News
Sri Lanka Clinch ODI Series Against West Indies with a Game to Spare
Sri Lanka secured a convincing 2-0 series victory against the West Indies in the second ODI at Pallekele, clinching the three-match series with one game left. Skipper Charith Asalanka led the charge with an unbeaten 62*, guiding Sri Lanka to a five-wicket win in a rain-shortened match, with 44 balls to spare.
Match Overview
- Sri Lanka: 190/5 in 36.4 overs
- West Indies: 189 all out in 36 overs
- Result: Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets (DLS Method)
The match, initially set for 50 overs per side, was reduced to 44 overs due to rain. West Indies, sent in to bat, struggled early, losing wickets rapidly to be 58 for 8, before a resilient stand between Shefarne Rutherford (80) and Gudakesh Motie (50*) revived their innings.
West Indies Innings
- Shefarne Rutherford: 80 (98 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes)
- Gudakesh Motie: 50* (67 balls, 4 fours)
- Ninth-wicket partnership: 119 runs
- Best Sri Lankan bowler: Dushmantha Chameera – 3/25 in 7 overs
- Notable bowling performances: Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka picked up two wickets each as Sri Lanka dismantled the Windies’ top order. West Indies were bowled out for 189 in 36 overs.
Despite the ninth-wicket partnership, the total was below par, as Sri Lankan bowlers dominated the early stages, exploiting the seam-friendly conditions in Pallekele.
Sri Lanka’s Chase
Sri Lanka’s chase wasn’t smooth, as they lost opener Avishka Fernando early for 12, followed by Kusal Mendis (14) as Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd kept the pressure on.
- Nishan Madushka: 38 (53 balls, 3 fours)
- Sadeera Samarawickrama: 38 (47 balls, 4 fours)
- Third-wicket partnership: 62 runs
- Charith Asalanka: 62* (48 balls, 5 fours, 1 six)
- Janith Liyanage: 24 (28 balls)
After a 62-run stand between Madushka and Samarawickrama, Asalanka steadied the innings and built another key partnership with Janith Liyanage (24) to ensure Sri Lanka crossed the target comfortably.
Asalanka’s form continues to impress as he followed up his 77 in the first ODI with a match-winning knock in the second.
Key Statistics:
- Charith Asalanka’s Series Performance: 139 runs in 2 ODIs, averaging 139.00 with a strike rate of 92.66.
- Sri Lanka Bowling Attack: Chameera has taken 5 wickets in 2 matches, averaging 12.80 with an economy rate of 4.71.
- Shefarne Rutherford’s Impact: The top scorer for the West Indies with 121 runs in 2 innings, averaging 60.50.
- Ninth-Wicket Partnership Record: The 119-run stand between Rutherford and Motie is one of the highest ninth-wicket partnerships for the West Indies in ODIs.
Conclusion
With this win, Sri Lanka sealed the ODI series 2-0, leaving the third and final game as a formality. The team’s dominance, particularly with both ball and bat in the middle overs, highlights their improving performance heading into future challenges. The West Indies, meanwhile, will look to salvage some pride in the final game after back-to-back losses.
Cricket
New Sri Lanka Cricket Chiefs Promise Sweeping Reforms
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.
Cricket
Kapila Wijegunawardene Replaces Pramodya as Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Selector
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.
Cricket
Sanath Jayasuriya Steps Down from Sri Lanka Cricket High Performance Role
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.
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