Stokes' Doppelganger Steals the Show at England vs Sri Lanka Test

Stokes’ Doppelganger Steals the Show at England vs Sri Lanka Test

Ben Stokes’ Doppelganger Makes a Grand Re-Appearance at England vs Sri Lanka Test

The ongoing England vs Sri Lanka first Test in Manchester witnessed a delightful spectacle on Friday as Ben Stokes’ doppelganger made a grand re-appearance, much to the amusement of the England skipper and the crowd.

In his latest guise, Stokes’ doppelganger showcased his Test jersey during the second session on Day 3, leaving the Old Trafford crowd in awe. The Stokes look-alike first gained prominence during the second Test between England and West Indies in Nottingham last month.

Upon being spotted and displayed on the giant screen, Stokes was seen giving a thumbs-up to his doppelganger. The doppelganger then revealed his Test jersey, emblazoned with ‘no.55 and Stokesy,’ eliciting cheers and smiles from all corners of the stadium.

The re-emergence of Stokes’ doppelganger brought a touch of lightheartedness to an otherwise somber occasion. The England captain was recently ruled out for the rest of the season due to a torn hamstring. The 33-year-old all-rounder sustained the injury while batting for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred on Sunday.

Vice-captain Ollie Pope has taken over as Test skipper for the three-match series against Sri Lanka. Despite his absence, Stokes’ doppelganger ensured that his presence was felt at Old Trafford, providing a moment of joy and camaraderie amidst the competitive atmosphere.

Sri Lanka's Samarawickrama Replaces Lanning at Trinbago Knight Riders in WCPL

Sri Lanka’s Samarawickrama Replaces Lanning at Trinbago Knight Riders in WCPL

Sri Lanka’s rising star Harshitha Samarawickrama has been signed by Trinbago Knight Riders as a replacement for injured Australian captain Meg Lanning in the upcoming Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2024.

Samarawickrama, a left-handed top-order batter, has been in impressive form for Sri Lanka, earning the Player of the Final award in their maiden Women’s Asia Cup title win in 2024. She has also scored back-to-back fifties in the T20I series against Ireland and became the third Sri Lankan woman to hit an ODI century.

With 1463 runs in 65 T20Is at a strike rate of 99.72, Samarawickrama is a valuable addition to the Knight Riders squad. She joins Shikha Pandey, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Jess Jonassen as the other overseas players for the team.

Lanning, who recently led London Spirit to victory in the Hundred, was forced to withdraw from the WCPL due to an injury. She had a lean run of scores in the Hundred, with 170 runs in ten innings at a strike rate of 125.

The Knight Riders will begin their WCPL 2024 campaign against Barbados Royals in Tarouba on Thursday. With Samarawickrama’s inclusion, they will be hoping to make a strong start to the tournament and challenge for the title.

England Announce Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series, Pope to Captain

England Announce Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series, Pope to Captain

England’s Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka has been announced, with several notable changes. Fast bowler Matthew Potts has been recalled to the team, while Ollie Pope will take over as captain in the absence of Ben Stokes.

Stokes, who has been a key figure in England’s recent resurgence under coach Brendon McCullum, is set to miss the entire series due to a hamstring injury sustained during the Hundred. His absence will be a significant blow to the team, as he has been a driving force behind their aggressive “Bazball” approach.

Pope, who has only captained Surrey in one first-class match, will now lead the side. The 25-year-old is a talented batsman who has been in good form for England in recent months. However, he will have a tough task on his hands, as Sri Lanka are a dangerous team, especially in their own conditions.

Potts, who has impressed for Durham in the County Championship this season, has been recalled to the Test squad for the first time since making his debut against Australia in 2022. The 24-year-old is a promising young bowler who could add some much-needed pace to England’s attack.

Other players who have been given a chance to prove themselves in Stokes’s absence include batter Harry Brook and all-rounder Jamie Overton. Brook has been in excellent form for Yorkshire in the County Championship, while Overton has impressed for Somerset.

England will be hoping to start the series well at Old Trafford, where they have a good record. However, Sri Lanka will be no pushovers, and they will be looking to make a statement against a weakened England side.

Sri Lanka Women Seal Consolation Win in Final ODI Against Ireland

Sri Lanka Women Seal Consolation Win in Final ODI Against Ireland

Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team ended their tour of Ireland on a high note, securing an eight-wicket victory in the third and final ODI in Belfast. The win was set up by a dominant bowling performance led by Achini Kulasuriya, who claimed three wickets in the opening overs.

Ireland, who had already clinched the series 2-0, were sent into bat after Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss. Kulasuriya struck with the first two balls of the innings, dismissing Sarah Forbes and Amy Hunter for ducks. Orla Prendergast, the Ireland captain, also fell cheaply to Kulasuriya, leaving the hosts reeling at 10 for 3.

Inoshi Priyadharshani and Amy Kanchana chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Ireland were reduced to 28 for 5 in the 15th over. A fightback was led by Leah Paul and Arlene Kelly, who added 36 runs between them. However, Paul was eventually dismissed by Sachini Nisansala for 19, and a flurry of wickets followed.

