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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Latest News

India to host Zimbabwe for maiden women’s bilateral series

Published

10 hours ago

2026/05/7

Priyan

India Women have never played an international game against Zimbabwe [Cricinfo]

The India and Zimbabwe women’s teams are all set to play an international fixture against each other for the first time when Zimbabwe tour India for white-ball fixtures this October.

The tour comprises three T20Is and three ODIs and will be Zimbabwe’s first visit to India; India are yet to tour Zimbabwe for bilateral fixtures.

The three T20Is will be played in Raipur on October 16, 18 and 20, and the ODIs are on October 23, 25 and 28 in Baroda.

The fixtures were announced by the BCCI on Wednesday, along with two home series for the India A women’s side against Australia A in September and England A in December. Both those series comprise three T20s, three List A games and one multi-day fixture.

The India Under-19 women’s team will also host Sri Lanka U-19 in June and July for three T20s and three 50-over games, and England U-19 in November and December for five T20 fixtures.

The Australia A men’s side will tour India for two multi-day fixtures and three one-dayers in September and October, while the Australia U-19 side will visit India for two multi-day fixtures and three one-dayers also in September and October.

[Cricinfo]

Sports

Fast bowlers to get more opportunities as new format introduced for Under-15 Division I tourney

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

St. Joseph's College won the last edition of the Under 15 Division I cricket tournament

The Inter-Schools Under-15 Division I cricket tournament will be conducted under a revamped format this year, with organisers shifting the focus back to limited-overs cricket while introducing new rules aimed at promoting fast bowling.

‎The tournament, organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA), will see only the top-tier Division I competition played in a 50-over format. Meanwhile, Division II and Division III matches will continue under the one-day, four-innings structure.

‎SLSCA Secretary Saman Hettiarachchi said the changes were made following consultations with experts from Sri Lanka Cricket, with a clear objective of providing greater opportunities for pace bowlers.

‎”We opted for the limited-overs format for Division I in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket. The lower divisions will copete in the innings format as we have observed matches ending early without utilizing the full quota of overs,” Hettiarachchi told ‘The Island’.

‎A key feature of the revised rules is the compulsory allocation of overs for fast bowlers. In a full 50-over innings, a minimum of 20 overs must be bowled by pacemen. Additionally, during the first 10 overs, at least eight overs must be delivered by fast bowlers. If an innings is reduced to 30 overs or fewer, at least six of the first eight overs must be bowled by pace.

‎”It was made mandatory to give more opportunities to pacemen,” Hettiarachchi explained.

‎Meanwhile, the official draw for the Division I tournament has been released, featuring 70 teams divided into 16 groups from Group A to Group P for the preliminary round. Each team is guaranteed multiple matches during the opening stage.

‎Defending champions St. Joseph’s College headline Group A, where they will meet Nalanda College, Dharmapala College, St. John’s College, Lumbini College and De La Salle College.

‎With traditional cricketing powerhouses spread across the groups, it will be interesting to see how the first round pans out in the new-look tournament.

