Sangakkara ton helps Sri Lanka crush England by 7 wickets at The Oval

Sri Lanka crush England by 7 wickets at The Oval

 

Champions Trophy 2013

Kumar Sangakkara smashed a brilliant unbeaten 134 off 135 balls as Sri Lanka registered a thumping seven-wicket win over England to keep themselves in the hunt for a semifinal berth in the Champions Trophy 2013 group A match played at the Oval.

England posted a formidable total of 293/7 thanks to half-centuries from Jonathan Trott (76), Joe Root (69) and Alastair Cook (55) apart from a terrific cameo of 33 from 13 balls by Ravi Bopara. 

Now Sri Lanka level with England on two points each, one behind group leaders New Zealand. Australia, the fourth team in the group, has one point. 

Sri Lanka takes on Australia at the Oval on Monday.

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka in Champions Trophy 2013

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka in Champions Trophy 2013

Champions Trophy 2013

New Zealand scraped home by one wicket in a thrilling low-scoring Champions Trophy contest against Sri Lanka Group A match at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

After winning the toss Sri Lanka opted to bat first but failed to put a respectable score as they were bowled out for 138 in 37.5 overs(K.Sangakkara 68, M.McClenaghan 4-43).

Malinga’s range of yorkers and full tosses proved Sri Lanka’s best weapon and he removed Kane Williamson as well as the McCullum brothers, who looked to be taking their side towards victory, and then Daniel Vettori.

However, Southee was able to see off the remainder of his spell, with a little luck, and then when Tillakaratne Dilshan bowled a wide with two runs needed, the pair capitalised by taking the extra run to register New Zealand’s first win over Sri Lanka since 2009.  

England and New Zealand lead the Group A table whilst Australia and Sri Lanka have lost their first matches. Today’s match will be between Pakistan and South Africa contesting within Group B whilst Sri Lanka’s next match is on Thursday with England.

Injured Chanaka Welagedara replaced by Dilhara Lokuhettige

Injured Chanaka Welagedara replaced
 by Dilhara Lokuhettige

ICC Champions Trophy

Sri Lanka fast bowler Chanaka Welagedara will be replaced by Dilhara Lokuhettige for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in England following an ankle injury to Welagedara,Sri Lanka Cricket announced. The decision was approved by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
Mahindananda Aluthgamage has approved the above replacement. SLC have written to the ICC Event Technical Committee regarding this replacement. The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad.

Sri Lanka Champions Trophy Squad

Sri Lanka Champions Trophy Squad

ICC Champions Trophy 2013

Sri Lanka Cricket announced the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2013,to be played in England in June 2013. 

The Sri Lanka team will be led by Angelo Mathews while Dinesh Chandimal acts as his deputy. Experienced TM Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene will join the squad along with Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath and Nuwan Kulasekara.

Off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake has been included in the squad as an expert spinner while explosive opener Kushal Perera too has been included into the side.  

Sri Lanka will have the services of five fast bowlers with the inclusion of Thissara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Shaminda Eranga and Chanaka Welagedara. 

Sri Lanka playing Group A alongside New Zealand, England and Australia.

Sri Lanka squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2013: 

• Angelo Mathews (Capt)
• Dinesh Chandimal
• TM Dilshan
• Kushal Perera
• Kumar Sangakkara
• Mahela Jayawardene
• Lahiru Thirimanne
• Jeevan Mendis
• Thissara Perera
• Lasith Malinga
• Rangana Herath
• Nuwan Kulasekera
• Shaminda Eranga
• Sachithra Senanayake
• Chanaka Welagedera

Sri Lanka Cricket elects officials, President and Secretary

Sri Lanka Cricket elects officials President and Secretary

SLC New President and Secretary

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) elected officials to the board in the first secret ballot held yesterday amid heavy security and under the supervision of the Elections Department officials at the board's request.

Jayantha Dharmadasa and Nishantha Ranatunga has been respectively appointed as the President and the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Cricket, during the AGM.

Both has been appointed without a contest during the elections held at the BMICH.

Ten cricketers willing to play in IPL

Ten cricketers willing to play in IPL

IPL 2013

Ten Sri Lankan cricketers have confirmed their participation in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League which begins on April 3-2013.SLC CEO  Ashley De Silva who is the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Cricket said that three more players are yet to submit their written declarations.
Accordingly, Nuwan Kulasekara, Akila Dananjaya and Dinesh Chandimal is yet to confirm their participation for IPL.Cricket Board sources said that all players had been advised against travelling to Chennai.

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 17 runs in T20

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 17 runs in T20

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 17 runs in the one-off Twenty20 international in Pallekele.

The The 22-year-old aggressive opener, showed great signs for the Lankan limited over top order batting after legendary Sanath Jayasuriya’s era. Perera smashed 64 runs in 44 balls including four sixes over mid-wicket and fine-leg remembering Jayasuriya’s batting style and earned the man-of-the-match award.

