News

Revisiting the 2019 World Cup and the league format

Published

1 year ago

September 23, 2023

Editor

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will follow the same format as the previous edition four years ago, meaning that all 10 teams will face one another.

With a new format set to be introduced in 2027, this will be the final go-around for the 10-team Group Stage which provides 45 entertaining encounters to decide on four semi-finalists.

In 2019, that began with a thrilling clash between England and South Africa at The Oval – the home side getting off to a winning start on their way to a maiden ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup victory.
With every team playing nine matches, the Group Stage lasted six weeks, with ebbs and flows as new contenders emerged.

The beauty of the format meant that a slow start was not necessarily fatal to a team’s chances of progressing.

In 2019, for example, Pakistan started very slowly, winning just one of their opening five matches – earning a 14-run success over eventual champions England at Trent Bridge.

Despite that, Pakistan finished with four successive victories to get to within a whisker of qualification, missing out on the semi-finals on net run-rate.

They finished level on points with runners-up New Zealand and just one point behind England as momentum almost carried them into the semi-finals as the form side.

At the other end of the spectrum, Australia were the first team to clinch a place in the last four, winning six of their first seven matches, the only exception a defeat to India.

India were the next team to book their semi-final spot, beating Bangladesh on their way to leading the Group Stage with seven wins from nine matches.

However, the World Cup is as much about timing your run as being fast starters, and it was the hosts and the Kiwis who found their best form come semi-final time.

With every team having had their chance to take on the world’s best, the knock-out stages were all about peaking on the day.

First up were India and New Zealand, who faced off over two days at Old Trafford as the weather played its part in proceedings.

It went down to the wire, but some stunning fielding from Martin Guptill to remove MS Dhoni in the penultimate over helped the Black Caps to an 18-run victory.

The following day, England were rather more emphatic in avenging their Group Stage loss to Australia, powering to an eight-wicket win to earn a place in the final for the first time since 1992.

Those results meant that the final would crown a new champion for the first time in more than two decades since Sri Lanka had claimed victory as one of the hosts in 1996.

England went onto emulate the Sri Lankans, famously doing so in the most dramatic circumstances at Lord’s.

New Zealand made 241 for eight batting first, before England matched that total, bowled out for 241 in reply to set up a Super Over.

Again, the teams matched each other blow for blow in the Super Over, each scoring 15 runs, as England were crowned champions on boundaries scored.

Victors in the first game, champions in the last, England showed just how to manage this Cricket World Cup format on their way to lifting the trophy.

The question now is, will they be able to repeat the feat or will someone else prove to be the masters of the 10-team Group Stage set-up?

Cricket

Sri Lanka Climbs ICC Test Rankings Despite Tough Competition

Published

5 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Editor

Colombo, Sri Lanka – January 18, 2025: The latest ICC Test Team Rankings have been released, with Sri Lanka securing the 5th position, showcasing their resilience in the longest format of the game. Despite a challenging year, the Lankan Lions have maintained their competitive edge among cricket’s elite nations.

Current ICC Test Rankings (As of January 2025)

1️⃣ South Africa – 12 matches | Win %: 69.44
2️⃣ Australia – 17 matches | Win %: 63.73
3️⃣ India – 19 matches | Win %: 50.00
4️⃣ New Zealand – 14 matches | Win %: 48.21
5️⃣ Sri Lanka – 11 matches | Win %: 45.45
6️⃣ England – 22 matches | Win %: 43.18
7️⃣ Bangladesh – 12 matches | Win %: 31.25
8️⃣ Pakistan – 12 matches | Win %: 24.31
9️⃣ West Indies – 11 matches | Win %: 24.24

Sri Lanka’s Performance in 2024-2025

With 5 wins out of 11 matches, Sri Lanka has demonstrated strong performances in key series, particularly at home. However, close defeats have impacted their standing in the rankings. The team’s recent form indicates a determined squad under experienced leadership, aiming to break into the top four.

Upcoming Test Series for Sri Lanka

🔹 Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – February 2025
🔹 Sri Lanka vs England – April 2025
🔹 Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – July 2025

With crucial matches ahead, Sri Lanka has the opportunity to climb higher in the rankings if they secure significant wins. The cricketing nation eagerly anticipates stronger performances in the coming months.

Football

FFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision

Published

7 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Editor

Colombo, Sri Lanka – January 11, 2025: The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has officially rebranded its prestigious Division-1 competition as “League-One”, signaling a new era for Sri Lankan football. This initiative aims to elevate the sport’s standards and make football more accessible to communities nationwide.

League-One: A New Identity for Sri Lankan Football

The FFSL competition committee unanimously approved the transformation, positioning League-One as the backbone of Sri Lanka’s football development. The rebranding aligns with FFSL’s vision to make football the “People’s Game”, fostering nationwide participation and nurturing emerging talent.

New Format & Features

The 2025 League-One tournament introduces a revamped format featuring 16 teams, strategically divided into four regional groups. Each team will compete in six home-and-away group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super-8 stage, where they will play another round of home-and-away fixtures in two groups.

For the first time in FFSL history, the semi-finals and final will be conducted as two-legged home-and-away matches, adding a fresh layer of excitement to the competition.

Future Growth & Expansion

In a significant development, League-One will expand to 32 teams by 2026, ensuring comprehensive representation from every province.

Incentives & Player Support

FFSL has announced attractive cash prizes to enhance competition:

Champions: LKR 1 million
Runners-up: LKR 500,000

Additionally, FFSL will provide match jerseys and match balls to all participating teams, reinforcing grassroots football development.

President’s Statement

“We are dedicated to making football accessible to every community in Sri Lanka. This year, we are investing significantly in domestic competitions to strengthen football’s foundation and integrate it into our nation’s culture.”

Key Dates

Kickoff: February 8, 2025
Grand Final: June 2025

A New Chapter for Sri Lankan Football

The transformation of Division-1 into League-One marks a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s football history. With a new identity, an expanded format, and strategic investments, League-One promises to shape the future of Sri Lankan football.

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for the latest updates, match previews, and exclusive coverage of League-One and Sri Lanka football news.

Football

Erling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City

Published

8 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Editor

Manchester City has secured the long-term future of their star striker Erling Haaland, who has signed a historic 9.5-year contract extension, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until 2034. The Premier League champions officially announced the deal on Friday, ensuring the Norwegian goal machine remains an integral part of their squad for the next decade.

Haaland’s previous contract was set to expire in June 2027, but City moved quickly to secure their talisman with a new deal that underlines his importance to the club’s ambitions.

The 24-year-old striker, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, has been a phenomenal force in English football, netting an astonishing 111 goals in just 126 appearances. His prolific form played a crucial role in Manchester City’s historic treble-winning season in 2022-23, where they clinched the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League titles.

Expressing his delight at the new deal, Haaland stated, “I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club. Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody.”

City’s outgoing director of football, Txiki Begiristain, hailed the deal as a statement of intent from both the player and the club. “Everyone at the club is absolutely delighted that Erling has signed his new contract. The fact he is signed for so long demonstrates our commitment to him as a player, and his love of this club. He has made an incredible impact already in his time here, and his amazing numbers and records speak for themselves.”

Haaland’s contract extension marks one of the longest in Premier League history and solidifies City’s ambitions to remain dominant in English and European football for years to come.

Haaland’s Record-Breaking Stats at Manchester City:

Appearances: 126
Goals: 111
Premier League Golden Boots: 1 (2022-23 season)
Trophies Won: Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup

With Haaland committed to the club until 2034, Manchester City fans can expect many more years of record-breaking performances and unforgettable moments from one of the world’s most lethal strikers.