Connect with us

News

Maheesh Theekshana admits thier batting cost them a spot in Super 8

Published

on

Maheesh Theekshana has asserted that Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign has been a complete disaster, as they are on the verge of elimination without even reaching the Super 8 stages. Despite being former champions, they were placed in Group D alongside South Africa and Bangladesh, and unfortunately lost to both teams in crucial matches. To make things worse, on June 12, their game against Nepal was abandoned due to rain without a single ball being bowled.

During the press conference held on Wednesday, Theekshana honestly evaluated the team’s performance, acknowledging that their batting was subpar and they failed to properly assess the playing conditions. The spinner emphasized that their defeats against South Africa and Bangladesh clearly demonstrated that Sri Lanka did not deserve a spot in the Super 8.

“This year, everything went awry. Our batting was lackluster, and we failed to accurately gauge the conditions and execute our plans. As a team, we are currently facing a challenging situation for the upcoming match. Looking back at the last two games, it is evident that we did not showcase our best cricket. Therefore, I believe we did not earn the Super 8 spot based on our performance in the initial matches. However, we still have one game remaining, and we will strive to give our utmost,” expressed Theekshana.

Theekshana further expressed disappointment, stating that they had high expectations for the tournament and entered the World Cup in a favorable position. However, he admitted that the team made numerous mistakes.

“Not at all. We had great aspirations for this World Cup. I am dissatisfied with our team’s performance. We had a positive mindset, and both our bowlers and batsmen had prepared well in the previous tournament. We were in a promising position when we entered this competition. Unfortunately, as a team, we made several errors, which prevented us from progressing to the Super 8,” Theekshana remarked.

Sri Lanka’s final match will be against Netherlands on June 17.

Cricket

New Sri Lanka Cricket Chiefs Promise Sweeping Reforms

Published

on

By

Sri Lanka Cricket’s interim administration has launched a major clean-up operation after uncovering what officials describe as extensive financial mismanagement within the governing body.

Speaking at his first press conference since taking charge last month, interim president Eran Wickramaratne announced that a forensic audit had been ordered to examine the organisation’s accounts in detail.

According to Wickramaratne, the scale of the suspected irregularities exceeded initial expectations, prompting urgent calls for structural reforms and tighter oversight within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

The current administration was appointed by the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake following the resignation of the previous elected committee in April. The move sparked concerns over possible disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which prohibits political interference in cricket boards.

Sri Lanka Cricket had previously faced a two-month suspension from the ICC in 2023 under similar circumstances.

However, Wickramaratne said discussions with the global governing body had been positive and cooperative.

“Our engagement with the ICC has been constructive from the beginning,” he said. “We have kept the process transparent, and they have encouraged reforms carried out through proper and open procedures.”

The interim administration is now working on introducing a new constitution designed to strengthen governance and prevent individuals or groups from holding influence over the board for extended periods.

The resignation of former SLC president Shammi Silva and his committee cleared the way for the latest restructuring effort, which comes amid wider criticism over the board’s management and the national team’s recent performances.

Sri Lanka’s early exit from this year’s T20 World Cup jointly hosted with India intensified public frustration and added pressure for change within the country’s cricket establishment.

Continue Reading

Cricket

Kapila Wijegunawardene Replaces Pramodya as Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Selector

Published

on

By

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Kapila Wijegunawardene has been appointed as the new Chief Selector of Sri Lanka Cricket, replacing Pramodya Wickramasinghe at the head of the national selection panel.

The appointment was approved by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports following a request made by Sri Lanka Cricket on May 20, 2026.

Alongside Wijegunawardene, the newly named selection committee includes Amal Silva, Brendon Kuruppu, Varuna Waragoda, and Vanessa de Silva.

The new panel is expected to oversee national team selections and player evaluations across all formats as Sri Lanka prepares for a demanding international schedule in the coming months.

Cricket observers believe the inclusion of several experienced former players could bring renewed direction to the country’s selection process.

Continue Reading

Cricket

Sanath Jayasuriya Steps Down from Sri Lanka Cricket High Performance Role

Published

on

By

Former Sri Lankan cricket legend and former head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has officially resigned from his position as Consultant to Sri Lanka Cricket’s High Performance Centre, with his resignation set to take effect at the end of this month.

In a letter addressed to the recently appointed Cricket Transformation Committee, Jayasuriya stated that he had become aware of concerns raised by several committee members regarding his dual roles within Sri Lankan cricket administration.

The concerns reportedly centered on his appointment to the High Performance Centre while simultaneously serving as President of the Matara District Cricket Association, which some believed could create a potential conflict of interest.

Jayasuriya noted that his decision to step down was made in the best interests of transparency and the future development of Sri Lankan cricket. He emphasized his continued commitment to supporting the sport and nurturing young talent despite leaving the consultancy role.

Widely regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketers, Jayasuriya has remained actively involved in cricket administration and player development since retiring from international cricket. His resignation comes at a time when Sri Lanka Cricket is undergoing significant structural reforms aimed at improving governance and performance standards.

Officials from Sri Lanka Cricket have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the resignation.

Continue Reading

Trending