Sports
Kamindu at three in long run, a good move
Rex Clementine in London
The Finance Minister has more clout than the Central Bank Governor but while the Finance Minister can be a person elected by the people and some strange ones have held the plumb portfolio, the Central Bank Governor, who has equal privileges as a Cabinet Minister, is generally chosen after careful consideration. The reason being that he plays a pivotal part in holding the economy together, making key decisions on monetary policy, financial stability and reserve management.
Similarly, in cricket, seniority earns a player the captaincy but number three in the batting line up is handed to someone after careful consideration. The whole batting unit of a team revolves around the number three. He can be in the middle facing the second ball of the innings after the opening batter had picked up a golden duck or he can be padded up for two sessions and walk in after tea at 190 for one. Number three is not for the faint-hearted.
Sri Lanka have generally placed a lot of emphasis on their number three. The men picked to bat in that position are mostly been technically sound with an ability to grind the bowling and bat for long hours.
In Sri Lanka’s early days, Roy Dias occupied the slot and then Asanka Gurusinha was drafted in at number three while Roy was still around. Roy moved down to number four making way to Gura. Now, that’s grooming the next generation.
Then after Gura prematurely retired, Marvan Atapattu was tried in that slot. He was solid. But then, once the need for an opener arose, Marvan was pushed to open the innings. Number three fell vacant again and various players were tried out with little luck.
Eventually, Kumar Sangakkara settled in there nicely and occupied the slot for his entire career that stretched for 15 years.
Unlike, Marvan, Roy or Gura, Sanga was not known for his technical brilliance. It is his strong mindset and willingness to learn and improve that pushed Dav Whatmore to give him the prime slot. That proved to be a masterstroke as Sanga pushed all limits and went on to end up as the leading run scorer for Sri Lanka in Test match cricket.
When Sanga started, his cover drives went through the fine-leg or mid-wicket region. But by the time he was done, there was no better role model for technical perfection than him.
Physically, it would have been a lot demanding as well for Sanga for the first six years of his Test career, kept wickets. But finally, when Ashanta de Mel decided to take the wicket keeping gloves from him in 2006, it proved to be a wise decision as he went on to become world’s number one ranked batter for a number of years.
Since Sanga, for nine years now, the number three slot has been tossed around with various batters tried in the position and none have been able to secure it.
Given the form that Kamindu Mendis has enjoyed in Test match cricket in his brief career so far, the selectors were pushing hard to get him to bat at three.
It nearly happened at Lord’s but with the series still in line, they didn’t want to push it. But at The Oval, with the series lost, they were going in that direction. In the 11th hour, they put an hold to the move but it is bound to happen in Galle, when Sri Lanka play the Kiwis in less than two weeks time.
Good call for someone who has played all his cricket in Galle. The home ground is a much better option than the overcast Oval. But, Kamindu over these few months has shown that he has got it in him to overcome any condition. It was certainly dark and gloomy at Old Trafford when he notched up that fabulous hundred.
Many have lamented that Kamindu at number seven has been wasted. He was denied a hundred at Lord’s in the second Test as he ran out of partners. In the second innings at Lord’s, as Sri Lanka employed the nightwatchman, Kamindu was pushed further down the order to number eight and there was very little he could do batting so low.
It will be a good move letting your best batter bat through the innings rather than pushing him too low where too often he will have to bat with the tail.
Most seniors like Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal are in the twilight of their careers and are unlikely to be around in the next 36 months and smooth transition is something that needs to be done.By pushing Kamindu to three, Sri Lanka in fact are looking at the future.
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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