Sports Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has given his approval to conduct the Lanka Premier League (LPL) cricket tournament yesterday. This tournament is conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), with the participation of franchise players, and is scheduled to be held next August. Several countries have tried to conduct tournaments after the COVID-19, crisis but most tournaments couldn’t be held due to the development of the Coronavirus crisis. SLC already made discussions to take foreign players for this tournament and also made plans to conduct this tournament. National players have already started their pool practices with the coaching staff under the health guidelines.

Sri Lanka has managed the COVID-19 crisis better than many other nations. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa provided good leadership and the Government made correct arrangements under the guidelines of Heath Authorities to get a better environment from this Global crisis, said the Sports Minister. All health officials are still giving their fine effort and all citizens are working hard to get back to normality. Health Authorities pointed out Sri Lanka’s plan to avoid this crisis. With this development, the Sports Ministry has approved to conduct LPL to the popularity of the game, added Alahapperuma.

This decision was taken by the Minister after consulting with the Health Officials, and they hope to conduct this tournament with safety regulations under the Health Authority.

Meanwhile, the Puttalam District Cricket (PDC) T-10 cricket tournament, which was scheduled to commence today in Anuradhapura, is a doubtful situation. SLC announced that none of the contracted players of the SLC has sought permission to partake in a contest of such nor Sri Lanka has endorsed a tournament of such. Some of the former National players are expected to take part, but most of their contributions haven’t been confirmed yet.

Avishka Perera, the skipper of Nalanda College, Colombo, emerged as the winner of the most popular schoolboy cricketer of the 2019/20 season, a competition conducted by the batsman.com which came to a thrilling end Sunday.

Perera had a close battle in the “final quest” with Avishka Tharindu of St Anthony’s College, Wattala.

These two outstanding school cricketers were the top runners from the initial stages, receiving lots of votes. For the final battle, a record of over 23,000 votes were cast by the fans and Avishka Perera was able to get the majority of the votes, putting Avishka Tharindu in second place.

Altogether 32 players from 16 different schools were selected for the first round by the organising committee considering their elite performances in the 2019/20 season. From there onwards, fans were given the responsibility to push the players to the next rounds.

Up to the semifinals, which was named “the judgment day”, the votes were cast based on Facebook reactions. But considering the high intensity and competition, the organising committee used the Google forum platform to get more accurate records, and this resulted in a much more transparent and a conflict-free final round.

A charm but majestic live event was organised by the organising committee, which was graced by former Sri Lankan cricketers Nuwan Kulasekara and Sachithra Senanayaka. The remaining guests were J.A.K.S. Indrajith, General Secretary of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association; Y. Nishantha Kumara, the newly appointed tournament secretary U19 division of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association, Rizwan Thahir, Managing director of Fono mobiles, and Kumar Gamhewage, Managing Director of the www.batsman.com.

Both the players received prizes from the sponsors, Dilango Racing, Atmo sports, and the Fono mobiles companies. It was a mesmerising evening filled with lots of excitement and thrill and was a fine end for a good competition organised by the batsman.com, the leading stats provider for Sri Lanka cricket, for the first time.

Results

Champion - Avishka Perera (Nalanda College Colombo)

Runner up - Avishka Tharindu (St. Anthony’s College Wattala)

Semi finalists

Omesh Mendis – Prince of Wales College Moratuwa

Sonal Dinusha – Mahanama College Colombo

- YK

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), the governing body for Baseball, is in the process of introducing a new a Baseball concept named “Baseball5”. It is the shorter version of Baseball with few alterations made to the rules involving five players, whereas the regular format has nine players. It is played in a smaller area as it requires only 4 basses and a ball.

Major Highlights of “Baseball5” rules are:only a rubber ball is needed to play in any surface, unlike the regular pitch and ground arrangements. All games will consist of five innings, no pitcher needed, and hitting the ball will be done by hand. The distance between the bases is 13 metres (42.65 ft).

Speaking to the Daily News the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sri Lanka Baseball-Softball Association (SLABSA), Priyantha Ekanayake mentioned, “We had a zoom call with WBSC Commission Liaison of Baseball5, Valerio Cianfoni. The World Governing body is happy with Sri Lanka’s progress made in the last few years and they believe that the new concept the “Baseball5” will catch up in Sri Lanka rapidly.”

“This is going to be an ideal format to boost and popularise Baseball for our rural schools and mixed schools at a lower cost. This is something similar to Test Cricket and T20. However, the playing area and the number of players are different from the main format of the sport,” he added.