Sri Lanka posted a challenging 198/5 before restricting Bangladesh to 181/7.
Mohammad Ashraful top-scored for Bangladesh with a 27-ball 43 while seamers Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera each bagged two wickets for Sri Lanka.
"I am happy about my first win as captain," said Sri Lanka T20 skipper Dinesh Chandimal.

Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in final ODI

Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in final ODI

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets under the Duckworth and Lewis Method in the 3rd and final One Day International played at the Pallakele stadium.Sri Lanka scored 302/9 while Bangladesh were given a target of 183 in 27 overs in a rain affected game. This is the first time Bangledesh has beaten Sri Lanka in an ODI match in Sri Lanka.

Dilshan cracked 12 boundaries in 125 off 128 deliveries to record his 16th ODI hundred, and shared a 116-run opening partnership with Kushal Perera, who made 56, to lay a solid foundation. 

Dilshan made an unbeaten 113 in the first match.

Jayantha Dharmadasa nominated for SLC presidency

Jayantha Dharmadasa nominated for SLC presidency

New  President of SLC

Businessman and former head of the Cricket Interim Committee Jayantha Dharmadasa has been nominated for the post of Sri Lanka Cricket President by Sri Lanka Cricket Executive Committee.


all three nominations for the post of Presidency of SLC was rejected due to various reasons.

SLC restricts cricketers from playing in Tamil Nadu

SLC restricts cricketers from playing in Tamil Nadu

IPL 2013

Sri Lanka Cricket announced that it has told the cricketers playing in India's Premier League (IPL) not to play in Tamil Nadu following the decree by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minster Jayalalitha to not allow any Sri Lankans in the South Indian state.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha has written to the Indian prime minister seeking a restriction on Sri Lankan players from playing in the upcoming IPL matches in Chennai.

She has also asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India to prevent Sri Lankan staff and umpires to officiate matches to be played in the state,and Jayalalitha Jeyaram has urged the Indian Government to stop treating Sri Lanka as a "friendly nation".

The Indian Premier League which is scheduled to play on the 3rd of April will be held in 13 cities in India including Chennai in South India.

Ashley de Silva appointed as acting CEO of SLC

Ashley de Silva appointed as acting CEO of SLC

New CEO of SLC

Former cricketer Ashley de Silva has been appointed as Acting CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket with effect from April 01, for sixth month, SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga confirmed. Ashley De Silva has been SLC’s director of cricket operations since 2008, and replaces Ajit Jayasekara, who retires at the end of the month.
He has also managed Sri Lanka’s Under-19 side on an assignment basis before 2008. He played as a wicketkeeper batsman for Colombo Cricket Club from 1984 to 1996, and appeared in three Tests and four ODIs for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's youth cricket coach, Carlton Bernadaus, has been appointed to the director of cricket operations role that de Silva vacated.

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh to clinch series 1-0

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh to clinch series 1-0

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets to win the second and final Test at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Chasing a target of 160 Kumar Sangakkara and TM Dilshan put on 94 runs for second wicket.
Rangana Herath, the birthday boy picks up a 12-wicket haul in the match with a career-best 7-89 as Sri Lanka dismissed Bangladesh for 265 in their second innings.


Scores: 
Bangladesh 240 (Mominul Haque 64, R. Herath 5-68) and 265 (Tamim Iqbal 59, R. Herath 7-89) v Sri Lanka 346 (K. Sangakkara 139, D. Chandimal 102) and 160-3 (T. Dilshan 57, K. Sangakkara 55). 

Sri Lanka-Bangladesh 1st test ends in draw

Sri Lanka-Bangladesh 1st test ends in draw

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

The opening Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ended in a tame draw on the fifth and final day at the Galle International Stadium with Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim becoming the first Bangladesh player to make a double century.

Bangladesh, chasing an improbable 268-run victory target in the final session, finished at 70-1 in their second innings after Sri Lanka had declared at tea on 335-4. The tourists were bowled out for 638 in their first innings on Monday in reply to Sri Lanka's 570-4 declared. 

The second and final Test starts in Colombo on Saturday(16-03-2013). 

Scores: 
Sri Lanka 570-4 decl and 335-4 decl. (T. Dilshan 126, K Sangakkara 105, K Vithanage 59) v Bangladesh 638(Mushfiqur Rahim 200, Mohammad Ashraful 190, Nasir Hossain 100) and 70-1. 

Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera retires

Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera retires

Sri Lanka Cricket

Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday after selectors dropped him from the opening Test against Bangladesh which starts in Galle later this week.

“I was shocked with my omission from the squad against Bangladesh,” he told reporters, adding he had been told by the selectors that they may need him for the tour of Pakistan later this year.

“There was no point in waiting for nine months. I respect the decision of the selectors to go with young players and decided it was the right time for me to retire.”

Thilan Samaraweera began his cricket career at Ashoka Vidyalaya and moved to Ananda College. He played for the Colts Cricket Club before switching to the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC). 

“I started my career 12 years ago and I got my Test debut in 1998. I played under a lot of captains and trained under several international coaches,” he said. Responding to the questions raised by journalists he said that he never received a salary of Rs. 4 million a month, like some other cricketers were reported to be getting. 

