next news conference.

According to Ronaldo, an eight-point document was prepared saying he had never demanded playing time, had respected Jesus’s decisions and that the coach asking him to warm up without bringing him on had been a mistake.

Ronaldo said the agreed notes did ⁠not require Jesus to apologise to him but said the coach’s ⁠public remarks bore no resemblance to their private discussion.

“It was the second time he had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said. “I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises.”

The statement provided Ronaldo’s account⁠, but on Sunday, after Portugal’s win over Norway, Jesus denied he had made any agreement with the player, nevertheless leaving the door open ⁠for his return.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) did not immediately respond ⁠to a request for comment about Ronaldo’s statement.

Ronaldo apologised for failing to greet supporters after the Norway match and for leaving his teammates, accepting that his captaincy made his conduct more serious.

“The consequences of my actions must be assessed ‌and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation,” he said.

Despite the rupture, Ronaldo said he was not limiting his international ambitions to a farewell appearance.

“If I’m physically fit, playing for my club – scoring ‌goals, ‌I hope – after serving whatever suspension is imposed on me, I’ll be available, as I’ve always been until now, to compete and win for our national team,” he added.

(Aljazeera)

Sports

Nalanda on the cusp of reaching knockout stage as unbeaten run continues

Published

8 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Rusandu Silva has nine wickets against his name after three matches.

by Reemus Fernando

Nalanda College, Colombo continued their unbeaten run to come closer to securing a berth in the knockout stage as they beat Gurukula College by nine wickets in the Under 19 Division I Tier A Limited Overs Tournament match played at Campbell Place on Tuesday.

‎With Rusandu Silva continuing his impressive run in the tournament, Nalanda did well to restrict the team from Kelaniya to just 113 runs (in 35.4 overs).

‎After two outings Rusandu had six wickets against his name coming to this match.‎Rusandu and Methuka Perera claimed three wickets each. ‎Lithum Wijekumara also impressed with two wickets, while Santhul Wijeyarathne took one.

‎Adeepa Pinsara was the only batsman to make a contribution of note as he top-scored with 35 off 49 balls, including four fours and two sixes, while Javindu Madusanka made 20.

‎In their chase Nalanda made light work of the modest target, reaching 114 for one, scoring at a rate of over a run a ball.

‎Nadul Jayalath cracked an unbeaten 62 from just 52 balls. His innings contained four fours and five sixes. He received valuable support from Lithum Wijekumara, who scored 35 off 42 deliveries with six boundaries.

‎Ranmith Senarath completed the successful chase with an unbeaten 10 off seven balls, including two fours.

‎Nalanda lost only one wicket as the opening pair added 89 for the first wicket. Jayalath and Senarath then finished the contest comfortably, securing a convincing nine-wicket victory with many overs to spare.

‎It was Nalanda’s third successive victory in the Tier A tourney after having beaten Thurstan (155) by seven wickets and St. Servatius’ Matara (187) by four wickets in the first two matches.

‎As of now, they are the leading team in Group G where they have only St. Joseph’s Darley Road to meet before the knockout stage.

‎With just two teams advancing to the next stage from each Group Nalanda are almost assured of their place.

Sports

Wins for Hayley’s Group ‘A’ , HNB ‘A’ and CDB on Saturday

Published

8 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

33RD SINGER – MCA Super PREMIER LEAGUE

Hayley’s Group ‘A’, HNB ‘A’ and CDB registered wins by defeating Colombo Aces, Fairfirst Insurance and SLC Youth in the matches of the Mercantile Cricket Association’s Super Premier League cricket tournament on Sunday (04).

The MCA Super Premier League is sponsored by Singer Sri Lanka for the 33rd consecutive year.

At the Bloomfield Cricket ground, Nishan Madushka, Pulindu Perera and Minod Dhanuka smashed half tons as Hayley’s Group ‘A’ registered their second win of the tournament defeating Colombo Aces by six wickets.

At the Thurstan ground, Nipun Dhananjaya and Muditha Lakshan posted eighty plus scores to help CDB amass 307/8, which the bowlers defended by 71runs.

At the Colts Ground Milan Rathnayake starred with bat and ball [71 and 3-24] to help HNB ‘A’ overcome SLC Youth by 41 runs. Rehan Pieris topped SLC Youth score card with a 108 ball 77 with six fours and a six.

At Bloomfield Ground Colombo:

Hayley’s overcome Colombo Aces by six wickets

Colombo Aces 222/10 in 49 overs

[ Kavin Bandara 62, Dinura Kalupahan 50; Dhanajaya Lakshan 2-14, Ramesh Mendis 4-36]

Hayleys Group A 227/4 in 25.2 overs [Nishan Madushka 61, Pulindu Perera 51, Minod Bhanuka 54; Dinura Kalupahana 2-35]

At Thurstan College Ground:

CDB BY 71 runs

CDB 307/8 in 50 overs

[ Vishsd Randika 53, Nipun Dhananjaya 86, Muditha Lakshan 89; Himesh Ramanayake 3-49, ]

Fairfirst Insurance 236/10 in 46.4 overs

[Sanoj Dharshika 58, Yasiru Rodriga 78; Movin Subasinghe 3-27, Lahiru Madushanka 2-16]

At Colts ground;