Cricket
Kamindu Mendis ton goes in vain as England take 1-0 lead
Sri Lanka tour of England 2024 (First Test)
Kamindu Mendis’ outstanding century proved futile as England clinched a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test, thereby establishing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The fourth day commenced with Sri Lanka at 204-6, featuring Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal at the crease. The pair adopted a cautious approach during the initial session, managing to avoid any dismissals while forming a 117-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Kamindu emerged as the standout performer with the bat, achieving his third century in just four Test matches. The left-handed batsman scored 113 runs, including 15 boundaries and a six, before being dismissed at slip immediately after lunch.
This dismissal disrupted Sri Lanka’s innings, as the visitors struggled to accumulate runs, resulting in the loss of their last four wickets within a mere 26 balls.
Dinesh Chandimal, the only recognized batsman remaining, attempted to accelerate the scoring but ultimately he too bit the dust as Sri Lanka added 122 runs to their overnight score, setting a target of 205 runs for England.
In reply, the Host encountered a formidable challenge in their quest for 205 runs to win the first Test against Sri Lanka. Following the loss of their top order before tea on Day 4 at Old Trafford, England found themselves in a precarious position at 70-3, needing an additional 135 runs for victory.
Joe Root and Harry Brook were the only recognized batsmen remaining, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who had scored a century in the first innings, poised to bat next. The run rate had dipped to 3.97 runs per over, heightening the tension surrounding the outcome.
Dismissals of Ben Duckett (11), Dan Lawrence (34), and captain Ollie Pope (6) had left England’s batting order exposed.
Nevertheless, Root demonstrated resilience, guiding England to victory. He formed vital partnerships with Harry Brook (32) and Jamie Smith (39), ensuring the scoreboard continued to advance.
Despite the loss of Brook and Smith during the chase, Root remained steadfast, ultimately sealing the win for England with a determined 62 runs off 128 balls.
The second Test match between England and Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence on August 29 at Lord’s.
The Sri Lanka Under-19 Women’s Cricket Team is set to tour Australia in April 2026 for an exciting tri-nation series that will also feature England. This tour represents an important opportunity for the young Sri Lankan players to gain international exposure and compete against strong opposition in both limited-overs formats. The team is scheduled to depart on 3rd April 2026 and will play a total of six matches during the tour, including two 50-over games and four T20 matches.
The series will begin on 7th April 2026 with a 50-over match against England at Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane, starting at 9:30 AM. Sri Lanka will then face Australia in another 50-over encounter on 8th April 2026 at the same venue and time. The action will shift to the Gold Coast for the T20 leg of the tour, where Sri Lanka will meet England on 12th April 2026 at Bill Pippen Oval at 9:00 AM, followed by a match against Australia on 13th April 2026 at the same ground and time. The final phase of the tour returns to Brisbane, with Sri Lanka playing England on 17th April 2026 and Australia on 18th April 2026 in two early morning T20 matches at Ian Healy Oval, both starting at 5:30 AM.
Match Schedule
• 7th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs England (50-over)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 09:30 AM
• 8th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Australia (50-over)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 09:30 AM
• 12th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs England (T20)
Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast – 09:00 AM
• 13th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Australia (T20)
Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast – 09:00 AM
• 17th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs England (T20)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 05:30 AM
• 18th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Australia (T20)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 05:30 AM
Nuwan Thushara is set to miss the upcoming IPL 2026 season in a significant setback for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) declined to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The decision comes following SLC’s latest policy requiring all centrally contracted players to meet strict fitness standards before being cleared for overseas franchise leagues. Thushara reportedly failed to reach the required fitness benchmarks, leading to uncertainty over his participation and eventual exclusion.
RCB had secured the services of the Sri Lankan pacer for approximately INR 1.6 crore, viewing him as a valuable addition to their pace attack. However, his absence could now force the franchise to rethink their squad composition ahead of the tournament.
Interestingly, reports indicate that Thushara is not carrying any injury and remains available to bowl. Despite this, concerns over his overall fitness levels falling short of SLC’s criteria have ultimately ruled him out of the competition.
During his stint with RCB, Thushara featured in just one match, largely serving as a backup option. He made a notable impact in that appearance, returning figures of 1 for 26 with an impressive economy rate of 6.50, showcasing his potential when called upon.
Sri Lanka will tour India in December 2026 for an exciting white-ball series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. The tour promises competitive cricket action across multiple iconic venues, giving fans across the country a chance to witness the matches live.
The ODI series will begin on December 13 in Delhi, followed by the second match in Bengaluru on December 16. The third and final ODI will be played in Ahmedabad on December 19.
The T20I series will kick off on December 22 in Rajkot. The action will then move to Cuttack for the second T20I on December 24, before concluding in Pune on December 27.
ODI Series
• 13 Dec – 1st ODI – Delhi
• 16 Dec – 2nd ODI – Bengaluru
• 19 Dec – 3rd ODI – Ahmedabad
T20I Series
• 22 Dec – 1st T20I – Rajkot
• 24 Dec – 2nd T20I – Cuttack
• 27 Dec – 3rd T20I – Pune
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