Sports

Sri Lanka aim to restore pride as Australia keep Champions Trophy in sight

Published

1 year ago

2025/02/12

Australian captain Steve Smith and his Sri Lankan counterpart Charith Asalanka pose for photographs lead up to the two match ODI series at RPS that gets underway today.

by Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka might be out of the Champions Trophy race, but they are determined to make the most of the two match ODI series against Australia, starting today (Wednesday). Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka emphasized the importance of ensuring Sri Lanka never missed out on another ICC event. His side aren’t part of the ICC Champions Trophy that gets underway in Pakistan in a week’s time.

“It’s disappointing, no doubt about it. But there’s nothing we can do about it now. What’s important is that we make sure this never happens again,” Asalanka admitted.

“Last year, we had some big moments in ODI cricket – we beat India for the first time in 27 years and won several bilateral series. We need to build on that momentum and ensure we don’t find ourselves in this position again,” he added.

Sri Lanka’s failure to qualify for the Champions Trophy marks the first time in half a century that they have missed out on an ICC event. Their ninth-place finish at the last World Cup in India meant they were left on the sidelines while the top eight teams booked their tickets to Pakistan.

For Australia, this series is more than just a warm-up; it’s a chance to fine-tune their game ahead of the Champions Trophy. The defending World Champions are placed in a tough group alongside England, South Africa, and Afghanistan, with a few preliminary games also set to be played in Dubai.

“I’d be lying if I said the Champions Trophy wasn’t at the forefront of our minds. It’s a massive ICC tournament for us,” Australian skipper Steve Smith told reporters in Colombo.

“While our focus is on finishing this series well, we’re also looking at the bigger picture. These two games will help us get our plans in place for the tournament,” Smith added.

Both ODIs will be played as day games, a rare sight in modern cricket, as the floodlights at R. Premadasa Stadium are yet to be installed following renovations. With Sri Lanka set to co-host next year’s T20 World Cup alongside India, most of the upgrade work has been completed, but the lights remain a work in progress.

“Day games are quite different, actually. To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I played one. But whatever the conditions, it’s going to be warm out there, and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Smith noted.

The Aussies arrived in Colombo full of confidence, fresh from a 2-0 Test series whitewash in Galle, where they completely outplayed the hosts. They will be eager to keep their winning streak intact before shifting their focus to the global stage.

“Before coming to Sri Lanka, we had a training camp in Dubai, where we prepared on challenging wickets. The batters found methods to succeed in these conditions, the spinners worked on varying their pace, and the seamers fine-tuned their reverse swing. We hope to bring all that into this series and finish well,” Smith explained.

With Sri Lanka aiming to restore pride and Australia using this as a dress rehearsal for their Champions Trophy campaign, the two-match series promises to be more than just a routine bilateral contest. The first ODI will be played on Wednesday, followed by the second on Friday.

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Sports

Cape Verde break record as smallest nation to reach World Cup knockouts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/27

Priyan

Cape Verde coach Pedro Brito celebrates after his side qualifed for the knockout stages of the World Cup [Aljazeera]

Tiny Cape Verde have become the history makers of World Cup 2026 by defying all odds to become the smallest country to earn a spot in the knockout stages of the competition.

Their improbable run through the group stage, with a third straight World Cup draw, was completed with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia on Friday night to advance in the tournament.

Keeping goal for Cape Verde throughout has been Vozinha, 40, who has embodied the grit of his nation. “We are small, but we have big hearts and we are fighters,” said the goalkeeper, who last season played for Chaves in Portugal’s second tier.

The island nation off the western coast of Africa, which is making its debut on football’s grandest stage, already held 2010 champion Spain to a 0-0 draw – a shock in itself to begin their campaign.

They then came from behind to get a 2-2 result against Uruguay – the winners of the inaugural World Cup in 1930.

“The team was very eager to show this to the whole world,” Cape Verde coach Bubista said while draped in his country’s flag after the Saudi Arabia game.

“We are proud of having arrived at this stage. We have shown that we are a small country, but that we fight for the things that we want to achieve.”

Cape Verde’s three points put the team in second place behind Spain, which beat Uruguay on Friday night and won the group.

Cape Verde will play reigning World Cup champion Argentina in Miami on July 3.

[Aljazeera]

Latest News

India A stretch lead to 170 after Sai Sudharsan retires hurt

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/27

Priyan

Auqib Nabi bagged four wickets [SLC]

India suffered a potential injury scare ahead of the Test series in Sri Lanka, with their No.3 B Sai Sudarshan retiring hurt on 7 while playing for India A against Sri Lanka A during the third day of the first four-dayer in Galle. After scoring a century in the first innings, Sai Sudharsan retired hurt in the fourth over of India A’s second innings. By the end of the day’s play, however, India A had stretched their lead to 170.

Chhattisgarh opener Aayush Pandey and Devdutt Padikkal were unbeaten on 20 each at stumps.

India A had claimed a first-innings lead of 122 after dismissing Sri Lanka A for 330 in their first innings. Resuming from an overnight 113 for 2, they were guided by half-centuries from captain Sahan Arachchige (72) and Ashen Bandara (70). Nuwandi Fernando, who had passed his own fifty on day two, had his innings cut short on 84 on day three.

For India A, Auqib Nabi, who was the top wicket taker in the previous Ranji Trophy season and was a net bowler during India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, was the pick of the bowlers, returning 4 for 58 in 19.4 overs. Sri Lanka A lost their last five wickets for 30 runs, with Nabi taking four of those.

Left-arm fingerspin-bowling allrounder Harsh Dubey and Vidarbha fast bowler Yash Thakur picked up two wickets apiece. India A then closed out the day on 48 for 0.

Scores:
India A 48 for 0 in 17 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 20*, Ayush Pandey 20*) and 452 for 6 dec in 111.4 overs [Sai Sudarshan 132, Dhruv Jurel 141, Shaik Rasheed 63; Chamika Gunasekera 3-64, Dilum Sudeera 2-143] lead Sri Lanka A 330 in 101.4 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 84, Ashen Bandara 70, Sahan Arachchige 72; Aaqib Nabi 4-58, YashThakur 2-51, Harsh Dubey 2-84) by 170 runs

[Cricinfo]

Latest News

T20 World Cup: Scotland miss out as eight teams secure automatic spots for 2028

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/27

Priyan

Sri Lanka's win against Scotland completed the group of eight teams [Cricinfo]

Teams that finished in the top four of each group at the ongoing T20 World Cup have secured their spots for the next edition of the tournament in 2028. From Group 1, Australia, India, South Africa and Bangladesh have qualified. England, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka join them from Group 2. Pakistan qualified as a result of being the tournament hosts; they finished fifth in the Group 2 table with just one win in five games.

Scotland missed out on a chance to directly qualify for the 12-team ICC event after losing to Sri Lanka on Friday.

The 10th spot will go to the next highest-ranked team on the T20I rankings table at the July 6, 2026 cut-off. As it stands, Ireland, ranked ninth, fill that spot. The remaining two places will be determined through a 10-team global qualifier, which will be supported by regional qualifiers.

Netherlands, ranked 14th, are likely to have to play in the qualifier to make the main event. So too Scotland (11th) and Ireland (9th) if they fall too far down the table.

The ICC also made a decision on the composition of teams at the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, to be held next year in Sri Lanka. The hosts will be joined by the top five teams on the T20I rankings at the same July 6 cut-off. As it stands, the teams at the tournament will be Australia, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa.

[Cricinfo]