Sports

Schedule change in Ireland tour of Sri Lanka

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2023

editor

Cricket Ireland has yesterday confirmed (13) it has agreed to a schedule change that will see Ireland Men’s tour of Sri Lanka in April become a two-match Test series in Gall

The previously advertised bilateral schedule saw the two sides playing a single Test and two ODIs, however it was mutually agreed that the two ODIs would instead become a Test Match.

The tour dates will not change, with the scheduled arrival of the Irish squad being 9 April and departure on 29 April.

FIXTURE SCHEDULE
• 16-20 April: Sri Lanka Men v Ireland Men – Test Match (Galle)
• 24-28 April: Sri Lanka Men v Ireland Men – Test Match (Galle)

Richard Holdsworth, High Performance Director at Cricket Ireland, has said: “When we were approached by Sri Lanka Cricket about the possibility of a change to the schedule, our immediate thoughts were around our white-ball priority, given the potential 50-over World Cup qualification later this year still being a tangible outcome. Talking through our priorities and their priorities, we agreed to the late change given that the Test series is preceded by six white-ball matches in Bangladesh, and followed by three further ODIs after we return home.

“Exposing our playing group to an extended period in Asian conditions will be beneficial to their development and given the World Cup this year is in India, the more exposure to these conditions, the better – despite it being a different format,” he has added.

News

SLC captains challenge player employment classification

Published

2 days ago

March 18, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket ODI Captain Charith Asalanka and Test Cricket Captain Dhanajaya De Silva have filed writ petitions before the Court of Appeal.

Their petitions have challenged the classification of Sri Lanka’s national cricketers as employees of the national association, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

The writ petition was fixed for further support on March 28 by Court of Appeal (Acting President) Justice Mohammed Laffar and Justice K. Priyantha Fernando.

The petitioners are seeking for notice to quash and suspend the decision of the IRD.

Counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne appeared with Shenali Dias and Sidath Gajayanaka on the instructions of Gamindu Karunasena for the petitioners, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya De Silva. President’s Counsel Kuvera de Soyza with Pasindu Bandara and Sajana de Soyza on the instructions of Sanjay Fonseka represented Sri Lanka Cricket. Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe appeared for the Inland Revenue Department.

A letter signed by 38 national cricketers, including players Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis setting out the grievance and endorsing the petitioners to seek appropriate legal redress on the unlawful classification was also placed before Court.

Sports

Dasun Shanaka to join IPL franchise Delhi Capitals

Published

3 days ago

March 18, 2025

editor

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has joined the Delhi Capitals squad ahead for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), is set to begin on March 22 and all teams have already started their training sessions.

Shanaka has reportedly been brought in as a replacement for Harry Brook, who is serving a two-year IPL ban.

Dasun Shanaka played a key role in Dubai Capitals’ title-winning campaign at the recently concluded International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE. His standout performances in the tournament are believed to have influenced Delhi Capitals’ decision to recruit him for the upcoming season.

Shanaka is already training with the Delhi Capitals squad, and an official announcement regarding his inclusion is expected soon by the team management.

News

Roshan questions objective of new Polhena stadium

Published

3 days ago

March 18, 2025

editor

Former cricketer Roshan Mahanama has called for a reassessment of the proposed international cricket stadium project planned to be built in the Polhena area of Matara.

He made this remark in a post on his official Facebook account.

A discussion regarding the construction of the Matara Polhena International Cricket Training School and Stadium was recently held between Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development Sunil Handunnetti and officials from Sri Lanka Cricket.

There, it was decided to complete the relevant preliminary work within a month.

Against this backdrop, Roshan Mahanama, a former cricketer and a member of the National Sports Council, has emphasized that the motives and objectives behind such mega projects should be questioned.

He pointed out that the current need is not to spend money on constructing new stadiums, but rather to implement a national program aimed at improving existing facilities and enhancing the cricketing skills (closer to home/school) of students.