Sports

St. Benedict’s advance to Under 19 Division I Tier B semi final

Published

4 weeks ago

2025/10/10

St. Benedict’s College lived up to their billing as they beat Ananda College by 47 runs to secure a semi final place in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket tournament on Thursday.

‎The Bens rode on a strong base put on by top order batsmen Mario Fernando (91), Tehan Bitar (54) and Vihanga Rathnayake (68n.o. in 54) to put pressure on the visitors who were bowled out for 225 runs. The home team scored a 47 runs victory at Kotahena.

‎Of the two teams St. Benedict’s were the favourite after having reached the knockout stage with four victories. Their only blemish in the first round was the defeat to Mahinda who emerged as the group champions with that win.

‎Ananda had three wins under their belt when they came to the quarter final.

‎Holy Cross, Kingswood, Taxila advance to semis

‎‎In the Division II Tier A tournament, Holy Cross College, Kalutara, Taxila Central, Horana and Kingswood, Kandy booked semi-final dates as they won their quarter final matches.

‎Holy Cross registered a huge eight wickets victory over hometown rivals Tissa Central as the top order batsmen, namely, Induwara Anuhas (52), Dewthilina Ananda (65), Rusith Jayawardana (52n.o.) and Osinda Silva (49n.o.) clicked together to reach a target of 233 runs with six overs to spare. While Tharuksha Silva (3/50) and Omesh Nimsara (2/37) took bowling honours for Holy Cross, Mindew Hansana was the standout player for the home team. With the entire batting line up struggling for runs, Hansana hammered 83 runs in 46 balls (4x4s, 8x6s).

‎Taxila did well to defend a total of 190 runs as Janiru Sewmin led the way with a four wicket haul to restrict Lyceum, Wattala to 178 runs at Horana. Nawanjana Deemantha with 48 runs was the top scorer for Taxila.

‎At Karandeniya, Kavija Gamage scored unbeaten 68 (in 50 balls) inclusive of six fours and four sixes to guide Kingswood to five wickets win over Vidyaloka, Galle. The latter could muster only 155 runs runs in their alloted 50 overs.

‎‎Bens beat Ananda at Kotahena

‎Scores:

‎St. Benedict’s

272 for 5 in 50 overs (Mario Fernando 91, Tehan Bitar 54, Vihanga Rathnayake 68n.o., Mewan Dissanayake 34; Chamathka Irusha 2/60)

‎Ananda

225 all out in 45.3 overs (Nethul Edirimanne 29, Kithma Sithmal 42, Ovin Perera 63, Lithma Perera 24, Ashinsa Nainayake 30; Mewan Dissanayake 3/33, Manikya Deshapriya 2/54, Yohan Edirisinghe 2/38) (RF)

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Chapman stars as New Zealand survive West Indies scare to level series

Published

11 hours ago

2025/11/6

Priyan

Mark Chapman unleashed a flurry of sixes in his 28-ball knock [Cricinfo]

Mark Chapman bludgeoned 78 off 28 balls before New Zealand survived a late onslaught to record their first T20I victory of the home season in a bounce back against West Indies at Eden Park.

West Indies were down and out in the 208-run chase at 93 for 6 in the 13th over. They needed 18 an over from there but the required rate suddenly nosedived as Rovman Powell launched stunning hitting at the death.

Needing 16 runs off the final over, West Indies were suddenly in the box seat after a couple of Matthew Forde boundaries meant they required eight off four balls.

But Powell holed out to quick Kyle Jamieson on the fourth ball in a game-changer before Forde could only score a single off the final delivery as West Indies fell three runs short.

Jamieson held his nerve with a superb slower ball in a major relief for New Zealand, who were under pressure after a seven-run defeat in the series-opener at the same ground just 24 hours earlier.

After New Zealand were sent in to bat, Chapman ignited his side in favourable batting conditions and completely dominated the middle-latter overs with a slew of belligerent blows.

While chasing, West Indies succumbed to spinners Ish Sodhi, the only change from either team from game one, and Mitchell Santner combining for six wickets.

There was a late twist but the result snapped the West Indies’ five-game T20I winning streak.

DRS was used in this match after technical issues meant the technology could not be in place for the opener.

