Chasing yet another big target both Dilshan and Upul Tharanga got about their business in similar fashion to that of Rajkot just three days ago. Dilshan and his partner Tharanga tore into the Indian attack by cutting, pulling and executing great drives down the ground with great timing .The fifty came up in the seventh over with the Indian captain having no answer in stopping the run feast enjoyed by the dominating willows of the Sri Lankan openers. With no choice left, Dhoni brought in his trump card Harbajan in the eight over with the power play overs in progress. Dilshan like his IPL counterpart Sehwag sets up bowlers, not the other way round where bowlers set up batsman. Dilshan… Read More →

Sri Lanka team management in India revealed to srilankacricket.lk that Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal and offspinner Suraj Randiv are set to make their international debuts this afternoon at Nagpur for the 2nd ODI. Lakmal has earned a place in the side after he joined the team party upon injury to fellow fast bowler Dilhara Fernando. Known for his extra pace and bounce, the management has called upon him to topple the robust Indian top order. Randiv, a genuine offspinner has impressed the tour selectors with his ability to land his offspinners on the seam a trait mastered by Harbajhan Singh. This attribute is seen as a key element to succeed in docile Indian wickets with the additional bounce such a… Read More →

At Rajkot last Tuesday Sri Lanka proved to the Cricket world that they are second to none, despite having to bowl on yet another Indian belter. Speaking to some of our bowlers now on tour in India, they state the obvious, “The pitches are a bowler’s night mare”. Kumar Sangakkara endorsed these views during the presentation ceremony; at Rajkot, of course he phrased it more diplomatically. Sad that Sri Lanka fell short by just three runs, as they lost wickets during the run of play. Many views come in from all quarters when a game is concluded in close contention. One of them, conveyed to us by an ardent fan was worth penning down. The depth overs bowled by Ashis… Read More →

Uncapped Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal is due to take wing to India tonight to join the Sri Lankan squad as cover for injured Dilhara Fernando. 22 year old Lakmal who represents Tamil Union is considered as one of the fastest bowlers in the country.

Fast Bowler Dilhara Fernando has fractured his thumb and is ruled out for 4-6 weeks according to team physio Tommy Simsek. Team management has requested cover for Dilhara and a replacement will be announced shortly. Yesterday, off spinners Muthumudalige Pushpakumara and Suraj Randiv flew to India as replacements for Murali, after the latter was released from the National squad upon completion of yesterday’s ODI in Rajkot. Please stay tuned for further updates.

Sri Lanka in pursuit of a big target of 415 to win the curtain raiser in the five matches one day series against India, got off to a positive start with Dilshan and Upul Tharanga scoring 130 runs in the bowling power play scoring even  better than the hosts, who made 107 in the first 15 overs. Both Dilshan and Upul Tharanga played some exquisite strokes after Upul Thranga was given a life by Virat Kohli at back ward of point off Praveen Kumar when the left hander was batting on 10.  Dilshan was in the sehwag mode, scoring at will, dispatching the Indian fast bowlers namely Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar and Ashis Nehra to all parts of the park…. Read More →

Off spinner Muthiah Muralidaran has been ruled out of the 1st ODI being played at Rajkot due to the non recovery of his injury sustained during the 3rd Test match. It is confirmed that the Team Management will release Murali from the rest of the ODI’s in order for him recover from the injury fully. In the advent of his release, Off spinning allrounder Muthumudhalige Pushpakumara will be flown in as cover subjected to Sports Ministry ratification. Sri Lankan team physio Tommy Simsek is of the view that continuous bowling might aggravate his sprain and sufficient rest would speed up the recovery process of his right hand middle finger.

Madhavrao scinda cricket ground at Rajkot has been a happy hunting venue for Yuvraj Singh who has made 246 runs in four outings with two big scores to his credit. The left hander made 79 in the 6th ODI back in 2005, to guide India to a 7 wicket win against Sri Lanka. Thillekeratne Dilshan batting lower down the order, in yester year has fond memories at Rajkot. In 2005 Dilshan made 59 against the hosts and followed up his liking for this venue yet again in 2006/2007, in the second ODI. Dilshan  batted alongside Kumar Sangakkara and  put on a match winning partnership of 108 runs for the 5th wicket, to resurrect Sri Lanka from a hopeless position, in… Read More →

It is no doubt that coaching is the core function of the national cricket operation which determines the success of our cricketers by far. Sri Lanka Cricket is indeed privileged to have a very resourceful and professional battery of coaches that comprises expatriate as well as local coaches with highest stature. Significantly, our livewire coaching outfit has been equal to the task in no uncertain terms with sheer hard work and commitment. Mostly, our coaches are highly result oriented and would never compromise on quality of coaching which is the secret behind their success so far. While coaches are geared up to take the game to the sublime international standards, Sri Lanka Cricket on the other hand embarked on a… Read More →

ICC communication cum spokesperson, James Fitzgerald and ICC chief Curator Andy Atkinson held a press briefing this morning to explain to the local media, their views on the three venues earmarked by Sri Lanka to host world cup 2011. Sri Lanka as co- hosts of world cup 2011, alongside India and Bangladesh will play host to 12 world cup games, inclusive of a semi final. Two new venues are being constructed by Sri Lanka cricket, while well seasoned R.Premadasa Stadium is being refurbished to a state of the Art venue with a brand new media box. The two new venues, now under construction, namely Pallekele and Sooriyawewa will be second to none in the world. The former is in the… Read More →

The 2nd ODI Match between Sri Lanka and India which was slated to be held at Vishakapatnam on 18th December has now been shifted to Nagpur. BCCI Secretary, Mr.N.Srinivasan stated that the decision was taken due to the prevailing situation in that region. It will be a Day Night encounter.

This script would have been different had Jayasuriya held onto a running catch at mid on when Sehwag was on 14. Indian Skipper MS Dhoni was given a life when batting on 1 by Kapugedera who made an ash of the opportunity at deep mid wicket. India would have struggled had Thilakaratne Dilshan not let birthday boy Yuvraj Singh off the hook when he let one pass off his chest, at long on, when the south paw was on 40. Run out opportunities were missed by the bushel due to lack of direction, hence the visitors paid the price, after scoring a match winning 207 for 6 wickets at Mohali yesterday. The hosts were also very generous towards their visitors… Read More →

2nd T20 India vs Sri Lanka.

National Fast bowling coach share his thoughts with Brian Thomas.

The visitors were awesome at Nagpur on Wednesday when they beat the home team comprehensively by 29 runs. India no doubt will come back strongly to level the two match T20 series.

Sri Lanka under19 team will tour South Africa to play in a triangular series against South Africa and India under19s. We append below the match schedule, inclusive of the warm up games.