Sri Lanka one-day opener Danushka Gunathilaka has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI and T20I cricket series against West Indies with a recurring back problem which according to team manager and chief selector Ashantha de Mel may require surgery.

“Danushka has a back injury and has been ruled out of the West Indies series. He is under treatment and may require surgery. All-rounder Shehan Jayasuriya is likely to replace him in the final 15,” said De Mel. Wicket-keeper/batsman Niroshan Dickwella is scheduled to miss the opening match of the three-match ODI series starting at the SSC grounds on Saturday after contracting dengue.

“Niroshan’s case is not all that serious and we have retained him in the ODI squad and hope to play him in the second match onwards,” said De Mel.

With Dickwella ruled out Kusal Perera the other wicket-keeper in the squad is likely to take on the gloves for the first ODI.

Sri Lanka named a 20-member squad for the ODI and T20I series from which a final squad of 15 will be picked before the start of the respective series. Meanwhile Oshada Fernando who was selected to play in the second one-day warm-up match against West Indies at Katunayake on Thursday has suffered a deep cut in his hand and will miss out the match.

Asela Gunaratne who batted and bowled well (64 and 0/18 in 5 overs) in the first warm-up one-dayer against West Indies at the P Sara Oval on Monday will get another opportunity to reclaim a place in the national squad when he replaces Fernando for the second warm-up match. - ST

Australia and India tuned up for Friday’s blockbuster ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 opener with hard-fought warm-up victories over South Africa and West Indies respectively. But by far the biggest shock of the day was Sri Lanka’s 10-wicket victory over England as Shashikala Siriwardana snaffled four wickets and Chamari Atapattu starred with bat and ball to earn an unlikely triumph.

Sri Lanka produced the perfect finale to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup preparation, starring with both bat and ball in the ten-wicket win over England.

England started poorly with Danni Wyatt out in the second over, Anushka Sanjeewani with the catch off Shashikala Siriwardena’s first ball. The top order quickly collapsed, Fran Wilson run out for 18 after being promoted to three before opener Amy Jones holed out to Atapattu on the fence, giving Siriwardena her second wicket.

England found themselves at 55 for four at the end of the eighth, a mix-up at the crease proving costly as Lauren Winfield was run out by Kavisha Dilhari. Katherine Brunt was the next to fall victim to Siriwardena’s nagging bowling as she was caught by Nilakshika Silva for a two-ball duck, before England were reduced to 80 for six after 14 overs when Beaumont was bowled by Atapattu for 23. Before long Atapattu had claimed her second wicket, bowling Anya Shrubsole for nine and not even Heather Knight could save England this time around as the captain was dismissed for 19 by Siriwardena.

Siriwardena played a key role in restricting England to 122 for nine with four wickets, but it was captain Atapattu who took the final ­- and her third - scalp when Sarah Glenn was caught by Dilhari.

It wasn’t just with the ball that Sri Lanka impressed, as Atapattu and Hasini Madushika’s unbeaten 123-run opening partnership secured their stunning ten-wicket victory, the captain putting on a particularly impressive show of hitting eight fours and five sixes.

England’s Knight said: “The defeat is disappointing. We were way off the pace today.

“Fair play to Sri Lanka, we saw some outstanding batting from them. They bowled well too with their spinners bowling quick into the wicket, which we didn’t react fast enough to.

“We weren’t ruthless enough with the bat which can cost you in T20 cricket with it being such a quick game. It’s better that it happens now than in the World Cup and I think we’ll learn a lot of lessons from today.”

Scores:

Sri Lanka Women beat England Women by 10 wickets @ Adelaide

England Women 122-9 (20) (Amy Jones 23, Tammy Beaumont 23; Shashikala Siriwardana 4-22, Chamari Atapattu 3-21)

Sri Lanka Women 123-0 (12.3) (Chamari Atapattu 78 n.o., Hasini Madushika 29 n.o.; Heather Knight 0-7)

Australia Women beat South Africa Women by four wickets @ Adelaide

South Africa Women 147-6 (20) (Dane van Niekerk 62, Lizelle Lee 29; Delissa Kimmince 2-34)

Australia Women 150-9 (19.3) (Meg Lanning 47, Rachael Haynes 39; Marizanne Kapp 4-16)

India Women beat West Indies Women by two runs @ Brisbane

India Women 107-8 (20) (Shikha Pandey 24 n.o., Deepti Sharma 21; Anisa Mohammed 2-16, Shamilia Connell 2-20)

West Indies Women 105-7 (20) (Lee-Ann Kirby 42, Hayley Matthews 25; Poonam Yadav 3-20)

NEW DELHI, Tuesday - The owners of Kings XI Punjab have bought a Caribbean Premier League side, becoming the second Indian Premier League club to own a Twenty20 franchise in the West Indies.

Punjab took over St Lucia Zouks, led by former West Indies captain Darren Sammy, on Monday. In 2015 the Kolkata Knight Riders purchased Trinidad and Tobago. “We are excited at the opportunity to invest in one of the most exciting sporting tournaments in the world, and we have been impressed by the vibrancy of CPL over the last seven years,” Punjab co-owner Mohit Burman said on a St Lucia Zouks media release.

The eighth edition of the CPL will be held from August 19 to September 26. – AFP

LONDON, Tuesday - Moeen Ali will captain Birmingham Phoenix in English cricket’s new Hundred competition, it was announced Tuesday. The England all-rounder, who grew up near Edgbaston, the venue for the Phoenix’ home matches, will lead a side that includes fellow World Cup winner Chris Woakes as well as Kane Williamson, the captain of the New Zealand side beaten in last year’s thrilling global 50-over final.

A dashing left-handed batsman and off-spin bowler, Moeen rose through the ranks at Edgbaston with Warwickshire before establishing himself in county cricket with Midlands rivals Worcestershire.

“Every time that I come to Edgbaston it takes me back to some great first memories of coming here at a very young age,” said Moeen in a statement.

Moeen, a practising Muslim, added: “We’re a tight-knit city in Birmingham. We have so much around us that brings the people together, no matter who you are or your background.