Baseball has taken the limelight in Sri Lanka as it has become one of the fastest-growing sports. After the National teams (men’s) triumph over high-ranked Pakistan last year at the Asian Championship, Sri Lanka’s world rankings shot up to 37th place from 41.

The SLABSA expects that the Sports Ministry will continue to give a helping hand like in the past to promote the game island-wide. Baseball is a sport that is similar to Cricket, and they are pretty confident that they can achieve greater heights while developing the game in the future.

Sydney, Wednesday: Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has taken aim at Novak Djokovic's "stupidity" after the world number one contracted coronavirus at an exhibition tennis tournament in the Balkans.

The final leg of the Adria Tour in Bosnia has been cancelled and Djokovic on Tuesday apologised for hosting the bungled event, admitting he and organisers "were wrong" to push ahead during the pandemic.

Djokovic, who was not showing any symptoms, joined fellow players Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki in testing positive for COVID-19 during the second leg of the event, where social distancing was minimal and players embraced over the net.

Kyrgios on Tuesday retweeted a video of players including Djokovic dancing shirtless in a nightclub, saying he sent "prayers" to the players who had contracted the virus.

"Don't @ me for anything I've done that has been 'irresponsible' or classified as 'stupidity' - this takes the cake," he wrote.

The outspoken world number 40 has posted several Tweets criticising the event, and earlier called it a "boneheaded decision to go ahead with the 'exhibition'".

"(T)hat's what happens when you disregard all protocols. This IS NOT A JOKE."

The outbreak at the biggest tennis event since the pandemic began has prompted serious questions about the sport's planned official return in August.

It has already been established that the US Open in New York will be played behind closed doors and under strict health protocols which Djokovic described as "extreme" and "impossible".

The ATP, while wishing those infected a swift recovery, said Tuesday that it and other stakeholders had "made exhaustive plans to mitigate risks through a variety of precautions and protocols to be implemented at ATP events".

- AFP

Bangladesh Cricket tour to Sri Lanka in July 2020 will be called off due to Corona Pandemic situation in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have decided that Bangladesh National Team’s tour of Sri Lanka which was scheduled to be held in July will not take place and will be deferred to a mutually planned later date.

SLC has been informed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board that a conducive environment has still not arrived for the Bangladesh players to take part in international cricket series, purely due to the lack of preparation of players, caused by the COVID – 19 pandemic.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was expected to play a three match test series during the tour, under the ICC World Test Championship.

Right hand middle order batsman Pawan Rathnayake of Mahanama College Colombo was the highest run scorer in the ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 Division One inter Schools Cricket (Two day) tournament.

He scored 1227 runs in 13 matches (87.64) this season with six centuries and three half centuries. He made most centuries this school Cricket season. Pawan Rathnayake became the only batsman in the division One to score twin tons this season. Pawan scored unbeaten 200 runs in the first innings and scored unbeaten 100 runs in the second innings against Prince of Wales College Moratuwa.

He was the youngest centurion in first class Cricket in Sri Lanka. Pawan Rathnayake represented CCC and played first class Cricket. He scored unbeaten 164 runs against Moors SC in the current SLC Premier league tier ‘A’ 3 day tournament. He is 17 years and 189 days old. He broke Sudath Pasqual’s record. Sudath Pasqual made a century against the Ireland team in the three day match in 1979. He was 17 years and 265 days old.

Pawan Rathnayake scored 351 runs with a century and a half century in seven first class matches. (Ave. 50.14) Pawan broke another two records in the first class level. Highest individual score at no. 8 position for CCC in the first class level. Youngest Sri Lankan Cricketer to score more than 150 runs. breaking Mahela Jayawardenas record.

Pawan Rathnayake led Sri Lanka schools Under 15 team for tour of Malaysia and won the “Tuanku Jaafar Invitation Cricket championship” in 2017. He represented the Colomb0 district team in the inter district prima champions cup and in the same year. he represented Western province under 15 team for the provincial prima champions cup in 2017.

He represented Sri Lanka under 19 team in two matches against Pakistan under 19’s. He led the under 17 division One champion Mahanama team in 2019. Pawan Rathnayake guided the college team to enter the quarter final in the ongoing tournament. He will play in the next under 19 schools cricket season in 2020/2021.

