Rex Clementine in Galle

Sri Lanka’s lower middle order showed some character and resilience, digging in to mount a spirited fightback, ensuring the hosts reached 229 for nine at stumps on day one of the second Test against Australia in Galle on Thursday. However, Australia were firmly in the box seat despite losing a big toss as Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon took three wickets apiece.

After making a steady start in the morning, Sri Lanka found themselves in choppy waters as Australia’s bowlers came roaring back, ripping through the middle order. From a promising 93 for one, the hosts nosedived to 127 for five, leaving the innings on shaky ground.

Amidst the ruins, Dinesh Chandimal stood tall, waging a lone battle with a defiant, back-to-the-wall 74, peppered with six boundaries and a towering six. Just as he looked set to take Sri Lanka to safer shores, Alex Carey produced a moment of brilliance behind the stumps, smartly stumping him and sending alarm bells ringing in the Sri Lankan camp.

Their lower order hasn’t exactly set the world alight in recent months, often folding without much resistance. But on this occasion, the only remaining recognized batter, Kusal Mendis, found a willing ally in off-spinner Ramesh Mendis.

Recalled to the side for this crucial clash, Ramesh played the perfect supporting act, adding a vital 65-run stand for the seventh wicket with his namesake. The Australians threw everything but the kitchen sink at them, but the duo held firm, negotiating the sharp turn and extra bounce with aplomb.

While Ramesh was rock-solid in defense, Kusal took a more aggressive route, pouncing on anything loose. The tourists, frustrated by their inability to break the stand, eventually turned to the second new ball, and Steve Smith’s gamble paid dividends as Mitchell Starc delivered with immediate effect.

Steaming in at speeds north of 145 kmph, Starc was relentless, hitting a nagging line and length. His persistence bore fruit when Ramesh, after a gritty stay, edged one behind. The left-arm quick struck again off the very next delivery, with Prabath Jayasuriya feathering one to the slip cordon, leaving the Aussies sniffing a collapse.

With Starc on a hat-trick, Nishan Peiris walked in under immense pressure. The Australian fans, who far outnumbered the locals, were on their feet, anticipating history, but Peiris dead-batted the hat-trick ball, much to their disappointment.

Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis kept the scoreboard ticking and reached his well-earned half-century with a single to long-off. As Sri Lanka’s last recognized hope, he carried the weight of their innings on his shoulders, with 250 looking like a competitive total in these conditions.

Hundreds of Australian supporters have traveled to Galle, with former players Geoff Marsh and Merv Hughes leading large touring contingents. The Galle stands were awash with yellow, with the tourists making their presence felt.

Earlier in the day, there was a moment of celebration for Sri Lankan cricket as Dimuth Karunaratne was felicitated for reaching the milestone of 100 Test matches, becoming only the seventh Sri Lankan to do so. The veteran opener, who will hang up his Test boots after this match, received a warm ovation from the crowd.

Sri Lanka rang in three changes following their humiliating innings-and-242-run defeat in the first Test, bringing in Pathum Nissanka, Ramesh Mendis, and Lahiru Kumara at the expense of Oshada Fernando, Asitha Fernando, and Jeffrey Vandersay.

Australia, meanwhile, made just one tweak, handing a debut to Cooper Connolly in place of Todd Murphy.

Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) is gearing up to host the 2025 version of the Hundred Series – the Hundred Sri Lanka International Challenge and the Hundred Sri Lanka International Series during February and March.

Set to take place during the final week of February and first week of March, Sri Lanka will host at least 550 shuttlers from 28 countries, promising 12 days of continuous excitement at the Sugathadasa Indoor Sports Complex in Colombo.

The first of the two tournaments, the Hundred Sri Lanka International Challenge 2025, will be held between February 25 and March 2, where the most recognised shuttlers from the Asian region, as well as other parts of the world, are set to vie for a total prize money of USD 17,500.

