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The million dollar kid

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by Rex Clementine

In sports, you shouldn’t be afraid to try out new things. Duleep Mendis tried out using Sanath Jayasuriya as a pinch-hitter, the late Lucky Rogers backed Ajantha Mendis of carrom ball fame to bowl a delivery flicking his fingers, T.M. Dilshan of Dilscoop fame experimented with a scoop shot over the wicketkeeper’s head. All those innovations went onto become an integral part of the game. In 2015, Richmond College coach Dhammika Sudarashana requested one of his pace bowlers to try out wrist spin, the game’s most difficult art. Wanindu Hasaranga is his name. Seven years later, the seamer turned leg-spinner has fetched an IPL deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore worth US$ 1.43 million! Isn’t life quite astonishing.

If your kids are any good at sports, don’t encourage them to become a doctor, a banker or an engineer. Back them to play cricket and it only requires one IPL deal for them to get settled in life.

Wanindu’s father is a policeman. They lived in Ratgama, the same village as Lasith Malinga. He was keen in getting his children sent to popular schools in Galle, although his kids had to travel 15 kilometers one way. Those who are in government service have a provision to get their kids admitted to popular schools and Wanindu’s father succeeded. He had to pick between Mahinda and Richmond. He chose the latter. It was a brilliant choice.

Richmond had one of the best cricket programs in the country. If you just look at the players they have gone onto produce in the last decade you can see that.

At Richmond, they don’t care whether you score 1000 runs for the season or take 100 wickets for the season. They teach you a winning mentality. To keep fighting no matter how hopeless the situation is. That’s why Richmond won many games in the season outright. The players have developed that toughness and that can be seen in the likes of Wanindu, Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka.

It’s quite astonishing that even seasoned campaigners like Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga didn’t go beyond one million USD at IPL auctions. Last year was a breakthrough one for Wanindu. He was world’s highest wicket taker in T-20 cricket and finished the T-20 World Cup with most wickets. His batting has won Sri Lanka some games and he is so handy on the field too. RCB think they have got the right man.

Wanindu’s cricket has improved leaps and bounds in the last two yers. It remains a mystery why he was overlooked for the 2019 World Cup. Mickey Arthur saw his value and started backing him. Toady he is on a different league. Apart from Wanindu, there were other Sri Lankans who have got IPL deals. Dushmantha Chameera was bought by Lucknow for USD 250,000 while Chennai Super Kings paid USD 92,000 for Maheesh Theekshana. Chamika Karunaratne was picked up by Calcutta for USD 65,000.



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Kusal Mendis 143 and Avishka Fernando 100 as Sri Lanka finish on 324

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Kusal Mendis crashed 143 off 127 balls, Avishka Fernando hit 100 off 115, and together the pair put on a 206-run stand that formed the bulk of Sri Lanka’s 324 for 5 in Dambulla.

Only 49.2 overs of Sri Lanka’s innings was possible, with a shower coming down to prevent the last four balls from being delivered. Right at the start of the match, another shower had forced a 40-minute delay.

Still, with the surface offering only modest turn, this remains a commanding score at the venue as no team batting second has ever made more than 289. New Zealand will hope the ground remains wet so that the balls Sri Lanka have to operate with are damp, and come on to the bat a little quicker.

Seamer Jacob Duffy was the best of New Zealand’s bowlers, claiming 3 for 41 from his 8.2 overs. He’d had the dangerous Pathum Nissanka caught at deep third for 12, then dismissed Kusal and Charith Asalanka in his death-bowling spell.

The spinners were less impressive. Mitchell Santner conceded 53 from his 10 and did not take a wicket, Ish Sodhi gave away 62 from his 10 though he did end Avishka’s innings, and Michael Bracewell took one wicket but went for 73 from his nine overs, having been hit for two sixes and a four by Kusal in his final over.

Early on, Kusal and Avishka gained significant momentum through the powerplay, in which Sri Lanka scored 57 runs. In the fifth over, bowled by Duffy, Kusal smoked a straight drive, then crashed a short ball in front of midwicket to hit his first two fours of the innings. Next over, bowled by debutant Nathan Smith, Avishka lifted him down the ground, then swivel-pulled him over the fine leg boundary for six.

That period did have a hiccup – Kusal was dropped on 11 by Duffy, who could not hold a sharp return catch. But otherwise Sri Lanka’s progress was smooth. Though the pitch had been expected to take some turn, there was only a little turn for New Zealand’s spinners. Kusal and Avishka settled into a steady rhythm of accumulation, both batters using the sweep to good effect when the New Zealand bowlers delivered consecutive dot balls.

Avishka was also strong over cover, going inside out repeatedly, while Kusal found runs square of the wicket on the offside. They both milked the bowling of Sodhi and Bracewell, neither of whom were able to build pressure over substantial periods. Kusal got to his fifty off the 64th ball he faced, before Avishka got to his own half century – his ninth – off his 60th ball.

They raised the tempo slightly after getting to those milestones, but largely batted in the same gear. Avishka was dropped on 77 by Sodhi in the outfield, though the fielder only really got fingertips to the chance. Kusal got to his century first, in the 37th over, off 102 balls. Avishka got there in the 38th. For both batters, this was their fourth ODI ton.

Avishka was out soon after, caught at mid off, but the partnership had delivered Sri Lanka to the brink of the death overs. At his fall, the total was 222 for 2 in the 39th over.