Pawan Rathnayake is grateful to Akila Madhusanka, Pasindu Liyanarachchi, Nisal Vithanage (Junior Coaches Mahanama), Kelum Gangodavila and Sonal Dulsan (Senior coaches Mahanama), Nelson Mendis (Nelson Mendis Academy), Tharanga Dhammika (CCC), L.M.D. Dharmasena Principal of Mahanama College, all teachers, OBA of Mahanama College, all students in the school, mother, father, sister and relations, Management officials, captain and national players in Colombo Cricket Club. for the support extended to him

How he fared this Season

vs Thurstan Colombo 108 vs Gurukula Kelaniya 61 & 31 vs Devapathiraja Rathgama 29 & 12 vs Zahira Colombo 1 & 13 vs St. Anthony’s Kandy 53 vs Isipathana Colombo 116 vs Maliyadeva Kurunegala 137 vs Nalanda Colombo 22 & 41 vs St. Sylvester’s Kandy 34 vs St. Servatius Matara 25 & 18 vs Trinity Kandy 123 & 27 vs Prince of Wales Moratuwa 200 & 100 vs Richmond Galle 76

Highest Score –200 against Prince of Wales Moratuwa

centuries -6 ( vs Thurstan Colombo 108, vs Isipathana Colombo 116, vs Maliyadeva Kurunegala 137, vs Trinity Kandy 123, vs Prince of Wales Moratuwa 200 and 100)

fifties– 3 ( vs Gurukula Kelaniya 61, vs St. Anthony’s Kandy 53, vs Richmond Galle 76) (YK)

Piliyandala Central College were strong contenders to clinch the Inter Schools First Eleven Division Two Two Day Knockout Cricket Tournament Title for this year under the captaincy of all rounder Chamod Sandaru with the guidance of their Head Coach Cambrain Eranga Gunarathne with the assistance of Sandesh Harsha, Harshana Pramod and Amil Senadeera but their hopes were dashed when they lost to Siri Piyarathana College, Padukka in the Pre Quarters and it amply proved that cricket is a game of glorious uncertainies Anyhow they took revenge by beating Siri Piyarathana in the Limited Over game to enter the quarter finals.

In the fifteen outings Centralians won five outright. Six on first innings and lost two on first innings. In this context one of their key all rounders fourth year coloursman Sandun Sathsara who bowls right arm off spin, middle order left hand bat played a vital role and was the highest wicket taker with 69 wickets with a ten wicket haul against Panadura Sumangalians and two five wicket hauls.

Sandun Sathsara

Sandun who represented the Colombo South outer team in the District Tournament too claimed 48 wickets in the last season and in the previous year he bagged 35 wickets with 7 for 36 against formidable Royal College, Colombo being the best and he concluded his career with 152 wickets and in batting this year he scored 324 runs with the best being against Dharmaloka with 50 runs and last year collected 370 runs and 420 runs in 2018 with a total of 1114 runs.

His first eleven captains were Gimhana Danushka, Heshan Madushanka, Malshan Gunathilake and finally Chamod Sandaru.. He played in three Big Matches and three Limited Over Matches and Centralians drew their 19th Big Match this year against their arch rivals Taxila Central and won the One Dayer comfortably and Centralians were lucky enough to complete these two events prior to the out break of Corona and Sandun earned the Best Bowlers Award in the Limited Over with four wickets for 26 runs.

Also he played for the District team in 2018 too. He had a word of praise for his coaches from time to time beginning with Nipun Liyanage Chanaka Dilshan, Bimal Amarasinghe and Vinosh Perera and also to the Prefect of Games Ashley Karunarathne, the Master in Charge Aruna Liyanage and the former Principal S. J. P. Wijesinghe and the present Principal Darshana Udawatte and Nadun Liyanage for helping him to come up the ladder.

The first product of Dharmaraja College to become a match referee in division one cricket Mahinda Pethiyagoda - was a fiery pace bowler and gave his best for the school and Kandy. He was talented and had all the attributes a great cricketer should have. Moreover, he was possibly the most versatile bowler during his school playing days. He could swing the ball both ways, could bowl with an upright seam, was quick enough and had a lethal yorker. He was a great exponent of the reverse swing and could be deadly with the old ball.

He first played from 1971 to 1973 and in his first year in 1971 was able to pocket sixty wickets in inter-school cricket and he continued his good work in 1973. Mahinda’s most memorable bowling figure was a match bag of 12 for 89 runs against Ananda College in his first year in 1971 and in 1973 pocketed a match bag of 10 for 76 runs against Maliyadeva College, and bowled well for Central Province schools against visiting Aussie schoolboys in 1972, where he had 4 for 39. Then in 1973 he led the Central Province Schools Cricket Team against Indian Railways.

He also had the privilege of representing Sri Lanka Schools in the same year under Gary Melders leadership against Tamil Nadu in Colombo.