“I know how much of a uniting game cricket is and as a leader of the Birmingham Phoenix that is something I definitely want to promote,” explained the 32-year-old, Worcestershire’s captain when they won the 2018 Twenty20 Blast title at Edgbaston.

Phoenix head coach Andrew McDonald, a former Australia paceman, said: “Moeen is a fantastic all-rounder and has the experience and temperament to lead the team.”

Moeen is currently taking time out from Test cricket, having made himself unavailable for England’s tour of Sri Lanka next month, with his last appearance in the format coming in the 2019 Ashes opener against Australia.

His Test absence was part of a wider break from all England duty but Moeen, who still harbours hopes of playing five-day cricket again, returned for the recent third one-day international in South Africa.

Moeen was also named player of the match in Durban on Friday after hitting 39 off just 11 balls as England levelled a three-match Twenty20 series with the Proteas that they eventually went on to win 2-1.

The Hundred is a new tournament consisting of eight city-based franchise sides, breaking away from England’s traditional county system. Teams will bat for 100 balls each with overs lasting for 10 balls and bowlers either bowling five or 10 balls consecutively. English officials are adamant the Hundred will attract a new audience vital to safeguarding cricket’s long-term future.

But critics have questioned the need for a fourth format in an already crowded schedule featuring first-class, one-day and Twenty20 matches, while concerns have been voiced over the Hundred’s potentially damaging knock-on effects to the existing county set-up. -AFP

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Royal College Colombo ‘B’ will meet Wadduwa Central College in the final of the ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 13 division II inter schools cricket tournament at Ananda Shasthralaya Kotte Beddagana today

Wadduwa Central College advanced to the pre quarter final round as group champions in their groups in the second round. Royal College Colombo ‘B’ advanced to the pre quarter final round as runner up in the same group in the second round.

Chamuditha Mihiranga will lead Wadduwa Central College and Isula Geeganage will lead Royal Colombo ‘B’.

Wadduwa Central College won on first innings against Debarawewa National School and Royal College Colombo ‘B’ won on first innings against St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya ‘B’ in the pre quarter final round.

Wadduwa Central College beat Lyceum International School Panadura and Royal College Colombo ‘B’ beat St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa ‘B’ in the quarter finals.

Wadduwa Central College beat C.W.W. Kannangara MV Colombo and Royal College Colombo ‘B’ beat Bandaranayake Central College Veyangoda in the semi finals.

Royal College Colombo ‘B’ squad: Isula Geeganage (Captain), Sasindu Mapa (vice captain), Okitha Mudunkotuwa, Ruvindu Jayasooriya, Kemila Govinda, Venuja Aluthgama, Bathisa Ariyapala, Sathika De Alwis, Abiru Kannagara, Akash Pinto, Thevindu Wewelwala, Januga Perera, Tyler Perera, Kuchila Ranmandala, Minthula Malwalage, Desandu Wijesundara, Shaveen Seneviratne, Wageesha Wickramarathne, Sanjayan Bala, Gaviru Wimaladharma, Rashan Peiris (Head coach), Nisansala Mendis (Asst. coach), Prageeth Ferdinando (Asst. coach), Charith Fernando (Asst. coach), Wasantha Satharasinghe (Asst. coach), Sandaruwan Fernando (Asst. coach), D.M.S. Dissanayake (Master in charge), B.A. Abeyratne (Principal)

Wadduwa Central College squad: Chamuditha Mihiranga (Captain), Sahan Deshaka (Vice Captain), Deshan Chamika, Thisas Hansidu, Indeepa Dinuwara, Poorna Chamika, Shehan Madusanka, Rashmika Udayanga, Kanishka Devinda, Renuja Sandeepa, Nisindu Himasara, Harindu Himarshana, Thusara Lochana, Lakishitha Sadaruwan, Viruja Anjanika, Sineth Chamika, Rumesh Diluna, Menul Sathhiru, Dhanushka Ranmuthu (Head Coach), Shehan Dilshan (Assistant Coach), Kenneth Dissanayake (Master in charge), . Dilan Gunaratne (Principal) (YK)

The Observer-Mobitel School Cricketer of the Year is going to reach its peak with the commencement of the big match season from this weekend.

Commencement of big matches will generate a new atmosphere among schools and their supporters, young and old, and would show tremendous enthusiasm to vote for their favourite schoolboys and schoolgirls.

The historic first ever school cricket awards show in Sri Lanka began exactly on the 50th anniversary of Sunday Observer. When the Sunday Observer celebrated its 92nd year this month, the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer had flourished for 42 years opening new horizons.

Apart from rewarding the most outstanding schoolboy cricketers, it has embarked on another mission to appreciate and reward schoolgirl cricketers in similar fashion.

After Royalist Ranjan Madugalle, present ICC Chief Match Referee, became the first ever Observer Schoolboy Cricketer in 1978/79, former Ananda captain Arjuna Ranatunga became the first to win the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer award twice.

The country’s World Cup-winning captain and former Minister first won the mega title in 1980 and once again became the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer in 1982 after emerging runner up in 1981.

In a recent interview, Ranatunga said that winning the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year remains the most memorable lifetime experience any schoolboy cricketer could be proud of.

As a dependable middle order batsman Ranatunga had aggregated 5,105 runs including four centuries and 38 fifties and captured 16 wickets in 93 Tests. Known as ‘Captain Cool’ he said that winning the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year or any other major Award at the event is a life-time experience.

“It’s a big boost for a schoolboy when he is picked to receive any award – for the Best Batsman, Best Bowler, Best All-rounder or the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year. That will give him confidence when he takes strike at club level and international level,” said Ranatunga in a previous interview.

“As a cricketer you may go places and win many other awards at higher levels, but an award won at the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year event remains the most memorable in any cricketer’s life,” he said.

Ranatunga considers winning the award twice as the most cherished moments in his life. He further added that the titles had given him “tremendous inspiration and confidence,” when he stepped into the international arena.

When he was a schoolboy cricketer playing for Ananda, Ranatunga had the honour of representing Sri Lanka at the country’s inaugural Test against England in 1982.

