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Sri Lanka's WTC Hopes Soar After Dominant New Zealand Series Win

Sri Lanka’s WTC Hopes Soar After Dominant New Zealand Series Win

By September 29, 2024 0

Sri Lanka’s remarkable series victory over New Zealand has ignited hopes of a World Test Championship (WTC) final berth next year. Currently ranked third behind Australia and India, Sri Lanka trails Australia by a mere 6.94 percentage points.

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who has guided Sri Lanka to their best Test year since 2006, remains cautious. “We’re only looking at it from one match to another,” he said. “If you look too far ahead, you can miss out on what’s immediately important.”

Despite their impressive performance, Sri Lanka faces a challenging tour of South Africa in November-December. However, de Silva believes that focusing on the present will ultimately lead to success.

One of the standout performers in the series was Kamindu Mendis, who narrowly missed out on a double century in the first innings. De Silva’s decision to declare with Mendis 18 runs short raised questions, but the captain explained that it was necessary to give Kusal Mendis an opportunity to score a century.

Mendis supported his captain’s decision, acknowledging that the team’s total was already substantial and that batting in the final hour at Galle is challenging.

Another key contributor was debutant Nishan Peiris, who claimed nine wickets with his offspin. De Silva praised Peiris’ ability to keep the economy rate low, which put pressure on New Zealand.

Sri Lanka’s six Test wins this year have propelled them to fifth in the rankings. De Silva attributes this success to the team’s hard work and improved bench strength. “We have got the right team makeup now,” he said. “And now we also have combinations that can work on any surface, both at home and overseas.”

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Sri Lanka Fight Back with Unbroken Century Stand at the Oval

Sri Lanka Fight Back with Unbroken Century Stand at the Oval

By September 7, 2024 0

Sri Lanka’s resilience was on display at the Oval on Saturday as Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis forged an unbroken century partnership to frustrate England on the second day of the third Test.

After a shaky start that saw them collapse to 93 for 5 before tea, the tourists rallied to finish the day at 211-5, trailing England’s first-innings total of 325 by 114 runs.

De Silva, the Sri Lankan captain, remained unbeaten on 64, while Mendis contributed 54 not out in an unbroken stand of 118. Mendis, in particular, has been in exceptional form, boasting a Test batting average of over 85 and passing 50 for the seventh time in six matches.

Sri Lanka’s recovery was aided by a stroke of luck when De Silva was dropped on 23 by Test debutant Josh Hull at mid-on. The ball went through Hull’s hands after a miscue off spinner Shoaib Bashir.

Earlier, an unfortunate mix-up cost Sri Lanka their first wicket as Dimuth Karunaratne was run out for nine due to Olly Stone’s direct hit from short cover following Pathum Nissanka’s ill-advised dash for a single.

Nissanka went on to score an impressive fifty, highlighted by seven boundaries from 40 balls, but the middle-order wobbled soon after. Stone, returning for his second Test in three years, made a significant impact, taking the wicket of veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews for just three runs.

Hull’s first Test wicket, removing a set Nissanka for 64, marked a significant moment in the third Test. England gained momentum, reducing Sri Lanka to 91-4 and subsequently 93-5 after Stone trapped Dinesh Chandimal lbw for zero.

Kamindu Mendis, batting at No. 7, displayed composure during a precarious situation as dark clouds loomed. To counter potential bad light after tea, England deployed spinners from both ends, with Bashir and part-timer Dan Lawrence bowling in tandem.

De Silva responded by late-cutting Lawrence for four to reach his half-century off 81 balls, while Kamindu Mendis reached his fifty in just 60 balls. Joe Root also bowled briefly with his occasional off-breaks before bad light halted play for the day.

By then, Sri Lanka had added 69 runs without losing a wicket in 17 overs of all-spin bowling post-tea.

Earlier in the day, England saw a collapse, losing six wickets for 35 runs after starting at 221-3. Pope, who resumed on 103 not out, had struggled in previous innings. The Sri Lankan pace attack, initially lacking precision, found their rhythm, with fast bowler Milan Rathnayake ending with figures of 3-56 from 13.1 overs.

Left-arm quick Vishwa Fernando dismissed Pope, who scored 126 off 156 balls, including 19 fours and two sixes. Despite his dismissal, Pope’s first-class average on his Surrey home ground remained above 84.

England are aiming for a clean sweep — their first since 2004.

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Sri Lanka's Batting Woes Continue, De Silva Emphasizes Top-Order Runs

Sri Lanka’s Batting Woes Continue, De Silva Emphasizes Top-Order Runs

By September 5, 2024 0

Sri Lanka’s batting woes have been a persistent issue throughout the ongoing Test series against England. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva has emphasized the crucial need for top-order runs, highlighting the team’s inability to reach 350 or have any of their top seven batsmen score a century.

In the first Test, Sri Lanka collapsed to 72 for 5 in the first innings, while in the second Test, they were dismissed for 83 for 5. De Silva believes these early setbacks have been detrimental to their chances of victory.

