Cricket

Dhammika Niroshana, Former Sri Lanka U-19 Captain, Shot Dead at 41Former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket captain Dhammika Niroshana has tragically passed away at the age of 41 after being shot outside his home in Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka. The incident has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community and beyond.Niroshana, a promising fast-bowler and occasional batsman, made his Under-19 debut for Sri Lanka in 2000. He went on to captain the team briefly in 2002, playing alongside future Sri Lankan stars such as Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, and Farveez Maharoof.Despite his talent, Niroshana never made the breakthrough to the senior national team. However, he enjoyed a successful first-class career, representing Chilaw Marians CC and Galle CC. He retired from all forms of cricket in 2004.According to Sri Lankan Police, investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the shooter. The motive behind the attack remains unknown.Niroshana's untimely demise has left his family, friends, and the cricketing fraternity in mourning. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan all-rounder, has unexpectedly resigned as the T20I captain of the national team after holding the position for approximately six months. In a statement released by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Hasaranga expressed that his decision was made in the best interests of Sri Lankan cricket, without providing specific reasons."Sri Lanka will always receive my unwavering support as a player, and I will continue to stand by my team and leadership," Hasaranga stated in his resignation letter.Hasaranga's resignation comes as a surprise, considering that he was appointed to the captaincy role in August 2023. During his tenure, Sri Lanka won six out of ten T20Is, including bilateral series victories against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. However, the team's disappointing performance at the recent T20 World Cup, where they failed to qualify for the Super Eight, may have influenced his decision.Despite the team's struggles, Hasaranga had publicly expressed his enthusiasm for the captaincy role and had even prioritized Sri Lanka commitments over lucrative IPL appearances. He also faced a two-match suspension for abusing an umpire during his stint as captain.With Hasaranga's departure, Sri Lanka Cricket will need to find a suitable replacement for the T20I captaincy. Charith Asalanka, who led the team in Hasaranga's absence during his suspension, is a potential candidate. Asalanka also captains the Jaffna Kings in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL).Sri Lanka's next T20I assignment is a three-match series against India at the end of January. The team will also have a new coach for this series, with Sanath Jayasuriya taking over as interim coach following Chris Silverwood's resignation after the World Cup. Mahela Jayawardene had also stepped down as consultant coach last month.

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) has vehemently denied allegations that its players engaged in a drinking party inside the team hotel during the recent T20 World Cup. The claims, published in a weekend newspaper on July 7, alleged that the players had a drinking session before their match against South Africa, which they subsequently lost by six wickets.In a strongly worded statement, the SLC denounced the report as "entirely false, fabricated, and baseless." The board emphasized that no such incidents occurred and that the news report was "unfairly damaging" to the reputation of Sri Lanka Cricket, its officials, and the players.The SLC has requested that the newspaper publish a "Right of Reply" to address the false allegations and rectify the damage caused. The board expressed its belief that such reporting undermines the integrity of the sport and the reputation of the Sri Lankan cricket team.Sri Lanka's performance at the T20 World Cup was disappointing, with the team securing only one victory against the Netherlands. They were eliminated in the group stage after losing to South Africa and Bangladesh, while their match against Nepal was washed out.The SLC's denial of the drinking party allegations comes amid ongoing concerns about the conduct of Sri Lankan cricketers. In recent years, several players have been involved in disciplinary issues, including alcohol-related incidents.The SLC has emphasized its commitment to maintaining high standards of conduct and discipline within the team. The board has stated that it will take appropriate action against any players found to have violated team rules or engaged in inappropriate behavior.

