February 20, 2014 · 7:55 am

Sri Lanka’s Costly Cricket Stadiums

The government had spent Rs. 413 million as administrative expenditure of seven cricket grounds during the past five years, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage told Parliament yesterday. The cricket grounds were R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Galle International Cricket Stadium, Welagedara Cricket Stadium, Surrey Cricket Ground, and Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Minister Aluthgamage responding to a question raised by UNP Colombo District MP Ravi Karunanayake said that in addition to this sum, another Rs. 7054 million have been spent for these stadiums as capital expenditure. Continue reading →

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Filed under cricket governance, cricketer politicians, financial expediency, politics and cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket

February 19, 2014 · 11:18 pm

“Suranganeeta Maalu genaava” initiates World Cup 2015 Launch in Melbourne City

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/14448eaccf8e05e9?projector=1

casting net Pic by Michael Roberts

Sri Lankan Fishermen Pic b janaka Gallangoda (?)

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February 18, 2014 · 12:47 pm

Halle Luiya in the Desert: Afghanistan Under 19 stun the Aussies

Courtesy of ESPNcricinfo

afghans celebrate Abudllah Adil and  team mates express their effervescent  joy

Afghanistan Under-19s pulled off a major upset by defeating Australia Under-19s by 36 runs in Abu Dhabi. Afghanistan’s top order were at the forefront of the victory, as Mohammad Mujtaba (75), Ihsanullah (63) and Hashmatullah Shaidi (57) all scored half-centuries to propel the team to 253. The team had lost Usman Ghani in the first over of the innings, but Ihsanullah and Mujtaba steadied the innings with a second-wicket stand worth 126 that gave Afghanistan a solid platform to build on. For Australia, James Bazley and Cameron Valente picked up three wickets each. Continue reading →

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Filed under Australian cricket, backyard cricket, taking the mickey, Under 19 cricket, violent intrusions

February 18, 2014 · 12:38 am

Bangladeshis commit suicide against Sri Lanka!

Well, not wholly true … Thisara Perera and Sachitra Senanayake deserve considerable credit for the batting recovery effected as the ninth-wicket pair. Michael Roberts

THISARA PERERA 33 I – Bangladesh implode by Mohamed Isam, courtesy of ESPNcricinfo

Two spectacular batting collapses adorned the first ODI, one more dramatic than the other, causing amusement, ridicule and fear at a half-filled Shere Bangla National Stadium. Sri Lanka first slipped to 67 for 8 in 21.3 overs, after which Thisara Perera put together a proper rescue act and gave the visitors a lifeline, a score of 180 in 40 overs. The home side fell the other way, from 114 for 2 to 167 all out – losing 53 for 8 when they were cruising. It was the latter that had more impact on the result, as Sri Lanka ended up winning by 13 runs in a match shortened by rain to 43 overs. Continue reading →

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Filed under close finsihes, performance, Sangakkara, Sri Lanka Cricket, tower of strength

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R. I. P. Cricket ….. courtesy of Indian hegemony in the ICC

RIPCricket

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February 15, 2014 · 9:03 am
February 15, 2014 · 9:01 am

The ODD Couple: Shikar and Sharma

Starring for India during the Second test Match at Basin Reserve in Wellington. Ishant Sharma walks off as a batsman with Shikar Dhawan in what must be a rare moment!

Ishant Sharma

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February 14, 2014 · 1:45 am

Chaturanga de Silva shines as Sri Lanka A struggle against England

Alex Winter, courtesy of ESPNcricinfo where the title is “Woakes puts Lions in firm control”

chathuranga An earlier display — Chathuranga de Silva raises his bat after reaching his century at day 2 of the 1st Test West Indies-A v Sri Lanka-A at Warner Park St. Kitts.

There are a number of this England Lions squad that have taken a hefty knock from international cricket. Injury, unfortunate selection and underperformance have befallen them. They have all been forced back into cricketing purgatory having been briefly shown through the pearly gates. Chris Woakes has had a double dose. His run of 13 one-day internationals was ended last June and his Test debut in August deterred the selectors from including him in the Ashes party – a decision that one could now argue was a blessing in disguise. Continue reading →

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Filed under performance, player selections, Sri Lanka Cricket, tower of strength, work ethic

February 13, 2014 · 1:59 pm

Greg Chappell: Aussie U19 can learn from defeats in Sri Lanka & Abu Dhabi

Kanishkaa Balachandran in Abu Dhabi, courtesy of ESPNcricinfo

The last ten days, ever since they left home for Sri Lanka and then the UAE, have been difficult for the Australian Under-19 team. The three-time World Cup winners failed to win any of their four games since the start of February, losing 3-0 to Sri Lanka U-19s and conceding their opening warm-up game against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi. Continue reading →

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Filed under Australia Cricket, cricketing icons, performance, Sri Lanka Cricket, Under 19 cricket

February 12, 2014 · 11:59 pm

A Feast of Catches in a Feisty Feast of a match

 

Mohammad Isam courtesy of ESPNcricinfo where the title is “Catches galore in thriller”

NASIR HUSSAIN catches sanga Nasir Hussain takes a stunner– AFP   Continue reading →

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Filed under close finsihes, performance, Sangakkara, Sri Lanka Cricket, T20 Cricket

February 10, 2014 · 10:34 am

Sri Lanka’s Under 19 Squad head for UAE and Youth World Cup

 

 

976289575DI-P12--10-02-(re)-hgw_SI-P Sri Lanka Under-19 squad left the island yesterday to take part  in the Under-19 World Cup which will begin in UAE on Valentine’s Day. Captained by Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka’s Under-19 cricketers took  wings to United Arab Emirates yesterday to take part in the ICC Youth World Cup  that gets underway on Valentine’s Day. Sri Lanka are pooled alongside New  Zealand, West Indies and UAE in Group ‘D’. The Sri Lankans will take on Kiwis in  the curtain-raiser of the competition. Sri Lanka will play two warm-up games against India and Namibia.

KUSAL MENDISSri Lanka squad contains one survivor from the 2012 Under-19  World Cup in Australia in Anuk Fernando. The left-handed all-rounder played only  two matches in the last edition, but has since assumed an important role for the  side with his left-arm seam and his batting down the order.

Hashan Ramanayake, Harsha Rajapaksha and Hashan Vimarshana have  replaced three members of the squad for the Asia Cup, where Sri Lanka lost to  Afghanistan in their group, but recovered to make the semi-finals. They then  lost to eventual champions India.

The team is coached by Naveed Nawaz.

Sri Lanka Under-19 squad: Kusal Mendis (capt), Sadeera  Samarawickrama, Minod Bhanuka, Hashan Dumindu, Kavindu Kulasekara, Priyamal  Perera, Thilaksha Malshan Sumanasiri, Hashan Ramanayake, Binura Fernando, Anuk  Fernando, Hashan Vimarshana, A.K. Tyronne, Lakshan Jayasinghe, Ramesh Mendis and  Harsha Rajapaksha.

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Filed under cricket and life, performance, player selections, Under 19 cricket