Sports

SSC bite the bullet, vow to fight back

Published

11 months ago

2025/03/4

In a bid to save SSC from relegation, former Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne featured in the club’s last First Class game of the season but still they ended up suffering a first innings defeat to NCC.

by Rex Clementine

The first round of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Major League Tournament came to a close last week, with Bloomfield and NCC emerging as the table-toppers in their respective groups. The two Colombo-based powerhouses are now set to lock horns in the grand finale, which begins tomorrow (March 5) at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The four-day First Class match promises to be a high-stakes battle for domestic supremacy.

However, the real headline of the tournament wasn’t the two finalists but the stunning relegation of SSC – Sri Lanka’s most storied cricket club. For the first time in its illustrious history, the club will be without First-Class status for at least two years, a fall from grace that has sent shockwaves through the country’s cricketing circles.

Alongside SSC, Ragama Cricket Club, Negombo Cricket Club, and Kandy Customs have also been shown the exit door, having finished in the bottom half of the table. But SSC’s relegation, in particular, is akin to a giant being felled – an unthinkable scenario for a club that has long been the nursery of Sri Lankan cricketing greats.

SSC might feel hard done by, as fate seemed to conspire against them this season. The weather gods were unkind, washing out crucial games they could have won. Injuries, too, played a major role in their downfall, with key bowlers like Nisala Tharaka, Kasun Rajitha, and Pramod Madushan spending more time on the treatment table than on the field.

But some insiders believe the club was also a victim of its own star power. With many of their marquee players tied up with national duties, SSC often found itself fielding understrength sides. To make matters worse, several senior players prioritized franchise cricket, leaving the club in the lurch at critical moments. Although they returned midway through the league, the damage had already been done, and SSC found itself staring down the barrel.

While some clubs in the past have resorted to backdoor moves and legal loopholes to avoid the drop, SSC’s management deserves credit for taking relegation on the chin. They didn’t plead for special treatment or try to move the goalposts in their favour.

Not too long ago, a prominent club was saved from relegation through some questionable maneuvering, and others have even sought legal recourse to cling to First-Class status despite tournament rules being crystal clear. But SSC, true to its stature, accepted its fate with dignity, setting an example for others to follow.

Sri Lanka Cricket has been on a mission to streamline domestic cricket, reducing the number of First-Class teams to improve the quality of competition. Not too long ago, the tournament had a bloated 26-team structure. But with the numbers being trimmed – down to 14 teams next season and 12 the year after – SSC now finds itself in the unenviable position of having to claw its way back into the top division.

Despite the setback, SSC is already plotting its comeback. The club’s Cricket Committee Chairman, Samantha Dodanwala, made it clear that they aren’t looking for excuses – just a way back.

“At the end of the day, we have to take responsibility rather than offering excuses. Now we are duty-bound to fight our way back into the top division. The good thing is that all the players have agreed to stay on and help us reclaim our rightful place,” Dodanwala told ‘The Island‘.

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Sports

Hasaranga backs Sri Lanka for World Cup semi-final push

Published

4 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka’s leg-spin spearhead Wanindu Hasaranga has warned rivals not to write off the hosts ahead of the World Cup, after his four-wicket burst in the final T20I against Pakistan helped Sri Lanka square the three-match series on Sunday.

Hasaranga’s spell turned the game on its head and restored belief in a side that has blown hot and cold. Speaking after being named Player of the Match and Player of the Series, the leg-spinner said Sri Lanka, buoyed by home conditions, remain very much in the hunt for a semi-final berth.

Under head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka have made steady strides over the past 18 months. There have been a few distractions recently like changes in selectors and captaincy among them, but the dressing room, Hasaranga insisted, is quietly confident.

“We know the conditions and we’ve grown up playing in these conditions,” Hasaranga said. “If we use them well, we can have a major impact. Players need to identify their roles. Once that happens, we can put on a good show.”

Sunday’s decider was reduced to 12 overs a side after rain delayed the start by more than two hours, but Hasaranga felt the shortened contest still offered valuable lessons.

“Today we looked good,” he said. “We’ve been lacking a bit of consistency in recent years. In a World Cup, you have to minimise mistakes and keep moving forward.”

Bowling with a wet ball tested the spinners’ skills and patience, but Hasaranga viewed it as useful match practice rather than an inconvenience.

“It was challenging with a wet ball,” he explained. “But it’s good these things happen before a World Cup. It prepares you for all kinds of situations. I even spoke to our batters about what deliveries they’d prefer to face, and that input helped when we went out to defend.”

Sri Lanka now enjoy a week’s breather before hosting England with Hasaranga keen to see his side peak at the right time.

