Angelo Mathews reappointed Sri Lanka’s ODI and T20 captain

Colombo: Former captain Angelo Mathews was reappointed Sri Lanka’s ODI and T20 captain by the national selectors in a move that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President, Thilanga Sumathipala described as a roundly unanimous decision by the national selectors on the recommendations of Head Coach, Chandika Hathurusinghe and SLCs management headed by CEO Ashley de Silva.

 

The whole exercise was based on the new coach’s new strategy of a short term, medium and long term plan of optimising the national team to winning heights. Hathurusinghe chipped in to say that ‘I thought Mathews is the best person to captain the ODI team.’ My only concern is player fitness, but we have a long term plan in place,” he grated. Mathews, aged 30, in turn responded that he was honoured to take the job back after long deliberation in the national interest.

“It’s a thing you don’t ever think of taking back. There were a few reasons I decided to take it back as the president’s request was that it was a national call, and also considering the fact that we need stability running to the world cup in eighteen months’ time. Cricket has given me a lot, and if I turn my back I feel it is not fair by my country.  Some may like it, some may not. Hathu (Hathurusinghe) is not here to survive. I have worked with him in the A team and know his capacity. He’s here to do a job. Both of us think equally in the interest of the team.

The announcement was made to the media Tuesday at the SLC auditorium with SLC CEO, Ashley de Silva and Vice President in charge of international cricket, K. Mathivanan, Chairman of Selectors, Graham Labrooy and Head Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe attending.

The 16 member squad was also announced with Test captain Dinesh Chandimal regaining the selectors nod. Also significant was the naming of 22-year old fast bowler, Shehan Madushanka, a Sri Lanka Development Squad Emerging XI player in view of SLCs long term plan which Head Coach Hathurusinghe explained was to evolving ideally seven pace bowlers approaching the World Cup 18 months hence.

SLC President Suumathipala stressed that unfortunately there had been a fractured phase when Dinesh Chandimal, who took over the job when Mathews quit it five years ago, was injured and a stop gap captain in Upul Tharanga had to be appointed. Mathews had been laid back by injury by playing too much cricket having played the most number of matches in the world that had affected his body.

Chief Selector, Graham Labrooy said that Mathews appointment was in view of the long term. He would not be bowling in Bangladesh. But would progressively turn his arm in short bursts in ODIs only. On the naming of Madushanka, he said, “He has pace about 136 to 137 mph and bowls a quicker ball at 140 mph. He may or may not play in Bangladesh. Looking at the pace bowling department, we are going forward with Madushanka as a long term investment because we need to be competetive.”

On Chandimal’s recall, Labrooy said, “He has shown a lot of interest. In India his approach was aggressive with good strike rates, and his inclusion had been recommended by the head coach.” As to Kusal Mendis’ recall, he said, “Kusal had gone back to club cricket and got some big runs. The new captain and coach believe in him a lot”.

Chandimal reacted that ‘I’m happy to be back in the ODI squad and look forward to delivering.’

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Cricket ex master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya now on crutches

Colombo : Ex Sri Lankan captain and one of the best master blaster of the game Sanath Jayasuriya, who smashed over 13000 runs in ODIs and played a vital part in the team’s success in the 1996 World Cup, is struggling with a knee injury.

Sanath Jayasuriya, one of Sri Lanka’s legendary all-rounders, was nicknamed the ‘Matara Marauder’ during his playing days. At his peak, he used rip apart the best bowling attacks and with his explosive batting, he had acquired a reputation of being the most destructive batsman of his period.

However, the 48-year-old is currently undergoing tough times after his retirement. The former chairman of selectors is currently suffering from a knee injury so severe that he is unable to walk without crutches.

According to reports, Jayasuriya, who played a key role in Sri Lanka’s maiden World Cup win in 1996 will be travelling to Melbourne for treatment having suffered the injury for quite some time now.

The reports have added that the entire procedure of treatment and recovery will take up to one month, and Jayasuriya will remain under observation during this period.

In a career spanning two decades for Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya played a critical role in Sri Lanka’s rise as a power to reckon with. He played 110 Tests, 445 ODIs and 31 T20Is. He remains the second highest run-scorer for the island nation with 13,364 runs 28 centuries and 68 fifties at 32.51.

In 110 Tests, Jayasuriya scored 6,973 runs at 40.07 with 14 centuries and 31 fifties. His highest score of 340 came against India in the Colombo run-fest of 1997, when replying to India’s 537 for 8 declared, Sri Lanka went on to set a world record score of 952 for 6 declared.

