Sports
Top dog Sri Lanka aims at top finish at Asia Rugby tournament
By A Special Sports Correspondent
Sri Lanka is excitedly getting ready for the Division 1 Asia Rugby 15-a-side Championship which will now be contested between Sri Lanka, India, Qatar and Kazakhstan in Colombo.
Asia Rugby decided to scrap the Division 2 championship after Iran and Pakistan pulled out of competing in this tournament. Hence Kazakhstan’s inclusion in the Division 1 tournament to fill the void created by Pakistan’s unavailability.
Undoubtedly this event sees host Sri Lanka taking the field as the top dog. The islanders enjoy a world ranking of 44 in 15-a-side rugby and should have it easy against India (ranked 87th in the world) in the second match of the tournament. This match is scheduled to take place on April 30 (Tuesday) at 19.00 pm after the curtain raiser to the tournament which is between Qatar (world ranked 94) and Kazakhstan (world ranked 64); scheduled on the same day at 16.00 pm.
This tournament gives Sri Lanka a golden opportunity to bring its national rugby team back into action after the bans it was slapped with by World Rugby and Asian Rugby. The island’s rugby players are raring to go after long period of ‘inactivity’ in the international stage. Sri Lanka did send a team for the last Asian Games, Asian Sevens Series and Commonwealth Games, but then the preparations that went into compiling the national team for these events were inadequate. The volatile environment present for rugby activities in Sri Lanka didn’t help either in preparing the national team for these events.
Now Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) is headed by Retd. Group Captain Nalin De Silva and ‘Himalayan’ efforts are being made to host this tournament at the Race Course-the country’s official venue to host international rugby events. De Silva was quoted saying Asia Rugby’s official website the following regarding the upcoming tournament: “Our players wish to display natural talents and skills and also to share and strengthen our deep-rooted cultural ties through rugby with the visiting Asia Rugby teams”. The inspiring news for Sri Lanka is that the islanders just finished their club rugby season and all the clubs have released their players to attend national pool training.
Sri Lanka’s participation at the Asian Men’s Rugby Championship has been inspirational at times, but heartbreaking too; especially when the islanders have had to face too many challenges off the field. Now the side is relegated to the Division 1 tournament having earlier played in the ‘Asia Men’s Championship’. Sri Lanka’s biggest worry has been the unavailability of players and some players refusing to perform in full capacity when playing for the country in overseas tournaments. The icing on the cake for Sri Lanka could be put this time by three coaches slotted into take charge of the national players. They are Sanath Martis, Dushanth Lewke and Nilfer Ibrahim.
Sri Lanka can only boast of past laurels when talking about the Division 1 tournament. Back in 2019, Sri Lanka, competing in the Division 1 tournament, finished as winners in the 3rd place playoff after winning a crucial game against the hosts, Chinese Taipei. The score read 72-17 in favour of Sri Lanka. In that tournament, Sri Lanka lost in the semis finals of the main competition when they went down fighting to Philippines 39-22.
Now the islanders get another opportunity to put their rugby in order. The Sri Lankans should have it easy against India, a side having a deep-rooted history in rugby like the host team, but going down in the annals of Asia rugby as a nation that never really blossomed in the international stage. Rahul Bose, the President of India Rugby, was quoted in the Asia Rugby official website saying, “As a national federation it is our consistent effort to create conditions for our players where they can put their best foot forward on the international stage”.
Qatar has been a force in the Division 1 tournament over the years. Its Rugby Union President Yousef Al Kuwar was quoted in the Asia Rugby official website stating, “Our 15-a-side programme is very important as we have aspirations to play at the highest level”. Qatar will be meeting Kazakhstan, a side which has also taken a dip in rankings and performance in the international rugby stage. Kazakshtan Rugby Union President President Aigul Jartybayeva has been quoted in the Asia Rugby web site stating, “We are very happy to participate in the Asia Rugby Division 1 Championship in Colombo, Sri Lanka. We are keen on building our men’s team programme and hope to participate and compete in an Asia Rugby tournament such as this. In time, our men’s team can replicate the remarkable success achieved by our women’s programme in both in 7s and 15s. I would like to wish all the athletes the best of luck.”
The focus on Asian rugby these days is on the 15-a-side tournament which will feature the best teams in the second tier of this region. The teams contesting the top tier or the Asia Men’s Championship are Hong Kong China, Malaysia, South Korea and UAE.
Lasith Malinga has once more been retained as consultant bowling coach for Sri Lanka’s men’s team, as they prepare for the T20 World Cup they are due to co-host from early February.
Although this is only a 40-day appointment, running from December 15 to January 25, it is essentially a continuation of Malinga’s work with key bowlers in the national set-up. Malinga has worked officially as a fast-bowling consultant at least twice before, but has also worked unofficially with top bowlers over the years, and has been advising the coaching team led by Sanath Jayasuriya, over the past two years.
With round-arm bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara both in Sri Lanka’s preliminary squad for the T20 World Cup, and likely to make the final 15, Malinga will be especially well-placed to assist.
“Sri Lanka Cricket aims to leverage Malinga’s vast international experience and renowned expertise in death bowling, particularly in the shortest format of the game to strengthen Sri Lanka’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup,” the board release said.
Sri Lanka are set to co-host their first men’s global tournament since 2012, from February 7. Three Sri Lankan venues will be used – Khettarama and SSC in Colombo, and Pallekele.