Mahinda also played for the Board President's XI under Ranjith Fernando against the visiting Indian cricket team led by Ajith Wadekar in 1974. Since leaving school, he continued his cricket and played division one cricket in 1974 and 1975 under Mahes Gunatilleke and then played for Bloomfield A & CC under Bandula Warnapura in 1976. He then went on to captain Kandy Cricket Club in 1984 in the division one cricket tournament. His best bowling figures in division one cricket - 7for 50 against Sebastianites and 5 for 10 against Police when representing Kandy C.C. In addition to division one cricket, he has also played regularly in Mercantile ‘A’ division cricket from 1975 onwards. for Ceylon Tobacco.

He started his cricket at the age of eleven, and against Trinty College in an under 12 game, he pocketed 6 for 14, that is where he got interested in the game. One time he was also a match referee in division one cricket and became the first Rajan to hold this position. He also played for Tobacco Company and also did well in Football, and rugby.

Central Province produced a fine sportsman and sports administrator, Z.M.Zarook who represented Vidyartha College,Kandy in the fifties, in Athletics, Cricket, Football and hockey. It was in Cricket that Zarook first showed signs of ability when he scored 62 runs in the inaugural ‘Big Match’ against St.Sylvesters’ College in 1958 and helped Vidyartha win that historic game by an innings under the captaincy of T.B.Wijesinghe.

However after leaving School, it was in Rugby that he really shone and represented Kandy Sports Club between 1965 and 1969 playing under Captains, Y.C.Chang, Jayantissa Ratwatte, the late Denzil Kobbekaduwa. His Rugby Coaches were Maurice Perera and Dr.Sangakkara. Having joined the Kandy Municipal council he represented KMC at Cricket between 1963 and 1965 and had a score of 192 against the Health Dept. of KMC.

It was not only playing Rugby and Cricket, Zarook became a qualified Rugby and Cricket Coach as well. He also qualified as a Cricket Umpire and is a member of the Central Province Cricket Umpires Association. As a Cricket Coach, he first started with Gampola Zahira College in the late Seventies and switched over as Coach of Juniors of Madeena Central College, Madawala from 1984 to 1992 and Madeena Central became Under 15 Champions in the Division III Tournament in 1985 and in 1986 became Runners-up in the Division II tourney.

Coaching of Rugby too occupied a special place in Zarook’s assignments and he first started with Gampola Zahira College from 1978 to 1980 and then switched on to coaching Rugby in Kingswood College, Kandy from 1981 to 1989 and then Kingswood became Champions in the Tyrell Muttiah Trophy Tournament in 1981 and later became All Island Sevens Champs in 1986. He also coached Dharmaraja College, Kandy in late eighties upto 1991. At Kingswood he produced some fine Rugby players like Ananda Kasturiarachchi, Ibrahim Brothers. and Lalith Wijeratne and from Dharmaraja Indrajith Bandaranayake.

Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) is fully pumped up to resume the schools cricket season from the month of October provided the approval is granted by the relevant authorities. The SLSCA which is the live wire of producing and unearthing the talents for the upper level of the game is facing a major issue of concluding this year’s under-19 knock-out stage matches, which came to a standstill due to the corona pandemic. The four quarter finals, two semi finals and the final matches are to be worked out, to wind up this year’s tournament. With the present situation it seems the chances are very limited of continuing these matches due to the time factor.

Meanwhile, the under-15 and 17 tournaments which were scheduled during this period of time could not get underway and the SLSCA has now opted to cancel these tournaments for this year. Nevertheless, the governing body is very keen in hosting the under-13 and the under-19 tournaments in the month of October if the situation turns to normalcy and the approval of the relevant authorities is granted.

“We are keen on starting school cricket. But the Covid-19 outcome has put all activities to a standstill. We are hoping that by October things turn to normalcy to resume sports in the country. The final date for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination is also a key factor for us to plan out the plight of the tournament as the date is tentatively fixed for September 5. Considering all these we anticipate that October might be the right time to start school cricket” said Tilak Wattuhewa, the President of SLSCA.

After the breakout of the Covid-19 in the month of March, all sporting activities came to a standstill with the whole country being fully lockdown to control the pandemic .After controlling the situation to a satisfactory level and opening up the country to resume day to day activities, Ministry of Sports(MOS) along with the Ministry of Health(MOH) granted the green light to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Sri Lanka Rugby(SLR) and the Football Federation of Sri Lanka(FFSL) to commence their national team practices.