Jayasuriya also enjoyed T20 cricket towards the end of his career. In 31 T20Is, the left-handed batsman scored 629 runs at 23.29 with four half-centuries. A handy left-arm spinner, Jayasuriya claimed as many as 323 wickets in ODIs, 98 in Tests and 19 scalps in T20Is.

Dinesh Chandimal to lead tean Sri Lankan in T10 cricket league

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Test captain Dinesh Chandimal will lead Team Sri Lanka at the highly anticipated T10 Cricket League taking place at Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 14-17 December.

A reworked team under his command is preparing for this dynamic version of the game. Currently leading the team in India this versatile and acknowledged right-handed batsman will bring his acumen and experience as a former national captain of the one dayers and T20 teams for Sri Lanka and position himself as a formidable opponent for the other five contenders.

The fact that the country’s test captain has been given the responsibility of spearheading the side in the inaugural T10 speaks volumes for the credibility of the format and the seriousness with which this tourney is being taken at the top level.

Their first match for Chandimal and his boys to test their mettle will be against the Maratha Arabians at 6 pm on Friday the 15^th.

Backing their skipper in the list released by the Sri Lankan cricket board are hard hitting and part time legspinner Dilshan Munaweera and  middle order bat Kithruwan Vithanage who made his mark in the under 19 side.

Also strengthening the side are Angelo Perera who jumpstarted his career with a century for the under 19s against Bangladesh in 2009 and lefthander Shehan Jayasuriya .

Team members also include  Nipun Karunanayake, Wanidu Hasaranga, Kasun Madushanka, Vishva Fernando, Sachithra Senanayaka, Alankara Asanka, Ramik Rambukwella, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Shehan Madushanka Devapurag and, Lahiru Gedara.

The Directors for the Colombo team, Kashif Rijas Shahzad and Vijay Vyas, expressed their delight with the team’s make up and were confident that much talent would emerge during these four intense days.

Supported by Former Sri Lankan cricketers Avishka Gunawardana and Nuwan Zoysa  in their capacity as head coach and bowling coach respectively the Directors are planning their strategy for this unique venture.

Cricket – T10 IS THE FUTURE SAY T10 CRICKET LEAGUE DIRECTORS

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates – Even as the iconic Sharjah stadium prepares to write another page in its unique cricketing history by playing host to the first ever T10 tournament with international players, the directors of the League and co-directors for the Sri Lankan team have come out to bat strongly for this exciting format.

Both Vijay Vyas and Kashif Rijas Shahzad have made it unequivocally clear that this is a very serious tournament and not one to be taken lightly.

Come December 14 the gauntlet will be thrown on the field of play in no uncertain terms. Every player will be out there intent on doing his best and ensuring his team comes out on top. The success of this inaugural venture will not only set the standard for the world of cricket but also establish it as a viable new dimension to the game, bringing it in line with other sports that are completed in ninety hi octane minutes.

“There might exist in some quarters the fallacy that we are all here to have a little fun and enjoy the experiment. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This is not an experiment. A great deal of thought has gone into it and the research has shown we are on the right track,” said Vyas.

“These are top grade professional players and all six teams are going to perform on the razor’s edge of competition. This is the future of the sport and the fans will throng to the venue for every match. In fact, we have already begun to work on the next year’s tournament,” he added.
His contention is that Sri Lanka is a nation that takes its cricket very seriously. It would not be sending a team with national status if it thought for one moment that this was a mere spectacle.

 

Kashif Rijas reiterated that the same sort of early misgivings were heard when the T20 was introduced.

“Now, just see where that has gone…today Sharjah…tomorrow who knows…maybe even the Olympics,” he stated.

“The recent truncated T20 over 8 overs between India and New Zealand is a case in point. The wickets tumbled, runs were made, the fielding was exemplary and the 16 overs were filled with suspense and tension. Every game at Sharjah will be pulsating. No one is going to walk away until the last ball is bowled. It gives the phrase ‘the uncertainty of cricket glorious cricket” a new meaning.”

He expressed his thanks to the farsightedness of the inspiration behind the format, the T10 Chairman Shaji Ul Mulk and his unwavering commitment to the format and the support.

“To add to the excitement the pitch in this venue has a low bounce in the cooler months and this will help the batsmen. As they say the Sharjah magic will endure. This is so much in keeping with the UAE’s reputation for being at the spearhead of innovative ideas so what better place to set the T10 ball rolling.”

Expressing his delight at being a director of the first national team to play a T10 Vyas said, “The formula is a surefire winner. In the Subcontinent, we play ‘gully’ cricket and enjoy the thrill of it. This has the same speed and fervor and is just a refined version of it at the highest level.”

