Sports

Passing the torch; Sri Lanka’s next batting dynamos

Published

1 year ago

2024/10/27

Thilina Walpola

Pathum Nissanka

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

When we think of world-class Sri Lankan batters, Kumar Sangakkara shines brightest. His numbers are simply otherworldly with a Test average of 57. That’s the stuff legends are made of. And it’s not just about the home turf heroics – Sanga’s average away from home was over 51, a feat only the finest achieve.

Then there’s Mahela Jayawardene. A maestro in his own right, although he narrowly missed the 50-mark. It was a bitter pill to swallow when his average dipped below 50 in his last Test innings, right on his beloved SSC ground. Overseas, MJ’s average of 41 wasn’t quite up to the standard, yet he remains one of the country’s greats.

Then, there’s Aravinda de Silva, Sri Lanka’s original cricketing maverick. Though he didn’t average 50, he was the hero of a generation. Arjuna Ranatunga once said that his captaincy recipe was simple: “Keep Aravinda happy, and he’ll win you games singlehandedly.” Even Mark Taylor, the Aussie skipper, admitted that the Aussies spent nearly an hour strategizing for Aravinda alone. The next day? Aravinda would still walk in and blast a century, leaving the Aussies scratching their heads.

Sri Lanka had its share of classy batters before the Test era too – legends like Mahadevan Sathasivam, F.C. de Saram, and Anura Tennekoon. Since Sanga’s retirement, we’ve seen plenty of raw talent, but few have hit the heights expected of them. Some players rested on past laurels, while others saw their dreams hampered by injuries.

Fast forward to today, and Sri Lanka’s changed its game. Training methods have shifted, and there’s newfound passion and commitment. This recent resurgence isn’t by chance. It’s been built on hard work, attention to detail, and the kind of endless practice sessions reminiscent of the Sanga era.

Pathum Nissanka: The History Maker

Could Pathum Nissanka be the next big name? Even Sangakkara has hinted that he might be the one to rewrite history. When asked, Pathum chuckled humbly, acknowledging Sanga’s greatness and saying that reaching his numbers would be an honour. This modesty makes you root for him all the more.

Already, Pathum’s created ripples. This year, he became the first Sri Lankan to score a double century in ODI cricket, breaking Sanath Jayasuriya’s long-standing record for most runs in an innings. Watching him bat is a treat – elegance meets ruthless efficiency. His century at The Oval, which powered Sri Lanka to their first Test win in England in a decade, was a masterclass. Patient early on, he then cut loose, treating the crowd to a dazzling array of shots, from square cuts to precise drives and well-timed pulls.

Pathum’s a cool customer, handling sledges with a grin. He’s already made waves in England, with Michael Atherton pondering why on earth Sri Lanka didn’t play him from the first game.

Kamindu Mendis: The Rescue Act

Then there’s Kamindu Mendis, a sensation since his Test comeback this year. With seven Tests under his belt in 2024, Kamindu has racked up five centuries and three half-centuries. His Player of the Series performances in two consecutive overseas series show his grit away from home – a hallmark of true greatness.

Batting at number five, Kamindu doesn’t always have ample time in the middle, often joining the lower order and tail. But he’s an essential cog, preventing collapses and staging rescue acts. In recent tight games in Bangladesh, England, and Galle, Kamindu stood tall, batting with the tail to steer Sri Lanka out of trouble. And here’s a jaw-dropper: batting that low and still becoming the third-fastest to 1,000 Test runs, tied with none other than Sir Don Bradman.

Other Notable Mentions

We can’t overlook Kusal Mendis, a standout of recent years, though his best years might be behind him. And Charith Asalanka has shown promise in limited-overs cricket, though a chronic knee issue has kept him from Test stardom.

In short, Sri Lankan cricket is fun to watch again. With Pathum and Kamindu leading the charge, who knows – we might just be witnessing the dawn of the next great era in Sri Lankan batting.

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Sports

Akbar Brothers crowned MBSA A-Division champions

Published

7 hours ago

2025/12/15

Priyan

Akbar Brothers Ltd delivered a commanding all-round performance to clinch the ‘A’ Division title at the 33rd MSBA League Basketball Tournament, defeating defending champions Fairfirst Insurance 70–60 in a thrilling final held recently.

Despite a group stage loss to Fairfirst, a revitalized Akbar Brothers team returned for the final with renewed focus, executing a strategic and disciplined game plan with some excellent passing and defense. Akbar Brothers came in with all guns blazing right from the outset. The first quarter was all Akbar’s that stacked up a 13 to 4 lead. Fairfirst mounted a strong challenge in the second quarter, narrowing the margin, but Akbar’s momentum secured a 35–28 lead at halftime, a margin they maintained with composure through to the final whistle.

Dasun Mendis led the charge for Akbar Brothers with 18 points and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Chenura De Alwis added 17 points to the tally, while Shehan Udayanga posted a valiant 22 points for Fairfirst. Dimitri Grebe anchored Akbar Brothers with strong leadership, with Hiran Wijesooriya captaining Fairfirst.

Earlier in the tournament Akbar Brothers beat Sampath Bank (82-71), Seylan Bank (91-68) David Pieris (110-78) and Seylan Bank in the semi final (83-60)

The final, held at the Royal College Indoor Sports Complex, saw a vibrant turnout of supporters as Akbar Brothers proved their championship mettle with teamwork, resilience, and clinical execution.

