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Sri Lanka too good for Bangladesh

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Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh 2024 (Second Test)

Sri Lanka secured a dominant win over Bangladesh in the second Test match, claiming a convincing 192-run victory to complete the series sweep 2-0 in Chittagong on Wednesday.

Lahiru Kumara, the fast bowler, was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, taking 4-50 and dismissing the final batsman, Khaled Ahmed, to secure the win for his team before lunch on the fifth day.

Bangladesh, facing a challenging target of 511 runs in their second innings, struggled and could only add 50 runs to their overnight score of 268-7.

Despite Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s brave effort with an unbeaten 81, Bangladesh fell to Sri Lanka’s strong bowling attack. Mehidy reached his fifty off 68 balls with some aggressive strokes, but the dismissal of Taijul Islam for 14 further diminished Bangladesh’s chances of a comeback.

Kamindu Mendis, who excelled with the bat in the first innings with an unbeaten 92, was named the Man of the Match for his all-round performance and also received the Player of the Series award for his centuries in both innings of the first Test.

The Sri Lankan fast bowlers were in complete control throughout the proceedings, taking a staggering 33 out of the 40 wickets that fell for Bangladesh. This remarkable feat is even more impressive considering the traditionally spin-friendly pitches in Bangladesh.

Earlier In the second innings, Angelo Mathews (56) emerged as the highest scorer, while his partnership of 43 runs with Prabath Jayasuriya provided some respite to the team.

However, due to the substantial lead of 353 runs in the first innings, Sri Lanka never faced any significant pressure. Eventually, they declared at 157-7, leaving Bangladesh with a colossal target of 511 runs.

Although the hosts displayed a stronger resistance in the fourth innings, several batsmen failed to capitalize on their starts, resulting in wasted opportunities.

Reflecting on the victory of Sri Lanka, captain Dhananjaya de Silva commended the collective effort of his team. He mentioned that the bowlers executed their basics effectively on this pitch, while the batters also fulfilled their responsibilities.

“The bowlers did their basics on this wicket and the batters did their job as well. The batters were a bit disappointed about not getting runs in the first Test, but we have experienced players. I was confident they would get runs. There wasn’t a lot of spin on offer. So I thought about reverse swing as a way to get wickets. The pacers were really on the spot.”

Meanwhile Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto conveyed his dissatisfaction with his team’s batting displays and stressed the importance of self-reflection.

“Our batting performances have been lacking in converting good starts into substantial scores. This is a matter that requires careful consideration. It is crucial that when a player gets settled, they capitalize on it by scoring big. Engaging in more first-class cricket is essential for our improvement,” he remarked.

This was Sri Lanka’s last international series ahead of the T20I world cup 2024 in June.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 531 and 157-7 decl. (Angelo Mathews 56; Hasan Mahmud 4-65) beat Bangladesh178 and 318 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 81, Mominul Haque 50; Lahiru Kumara 4-50) by 192 runs

Cricket

Sri Lanka Cricket to name a women’s cricket tournament under late ‘Gwen Herat.’

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Sri Lanka Cricket decided to dedicate the ‘Major Club Women’s 50-Over Tournament’ in memory of the late Gwen Herat, the founding president of the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Association.

This decision has been made in recognition of the outstanding service rendered by Mrs. Herat towards the founding of Women’s Cricket Association in the country.

It was under her leadership that the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Association was established in 1997, where she served as its founding president.

Accordingly, in memory of her from 2026 onwards, the Major Club Women’s 50-Over
Tournament will be named the Gwen Herat Memorial Trophy.

“The significant role played by the late Mrs. Gwen Herat in laying the foundation for women’s cricket is well remembered by the cricketing fraternity. By naming a tournament in her honor, Sri Lanka Cricket aims to preserve her legacy for future generations,” said Mr. Bandula
Dissanayake.

Marking this significant initiative, the family of Mrs. Gwen Herat presented a trophy to Sri Lanka Cricket, which will be awarded to the champions of future editions of the tournament.
The handover was carried out by Mrs. Herat’s family members, including her daughters, Shamarra Herat and Parveen Herat, and her son, Avancka Herat.

The Gwen Herat Memorial Trophy was officially handed over to Mr. Bandula Dissanayake, Honorary Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket, in the presence of Mr. Ashley de Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket, and distinguished guests Mr. Chandra Schaffter and Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya.

Mr. Chinthaka Edirimanne, Head of National Cricket Operations, and Mr. Upul Nawaratne
Bandara, Head of Marketing at SLC, also were present at the ceremony, which took place at SLC last week.

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Cricket

Leadership Change Looms at Sri Lanka Cricket

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Sri Lanka Cricket could be on the verge of a major leadership shake-up, with reports suggesting that President Shammi Silva is expected to resign from his post on Wednesday, potentially ending a seven-year tenure at the helm of the governing body.

According to a report published by Daily Mirror, Silva’s anticipated resignation follows a request from the government, signaling possible political involvement in the administration of the sport.

The report further indicates that former Member of Parliament and State Minister Eran Wickramaratne is likely to be appointed as the Interim President of Sri Lanka Cricket, should Silva step down as expected.

Silva, who was first elected to the position in February 2019, has maintained his leadership through multiple election victories, overseeing Sri Lanka Cricket during a period marked by both challenges and transitions.

While no official confirmation has yet been issued, the reported developments have already sparked widespread discussion within cricketing and political circles, raising questions about the future direction of the country’s cricket administration.

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Athletics

Tharanga Claims Historic Gold in Nairobi with Record-Breaking Throw

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Sri Lanka’s rising javelin sensation Rumesh Tharanga delivered a remarkable performance on the international stage, clinching gold at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi with a stunning meet record throw of 89.28 metres.

Competing against an elite field, Tharanga outshone some of the sport’s biggest names, including Olympic champion Thomas Röhler and Kenya’s celebrated Olympic silver medallist and world champion Julius Yego. His victory marks one of the most significant achievements in Sri Lankan athletics in recent years.

The triumph is further highlighted by Tharanga’s consistency, as this is his second throw exceeding 89 metres within a month. Such performances signal his growing dominance and position him firmly among the world’s top javelin throwers this season.

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