“In this digital age time is of the essence and fans will enjoy the quick pace, the instant nature of making decisions and the use of new tactics and strategies. It is a game where a dot ball is a black point for the batsmen.  I am confident that come December all roads will lead to the Sharjah stadium,” concluded Kashif Rijas.

 

Cricket – Bangladesh coach Hathurusingha resigns: BCB

DHAKA: The head coach of Bangladesh’s national cricket team has resigned, the sport’s board said Thursday, amid reports of his taking charge of the Sri Lankan team.

Chandika Hathurusingha, who is Sri Lankan, tendered his resignation in a letter during Bangladesh’s disastrous tour of South Africa last month, Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hasan told reporters.

“As far as I remember, he submitted a letter to me in early October. He didn’t give any specific reasons. He only said he wasn’t interested anymore,” Hasan told reporters in Dhaka.

“He is a professional coach. We will deal it professionally. We won’t force him but will ask him about the reason,” he said.

Sri Lankan newspaper Ceylon Today reported Thursday that Hathurusingha was on the verge of signing up with the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as the national team’s head coach.

Quoting sources, the newspaper said the SLC had reached an agreement with Hathurusingha regarding his remuneration package.

Hathurusingha is currently contracted with the BCB until World Cup 2019 and is widely believed to be one of the highest-paid cricket coaches in the world.

Under Hathurusingha, perennial minnows Bangladesh have made rapid strides in world cricket, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy tournament in England this year.

Since he replaced Australian Shane Jurgensen in 2014, Bangladesh have also reached the quarter-final of the World Cup in 2015 and won one-day international series against Pakistan, India and South Africa in the same year.

They also won a Test match against a visiting England side in 2016 before beating Sri Lanka and Australia in Tests this year.

Hathurusingha, however, came under criticism during Bangladesh’s recent tour of South Africa, where the team failed to register a single win.

His name was first discussed as a potential Sri Lanka coach in June after the resignation of South African Graham Ford.

Cricket – Hafeez reported for suspect bowling action: ICC

Dubai: Pakistan’s off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez has been reported for a suspect bowling action during the third One-Day International against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, the ICC announced on Thursday.

According to the spokesman of ICC, the match officials’ report, which was handed over to the Pakistan team management, cited concerns about the legality of the 37-year-old’s bowling action.

“Hafeez’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations. He is required to undergo testing within 14 days, and, during this period, Hafeez is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the assessments are known,” said ICC.

Hafeez was first suspended from bowling in December 2014.

He was allowed to resume bowling in April 2015 after an independent reassessment of his bowling tests found his action to be legal.

He was suspended for a second time after an independent assessment revealed that he had employed an illegal bowling action after being reported in the Galle Test v Sri Lanka in June 2015.

This was his second suspension within 24 months of the initial suspension in December 2014, he was suspended from bowling in international cricket for 12 months from July 2015.

On November 17, 2016, the bowler underwent a reassessment of his action at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane and was allowed to resume bowling after his action was found to be legal.

This current report on his action, according to ICC, will be considered to be the first report and the procedure outlined in clause 4.1 of the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations shall now apply.

Hafeez, 37, got one wicket conceding 39 runs in 8 overs on Wednesday. He has taken 136 wickets in 193 ODIs.

PCB finalises 16-member Test squad for Sri Lanka series

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has included young pacer Mir Hamza in the 16-member squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.

The squad, finalized by the selection committee, will be formally announced on later on.

25-year-old Mir Hamza from Karachi has an impressive record of 216 wickets in 46 first-class matches which he has played during the last four years.

Interestingly, young spinner Shadab Khan and experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez are omitted from the squad. Opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad also failed to impress selectors with his performance in first class cricket last season.

However, opening batsman Shan Masood is included in the squad for the two-match Test series which starts later this month in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sami Aslam has also returned to the squad in place of Ahmed Shehzad.

Another notable, albeit surprising, inclusion in the Test squad is of 31-year old all-rounder Bilal Asif, who has only 15 first-class matches to his name. He has also represented Pakistan in three ODIs.

In the middle-order batting lineup, Haris Sohail and Usman Salahuddin are included in the list to fill the gap left by retirement of experienced duo of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq.

Here’s the 16-member team for the Test series:

Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Usman Salahuddin, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Mohammad Abbas, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza and Wahab Riaz.

Cricket: Najam Sethi targets return of international action

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s new boss wants to welcome international tours back to the country but has urged for patience because of the prevailing security situation.

Speaking after being named PCB chairman for the next three years, Najam Sethi expressed hope that next month’s proposed World XI tour in Pakistan would be the first step towards the return of international cricket.

