Cricket

England's Test series against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, commencing Wednesday, presents an opportunity for several players to prove their worth in the absence of injured captain Ben Stokes. Stokes' hamstring injury has ruled him out of the three-match contest, leaving England without their inspirational leader for the first time since the inception of the dynamic "Bazball" era under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.Ollie Pope, England's vice-captain, will assume the captaincy despite having led Surrey in only one first-class match. The team announced on Monday that fast bowler Matthew Potts has been recalled, bolstering their attack to five bowlers.Dan Lawrence, rarely deployed as an opener in county cricket, returns to the England side after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, filling the vacancy created by Zak Crawley's fractured finger. Crawley sustained the injury during England's 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies last month.England is expected to achieve a similar result against Sri Lanka, who, like the West Indies, have played only one warm-up match before the first Test. However, England's approach under McCullum has often defied conventional cricket wisdom, so it is unsurprising that they have opted against replacing Crawley with a specialist opener.Lawrence himself believes his aggressive style aligns well with the current England setup. "I think that's the style of cricketer that Baz McCullum and Ben Stokes are generally after," Lawrence said. "I'm just going to go out there and try to be as free as possible."Sri Lanka, while lacking the star power of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, boasts experienced performers in Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne. Dhananjaya de Silva's side will also benefit from the guidance of interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya, a Sri Lankan great, and former England batsman Ian Bell, who provides local knowledge.Sri Lanka's last Test match was in April, but they recently upset India in a three-match one-day international series. Jayasuriya believes the timing of the current campaign could favor Sri Lanka. "The fact that we have got a late-summer tour is great," he said. "It's more similar to our conditions than the early summer tours."

Matthew Potts has been named as Ben Stokes' replacement in the XI for England's first Test against Sri Lanka, with Harry Brook stepping into the vice-captaincy role for the series to assist stand-in captain Ollie Pope.Potts, who earned the last of his six Test caps in the one-off Test against Ireland last summer, has been given the nod ahead of fellow quick Olly Stone and uncapped batter Jordan Cox after Stokes was ruled out of the rest of the summer with a hamstring injury sustained during the Men's Hundred.The 25-year-old Potts is a team-mate of Stokes for both Durham and Northern Superchargers, and will slot in at No.9 for the fixture at Emirates Old Trafford, which begins on Wednesday. That means promotions up the order for Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, and Gus Atkinson, who will occupy six, seven, and eight, respectively.While not quite an allrounder, Potts is a handy lower-order batter, as showcased by an unbeaten 149 against Warwickshire earlier this season, which was his maiden first-class century. Nevertheless, the selection adds to the peculiar nature of the XI, which also features Dan Lawrence as opener following Zak Crawley's finger injury sustained during the last Test against West Indies.The England team for the first Test against Sri Lanka is as follows:1. Dan Lawrence2. Ben Duckett3. Ollie Pope (capt)4. Joe Root5. Harry Brook6. Jamie Smith (wk)7. Chris Woakes8. Gus Atkinson9. Matthew Potts10. Mark Wood11. Shoaib Bashir

Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has been indefinitely suspended from all forms of cricket after failing a doping test during the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The suspension, effective immediately, was announced by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) following an investigation by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA).Dickwella, 31, had captained Galle Marvels in the LPL and was recently recalled to the national team for the T20I series against Bangladesh. However, he did not play in any of the matches.The suspension stems from a positive doping test conducted during the LPL, which is part of SLC's ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport. SLC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and SLADA, conducts random doping tests during domestic tournaments to prevent anti-doping violations.Dickwella has a history of disciplinary issues, including a ban for breaching bio-bubble protocols in 2021. Despite his talent, his off-field lifestyle has often overshadowed his performances on the field.The suspension is a significant blow to Sri Lanka's cricket team, as Dickwella has been a key player in all formats. He has scored 2757 runs in Tests, 1604 in ODIs, and 480 in T20Is.SLC has stated that the suspension will remain in place until further notice, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to anti-doping regulations and maintaining the integrity of the sport.

