News

Do we think about tail-enders batting ability?

Published

3 years ago

May 12, 2023

Editor

In the game of Cricket, tail-enders are the ones who are at the bottom of a score sheet or the players who have a lower level of batting ability. Normally, in a match, if a side loses 6 or 7 wickets, their tail-enders start coming to bat and that batting team’s innings probably finish in a short time period. But there are some tailenders who show great resistance to the bowling team and frustrate the bowling team when these tailenders come to bat.

But most of the time these tailenders come and just throw the bat at deliveries and give away their wicket irresponsibly. Sometimes tail-enders or these proper bowlers don’t think about their batting because they think their duty is just bowling or sometimes teams and their management don’t pay attention to the batting of their tailenders or sometimes teams and their management think and talk about uplifting the batting ability of their tail-enders but not implement them in the practice sessions.

For example, history and records tell that Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and West Indies produce tail-enders with the worst batting ability while England, Australia, and New Zealand produce tail-enders with enough ability in batting. Also, the Indians produce tail-enders who have the ability in batting from the last few years.

If a side has strong tail-enders, that team can put extra 30-40 runs or more to their tally and that team will increase the confidence of their team and their batting department.

For solving this problem, basically, teams and coaches must put these tail-enders on nets and to side wickets and must practice them regularly or individually these tail-enders have to focus on their batting as well as their bowling. And that can increase the batting ability of tail-enders and can cause the success of a team. But this would not be a long-term solution or the most effective solution because it’s not easy to learn a skill when players come to the elite level and not easy to put a skill into muscle memory when players become adults.

Because of that, the best stage to uplift the batting ability of tail-enders is School Cricket. Most of the time in school cricket, the bowlers of a team don’t get a chance to bat in practice sessions and they just bat two, or three times a month in the middle and ask to do well in match situations when they don’t have enough batting practice and confidence. Because these school tail-enders carry this cycle for a longer period of time, they become typical tail-enders who don’t have the ability to bat, and who just have to hang around in the crease when coming to bat after they become elite international players. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and West Indies face the consequences of this. For that school coaches must get the responsibility to train tail-enders in batting and coaches must influence their tail-enders to do training in batting individually. Also, school coaches can give batting tasks in practices as well as in matches for their tail-enders, and coaches must give confidence and uplift the confidence of their school team tail-enders.

By Chathushka Kalunayaka

Cricket

Eshan Malinga Set to Miss T20 World Cup After Suffering Shoulder Injury

Published

5 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka fast bowler Eshan Malinga is likely to be ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after sustaining a shoulder injury during the second T20 International against England at Pallekele on Sunday, dealing a significant setback to Sri Lanka’s World Cup preparations.

Malinga picked up the injury while fielding in the latter stages of the match and was forced to leave the field in visible discomfort, immediately raising concerns among the team management. He is scheduled to travel to Colombo for detailed medical scans, which will determine the extent of the injury.

According to team sources, early assessments suggest a possible shoulder dislocation. If confirmed, the recovery period is expected to range between four to six weeks, effectively ruling the young fast bowler out of the T20 World Cup, which is just days away.

The injury comes at an unfortunate time for both Malinga and the national side. Viewed as a key component of Sri Lanka’s pace attack, Malinga had been firmly in the selectors’ plans due to his ability to generate pace and strike at crucial moments. His absence would significantly weaken Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling options heading into the global tournament.

With Malinga’s availability now in serious doubt, selectors may be forced to reassess their squad composition. From the current 25-member World Cup preparation pool, Nuwan Thushara and Pramod Madushan remain the other specialist fast bowlers expected to shoulder additional responsibility.

Sri Lanka Cricket also has other pace options to consider, including Binura Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, and Asitha Fernando, depending on form, fitness, and team balance. Further clarity on Malinga’s condition is expected once medical evaluations are completed.

England Seal Series in Rain-Affected Encounter

Meanwhile, England sealed an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match T20I series with a dramatic six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the rain-affected contest.

Batting first, Sri Lanka made a positive start, with Pathum Nissanka attacking early, including a six off Jofra Archer. Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake maintained momentum through the middle overs, but wickets from Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid slowed the innings. Sri Lanka eventually posted 189 for 5, with Rathnayake providing a late flourish.