Senarath Mudalige Vihangi Viduprabha Senaratne popularity known as ‘Vihangi’ of Good Shepherd Convent, Panadura is a talented and award winning athlete who has won many sporting competitions and events.

Vihangi stanted her basic education from Leeds International School in Panadura and took part in various competitions in Dancing Drawing Art, and won certificates and cups. She showed her talents at Swimming meets as well.

She entered the Good Shepherd Convent Panadura in 2016 and while doing her academic activities well, she was mostly interested in Sports and games, under Mrs. Manori Saputhanthri the teacher in charge of sports there. She passed the Grade five Scholarship exam and continued her education at the same school.

Vihangi took part in under 13 sports events and won places. She was a very talented high jumper too.

While Vihangi was improving her sporting abilities at the college she met another famous and award winning sports coach Chanuka Kumara, a school sports coach, who works as a coach at several schools in the Western province. Chanuka trained her in various athletic events such as 100 metres 200 metres, 400 metres, 500 metres relay events cricket, Volleyball and even drill squads, at the Bandaragama playground

Here are a few award winning events where Vihangi excelled.

2017 Panadura Division 100m hurdles 2nd place, 100m hurdles 3rd place.

2015 Kalutara Zonal Games – Long Jump 3rd place, 100x4 3rd place.

District level events.

Kalutara district level (2018) Kalutara District Inter Sport Club events.

High Jump (1st place) 2018 National level 100 x 4 (2nd place), 2018

National level High jump 2nd place 2018 Kalutara Zonal level 100 x4 (3rd place).

2019 – Panadura Divisional Meets 100m Hurdles 3rd place, 100x4 Hurdles 2nd place high jump - (2nd place).

2019 – Kalutara Zonal Level Meets 100x4 3rd place, 400m 3rd place High Jump first place.

2019 – John Tarbet Junior Sports meet at Colombo, High Jump 3rd place, Western Province Meets, High Jump 2nd place.

Vihangi Prabha Senaratne won the ‘Best School Athlete Cup at Colours Day held at her College in 2019.

So far, there’s no proof of match-fixing at the 2011 Cricket World Cup final, Sports Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said. He was speaking at a press briefing held in (where?), yesterday. He added, “I asked the Sports Ministry Secretary, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), and the International Cricket Council (ICC), and got to know that they have found no proof to support this allegation.

Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage made this accusation, and I ordered the Sports Ministry’s Special Investigative Unit to look into the matter.” Meanwhile, former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage handed over a six-page report consisting eight additional documents to the special officers at Narahenpita on Wednesday. After he handed over the report, former Minister Aluthgamage said, “Why I decided to make this allegation now is because of the charge levelled by ICC Anti-corruption Unit Headed by Alex Marshall on December 23, 2018, that Sri Lanka is the most corrupt country in the world of Test Cricket.

“I have mentioned 24 instances that are suspicious which caused Sri Lanka to lose the 2011 World Cup tournament. Some players expressed their views even after I said that players are not connected to those allegations. All parties should assist with this investigation, and not male it about politics. Don’t make it an issue at the forthcoming general election. I request both the President and the Sports Minister to give us a report on the investigation within three months,” he said. Former National Selection Committee Head Aravinda de Silva, in an interview, told a local television channel over the weekend that he had requested the Indian Government and Indian Cricket Board to immediately launch an investigation into Aluthgamage’s allegation. “The team selection was not done by me alone. There was the Captain (Kumar Sangakkara), and many more involved in picking the final eleven (for the final match). If former Minister Aluthgamage has proof, why did he make this allegation after nine years? He should reveal the names of those who are involved, to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit,” de Silva said.

The Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA) will resume their events by forming the Senior National Pool to start training from July 2 onwards at their headquarters at Maitland Place.

After a lay off of almost four months, SLBA has been given the go-ahead from the Sports Ministry to resume training for their Senior National pool players. The SLBA has called the players concerned for a meeting on Monday (29 June) at 4 p.m. at their headquarters. At the time of the stoppage due to the Covid-19 in March, the pool consisted of 30 players and the governing body expects the same number of players participation when they resume practices.

The SLBA is also awaiting permission from the Education Ministry to start the junior pool for both Boy’s and Girl’s. Since most of these players are representing the schools arena, the governing body is very particular about the health concerns. They are to pursue the pool with strict health guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. SLBA’s main objective of forming this pool is in preparation for the forthcoming World Junior Badminton Championship to be held in Auckland, New Zealand in January next year. Last year’s tournament was held in Russia.

Meanwhile, the applications were closed yesterday to select two coaches to take care of the National Pool. Their Selections are scheduled to be held in July, while the position for the National Coaches (two) will remain open which will be decided on a later date. All these selections will be done on criteria formulated and depending on their career experience.