He not only played for Sri Lanka while still being a schoolboy but also made it a memorable occasion by becoming the first Sri Lankan to score a half century (54) in Test cricket. It was the great West Indian Sir Garfield Sobers who spotted the talent in Ranatunga and forced the selectors to play him in Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test team and he obliged by scoring a half century. He thereby proved Sir Garfield Sobers right.

Ranatunga has come a long way since his early days as a junior schoolboy cricketer to go places to end his sporting career as a legend in world cricket.

He has proved his class in limited overs cricket too, aggregating 7456 runs in 269 ODIs, including four centuries and 49 fifties.

Despite achieving loads of success as a cricketer, including his dynamic leadership to pilot the Sri Lanka team to win the 1996 World Cup, Ranatunga still admires the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer trophies he had won in 1980 and 1982 as a school cricket star from Ananda.

When Sri Lanka’s success in world cricket tournaments is talked about, the greatest mark was the achievement way back in 1996. That was when Sri Lanka enjoyed its most cherished moment in international cricket, winning the ICC World Cup tournament in Lahore, Pakistan on March 17, 1996. Besides Ranatunga and ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle, there had been several other past Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title winners in that champion outfit which opened a new chapter in Sri Lanka sport by conquering cricket’s Mount Everest in world cricket.

Ranatunga is one of the most successful players ever produced by Ananda. He pointed out the poor standard of school cricket now, urging the country’s cricket authorities to take meaningful steps to face the challenge and improve it. Ranatunga feels the standard of school cricket has dropped drastically, making a negative impact on the national pool.

“It is sad to see the deteriorating standards of school cricket. Unfortunately, officials do not pay much attention to school cricket,” Ranatunga said.

Ranatunga said the cricket authorities have forgotten the fact that the foundation of the national pool is school cricket. He stressed the importance of school cricket when filling the vacancies in the national team.

“They must keep in mind that school cricket is the cradle of the national team. The government must also focus on sports and particularly on cricket which has brought glory to our country internationally,” he said.

The former Ananda, SSC and Sri Lanka captain feels that the lack of spectator interest in school cricket at present is due to poor standards dished out at school level. “The quality of cricket that is produced is poor and discourages spectators. Spectators will always be there if quality cricket is played, maintaining high standards. School cricket could attract spectators like in the past if standards are improved,” he added.

“During our days, future Sri Lankan stars could be identified from junior cricket level. Then when we played first XI cricket, more than half of the top 20 schoolboy cricketers were assured of their places in the national pool. But it is altogether a different scenario now due to poor standards. Even if a player has performed well at school level now, he will find it hard and unable to absorb the pressure at club or national level.

“That is why we don’t see schoolboy cricketers stepping straight into the national team and cementing their places as was the case during our era,” Ranatunga said.

The Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest is sponsored by Sri Lanka’s national mobile service provider - SLT Mobitel, which has taken the four-decade-old contest towards new horizons.

The entry of Mobitel 13 years ago to provide financial support to the oldest Cricket Awards show in Sri Lanka has undoubtedly lifted the standard of the contest after its humble beginnings way back in 1978/79. Since then, it has come a long way to set new standards inspiring other media organizations to conduct similar contests.

Sri Lanka’s flagship English newspaper - the Sunday Observer - realized the need to recognize the raw talent of the country’s schoolboy cricketers and reward them at a time when there had been no organized inter-school cricket tournaments, apart from the traditional first XI matches of the so-called leading schools.

But the introduction of the show and its expansion to have a separate segment for outstation schoolboy cricketers went a long way in inspiring the talented cricketers in the far flung areas.

We all have our favorite sports, but which sports are the most popular around? The problem is coming up with a clear defining meaning of popular - by popular do we mean most watched, the most played, or the sport with the most passionate fans! At one time it was football. For those who don’t know the history, in the good old days football was the most popular game in our country. It is not possible today to know exactly, when football was introduced to Sri Lanka. However, there is evidence of the game being played on the Galle Face Green, by bare chested British Servicemen stationed in and around Colombo in the 1890’s.

The British administrative service and the planting community enthusiastically took it to the Central, Southern, and Up-Country regions. By early 1900 competitive football was popular with the local youth. The game became popular and local football clubs were formed. St. Michael’s SC, Havelock Football Club, Java Lane SC, Wekande SC, Moors FC, and CH & FC, the last being a European monopoly, were some of the first clubs in Colombo. Harlequins FC and Saunders SC soon joined. The trophies of the early tournaments were the De Mel Shield and the Times of Ceylon Cup.

Football also became popular in the country’s Southern Provence, where the planting and administrative community promoted the game. British planter T R. Brough in Deniyaya heavily promoted football in the south between 1910–1920, and British servicemen from the Navy wireless station in Matara also helped popularise it.

In 1952, Ceylon became a member of FIFA and got the opportunity to play football at international level. The country’s first International friendly was played against India. The Football Federation organised a tournament called Colombo Cup, which helped the national team to improve their skills and compete with other nations

The service barrack grounds at Echelon Square (where the Galadari Hotel is presently situated) and the Sports Club grounds (presently the Taj Samudra Hotel) were the popular football fields in the game’s formative years.

British service units such as the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery and the Royal Garrison Command were the pioneers who promoted competitive football here. British administrative service and the British planting community took the sport to the Central, Up-country and Southern regions. By early 1900 football as a competitive sport, was popular amongst the local youth. Though playing bare footed, our lads mastered the skills, and in fact, donned the Service jerseys as replacements or reserves in many an exclusively white dominated game.

The first ever attempt to organize and conduct Association Football in Ceylon was when the Colombo Association Football League was formed at a meeting held in the Bristol Hotel, Colombo on the 4th day of April 1911. H. French was elected President with H. K. Crosskey as Secretary. However, as a result of the World War in 1914, this body understandably became inactive and ineffective.

After a lapse of nine years, the Colombo Association Football League was revived and re-constituted in 1920 under the amended name, Colombo Football League, with Herbert Dowbiggin as President and H. French as Chairman and by 1924 Sir John Tarbat, that evergreen sportsman, became the President and contributed immensely to the promotion of the game in the years that followed.

