Sports

Putting together a formidable outfit

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/17

Oshada Fernando is the ideal Test match batsman having proved himself at number three. But he was expected to convert his success in white-ball cricket as well and when he failed, he was thrown out of the Test team too.

by Rex Clementine

You may have not liked everything about National Super League (NSL), but at least the Cricket Advisory Committee addressed the concerns about the lack of competitiveness in our First-Class cricket. Having promised to make selections for the national team on the performances of the NSL, the national selection panel has made some bold moves.

Middle-order batsman Roshen Silva showcased his appetite for big runs by posting an unbeaten 174 for Colombo against Jaffna. That was the highest score in the competition and he finds himself in the extended squad for the two-match Test series in Bangladesh. He should be part of the Test squad and should go onto nail that number six slot for Pakistan and Australia Tests as well.

Often, players categorized as ‘fine talents’ have got a long rope in Sri Lankan cricket than players like Roshen Silva whose match-saving and match-winning abilities have not got proper attention. A solid player of spin bowling with excellent temperament and an ability to play the waiting game should have played lot more than the 12 Tests he has been involved in so far. The only reason why he has played in fewer Tests is that he doesn’t have any godfathers in cricket.

Also back in the extended squad is Oshada Fernando. One of Sri Lanka’s heroes when they became the first Asian nation to win a series in South Africa, Oshada had been identified as a Test match player but after his success in the longer format of the game with the team struggling to compete in white-ball cricket he was drafted into the limited-overs sides as well and he was clearly out of depth. Eventually, he was thrown out of the Test side afte r his failures in white-ball cricket. Oshada should only play Test match cricket and we have an ideal number three in him.

Sri Lanka’s batting will look formidable once they get the right players in the midst and a top-six of Karunaratne, Nissanka, Oshada, Mathews, Dhananjaya and Roshen will be good enough to post competitive totals.

It looks a tough call on Charith Asalanka, a player earmarked for the future. Again, Asalanka was picked for Test match cricket on his excellent form in white-ball cricket and he needs to do much more than a First-Class average of 26 or one century to earn a place in the Test line-up. What needs to be welcomed is the axing of Lahiru Thirimanne. After 44 Tests, he has posted three centuries and averages 26 and the Indian series was proof that against quality bowling, he’s just a sitting duck.

A lot of people feel that Kamindu Mendis has got a raw deal. He was the best batsman in NSL having amassed over 800 runs in six games at an average of 80 with four hundreds and four fifties. In to the bargain, his imaginative leadership came in for high praise as well. Mendis will be feeling disappointed but then, rather than warming the bench during a Test match, he would be better off going to England and playing some competitive cricket.

Kasun Rajitha also finds himself back in the squad. Attributes of Rajitha being the ideal Test match quick are many but he did disappoint when he broke down halfway through his third over during the Boxing Day Test at Centurion in 2020. People don’t seem to trust him after that. However, he’s done pretty well to prove his fitness during the NSL and should go on to replace Suranga Lakmal in the side. There’s also Vishwa Fernando who has been Lakmal’s understudy and along with Asitha Fernando, the team can rely on the trio with the new ball while Ramesh Mendis, Lasith Embuldeniya, and Praveen Jayawickrama will do the job as spinners.

Many were the blunders that were committed by selectors during the Indian series. Some improvements have been made moving forward.

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Sports

Hasaranga backs Sri Lanka for World Cup semi-final push

Published

52 mins ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka’s leg-spin spearhead Wanindu Hasaranga has warned rivals not to write off the hosts ahead of the World Cup, after his four-wicket burst in the final T20I against Pakistan helped Sri Lanka square the three-match series on Sunday.

Hasaranga’s spell turned the game on its head and restored belief in a side that has blown hot and cold. Speaking after being named Player of the Match and Player of the Series, the leg-spinner said Sri Lanka, buoyed by home conditions, remain very much in the hunt for a semi-final berth.

Under head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka have made steady strides over the past 18 months. There have been a few distractions recently like changes in selectors and captaincy among them, but the dressing room, Hasaranga insisted, is quietly confident.

“We know the conditions and we’ve grown up playing in these conditions,” Hasaranga said. “If we use them well, we can have a major impact. Players need to identify their roles. Once that happens, we can put on a good show.”

Sunday’s decider was reduced to 12 overs a side after rain delayed the start by more than two hours, but Hasaranga felt the shortened contest still offered valuable lessons.

“Today we looked good,” he said. “We’ve been lacking a bit of consistency in recent years. In a World Cup, you have to minimise mistakes and keep moving forward.”

Bowling with a wet ball tested the spinners’ skills and patience, but Hasaranga viewed it as useful match practice rather than an inconvenience.

“It was challenging with a wet ball,” he explained. “But it’s good these things happen before a World Cup. It prepares you for all kinds of situations. I even spoke to our batters about what deliveries they’d prefer to face, and that input helped when we went out to defend.”