The SLBA has also drawn up a plan to assign assistant coaches from outstations, to hunt for the talent to bring them to the National pool, which is to be set up next month. They have opted to get these coaches from Galle, Kandy and Anuradhapura districts.

“We have verbally got the green light from the Sports Ministry to form the Senior National Pool for which we are waiting for the written approval in due course. We are delighted to resume training for the senior National Pool followed by the junior pools for Boys and girls. Once we get the clearance from the relevant authorities we will form the necessary pools. Apart from the players, we are focusing on appointing a few coaches to take care of these players who are in the pools.” said Rohan de Silva, President SLBA.

Head Coach Mickey Arthur believes that the Sri Lankan players are fit and possess all the ingredients to resume competitive cricket by the end of next month.

He made these observations while speaking to the media during the second phase of training sessions currently in progress at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy.

“The players have worked hard, and they look strong and fit; they have presented themselves well,” the Sri Lankan Coach said.

“Their fitness level is good. That is one thing which is non-negotiable with us. I am happy with the overall performance shown by the team. We have been very good so far,” he added. Arthur also emphasised that the team has covered all departments during these training programmes, and that the players have the potential to perform at any level and under any condition.

“We got depth in all departments. We got some mystery spinners, we got some good finger spinners, some really good quick bowlers, guys who hit the deck and left-arm swingers.”

“We have covered a lot of the bases, and that is something which is really nice when you are selecting a team.”

“Then you can be determined, and select the team based on opposition strength and weaknesses—and based on the conditions you face. From July 25, we are going to be ready to play cricket, whether it is Test matches, T20s, or ODIs.”

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne believes that these training sessions should be continued until they return back to competitive cricket.

“We conducted the first training session in Colombo, and we have added more players for the second training session so that we will be more consistent with the preparations,” he said. “We hope to continue our training at the R. Premadasa Stadium until our international season begins.”

“Coming back after a lapse of three months, it will be difficult to be one hundred percent fit immediately, but we want to ensure that all the players are in their best of form and in a good frame of mind when competitive cricket begins once again,” he stressed.

“Our batsmen and bowlers have all worked hard to reach their peak, and I think we should continue this kind of training sessions for the next few weeks as well,” Karunaratne added.

London, Thursday: Jofra Archer will join England’s training camp at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday after his latest test for the coronavirus returned a negative result.

Fast bowler Archer was initially delayed from joining up with 29 other England cricketers in Southampton after he reported a member of his household feeling unwell on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Sussex paceman had shown no symptoms and was among a wholly negative batch of 702 test results announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board this week.

Nevertheless, the Barbados-born quick was required to undergo an additional test on Wednesday.

But an ECB statement issued Thursday said: “Jofra Archer has tested negative for COVID-19. He will join the England camp at Ageas Bowl later today and will be free to start training tomorrow (Friday) with the rest of the group.”

England are assembling at the Ageas Bowl ahead of a three-Test series against the West Indies that is set to start at Hampshire’s headquarters on July 8 -- the first major international cricket match since lockdown.

- AFP

Sydney, Thursday: Talks are underway to stage a historic cross-code rugby international match between New Zealand’s All Blacks and Australia’s Kangaroos, it was revealed Thursday.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga told Brisbane’s Courier-Mail there had been “serious negotiations” to set up the clash for December as both rugby union and rugby league look for ways to recoup losses from the COVID-19 enforced shutdown.

“We are still in talks but obviously news of this has got out,” Meninga said.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) boss Mark Robinson confirmed his team were in talks, although he said his priority was salvaging as many rugby union Tests as possible in 2020. “We’ve had an approach. We’ll work that through and go through the proper process... if we feel it has merit to take further,” Robinson told local media.

Meninga said he was keen to pit his 13-a-side stars against the might of New Zealand’s 15-a-side game.

“I’m keen to make this happen. We want to play the All Blacks, hopefully we can get the concept off the ground,” Meninga said.

“The best from our game versus the best from the New Zealand game... let’s do it.”

The Test would be a 14-a-side match on December 5 in Australia and could potentially become a regular blockbuster biannual fixture.

“We’ve had the option put to us of this hybrid game with the Kangaroos,” said Robinson.

“And it’s one of many different scenarios in a unique year like this that we are considering with being innovative and having a focus on trying to consider revenue-generating ideas at this time given the financial climate that we’re in.”