This will be followed by the Hundred Sri Lanka International Series 2025, set to take place from March 3 to 8 at the same venue, with an equal number of participants, from 28 countries, including hosts Sri Lanka, affiliated to Badminton World Federation and Badminton Asia. The second competition will offer a total prize money of USD 5000.

The two international badminton tournaments will be the platform in bringing together players from various countries, providing the opportunity for healthy competition and fostering the growth of badminton talent of Sri Lanka as well.

Last year, Sri Lanka brought a nine-year international competition drought to an end when SLB hosted the LiNing Sri Lanka International Challenge 2024 and LiNing Sri Lanka International Series 2024, which were held through February 5 to 18 at the Dadella International Sports Complex in Galle. India dominated the LiNing Sri Lanka International Challenge 2024 held from February 5 to 11, while Thailand swept most of the medals on offer at the LiNing Sri Lanka International Series 2024, which was held from February 12 to 18.

“The inauguration of the two international competitions last year, after an absence of nine years, was a significant initiative made by SLB. Not only were we able to see some quality international competition for 14 continuous days, we were also able to give the local talents the opportunity to gain international exposure at events of this magnitude. At the same time, SLB was able to put Sri Lanka back in the world map as a location to host international tournaments, while promoting the country and its facilities on offer as an ideal tourist destination. This year we expect to surpass the success of 2024,” the Sri issuing an official statement, SLB said.

By hosting the two Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Asia (BA) sanctioned international events at the Sugathadasa Indoor Sports Complex in Colombo, SLB intends to provide the local badminton followers the opportunity to experience solid rivalry among top international shuttlers.

Nearly 550 shuttlers from over 25 countries are expected to participate at both events, with medals and prize money on offer for winners, finalists and players who reach the knockout stages in Open Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Sri Lanka Badminton are the official organisers of the two events, sanctioned by BWF and BA, with LiNing, HUNDRED, Mobil, McFoil and 3M coming in as sponsors.

Commencing this years big match season, Hindu College Jaffna will host traditional  rivals Hindu College Colombo for the 14th edition of the Battle of the Hindus at their school ground today and tomorrow.

The big match between the two schools was first played in the early 1980s and after a lapse of over two decades, was revived in 2009. Of the 13 games played in the series, both teams have won three games each while seven games have ended in a draw.

Hindu College Jaffna are led by K Parishshith and will be selected from A Vithushan, S Abivaranan, T Preemikan, A Pamakan, J Bhavanan, I Shrivasthan, S Subarnan, G Laksigan, T Preeththikan, S Harikaran, S Achchuthan, D Roshun, S Kavikaran, K Niththees, V Rathushan.

Hindu College Jaffna Cricket Team Seated from left – T Kogulan [Assistant Coach],P Satheesraj [POG], K Parishshith [Captain], R Senthilmaran [Principal], A Vithushan [Vice Captain], V Thayapalan [MIC], S Alanraj [Coach] Standing from left – S Abivaranan, T Preemikan, A Pamakan, J Bhavanan, I Shrivasthan, S Subarnan, G Laksigan, T Preeththikan, S Harikaran, S Achchuthan, D Roshun, S Kavikaran, K Niththees, V Rathushan

The team is coached by S Alanraj and is assisted by T Kogulan. V Thayapalan is the Master in Charge.

The Hindu College Colombo team led by R Dheskar will be selected from P Sri Nithushan, S Harsha Mithumina, S Sabesan, S Prathicshan, T Santhosh, S Sarvish, S Vishu Siddath, G Thooiyavan, S pavishan, T Yaadhav, V Yuvaraj, M Abishek, T Yadhushan, S Midhusigan, V Abinesh

The Colombo Hindu College Team is coached by S Gobinath who has P Shashidharan and C Jason to assist him while K Rajjevkanth is the Master in Charge

The Janashakthi Group have come forward as the Title Sponsor, while – YD Construction, Star Gold, D Exclusive, DATAMACX, and IDMNC International have chipped in to ensure that the 14th edition of the Battle of the Hindus becomes a reality