Sri Lanka now enjoy a week’s breather before hosting England with Hasaranga keen to see his side peak at the right time.

“When this series started, we had six games leading into the World Cup,” he said. “Rain in Dambulla meant things didn’t always go to plan. As a team, we wanted winning momentum. There are only a couple of games left now and we need to be firing on all cylinders when the World Cup begins.”

Sri Lanka had stumbled in the opener, losing by six wickets after being bowled out inside 20 overs, while the second match was washed out without a toss. A 14-run win in the final game, however, ensured honours ended even.

Rex Clementine
in Dambulla

Sports

Sunil Gunawardana among contenders for top post of Sri Lanka Athletics

Published

53 mins ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

It will be a four-way battle for the top post of Sri Lanka Athletics as fresh nominations for the election of office bearers closed at the Sports Ministry on Monday. Former president Sunil Gunawardana, Bimal Wijesinhge, Sugath Kumara and Prasanna Indika are the nominees for the post of president and they are subjected to objections.

‎This is the second time the Ministry of Sports called for nominations after different stakeholders successfully challanged the earlier niminations alleging that there were errors in the process.

‎Informed sources said that this time too the Ministry of Sports has left enough room for allegations as it announced the names of the nominees without waiting for the nominations sent by post.

‎”There was a fundamental error as they did not wait for nominations sent by post. They informed the stake holders by post. Some member federations had received the letters only on last Thursday. They were in a mighty hurry to announce the names of the nominees soon after the nominations closed,” a source close to athletics told The Island.

‎Following are the nominees for various posts of Sri Lanka Athletics.

‎‎President: Sunil Gunawardana, Bimal Wijesinhge, Prasanna Indika, Sugath Kumara

‎‎Vice President: Prasanna Indika, Lal Chandrakumara, Lt. Col. G.N. Jayathilaka, Irangani Rupasinghe, Jagath Silva, G.J. Siyamudali, Prasanna Aluvihare

‎‎Secretary: Dr. Dhammika Senanayake, Sameera Perera, Madawa Herath

‎Asst. Secretary: Sameera Perera, Aloy Wickramasinghe (RF)

Sports

Lakmal, Pravina win trophies at Eagles Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament

Published

54 mins ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) won the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Trophy. (L) / Pravina Dunuwille emerged as the Ladies' Trophy winner. (R)

Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) secured the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Trophy, achieving the highest score in the gents’ category and Pravina Dunuwille emerged as the Ladies’ Trophy winner at the fourth edition of the Eagles Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament which came to a close at the picturesque China Bay, near the harbour city of Trincomalee.

‎The Sri Lanka Air Force, in collaboration with Eagles’ Golf Links and Courses, successfully conducted the fourth edition of the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament on Sunday.

‎The tournament, conducted under the Stableford Scoring System, commenced in the morning with the participation of 80 enthusiastic golfers, including 13 women golfers. The tournament was officially inaugurated when one of the former Commanders of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody, took the first tee-off.

‎Wing Commander Nalin Bentharaarachchi (Retd) claimed the Runner-up position in the Gents’ category, and Niloo Jayathilake was awarded the Ladies’ Runner-up position. In addition, Buddika Amarasinghe and Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody received accolades for the Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin, respectively, in the Gents’ category, while Sandra Cadien secured the Longest Drive in the Ladies’ category. The Wooden Spoon was awarded to Nimal Jayasinghe.

‎The Eagles’ Monsoon Defence Challenge Trophy, presented to members of the Tri-Services in the Men’s category, was won by Wing Commander Asantha Gunaratne from the SLAF. Lieutenant Commander Mevan Perera from the SL Navy was the Runner-up of the Defence Challenge Trophy. Commodore Mangala Mummullage received the award for the Longest Drive in the Defence Challenge category.

‎The Best Total Net Score in the Six Hidden Holes competition segment was achieved by Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) and Group Captain Prabath Wijekoon received the Commander’s Island Green Award for the 2025 year’s Eagles’ Monsoon Cup iteration.

‎The awards of the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup were presented at a gala Awards Ceremony held at Eagles’ Golf Links during the evening of the same day. The Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dhammika Dias, graced the Awards Ceremony as the Chief Guest. Further, Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkodi, Chairman of SLAF Golf, Air Commodore Erandika Gunewardene, Secretary of Air Force Golf Links and Courses, Group Captain Asanka Rathnayake, Secretary of Air Force Golf, Wing Commander Thushan Fernando, Sales Manager of Aviyana Ceylon Resorts, Suranga Fernando (representing the Chairman of Aviyana Ceylon Resorts) and other golf enthusiasts attended the ceremony.

‎Adding to the prestige of the occasion, Aviyana Ceylon Resorts sponsored the tournament, enhancing its grandeur and providing a memorable experience for all participants.‎