“Our batters have to score runs, and that’s the biggest issue we’ve had,” de Silva said. “Those who got starts didn’t turn them into hundreds and 150s. If you look at Joe Root on their side, he’s consistently made runs and it’s around him that others made runs. That’s what someone on our side needs to do as well, so we can get to 300 or 350. First-innings runs are what’s crucial to victory.”

Kamindu Mendis has been the only Sri Lankan batsman to make significant contributions on tour, scoring 113 in Manchester and 74 at Lord’s. Despite his impressive form, de Silva has opted to keep him at No. 7 in the batting order.

“I think if Kamindu plays well down there there’s no reason to change what he’s doing and put him in trouble,” de Silva explained. “If he’s scoring there, it’s good for his career as well. In the future, maybe we will talk to him, about his plans as well and see what changes we can make. But right now we’re thinking of him as a No. 7.”

The rest of the Sri Lankan batting order has struggled against England’s seamers, with de Silva attributing this to their discipline and control.

“They [England] have a lot of control in addition to their experience,” de Silva said. “They have great control of line and length and we don’t get many loose balls in England. We need to be prepared for that and our plans have to take that into account. That’s just what you get in England. In the two previous matches they didn’t let us execute our plans. That’s why they were successful.”

Joe Root’s exceptional batting has also contributed to Sri Lanka’s 2-0 deficit in the series. De Silva hopes that his team has devised a plan to surprise Root in the upcoming match.

“It’s not that our plans against him didn’t work – he just very quickly recognised what we were trying to do and countered it,” de Silva said. “That’s what world class players do, and that’s why he scored runs. We’ve hopefully come up with something now that he won’t expect.”

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Sri Lanka's de Silva urges team-mates to seize county cricket opportunities

Sri Lanka’s de Silva urges team-mates to seize county cricket opportunities

By August 28, 2024 0

Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva believes that his team-mates deserve more opportunities to play in county cricket in England. He believes that this would be particularly beneficial for the batters, who would gain valuable experience in English conditions.

Counties have been allowed to field two overseas players in their XI in each format since 2021. However, Sri Lankan players have largely been overlooked, in part due to their touring commitments. Vishwa Fernando is the only member of the 18-man touring party to feature in the Championship this year, playing three matches for Yorkshire.

Dinesh Chandimal has also expressed his desire to play county cricket, but has been unsuccessful in securing a contract. “The last few years, I wanted to get a county deal,” said Chandimal, who has scored 15 Test hundreds. “I didn’t get it so far. If I can do well in this series, hopefully I will be picked by one of the counties. It is my dream to play a season of county cricket.”

De Silva believes that playing in the Championship would be beneficial for Sri Lanka’s batters. “Playing in these conditions will be better for the batsmen,” he said. “We are only getting the chance while we’re touring here. But if the batsmen can play county [cricket], it’ll be nice for them.”

Sri Lanka have a three-month gap in their international schedule after the Champions Trophy, which could allow their Test players to feature in the early stages of the county season. However, Wanindu Hasaranga, who is not part of the Test squad, has been denied No-Objection Certificates by SLC to play in the Hundred.

De Silva said that Sri Lanka have prepared well for the second Test at Lord’s and will make two changes, with Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Kumara replacing Kusal Mendis and Vishwa Fernando. “Overall, Pathum is the best batter in the country at the moment,” said De Silva. “He has a good mindset and he has a good technique.”

He also played down the absence of Mark Wood, suggesting that Chris Woakes had been harder to face. “The speed is not troubling me, but the line and length,” said De Silva. “The opening bowler, he bowls in one area for 20 to 30 balls and that’s the problem we have: with the swinging ball, not the pace… if the plans work here, we’ll get on top.”

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Sri Lanka Recover from Collapse on Opening Day of First Test

Sri Lanka Recover from Collapse on Opening Day of First Test

By August 22, 2024 0

Sri Lanka’s batting lineup faced a dramatic collapse on the opening day of the first Test against England at Old Trafford, losing their first three wickets for no runs in just 10 balls. However, a resilient performance from Dhananjaya de Silva and debutant fast bowler Milan Rathnayake helped the visitors recover to a respectable total of 236 all out.

De Silva, who won the toss and elected to bat, played a captain’s knock, scoring a top-scoring 74. Rathnayake, playing in his first Test match, made a valuable contribution with a gritty 72, his third first-class fifty. The pair forged a crucial eighth-wicket partnership of 63, which helped Sri Lanka regain some momentum after their early setbacks.

England’s bowlers were impressive, with Chris Woakes leading the charge with 3-32 in 11 overs. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir also played a key role, taking 3-55 in 23 overs, including the crucial wicket of De Silva.

Sri Lanka’s initial collapse was a major setback, with Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, and Angelo Mathews all falling cheaply. Kusal Mendis showed some resistance with 24, but he too was dismissed by a superb delivery from Mark Wood.

Despite the early setbacks, De Silva and Rathnayake showed great determination and resilience. De Silva played with authority, hitting 10 fours and a six, while Rathnayake played a more cautious role, but still managed to score at a decent pace.

