Sports
MCA Cricket Academy to compete at 2023 Global Academy Cricket Championships in UK
The Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) Cricket Academy will participate at the 2023 Global Academy Cricket Championship conducted by the International Council of Cricket Academies which is to be held in Nottingham United Kingdom from 16th to 26th July.
The Championship is to be held in the under 13, 15, 17 and 19 age group categories and the MCA have entered teams for the under 15 and 19 age categories.
The MCA Cricket Academy under 15 squad :
Abeeth Paranawidana (Captain, S.Thomas’ College Mt Lavinia), Vishan Gunasekera (Colombo International School), Vihanga Ratnayake (St Benedict’s College Kotahena), Lavindu Samarawickrema (Horizon International), Ayaaz Kanaka (S. Thomas’s College), Anikesh Perera (St Joseph’s College), Navinthu Akein (Mahanama College), Yonal Mendis (St Joseph’s College), Nathen Malwana (Ananda College), Imeth Perera (Lycium International), Sadiw Nethsara (East Asian International), Venuka Perera (St Peter’s College), Buwana Aththanayaka (Royal College), Aken Atapattu (Isipathana College) and Chamindu Sandakelum (Subarathi MV)
The under 15 team are to play MCC Junior West USA, Select Cricket Academy UK, Ramah Sports Acadamy Zimbabwe, Desert Cubs ‘Knights’ UAE and MLC Junior East USA in the first round.
The MCA Cricket Academy under 19 squad:
Adithya Hettiarachchi (Captain, Ananda College) Rithil Suraweera (Vice Captain, St Peter’s College), Hiruka Eashwara (D S Senanayaka College), Thenuka Fonseka (D S Senanayaka College), Nikitha Peiris (Nalanda College), Dheeraka Aththanayaka (Royal College), Enuka Wijewardena (Nalanda College), Minew Paranawithana (Nalanda College), Sathsara Bogahawatta (St Benedict’s College), Senuda Disanayaka (Thurstan College), Hamdan Dilshard (Wesley College), Ashen Cooray (Royal International Institute), Rovin Maiarachchi (Stafford International) and Dineth Jayakody (St Joseph’s College)
The under 19 team will play MLC Junior West USA, Desert Cubs ‘Legends’ UAE, Select Cricket Academy UK, Coaching Beyond Cricket Academy India, and MLC Junior East USA in the first round
MCA President Nalin Wickremasinghe, Vice President & Chairman Cricket Development Committee Sirosha Gunatilake, Secretary Cricket Development Committee P K Abeygunasekera, General Manager Wilmot Jayasinghe, Member Tournament Committee Anil Hapugoda and Assistant Coach Dinuka Godakanda are to accompany the teams.
The players are to meet their own airfare and lodging while the MCA will provide other logistics including playing kits and a training session held at Radella. Chance Sports and 3DH International provided the two squads with cricket bags which were handed over at a press briefing held at the MCA on Tuesday (11)
Sri Lanka has named a young squad for the forthcoming T20Is against India, bringing in the likes of 17-year-old ambidextrous spinner Shashini Gimhani, 23-year-old seamer Kawya Kavindi, while 19-year-old Rashmika Sewwandi has also been named.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu also has some experienced hands in her ranks for the series, with spinner Inoka Ranaweera, 39, also in the squad, alongside a top order that has now had significant exposure at the top level. But as the team builds towards next year’s T20 World Cup in England, there is now a drive within the squad to blood younger players.
There is no room in the squad for wicketkeeper-batter Anushka Sanjeewani (35), who has played 86 T20Is. Also omitted are Udeshika Prabodhani (39), Sugandika Kumari (33), or Achini Kulasuriya (34), who had all been part of the squad for the team’s most recent T20I assignment, the tour of New Zealand in March this year.
Gimhani, one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting young talents, delivers wristspin with either arm, though left-arm wristpin is her primary suit. She earns her place in this squad through solid showings against Australia Under 19 in September. She had already made a promising start to her senior international T20I career, however, having taken six wickets at the top level from five matches, with an economy rate of 5.53.
Seamer Kavindi also has some top-flight experience under her belt, with 10 T20Is to her name. Sewwandi, also a seamer, has one T20I against her name, but did not bowl in that match. Nimasha Madushani, the 26-year-old left-arm spinner, is uncapped in internationals.
While Sri Lanka seek fresh talents in the bowling department, the batting is more familiar. Hasini Perera, Vishmi Giunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika de Silva, and Kavisha Dilhari – all of whom played significant roles in the recent ODI World Cup – are in this squad. Kaushini Nuthyangana is likely to take the gloves in Sanjeewani’s stead.
Seamer Malki Madara, 24, has impressed with the ball this year in ODIs, is also there. Malsha Shehani, who bowls both seam and spin, finds a place as well.
The five-match T20I series begins in Visakhapatnam on December 21, before moving to Thiruvananthapuram for the last two games.
Sri Lanka squad: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika De Silva, Kavisha Dilhari. Imesha Dulani, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Malsha Shehani, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani, Nimesha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara
[Cricinfo]
Former Sri Lanka cricketer D. S. de Silva has passed away in London on Monday following a brief illness. He was 83.
A stalwart from the game’s formative years in the island, de Silva was part of Sri Lanka’s XI for their inaugural Test in 1982 against England. A year later, with injuries sidelining Duleep Mendis and Roy Dias, de Silva was handed the captaincy for the tour of New Zealand, a late call-up that came after he had already crossed his 40th birthday.
A classical leg-spinner with a cultured approach, de Silva was a familiar name in Ceylon colours long before Test status arrived, operating tirelessly in an era when opportunities were few and recognition scarcer still.
He featured in both the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, back when Sri Lanka were still associate members, and played a decisive role in the famous upset of India in the 1979 tournament, claiming three wickets in a win that proved a watershed moment on the road to Test recognition.
De Silva was also among the rare professionals of his generation, having plied his trade in English league cricket, broadening his horizons at a time when overseas exposure for Sri Lankans was the exception rather than the norm.
After hanging up his boots, de Silva continued to serve the game as a selector and coach, leaving his imprint on the next generation. He coached Sri Lanka to the Under-19 World Cup final, nurturing young talent with the same patience he once showed at the crease and at the bowling mark.
He later moved into administration, heading Sri Lanka Cricket from 2009 to 2011 as chairman of the Interim Committee. During his tenure, the Hambantota and Pallekele International Cricket Stadiums were built ahead of the 2011 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosted.
De Silva’s passing marks the end of an era, as one of the quiet architects of Sri Lanka’s rise in world cricket finally leaves the field.
The second edition of the National Short Track Athletics Championships will be held at the 200 metres track of the Sugathadasa Stadium on January 3, 2026.
The event scheduled for a 1.00 pm start is limited to a few track and field events generally held at indoor stadiums.
It will be the first track and field event of the year and will be held when Sri Lanka Athletics is governed under a convening committee.
Sri Lanka Athletics is without an elected body after Sports Ministry’s attempt to conduct the election of office bearers under new sports regulation ended up in a fauxpass.
Now the Sports Ministry is scheduled to conduct a Special General Meeting next week where an Election Committee will be reappointed to hold the election of office bearers.
The short track meet will be held under the observation of the convening committee.
The events to be held at the meet are (Men & Women) 60m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 60m, Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, TripleJump and Shot Put.
The 60m, 60m Hurdles and 400m events will be held as heats and finals, where the best times will qualify for the finals.
Other track events will be held as time finals (Final A/ Final B).
All the field events will have only 3+1 rounds.
(RF)
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