Southern Province

In the Southern Province, the sport had a fair impact on the masses, with the planting and administrative community leading in the promotion of the game in a big way. R. Brough, a British planter in Deniyaya, contributed much to the sport in the South between 1910 and 1920. The British servicemen from the Navy wireless station in Matara, also helped to popularize the sport, particularly in the southern schools. The first football club formed in the south was the Galle Association Football Club in 1910, with obviously a predominantly British membership. R. R. Brough was its first President and the club team was captained by A. C. Blair.

Central Province

Kandy, the hill capital of Sri Lanka, had its baptism in football in the mid-1930s. During the Second World War, British units were stationed in Kandy, with the one-time Commander in Chief of the Allied Forces in the South East Asia, Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten having his headquarters in the hill capital. Later on Kandy Amateur Football League was formed with M. S. Jainudeen as the kingpin. It subsequently changed its name to Kandy District Football Association. It served football in Matale, Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Kurunegala and Kegalle, as the years rolled by these towns formed their own associations. Today sad to say that football in Kandy has been allowed to go into limbo.

Northern Province

Almost at the same time the British planters, technocrats and civil servicemen were spreading the gospel of football in the Western, Central and Southern provinces. The North too, came under their spell with a flourish of football activity amongst the local populace. School leavers and young government servants were grouping together to form football clubs, so early as the mid-thirties. In fact, on the 8th of November 1939 to be exact, the Jaffna Football Association was formed with W. G. Spencer, District Judge, as Chairman. This historic meeting took place at the Jaffna YMCA with B. E. Rajanayagam as the elected secretary. Football in the northern peninsula is as old as football in Sri Lanka, and always remained active and vibrant until the outbreak of ethnic violence in 1983.

North Central Province

Rajarata, the place of kings and palaces, and one of scenic beauty and tranquility, is also a province full of recreation and sport. Anuradhapura the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, was a center of activity, both cultural and recreational and football naturally took pride of place. The origins of football in the North Central Province is no different to that of the rest of the country. The influence of the British civil servants had been at the base of its growth. These Britishers, with the assistance of the local youth, played football more as a recreation than in competition, in a ground close to the venerated Ruwanveli Seya.

History will not be complete if appreciation is not recorded of the encouragement and assistance extended to the sport by our Heads of States. The singular contribution to football by R. Premadasa needs no elaboration. The re-development of the Sugathadasa Stadium stands as a living monument to his unremitting devotion and sincere admiration.

The CEAT Sri Lanka team won the 2020 Inter-office Cricket Tournament organised by the India CEO Forum (ICF) in Sri Lanka, which saw 24 teams compete. The champion team made up of staff from CEAT’s manufacturing, sales and office in Sri Lanka defeated the Fairfirst Insurance team in the finals to lift the trophy. The team’s Lakmal Madusanka, a Sales Executive at CEAT Sri Lanka, won individual honours, being adjudged the Best Batsman and the Best All-rounder at this year’s tournament. Here is the victorious CEAT Sri Lanka team with Arindam Chakrabarti, Chief Financial Officer (Fourth from left).

Having gone through a closely fought high scoring ODI series in India which they lost 1-2 and then following it up with 3-0 whitewash of Ireland at home, West Indies captain Kieron Pollard expressed confidence of his team’s success against Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series commencing at the SSC grounds on Saturday.

“When we got to India we were looking to where we were as a team. A lot has happened from the World Cup till now. We want to play the brand of cricket, we want to compete and we want to be always into the game. I thought the guys showed that they want to compete at international level and compete with the best for it’s a matter of continuity, a matter of not being overconfident but always wanting to improve each and every time,” said Pollard at the West Indies’ inaugural media conference held at Shangri-La Hotel yesterday.

“In the series against Ireland we wanted to show that we were a step above those guys and that’s exactly what we did. Now coming up against Sri Lanka two teams that are evenly matched in terms of where we sit especially in the rankings, it will be very interesting to see what these guys come out and show. We came here early because we wanted to do well as a team. We want to continue to play a certain brand of cricket, we are looking forward to it and we are pretty confident. At the end of the day everyone starts at zero who holds that pressure and who hold the match till the end is going to win and come out on top,” he said.

Usually touring teams come to Sri Lanka early to get accustomed to the oppressive heat and humidity and West Indies who arrived ten days ahead of the start of the tour have adapted to the conditions quite well.

“We adapted pretty well, we came early to get used to the conditions. Mentally and physically we are prepared for that. The humidity is high but these things we are accustomed to in the Caribbean so we have a lot of coconut water and lots of fruits. We are hydrated and the guys are looking forward to the series,” said Pollard.

The absence of two of their top order batters Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmeyer from the side Pollard admitted “was a big disappointment” but added: “Lewis was the batsman of the last ODI series against Ireland he did well for us and Hetmeyer has been consistent scoring runs but these things happen. It is an opportunity for other guys to come out and show on the international arena. Sometimes you look at it as a negative but it’s a positive for some other people. We as a team are looking forward to playing on what we have started and hopefully we can continue going forward.”

Phil Simmons the West Indies coach said that in the last few months after the World Cup they have been trying to build their white ball teams. “We keep working at improving our cricket with every series and against India we got better it is the same with this series. That’s what we are looking at.

“In India I think overall we played well but it’s just that our bowling has to improve during the series. We have been working in our bowling to get more wickets in the middle overs and things like that. Things have improved so let’s see what happens in the series,” said Simmons, the former West Indies Test and ODI opening batsman.

Likewise Sri Lanka are also in the process of improving their cricket overall with their new coach Mickey Arthur determined to make an impact as he had done with past teams he has been charge of South Africa and Pakistan.

“We have some realistic goals we want to achieve in the next couple of years and this is the start for us. This is the first time that I am involved with an ODI side. I am really excited to see the players accept the challenge and see them flourish in the role they’ve been given and try and fit into the brand of cricket that we want to play,” said Arthur.

“We are pretty realistic as to where we are at the moment but we got some very good goals and we got some things we want to achieve over the next couple of years. We want to keep getting better and better. Everybody certainly has been given clear roles with missions and to see how the guys embrace those roles it’s going to be very interesting.