The T20 World Cup will run from February 7 to March 8. Sri Lanka are in Group B along with Australia, Ireland, Oman and Zimbabwe.
[Cricinfo]
India’s untested lower order played a key role in turning a modest total into a competitive one. Amanjot Kaur added stability, scoring 21 off 18 balls and putting on a 61-run partnership with Harmanpreet for the fifth wicket, helping the innings regain momentum after regular wickets fell.
After her dismissal, Arundhati Reddy – promoted ahead of Sneh Rana – launched a late assault, hitting four fours and a six off 11 balls for an unbeaten 27, guiding India to 175 for 7. The team scored 32 runs in the final two overs.
With Chamari Athapaththu gone in the second over, Perera and Dulhani faced a daunting task. Dulhani, coming in at No. 3 again ahead of Harshitha Samarawickrama, played a confident innings, coming down the track and sweeping as needed, hitting five boundaries inside the powerplay. Perera rotated the strike well, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Aided by the dew, their 79-run second-wicket stand was broken in the 12th over when Amanjot dismissed Dulhani for 50, with her first ball.
Perera carried on, moving from 32 off 23 balls to register her maiden 38-ball fifty in her 89th T20I. Having debuted in 2014 and shuffled around the order, she opened this series for the first time in three years. When the equation came down to 55 off 24 balls, Perera struck a four and a six off Shree Charani before being yorked. Her 42-ball 65 included eight fours and a six.
When Sri Lanka needed 44 off 20 balls, India fought back hard. The visitors lost their key batters at the death, collapsing from 132 for 4 to 140 for 7, eventually falling short and remaining winless in India.
Brief scores:
India Women 175 for 7 in 20 overs (Gunalan Kamalini 12, Harleen Deol 13, Harmanpreet Kaur 68, Amanjot Kaur 21, Arundhati Reddy 27*; Nimasha Meepage 1-25, Kavisha Dilhari 2-11, Rashmika Sewwandi 2-42, Chamari Athapaththu 2-21) beat Sri Lanka Women 160 for 7 in 20 overs (Hasini Perera 65, Imesha Dulani 50, Rashmika Sewwamdi 14*; Deepti Sharma 1-28, Arundhati Reddy 1-16, Sneh Rana 1-31, Vaishnavi Sharma 1-33, Shree Charani 1-31, Amanjot Kaur 1-17 ) by 15 runs
[Cricinfo]
Under 19 Cricket
Manitha Rajapaksha collected a match bag of 11 wickets as Mahinda romped to an innings and 25 runs victory over Lumbini in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket encounter at Galle.
Forced to follow on after being bowled out for 173 runs, the visitors managed to last only 33 overs as bowlers used the home advantage to good effect.
In a similar performance, Sri Sumangala reduced Isipatana to just 69 runs in the second innings to record an innings and 96 runs win in the Tier ‘B’ match at Panadura. While Mevindu Kumarasiri excelled once again to claim a match bag of 11 wickets, overnight batsmen Sandeep Wijerathna and Neksha Iddamalgoda went on to score centuries for Sri Sumangala to boost the score to 301 for eight wickets declared.
Meanwhile at DSS ground the home team scored a first innings win over Nalanda.
Match Results
Mahinda in innings win at Galle
Scores
Mahinda 284 all out in 72.2 overs
(Dulsith Darshana 63, Randula Mabarana 28, Manitha Rajapaksha 23, Kaveesha Githmal 43, Kavindu Nimsara 66; Yashod Kavindu 5/100, Dinal Sewmina 2/32)
Lumbini 76 for 4 overnight 173 all out in 53.4 overs
(Kisandu Dulneth 33, Yashod Kavindu 26, Jayanitha Mendis 41, Pasindu Mahisha 38; Manitha Rajapaksha 6/64, Sadev Nethmina 2/27) and 86 all out in 32.4 overs (Nikil Abilash 33; Manitha Rajapaksha 5/25, Gesandu Bisas 2/12, Arosha Udayanga 2/15)
Sri Sumangala in innings win at Panadura
Scores
Isipatana 136 all out in 47.2 overs (Yuveen Keshan 21, Dasith Senal 31; Mevindu Kumarasiri 6/54) and 69 all out in 25.2 overs (Janith Selaka 25; Mevindu Kumarasiri 5/32, Methum Fernando 4/23)
Sri Sumangala 158 for 2 overnight 301 for 8 decl. in 79.4 overs (Sandeep Wijerathna 100, Neksha Iddamalgoda 110, Mevindu Kumarasiri 34; Dasith Senal 2/86, Dimuthu Tharuka 2/34)
First innings win for DSS at DSS ground
Scores
DSS 365 all out in 79 overs (Savain Kalansooriya 54, Bihan Gamage 102, Janindu Ranasinghe 50, Shevan Welgama 73; Osanda Pamuditha 2/69, Dunitha Anusara 4/66, Sahas Godage 3/76) and 144 for 3 in 35.2 overs (Miyuru Bandara 41, Savain Kalansooriya 57, Shanaal Binuksha 34)
Nalanda 28 for 1 overnight 197 all out in 66.1 overs (Nemindu Akmeemana 40, Ranmith Dinuwara 42; Shanaal Binuksha 6/61, Randisha Bandaranayake 2/40)
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