Both Kusal and Asalanka were effective through the last 10, Kusal largely bashing spinners down the ground, while Asalanka found runs square of the wicket. The rain returned with Asalanka being caught on the square leg boundary for 40 off 28.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 324 for 5 in 49.2 overs (Kusal Mendis 143, Avishka Fernando 100, Charith Asalanka 40; Jacob Duffy 3-41, Michael Bracewell 1-73, Ish Sodhi 1-62) vs New Zealand

[Cricinfo]

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Sri Lanka opt to bat; three ODI debutants for New Zealand

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Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to bat in the first ODI against New Zealand, in Dambulla, saying he expected the surface to become worse for batting as the match wore on. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said he did not mind bowling first, with there being the possibility that rain and a wet outfield later, which may impede bowlers operating in the evening.

New Zealand have three debutants in their XI. Opening batter Tim Robinson and wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay get their ODI caps, having played the T20Is over the weekend. For Nathan Smith  the 26-year-old seam-bowling allrounder, it’s his first international in any format.

Adam Milne, who has replaced the injured Lockie Ferguson in the squad, having arrived in the country only on Tuesday night, was not available for selection. Jacob Duffy will be the other frontline seamer, with Ish Sodhi, Santner, Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips offering the spin options on a track expected to take turn.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have brought back left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka  They have also been hit by an injury, with Wanidu Hasaranga ruled out. Jeffrey Vandersay replaced him in the XI. There are plenty of bowling options from among the top seven, with Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage all capable of putting in a few overs.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando,  Kusal Mendis (wk),  Sadeera Samarawickrama,  Charith Asalanka (capt),  Kamindu Mendis,  Janith Liyanage,  Maheesh Theekshana,  Jeffrey Vandersay,  Dilshan Madushanka,  Asitha Fernando

New Zealand:  Tim Robinson,  Will Young,  Henry Nicholls,  Mark Chapman,  Glenn Phillips,  Mitchell Hay (wk),  Michael Bracewell,  Mitchell Santner (capt),  Nathan Smith,  Ish Sodhi,  Jacob Duffy

[Cricinfo]

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Sri Lanka face setback with Hasaranga injury

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Sri Lanka’s think tank Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, captain Charith Asalanka and Chairman of Selectors Upul Tharanga in discussion at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The first ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand will take place today.

Rex Clementine at Dambulla

Sri Lanka’s preparations for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand have been dealt a blow as key leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out with a hamstring strain. Hasaranga’s absence leaves a significant gap in Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, as his wicket-taking ability has been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s recent success. In his place, Dushan Hemantha has been drafted into the squad, while Jeffrey Vandersay is expected to play in today’s first ODI here in Dambulla.

“It’s a setback, of course, but Jeffrey filled in for Hasaranga during our recent series against India and performed admirably. We’ve been working on building our depth, and players are rising to the challenge when called upon,” said Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka.

The stakes are high for Sri Lanka, ranked sixth in ODIs and just behind New Zealand in fifth place. A series victory would elevate Sri Lanka into the fifth spot, a target Asalanka’s team has had in sight all year.

“Our focus this year has been on climbing the rankings. We started from a lower position, so we’ve made a conscious effort to improve and rise up the ladder. We’ve been making strides in all formats, and this series is a chance to achieve a goal we’ve been working towards—securing that fifth position,” Asalanka explained.

Despite the injury setback, Asalanka remains optimistic about the team’s bench strength and believes the squad is prepared to take on New Zealand.

On the other side, New Zealand have also been hit by injury, with their star pacer Lockie Ferguson sidelined due to a calf strain. Ferguson’s absence comes as a relief to Sri Lanka’s middle order, which struggled against his fierce pace in the recent T20 series, where he claimed a hat-trick to seal a five-run victory for New Zealand in the second match. Adam Milne has been called in to replace Ferguson, though he is unlikely to be available for the series opener.

“It’s a big loss for us. Lockie brings intensity to our attack with those high-energy spells. But Adam Milne, who has similar skills, should step in soon,” New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said.

New Zealand, meanwhile, will be entering the ODI series with limited recent experience in the format, having not played an ODI this year. While this could pose a challenge for the visitors, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner expressed confidence in his side’s preparedness.

“It’s not ideal, but most of the team has been involved in domestic one-day games recently. We know Sri Lanka is a tough opponent, and they’ve proven that with their performances against the West Indies,” Santner remarked.

Santner also addressed concerns around New Zealand’s batting, which faltered in both T20 games, underscoring the importance of a strong start from the top order. “Our lower order has chipped in, but our top order needs to give us a solid foundation. The pitch here looks like it’ll turn, though there’s more grass than on the T20 surfaces,” he noted.

Sri Lanka’s captain, meanwhile, is focused on bouncing back from their recent T20 loss, where they struggled to chase a modest target of 109 runs. Asalanka vowed that his side would approach the ODI series with renewed determination.

“We were disappointed by that last game, no question. But what counts is how we respond now. We’re ready to make our mark and put in a strong performance tomorrow,” he affirmed.

Sri Lanka (From):

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Mohamed Shiraz.

New Zealand (From)

: Mitchell Santner (Captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (Wicketkeeper), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Will Young.

Umpires:

Rod Tucker (Aus) and Ravindra Wimalasiri (SL).

Television Umpire:

Langton Rusere (SL)

Match Referee:

Graeme Labrooy (SL).

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