Sports

Kamindu Mendis named ICC Men’s Player of the Month

Published

1 month ago

April 8, 2024

editor

Kamindu Mendis claims the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award after his historic efforts at the crease helped Sri Lanka comfortably win the first Test in their ICC World Test Championship showdown against Bangladesh in Sylhet.

Mendis may have made a quiet start to the month in the T20I series that opened Sri Lanka’s tour to Bangladesh, but he soon reversed his fortunes with a memorable performance in the first Test match in Sylhet.

Striding out to the crease with the tourists at 57 for five, Mendis rescued Sri Lanka’s first innings alongside Dhananjaya de Silva, thwarting Bangladesh’s firing bowlers on his way to hitting a controlled 102 – his first Test century – to help them post a respectable opening total of 280.

With a healthy first innings lead, the second innings presented a similar challenge when Mendis came to the middle. Sri Lanka had extended their advantage but limped to 126 for six when the batter initiated another stirring fightback, supported again by the brilliant de Silva at the other end. Both batters counterattacked and crossed the three-figure milestone, but Mendis’ mammoth 164 in 237 balls was the standout performance as Sri Lanka eventually sealed victory by 328 runs.

With his century in the second innings, Mendis became the first player batting at number seven or lower to hit two centuries in a single Test.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March, Kamindu Mendis, said, “I am extremely happy to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month, which I consider an inspiration for my international career. A recognition such as this motivates and makes us as players work more and more to deliver in the middle for the team, country, and fans.

“I also wish the very best for the other two players who were nominated along with me, Mark Adair and Matt Henry, whom I consider excellent players and good competitors.”

(Excerpts : ICC)

Sports

SLC increases player fees

Published

1 week ago

May 10, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is pleased to announce that player fees for all categories of Sri Lanka’s international players have been increased, with immediate effect.
Accordingly, 41 players will be offered new contracts under six categories, namely, A1, A2, B2, C1, C2, and ‘A’ Team.

The Test Match Fees is merit based
Under the latest raise, match fees for the Test format have been increased by 100 percent, while payments will be made on merit basis.

There will be different payment structures for a test match ‘won’, ‘drawn’ or ‘lost.’

ODI and T20I Match Fees
In the meantime, match fees for both ODI and T20I have been raised by 25 percent.

ICC rankers to be recognized
Sri Lanka Cricket also decided to recognize the players who become top-ranked in the ICC Player Rankings.

Accordingly, a player will be financially rewarded with a one-time payment if they become the ‘Best Batsman, Best Bowler, or Best All-Rounder based on ICC rankings, covering all formats.

In the meantime, if a player attains a ranking between 10th and 2nd place in the ICC rankings in the aforesaid categories, such players will also be recognized with a one-time payment.

Daily allowance and per diems
Additionally, daily allowances and per diems for all contracted players have been enhanced to provide better support during national team’s inbound and outbound engagements.

A decision by the SLC Executive Committee
This decision by Sri Lanka Cricket’s Executive Committee, headed by Mr. Shammi Silva, the President of the SLC, reflects the SLC’s commitment to supporting and valuing our national players equally across all formats.

The contracted players :
Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Nishan Madushka, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Janith Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Pramod Madushan and Janith Liyanage

Akila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Nuwan Thushara, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dushan Hemantha, Lasith Embuldeniya, Binura Fernando, Shevon Daniel, Niroshan Dickwella, Ashen Bandara, Oshada Fernando and Avishka Fernando

Sports

SL squad for ICC T20 WC announced

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

editor

The Sri Lankan squad for the ICC T20 World Cup has been announced.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be held in the West Indies and USA from June 01 – 29.

News

Fmr. Netball captain faces doping charges!

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

nipuni

It is reported that a former netball captain has failed a random doping test conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA).

It is revealed that the player in question had taken Anabolic steroids.

Test results were issued to the Doping Control Laboratory in Qatar yesterday morning (May 08), and it has been confirmed that the athlete’s samples contained traces of this banned stimulant.

Speaking to the media, head of SLADA – Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya has said that a probe is being conducted in this regard, and a statement will be issued today (May 09).

If the athlete is found guilty in the probe, she could face a ban from one to 04 years, reports say.