SL to field biggest team at World Indoor Championships

Sri Lanka Athletics is set to field its biggest contingent to a World Indoor Athletics Championship this week after World Athletics extended an invitation to include men’s and women’s 4×400 metres relay teams for the global event starting in Nanjing, China on Friday.

Sprinter Kalinga Kumarage is set to lead a young group of sprinters for the 4×400 metres relay after World Athletics invited its affiliate to fill the vacume created by the absence of some sprint powerhouses in the two relays.

Sri Lanka Athletics has selected men’s and women’s teams for the 4×400 metres relays based on the performances at the second selection trial held early this month.

The absence of leading sprinter Aruna Dharshana and the shocking defeats to some of the Asian medallists at the selection trial have opened a great opportunity for junior sprinters at the global track and field event where they will brush shoulders against USA, Jamaica, Hungary, Nigeria and China in the final.

S.B.R. Madushan, Sadew Rajakaruna and Omel Shashintha will form the men’s 4×400 metres relay team with experienced campaigner Kumarage. Rakakaruna who created a new national junior record recently and Shashintha are both school athletes and the opportunity at a global event will augur well for the duo. The reserve in the men’s 4×400 metres team is Isuru Lakshan.

Dharshana is currently training and competing in Australia. According to Sri Lanka Athletics Dharshana is not available as he has decided to complete all his commitments in Australia before returning. His absence will hinder country’s chances of producing a top performance in Nanjing where the country has a chance of qualifying for the World Relays and the World Championships.

Asian medallist Nadeesha Ramanayake will form the women’s 4×400 metres team with young aspirants Nishendra Harshani, Sayuri Lakshima and Jayeshi Uththara. Jithmi Wijetunga is the reserve selected in the team.

The women’s team will vie against China, India, USA Australia and Poland.

Sri Lanka is represented by two other athletes at the World Indoor Championships. Hurdler Kaveesha Bandara, sprinter Chamod Yodasinghe and Kalinga Kumarage secured spots for individual events through World Athletics event rankings.

The final entry lists confirmed by World Athletics include 576 athletes from 127 countries. The 576 entries comprise 264 women and 312 men.

by Reemus Fernando

Under 19 Cricket

A century by Pulisha Thilakarathne was the highlight of the day’s traditional Under 19 cricket encounters as Trinity posted 333 for seven wickets against St. Thomas’ Matara on day one of their match at Moneragala on Monday.

Thilakarathne top scored with 143 runs inclusive of 16 fours as he anchored the top order batting line up to produce a strong batting performance. Trinity were 333 for seven wickets when rain interrupted play.

At Kurunegala, the match between Mahanama (Colombo) and Maliyadeva ended in a draw after the visitors earned first innings advantage.

At Katugastota, St. Anthony’s restricted D. S. Senanayake to 142 runs as Kevan Fernando and Charuka Ekanayake shared seven wickets between them.

Match Results

Mahanama on first innings at Kurunegala

Scores:

Maliyadeva

214 all out in 66.2 overs (Vinuka Galappaththi 75, Rajith Navodya 69, Dimantha Arusha 30, Dinath Abeysinghe 23; Chamika Heenatigala 3/64, Anuka Wijewardana 2/41, Sithum Vihanga 2/41, Dulnith Sigera 2/42) and 53 for 3 in 15.2 overs (Dulnith Sigera 2/23)

Mahanama

98 for 1 overnight 247 all out in 61.4 overs (Dulnith Sigera 23, Anuka Wijewardana 45, Sanul Weerarathne 43, Venura Kaveethra 37, Chamika Heenatigala 30, Osanda Muthugama 25; Dimath Abeysinghe 4/68, Nethra Nirmala 2/37)

Pulisha shinea for Trinity at Moneragala

Scores:

Trinity

333 for 7 in 86 overs (Pulisha Thilakarathne 143, Aadham Hilmy 34, Rajindu Thilakarathne 26, Vathila Udara 65; Loshitha Diksith 3/59)

DSS struggle against St. Anthony’s at Kandy

Scores

DSS

142 all out in 55 overs (Sohan Yapa 45; Tharusha Dasun 2/29, Charuka Ekanayake 3/39, Kevan Fernando 4/17)

by Reemus Fernando

Corbin Bosch has been served legal notice by the PCB, alleging breach of contractual obligations, after the South Africa allrounder signed for Mumbai Indians for IPL 2025, thus pulling out of PSL 2025.

This season is the first in which the PSL will be played concurrently with the IPL: The IPL will run from March 22 to May 25, and the PSL from April 11 to May 18. Bosch had been picked by Peshawar Zalmi, in the diamond category, at the PSL draft that was held in January. But on March 8, it was announced by Mumbai Indians that he would be replacing the injured Lizaad Williams in their squad.

The PSL franchises have been keen to take some sort of action on Bosch, as they are worried it could set a precedent for players signing up with the PSL but then switching to the IPL. The idea of an outright ban on such players has also been floated in informal discussions.