“Also we need to establish what’s going to be our best brand of cricket and how we go about that and, hopefully we could get some results which would give some confidence in the brand of cricket we want to play over the next couple of years because ultimately that gives you sustainable success. That’s what we are all in the game for. It is interesting to see how the series unfolds because the two teams are evenly matched,” Arthur said.

The three-match ODI series will be played for the National Development Bank (NDB) Cup.

“We have a come a long way and completed 40 years in banking. We are the fourth largest bank in the country and now that we are in the big league we need to get into this kind of sponsorships and support the game,” said NDB Bank Director/CEO Dimantha Seneviratne. “Cricket is a much loved sport in Sri Lanka. Win or lose it is how you play the game that matters. Even in banking people go through ups and downs like Sri Lanka cricket and it is when the customer is in difficulties we want to help them.”

SRI LANKA ODI SQUAD

Sri Lanka has finalized their 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against West Indies.

The squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara.

Lahiru Thirimanne will lead a Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI in their official one-day 50-over warm-up cricket match against the touring West Indies cricketers at Katunayake today.

The following 14 member squad comprises: Lahiru Thirimanne (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Asela Gunaratne, Minod Bhanuka, Ramesh Mendis, Amila Aponsu, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Thikshila de Silva and Pulina Tharanga.

 Heather Knight believes England’s crushing ten-wicket warm-up defeat to Sri Lanka is the wake-up call her side needed ahead of Sunday’s T20 World Cup opener against South Africa.

England’s rejigged batting order, which saw the captain herself drop to seven in favour of giving the middle order more time at the crease, struggled with Sri Lanka’s spinners and were restricted to 122/9.

From there it went from bad to worse for Knight’s side as opposite number Chamari Atapattu stole the show in Adelaide, her unbeaten 78 steering her side to a shock victory.

“The defeat is disappointing but it’s better that it happens now than in the World Cup,” said Knight. “I think we’ll learn a lot of lessons from today. Fair play to Sri Lanka, we saw some outstanding batting from them. I think Chamari Atapattu will upset a few teams at this World Cup.

“They bowled well too with their spinners bowling quick into the wicket, which we didn’t react fast enough to. It will give us a kick up the back side, which to be honest, might not be a bad thing. We’ll be ready to come back for our first game on Sunday against South Africa and we know we need to play better against them to be successful.” – Daily Mail

Karachi, Wednesday: Cricket-crazy fans in Pakistan will be able to enjoy the whole of their Twenty20 league on home soil for the first time when the star-studded fifth edition begins Thursday in Karachi.

The month-long Pakistan Super League (PSL) will see top internationals such as Dale Steyn of South Africa, Shane Watson and Chris Lynn of Australia, West Indian Carlos Brathwaite and England’s Alex Hales and Jason Roy among 36 overseas players in six teams.

Matches will be shared between Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan and Lahore after security concerns had caused most games in previous years to be played in the United Arab Emirates, with only the final stages of the last three editions being held at home.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani believes the willingness of overseas stars to sign up illustrates how security has improved in a country where the army has fought a militant insurgency for years.

“So many players touring Pakistan shows the confidence they have in playing in Pakistan,” said Mani, who took over last year with the aim of bringing cricket home.

“For the fans, this will be a long-awaited opportunity to see their cricketing heroes live in action and reinforce their love for this great game after being left deprived.”

A generation of Pakistan’s youth had not watched top-flight cricket at home since a deadly attack on the Sri Lankan Test team’s bus in 2009 prompted international sides to shun the country.

Security improved enough by 2015 for limited-overs internationals to be hosted but Test cricket returned only in December after a decade’s exile.

“It’s important that it goes off well, for the future of Pakistan cricket,” said former Australian batsman Dean Jones, who is the coach of Karachi Kings.

“All the big boys, who are here from overseas, must bring their countries here and play.”

Since hosting Zimbabwe in 2015, Pakistan has provided teams with security normally reserved for visiting heads of state, with hundreds of police guarding stadiums and hotels and the PSL is no different.

Roads to stadiums will be blocked and fans will have to go through multiple security cordons. Pakistan hosted only the tournament final in 2017, expanding to four matches in 2018 and eight a year ago.

“I am delighted to see the PSL fully staged in Pakistan,” former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed told AFP.

Australia’s limited overs leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed was born in Pakistan but fled to his adopted country in 2010 after Taliban threats.

Six teams -- Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalanders Lutan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators -- will play each other twice in a round-robin phase with the top four contesting play-offs beginning on March 17. The final will take place in Lahore on March 22. AFP

Samith Isuru, skipper of Karandeniya Central College made unbeaten double ton (202) in their ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 inter Schools Cricket tournament match against Taxila Central Horana yesterday.

Samith Isuru also passed 100 wickets milestone in this season. He scored unbeaten 202 runs in 223 balls with 27 boundaries and a six. Lohan De Zoysa of Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda took 10 wickets in the match against D.S. Senanayake College Colombo. Sandrauwan Chinthaka of Galahitiywa Central College made third century in this season. Bandaranayake Central College Veyangoda beat Nalanda Boys College Minuwangoda by 8 wickets. Other matches were drawn.

