Sports

KJP recalled for ODIs

Published

2 months ago

2024/11/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Kusal Janith Perera

by Rex Clementine

The flamboyant top-order batter, Kusal Janith Perera, is back in the Sri Lankan ODI squad, making his return exactly a year after his last appearance. KJP’s final ODI outing was during the ICC World Cup in India last November, where he left a lasting impression with a lightning-quick half-century off just 21 balls against New Zealand in Bangalore. However, a string of injuries and inconsistent form in T20s kept him out of the 50-over format for much of this year.

KJP has clawed his way back to the team on the back of his standout performances in the T20 series against the West Indies. Despite this, he might have to wait his turn to break into the starting lineup, as Sri Lanka’s batting order is currently a well-oiled machine, having clinched back-to-back series wins against India and the West Indies on home turf.

There was some talk of sending Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, and Pathum Nissanka ahead to South Africa to get a head start acclimatizing to the conditions for the upcoming Test series, especially with Sri Lanka setting their sights on the World Test Championship final. But the lure of a potential ODI series win over New Zealand—which would catapult Sri Lanka to a coveted fifth place in ODI rankings—was too good to pass up, and the plan was shelved. It’s been a golden year for the national team, which has been going from strength to strength across all formats.

Making his mark on the squad is fast bowler Mohamed Shiraz, who has earned his stripes in domestic cricket. With selectors keen to manage the workload of Asitha Fernando, Shiraz might find himself in the fray should Fernando be given a breather. Fernando will be a crucial cog in the wheel during the Test series in South Africa.

As for the T20 squad, it’s largely a case of “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” The team has stuck with the same set of players that pulled off a thrilling comeback to topple the third-ranked West Indies in Dambulla last month before sealing the ODI series with a game to spare.

The teams are already in Dambulla, gearing up for the first T20 International on Saturday. Dambulla will also host the first ODI before the teams head to Kandy for the remainder of the series.

Sri Lanka T20I Squad:

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando and Asitha Fernando.

Sri Lanka ODI Squad:

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka and Mohamed Shiraz.

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Sports

Extra ODI added to Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka

Published

14 hours ago

2025/01/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Australia previously visited in Sri Lanka in 2022

An extra ODI has been added to Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka which will provide the visitors additional preparation for the Champions Trophy.

The two matches will now take place on February 12 and 14 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and will be day games.

The first of the games begins just two days after the scheduled fifth day of the second Test in Galle so it remains to be seen how many players featuring in that match can turnaround for the one-dayer if the Test goes the distance.

However, Australia have nine players in their preliminary Champions Trophy squad who aren’t part of the Test series, including captain Pat Cummins and fellow quick Josh Hazlewood.

But Cummins’ participation remains uncertain as he is carrying an ankle injury which he played with during the India Test series.

Australia’s ODI players are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka around the start of the second Test. Their first match in the Champions Trophy is against England on February 22 followed by South Africa on February 25 and Afghanistan on February 28.

The first semi-final will take place in Dubai on March 4 with the second in Lahore on March 5 following confirmation of the hybrid model due to India not traveling to Pakistan. The final will be on March 9, in either Dubai or Lahore depending on whether India qualify.

(Cricinfo)

Sports

Annaya reaches girls’ singles final

Published

14 hours ago

2025/01/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Damsath Peiris and Yudheerya Atapaththu

ITF Asia 14 and Under Championship

Annaya Norbert edged out compatriot Sahansa Damsiluni to reach the girls’ singles final of the ITF Asia 14 and Under Development Championship (South Asia, South East Asia and East Asia) week one tournament at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts on Wednesday.

Annaya beat Damsiluni 6-1, 7-6, 6-3 in the semi-final, while Nepal’s Shivali Gurung prevented an all-Sri Lanka final by eliminating Eliza Kahagalla registering 6-1, 6-1 victory.

In the boys’ tournament, Damsath Peiris partnered Yudheerya Atapaththu to beat Shayan Muhammad and Rasheed Ali (Pakistan) 6-2, 7-5 to reach the doubles final. Peiris was also the only Sri Lankan player to book a semi-final berth in the singles. Peiris beat Akash Hossain of Bangladesh 6-0, 6-1. Revan Amarasinghe suffered a 6-0, 6-0 defeat at the hands of Nicholas Pak of Singapore in his singles quarter-final.

: Annaya Norbert (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)

: Damsath Peiris

Boys’ quarter-final results

Damsath Peiris (Sri Lanka) beat Akash Hossain (Bangladesh) 6-0, 6-1.

Metthey Tay (Singapore) beat Khabbo Gayen (Bangalides) 6-2, 6-4.

Nicholas Pak (Singapore) beat Revan Amarasinghe (Sri Lanka) 6-0, 6-0.

Shayan Muhammad (Pakistan) beat Krel Jan Gecosala (Philippines) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. (RF)

Sports

CDB crush Fairfirst Insuarance by five wickets

Published

14 hours ago

2025/01/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

The victorious Citizens Development Business (CDB) team

9th MCA Super Premier League 2024 T20 Tournament

A swashbuckling half century by Pavan Ratnayake (51 runs in 26 balls inclusive of 05 sixes and 04 fours), guided Citizens Development Business (CDB) to a comprehensive 05 wickets win with 38 balls to spare over Fairfirst Insurance, in 9TH – MCA Super Premier League 2024 T20 Final, concluded on 14th January at the MCA Grounds.

Fairfirst Insurance, sent into bat scored 170 for 09 in 20 overs, riding on the solid half century by Anuk Fernando (51 runs in 37 balls, inclusive of 04 sixes & 02 fours)

CDB raced to their target in Just 13.4 overs (171 for 05) , with Pavan Ratnayake and Sonal Dinusha (36 not out in 17 balls inclusive of 02 sixes & 02 fours) engaged in a hurricane 55 runs stand in 25 balls for the 04th wicket.

MCA appointed Match Referee, Basil Perera picked Pavan Ratnayake (CDB) as the Man of the Match.

The other two special awards offered went to Movin Subasinghe (CDB), best bowler and T.M. Sampath (Hayleys Group), best batsman .

Thus the curtain came down on 31st Singer- MCA Super Premier League 2024, with debutants, Maliban Biscuits, being the “League” Champions & Fairfirst Insurance winning the “Knock-out” tournament.

Awards were given away by the Chief Guest, Senior Manager Promotions, Singer Sri Lanka PLC, KDS Kanishka, along with MCA Officials, Mahesh de Alwis, President, Rohan Somawansa, General Secretary and Lakmal de Silva, Chairman, Tournament Committee.

Brief scores :

Fairfirst Insurance –

170 for 09 in 20 overs ( Gaviru Senhas 13, Minod Bhanuka 26, Anuk Fernando 51, Moditha Ranatunga 20, Nimesh Vimukthi 37, Movin Subasinghe 2/33, Lasith Croosepulle 2/7)

CDB –

171 for 05 in 13.4 overs (Lahiru Udara 35, Oshada Fernando 15, Pavan Ratnayake 51, Sonal Dinusha 36 not out, Lahiru Madusanka 10, Nimesh Vimukthi 2/15, Imthiyas Slaza 2/19)