Sanath Jayasuriya, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, has been appointed as the interim head coach of the national team for the upcoming limited-overs series against India and the Test tour of England. This decision marks a significant development in Sri Lankan cricket, as Jayasuriya has not previously held a high-profile coaching position.Jayasuriya's appointment comes in the wake of Chris Silverwood's resignation as head coach in June. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board had initially indicated that they would advertise for the role and consider both local and international candidates. However, they have now opted for Jayasuriya, who has been serving as the team's cricket consultant since 2021.SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva expressed confidence in Jayasuriya's ability to guide the team, stating that his "wealth of international cricketing experience" makes him well-suited for the role. Jayasuriya was an integral part of Sri Lanka's golden era in the 1990s and early 2000s, helping them win the 1996 World Cup and establish themselves as a formidable force in world cricket.As a player, Jayasuriya was renowned for his aggressive batting style and ability to change the course of a match with his explosive innings. He is the fifth-highest ODI run-scorer of all time, with over 13,000 runs, and also has 323 ODI wickets to his name. His all-round abilities made him one of the most feared cricketers of his generation.Jayasuriya's appointment has been met with mixed reactions. Some have questioned his lack of coaching experience, while others have welcomed his return to the national team setup. However, there is no doubt that Jayasuriya's passion for Sri Lankan cricket and his vast knowledge of the game will be invaluable to the team.The upcoming series against India and the tour of England will be a major test for Jayasuriya and the Sri Lankan team. India is a formidable opponent in all formats, while England is one of the strongest Test teams in the world. Jayasuriya will need to use all his experience and leadership skills to guide the team to success.

Mahela Jayawardene, the former Sri Lankan batting legend, has resigned as the team's consultant coach after just six months into his one-year extension. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced Jayawardene's resignation with immediate effect, citing his desire to step down due to misalignment with the current decision-making process.Jayawardene's tenure as consultant coach was marked by significant changes to the national team ecosystem and the High-Performance Center. He played a pivotal role in implementing a cultural shift within Sri Lanka cricket, emphasizing the importance of the National Super League and technical improvements at the High Performance Centre.Despite mixed results on the field, including an Asia Cup triumph in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023, Jayawardene's contributions behind the scenes were highly valued by SLC. However, his absence at the ongoing T20 World Cup in the US and West Indies raised eyebrows, with Sanath Jayasuriya, appointed as cricket consultant in December 2022, accompanying the team instead.In his resignation letter, Jayawardene expressed his concerns about the current decision-making process, stating that it was no longer fully aligned with the direction he had been taking. He emphasized the importance of data and performance analytics, areas where he believed there was a lack of alignment.Jayawardene's resignation comes as a surprise, given SLC's previous desire to extend his role. However, it highlights the challenges faced by coaches in navigating the complex decision-making processes within cricket boards.Despite his departure, Jayawardene's legacy as a coach remains intact. He is the second-most successful coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having led the Mumbai Indians to five titles. He currently serves as the global head of performance for the Mumbai Indians and its franchises.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team secured a historic victory over West Indies in the first T20I of the three-match series, marking their first triumph over the Caribbean side in this format since 2015.The foundation for Sri Lanka's success was laid by the exceptional bowling performances of Chamari Athapaththu and Inoshi Priyadharshani. Athapaththu, who registered a career-best 4 for 29, and Priyadharshani, who claimed 3 for 28, combined to restrict West Indies to a modest total of 134 for 8.In response, Sri Lanka's batters displayed resilience and determination. Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama forged a crucial 46-run partnership for the second wicket, with Gunaratne contributing a brisk 35. Samarawickrama continued to anchor the innings, scoring 35 before being dismissed.Despite losing wickets in quick succession, Sri Lanka remained composed. Nilakshika Silva played a crucial role in guiding the team to victory, remaining unbeaten on 17.West Indies' batting effort was hampered by an injury to Stafanie Taylor, who was forced to leave the field in the third over. Hayley Matthews top-scored for the visitors with a run-a-ball 30, while Aaliyah Alleyne and Afy Fletcher provided some late impetus with a 33-run partnership.The victory gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the series, which continues with the second T20I on Saturday.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team secured a historic 3-0 series whitewash against the West Indies in the third ODI in Hambantota, thanks to a comprehensive 160-run victory.Chamari Athapaththu, Nilakshika Silva, and Anushka Sanjeewani led the way for Sri Lanka with half-centuries, while Sachini Nisansala claimed a maiden five-wicket haul to dismantle the West Indies batting lineup.Chasing Sri Lanka's imposing total of 275 for 6, the West Indies struggled from the outset. Rashada Williams and Shemaine Campbell were dismissed cheaply, leaving Chedean Nation and Stafanie Taylor to rebuild the innings. The pair put on a 57-run partnership, but Taylor's dismissal triggered a collapse.Athapaththu removed Nation, and Nisansala took over with her slow left-arm orthodox bowling. She trapped Zaida James leg before, and Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, and Qiana Joseph all fell in quick succession. Aaliyah Alleyne's cameo ended when she chipped one back to Nisansala, completing her five-wicket haul.Earlier, Sri Lanka's openers, Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne, put on a 93-run stand. Gunaratne fell for 44, but Athapaththu continued to anchor the innings. She shared a 57-run partnership with Nilakshika before being dismissed for 91.Nilakshika and Sanjeewani then took control, adding 117 runs for the fifth wicket. Sanjeewani (55) and Nilakshika (63) fell in the final over, but Sri Lanka had already amassed a formidable total.The West Indies' bowlers struggled to contain Sri Lanka's batters, with Ramharack taking 2 for 46 as the most successful bowler. The victory marks Sri Lanka's first-ever series whitewash against the West Indies and is a testament to the team's growing strength in women's cricket.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team clinched a historic series victory against West Indies in the second ODI in Hambantota, securing a 2-0 lead with one match remaining. The triumph marks Sri Lanka's first series win over the Caribbean side since 2008.Chasing a modest target of 93, Sri Lanka's batting was anchored by Vishmi Gunaratne's brilliant half-century. The opener struck a fluent 50 off 50 deliveries, including nine boundaries and a six, to guide her team to victory. Kavisha Dilhari provided valuable support with a 28-ball 28.The West Indies bowlers struggled to contain Gunaratne, who appeared to be batting on a different surface. The visitors managed only 13 boundaries in their entire innings, highlighting the dominance of Sri Lanka's spinners.Dilhari was the star performer with the ball, claiming 4 for 20. Her left-arm spin proved too much for the West Indies batters, who struggled to rotate the strike effectively. Sachini Nisansala and Sugandika Kumari also played key roles, keeping the pressure on from the other end.West Indies' innings was characterized by a lack of fluency. Rashada Williams showed patience at the top of the order with a 62-ball 24, but the rest of the batters failed to make significant contributions. Aaliyah Alleyne and Afy Fletcher briefly threatened with a 28-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Dilhari and Chamari Athapaththu.Sri Lanka's bowlers set the tone for the victory, restricting West Indies to a below-par total. Udeshika Prabodhani and Achini Kulasuriya were economical in the opening overs, while Athapaththu and Dilhari made crucial breakthroughs in the middle and late stages.The series victory is a significant achievement for Sri Lanka, who have been rebuilding their women's cricket program in recent years. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff, and a sign of promising times ahead for Sri Lankan women's cricket.

