Sports

Passing the torch; Sri Lanka’s next batting dynamos

Published

2 years 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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Ronaldo apologizes for Portugal walkout; says Jesus broke promise

Published

2 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

3 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

3 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;