“When this series started, we had six games leading into the World Cup,” he said. “Rain in Dambulla meant things didn’t always go to plan. As a team, we wanted winning momentum. There are only a couple of games left now and we need to be firing on all cylinders when the World Cup begins.”

Sri Lanka had stumbled in the opener, losing by six wickets after being bowled out inside 20 overs, while the second match was washed out without a toss. A 14-run win in the final game, however, ensured honours ended even.

Rex Clementine
in Dambulla

Sports

Sunil Gunawardana among contenders for top post of Sri Lanka Athletics

Published

4 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

It will be a four-way battle for the top post of Sri Lanka Athletics as fresh nominations for the election of office bearers closed at the Sports Ministry on Monday. Former president Sunil Gunawardana, Bimal Wijesinhge, Sugath Kumara and Prasanna Indika are the nominees for the post of president and they are subjected to objections.

‎This is the second time the Ministry of Sports called for nominations after different stakeholders successfully challanged the earlier niminations alleging that there were errors in the process.

‎Informed sources said that this time too the Ministry of Sports has left enough room for allegations as it announced the names of the nominees without waiting for the nominations sent by post.

‎”There was a fundamental error as they did not wait for nominations sent by post. They informed the stake holders by post. Some member federations had received the letters only on last Thursday. They were in a mighty hurry to announce the names of the nominees soon after the nominations closed,” a source close to athletics told The Island.

‎Following are the nominees for various posts of Sri Lanka Athletics.

‎‎President: Sunil Gunawardana, Bimal Wijesinhge, Prasanna Indika, Sugath Kumara

‎‎Vice President: Prasanna Indika, Lal Chandrakumara, Lt. Col. G.N. Jayathilaka, Irangani Rupasinghe, Jagath Silva, G.J. Siyamudali, Prasanna Aluvihare

‎‎Secretary: Dr. Dhammika Senanayake, Sameera Perera, Madawa Herath

‎Asst. Secretary: Sameera Perera, Aloy Wickramasinghe (RF)

Sports

Lakmal, Pravina win trophies at Eagles Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament

Published

4 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) won the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Trophy. (L) / Pravina Dunuwille emerged as the Ladies' Trophy winner. (R)

Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) secured the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Trophy, achieving the highest score in the gents’ category and Pravina Dunuwille emerged as the Ladies’ Trophy winner at the fourth edition of the Eagles Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament which came to a close at the picturesque China Bay, near the harbour city of Trincomalee.

‎The Sri Lanka Air Force, in collaboration with Eagles’ Golf Links and Courses, successfully conducted the fourth edition of the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament on Sunday.

‎The tournament, conducted under the Stableford Scoring System, commenced in the morning with the participation of 80 enthusiastic golfers, including 13 women golfers. The tournament was officially inaugurated when one of the former Commanders of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody, took the first tee-off.

‎Wing Commander Nalin Bentharaarachchi (Retd) claimed the Runner-up position in the Gents’ category, and Niloo Jayathilake was awarded the Ladies’ Runner-up position. In addition, Buddika Amarasinghe and Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody received accolades for the Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin, respectively, in the Gents’ category, while Sandra Cadien secured the Longest Drive in the Ladies’ category. The Wooden Spoon was awarded to Nimal Jayasinghe.

‎The Eagles’ Monsoon Defence Challenge Trophy, presented to members of the Tri-Services in the Men’s category, was won by Wing Commander Asantha Gunaratne from the SLAF. Lieutenant Commander Mevan Perera from the SL Navy was the Runner-up of the Defence Challenge Trophy. Commodore Mangala Mummullage received the award for the Longest Drive in the Defence Challenge category.

‎The Best Total Net Score in the Six Hidden Holes competition segment was achieved by Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene (Retd) and Group Captain Prabath Wijekoon received the Commander’s Island Green Award for the 2025 year’s Eagles’ Monsoon Cup iteration.

‎The awards of the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup were presented at a gala Awards Ceremony held at Eagles’ Golf Links during the evening of the same day. The Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dhammika Dias, graced the Awards Ceremony as the Chief Guest. Further, Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkodi, Chairman of SLAF Golf, Air Commodore Erandika Gunewardene, Secretary of Air Force Golf Links and Courses, Group Captain Asanka Rathnayake, Secretary of Air Force Golf, Wing Commander Thushan Fernando, Sales Manager of Aviyana Ceylon Resorts, Suranga Fernando (representing the Chairman of Aviyana Ceylon Resorts) and other golf enthusiasts attended the ceremony.

‎Adding to the prestige of the occasion, Aviyana Ceylon Resorts sponsored the tournament, enhancing its grandeur and providing a memorable experience for all participants.‎