News

Ryan Hicks guides Australia to a comprehensive win with a brilliant half-century

Published

2 years ago

January 29, 2024

Editor

Under-19 World Cup 2024

Australia secured a resounding 6-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their final group game of the ongoing Under-19 World Cup at Mangaunh Oval, Bloemfontein on Sunday (28), thanks to an outstanding knock by Ryan Hicks.

Chasing a target of 208 runs, Australia got off to a flying start with Harry Dixon and Sam Konstas forming a solid opening partnership of 71 runs. However, Vishva Lahiru managed to break through and dismiss Dixon for 49, which slowed down Australia’s progress.

Sri Lanka struck again soon after, with left-arm spinner Lahiru sending back the in-form skipper Hugh Weibgen for just three runs in his next over. Malsha Tharupathi added to Australia’s woes by taking the wicket of Konstas for 23 in the following over.

With Australia struggling at 3-80, Harjas Singh and Ryan Hicks steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership. Harjas displayed solid defense, while Hicks played positively and accumulated runs. However, a sharp piece of fielding from wicketkeeper Shanmuganathan caught Harjas short of the crease off Jayawardena, giving Sri Lanka an opening.

With the game hanging in the balance, Ryan Hicks and Tom Cambell took control and put on a crucial 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket, ensuring no further setbacks for Australia.

Ryan Hicks led from the front with an unbeaten knock of 77 runs, which included 7 boundaries. Tom Cambell also played a valuable innings of 33 not out, helping his team cross the finish line with 7 balls to spare.

Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka elected to bat but could only manage a modest total of 208-all out, with Dinura Kalupahana top-scoring with a half-century. The Sri Lankan innings lacked firepower, with none of their batsmen posing a significant threat except for Kalupahana, who played a lone hand with an impressive innings of 64 runs off 78 balls, including 6 boundaries and 3 sixes.

Dinura’s performance was commendable, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Australia from securing a comprehensive victory.

Kalupahana also formed a 46-run partnership with Ravishan de Silva for the 5th wicket. However, the middle order collapsed once again, resulting in Sri Lanka being reduced to 7-172 before being bowled out for 208 runs.

Player of the Match, Ryan Hicks, shared his thoughts on the game, stating, “The plan was to take control of the game and bat positively. We wanted to avoid consecutive dot balls as it becomes difficult to recover from that. Campbell and I decided to keep the runs flowing against the spinners and then take advantage against the pacers.”

With this win, Australia remains unbeaten and advances to the super six stage. They will face England and West Indies at the Kimberley Oval on January 31 and February 2.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, who finished 2nd in the group, also secures their spot in the super six stage. They will face West Indies on Tuesday (30) and South Africa on February 02.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka: 208 all out (49.5 overs) (Dinura Kalupahana 64, Ravishan de Silva 30, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 21, Callum Vidler 3-28, Mahli Beardman 2-30, Tom Campbell 2-47)
Australia: (Ryan Hicks 77, Harry Dixon 49, Tom Campbell 33, Vishwa Lahiru 2-24).

Cricket

Sri Lanka U19 Women’s Team Set for Australia Tour 2026 Tri-Nation Series

Published

11 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Editor

The Sri Lanka Under-19 Women’s Cricket Team is set to tour Australia in April 2026 for an exciting tri-nation series that will also feature England. This tour represents an important opportunity for the young Sri Lankan players to gain international exposure and compete against strong opposition in both limited-overs formats. The team is scheduled to depart on 3rd April 2026 and will play a total of six matches during the tour, including two 50-over games and four T20 matches.

The series will begin on 7th April 2026 with a 50-over match against England at Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane, starting at 9:30 AM. Sri Lanka will then face Australia in another 50-over encounter on 8th April 2026 at the same venue and time. The action will shift to the Gold Coast for the T20 leg of the tour, where Sri Lanka will meet England on 12th April 2026 at Bill Pippen Oval at 9:00 AM, followed by a match against Australia on 13th April 2026 at the same ground and time. The final phase of the tour returns to Brisbane, with Sri Lanka playing England on 17th April 2026 and Australia on 18th April 2026 in two early morning T20 matches at Ian Healy Oval, both starting at 5:30 AM.

Match Schedule
•⁠ ⁠7th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs England (50-over)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 09:30 AM
•⁠ ⁠8th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Australia (50-over)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 09:30 AM
•⁠ ⁠12th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs England (T20)
Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast – 09:00 AM
•⁠ ⁠13th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Australia (T20)
Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast – 09:00 AM
•⁠ ⁠17th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs England (T20)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 05:30 AM
•⁠ ⁠18th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Australia (T20)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 05:30 AM

News

Mahela Jayawardena President Captain of Royal Colombo Golf Club

Published

12 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Editor

The Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) has announced the appointment of Mahela Jayawardena as its Captain for the 2026–2027 term. The decision was formally confirmed at the Club’s Annual General Meeting held yesterday (March 26).

Jayawardena, widely regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest sporting icons, brings a wealth of leadership experience to the prestigious role. A former captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team, he earned global recognition for his sharp tactical insight, calm demeanor under pressure, and exemplary sportsmanship throughout his career.

During an international career spanning nearly two decades, Jayawardena featured in more than 650 matches and amassed over 25,000 runs across all formats of the game. Since retiring from international cricket, he has remained an influential figure in the sport, contributing through coaching, mentorship, and leadership roles at both domestic and international levels.
Founded in 1879, the Royal Colombo Golf Club stands among the oldest golf institutions in Asia and has played a central role in fostering the growth of golf in Sri Lanka.

News

Sri Lanka Dominates Saudi Arabia in Junior Davis Cup Qualifying!

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Editor

In the ongoing Junior Davis Cup Tennis Qualifying Tournament currently being held in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka had a great weekend by defeating Saudi Arabia 3-0.

The team showed their dominance by winning both singles matches and then winning both doubles matches with comfortable margins.

Sri Lanka won the first singles match when Ashlin de Silva beat Mahdi Al Ibrahim 6-2, 7-5.

In the second singles match, Mayuran Kubern came back after losing the first set to defeat Ahmed Baha Sarouji 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Sri Lanka then continued their momentum into the doubles matches where Mayuran Kubern and Ashlin de Silva defeated the Saudi pair 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

In the other doubles match, the Sri Lankan duo was ahead in the second set 4-6 when the Saudi pair of Mahdi Al Ibrahim and Souhail ElFarouki retired from the match.

With this comprehensive win, Sri Lanka is now in a very strong position within the tournament.

The team will have a day off on Monday and is scheduled to play in the Championship on Thursday.