Cricket

Roy-Tho ends in Tame draw

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2024

Editor

145th battle of the blues

The 145th edition of the Battle of the Blues between Royal College, Colombo and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia concluded in a tame draw after three days of action at SSC Grounds, Colombo.

On third and Final day, Royal College resumed their first innings at 234/7 and managed to add 44 more runs before declaring at 278/9.

Nethwin Dharmarathne played a crucial innings of 41 runs lower down the order for Royal College, while Ashen Perera took five wickets for S. Thomas’ College.

In their second innings, S. Thomas’ College started with a lead of 19 runs and displayed an impressive batting performance, scoring 229 runs for the loss of 4 wickets by the end of the third and final day. Dineth Goonewardene, batting at number 3, scored a brilliant 74 runs, and Skipper Mahith Perera contributed with a well-played 63. The duo dominated the Royal bowlers, forming a strong partnership of 104 runs for the third wicket.

Day 1 and 2

Earlier on the second day, Royal College’s youth captain, Sineth Jayawardane, played a crucial role in leading his team’s comeback against S. Thomas’. Despite a shaky start for Royal College, Jayawardane’s impressive innings of 92 runs off 172 deliveries helped them recover. Unfortunately, he fell just 8 runs short of a well-deserved century. Nevertheless, his contribution was vital to the team’s performance. Additionally, Dinura Senaratne and Nethwin Dharmarathne’s partnership of 69 runs for the 7th wicket also played a significant role. S. Thomas’ bowler, Ashen Perera, stood out by taking 4 wickets for 51 runs, while Darien Marlon contributed with 2 wickets for 35 runs. On the first day, Royal won the toss and chose to field. Sadev Soysa and Senadhi Bulankulame, the Thomian openers, formed a strong partnership of 66 runs for the first wicket. They were followed by another 66-run partnership between Soysa and Dineth Goonewardene. However, after scoring a brilliant half-century, Soysa was dismissed. Goonewardene continued to score patiently and reached his own half-century, but skipper Mahith Perera could only manage 36 runs before being trapped in front.

S. Thomas’ College struggled after Perera’s dismissal and were eventually bowled out for 297.

Despite being 199/3 at one point, they lost 7 wickets for 98 runs due to the remarkable bowling performance of Jayawardana and Ramiru Perera, who both took 4 wickets each.

Brief scores:

Scores:
S. Thomas’ College 297 in 88.2 overs (Sadev Soysa 83, Dineth goonewardena 50, Mahith Perera 36, Nathan Caldera 44, Akash Fernando 29; Ramiru Perera 4-55, Sineth Jayawardena 4-68) and 229/4 in 86 overs (Sadev Soysa 33, Dineth Goonawardene 74, Mahith Perera 63, Thisan Eheliyagod 31, Nathan Caldera 20; Ramiru Perera 2-87)

Royal 278/9 dec in 102.2 overs (Sineth Jayawardena 92, Ovina Ambanpola 36, Ramiru Perera23, Dinura Senarthna 33, Nethwin Dhrmarathne 41; Ashen Perera 5-44, Darien Diego 2-40)

Cricket

Sri Lanka, India to Clash in Two-Test Series in August

Published

4 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka and India are set to play a two-match Test series between August 15 and 27 as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Although the official schedule is yet to be announced, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reserved a two-week window for the series following the conclusion of the Lanka Premier League on August 9. Discussions between SLC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are continuing to finalise the venues and match dates.

The proposed tour was initially expected to include three Twenty20 Internationals as well, but there has been no confirmation regarding those matches. The T20 games were originally planned as a fundraising initiative for victims affected by Cyclone Ditwah last year.

Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is currently in Sri Lanka as part of an International Cricket Council delegation reviewing recent developments in Sri Lanka Cricket administration. The Sri Lankan government recently dissolved the previous SLC body and appointed an interim Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee.

Cricket scheduling remains challenging for India due to a packed international calendar later this year. India are expected to tour Bangladesh in September for a white-ball series, although the tour is still uncertain after being postponed previously because of political tensions between the two nations.

India also have commitments against West Indies and Afghanistan later in the year, along with the Asian Games in Nagoya scheduled from September 9 to October 4.

India’s international season resumes in June with a Test series against Afghanistan before tours of Ireland, England and Zimbabwe.

Cricket

ICC Delegation Holds Key Talks With President on Cricket Reforms

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2026

Editor

Senior representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC) met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo yesterday as discussions intensified over the future of cricket administration in Sri Lanka.

The ICC delegation, which includes Imran Khwaja and Devajit Sakia, is currently in the country following recent changes within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Their visit comes amid growing attention on governance reforms and the restructuring of the national cricket administration.

During their stay, ICC officials also held meetings with members of the newly appointed SLC administration at the board’s headquarters, where discussions focused on restoring stability and strengthening the management framework of Sri Lankan cricket.

The latest developments follow the appointment of a nine-member Cricket Transformation Committee by Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage after the resignation of the previous SLC leadership.

The committee, chaired by Eran Wickremaratne, has been entrusted with overseeing the administration of the sport and implementing a series of reforms until new elections are conducted.

Cricket

ICC Team to Visit Sri Lanka Amid Cricket Administration Shake-Up

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2026

Editor

A delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC), including a senior representative linked to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka this weekend as attention grows over recent changes to the country’s cricket administration.

According to India’s Press Trust of India (PTI), ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja is expected in Colombo on Friday night, with another top ICC official who also serves in a leading capacity within the BCCI due to arrive on Saturday.

The visit comes in the wake of the Sri Lankan government’s decision to appoint an interim committee to manage the affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) following the resignation of its leadership.

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage confirmed during a televised interview that discussions with ICC representatives are expected to take place in the coming days regarding the future direction of cricket administration in the country.

The newly appointed nine-member interim body was established on April 29 after SLC President Shammi Silva and members of the Executive Committee stepped down from office.
Government officials say the temporary panel will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day cricket operations, introducing administrative reforms, and preparing the groundwork for fresh elections within Sri Lanka Cricket.

The ICC visit is expected to focus on governance issues, the transition process, and the stability of cricket administration during the interim period.