Sydney Thunder has secured the services of Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu for the next three seasons, making her the first player to sign a multi-year contract under the WBBL's new rules. Athapaththu, who played for Thunder last season as an undrafted player, impressed with her all-round abilities, finishing as the Player of the Tournament.Athapaththu's signing is a significant coup for Thunder, who believe she can help them challenge for their first WBBL title. The 33-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful players in women's cricket, having captained Sri Lanka to the 2022 Asia Cup title. She is also a prolific run-scorer and a dangerous bowler, making her a valuable asset to any team."Committing to Sydney Thunder for the next three seasons was an easy decision because I believe in the vision of this club, and I want to be part of its future success," Athapaththu said. "There's so much to love about my Sydney Thunder family. My team-mates are not just colleagues; they are friends who push each other to be better every day, [which] is important to me. Western Sydney is the heart and soul of Sydney Thunder and representing such a diverse and vibrant community is a privilege to have. It's been an incredible journey so far, and I'm so excited for what's ahead."Thunder general manager Trent Copeland is delighted to have secured Athapaththu's services for the long term. "Chamari is obviously an exceptional cricket player, but she is also an exceptional human being who is team first and fan first," Copeland said. "We know other teams were interested in signing her, but we made every effort to ensure she came back. To see the way she embraced and engaged with our members and fans last summer was something pretty special and on the field she had one of the WBBL's great seasons."Athapaththu has had stints in the WBBL previously with Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers. Last season, after not being selected in the draft, she was added to the Thunder squad as cover for their three overseas players. She quickly became a key player for Thunder, scoring 552 runs at an average of 42.46 and taking nine wickets.Thunder open their 2024-25 campaign against Hobart Hurricanes on October 28. With Athapaththu in their ranks, they will be confident of making a strong challenge for the title.

Ireland's Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast starred in a thrilling seven-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I in Dublin, leveling the two-match series 1-1.Lewis, who had scored a century in the first T20I, continued her impressive form with a smashing 119 off 75 balls. She found an able ally in Prendergast, who contributed 38 off 31 balls. The duo shared a 119-run partnership for the second wicket, laying the foundation for Ireland's competitive total of 173 for 3.Lewis reached her fifty off 40 balls and accelerated her scoring rate thereafter. She struck 17 fours and two sixes in her innings, including three fours in the final over. Prendergast provided valuable support, hitting back-to-back fours in the 12th over and keeping the scoreboard ticking.Sri Lanka's chase got off to a shaky start with the early loss of Vishmi Gunaratne. However, Harshitha Samarawickrama threatened to repeat her heroics from the first T20I, striking two fours in the first over and a six off Jane Maguire.Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari put on a 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt. But Maguire's dismissal of Samarawickrama for 65 off 44 balls proved to be a turning point.Dilhari continued to find the boundaries, but Sri Lanka lost wickets at the other end. They needed 22 off the last two overs and 16 off six. Dilhari struck a six in the final over to reach her fifty, but with eight needed off two, she failed to connect cleanly, allowing Ireland to level the series.

Ian Bell, the former England batter, has been appointed as Sri Lanka's batting coach for their upcoming tour of England. The tour will feature three Tests, commencing on August 21st. Bell's role will commence on August 16th and continue until the conclusion of the series.Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) CEO Ashley De Silva expressed the rationale behind Bell's appointment: "We appointed Ian to bring in a person with local knowledge to help the players with key insights on the conditions there. Ian has a wealth of experience playing in England, and we believe his inputs will be invaluable to our team during this crucial tour."Since retiring from playing in 2020, Bell has accumulated extensive coaching experience. He has served as batting coach for the England men's U-19 and England Lions teams, assistant coach at Hobart Hurricanes, consultant batting coach at Derbyshire, and assistant coach of the New Zealand men's side ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Most recently, he held the position of assistant coach at Melbourne Renegades in the BBL and is currently the coach of the Birmingham Phoenix side in the Men's Hundred.England batter Jamie Smith, who works with Bell at Phoenix, shared his thoughts on the appointment: "He's reminded me a few times that he's going to be in the opposite camp in this series."Sri Lanka will be hoping that Bell's expertise will guide them to their first Test series victory in England since 2014. The team, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, will face England in three Tests: Manchester (August 21-25), Lord's (August 29-September 2), and the Oval (September 6-10).

