St.Benedict’s College maintained stranglehold on the prestigeousLUKE SHIELD beating Wesley College by four wickets at the Singhalese Sports Club grounds recently.

This limited over encounter between 2 of the Oldest and Prestigeous Christian Schools in the country has been vigorously fought over , since it’s inception in 2022 and the Benedictines have won it each time , indicating it’s clear superiority over Wesley in this format of the game.

The match winner for St.Benedict’s was undoubtedly their opening batsman Tehan Bitar, who played a brilliant chanceless innings of 111 not out and steered his team to victory in the penultimate over of the game.He deservedly won the Best Batsman’s Award and coveted Player of the Match Award , which included a handsome cash prize.Batting first , Wesley were restricted to 193 runs, thanks mainly to a tight and accurate spell of 3 wickets for 25 runs in 10 overs by left arm spinner Vihanga Ratnayake .This effort earned him the Best Bowlers Award.

The fielding of Benedictines was neat, with wicket keeper Mario Fernando being exceptional.Wesley captain Rashmika Ameraratne top scored for Wesley , with a fighting knock of 43 not out , unfortunately missing out on a well deserved half century.The Best Fielder’s Award was won by S.Thilakasan of Wesley College and the Best Emerging Player Award went to R.Pieris of St.Benedict’s College.

The Benedictines were captained by 5th year ColoursmanMevan Dissanaike and coached by former Benedictine Opener S.K.Perera and guided by energetic Master in Charge Mr.AsankaWanninayake.This annual encounter is being played in true spirit of sportsmanship and enjoyed by students, staff and old boys of both Schools.This eagerly awaited event each year has become a meeting point and a place of celebration, revelry and cameraderie for Old Boys of both Schools with hundreds turning up from all parts of the world , specially for this friendly encounter.Annual Bens Wesley are also staged in many cities like Melbourne, Sydney , Auckland , London , Toronto and in the United Arab Emirates .

Sri Lanka’s badminton scene received a major boost as experienced shuttler Nadeesha Gayanthi delivered an impressive performance at a prestigious international championship in England, bringing home both gold and silver medals.

Competing at the 108th edition of the All England Senior Badminton Championship, Gayanthi stood out among a highly competitive field that featured nearly 400 players from 25 countries. The tournament, held in London from April 10 to 12, attracted seasoned athletes from across the globe, making her achievement even more remarkable.

Gayanthi dominated the over-40 women’s singles category, securing the gold medal with a series of strong performances. She further showcased her versatility by advancing to the finals in the mixed doubles event, where she claimed the silver medal, completing a successful campaign on the international stage.

Sri Lankan pace sensation Dilshan Madushanka has secured a spot in the Indian Premier League, stepping in as a replacement player for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The franchise announced his inclusion after England fast bowler Brydon Carse was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

Madushanka, known for his sharp left-arm pace and ability to swing the ball early, joins the squad as a like-for-like replacement. His addition comes at a crucial stage in the tournament, where teams are looking to fine-tune their combinations for a strong finish.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have been actively reshaping their bowling unit, and Madushanka’s arrival is expected to add both variety and depth. His international experience, particularly in high-pressure situations, makes him a valuable asset as the team navigates the latter half of the competition.

For Madushanka, this opportunity marks another significant milestone in his growing career. Having already impressed on the global stage with his pace and wicket-taking ability, the IPL now offers him a platform to showcase his skills among some of the best players in the world.