Sri Lanka's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup 2024 has been attributed to their inability to adapt to the diverse playing surfaces in the United States, according to captain Wanindu Hasaranga.Despite arriving in the US 10 days prior to their opening match and participating in two warm-up games, Sri Lanka struggled to adjust to the conditions, particularly in their two crucial defeats against South Africa and Bangladesh.In their match against South Africa in New York, Sri Lanka was bowled out for a mere 77 runs, while in Dallas against Bangladesh, they were restricted to 124 for 9. These batting collapses effectively ended their hopes of reaching the Super Eight stage.Hasaranga acknowledged that the team's early exit was primarily due to their own shortcomings rather than external factors. "When you lose a match, you can blame pitches and other things, but as professional cricketers, that's not a good thing," he said. "Even the other team has to play on the same pitch, and it's our job to change the way we play."While Sri Lanka had a brief training camp in North Carolina before their warm-up matches, Hasaranga admitted that it was insufficient preparation for the varied conditions they encountered. "We have to thank the cricket board for bringing us here 10 days early and organizing a training camp for us," he said. "That was a big thing. It was important to get used to conditions, weather, and the time zone here."However, the pitches in different regions of the US proved to be vastly different, making it difficult for Sri Lanka to adapt. "Even though in some countries pitches are more similar from place to place, that's not the case in the USA," Hasaranga explained. "We adjusted as well as we could, but we unfortunately got New York for the first match, and it didn't go well for us. In the second match, we went to Dallas and didn't adjust well to that pitch."Hasaranga emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for their performance. "As a team and as a captain, we have to take the responsibility for that," he said. "We didn't make those changes and adapt, and that was our main flaw."