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team made a triumphant start to their T20I series against Ireland in Dublin, securing a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the first match. The victory was largely orchestrated by the brilliance of Harshitha Samarawickrama, who smashed an unbeaten 86 off just 45 deliveries.Ireland, after being sent in to bat, posted a competitive total of 145 for 6. Opener Gaby Lewis (39) and Oria Prendergast (29) provided a solid foundation with a 59-run partnership for the second wicket. Captain Laura Delany (25) and Rebecca Stokell (21*) also made valuable contributions.However, Sri Lanka's batting lineup proved too strong for Ireland's bowlers. Samarawickrama, fresh off her top-scoring performance in the Asia Cup final, once again led the charge. She combined with Vishmi Gunaratne (30) for an 83-run opening stand, setting the platform for a successful chase.Samarawickrama continued to dominate the innings, hitting 15 fours and a six. She received support from the rest of the top order, with Nilakshi de Silva (15) and Kavisha Dilhari (14) making useful contributions.Ireland's bowlers struggled to contain Samarawickrama's onslaught. Freya Sargent, Arlene Kelly, and Delany each picked up a wicket, but they were unable to stem the flow of runs.On the bowling front, Sri Lanka's left-arm seam duo of Udeshika Prabhodani and Sugandika Kumari kept Ireland's scoring in check. Offspinner Inoshi Priyadharshani was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 for 35.The victory is a significant boost for Sri Lanka, who are without their star player Chamari Athapaththu. Samarawickrama's 86 not out is the fourth-highest T20I score by a Sri Lanka batter and the highest by anyone other than Athapaththu.

The Sri Lankan cricket team's upcoming test series against England has been overshadowed by concerns over player safety amidst ongoing anti-immigrant riots in Britain. Several Sri Lankan players currently in England for pre-series training have expressed their anxieties to the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board, requesting enhanced security measures."We can't go out to dinner or do anything like that. Mostly we stay in the hotel. No one wants to run into trouble and get beaten up," a Sri Lankan player in England told ESPNcricinfo.Sri Lankan team manager, Mahinda Halangoda, has formally addressed these concerns with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), particularly after reports of unrest in Manchester, the venue for the first test match."I raised the issue with them, and the ECB responded very quickly and sent us their comprehensive security arrangements. We'll be having a security liaison on the tour from them as well," Halangoda stated.The ECB has assured the Sri Lankan team of comprehensive security arrangements, but the players' apprehension underscores the potential impact of broader societal issues on international sporting events.This situation presents a parallel to Sri Lanka's own experience in 2022, when the island nation faced significant political and economic turmoil, leading to ethical concerns raised by Australia and Pakistan regarding touring for a bilateral series. Ultimately, the Asia Cup, initially planned to be held in Sri Lanka, was relocated to the United Arab Emirates due to the unrest.The SLC will be keen to ensure their players can focus on the upcoming series without undue anxiety. The effectiveness of the ECB's security measures and the overall management of the situation will be closely observed, setting a precedent for future touring teams navigating similar circumstances.

Sri Lanka's recent ODI series victory over India marked a significant milestone for the team, breaking a 27-year drought against their formidable rivals. Captain Charith Asalanka attributed the triumph to the team's improved top-order batting and the exceptional performance of their spinners.The series was played on pitches that favored spin bowling, and Sri Lanka's spinners took full advantage. Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage, and Asalanka himself were the top wicket-takers, claiming 27 of the 30 Indian wickets that fell. Despite the absence of premier spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in two of the matches, the Sri Lankan spinners proved their mettle.However, it was not just the spinners who contributed to the victory. Sri Lanka's top-order batters provided solid platforms, with Avishka Fernando scoring 96 in the third match, Pathum Nissanka contributing 101 runs, and Kusal Mendis adding 103."On these pitches, until the ball gets a little older, it's easier to bat, and it takes less spin," Asalanka explained. "What we planned was for someone in the top order to get a big score, and for others around him to play around him and get to a good score."The improved top-order performance was a significant change from the past, where Sri Lanka often struggled to provide a solid foundation for their middle order. Asalanka credited the team's newfound freedom and positive environment for the turnaround."As a team we tried to create a good environment, after talking to the coach," Asalanka said. "We tried to give a lot of freedom to our players and to show their talent. We don't put much pressure on them."The ODI series victory was a major boost for Sri Lanka, who had been thrashed 3-0 in the preceding T20I series. Asalanka expressed confidence that the team can continue to compete against the best when they play to their potential.