SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS
(JUNE 2024)
Compiled by Victor Melder
Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 41 runs, in the T20 World-Cup, Warm-Up Match 4, played at Lauderhill, Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, Turf Grounds, Florida. Scores:
Sri Lanka – 163/8 in 20 Overs (Mathews 32, Hasaranga 26, Shanaka 23, Nissanka 22, McCarthy 2/31, Little 2/45)
Ireland – 122 in 18.2 Overs (Campher 26, Stirling 21, Shanaka 4/23, Theekshana 2/41, Hasaranga 2/40)
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets, in the 4th Match, Group D, T20 World Cup played at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York. Scores:
Sri Lanka – 77 in 19.1 Overs (Mendis 19, Mathews 16, Nortje 4/7, Rabada 2/21, Maharaj 2/22)
South Africa – 80/4 in 16.2 Overs ( de Kok 20, Klaasen 19, Stubbs 13, Hasaranga 2/22)
Player of the Match: Annich Nortje (South Africa)
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets, to win the 15th Match, Group D, T20 World Cup played at Grand Prairie Stadium Dallas. Scores:
Sri Lanka – 124/9 in 20 Overs (Nissanka 47, de Silva 21, Asalanka 19, Rahman 3/17, Hossain 3/22, Ahmed 2/15)
Bangladesh – 125/8 in 19 Overs (Hriday 40, Das 36, Thushara 4/18, Hasaranga 2/32)
Player of the Match: Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh)
Points: Bangladesh 2, Sri Lanka 0.
The 23rd Match, Group D, T20 World Cup, between Nepal and Sri Lanka played at at Lauderhill, Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, Turf Grounds, Florida, ended in the match being abandoned without a ball being bowled, due to incessant rain.
Points: Nepal 1, Sri Lanka 1.
Sri Lanka are now out of the World Cup contention.
T20 World Cup Points Table:
South Africa – 8 Points
Bangladesh – 6 Points
Sri Lanka – 3 Points
Netherlands – 2 Points
Nepal – 1 Point
The draft constitution for SLC was handed over to President Ranil Wickremesinghe by the Committee Chairman, retired Supreme Court Judge K.T. Chitrasiri . Key recommendations included enhancing administration, training, and player well-being across national men’s and women’s teams. The restructuring of the Sri Lanka Cricket Institute’s composition and structure is also being prioritized. The draft constitution, prepared by the Judge Chitrasiri Committee for Sri Lanka Cricket, was presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat today (15).The draft was handed over to President Ranil Wickremesinghe by the Committee Chairman, retired Supreme Court Judge K.T. Chitrasiri, accompanied by other committee members. To address the challenges faced by Sri Lanka Cricket and provide appropriate recommendations, a Cabinet Sub-Committee was appointed on November 6, 2023. Chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs and President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, the sub-committee included Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara, and Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles. Following extensive discussions with stakeholders involved in cricket, the sub-committee presented its report to the Cabinet on January 8, 2024. The recommendations covered several key areas, including the composition and structure of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, administration, training, and the overall well-being of players at various levels such as the national men’s and women’s teams, and the under-19 and under-17 age groups. Emphasis was placed on promoting good governance, transparency, professionalism, and accountability within Sri Lanka Cricket. Additionally, proposals were made to reform the nutritional framework of Sri Lankan cricket across school, district, provincial, and community levels, focusing on merit, equality, and fairness. Based on the recommendations presented in the report by the Cabinet Sub-Committee, the Cabinet convened on February 13, 2024, and appointed an expert committee to draft a new constitution for the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. This committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge K.T. Chitrasiri, includes President’s Counsel Harsha Amarasekara, Attorney-at-Law Dr. Aritha Wickramanayake and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce Duminda Hulangamuwa. Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe, representing the Legislative Department, and Shamila Krishanthi, Assistant Draftsman representing the Legal Draftsman’s Department and nominated by the Minister of Justice. Additionally, Loshini Peiris, Additional Secretary to the President, was appointed by the President’s Secretary to serve as the Secretary/Convener of the committee. Also at the handing over were Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, and Assistant Secretary to the President Samith Talakiriyawa (Ministry Affairs). Sunday Island, 16.6.2024)
Mahela Jayawardena, who held the position of ‘Consultant Coach’ at SLC, has resigned with immediate effect, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced today. In a statement, SLC noted that Jayawardena made significant structural changes during his tenure. However, the statement did not specify why Jayawardena had resigned, or if it was in the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, but stated that Jayawardena had “helped implement significant changes to the structure of the national team ecosystem and the High-Performance Center.” Jayawardena took on the role in December 2021, but his influence had reported reduced after Sri Lanka’s poor Cricket World Cup campaign in 2023, with Sanath Jayasuriya appointed to a similar position by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). (Daily Mirror, 26.6.2024)
Sri Lanka Cricket announced that Chris Silverwood, head coach of the national team, has tendered his resignation from the position, citing personal reasons.“Being an international coach means long periods away from loved ones. After lengthy conversations with my family and with a heavy heart, I feel it is now time for me to return home and spend some quality time together,” said Silverwood.“I would like to thank the players, coaches, backroom staff, and management of the SLC for their support during my time in Sri Lanka. Without your support, none of the success would have been possible. It has been a real honour for me to be part of Sri Lanka Cricket and I will be taking away many fond memories,” added Silverwood. Under his tenure, the national team won the T20 Asia Cup in 2022 and also reached the finals of the 50-over Asia Cup in 2023. Additionally, the team secured several bilateral series wins both at home and overseas. Amongst these were a home series win against Australia in the 50 over format and two away test series wins over Bangladesh.Sri Lanka Cricket wishes Chris Silverwood the best in his future endeavours and thank him for his valuable contributions during his tenure. (Daily Island, 27.6.2024)
