Sports
Time to kick out optional training
The Australians are pioneers in coaching. Having added science into coaching, they took the game to a new level in mid 1990s. Others followed suit. But it’s time to also kick out some of the old Aussie habits. Such as ‘optional training’.
When Ricky Ponting’s side arrived in Colombo for a lengthy tour in 2004, their coach John Buchanan made training before a game optional. Matthew Hayden went fishing, Shane Warne rushed to the casino while Andrew Symonds was at the bar.
Buchanan was handling a bunch of professionals. Hayden’s training schedule is mind-boggling. The team hotel the Aussies were staying had a modern gym. They open at 5 am but on Sundays, they open only at 6 am. When Hayden walked in at 5 am on a Sunday, he found the gym not operating. But by next Sunday it was fixed and since then it’s been opening at 5 am thanks to early bird Hayden.
If you ask a current Sri Lankan cricketer, he would not know what time the gym opens at Cinnamon Grand but he would be invariably aware what time Cheers pub closes.
As we reported yesterday, several young players who have just made it to the side skipped practices when it was made optional a few days ago.
Professional cricketers they maybe but their conduct is far from being professional. The Sri Lankans have one of the youngest sides in the world and they also have world’s worst fielding team. Many are the areas where improvements can be made and it is earnestly hoped that this concept of optional training is thrown out of the window.
They have been taught a few harsh lessons such as being made to forego central contracts. While administrators can be a bit lenient on that and offer them central contracts, there should be no tolerance on concepts like optional training. Until they secure qualification for the World Cup at least ban optional training.
If you thought that the attitude of senior players and their lethargic attitude to training had left us in a mess, the youngsters who are yet to establish their places in the side are sending the wrong signals. This must be stopped. Soon.
They aren’t any professionals in our cricket. They are all cry babies who take to social media tilting at windmills.
They are expected to do two changes for today’s game leaving out Lakshan Sandakan and Kasun Rajitha. Ramesh Mendis and Lahiru Kumara are likely to replace them.
Gaby Lewis has been rested for Ireland’s upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies at home in Clontarf as she recovers from a recent leg injury but has been named captain – for the first time at a global event – for the T20 World Cup in June-July in England.
Orla Prendergast, the vice-captain for the World Cup, will lead the side in the tri-series in Lewis’ absence. No vice-captain has been named for the tri-series.
In terms of ins and outs, Jane Maguire, the right-arm medium pacer, has been ruled out of contention with an injury, but her sister Aimee Maguire, the left-arm orthodox spinner, has returned from her own injury and has been included in both squads. Apart from the missing Lewis, there are no changes from the squad for the tri-series, which is a 14-member line-up, for the World Cup.
At the T20 World Cup, Ireland have been grouped with tournament hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and past winners West Indies.
Ireland are ranked ninth in the format, ahead of only Scotland (11th) among the teams in their group, and will start their World Cup campaign on the second day of competition, against Scotland in Manchester.
Ireland were most recently in action at the T20 World Cup qualifiers played in Nepal in January-February this year, and finished second to Bangladesh.
Lewis’ fitness will be key for Ireland at the World Cup, with her being their top-ranked batter, currently at joint-14th on the ICC T20I rankings. She was also the top run getter at the qualifiers with 276 runs in seven innings, scoring her runs at a strike rate of 119.48.
Prendergast is the next best at No. 26, followed by Amy Hunter at No. 29. Prendergast is also the seventh-ranked allrounder in women’s T20Is.
Ireland squad for women’s T20 World Cup
Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
Ireland squad for tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies
Orla Prendergast (capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
[Cricinfo]
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a statement approving the members nominated for the new Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
The appointments have been made by the Sports Minister in accordance with the powers vested under Section 39 (1) of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 and the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2437/24 dated May 21, 2025.
The members of the new selection committee are:
Kapila Wijegunawardena – Chairman
Amal Silva – Member
Brendon Kuruppu – Member
Waruna Waragoda – Member
Vanessa De Silva – Member
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