-
3 weeks ago | 
telecomasia.net | Rex Clementine
In a watershed moment for Sri Lankan sport, former off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake has been formally indicted by the Hambantota High Court – becoming the first cricketer in the country to be charged under the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act, a groundbreaking law introduced in 2019 to tackle corruption in sport.
-
3 weeks ago | 
telecomasia.net | Rex Clementine
Sri Lanka’s Test squad is set for a shake-up as the national selectors prepare to plug the gaps left by the recent exits of two stalwarts — Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews. Into the spotlight step Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Tharindu Ratnayake, both named in a Test squad for the first time ahead of the two-match series against Bangladesh starting later this month in Galle.
-
3 weeks ago | 
thepapare.com | Rex Clementine
The international cricket calendar these days feels like a cake with a quarter already sliced off – thanks to the glitz and glamour of the Indian Premier League. What was once a year-round schedule has now unofficially surrendered March to May, with bilateral cricket taking a back seat during that window. It’s as if the cricketing fraternity has struck a gentleman’s agreement to steer clear of international duty when the IPL juggernaut rolls in.
-
1 month ago | 
thepapare.com | Rex Clementine
It’s a rare day in the African sun when a Sri Lankan side returns from South Africa with a series win tucked under their belt. But in 2008, the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team did just that. Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha, a man with a keen eye for talent, came home singing praises of two 21-year-olds who had stood tall on those unforgiving, bouncy tracks — Angelo Mathews and Suranga Lakmal.
-
1 month ago | 
island.lk | Thilina Walpola |Rex Clementine
Angelo Mathews has finally played his last card. While his longtime mate Dimuth Karunaratne called it a day after the Australian series, Mathews had resisted – gritting his teeth and soldiering on, even as the runs began to run dry and Sri Lanka slumped to four straight Test defeats. But now, the veteran has decided to walk away. The upcoming Test against Bangladesh in Galle will be his swansong. That it ends in Galle feels poetic.
-
1 month ago | 
telecomasia.net | Rex Clementine
When Angelo Mathews burst onto the scene, it felt like Sri Lanka had found their very own Jacques Kallis in the making – a brisk seamer who could bend his back with the ball and a batsman who brought both silk and steel to the crease. He had the technique to weather any storm and the temperament to anchor innings under pressure. But as the years ticked by, it became clear he wouldn’t quite climb into Kallis’ league.
-
1 month ago | 
thepapare.com | Rex Clementine
The curtains have finally come down on Virat Kohli’s glittering Test career. Kohli followed skipper Rohit Sharma into retirement – with an England tour just around the corner. With just 800 runs shy of the golden landmark of 10,000 Test runs, many thought Kohli would pad up for the five Test series in England. But the scars from Australia may have triggered some searching questions from the selectors.
-
1 month ago | 
island.lk | Thilina Walpola |Rex Clementine
Sri Lanka batter Kusal Mendis took to social media yesterday to acknowledge an act of generosity that ensured he made it to the IPL crease fully kitted. His gratitude was directed at a Sri Lankan living in Pakistan who went above and beyond to deliver Mendis’ cricket gear to Colombo just in time. While Mendis mentioned the name – Mr. Wayne Jansz – what he left out was the man’s cricketing pedigree.
-
1 month ago | 
island.lk | Thilina Walpola |Rex Clementine
The curtain has finally come down on Virat Kohli’s influential Test career, with the former Indian skipper hanging up his whites this week. Although his tour down under was far from a masterclass, many expected him to soldier on for the five-Test series in England and the busy home season to follow – especially with just 800 runs separating him from the hallowed 10,000-run mark.
-
1 month ago | 
thepapare.com | Rex Clementine
If Sri Lanka’s 2023 World Cup campaign in India had a headline, it would read: “Dropped Catches, Dropped Hopes.” Their fielding, or lack thereof, was the Achilles’ heel. Take the clash against Pakistan, for instance. After posting a formidable 344 on the board – a total that should’ve put the game to bed – they somehow managed to lose. Butterfingers in the outfield and sluggishness on the turf cost them dearly. The same script unfolded against Afghanistan.
