Sports

Tough choices for Sri Lanka ahead of second Test

Published

3 years ago

2022/07/23

by Rex Clementine

There will be at least one debutant when Sri Lanka take the field in the second Test match against Pakistan staring in Galle on Sunday. There were similar scenes during the Australian series, after an embarrassing ten wicket loss in the first Test and with several players sidelined by Covid the selectors had to keep their pride aside and call up Prabath Jayasuriya, someone who had been sidelined on fitness grounds. Jayasuriya is a veteran in domestic cricket and this seasoned campaigner has embarrassed those who questioned his credentials. In two Test matches, he’s already taken 21 wickets.

Such has been the selectors fascination with Jayasuriya now that both the other left-arm spinners in the squad – Lasith Embuldeniya and Praveen Jayawickrama have been released. As Maheesh Theekshana ended up with a cut in his spinning finger he too was withdrawn and uncapped off-spinner Lakshitha Manasinghe has been added to the squad. He’s only played 17 First Class games and it remains to be seen how he performs in Test match cricket. Sri Lanka also have the option of Dunith Wellalage, who gives left arm spin option and batting depth but Sri Lanka have said from the start that they are reluctant to throw one of the finest young talents in the country to the deep end as yet.

The hosts problems have been compounded by the fact that Ramesh Mendis has struggled. The off-spinner has contributed some valuable runs being involved in crucial partnerships in both series but his bowling has been unimpressive. He bowled 33 overs in Pakistan’s second innings for just one wicket and his inability to keep up the dot ball pressure was worrisome as he failed to send down a single maiden over.

Asitha Fernando in all probability will take up the lone seamer’s slot having recovered from covid. Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka also has been added to the squad.

While Sri Lanka have brought in replacements, it’s a bit surprising that they have not brought in a wicketkeeper as cover. Niroshan Dickwella’s keeping has deteriorated at an alarming rate since the Australian series and his blunders have proved to be costly. He used to get into the team with selectors claiming that he’s the best keeper in the country. Well, not anymore. There was a warning sign when Dinesh Chandimal was named as reserve keeper for the Pakistan series. But, surely after all these years of struggles, suddenly when he has hit a purple patch, you are not going to disrupt him. The other option is to give the gloves to Kusal Mendis. But they do not seem to be keen to do that in Test match cricket. Mendis seems to be the best thing that happened to us since the great Aravinda de Silva. Honestly, there aren’t valid arguments for continuing with Dickwella. More than 50 Tests and no hundreds yet, horrendous reviewing costing the team dearly and ordinary behind the stumps. Dickwella has overstayed his welcome.

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Sports

Mandhana’s masterclass powers India to tri-series title

Published

8 hours ago

2025/05/12

Thilina Walpola

Smriti Mandhana

India capped off a dominant tri-series campaign in Colombo with a resounding win over Sri Lanka, posting their highest-ever women’s ODI total on Sri Lankan soil—344 for five —before bowling the hosts out for 245.

Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a superb 11th ODI hundred—her first against Sri Lanka—anchoring partnerships of 70 with Pratika Rawal and 120 with Harleen Deol.

Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues chipped in with brisk 40s, while India smashed 90 runs in the last 10 overs.

Despite a spirited effort, Sri Lanka’s daunting chase faltered. Chamari Atapattu’s 50 and a few half-century stands weren’t enough to close the gap. Seamer Amanjot Kaur struck early, removing two of the top three, while offspinner Sneh Rana starred with four for 38, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.

India’s batting wasn’t without drama—Rawal survived an early chance, and Mandhana was twice let off before unleashing her full range of strokes. She was especially brutal on Atapattu, sweeping her repeatedly through square leg and cover en route to a 92-ball century.

Amanjot’s return in the middle overs derailed the chase further, bowling Gunaratne and setting up Rana’s match-turning spell. Atapattu, despite reaching her 19th ODI fifty, was undone by Rana, who later removed three more to slam the door shut.

Late resistance from Sanjeewani and Kumari delayed the inevitable, but a run-out and two quick Rana strikes wrapped up the win.

India’s comprehensive display sent a strong message ahead of the Women’s World Cup, reaffirming their title credentials.

Brief scores:

India

342 for seven (Mandhana 116, Rodrigues 44, Kumari 2-59) beat Sri Lanka 245 (Atapattu 51, Rana 4-38, Amanjot 3-54) by 97 runs.

Sports

110th Colombo Championships Apna, Dinara win singles titles

Published

8 hours ago

2025/05/12

Thilina Walpola

Apna Perera and Dinara de Silvaemerged as the men’s and women’s singles champions respectively at the 110th Colombo Championships continued at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association clay courts.

In the men’s singles final, Apna beat Ashen Silva 7-6, 6-1. Dinara registered convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Venuli Jayasinghe in the women’s final.

In the boys’ Under 18 semi-finals, Ashlin de Silva beat Nethmika Wickramasinghe 6-2, 6-1 while Mayooran Kubheran beat Aahil Kaleel 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.

Sports

Yodasinghe dazzles in Yupun’s return

Published

8 hours ago

2025/05/12

Thilina Walpola

Chamod Yodasinghe dazzled with a 10.27 seconds performance in Dubai.

National champion Chamod Yodasinghe secured a creditable second place rank for an impressive performace of 10.27 seconds as he out did a strong field in the 100 metres at the Dubai Grand Prix on Friday.

Yodasinghe who was entered only for the 4x100m relay received a golden opportunity in Dubai when his request to run the 100 metres there was granted by the organisers. The athlete trained by sprint coach Sanjeewa Weerakkody equalled his personal best (10.27 seconds) in winning his race.

Incidentally, his winning time was second only to the winner of the first race where top ranked athletes including Yupun Abeykoon competed.

Oman’s Ali Al Balooshi was the fastest as he clocked 10.19 seconds while Abeykoon finished fifth with a time of 10.39 seconds.

Abeykoon who was making his first 100 metres appearance of the year was ranked sixth overall.

In the 4×100 metres relay Sri Lanka’s quartet finished third in a time of 39.41 seconds.

Yodasinghe will next compete at the Asian Athletics Championships later this month.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s 4×400 metres mixed relay team finished last in their heat at the World Relays in China yesterday.

by Reemus Fernando