“We need to show patience because it is related to the security situation in the country,” he told local media. “We hope to bring a World XI for a three-match Twenty20 series and the next two to three months will bring more good news.

“We have invited Sri Lanka to play a few matches (in Pakistan) after their series with us and I will try to get a reply on that invitation.”

Pakistan have played most of their home internationals in the United Arab Emirates since gunmen attacked a bus carrying Sri Lanka players in Lahore eight years ago, wounding six players, and killing six security staff and two civilians.

The country has since been largely starved of international cricket, apart from a short visit by Zimbabwe in 2015.

Pakistan are scheduled to play two tests, three one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka in September-October, with the series likely to be held in the UAE.

Cricket – Sri Lanka announces new Test, ODI captains

Colombo: Dinesh Chandimal has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s 15th Test captain following the resignation of Angelo Mathews.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Mathews confirmed he will stand down as captain from the Test and one-day sides in the wake of their shock ODI series defeat to Zimbabwe earlier this week.

The allrounder said he will continue to make himself available for national selection.

Chandimal, who became Sri Lanka’s youngest-ever captain when he was appointed as their T20 skipper in 2013, is set to make his Test captaincy debut on Friday in a one-off match against Zimbabwe in Colombo.

Meanwhile, Upul Tharanga, who filled in as ODI skipper when Mathews was injured during last month’s Champions Trophy, has been appointed permanent captain of the 50- and 20-over sides.

“Firstly, I would like to thank ‘Anji’ (Mathews),” Chandimal said on Wednesday. “It’s not an easy job as a captain in any team so Anji, you have done a great job the last four, five years.

“We learned a lot from you as players, and as youngsters. As a captain we will miss you but we’re looking forward to you playing and getting your service in future.

“I am really honoured to captain the Test side.

“Thanks to SLC and the selectors who are trusting me as Test captain.

“We have lots of up and downs the last two years but they have really good players, good youngsters and senior players too.

“I’m going to put my heart and soul in for the future to get us in the right position.”

Chandimal was dropped for the five-match series against Zimbabwe after a below-par Champions Trophy campaign, despite being Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in ODI cricket last year.

Following the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka host India for a three-Test series beginning later this month.

Mathews on Monday admitted Zimbabwe’s historic triumph in Hambantota, the 11th ranked ODI nation’s first-ever series win over Sri Lanka, represented a new low in his career.

“It’s one of the lowest points in my career, and a hard one to swallow,” Mathews said after the 3-2 series defeat.

“Everything went against us, from the toss to misreading the wicket.

“But there are no excuses. At the end of the day we were not good enough to beat them. They played better cricket.”

Sri Lanka, who are in danger of not qualifying directly for the 2019 World Cup after their series loss to Zimbabwe, are still on the hunt for a head coach after Graham Ford vacated the post last month.

Test great Kumar Sangakkara last month lamented Chandimal’s treatment by team management in recent years, suggesting he should have been groomed to fill the holes left by the likes of Mahela Jayawardena and, although he was too modest to say so, himself.

“One of the accusations directed at the management and the team has been that they haven’t groomed anyone to fill those voids,” Sangakkara said on television commentary during the Champions Trophy.

“But I think the one man that was identified very early was Dinesh Chandimal, who performed excellently in South Africa, then in England, in Australia.

“He’s actually had a period where he’s been identified as the best young player (and was) appointed captain (of the T20 side) probably a bit too soon.

“Then he was dropped from the captaincy, dropped from the team, so he’s never had a consistent run in the position that he was identified for.

“I don’t think the environment he’s played in has been very good for his confidence. Every time he now takes the field, it’s almost as if (he’s) playing for his place, for survival, and that’s not a good place for a young player to be.

“But also we have to re-look at a lot of the things that happen below international level – our first-class structure, our ‘A’ team structure – to make sure we actually drag those structures into the modern day.”

Sri Lankan sports journalists to receive prestigious award

Colombo:

A total of fifty-three sports personalities are set to be felicitated at the Presidential Awards scheduled to be held on the 19th of May at the BMICH. The grand ceremony will be conducted by the Ministry of Sports and the Department of Sports Development in the island.

Awards are expected to be presented in the presence of the President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe. Specialized sportsman and sports journalists will also receive awards at the prestigious ceremony.

“The Ministry has allocated a sum of rupees ten million for this year’s program and we are hoping to build on the initial effort that we launched last year. The period under scrutiny would be 1 January to 31 December 2016,” said Chairman of the project Saman Amarasinghe. (Sunday Times).

The organizers have also made plans to honor sports personalities with disabilities at the ceremony.