Sports

Sri Lanka beat Netherlands

Published

1 month ago

October 21, 2023

editor

Sadeera Samarawickrama hit an undefeated 91 as Sri Lanka brought the Netherlands crashing back down to World Cup reality on Saturday with a five-wicket victory which gave the 1996 champions their first win of the tournament.

The Dutch had stunned South Africa by 38 runs up in the chilly and wet Himalayas on Tuesday, but struggled to contain Sri Lanka in the heat of Lucknow.

Chasing 263 to win, Samarawickrama hit seven boundaries in a patient 107-ball stay at the crease with Pathum Nissanka making 54 as Sri Lanka reached their target with 10 balls to spare.

After defeats to South Africa, Pakistan and Australia, the Sri Lankans have their first points on the board in the 10-nation World Cup.

The Netherlands also have one win and three losses from their four games.

“I’m really happy to finish the game. We needed a win,” said Samarawickrama.

“When I went in to bat, the wicket was not easy. The ball was spinning, and the fast bowlers were bowling on a good line and length. The plan was to bat deep.”

Opener Nissanka’s half-century came from 52 balls with nine fours as the 25-year-old registered his third successive fifty at this World Cup after 51 against Pakistan and 61 in the game with Australia.

The Dutch sensed a chance of another shock when Sri Lanka were 104-3 but Samarawickrama, who made a fine 108 against Pakistan, steadied the ship in a man of the match performance.

The 25-year-old had reached his 50 off 53 balls with four boundaries, putting on 77 in a key fourth wicket stand with Charith Asalanka (44).

Spinner Aryan Dutt was the pick of the Dutch bowlers with 3-44.

Earlier, Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek hit maiden one-day international fifties as the Netherlands recovered from a poor start to post 262.

The 35-year-old Engelbrecht reached his milestone off 65 balls with three fours and one six.

Van Beek went to his fifty from 68 balls.

South African-born Engelbrecht and New Zealand native Van Beek helped the Dutch recover from 91-6, putting on a seventh-wicket partnership of 130.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

Upul Tharanga to chair cricket selection committee

Published

57 mins ago

December 4, 2023

editor

Sports Minister Harin Fernando today (04) announced that Upul Tharanga will replace Pramodya Wickramasinghe as Chairman of the Cricket Selection Committee.

The minister added that 10 names have already been recommended as selectors and that a new selection committee would be appointed soon.

News

SLC complains to CIABOC over ex-sports minister

Published

1 hour ago

December 4, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) says that they have formally lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in Sri Lanka against Mr. Roshan Ranasinghe MP over the alleged misuse of funds provided by SLC to the National Sports Fund for the development of various other sports in Sri Lanka.

A statement issued by the SLC states :

The decision to file this complaint stems from the concern that Mr. Roshan Ranasinghe MP has not appropriately disclosed the utilization of funds allocated by SLC for the intended purposes.

This move comes in the wake of a discernible disparity between the information disclosed to the media by Mr. Ranasinghe MP and the response received by SLC under a Right to Information (RTI) application, outlining the specifics of the expenditures made.

SLC wishes to emphasize the importance of maintaining the integrity of financial transactions and ensuring that funds are utilized for their designated purposes and the said formal complaint filed with the Bribery Commission underscores SLC’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of governance and ethics within the realm of sports administration.

SLC trusts that the Bribery Commission will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain the facts and take appropriate action as necessary and Sri Lanka Cricket will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure a fair and just resolution to this issue, as part of its ongoing commitment to the promotion and advancement of sports in Sri Lanka.

News

15-members appointed to National Sports Council

Published

6 hours ago

December 4, 2023

editor

Sports Minister – Harin Fernando has appointed a 15-member National Sports Council.

Accordingly, Dr. Maiya Gunasekara has been appointed as the chairman of the council, replacing Arjuna Ranatunga.

The members of the new National Sports Council are as follows :

1. Dr. Maiya Gunasekara – Chairman
2. Mr. I.U. Wickramasuriya – Secretary
3. Mrs. Sriyani Kulawansa
4. Major General (Retd.) Rajitha Ampemohotti
5. Prof. Arjuna de Silva
6. Mr. Panduka Keerthinada
7. Mr. Ana G. G. Punchihewa
8. Mr. Malik Kader
9. Dr. S.V.D. Nanayakkara
10. Mr. Hafeez Marso
11. Mr. Sidath Wettimuny
12. General (Retired) Jagath Jayasuriya
13. Mrs. Anuradha Illeperuma
14. Prof. Shemal Fernando
15. Mr. Kamal Deshapriya

Meanwhile, the Sports Minister has also appointed the National Sports Selection Committee.

The committee comprises of;

1. General Shavendra Silva – Chairman
2. Mr. Arjun Rishaya Fernando – Secretary
3. Dr. Maiya Gunasekara
4. Mr. Suresh Subramaniyam
5. Mr. Nalinda Sampath Ilangakoon