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Senuka rattles St. Anthony’s with a seven-wicket haul

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Under 19 Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

Left-arm spinner Senuka Dangamuwa produced his best bowling performance in the Under 19 age category as Mahinda College Galle restricted St. Anthony’s College Wattala to 137 runs on day one of the Division I Tier B match at Wattala on Thursday.

Dangamuwa accounted for seven wickets, his best figures in the two-day format.

At Mount Lavinia, Gurukula took vital first innings points against S. Thomas’ in a Division I Tier A match as Thathsara Eshan held their batting together with a half century to post 204 runs.

Meanwhile, Holy Cross did well to restrict St. Peter’s to 157 runs on day one of their tournament match as Hirusha Gimhan and Sanuka Cheran shared seven wickets between them.

Results

Gurukula win first innings points against Thomians at Mount Lavinia

Scores

S. Thomas’ 194 all out in 83.5 overs (Mahith Perera 30, Thisen Eheliyagoda 66; Tharusha Dilsara 2/21, Poorna Kalhara 2/19, Hiruna Nimsara 4/29) and 110 for 3 in 21 overs (Senadhi Bulankulame 47, Mahith Perera 26n.o.)

Gurukula 24 for 1 overnight 204 all out in 90.5 overs (Nethan Dishen 35, Mohomad Mursad 23, Poorna Kalhara 28, Thathsara Eshan 50; Ashen Perera 3/32, Abheeth Paranawidana 4/64)

Dangamuwa dominates at Wattala

Scores

St. Anthony’s 137 all out in 60.2 overs (Ravindu Jayasanka 49n.o.; Arosha Udayanga 2/27, Senuka Dangamuwa 7/49)

Mahinda 86 for 4 in 39 overs (Pramesh Madubashana 38, Hareen Achintha 23n.o.; Amitha Sandeepa 2/06)

Holy Cross restrict Petes to 157 runs at Bambalapitiya

Scores

St. Peter’s 157 all out in 54.2 overs (Oween Salgado 31, Shennon Rodrigo 50; Hirusha Gimhan 4/57, Sanuka Cheran 3/19)

Holy Cross 77 for 2 in 39 overs (Sanuka Cheran 23n.o., Anuhas Seeman 30)



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Sri Lanka’s lower order fight back but Australia in control

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Dinesh Chandimal batted superbly but there was little support from the rest of the batters before Kusal Mendis joined him with a half-century on day one of the second Test against Australia in Galle

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.

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Quarter-final fate on tournament committee’s hands after Mahanama withdraw 

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by Reemus Fernando 

The tournament committee of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association will have to decide on the fate of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ quarter-final match between Trinity and Mahanama after the latter withdrew from the match without bowling a single ball on the second day citing that the ground staff had rolled the wicket before the scheduled time.

Mahanama had cited that they had been at a disadvantage due to the early preparation of the wicket in the morning. Kanishka Perera, the Under 19 tournament secretary said that Mahanam had refused match officials request to play under protest and now the     tournament committee will decide on the fate of the match.

Mahanama were looking forward to take advantage of the moisture on the wicket in the morning but early preparation of the wicket at   Royal Central Ground Polonnaruwa had disappointed the team from Colombo.

One of the formidable teams this season, Mahanama were rattled for 74 runs and in reply Trinity had amassed 141 for five wickets at stumps on day one.

The quarter-finals of the Tier ‘A’ tournament are being played at outstation venues due to the unavailability of grounds in Colombo.

Scores 

Mahanama

74 all out in 35.4 overs (Chamika Heenatigala 26; Thisal Yapa 2/18, Malith Rathnayake 6/21)

Trinity

141 for 5 in 50 overs (Chaniru Senarathne 75n.o., Sweath Anurajeewa 24; Dulnith Sigera 3/19)

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Sri Lanka to host two international badminton events in February and March

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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.

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