Sports
Sri Lanka steady in second Test against South Africa
Rex Clementine in Port Elizabeth
The first-innings foundation has been Sri Lanka’s Achilles’ heel for months – a mantra oft-repeated but rarely upheld. However, under the sunny skies of Port Elizabeth, the visitors finally walked the talk, reaching a promising 103 for one at tea on day two of the second Test.
The ghosts of Durban, where Sri Lanka crumbled like a house of cards for a mere 42 runs, seemed to haunt them early on. Yet, their approach this time was chalk and cheese. They weathered the storm during the first hour, a stark departure from their usual gung-ho style. If they can push South Africa’s quicks beyond their third spells, batting on day three could become a stroll in the park.
Dimuth Karunaratne, the former skipper, epitomized discipline, leaving anything that strayed outside off-stump. He appeared set to make hay while the sun shone, but a lapse in concentration saw him chasing a wide delivery from Kagiso Rabada, only to edge it behind.
For Karunaratne, the pressure is mounting. A Test century has eluded him this year, and his modest average of 32 after ten matches leaves much to be desired. The weight of expectation hangs over him like a dark cloud, and a big knock is overdue.
Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal dug in, surviving a few hairy moments before tea. The pair has a mountain to climb, especially as Sri Lanka aim for a first-innings lead on a pitch expected to crack and crumble by day four.
Chandimal, despite his gritty second-innings effort in Durban, looked like a fish out of water against the pace attack. On the other hand, Nissanka showed poise, leaving well and defending stoutly, offering a glimmer of hope for the visitors.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s bowlers had their tails up, hoping to mop up the South African innings before they breached the 300-run mark. But those hopes went up in smoke as the pacers fell into the short-ball trap, playing right into South Africa’s hands.
The quicks managed to send Keshav Maharaj back for a duck, but Kyle Verreynne’s masterclass with the bat turned the tables. His audacious stroke play was poetry in motion, and his unbeaten 105 off 133 balls, laced with 12 fours and three sixes, left Sri Lanka licking their wounds.
Verreynne’s crucial partnerships with Kagiso Rabada (56 runs) and Dane Paterson (33 for the last wicket) ensured South Africa pushed the total beyond the 350 mark, leaving Sri Lanka to rue missed opportunities.
Lahiru Kumara was the pick of the bowlers, bagging four wickets, while Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando shared five scalps between them. But the inability to finish off the tail took the wind out of Sri Lanka’s sails.
Under 19 Cricket
A century by Pulisha Thilakarathne was the highlight of the day’s traditional Under 19 cricket encounters as Trinity posted 333 for seven wickets against St. Thomas’ Matara on day one of their match at Moneragala on Monday.
Thilakarathne top scored with 143 runs inclusive of 16 fours as he anchored the top order batting line up to produce a strong batting performance. Trinity were 333 for seven wickets when rain interrupted play.
At Kurunegala, the match between Mahanama (Colombo) and Maliyadeva ended in a draw after the visitors earned first innings advantage.
At Katugastota, St. Anthony’s restricted D. S. Senanayake to 142 runs as Kevan Fernando and Charuka Ekanayake shared seven wickets between them.
Match Results
Mahanama on first innings at Kurunegala
Scores:
Maliyadeva
214 all out in 66.2 overs (Vinuka Galappaththi 75, Rajith Navodya 69, Dimantha Arusha 30, Dinath Abeysinghe 23; Chamika Heenatigala 3/64, Anuka Wijewardana 2/41, Sithum Vihanga 2/41, Dulnith Sigera 2/42) and 53 for 3 in 15.2 overs (Dulnith Sigera 2/23)
Mahanama
98 for 1 overnight 247 all out in 61.4 overs (Dulnith Sigera 23, Anuka Wijewardana 45, Sanul Weerarathne 43, Venura Kaveethra 37, Chamika Heenatigala 30, Osanda Muthugama 25; Dimath Abeysinghe 4/68, Nethra Nirmala 2/37)
Pulisha shinea for Trinity at Moneragala
Scores:
Trinity
333 for 7 in 86 overs (Pulisha Thilakarathne 143, Aadham Hilmy 34, Rajindu Thilakarathne 26, Vathila Udara 65; Loshitha Diksith 3/59)
DSS struggle against St. Anthony’s at Kandy
Scores
DSS
142 all out in 55 overs (Sohan Yapa 45; Tharusha Dasun 2/29, Charuka Ekanayake 3/39, Kevan Fernando 4/17)
by Reemus Fernando
Corbin Bosch has been served legal notice by the PCB, alleging breach of contractual obligations, after the South Africa allrounder signed for Mumbai Indians for IPL 2025, thus pulling out of PSL 2025.