Both NZR and Australian rugby league have lost millions of dollars due to the coronavirus pandemic, with borders closed and Test matches cancelled.

If the clash goes ahead, it would likely attract significant interest.

The All Blacks are a global brand while the Kangaroos are the current rugby league world champions.

- AFP

London, Wednesday: Former England women’s captain Clare Connor is to become the first female president of Marylebone Cricket Club in its 233-year history.

Current incumbent Kumar Sangakkara, the first non-British MCC president, nominated Connor via video link from his native Sri Lanka during an annual general meeting on Wednesday.

Connor, now the England and Wales Cricket Board’s head of women’s cricket, is set to take up her new post on October 1, 2021, subject to the membership’s approval.

Presidents of MCC usually remain in post for one year but Sangakkara’s term is set to be extended by a further 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was not until 1998 that MCC, which owns Lord’s Cricket Ground, voted to allow women to become members.

Prior to that, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II was one of the few women allowed in the Lord’s pavilion.

“I am deeply honoured to be named the next president of MCC,” said Connor in a statement.

“Cricket has enriched my life so deeply already, and now it hands me this wonderful privilege.

“We often need to look back to see how far we’ve come. I made my first visit to Lord’s as a starry-eyed, cricket-obsessed nine-year-old girl at a time when women were not welcome in the Long Room (of the pavilion).

The 43-year-old Connor, now the chair of the International Cricket Council’s women’s cricket committee, added: “Times have changed. Now I find myself entrusted with this remarkable opportunity –- the opportunity to play a part in helping MCC, cricket’s most influential club, to thrive and grow in an even more modern and inclusive future.

“MCC does wonderful work for communities in the UK and overseas. It stages the most uplifting events. It brings people together.

“And as we take small steps to emerge from this uncertain and difficult time, we are going to need the power of sport and strong sporting organisations like MCC more than ever.”

Meanwhile Sangakkara said he was “thrilled” by Connor’s latest cricket appointment, the Sri Lanka great adding: “The club has a significant role to play in cricket’s global appeal and with her influence, I am sure she will make a considerable contribution to MCC.”

Left-arm spinner Connor made her England debut aged 19 in 1995 and went on to captain her country in 2000 before retiring six years later. Although MCC no longer runs English cricket, it has worldwide responsibility for the sport’s rules.

- AFP

The Sri Lanka National Football Pool players who started camping at the Beddagana Sports Complex last Monday, underwent the PCR test to clear themselves from Covid-19. The outcome has resulted in negative effects on all players and the officials.

The National pool which is under the supervision of overseas coach Amir Alagic will start the team building process as per the Health Ministry guidelines to make sure that the players and the officials are safe and safe from the coronavirus Pandemic.

The National teams immediate assignment is to prepare them for the upcoming World Cup qualifier matches which is to be staged in October and November this year on home and away basis against Korea(North/South) and Lebanon.

While the 18-member pool starts training, they will be monitored by the National selectors and if a necessity arises they will call some other players who are knocking doors from the second string squads.

Amir believes that Covid-19 is a blessing for them as it enabled them to gain time to build a formidable squad with available resources and the time.

According to him it is a herculean task to get the team going into a winning streak but he is confident that they will try and minimize the margins of defeat. He also wants to make this as a team building process

and their next target will be the SAAF games next year.

He also expects few overseas based players who can represent the National team qualified under the criteria of their parent(s) are Lanka born. “We are par below the International standards and things are not in the

right path. Lots of hard work has to be done to put the team on the right track. But I am pretty confident that if my plans are executed properly, we can rise to the Asian Levels first and give a stiff completion against the

teams who are in our region” said Amir Alagic at a recently held press conference.

Madamperuma Arachchige Sriyan Chaminda is a Level Two qualified cricket coach and he is involved in several coaching stints and he is the Head Coach of Sri Lanka Youth Council, Maharagama. In addition he is doing cricket coaching at Herman Gminner School, Kesbewa since 2001. Negombo South International School from 2010 and then at Guidance International School for the last two years and Piliyandala Town Sports Club for a longer period in Division Three Tournaments. Also he is carrying on his own Cricket Academy since 2000 and over 100 young cricketers are attending.

