News

Kamindu named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March 2024

Published

2 years ago

April 8, 2024

Editor

Kamindu Mendis, the talented all-rounder from Sri Lanka, has been honored with the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for March 2024 in recognition of his outstanding display during the test series against Bangladesh.

Mendis, following in the footsteps of Prabath Jayasuriya and Wanindu Hasaranga, is the third Sri Lankan to claim this prestigious award. He views this recognition as a driving force for his future endeavors in the realm of international cricket.

Expressing his delight, Mendis stated, “I am thrilled to have been selected as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month, a distinction that I find truly inspiring for my international cricket journey.” He added, “Acknowledgments like this serve as a catalyst, urging us players to strive harder and perform consistently for the benefit of our team, nation, and supporters.”

Extending his best wishes to fellow nominees Mark Adair and Matt Henry, Mendis commended their skills and competitive spirit. This accolade marks a remarkable comeback for the 25-year-old, who returned to the Sri Lankan squad after a hiatus since 2022. Mendis commenced the month with a notable performance, scoring 68 runs in the T20 series against Bangladesh, including a crucial 37 runs in the second T20I off 27 deliveries.

His standout performance, however, came in the Test format, where he showcased his prowess by scoring centuries in both innings of the first Test against Bangladesh. Facing a challenging situation with Sri Lanka at 57/5, Mendis partnered with Dhananjaya de Silva to forge a monumental 202-run partnership, guiding the team to a respectable total of 280. Both batsmen reached centuries, with Mendis contributing 102 runs.

In the second innings, Mendis continued his stellar form, crafting a career-best 164 runs from the No.8 position, embellished with 16 boundaries and 6 maximums. His exceptional feat of scoring two centuries in a single Test match from a position lower than number seven is a testament to his skill and determination. Sri Lanka’s dominant performance saw them post 418 runs and dismiss Bangladesh for 182, securing a resounding victory by a massive margin of 328 runs.

Cricket

Gary Kirsten Appointed as Head Coach of Sri Lanka National Men’s Team

Published

2 minutes ago

March 11, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka Cricket has officially announced the appointment of Gary Kirsten as the new head coach of the national men’s team, effective from 15 April 2026. His tenure will run for two years, concluding on 14 April 2028.

Kirsten, a former South African international cricketer, brings with him a wealth of coaching experience and a distinguished playing career. Between 2008 and 2011, he served as head coach of the India men’s national team, guiding them to victory in the 2011 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. He later took charge of the South Africa men’s national team from 2011 to 2013, during which South Africa rose to become the number one ranked team across all formats.

Most recently, Kirsten worked as a consultant with Cricket Namibia during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, further expanding his global coaching footprint.

As a player, Kirsten represented South Africa from 1993 to 2004, amassing 14,087 international runs across Tests and ODIs. His record includes 21 Test centuries and 13 ODI centuries, cementing his reputation as one of South Africa’s most reliable batsmen.

Sri Lanka Cricket has emphasized that Kirsten’s appointment is part of a broader initiative to revamp the National High Performance Center. His primary responsibility will be to prepare and lead the Sri Lanka National Men’s Team in their campaign for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Cricket

Sri Lanka–Afghanistan Series Postponed Amid Regional Tensions

Published

4 days ago

March 7, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to postpone the upcoming limited-overs series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates due to the current situation in the Middle East, sources confirmed.

The series, which was scheduled to run from March 13 to 25, included three T20 internationals in Sharjah and three ODIs in Dubai. However, growing security concerns following reports of Iranian strikes across parts of the region have forced officials to reconsider travel and hosting arrangements.

Both cricket boards are understood to be in discussions to reschedule the fixtures once conditions improve. The decision comes at a time when Sri Lanka is also focusing on strengthening its domestic fitness programme, with selectors emphasizing that physical readiness will be a key factor in future squad selections.

Cricket

Jayasuriya Hands Over Resignation as Sri Lanka Head Coach

Published

5 days ago

March 6, 2026

Editor

Cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya has formally handed over his resignation as Head Coach of the Sri Lanka national team, following the side’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

It is learnt, the resignation was submitted on Thursday after discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva. Jayasuriya, who took charge with hopes of reviving the team’s fortunes, decided to step aside after the tournament’s poor showing.

Despite stepping down, Jayasuriya will remain involved in Sri Lankan cricket. In a significant transition, he has been assigned to lead the High Performance Centre, where he will oversee player development and the broader cricketing structure.

Sri Lanka Cricket has yet to announce a replacement for the head coach role, but officials confirmed that talks are underway to identify a candidate capable of steering the national side forward.