Angelo Matthews, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne lead Sri Lanka cricket revival. Experienced trio save Sri Lanka some blushes against Afghanistan – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor) Afganistan showed the cricketing world that their lack of Test cricket experience will not be a long term deterrent as they made Sri Lanka sweat before recording a ten wicket win in Colombo.  The plucky Afgans looked done and dusted when they folded for 198 in a sorry first innings effort. But they fought back with bat and ball after Sri Lanka’s batters galloped to a 241- run first innings lead. Their batters then hit their straps to give Sri Lanka some anxious moments overhauling the deficit without any discomfort against an attack that destroyed them in the first innings.  Sr Lanka’s pacemen found their early success hard to replicate as the wicket appeared to flatten out to batter friendly conditions ...

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Sri Lanka’s bowlers put Afghanistan to the sword in Colombo and in command to win Test – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor) Sri Lanka’s bowlers wreaked havoc on Afghanistan, bowling them out for 198, and then raced to 80 fo no loss on day one of the only Test at the SSC stadium in Colombo. It was a day out for the fast men as Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando combined with spinner Prabath Jayasuriya to unravel a potent Afghanistan batting line-up in just over half a day to set up what appears a historic first Test win against the visitors. The Afgans were all at sea on a seaming wicket which was exploited by a resurgent Sri Lanka side that has been reshuffled to include some veterans who were overlooked for a while. Only Rahmat Shah who smacked 91 off 139 balls with 13 fours had ...

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SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS (NOVEMBER  2023) Compiled by Victor Melder Paceman Pramod Madushan arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday to join the Sri Lanka World Cup squad as a travel reserve. Lahiru Kumara who was the Man of the Match in the last winning game against England in Bangalore but later got injured, is scheduled to depart for home today, as confirmed by the Sri Lanka team Manager, Mahinda Halangoda. Lahiru’s injury has prevented him from making a full recovery, leading the team management to decide to send him back home. This has opened the door for Pramod Madushan who was included as a standby player for the World Cup. Madushan’s ability to bat as a lower-order batsman is a helpful asset for the team. Hailing from Hambantota National School, Madushan can step in to replace any injured player in the squad with approval from the World Cup Technical Committee. Dasun ...

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Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs furious after the batting debacle against India scoring only 55 runs, then losing to Afghanistan by 7 wickets – By  Sunil Thenabadu After this disastrous batting display against India collapsing for a paltry 55 runs ,thereafter to Afghanistan by seven wickets , to console the irritated fuming cricket fanatics very appropriately the Minister of sports and youth affairs Roshan Abeysinghe had requested the President and the supporting staff of the Sri Lanka Cricket to resign immediately before he takes drastic action. The Minster of sports and youth affairs Roshan Ranasinghe via his media division has expressed his discontentment on the dismal performance of our cricket team once again in the hands of India losing the WC encounter by a massive margin of 302 runs the worst defeat inflicted on Sri Lanka since participating in  all world cups from year 1975.The defeat recently has made all ...

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No swansong for Matthews as Sri Lanka opt for youth at World Cup – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports editor) Sri Lanka Cricket have done away with emotional sentiment and ruled out a swansong for former Skipper Angelo Matthews and perhaps Dinesh Chandimal, opting for youth, at the upcoming World Cup in India.  It was rumoured earlier that Matthews was a consideration for his experience and 40 plus percent batting average. He doubles up as a handy all-rounder with the ball.  Matthews is expected to bring the curtain down on a memorable career which has given Sri Lanka’s fans and Cricket fans around the world many reasons to cheer when he was on top of his game.  Sri Lanka have also ruled out strike weapons Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasarsnga De Silva who have not shown improvement to their injuries.  It opens the door for youngsters Dinuth Wellelage and ...

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Sriraj and India scuttle hapless Sri Lanka to grab Asia Cup – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (Elanka Sports Editor) Sri Lanka went from heroes to zero in just over 15 overs as India gave them a thrashing in the Asia Cup final they can Never forget.  Just days after relegating world number one ranked Pakistan to the sidelines in a heart stopper, Sri Lanka just rolled over and let themselves be humiliated in front of a packed home crowd, and an entire population, losing without a whimper.  Excuses about winning the toss in overcast conditions and electing to bat does little to convince me that there is more to it than meets the eye. It would be vindicated if they were without a coaching staff who do not give advice on these matters before the toss. Yes, India were favourites to win it with a highly skilled and far ...

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13 SL cricketers picked for ILT20 league – by Sunil Thenabadu Source : info-rain Eight more Sri Lankan cricketers have been signed for the UAE’s International League T20 (ILT20), ahead of the second edition which is set to begin on 13th January 2024. Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Thushara, and Sadheera Samarawickrama have been signed by Dubai Capitals. Kusal Perera and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth have been signed by MI Emirates. Sri Lankan cricketers Dilshan Madushanka, Kusal Mendis, and Maheesh Theekshana have been signed by Sharjah Warriors. Earlier, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Chandimal and Matheesha Pathirana had been retained by Desert Vipers. Charith Asalanka was retained by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, while Dushmantha Chameera was pre-signed by Dubai Capitals. All together, 13 Sri Lankan cricketers are set to feature in the UAE’s ILT20 which will kick off in January next year. (NewsWire) ...

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Thomas & Roberts on Sri Lanka’s Victory over Ireland in the Second Test at Galle-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Brian Thomas in Facebook Congratulations to Sri Lanka, as they registered their 100th Test win in 318 Test Matches since 1982. Ireland did well to give of their best in very tiring conditions. They were bowled out for 202 runs , hence lost the Test by an innings and 19 runs. Sri Lanka will be happy with a series win. Kusal Mendis Prabath Jayasuriya Kusal Mendis was adjudicated as man of the series, whilst Prabath Jayasuriya, the player of the match. Kusal Mendis recorded 385 runs , in two innings, whilst, Jayasuriya 17 wickets on a batter friendly series . Both players deserve the honour. Harry Tector made 85 , looks an excellent batter. Ireland will improve, our blessings are with them, they will go from strength to strength for sure. Thanks Ireland ...

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Ton happy Sri Lanka reduce Ireland to first Test horror – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor) Four centuries, and timely form reversal piloted Sri Lanka to a convincing innings win against Ireland in the first Test, giving the home team some welcome recuperation after a painful and forgettable tour to New Zealand.  Bullied and humiliated by a half strength Kiwi side in all formats, Sri Lanka returned home to let the visiting Irish know what it feels like to be at the receiving end of superior opposition.  Sri Lanka’s batting dilemmas were firmly put behind them for once, and with spinning sensation Prabath Jayasuriya and Vishwa Fernando exploiting the treacherous track, they bamboozled the Irish batting to win in a canter as the tourists plummeted to a embarrassing innings defeat.  Ireland,  on their maiden Test tour to the Island, were smashed to all parts of the Galle ...

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Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal honoured in Wisdens best team of the year – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports Editor: Melbourne)   Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal find themselves in elite  company with the release of Wisdens team of the 22/23 year.  The honour gives welcome credence and recognition to a team that has delivered many memorable cricketers over the past decades albeit,  as a younger member of world Test cricket. Karunaratne’s record as a consistently free scoring opener is without question drawn alongside Australian prolific run getter Usman Kuwaja who has also had a purple patch at the top of the order.  Chandimal has always been a highly talented batsman but fans will challenge his selection over some great players in the middle order.  Picked ahead of prolific batsmen such as  Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, Australia’s Steve Smith and  Englishman Joe Root will no ...

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