Canning became Athapaththu’s first wicket, Kelly the second, and between them Athapaththu and Nisansala finished the innings off. Priyadharshini returned remarkable figures of 10-5-7-1, the second-most miserly ODI spell by a Sri Lanka woman cricketer.

In reply, Sri Lanka’s openers Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne put on a 32-run stand. Athapaththu then combined with Harshitha Samarawickrama for a 62-run partnership, taking Sri Lanka to 94 with 32 overs remaining.

Athapaththu’s 48 came off 49 balls and included ten fours. Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 48, hitting seven fours of her own. Kavisha Dilhari contributed 10 not out as Sri Lanka reached their target in 23.1 overs.

The win was a consolation for Sri Lanka, who had lost the first two ODIs and the two-match T20I series 1-1.

England's 'Bazball' Era Faces Test Without Stokes

England’s ‘Bazball’ Era Faces Test Without Stokes

England’s Test series against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, commencing Wednesday, presents an opportunity for several players to prove their worth in the absence of injured captain Ben Stokes. Stokes’ hamstring injury has ruled him out of the three-match contest, leaving England without their inspirational leader for the first time since the inception of the dynamic “Bazball” era under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

Ollie Pope, England’s vice-captain, will assume the captaincy despite having led Surrey in only one first-class match. The team announced on Monday that fast bowler Matthew Potts has been recalled, bolstering their attack to five bowlers.

Dan Lawrence, rarely deployed as an opener in county cricket, returns to the England side after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, filling the vacancy created by Zak Crawley’s fractured finger. Crawley sustained the injury during England’s 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies last month.

England is expected to achieve a similar result against Sri Lanka, who, like the West Indies, have played only one warm-up match before the first Test. However, England’s approach under McCullum has often defied conventional cricket wisdom, so it is unsurprising that they have opted against replacing Crawley with a specialist opener.

Lawrence himself believes his aggressive style aligns well with the current England setup. “I think that’s the style of cricketer that Baz McCullum and Ben Stokes are generally after,” Lawrence said. “I’m just going to go out there and try to be as free as possible.”

Sri Lanka, while lacking the star power of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, boasts experienced performers in Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne. Dhananjaya de Silva’s side will also benefit from the guidance of interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya, a Sri Lankan great, and former England batsman Ian Bell, who provides local knowledge.

Sri Lanka’s last Test match was in April, but they recently upset India in a three-match one-day international series. Jayasuriya believes the timing of the current campaign could favor Sri Lanka. “The fact that we have got a late-summer tour is great,” he said. “It’s more similar to our conditions than the early summer tours.”

Matthew Potts Replaces Ben Stokes in England XI for Sri Lanka Test

Matthew Potts Replaces Ben Stokes in England XI for Sri Lanka Test

Matthew Potts has been named as Ben Stokes’ replacement in the XI for England’s first Test against Sri Lanka, with Harry Brook stepping into the vice-captaincy role for the series to assist stand-in captain Ollie Pope.

Potts, who earned the last of his six Test caps in the one-off Test against Ireland last summer, has been given the nod ahead of fellow quick Olly Stone and uncapped batter Jordan Cox after Stokes was ruled out of the rest of the summer with a hamstring injury sustained during the Men’s Hundred.

The 25-year-old Potts is a team-mate of Stokes for both Durham and Northern Superchargers, and will slot in at No.9 for the fixture at Emirates Old Trafford, which begins on Wednesday. That means promotions up the order for Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, and Gus Atkinson, who will occupy six, seven, and eight, respectively.

While not quite an allrounder, Potts is a handy lower-order batter, as showcased by an unbeaten 149 against Warwickshire earlier this season, which was his maiden first-class century. Nevertheless, the selection adds to the peculiar nature of the XI, which also features Dan Lawrence as opener following Zak Crawley’s finger injury sustained during the last Test against West Indies.

The England team for the first Test against Sri Lanka is as follows:

1. Dan Lawrence
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope (capt)
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Jamie Smith (wk)
7. Chris Woakes
8. Gus Atkinson
9. Matthew Potts
10. Mark Wood
11. Shoaib Bashir

Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella Suspended Indefinitely for Doping Violation

Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella Suspended Indefinitely for Doping Violation

Sri Lanka’s wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has been indefinitely suspended from all forms of cricket after failing a doping test during the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The suspension, effective immediately, was announced by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) following an investigation by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA).

Dickwella, 31, had captained Galle Marvels in the LPL and was recently recalled to the national team for the T20I series against Bangladesh. However, he did not play in any of the matches.

The suspension stems from a positive doping test conducted during the LPL, which is part of SLC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport. SLC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and SLADA, conducts random doping tests during domestic tournaments to prevent anti-doping violations.

Dickwella has a history of disciplinary issues, including a ban for breaching bio-bubble protocols in 2021. Despite his talent, his off-field lifestyle has often overshadowed his performances on the field.

