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Sri Lanka Knocked-out

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Under-19 World Cup 2024

Lhuan dre-Pretorius hit a half century before Kwena Maphaka and Riley Norton combined to take all 10 wickets and set up South Africa Under-19 to a resounding 119 run victory over Sri Lanka under 19 in their key ICC Cricket under-19 World Cup Super Sixes match at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Friday.

After put into bat first, the Protease started strongly, but the disciplined Sri Lankan team fought back with two crucial run outs to turn things around in the middle overs.

Lhuan dre-Pretorius hit a blistering 71 frombthe top order before being slipped to from 61/0 to 133/6.

However the tailenders managed to revive the innings and add almost 100 runs in the last 24 overs thanks to late unbeaten cameo by Riley Norton who chipped in with 41 runs off 69 deliveries to help south Africa reach 232/8 in their allotted 50 overs and give their bowlers a target to defend.

In reply, South Africa’s score of 232/8 proved to be more than sufficient, thanks to Kwena Maphaka’s impressive six-wicket haul and Riley Norton’s four-fer.

Despite a somewhat inconsistent performance, South Africa comfortably defeated Sri Lanka, rolling them over for just 113 runs and securing their spot in the semi-finals.

There was not much in the Sri Lanka scorecard with just four batters reaching double figures, while the rest were dismissed for single digit number.
Sharujan Shanmuganathan top scored with 29 runs.

For the Boys in Green Maphaka was exceptional with the new ball, quickly dismantling the Sri Lankan top-order. He continued to dominate throughout his spell, claiming the all important wicket of Dinura Kalupahana, who had been Sri Lanka’s most consistent performer in the tournament. Norton also made significant contributions, helping to wrap up the Sri Lankan innings.

Maphaka finished with six wickets, while Norton took the remaining four, resulting in Sri Lanka being bowled out inside 24 over.

This impressive victory secured South Africa’s place in the U19 World Cup semi-finals while Sri Lanka crashed out of the tournament after losing both their super six games.

Brief scores:

South Africa: 232-8 (50 overs) (Lhuan-dre Pretorius 71, Riley Norton 41*, Supun Waduge 2-28, Malsha Tharupathi 2-46, Vishwa Lahiru 2-44)

Sri Lanka: 113 all out (23.2 Overs) (Sharujan Shanmuganathan 29, Kwena Maphka 6-21, Riley Norton 4-28)

Cricket

Shammi Silva Re-Elected as Sri Lanka Cricket President for Fourth Consecutive Term

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Shammi Silva has been re-elected as the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president for the 2025-27 term, marking his fourth consecutive tenure at the helm of the nation’s cricket governing body. Silva secured the position uncontested at the 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Colombo on Monday.

A Controversial Yet Dominant Tenure

Silva’s leadership has not been without controversy. His previous term saw a high-profile clash with former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe in 2023, which led to an interim committee being appointed after Sri Lanka’s poor performance in the ICC ODI World Cup. This move resulted in ICC suspending SLC, which led to Sri Lanka losing the hosting rights for the U19 Men’s World Cup, which was later held in South Africa.

Despite these setbacks, Silva regained control after a court ruling reinstated his administration, and he was later appointed as the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in December 2023, replacing Jay Shah.

Challenges & Future Outlook

Sri Lanka Cricket has long been seen as a powerful and influential body, with internal politics often shaping its leadership. With financial mismanagement concerns highlighted in the Auditor General’s report, Silva’s administration faces the challenge of restoring credibility and ensuring better governance.

With the ICC ban lifted, Sri Lanka looks to rebuild its cricketing structure and improve performance on the international stage. The focus now shifts to upcoming bilateral series, the Asia Cup, and preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Stay tuned for more updates on Sri Lanka Cricket and the latest in the world of sports!

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Stephen Fleming Defends MS Dhoni’s Batting Position Amid Criticism

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has defended MS Dhoni’s late entry in the batting order, stating that the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman cannot play an extended innings at full intensity due to lingering knee concerns.

The 43-year-old Dhoni faced criticism after coming in at No. 9 during CSK’s 50-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk. In the next match against Rajasthan Royals on March 30, 2025, he batted at No. 7 when CSK required 54 off 25 balls but managed just 16 off 11 as his team fell short by six runs.

Fleming’s Explanation on Dhoni’s Role

Fleming emphasized that Dhoni carefully assesses the match situation before deciding when to bat.

“It’s all about timing. MS judges his body and situation. His knees aren’t what they used to be, so he can’t bat for 10 overs at full intensity. He will step in based on the game’s demands,” Fleming explained at the post-match press conference.

The CSK coach reiterated that Dhoni remains too valuable to the team for his leadership and wicketkeeping and that sending him in too early could be a strategic misstep.

“From around the 13th or 14th over, he assesses the situation and decides. He trusts other batters early on but steps up when needed.”

CSK’s Struggles in the Powerplay Cost Them the Match

Fleming also pinpointed CSK’s poor powerplay performance as a key reason for their loss against Rajasthan Royals. While RR blasted 79/1 in the powerplay, CSK only managed 42/1,

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Inaugural ‘Battle of Green’ Set to Ignite a New School Cricket Rivalry

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Cricket enthusiasts in Mirigama and Giriulla are in for an exciting showdown as D.S. Senanayake College, Mirigama, and Wickramshila National School, Giriulla, prepare to launch their first-ever “Battle of Green” big match.

This historic encounter will take place at the Mirigama Public Grounds, marking the beginning of a thrilling annual rivalry between the two schools. Fans from both towns are expected to gather in large numbers, adding to the electric atmosphere of this inaugural clash.

The introduction of the Battle of Green is a significant milestone for school cricket in the region, providing a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent while fostering sportsmanship and competitive spirit.

Stay tuned for match updates, player insights, and exclusive coverage on Sri Lankan Sports TV.

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