Akbar Brothers – Dimitri Grebe (Captain), Dasun Mendis, Chenura De Alwis, Randil Henry, Taher Akbarally, Selvam Savarimuttu, Franklyn Morais, Sanketha Jayarathne, Jeewan Priyankera , Praneeth Udumalagala, Ajith Kuruppu (Coach), Adrian Gabriel (Asst. Coach)

Fairfirst Insurance – Hiran Wijesooriya (Captain), Shehan Udayanga , Lakshan Kulathunga, Roshan Randima, Arnold Brent, Isuru Perera, Denzil Nicholas, Nimesh Fernando, Keshawa Perera, Charaka Anuhas, Asanga Perera (Coach)

Sports

Wrong time for musical chairs in cricket

Published

19 hours ago

2025/12/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

Moves are underway to replace former opening batter Upul Tharanga as Chairman of Selectors, the latest in a series of shake-ups that have gathered pace alarmingly close to the showpiece event.

With just six weeks to go for the World Cup that Sri Lanka will co-host, the ground appears to be shifting under the selectors’ feet. Moves are underway to replace former opening batter Upul Tharanga as Chairman of Selectors, the latest in a series of shake-ups that have gathered pace alarmingly close to the showpiece event.

First came the reshuffling of the coaching staff. Then there were strong signals that captain Charith Asalanka could be moved aside. Now the selection panel itself is set for an overhaul. One is tempted to ask whether all this chopping and changing is really necessary with the tournament looming large on the horizon.

It is true that the selectors’ term will expire by the book, a new panel must take guard. But with less than two months left before the World Cup, common sense would suggest to let the status quo remain.

Tharanga’s panel has not been flawless, but it has hardly been a basket case either. Recent weeks have produced some sobering results, including a 3-0 ODI whitewash in Pakistan and an embarrassing T20 loss to Zimbabwe. Yet the team showed resilience, regrouped and fought their way into the finals, where they eventually went down to Pakistan.

There were tangible gains too. Sri Lanka climbed to fourth in the ODI rankings and even pulled off a Test victory over England. The wheels came off mainly in the T20 format, where they failed to progress beyond the first round of the last World Cup — a shortcoming that cannot be pinned on selection alone.

If there must be a changing of the guard, logic dictates that it should wait until after the World Cup. Midstream changes at the top rarely help steady a ship already sailing in choppy waters.

What is more troubling is the prospect of a familiar face returning to the hot seat — someone under whose watch Sri Lanka endured disastrous returns. During that previous tenure, selections were muddled and knee-jerk. A poor series often meant wholesale culling, with players axed almost as soon as they were drafted in, leaving no room for continuity or confidence.

There were baffling calls too: Maheesh Theekshana fast-tracked into Test cricket on the strength of his white-ball exploits, while Dunith Wellalage was handed a Test debut before even playing a T20 International. Such horses-for-courses thinking, taken to extremes, left Sri Lanka without a clear road map.

The end result was grim. Sri Lanka finished ninth at the 2023 World Cup, failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy and for the first time in their history, missed out on an ICC event altogether.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s deeper problem is a lack of willing candidates. Few former players are keen to step into the firing line of selection, a role that guarantees brickbats regardless of results. Cornered, the board has repeatedly turned to recycled hands — men who have done the job before, with precious little to show for it.

With the World Cup just around the bend, Sri Lanka can ill afford to keep moving the goalposts. Stability, not another roll of the dice, may yet be their best play.

by Rex Clementine

Sports

Seneviratne five-for blows Nepal away

Published

19 hours ago

2025/12/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sethmika Seneviratne was the Player of the Match for bagging 5 for 25.(ACC)

It was a run-out that started it all after Sri Lanka Under-19s captain Vimath Dinsara asked Nepal Under-19s to bat first in their Group B game at the Under-19s Asia Cup. Nepal were steady at 30 without loss, but come the eighth over, Dinsara combined with wicketkeeper Aadham Hilmy to run Niraj Kumar Yadav out for 10. That started a slide, and Nepal never recovered thereafter.

Sethmika Seneviratne had Sahil Patel caught for 12 in the ninth over, bowled Vansh Chhetri for a duck in the 11th, and then had Dilsad Ali caught without scoring in the 13th. Sri Lanka reduced Nepal to 37 for 4, with the four wickets gone for the addition of just seven runs within six overs.

‎At that stage, Nepal’s captain Ashok Dhami joined Cibrin Shrestha. Just when they looked set to help Nepal find a way back, Rasith Nimsara broke the 24-run stand by having Dhami caught behind for 9 to start the 21st over. Soon, 61 for 4 became 82 all out. Vigneshwaran Akash struck next to dismiss Shrestha for 18, which was Nepal’s highest score.

No Nepal batter after Shreshta even got into double figures, while Seneviratne got two lower-order batters to complete his five-for. Seneviratne finished with 5 for 25, and left Sri Lanka’s batters with little to do.

Although Nepal had Sri Lanka at 25 for 2 in the 83 chase, that only seemed like consolation. Dimantha Mahavithana (39*) and Kavija Gamage (24*) wiped Nepal out with an unbroken stand of 59, as Sri Lanka won with eight wickets and a massive 35.1 overs to spare.

‎Scores

‎Sri Lanka U-19s 84 for 2 (Mahavithana 39n.o., Kavija Gamage 24n.o., Mandal 1-16)

‎Nepal U-19s 82 (Shrestha 18, Seneviratne 5-25, Sigera 1-3)