Cricket
Charith Asalanka Stars in Sri Lanka’s Dramatic ODI Victory Over Australia
Sri Lanka secured a stunning 49-run win over Australia in the first ODI of their series, defending a modest total of 214 runs—the second-lowest total ever defended against Australia in men’s ODIs since 2005. Charith Asalanka played a match-winning role, scoring a brilliant 127 runs off 126 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to an unexpected victory in Colombo.
Asalanka’s Heroic Century Leads Sri Lanka
After Sri Lanka was reduced to 135 for 8, Asalanka took charge, delivering a match-defining knock. He formed a crucial 79-run partnership with Eshan Malinga for the ninth wicket, with Malinga contributing just 1 run off 26 balls. Asalanka’s 127 runs accounted for over 59% of Sri Lanka’s total runs, marking one of the highest individual contributions in Sri Lanka’s ODI history.
Australia’s Struggles in the Chase
Australia, missing key players such as Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Glenn Maxwell, started their chase poorly, losing four wickets in the first ten overs. Matt Short was dismissed for a duck, and Jake Fraser-McGurk fell cheaply. Despite Alex Carey and Marnus Labuschagne attempting to rebuild the innings, Australia collapsed to 85 for 6, giving Sri Lanka a strong grip on the match.
Sri Lanka’s Bowlers Dominate
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Maheesh Theekshana (4/40), were exceptional in dismantling Australia’s top order. Asitha Fernando and Dunith Wellalage provided crucial breakthroughs, ensuring Australia never found their rhythm. Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott showed resistance, but their efforts weren’t enough to chase down the target.
Asalanka’s Contribution in Context
Asalanka’s 127 runs were not only the second-highest score by a Sri Lankan batter against Australia in ODIs but also marked his fourth career century in the format. His knock was a blend of patience and aggression, with aggressive shots coming at crucial moments to shift the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor.
Australia’s Seam Attack
Australia’s seam-heavy attack, led by Abbott, Hardie, and Spencer Johnson, initially troubled Sri Lanka’s top order, especially in the humid conditions of Colombo. However, Asalanka’s dominance with the bat turned the match in Sri Lanka’s favor, despite strong spells from the Australian bowlers.
Sri Lanka’s Resilience
Sri Lanka’s 214 runs were initially thought to be insufficient, but a disciplined bowling performance ensured they defended the total successfully. Asalanka’s leadership and resilience with the bat, coupled with the bowlers’ sharp performance, guided Sri Lanka to an unexpected ODI win over a weakened Australian side.
Key Highlights:
- Charith Asalanka scores a match-winning 127 runs.
- Sri Lanka defends 214 runs to beat Australia by 49 runs.
- Maheesh Theekshana claims 4 wickets, while Asitha Fernando and Dunith Wellalage also contribute crucial breakthroughs.
- Australia crumbles to 165 all out, with Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott making late resistance.
Sri Lanka’s 49-run victory over Australia is a significant achievement, continuing their strong ODI form and showing their fighting spirit despite not qualifying for the Champions Trophy. This victory marks Sri Lanka’s 8th win in their last 12 ODIs, showcasing a promising future for the team.
June 11, Lord’s – ICC World Test Championship Final
The much-anticipated ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 kicked off at Lord’s with South Africa taking early control by reducing Australia to 67/4 at lunch on Day 1.
After winning the toss and electing to field first under overcast conditions, South Africa’s pace attack made immediate inroads into Australia’s top order. Marco Jansen was the pick of the bowlers in the opening session, claiming 2 wickets for 27 runs in 7.2 overs. Wiaan Mulder offered excellent support, keeping things tight with 3 maidens in his 6-over spell.
Australia Struggle Under Pressure
Veteran batter Steve Smith remained at the crease with a fighting 26 off 51 balls, trying to anchor the innings after early setbacks. He will be joined by Travis Head (11*) as Australia looks to rebuild post-lunch.
Current Score: Australia 67/4 (23.2 overs)
Fall of Wickets: 67/4
Session: Day 1 – Lunch
World Test Championship 2023–25 Standings (Before Final)
| Pos | Team | Pld | Pts | PCT (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 12 | 100 | 69.44 |
| 2 | Australia | 19 | 154 | 67.54 |
| 3 | India | 19 | 114 | 50.00 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 81 | 48.21 |
| 5 | England | 22 | 114 | 43.18 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 13 | 60 | 38.46 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 12 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 8 | West Indies | 13 | 44 | 28.21 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 14 | 47 | 27.98 |
Top 2 teams qualify for the final. Teams are ranked by percentage of points won. Points deductions apply for slow over rates.
