Sports
SLC lifts ban on Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka
by Rex Clementine
Sri Lanka Cricket decided to lift the one year ban imposed on three of their contracted players yesterday after the players made an appeal to the board. Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella were handed one year suspensions from all forms of cricket by SLC after they breached the bio-secure bubble during Sri Lanka’s tour of England last year.
The players will be eligible for selections for the upcoming three match ODI series against Zimbabwe in Kandy provided they pass the mandatory fitness tests.
An independent panel headed by a retired judge last year found all three players guilty of breaching the bio-secure bubble and recommended two year bans from the sport. However, SLC Executive Committee decided to reduce the suspension to one year each. They were also fined Rs. 10 million each for their excesses. SLC’s stance had been commended by observers for addressing indiscipline among contracted players.
Following an appeal, they were allowed to take part in domestic cricket and Kusal Mendis, who was Sri Lanka’s vice-captain, when suspended had an excellent Lanka Premier League. A second appeal by the players sees their one year suspension reduced to six months.
The players also had been ordered by the independent panel to undergo medical counseling and SLC sources told The Island that they had been advised by the doctor to relax the ban as it’s length would adversely affect them. However, both Mendis and Gunathilaka have been serial offenders and both had priors.
The Island learns that there had been a remarkable improvement in the players behaviour in recent months and they were keen to fall in line and make an impact.
The recent premature retirements of a few players and impending retirements of some others may have forced the board to soften their stance on the three players on whom they had invested heavily over the years.
Earlier this week Bhanuka Rajapakasa (30) and Angelo Perera (31) had informed the board that they were retiring from international cricket.
An extra ODI has been added to Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka which will provide the visitors additional preparation for the Champions Trophy.
The two matches will now take place on February 12 and 14 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and will be day games.
The first of the games begins just two days after the scheduled fifth day of the second Test in Galle so it remains to be seen how many players featuring in that match can turnaround for the one-dayer if the Test goes the distance.
However, Australia have nine players in their preliminary Champions Trophy squad who aren’t part of the Test series, including captain Pat Cummins and fellow quick Josh Hazlewood.
But Cummins’ participation remains uncertain as he is carrying an ankle injury which he played with during the India Test series.
Australia’s ODI players are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka around the start of the second Test. Their first match in the Champions Trophy is against England on February 22 followed by South Africa on February 25 and Afghanistan on February 28.
The first semi-final will take place in Dubai on March 4 with the second in Lahore on March 5 following confirmation of the hybrid model due to India not traveling to Pakistan. The final will be on March 9, in either Dubai or Lahore depending on whether India qualify.
(Cricinfo)
ITF Asia 14 and Under Championship
Annaya Norbert edged out compatriot Sahansa Damsiluni to reach the girls’ singles final of the ITF Asia 14 and Under Development Championship (South Asia, South East Asia and East Asia) week one tournament at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts on Wednesday.
Annaya beat Damsiluni 6-1, 7-6, 6-3 in the semi-final, while Nepal’s Shivali Gurung prevented an all-Sri Lanka final by eliminating Eliza Kahagalla registering 6-1, 6-1 victory.
In the boys’ tournament, Damsath Peiris partnered Yudheerya Atapaththu to beat Shayan Muhammad and Rasheed Ali (Pakistan) 6-2, 7-5 to reach the doubles final. Peiris was also the only Sri Lankan player to book a semi-final berth in the singles. Peiris beat Akash Hossain of Bangladesh 6-0, 6-1. Revan Amarasinghe suffered a 6-0, 6-0 defeat at the hands of Nicholas Pak of Singapore in his singles quarter-final.
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- Annaya Norbert (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)
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- Damsath Peiris
Boys’ quarter-final results
Damsath Peiris (Sri Lanka) beat Akash Hossain (Bangladesh) 6-0, 6-1.
Metthey Tay (Singapore) beat Khabbo Gayen (Bangalides) 6-2, 6-4.
Nicholas Pak (Singapore) beat Revan Amarasinghe (Sri Lanka) 6-0, 6-0.
Shayan Muhammad (Pakistan) beat Krel Jan Gecosala (Philippines) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. (RF)
9th MCA Super Premier League 2024 T20 Tournament
A swashbuckling half century by Pavan Ratnayake (51 runs in 26 balls inclusive of 05 sixes and 04 fours), guided Citizens Development Business (CDB) to a comprehensive 05 wickets win with 38 balls to spare over Fairfirst Insurance, in 9TH – MCA Super Premier League 2024 T20 Final, concluded on 14th January at the MCA Grounds.
Fairfirst Insurance, sent into bat scored 170 for 09 in 20 overs, riding on the solid half century by Anuk Fernando (51 runs in 37 balls, inclusive of 04 sixes & 02 fours)
CDB raced to their target in Just 13.4 overs (171 for 05) , with Pavan Ratnayake and Sonal Dinusha (36 not out in 17 balls inclusive of 02 sixes & 02 fours) engaged in a hurricane 55 runs stand in 25 balls for the 04th wicket.
MCA appointed Match Referee, Basil Perera picked Pavan Ratnayake (CDB) as the Man of the Match.
The other two special awards offered went to Movin Subasinghe (CDB), best bowler and T.M. Sampath (Hayleys Group), best batsman .
Thus the curtain came down on 31st Singer- MCA Super Premier League 2024, with debutants, Maliban Biscuits, being the “League” Champions & Fairfirst Insurance winning the “Knock-out” tournament.
Awards were given away by the Chief Guest, Senior Manager Promotions, Singer Sri Lanka PLC, KDS Kanishka, along with MCA Officials, Mahesh de Alwis, President, Rohan Somawansa, General Secretary and Lakmal de Silva, Chairman, Tournament Committee.
Brief scores :
Fairfirst Insurance –
170 for 09 in 20 overs ( Gaviru Senhas 13, Minod Bhanuka 26, Anuk Fernando 51, Moditha Ranatunga 20, Nimesh Vimukthi 37, Movin Subasinghe 2/33, Lasith Croosepulle 2/7)
CDB –
171 for 05 in 13.4 overs (Lahiru Udara 35, Oshada Fernando 15, Pavan Ratnayake 51, Sonal Dinusha 36 not out, Lahiru Madusanka 10, Nimesh Vimukthi 2/15, Imthiyas Slaza 2/19)
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