* At Panagoda (Match drawn)

Dharmasoka Ambalangoda: 226 and 194/9 decl. (38) (Lohan De Zoysa 69, Sasindu Malshan 35, Chamindu Tharaka 35, Maneendra Jayathilake 4/36, Imesh Adeesha 2/27)

D.S. Senanayake Colombo: 202 (73/1 o/n) (67.1) (Manura Gathsara Peiris 50, Anishka Kalpana 39, Amitha Dabare 30, Lohan De Zoysa 6/68, Maneesha Rashmika 4/39) and 135/4 (13) (Abisheak Liyanaarachchi 71 n.o, Muditha Lakshan 24, Lohan De Zoysa 4/63)

* At Kadirana (Match drawn)

Devapathiraja Rathgama: 105 and 246/8 (81) (Pawan Sandesh 54, Suddera Weerarathne 50, Kalpa Chethiya 47, Jeewaka Sasheen 39, Menusha Perera 3/71, Nipun Dhananjaya 2/74)

St. Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa: 217 (167/5 o/n) (73.3) (Nipun Dhananjaya 37, Achintha Deshan 32, Irushka Thimira 7/66, Sudeera Weerarathne 3/77)

* At Gampaha (Match drawn)

Galahitiyawa Central: 360 and 331 (51) (Sandaruwan Chinthaka 117, Esanda Sithum 46, Runada Shenumika 34, Thisara Denuwan 28 n.o., Lukes Keshyzer 22, Nimsara Sandupa 22, Subhan Sanuka 20, Kavishka Jayawardana 3/69, Kanishka Nimesh 3/40, Sandaru Pathirana 2/74)

Bandaranayake Gampaha: 210 (145/5 (52) (Sithija Silva 40, Dinuja Hettiarachchi 30, Hasitha Pathirage 24, Sahan Puwakpitiya 31, Sandaruwan Chinthaka 5/81, Minsara Sandupa 2/26, Esamda Sithum 2/27) and 120/3 (22.5) (Sithija Silva 48, Sahan Puwakpitiya 24)

* At Divulapitiya (Bandaranayake Central Veyangoda won by 8 wickets)

Nalanda Boys College, Minuwangoda: 211 and 146 (41.5) (Pasindu Sandaruwan 46, Nadun Kalhara 34, Kavindu Maduranga 21, Arana Dabare 6/59, Hasindu Perera 2/27)

Bandaranayake Central Veyangoda: 304 (213/7 o/n) (83.1) (Nipun Santhush 84, Dhanuja Munasinghe 53 n.o., Dilsha Malshara 38, Kavindu Mihiranga 36, Hasindu Perera 35, Movindu Jayasinghe 26, Nadun Kalhara 4/110, Mahindu Malith 4/68) and 55/2 (12.4) (Movindu Jayasinghe 24 n.o., Hasindu Perera 22 n.o.)

* At Bentota (Match drawn)

Gamini NS Bentota: 232 and 185 (50.4) (Lasith Eranda 73, Gavindu Deneth 42, Malith Kavinda 4/32, Aloka Lakshan 3/45)

St. Joseph’s Negombo: 258 (162/6 o/n) (63.1) (Kalana Kavinda 76, Disara Fernando 42, Sajith Kaushalya 25, Sithum Vishwa 25, Sakuntha Fernando 25, Sahan Pansilu 2/62, Ushmika Prasanjith 2/44, Omila Nilupul 2/54, Isuru Gihan 2/39) and 79/7 (24) (Vikum Fernando 31, Ushmika Prasanjith 2/15, Sahan Pansilu 2/35)

Day One scores

* At Matthegoda. Isipathana Colombo: 304/7 decl. (73) (Saveen Dantha 75, Leshan Amarasinghe 57, Thiwanka Lakruwan 50 n.o., Themiya Gunarathne 22, Navodya Weerasekara 4/120)

Kingswood Kandy: 41/3 (16)

* At Kandana. De Mazenod Kandana: 429 (95.4) (Sahan Kosala 106, Saliya Jude 97, Senash Fernando 74, Nimna Fernando 54, Ruvin Fonseka 37, Kalana Sandeep 5/80, Sasika Perera 2/50) St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa

* At Horana. Karandeniya Central: 415/8 (96) (Samith Isuru 202 n.o., Hansamana De Silva 84, Janith Kaushal 33, Thisara Sachinthana 2/29, Deshan Dilmith 2/42)

Taxila Central Horana

* At Hanwella. Christ King Pannipitiya: 108 (48.3) (Shenal Perera 26, Kaveesh Fernando 22, Shakthi Udara 6/33, Chanuk Mandiv 2/34) and 23/2 (10)

Rajasinghe Central Hanwella: 102 (37.5) (Chamod Sanjaya 39, Roshen Anthony 4/33, Rusira Rasanga 4/40, Shenal Perera 2/14)

* At Homagama. President’s Maharagama: 262 (42.3) (Chathuranga Ekanayake 78, Chandeepa Kumarasinghe 56, Supun Deshantha 40, Gijethn Kalhara 39 n.o., Imesh Sandeepa 23, Sathnim Sithsara 8/85, Sanka Yashodana 2/75)

Mahinda Rajapaksa NS Homagama: 71/3 (15) (Sangeeth Shihara 46 n.o., Jithen Kalhara 2/15)

* At Madampagama. St. Thomas’ Kotte: 221 (63.3) (Thareen Gimhan 99, Malindu Perera 31, Ashen Chamuditha 28, Malsha Tharupathi 6/69 Chavindu De Soysa 3/51)

Madampa Central Kuleegoda: 114/7 (35) (Sachin Dilhara 46, Tharushka Asel 2/14, Malindu Perera 2/37). YK

The Big Match between Negombo South International, Piliyandala branch and Negombo South International, Nittambuwa branch will take place today at the Nationalized Services Ground in Ratmalana, commencing at 9.30 am.

Dhaka, Wednesday: Bangladesh pace bowler Mashrafe Murtaza will lead the country in the forthcoming three-match one-day international series against Zimbabwe despite uncertainty over his future.

Mashrafe has not represented Bangladesh in any ODI since the ICC World Cup last year, and in January withdrew his name from a lucrative national team contract.

But Bangladesh Cricket Board officials said he would skipper the side despite his apparent lack of commitment. “At this moment we don’t have a substitute for a captain like Mashrafe,” president Nazmul Hassan told reporters in Dhaka.

“If he is not fit, that is another issue.” Hassan said while Mashrafe’s captaincy was vital to the team, it was also time for him to decide his future.

“We have to decide about our next captain very soon,” he said. Bangladesh will face Zimbabwe in the three-match ODI series from March 1 in Sylhet, before travelling to Pakistan in April for a one-off ODI series. Mashrafe enjoys hero status in Bangladesh after taking the team from being international whipping boys to gaining respectability as a limited-overs side.