Top Performers This Cycle
Batting Leaders:
- Joe Root (ENG) – 1,968 runs | Avg: 54.66 (40 innings)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND) – 1,798 runs | Avg: 52.88 (36 innings)
- Ben Duckett (ENG) – [Stats not fully available]
Bowling Leaders:
- Jasprit Bumrah (IND) – 77 wickets | Avg: 15.09 (28 innings)
- Pat Cummins (AUS) – 73 wickets | Avg: 24.54 (33 innings)
- Mitchell Starc (AUS) – 72 wickets | Avg: 27.27 (35 innings)
Sri Lanka’s Position
Sri Lanka sits at 6th on the table with 60 points from 13 matches and a 38.46% win rate. With one more cycle ahead before the next WTC final in 2027, the Lions have plenty to play for as they look to rise up the rankings.
Cricket
KSCA Officials Resign Over Chinnaswamy Stampede; RCB Faces FIR in Tragic Victory Celebration Fallout
In a tragic turn of events following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL 2025 title win, a deadly stampede at the celebratory event held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and injured several others. The aftermath has sparked controversy and accountability issues, leading to major resignations and legal action.
Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam resigned on Friday, citing “moral responsibility” for the incident. Their resignations were submitted to KSCA president Raghuram Bhat, as questions mount over mismanagement and negligence at the overcrowded venue.
The Bengaluru Police have filed an FIR listing RCB, DNA Entertainment (event partner), and KSCA as accused parties. Police confirmed that the event had not been granted official permission. In a swift move, Nikhil Sosale, RCB’s head of marketing and revenue, was arrested—raising further scrutiny over organizational lapses.
KSCA has filed a writ petition calling the FIR a “knee-jerk” reaction under political pressure. They argued that crowd control and gate management were the responsibilities of RCB and the event organizers, not KSCA.
RCB has announced INR 10 lakh compensation for each victim and committed to covering all medical expenses of the injured. However, the franchise has yet to make a comprehensive public statement.
This incident raises serious concerns about sports event management and safety standards, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a moment of celebration in Indian cricket
Cricket
Sachithra Senanayake Indicted in Landmark Match-Fixing Case Under Sri Lanka’s Anti-Corruption Law
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake has been formally indicted before the Hambantota High Court, marking a historic first in Sri Lanka’s efforts to criminalize corruption in sports. The charges stem from an alleged match-fixing attempt during the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL), making Senanayake the first player to face prosecution under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019.
Senanayake, currently out on bail, is accused of attempting to influence Colombo Kings player Tharindu Ratnayake to underperform during the tournament. The incident reportedly occurred via a WhatsApp message, which was later flagged by a local anti-corruption officer, prompting an official investigation in 2020.
The case falls under the landmark legislation introduced in 2019 by then Sports Minister Harin Fernando, which criminalizes match-fixing and related offenses in the country. If convicted, Senanayake could face a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine reaching Rs. 100 million, or both.
The indictment signals a serious shift in Sri Lanka’s approach to tackling corruption in sports. Authorities hope this high-profile case will serve as a strong deterrent against similar offenses in the future.
Senanayake, once a celebrated off-spinner and a member of Sri Lanka’s victorious 2014 ICC T20 World Cup squad, now faces the grim prospect of being remembered not for his achievements on the field, but for his role in one of Sri Lanka’s most significant match-fixing scandals.
As the case unfolds, it casts a spotlight on the broader issue of corruption in sports and reinforces the urgent need for integrity, vigilance, and transparent governance across all levels of competition in Sri Lanka
Live | Under 18 | Womens Final | Mahajana College Jaffna vs St. John’s College Kalutara
-
Live4 years agoLive Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Football4 months agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
Cricket3 weeks agoNuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final
-
Football5 months agoFFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
News5 months ago2025 Schools Rugby Season Set to Thrill Fans with Knockout and League Action
-
News4 years agoWe are Back
-
Football4 months agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
-
Football5 months agoErling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City