“I have never got so much money as a salary. I think a wrong impression had been made to the public. Players play for the country and not for the money. There were few discussions with the board regarding the new contract. Players didn’t ask for anything new out of this contract, and the clauses were the same as what has been signed since 2009,” Mr. Samaraweera said.

Sri Lanka announce squad for first Bangladesh Test

Sri Lanka announce squad for first Bangladesh Test

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was announced a strong Test squad for the first Test against Bangladesh beginning in Galle this Friday(08th march 2013).
Former captain Mahela Jayawardene has been ruled out due to injury, while Thilan Samaraweera has been left out. Kithruwan Vithanage, who scored an unbeaten 168 in the warm-up game against the visiting team in Matara, has earned a place in the squad.

Sri Lanka Squad: 

• Angelo Mathews (Capt)

• Dinesh Chandimal (V.Capt & W/C)

• T.M Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne

• Kumar Sangakkara

• Lahiru Thirimanna

• Shaminda Eranga

• Kusal Janith

• Jeewan Mendis

• Kithruwan Vithanage

• Ajantha Mendis

• Nuwan Kulasekara

• Chanaka Welagedara

• Suranga Lakmal

• Rangana Herath

• P.H.T Kaushal

Sri Lanka Cricket crisis over

Sri Lanka Cricket crisis over

Sri Lanka Cricket 

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee Sanath Jayasooriya & national cricketer`s meeting has held  at 6.30 pm today at SLC headquarters to resolve contract issues and following the discussion all national players have agreed to sign the annual contract, local news source stated.

About 60 national players have refused to sign the SLC's annual contract for this year demanding the SLC to pay them 25% of the board's earnings from ICC events.

The SLC has been paying the players the 25% fee since 2003 but this year the cash-strapped SLC has dropped that from the annual contract saying that Sri Lanka's national players are well-paid and with the new contract 67% of the board's income will be used to pay players.

The selection panel headed by Jayasuriya to pick pick a full strength squad for the first Test against Bangladesh starting March 8.

Thilanga Sumathipala to contest for post of Chairman of SLC

Thilanga Sumathipala to contest for post of Chairman of SLC

Sri Lanka Cricket

Ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Colombo district MP and former cricket administrator Thilanga Sumathipala  says  that he invites Nishantha Ranatunga to contest for the post of Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, news sources said.

Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga and former Chairman of cricket interim committee Jayantha Dharmadasa who is the brother of current Chairman Upali Dharmadasa also have expressed interests of contesting for the post.

Thilanga Sumathipala who is a former Chairman of the Cricket Board and a Former Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council handed in his nomination for the 2013 - 2014 Sri Lanka Cricket elections to the Director General of Sports.

The accepting of nominations for the SLC elections closes 28th-02-2012.

Mahela Jayawardene out of the Bangladesh series

Mahela Jayawardene out of the Bangladesh series

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

Sri Lankan Top order batsman and former captain Mahela Jayawardene has fractured a finger and will be ruled out of cricket for around 3 to 4 weeks and is likely to miss the Test series against Bangladesh starting in the first week of March,Sri Lanka Cricket stated.

Mahela Jayawardene dislocated the middle finger of his left hand while attempting a catch on on Sunday during the premier league first-class match between SSC and NCC in Colombo.

The first Test against Bangladesh will start on March 8 2013 at Galle.

Australia wins women's cricket World Cup 2013

Australia wins women's cricket World Cup 2013

ICC Women's World Cup 2013

Australia beat the West Indies by 114 runs to win the women's cricket World Cup final 2013 in Mumbai, India.

Australia scored 7-259 batting first, with Jess Cameron scoring 75 and Rachael Haynes 52.Ellyse Perry took 3-19 to spearhead the bowling effort as the West Indies were dismissed for 145 in the 44th over.

Australia have won five times in seven finals, while West Indies are appearing in their first final.

Angelo Mathews appointed Sri Lanka's Test,ODI Captain,Chandimal to T20 Captain

Angelo-Mathews-appointed-Sri-Lanka's-Test,ODI-Captain-
Chandimal--to-T20--Captain

Lasith Malinga named the Vice Captain for T-20

Angelo Mathews has been appointed Sri Lanka’s Test and One-Day International captain for the period March 14, 2013 to January 2014, Dinesh Chandimal has been named the Vice Captain. Lasith Malinga was named the Vice Captain for the T-20 side.

The new selection led by former captain and left hand batsman, Sanath Jayasuriya have named a 20 member squad for the forthcoming two Test series against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka Test squad

• Angelo Mathews (capt)

• Dinesh Chandimal (vice-capt)

• Kumar Sangakkara

• Tillakaratne Dilshan

• Dimuth Karunaratne

• Ashen Silva

• Lahiru Thirimanne

• Mahela Jayawardene

• Kushal Perera

• Jeevan Mendis

• Kithruwan Vithnage

• Ajantha Mendis

• Suraj Randiv

• Nuwan Kulasekara

• Shaminda Eranga

• Chanaka Welegedera

• Nuwan Pradeep

• Dushmantha Sameera

• Rangana Herath

• Tharindu Kaushal.