The BCB wanted to give him a grand farewell last year when Zimbabwe last visited the country, but the player rejected the opportunity. AFP

Dubai, Wednesday: Karolina Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza re-established order among seeds on Wednesday as both reached the quarter finals of the WTA Dubai Championships.

While number two Czech Pliskova strolled in barely an hour to a 6-1, 6-2 defeat of qualifier Kristina Mladenovic, it took number nine Muguruza almost two and a half hours to get past Russian Veronika Kudermetova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

The pair of victories came a day after three major names made exits, with holder Belinda Bencic, third seed Elina Svitolina and Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin all going out.

Tournament number one Simona Halep was making her start later, facing sentimental fan favourite Ons Jabeur of Tunisia. AFP

The Royal-Thomian cricket encounter, the cynosure of all-eyes in the country’s schools sports calendar, was officially launched at a news conference worked-off at the BMICH, on Wednesday.

Accordingly, S. Thomas’ College (STC), Mount Lavinia, the current holders of the D.S. Senanayake shield, will be captained by Thevin Eriyagama, while Royal College, Colombo, who will be leading as the host this time, will be led by Thevindu Senaratne.

The Battle of the Blues tally - an annual traditional encounter – presently reads with the school by the sea having 35 wins, including the yesteryear’s equalising win, and as many wins by Royal with 70 draws.

Acting sub-warden of STC Asanka Perera, addressing the conference said, “It’s that time of the year when these schools start buzzing with cricket fever, as we inch closer to the three-days at the SSC, where 22-cricketers will be battling out on the green for the coveted D.S. Senanayake shield. It goes without saying that an event such as this cannot be pulled off without the support of many individuals.”

While thanking a series of partners profusely, the sub-warden also advised the two teams that the game is theirs.

“Don’t let these fancy events take your attention from that. Much festivities and activities surround the Royal-Thomian encounter, but for the 22 of you this is your game to battle out in the middle, according to the rules of the game,” he said.

“In the middle you battle but off the field you come off as friends. To the Thomian captain and the team, just remember playing the game you have practiced playing and don’t let anything distract you. There are no limits in what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your own thinking. Forget the mistakes, forget failure, forget everything except what you are going to do from now on,” sub-warden Perera said.

He concluded on a light note saying, the shield the match is played for is at rightfully where it should be and it is here to stay.

On the other hand, his counterpart A. Abeyratne, the principal of Royal College, speaking a few words said, “All of you will agree that, this is the biggest event in the cricketing calendar of Sri Lanka cricket. This game, between two great schools, has earned its rightful name in the cricketing “Hall of Fame”, as the world’s second longest uninterrupted cricket match”.

Sri Lanka Automobile Sports National Awards 2018, organized by the Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) was held at the Duncan White Auditorium, Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry recently with the participation of Sri Lanka Army Automobile Sports President Major General Wasantha Madola.

The overall seven Championship event titles were awarded at the ceremony while Devian Seransihnghe SL/E1000 cc Nissan March and SL/E Standard Cars – Ford Laser/Mazda 1300cc) and Kushan Pieris (SL/N Ford Lazer – Mazda 1500 cc and SL/H event) bagged two awards respectively. The other award winners were Ashan Silva SL/JT 3500 cc), Upulwan Serasinghe (SL/N Ford Lazer – Mazda 1300 cc), Duminda Amarasinghe (SL/A 1050 cc), Malika Kuruvitaarachchi (SL/event) and Buddika Ruklantha (T and g Turbo Diesel event). Devian Serasinghe and Kushan Pieris did not participate the ceremony.

It was a special thing that Upulwan Serasinghe, devian Serasinghe and Malika Kuruvitaarachchi from CEAT team awarded the national honours’. As a senior driver Upulwan was awarded national honours for competing 15 years continuously.

The proposed timetable and the nominated event line up for the nation championship, year 2020 were launched with concurrent to the award ceremony.

As a result of the bad security situation in year 2019, the 2018 National Award ceremony was delayed. “It is a pleasure to hold the ceremony before starting motor champion series 2020”, said the Sri Lanka Automobile Sports Secretary Rizwi Faruk while addressing the gathering. He further said that they will not be able to hold the National Awards ceremony for the year 2019. The 2019 National championship event calendar was disturbed by the Easter bomb attacks. The avoided trophy of SL/H 16 Honda 1618 cc in 2017 was also awarded to Shehara Jayawardena on this occasion. The award was not presented due to calculation problem of bonus points at the previous award ceremony.

The presidents and the secretaries of the affiliated clubs to Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) namely, Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC), Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Club (SLMCC), Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drives and Riders (SLARAR), Southern Motor Sports Club, Asian Motor Racing Club (AMRC), Sri Lanka Army Motor Sports Club (SLAMSC), Sri Lanka Autosports Drivers Association (SLADA), Motor Racing Association (MRA), Colombo Motor Sports Club (CMSC) and Negombo Motor Sports Club (NMSC) were participated at the award ceremony.

The young lads of CCC School of Cricket in their first ever tour to the UAE played eight matches, and won 4 and lost 4. Out of the eight matches played, two were day/night matches, and the highlight at these two matches was the use of white and pink balls. The matches were played in the picturesque Australian International, Skyline University, Al Hamriya, Al Batyeh grounds in Sharjah.

The tour was led by the Chief-de Mission, Nelson Mendis, and the entire tour was coordinated by the Chief Executive Officer, Harsha Peiris, and Tour Manager was Sivalingam Ravichandran. Manjula Abeysekera of SLCL Sports Management of Dubai coordinated all matches and logistics in the UAE making the tour a success and a memorable one for all players and officials.

Following players performed well in the UAE. Most Promising Cricketer – Chamal Athale, Best Bowler – Chamath Pathirana, Best Batsman – Travin Nishanthan, Best Allrounder of the Tournament – Vidun Weeraddana

Team on tour: Disal Fernando (Capt), Viden Weeraddana (V.Capt), Travin Nishanthan, Sunera Perera, Cainan Anthonyz, Chamath Parhirana, Raaed Carrim, Viknesh Ravicandran, Kiran Perera, Thinuda Wettasinghe, Chanul Athale, Yoshada Alwis, Nidukshan Perera, Leshan Nanayakkara and Coach Manoj Millawithanarachchi.