England’s bowlers were unable to break through the De Silva-Rathnayake partnership until the 72nd over, when Bashir finally dismissed Rathnayake. However, by that time, Sri Lanka had already reached a respectable total and had given themselves a chance to compete in the match.

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Sri Lanka's Pace Trio Captures All 20 Wickets in Historic Test Victory

Sri Lanka’s Pace Trio Captures All 20 Wickets in Historic Test Victory

By March 25, 2024 0

Sri Lanka’s pace trio of Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha etched their names in history by capturing all 20 wickets in the first Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet. This feat, last achieved by Sri Lanka in 1986, was made possible by the green tinge of the pitch, which provided ample pace and bounce.

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva’s decision to field three pacers proved to be a masterstroke, as they exploited the conditions to the fullest. The visitors completed a comprehensive 328-run victory with a day and a half to spare, giving the pace trio much-needed rest ahead of the second Test in Chattogram.

De Silva praised his bowlers for their exceptional use of the new ball and their ability to maintain their shape despite the pitch slowing down. He emphasized the importance of pace bowlers in extracting wickets, especially when the conditions favor them.

The Test also marked a memorable milestone for De Silva himself, who became the first Sri Lankan captain to score twin hundreds in a Test. He and newcomer Kamindu Mendis formed crucial partnerships in both innings, showcasing their patience and skill.

De Silva expressed his satisfaction with Mendis’s performance, highlighting his determination and suitability for the No. 7 role. He also acknowledged the support he receives from experienced leaders in the team, which helps him navigate the challenges of captaincy.

Despite Sri Lanka’s impressive victory, De Silva remains focused on the present and is not preoccupied with the World Test Championship points table. He believes in taking one match at a time and addressing areas for improvement, such as the top-order batting, before the next Test.

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Bangladesh Collapse Leaves Sri Lanka on Cusp of Test Victory

Bangladesh Collapse Leaves Sri Lanka on Cusp of Test Victory

By March 24, 2024 0

Bangladesh’s hopes of salvaging a draw in the second Test against Sri Lanka dwindled on day three in Sylhet as they collapsed to 43 for 5, needing an improbable 464 runs to win.

Sri Lanka’s lower middle order had earlier extended their dominance, with Kamindu Mendis scoring 164 and Dhananjaya de Silva completing his second century of the match. Their 173-run partnership transformed Sri Lanka’s position from a comfortable lead to an utterly dominant one.

Bangladesh’s quicks struggled to make an impact on a pitch that still rewarded high-quality seam bowling. Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha shared the wickets, but it was Vishwa who impressed with his movement through the air and late swing.

Bangladesh’s batting implosion began with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s reckless dismissal, throwing his bat at a wide delivery. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shahadat Hossain also fell cheaply to Vishwa’s accurate bowling.

Litton Das’s dismissal was the most frustrating for Bangladesh. After keeping wicket all day, he ran down the track and hoicked a delivery from Kumara straight to cover.

Sri Lanka’s quicks maintained their discipline, bowling testing lines and exploiting the pitch’s bounce and pace. Bangladesh’s spinners were unable to find purchase off the wicket, and the hosts’ batting lineup crumbled under the pressure.

With just five wickets remaining and two scheduled days of play left, Sri Lanka are on the brink of a comprehensive victory. Rain is forecast for Monday afternoon, but the weather in Sylhet is otherwise conducive for cricket.

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Sri Lanka's Mendis and De Silva Rescue Team with Epic 200-Run Stand

Sri Lanka’s Mendis and De Silva Rescue Team with Epic 200-Run Stand

By March 22, 2024 0

Sri Lanka’s Test newcomers Kamindu Mendis and captain Dhananjaya de Silva defied Bangladesh’s fast bowlers to forge a remarkable 200-run partnership, rescuing their team from a precarious position.

After losing five wickets for just 57 runs, Sri Lanka’s hopes seemed bleak. However, Mendis and de Silva stepped up to the plate, becoming only the second Sri Lanka pair to add a 200-run stand after losing five wickets for less than 60.

Mendis, playing in just his second Test, showed maturity beyond his years. Despite being dropped on the first ball of his innings, he counter-attacked with a flurry of drives and sixes. De Silva, on the other hand, played a more measured innings, using the fast bowlers’ pace and bounce to his advantage.

Together, they weathered the storm and gradually rebuilt Sri Lanka’s innings. Mendis reached his maiden Test century first, while de Silva followed suit in the same over. Their partnership not only stabilized Sri Lanka’s position but also put Bangladesh’s bowlers under immense pressure.

Mendis’s aggressive approach kept the scoreboard ticking over, while de Silva’s experience and composure provided the necessary stability. They both played with a positive mindset, taking advantage of any loose deliveries.

Mendis’s performance was particularly impressive, as he replaced Sadeera Samarawickrama in the Sri Lanka XI and may have earned a permanent spot in the team. His ability to handle pressure and score quickly under difficult circumstances has caught the attention of the selectors.

The 200-run partnership between Mendis and de Silva was a testament to their skill, determination, and resilience. It not only saved Sri Lanka from a potential collapse but also gave them a solid foundation to build on in the second innings.

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