Sriyan hails from Piliyandala and he presently lives at Wawanawatte, Piliyandala. He commenced his schooling at Somaweera Chandrasiri Primary School and entered the Grade six of Piliyandala Central when

Sriyan Chaminda

John Fernando was at the helm of the school. During his smaller days he lived in close proximity to Piliyandala Town Club Cricket Grounds and he used to play soft ball cricket with his neighbouring friends. He had a great liking on cricket and most of the time he was playing at the grounds and this was noticed by the then Master in Charge of cricket and coach at Piliyandala Central an old Centralian Nimal Wijewardene and asked him to attend for under 13 cricket practices. He is a left hand bat and a right arm off spinner and a occasional wicket keeper. He commenced his cricket career in the under 13 in 1985 and in the following year too played for the same age group and in 1987 Centralians became All Island Joint Champions with Zahira College, Colombo in the Astra Margarine Trophy.

In the under 15 first year he was the Vice Captain of the team and Centralians came up to the finals with Kalutara Vidyalaya and they were the Joint Champions. Both teams scored 66 each and he was the highest scorer with 10 runs and held six catches and in the following year they were promoted to Division One and he was the deputy skipper and scored 225 runs and claimed 15 wickets. Then in the following two years he played for the under 17 and he was the Vice Captain in his final year and he scored 68 runs in the Semi Finals against St. Anthoney’s Wattala. As an under 15 player in 1989 he played for the first eleven team and in his second year he scored 655 runs with the top score of 88 runs against Asoka Vidyalaya with eight fifties.

The year 1991 was his last year in first eleven and scored 772 runs with six fifties and in the same year they were the Runners Up in the Sharona Trophy and they lost to Harishchandra Vidyalaya, Negombo. He represented the Daily News Trophy as an under 15 player for the Piliyandala Town Sports Club and played continuousley for 22 years and he captained the team also and came up to semi finals and lost to Gampaha Cricket Club.

He started Piliyandala Town Sports Club Cricket Academy in 2004 and now he has two Assistant Coaches under him. Two of his Trainees Duleeka Tissakuttige and Athula Krishantha played for the Sri Lanka schools under 19 team.

His youngest son Nishath Menuka following in his father’s foot steps is playing for the under 15 team of Prince of Wales’ College.

Wadduwa Central College created history by emerging champions in the under 20 boys double championships at the recently held Panadura Division Inter school games, organised by the Sports Unit of the Kalutara Zonal Education office.

Wadduwa Centralian girls (under 20) won two championships in Elle and Cricket while the boys too won the same championships (Under 20 cricket and under 20 Elle). Under 20 boys Cricket Runner up was Panadura Royal and under 20 girls elle Runner-up was Panadura Sri Sumangala Girls NS. Under 20 Girls Cricket Runner up was Panadura Sumangala Boys National School.

Meanwhile it is very important to mention that Wadduwa Centralians’ Under 13 junior cricket team has qualified to play at the under 13 inter school Division two cricket tournaments final round, organized by Sri Lanka Schools Cricket sponsored by Singer Sri Lanka Ltd.

The under 13 cricket team of Wadduwa Central College 2020    Front Row from L to R (seated) – Sahan Dseshan (Vice captain), Dhanushka Ranmuthu (Head Coach), Nirmali De Silva (Asst. Principal), S. M. Egodagedara (Asst. Principal), S. D. N. Gunarathna (Principal), Nayan Damayanthi (Vice Principal), Nishanthi Kumararathna (Asst. Principal), Lahiru Perera (Sports teacher), Shehan Dilshan (Asst. Coach), Chamuditha Mihiranga (Captain) Back row standing from L to R – Pansilu Rashmika, Virush Jayanitha, Lakshitha Sandaruwan, Rumesh, Kanishka, Poorna, Renuja, Deshan, Udayantha, D. Madhushanka, Thisas, Nisidu, Indeepa, Thusara, Harindu, Thenul, Sineth. Picture by Kalutara Central Special Corr. H. L. Sunil Shantha

Wadduwa Central's Junior cricket team recorded a first innings win at the Pre-quarter tournament, played against Lyceum International School and C. W. W. Kannangara Vidyalaya Matugama and qualified for the final round.

A Sahan Deshan performed very well in bringing the centralian squad to an outright victory with a fine double and this cricketing hero has piled up 523 runs and taken 42 wickets in 12 matches and his total of 523 runs includes four half centuries.

Throughout this tournament Deshan Madhushanka who did well in batting became the very first bowler to take over 50 wickets by claiming 56 wickets and his record includes six times where he took over five wickets in an innings. He has collected 296 runs with the bat.

Wadduwa Central's Cricket teams, (junior and senior) is coached by Dhanushka Ranmuthu (Head Coach) and Shehan Dilshan (Asst.Coach) on the instructions of the college's Sports teacher Lahiru Perera and the

Principal S. D. N. Gunarathna. WCC junior cricket team is captained by E. Chamuditha Mihiranga.