This season is the first in which the PSL will be played concurrently with the IPL: The IPL will run from March 22 to May 25, and the PSL from April 11 to May 18. Bosch had been picked by Peshawar Zalmi, in the diamond category, at the PSL draft that was held in January. But on March 8, it was announced by Mumbai Indians that he would be replacing the injured Lizaad Williams in their squad.
The PSL franchises have been keen to take some sort of action on Bosch, as they are worried it could set a precedent for players signing up with the PSL but then switching to the IPL. The idea of an outright ban on such players has also been floated in informal discussions.
A PCB statement said: “The legal notice was served through his agent, and the player has been asked to justify his actions of withdrawing from his professional and contractual commitments. The PCB management has also outlined the repercussions of his departure from the league and expects his response within the stipulated time frame. The PCB will not make any further comments on the matter.”
The statement did not specify what the time frame was for Bosch to respond.
The PCB had shifted the PSL window with a view to improve the quality and availability of overseas players whom the league would be able to sign. When the PSL was in the February-March window, it also had to compete with the SA20, ILT20 and the BPL for players. ESPN Cricinfo had reported last year when the window was changed that holding the PSL draft after the IPL auction had also been discussed, to have greater clarity about the availability of overseas players for the league. Leading into this season, the IPL auction was held in November 2024 and the PSL draft in January 2025.
The PSL draft duly attracted a large number of high-profile players, including David Warner, Daryl Mitchell, Jason Holder, Rassie van der Dussen and Kane Williamson.
[Cricinfo]
By A Special Sports Correspondent
Kandy Sports Club crowned themselves as ‘Cup Championship’ winners in the inter-club league rugby tournament when they overcame their final hurdle by beating Havelocks Sports Club by 50 points to 24 at Nittawela last evening.
Kandy SC was anyway assured of the title this season before this final game of the season even began, given that they were unbeaten thus far in the league tournament. Kandy SC collected their points through seven tries, six conversions and a penalty while Havelocks Sports Club responded with a three converted tries and a penalty.
Kandy SC set the pace for the game from the kick off itself and recorded first half tries through Dinal Ekanayake, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Kenula Hettiarachchi and Dahan Wickremaarachchi and all four conversions were slotted in by Tharinda Ratwatte. Havelocks SC got most of their points in the first half through Sandesh Jayawickreme who scored a try and booted through a conversion. The penalty for the Park Club was kicked right by Samuel Maduwantha.
Kandy SC faced some resistance from Havies after the turn around, but the side from Nittawela found the try line by breaking through a barrage of tackles from the men wearing the pink and chocolate jerseys.
Dahan Wickremaarachchi started the ball rolling for Kandy with a try after the turn around which took the side’s score to 38 with the conversion. Havies played in patches thereafter and scored through Jayathu Rajaratne and Janidu Fernando. Jayawickreme was spot on with the conversions.
Kandy’s Ethen Schneider Loos smashed his way through for the side’s sixth try which was converted by Ratwatte. Kandy had the game in the bag despite Havies playing attacking rugby whenever they had possession. But the score line deference that Kandy maintained throughout the game made it hard for Havies to make a real comeback into the game.
The Nittwala side erupted in jubilation when Ekanayake punted ahead and sent crowd favourite Nigel Ratwatte for the seventh and final try. There was speculation throughout the game that this would be Nigel’s final game for the Kandy SC side. Surprisingly Tharinda missed the conversion.
At the awards presentation ceremony after the game, Kandy Sports Club’s Tharinda Ratwatte was named as the highest points scorer for the 2024/25 league rugby season. He has accumulated 139 points this season.
Havelocks Sports produced the highest try scorer for the season. That award went to Jayathu Rajaratne of Havies. He has had 16 touchdowns this season. Havelocks Sports Club had to be satisfied with the runners-up trophy at the awards presentation. Players from both sides including the coaching staff were presented with medals by the organisers of the tournament.
Meanwhile CR&FC did well in their last outing in the Cup Championship segment of the league tournament when they beat Air Force by 31 points to 16 at Longden Place.
In the two Plate Segment matches, Sri Lanka Navy beat Sri Lions by 41 points to 38 at Race Course.In the other match of the Plate segment, Police SC beat Army SC by 24 points to 17. The match was played at Police Park.
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