Sports
Successful staging of LPL would pave the way for other sports to resume – Dr. Lal Ekanayake
by Reemus Fernando
Dr. Lal Ekanayake, the Director General of the Institute of Sports Medicine expressed hope that Lanka Premier League (LPL) cricket tourney which was scheduled to start in the evening yesterday would be the first step towards resumption of sports in the country despite a rise in the number of Covid 19 positive cases.
“Successful staging of the LPL tournament will pave the way for other sports to resume under new normal conditions. The sports minister too is looking at the possibilities of starting other sports events after the successful conclusion of the LPL,” said Ekanayake in an interview with The Island.
“The Covid 19 is unlikely to leave us soon. Experts say that this will stay for a couple of years. In such a scenario responsibility is on us to prepare ways to resume sports,” said Ekanayake.
“Even some countries which are worst affected by the pandemic have resumed sports under new normal. Sometimes there is confusion regarding health guidelines. But if we plan properly sports can resume,” opined Ekanayake.
“Many international sports events scheduled for next year will happen as scheduled. We cannot hold back. We are going to take part in these championships. The postponed Olympics is happening later next year. So are other international events,” said Ekanayake.
Ekanayake said that his institution was looking forward to support sports associations conduct their competitions. Sri Lanka Athletics is one of the hardest hit sports and the track and field governing body has scheduled the National Championship to December after the cancellations of many top level competitions throughout the year.
Ekanayake has expressed his views on resuming track and field sports on previous occasions as well. He has cited track and field sports as a low risk sports and has the ability to resume despite the pandemic.
Sri Lanka’s sportsmen and women are scheduled to take part in a number of international events in 2021 and 2022. Resumption of local competitions including national championships is going to benefit them.
Sports
Sri Lanka look to maintain winning run at home
Rex Clementine at Dambulla
Sri Lanka’s cricket team has been in top form throughout 2024, securing victories in 11 of their 14 bilateral series across all formats. They’ve particularly dominated on home turf, winning nine out of ten series. Captain Charith Asalanka expressed their commitment to sustaining this winning streak as they gear up for an upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand, beginning today.
The series against New Zealand will feature two T20 matches followed by three ODIs.
“We’ve been working hard to climb the rankings across all formats,” Asalanka said in a press briefing. “Our aim is to break into the top three, and consistent victories are the path to that. This is a new series; we need to leave recent successes behind and start fresh on Saturday “
However, rain looms as a potential disruption in Dambulla. Sri Lanka’s training session on Friday morning was canceled due to heavy rains, and New Zealand’s evening practice under lights seemed doubtful, with the pitch fully covered.
Sri Lanka’s success at home has largely relied on their spin attack, yet Asalanka acknowledged the possibility of adjusting their strategy if the rain continues. “The rain could influence our game plan,” he admitted. “Spin has been our strength, but with this weather, we may need to consider an additional seamer.”
New Zealand, meanwhile, suffered a 2-0 defeat in the Test series of their Sri Lankan tour last month. But they rebounded spectacularly by sweeping a historic three-match series in India, marking the first time India have faced a home whitewash.
Key players from that remarkable series—Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, and Tim Southee—have since returned home to prepare for their upcoming three-match Test series against England. Also absent is former captain Kane Williamson, who missed the India Tests due to injury.
Mitchell Santner will lead a refreshed New Zealand squad in the white-ball series. “With the busy schedule, some players opted to return home to focus on the England series,” Santner explained. “We have a lot of white-ball cricket coming up, so it is important that we give some of the new players in the squad a go,” Santner added.
Sri Lanka Squad:
Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, and Asitha Fernando.
New Zealand Squad:
Mitchell Santner (Captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay (Wicketkeeper), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, and Will Young.
Umpires:
Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI) and Ravindra Wimalasiri (SRI)
TV Umpire:
Lyndon Hannibal (SRI)
Match Referee:
Ranjan Madugalle (SRI).
Sports
Damsath, Annaya win Under 14 ATF singles titles
Damsath Peiris and Annaya Norbet won the boys’ and girls’ singles titles of the ATF Under 14 week two tournament at Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts on Friday. While Damsath beat Yudheerya Atapattu 6- 2, 6-1 in the boys’ final, Annaya Norbet fought back from a set down to beat India’s Diya Ravikumar 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 in the girls’ title fight.
Sports
Mahanama earn first innings points
Under 19 Cricket
by Reemus Fernando
Mahanama earned their first points of the tournament when they settled for a first innings win against Prince of Wales in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ tournament match at Moratuwa on Friday.Chasing a target of 153 runs to win Thurstan were 144 for five wickets when rain forced an early end to the Division I match against St. Anne’s who earned first innings points at Thurstan ground.
At Reid Avenue, St. Benedict’s were 165 for six wickets when rain brought an abrupt end to the first day’s play in the traditional match against Royal.The match between Ananda and Holy Cross College saw only 39 overs being bowled on day one due to wet weather conditions.
Mahanama in first innings win over Cambrians at Moratuwa
Scores:
Prince of Wales 172 all out in 54.4 overs (Gavesha Rohana 51, Yehenith Bandara 46, Suwahas Fernando 29; Sithum Vihanga 5/45, Anuka Wijewardana 2/34) and 58 for 5 in 12.3 overs (Chamika Heenatigala 2/20)
Mahanama 151 for 4 overnight 260 for 9 decl. in 73.1 overs (Dulneth Algawatte 82, Chamika Heenatigala 91, Eshan Withanage 39; Nethul Anuhas 3/79, Prince Fernando 2/35)
St. Anne’s win first innings at Thurstan ground
Scores:
St. Anne’s 104 all out in 38.1 overs (Shehan Kumara 51; Rachintha de Silva 4/40, Thanuga Palihawadana 3/20, Sethru Fernando 2/10) and 146 all out in 39.4 overs (Buddhima Nandasiri 25, Sanuja Dissanayake 46, Chamith Sesanjana 36; Thanuga Palihawadana 2/58, Sethru Fernando 2/25, Rachintha de Silva 2/16, Yovun Silpa 3/19)
Thurstan 98 all out in 41.2 overs (Dinal Induwara 32, Pathum Dananjaya 27; Brazeer Shakeel 2/24, Shehan Kumara 5/16) and 144 for 5 in 43.4 overs (Dinal Induwara 20, Sethru Fernando 21, Rachintha de Silva 43n.o., Pathum Dananjaya 44n.o.; Shehan Kumara 2/41, Yashmin Jayasundara 2/11)
Day one limited to 49 overs at Reid Avenue
Scores:
St. Benedict’s 165 for 6 in 48.5 overs (Samindu Peiris 88; Ranuka Malaviarachchi 2/37, Kuchila Ranmadala 2/16)
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