England’s chase was interrupted by rain with the visitors behind the required rate. After the restart, Tom Banton took charge with a composed unbeaten 54 off 33 balls, while Harry Brook added a rapid 36. England held their nerve under pressure to reach the revised target of 168 with two balls to spare, clinching both the match and the series.

Sri Lanka now face growing concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup, with injury setbacks and form issues adding pressure as preparations enter their final phase

Cricket

SSC Ground in Line to Host Lanka Premier League Matches

Published

2 days ago

January 31, 2026

Editor

The historic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo could soon be added to the list of venues for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL), with discussions underway to include the iconic ground in this year’s tournament schedule, according to leading local media reports.

SSC has emerged as a strong contender following the recent installation of floodlights, a significant infrastructure upgrade completed ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host with India. The new lighting system enables the venue to host day-night matches, making it a viable option for LPL fixtures scheduled during the July–August window.

If confirmed, the inclusion of SSC would mark an important expansion of the tournament’s venue pool. In recent editions, the LPL has relied heavily on R. Premadasa Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, and Dambulla International Stadium. Introducing a fourth venue — particularly one located in the heart of Colombo — would provide greater scheduling flexibility and ease logistical demands on teams and organisers.

Cricket administrators are also understood to be keen on capitalising on SSC’s rich cricketing heritage and loyal supporter base. The ground’s compact layout is expected to generate a vibrant atmosphere for night games, while its traditionally sporting pitch could add a new tactical challenge for teams competing in the franchise tournament.

The move is also seen as part of a broader strategy to maximise the use of facilities upgraded for major international events. Rather than limiting SSC’s enhanced infrastructure to the World Cup alone, Sri Lanka Cricket is reportedly exploring opportunities to integrate the venue more consistently into domestic and franchise competitions.

While an official confirmation is yet to be made, negotiations are said to be progressing positively, with SSC increasingly viewed as a strong candidate to join the venue lineup for the forthcoming Lanka Premier League season

Cricket

Chamuditha Century Powers Sri Lanka U19 Past South Africa, Keeps Semi-Final Hopes Alive

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Editor

Viran Chamuditha produced a match-winning century as Sri Lanka Under-19 secured a crucial five-wicket victory over South Africa Under-19 in their Super Six encounter of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, played in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

The victory keeps Sri Lanka firmly in contention for a semi-final berth, delivering a timely boost as the tournament enters its decisive phase.

After winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first and posted a competitive 261 for 7 from their 50 overs. Opener Jorich Van Schalkwyk anchored the innings with a composed 116 off 130 deliveries, striking 13 fours and two sixes while holding the innings together after early pressure.

Adnaan Lagadien provided support with a steady 46, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers ensured South Africa were unable to fully capitalise. Left-arm seamer Vigneshwaran Akash led the attack with an impressive spell, finishing with 4 for 46, removing key batters at crucial stages. Chamika Heenatigala delivered a disciplined performance, conceding just 29 runs in his 10 overs, while Kavija Gamage chipped in with two wickets to restrict South Africa in the latter overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka produced a controlled and confident chase, driven by opener Viran Chamuditha, who displayed maturity and composure beyond his years. Chamuditha dominated the bowling attack with a superb 110 off 94 balls, laced with 13 boundaries and a six, keeping Sri Lanka comfortably ahead of the required rate.

After the early dismissal of Dimantha Mahavithana, Chamuditha found strong support from Senuja Wekunagoda, who contributed a valuable 48, as the pair laid a solid foundation for the chase. Although wickets fell during the middle overs, Sri Lanka maintained control of the contest.

Captain Vimath Dinsara added a brisk 32, while Chamika Heenatigala and Dulnith Sigera showed calm heads in the closing stages to guide Sri Lanka home. The target was reached in the 46th over, with Sri Lanka finishing on 265 for 5, sealing victory with four overs to spare.

The result keeps Sri Lanka Under-19’s semi-final ambitions alive as they look to build further momentum in the Super Six stage of the tournament.