Brief scores:
New Zealand 207 for 5 in 20 overs (Mark Chapman 78, Tim Robinson 39, Devon Conway 16, Rachin Ravindra 11, Daryl Mitchell 28*, Mitchell Santner 18*; Mathew Forde 1-17, Jason Holder 1-34, Romario Shepherd 1-38, Roston Chase 2-33) beat West Indies 204 for 8 in 20 overs (Alick Athanaze 33, Shai Hope 24, Jason Holder 16, Rovman Powell 45, Romario Shepherd 34, Mathew Forde 29*; Jacob Duffy 1-21, Kyle Jamieson 1-51, Michell Santner 3-31, Ish Sodhi 3-39) by three runs

[Cricinfo]

Sports

BCB ‘refutes’ allegations of physical abuse against Nigar Sultana

Published

21 hours ago

2025/11/6

Priyan

Nigar Sultana has come under fire from her former team-mate Jahanara Alam [Cricinfo]

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has said it “strongly refutes” allegations of physical abuse made by fast bowler Jahanra Alam against the current national women’s team captain Nigar Sultana.

Alam, who has not played international cricket since December 2024, claimed that Sultana “beat up” her team-mates in an interview with Bangladesh newspaper Kaler Kantho.

“The BCB categorically and strongly refutes these allegations, which are baseless, fabricated and devoid of any truth,” the board said in a statement. “The Board finds it unfortunate that such derogatory and scandalous claims have been made at a time when the Bangladesh Women’s Team is showing commendable progress and unity on the international stage.

“The Board believes that the timing and nature of these comments are deliberate, ill-intentioned and seemingly aimed at undermining the spirit and confidence of a team that continues to represent the country with pride. It is deeply disappointing that an individual who currently has no involvement or relevance in the plans of Bangladesh cricket has chosen to make such misleading statements in public.”

“The BCB wishes to make it clear that it has complete trust and confidence in the Women’s National Team’s leadership, players and management. The Board has found no evidence to support any of the claims made and stands firmly behind the team and its personnel.”

Bangladesh had finished seventh out of eight teams in the recent Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Their only victory came against Pakistan but they ran England, South Africa and Sri Lanka close.

[Cricinfo]

Sports

Hayleys defeat CDB by 5 runs in 10th MCA Super Premier T20 tournament final

Published

22 hours ago

2025/11/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Hayleys Group Team

Hayleys Group made amends to their loss in the 32nd Singer-MCA Super Premier 50 over tournament final last Thursday, by defeating the star studded Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) team by five runs in the final of the 10th MCA Super Premier T20 tournament played under lights at the CCC ground on Sunday night.

Invited to bat first, Hayleys helped by twenty plus scores from Nishan Madushka, Sadeera Samarawickrema and skipper Ramesh Mendis managed to post 127 runs before being dismissed with 3 balls remaining. Isitha Wijesundera was rewarded with a four wicket haul while Dunith Wellalge captured two wickets.

Hayleys skipper Ramesh Mendis receives the trophy from Tharaka Warnakulasuriya General Manager [Marketing] Singer Sri Lanka PLC

In the chase, except for Shevon Daniel [48 off 44] who opened the innings the star studded batting outfit of Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) were unable to get the Hayleys bowlers away and were eventually were bowled out for 122 runs. Ramesh Mendis and Ravidu Fernando captured three wickets each to defend their total of 127 and win the game by 5 runs.

Hayleys’ skipper Ramesh Mendis was named the Man of the final for his contributions of 29 runs off 23 balls, bowling figures of 4-0-21-3, a catch and figuring in a run out.

Tharindra Nirmal of David Pieris Group of Companies was named the Best Batsman of the Tournament for his aggregate of 131 runs from three innings.

Thanuka Dabare of Fairfirst Insuarance Limited was named the Best Bowler of the T20 tournament for capturing12 wickets in the four matches he participated and also named as the Player of the Tournament for his aggregate of 99 runs in addition to his bowling performance.

Scores:

Hayleys Group 127/10 in 19.3 overs

[Nishan Madushka 27, Sadeera Samarawickrema 33, Ramesh Mendis 29, Kavishka Anjula 11; Muditha Lakshan 1-34, Dunith Wellalage 2-17, Tharindu Rathnayake 1-19, Isitha Wijesundera 4-24]

CDB 122/10 Iin19.5 overs

[Shevon Daniel 48, Dunith Wellalage 15, Movin Subasinghe 16, Tharindu Rathnayake 12, Isitha Wijesundera 12*; Prabath Jayasuriya 1-21, Ramesh Mendis 3-21, Ravindu Fernando 3-24, Kavishka Anjula 1-28, Kalana Perera 1-12]