‎Under 15 Division I Tournament First Round Groups

GROUP A

‎St. Joseph’s College, Colombo

‎Nalanda College, Colombo

‎Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya

‎St. John’s College, Nugegoda

‎Lumbini College, Colombo

‎De La Salle College, Colombo

‎GROUP B

‎D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo

‎S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia

‎Presidents’ College, Kotte

‎Wesley College, Colombo

‎Carey College, Colombo

‎Sri Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya

‎GROUP C

‎St. Anthony’s College, Wattala

‎St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa

‎Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Kottawa

‎St. Peter’s College, Colombo

‎C.W.W. Kannangara MV, Colombo

‎Ashoka College, Colombo

‎GROUP D

‎St. Benedict’s College, Colombo

‎Royal College, Colombo

‎Gurukula College, Kelaniya

‎Lyceum International School, Wattala

‎Bandaranayake MMV, Gampaha

‎St. John’s College, Panadura

‎GROUP E

‎De Mazenod College, Kandana

‎Isipathana College, Colombo

‎Christ King College, Ja-Ela

‎Thurstan College, Colombo

‎Ananda Shastralaya NS, Kotte

‎St. Joseph Vaz College, Vennappuwa

‎GROUP F

‎Mahanama College, Colombo

‎Piliyandala MMV, Piliyandala

‎Ananda College, Colombo

‎Sri Jayawardenapura NS, Kotte

‎Presidents College, Maharagama

‎St. Thomas’ College, Kotte

‎GROUP G

‎Wadduwa MMV, Wadduwa

‎Sri Sumangala College, Panadura

‎Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa

‎Moratu Vidyalaya, Moratuwa

‎Revatha College, Balapitiya

‎Royal College, Panadura

‎GROUP H

‎Dharmaraja College, Kandy

‎St. Mary’s College, Kegalle

‎Kegalu Vidyalaya, Kegalle

‎Kingswood College, Kandy

‎Vidyartha College, Kandy

‎Ibbagamuwa MMV, Ibbagamuwa

‎GROUP J

‎Maris Stella College, Negombo

‎Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala

‎Harischandra College, Negombo

‎Maliyadeva Adarsha MV, Kurunegala

‎Galahitiyawa MMV, Ganemulla

‎Sandalankawa MMV, Sandalankawa

‎GROUP K

‎St. Anthony’s College, Kandy

‎St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy

‎Trinity College, Kandy

‎Royal College, Polonnaruwa

‎St. Thomas’ College, Matale

‎Jaffna Hindu College, Jaffna

‎GROUP L

‎Sri Pangnananda MMV, Raddoluwa

‎St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala

‎St. Mary’s College, Chilaw

‎Sri Sumangala NS, Wariyapola

‎St. Peter’s College, Negombo

‎St. Xavier’s College, Marawila

‎GROUP M

‎Devapathiraja College, Rathgama

‎St. Aloysius College, Galle

‎Holy Cross College, Kalutara

‎Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda

‎Kalutara Vidyalaya, Kalutara

‎Vidyaloka College, Galle

‎GROUP N

‎Mahinda College, Galle

‎Tissa MV, Kalutara

‎Rahula College, Matara

‎Debarawewa NS, Debarawewa

‎St. Thomas’ College, Matara

‎Meepawala Amarasuriya MV

‎GROUP P

‎St. Servatius’ College, Matara

‎Richmond College, Galle

‎Sri Devananda College, Ambalangoda

‎Karandeniya MMV, Karandeniya

‎P. De S. Kularathna MV, Ambalangoda

‎President’s College, Embilipitiya.

by Reemus Fernando

Sports

Women’s Cricket receives a shot in the arm from the Mercantile Cricket Association

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Girls teams of the MCA's Cricket Academy line up at the commencement of the acadamy inter house tournament

With the success the seven MCA men’s cricket tournaments have achieved, the Executive Committee of Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) have decided to give Women’s Cricket in Sri Lanka a boost by introducing a hard ball Women’s Cricket Tournament for the corporate sector.

With the international recognition women’s cricket has gained at present, it is no secret that there still are many talented lasses aspiring to reach the zenith of the game.

Even with the measures Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) the game’s governing body through the Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) have taken to promote girls cricket in schools, a considerable number of talented players, specially in the provinces do not have an opportunity to be recognized.

It is the MCA’s belief that with the introduction of a MCA Women’s Cricket Tournament, the corporate sector will be encouraged to field teams, and in doing so will give a hand to talented lasses and school leavers by providing them with employment as well as the opportunity to realise their aspirations in the Women’s Cricket arena.

At present in addition to the seven major Men’s tournaments the MCA organise the

Mercantile Six-a-Side tournament, the Over-40 Sixes competition, the 20×20 league, and the esteemed MCA Inter Academy Invitational tournament,

As an initial step, the MCA will be conducting a Women’s six and side soft ball cricket tournament for the corporate sector teams on Saturday 23rd May 2026 at the Mercantile Cricket Association grounds.

For further information please contact Chamara on 0759592488 or Prasad 0759809777.