Match – 1: CCC School of Cricket beat Simply CA by 47 runs

C.C.C. SCHOOL OF CRICKET 164/5 (OVERS- 25) - YOSHADA ALWIS - 46*, VIDUN WEERADDANA - 26, CAINAN ATHONYNIS - 27*, RAAED CARRIM - 13, CHANUL ATHALE - 11, TRAVIN NISHANTHAN - 12

SIMPLY CRICKET ACADEMY 117/10 (OVERS – 23) - SIDDANTH DEWAKAR - 23*, GILES ALVA - 20, CHAMATH PATHIRANA 3/15, VIDUN WEERADDANA 2/10

Match - 2: CCC School of Cricket lost to Victoria CA by 9 wickets

C.C.C. SCHOOL OF CRICKET 90/10 (OVERS – 22) - DISAL FERNANDO - 15, CAINAN ANTHONYNIS - 12

VICTORIA CRICKET ACADEMY 91/1 (OVERS – 12) - AAYAN - 58*

Match - 3: CCC School of Cricket beat Spring CA by 48 runs

C.C.C. SCHOOL OF CRICKET - 141/08 (OVERS – 25) - VIDUN WEERADDANA - 38, TRAVIN NISHANTHAN - 16, RAAED CARRIM - 20, THINUDA WETHTHASINGHA - 16*, YOSHADA ALWIS - 14, LESHAN NANAYAKKARA - 10

SPRING CRICKET ACADEMY 93/10 (OVERS – 21) - SUBHA - 25, MIKHA - 16, KIRAN PERERA 3/7, VIDUN WEERADDANA 2/18, CHAMATH PATHIRANA 2/13

Match - 4: CCC School of Cricket beat Simply CA by 3 wickets

SIMPLY CRICKET ACADEMY - 121/10 (OVERS – 21) - JAYANTH - 38, SHAURYA - 16, KIRAN PERERA 4/22, CHAMATH PATHIRANA 2/22, LESHAN NANAYAKKARA 2/03

C.C.C. SCHOOL OF CRICKET - 122/7 (OVERS – 22) -DISAL FERNANDO - 26, TRAVIN NISHANTHAN - 22, VIDUN WEERADDANA - 15

Match - 5: CCC School of Cricket lost to Victoria CA by 8 runs

VICTORIA CRICKET ACADEMY - 114/08 (OVERS – 25) - NEHAN - 53, HAMZA - 25, CHAMATH PATHIRANA 2/22, VIKNESH RAVICHANDRAN 2/10, DISAL FERNANDO 2/18

C.C.C. SCHOOL OF CRICKET - 106/10 (OVERS – 24.2) - DISAL FERNANDO - 15*, VIDUN WEERADDANA - 22, VIKNESH RAVICHANDRAN - 11*

Match - 6: CCC School of Cricket beat Victoria CA by 6 wickets

VICTORIA CRICKET ACADEMY - 93/01 (OVERS – 17) - ADITHYA - 34*, YOOSUF - 50*

C.C.C. SCHOOL OF CRICKET 100/04 (OVERS – 15.4) - DISAL FERNANDO - 25*, YOSHADA ALWIS - 19, TRAVIN NISHANTHAN - 15, CAINAN ANTHONYNIS - 19

Match - 7: CCC School of Cricket lost to Simply CA by 5 wickets

CCC SCHOOL FO CRICKET - 122/10 (OVERS 25) - CHANUL ATHALE - 20, CHAMATH PATHIRNA - 20, CAINAN ANTHONYNIS - 16

SIMPLY CRICKET ACADEMY - 123/5 (OVERS 22) -JAYANTH - 31, TIDSHAEH - 17*

SYDNEY, Thursday: The Women’s Twenty20 World Cup gets underway when hosts and defending champions Australia meet India in Sydney on Friday and hopes are high that the seventh edition of the tournament will prove transformational for the game.

Great strides have been made in professionalising and popularising women’s sport around the world over the last few years and nowhere more so than in Australia, where the top female athletes have become household names.

Once a sideshow to the men’s version, the T20 World Cup will stand alone for the second time and the business end will be played out in the venerable confines of two cathedrals of the sport — the Sydney and Melbourne Cricket Grounds.

Organisers are hoping that the final at the MCG on March 8 will attract a record crowd for a women’s sporting event, topping the 90,185 that turned out for the 1999 soccer World Cup final at the Rose Bowl in California.

Even with the promise of American pop star Katy Perry belting out her hits at the MCG on International Women’s Day, Australia will probably need to make the title-decider for that to be happen.

That does look a fair bet, however, given Australia’s dominance of the shortest format of the international game as the winners of four of the last five World Cups and 26 of their last 31 matches over the last two years.

Boasting central contracts and the Women’s Big Bash League, Australian women’s cricket is booming and the backbone of the side is made up of elite talents such as Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy.

All of their four defeats over the last two years — they tied one match — have come at the hands of 2009 champions England or the fast-improving Indians and they look like the teams most likely to threaten Australia’s defence of the title.

The Indians have some impressive young talent, not least teenaged batting talent Shafali Verma, but they know they need to find some consistency if they are to get past the semi-finals for the first time.

New Zealand, who can still count on the considerable batting and bowling talents of all-rounder Suzie Bates, are the other title contenders in Group A, which also includes Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

England, world champions in the 50-overs format, will be confident of reaching the semi-finals by finishing in the top two in the weaker Group B, which also includes West Indies, South Africa, Thailand and Pakistan.

With a new coach in Australian Lisa Keightley — the first full-timer in the role — the English will be desperate to top the group and so potentially avoid the hosts, who hammered them in last year’s Ashes series, until the final.

West Indies, champions in 2016, arrived in Australia on a nine-match losing streak but will look to the explosive batting of skipper Stafanie Taylor as they try to turn things around. Thailand’s collection of transfers from softball, hockey and sepak takraw are the only team from outside cricket’s heartlands and will bring something different — if only in their post-match ritual of bowing to the crowd.

– Agencies