The suspension is a significant blow to Sri Lanka’s cricket team, as Dickwella has been a key player in all formats. He has scored 2757 runs in Tests, 1604 in ODIs, and 480 in T20Is.

SLC has stated that the suspension will remain in place until further notice, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to anti-doping regulations and maintaining the integrity of the sport.

Sydney Thunder Secure Chamari Athapaththu for Three Seasons

Sydney Thunder Secure Chamari Athapaththu for Three Seasons

Sydney Thunder has secured the services of Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu for the next three seasons, making her the first player to sign a multi-year contract under the WBBL’s new rules. Athapaththu, who played for Thunder last season as an undrafted player, impressed with her all-round abilities, finishing as the Player of the Tournament.

Athapaththu’s signing is a significant coup for Thunder, who believe she can help them challenge for their first WBBL title. The 33-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful players in women’s cricket, having captained Sri Lanka to the 2022 Asia Cup title. She is also a prolific run-scorer and a dangerous bowler, making her a valuable asset to any team.

“Committing to Sydney Thunder for the next three seasons was an easy decision because I believe in the vision of this club, and I want to be part of its future success,” Athapaththu said. “There’s so much to love about my Sydney Thunder family. My team-mates are not just colleagues; they are friends who push each other to be better every day, [which] is important to me. Western Sydney is the heart and soul of Sydney Thunder and representing such a diverse and vibrant community is a privilege to have. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead.”

Thunder general manager Trent Copeland is delighted to have secured Athapaththu’s services for the long term. “Chamari is obviously an exceptional cricket player, but she is also an exceptional human being who is team first and fan first,” Copeland said. “We know other teams were interested in signing her, but we made every effort to ensure she came back. To see the way she embraced and engaged with our members and fans last summer was something pretty special and on the field she had one of the WBBL’s great seasons.”

Athapaththu has had stints in the WBBL previously with Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers. Last season, after not being selected in the draft, she was added to the Thunder squad as cover for their three overseas players. She quickly became a key player for Thunder, scoring 552 runs at an average of 42.46 and taking nine wickets.

Thunder open their 2024-25 campaign against Hobart Hurricanes on October 28. With Athapaththu in their ranks, they will be confident of making a strong challenge for the title.

Gaby Lewis Century Powers Ireland to Thrilling T20I Win Over Sri Lanka

Gaby Lewis Century Powers Ireland to Thrilling T20I Win Over Sri Lanka

Ireland’s Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast starred in a thrilling seven-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I in Dublin, leveling the two-match series 1-1.

Lewis, who had scored a century in the first T20I, continued her impressive form with a smashing 119 off 75 balls. She found an able ally in Prendergast, who contributed 38 off 31 balls. The duo shared a 119-run partnership for the second wicket, laying the foundation for Ireland’s competitive total of 173 for 3.

Lewis reached her fifty off 40 balls and accelerated her scoring rate thereafter. She struck 17 fours and two sixes in her innings, including three fours in the final over. Prendergast provided valuable support, hitting back-to-back fours in the 12th over and keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a shaky start with the early loss of Vishmi Gunaratne. However, Harshitha Samarawickrama threatened to repeat her heroics from the first T20I, striking two fours in the first over and a six off Jane Maguire.

Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari put on a 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt. But Maguire’s dismissal of Samarawickrama for 65 off 44 balls proved to be a turning point.

Dilhari continued to find the boundaries, but Sri Lanka lost wickets at the other end. They needed 22 off the last two overs and 16 off six. Dilhari struck a six in the final over to reach her fifty, but with eight needed off two, she failed to connect cleanly, allowing Ireland to level the series.

Former England Batter Ian Bell Appointed Sri Lanka's Batting Coach for England Tour

Former England Batter Ian Bell Appointed Sri Lanka’s Batting Coach for England Tour

Ian Bell, the former England batter, has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s batting coach for their upcoming tour of England. The tour will feature three Tests, commencing on August 21st. Bell’s role will commence on August 16th and continue until the conclusion of the series.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) CEO Ashley De Silva expressed the rationale behind Bell’s appointment: “We appointed Ian to bring in a person with local knowledge to help the players with key insights on the conditions there. Ian has a wealth of experience playing in England, and we believe his inputs will be invaluable to our team during this crucial tour.”

Since retiring from playing in 2020, Bell has accumulated extensive coaching experience. He has served as batting coach for the England men’s U-19 and England Lions teams, assistant coach at Hobart Hurricanes, consultant batting coach at Derbyshire, and assistant coach of the New Zealand men’s side ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Most recently, he held the position of assistant coach at Melbourne Renegades in the BBL and is currently the coach of the Birmingham Phoenix side in the Men’s Hundred.

England batter Jamie Smith, who works with Bell at Phoenix, shared his thoughts on the appointment: “He’s reminded me a few times that he’s going to be in the opposite camp in this series.”

Sri Lanka will be hoping that Bell’s expertise will guide them to their first Test series victory in England since 2014. The team, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, will face England in three Tests: Manchester (August 21-25), Lord’s (August 29-September 2), and the Oval (September 6-10).

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