Colombo, Sri Lanka — December 20, 2024
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken a monumental step toward better governance, transparency, and inclusivity with the approval of significant constitutional amendments during an Extraordinary General Meeting. These reforms mark a turning point in SLC’s commitment to modernizing its operations and promoting fair representation.

Key Reforms Include Reduction in Voting Members

One of the most transformative changes is the reduction in voting members from 147 to 60. This new voting structure links voting rights to the level of cricket played by member clubs, ensuring a fairer representation for stakeholders. Eligible clubs and associations will now have an equal vote, paving the way for more equitable and efficient decision-making processes.

New Committees to Enhance Transparency

To bolster financial accountability and governance, SLC has introduced three pivotal committees:

• Audit Committee
• Investment and Budget Committee
• Related Party Transactions Committee

These committees aim to strengthen oversight mechanisms, ensuring transparency in SLC’s financial and administrative dealings.

Appointment of 2025 Election Committee

Another milestone was the unanimous appointment of the Election Committee for 2025, chaired by retired Court of Appeal Judge Malanie Gunaratne. This five-member team is tasked with preparing for the upcoming SLC elections in 2025, laying the groundwork for fair and transparent electoral processes.

Implications for Cricket in Sri Lanka

These amendments are designed to promote merit-based leadership, inclusivity, and professionalism across SLC’s operations. By aligning membership with meaningful contributions to cricket, SLC aims to create a sustainable and competitive cricketing ecosystem in Sri Lanka.

A Step Toward the Future

The approved reforms are hailed as a critical step in transforming Sri Lanka Cricket into a model of governance and efficiency. With an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and merit, SLC is setting the stage for a new era of cricket development.

Stay updated with the latest developments in Sri Lanka Cricket and its journey toward excellence.

Sri Lanka Test Tour of South Africa 2024

Head coach Sanath Jayasuriya acknowledged the significant challenges awaiting his team as they prepare for a crucial two-match Test series against South Africa, starting 29 November. The first Test will be played at Kingsmead, Durban, starting 29 November, with the second Test at St. George’s Park, Gqeberha.

Jayasuriya, along with selection committee head Upul Tharanga, who was also present at a media briefing at SLC headquarters on Thursday, expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and stressed the importance of these Tests in securing a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

“The two Tests in South Africa will be a huge challenge. We know what’s in front of us, but we believe we can do well in these games. We are giving our 100% effort, and the players are fully committed to representing their country with pride,” Sanath said, highlighting the upcoming challenge of playing in South Africa.

Following a 2-0 victory over New Zealand in their last Test series at home, Sri Lanka remains in contention for a place in the WTC final at Lord’s. Their remaining matches include Tests against South Africa and Australia, both of whom are also in the race. A clean sweep of these four games would secure Sri Lanka 69.23%, ensuring a spot in the final. Winning three and losing one would still leave them with a chance at 61.54%, depending on other results.

Sanath also noted the challenge of not having a practice match before the South Africa series due to scheduling constraints. “We were playing in Sri Lanka until just two days ago, so we won’t be able to get a practice match in South Africa. However, most of the red-ball cricketers, including the captain, have been in South Africa for two weeks to adjust to the conditions. We’re doing our best to acclimatize, even without a practice game. It would have been ideal, but unfortunately, the calendar didn’t allow it.”

Sanath also praised Pathum Nissanka for his exceptional form across all formats. “The way Pathum works in the nets is unbelievable. His commitment to improving his batting and addressing weak areas is impressive. He has an incredible work ethic, and I’m very happy with him. Not just Pathum, but the entire batting unit has been working hard and giving their best.”

Meanwhile, Tharanga explained the decision to include Lasith Embuldeniya in the squad after a long absence. “Although Embuldeniya wasn’t in recent squads, he has remained part of our system. We’ve looked at how our spinners have performed overseas, and one area of concern is that they’ve struggled to take wickets abroad. Given Embuldeniya’s recent domestic form and his success against South Africa during the historic 2019 series win, we felt it was the right time to bring him back.”

Sanath also responded to a question about his experience as head coach of the national team. “It’s a mix of emotions – stress, happiness, sadness – everything is there. It’s not easy. Sometimes things go our way, sometimes they don’t, so we need to plan accordingly. But I’m enjoying it. My support staff is giving me their full support, which is very important for me to do this job. The players have gone through a difficult period, but now they’ve come out of it. They know how to get themselves up for cricket, and they’re working hard, enjoying the game, and grabbing every opportunity.”

The Test tour to South Africa is part of the World Test Championship cycle for 2023-2025. Both teams will be aiming for a place in the WTC final with a series win.

The team is set to depart on 22 November.

Sri Lanka triumphed in the 3rd T20 match against West Indies, winning the series 2-1, with standout performances from Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera playing pivotal roles in the victory. The duo’s exceptional batting display was instrumental in guiding Sri Lanka to a competitive total, ensuring a commanding win under the leadership of head coach Sanath Jayasuriya.

The Two Kusal’s Match-Winning Contributions

• Kusal Mendis: Opening the batting, Mendis set the tone early with a brisk knock that stabilized the innings. His ability to rotate the strike and find gaps was critical in building momentum for Sri Lanka, ensuring they posted a challenging total.

• Kusal Perera: Coming in at a crucial moment, Perera played a more aggressive role, smashing boundaries and clearing the ropes with ease. His quickfire innings kept the pressure on the West Indian bowlers, adding crucial runs in the middle overs to put the game out of West Indies’ reach.

Sanath Jayasuriya’s Winning Formula

Under the new head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s tactical shift has been evident. The team has adopted a more aggressive and fearless approach, reflected in how the two Kusals batted. Jayasuriya’s emphasis on aggressive batting and utilizing the team’s strengths has reinvigorated the squad, leading to back-to-back impressive performances.

Match Stats and Historical Overview:

• T20I Head-to-Head: After this match, both teams have won 8 T20I matches each in their encounters.

• T20I Winning Percentage: Sri Lanka’s T20I win percentage now stands at 46%, while West Indies holds a 50% win rate.

Sri Lanka’s improved performance under Sanath Jayasuriya, coupled with the firepower of players like Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera, signals a bright future for the team in upcoming international tournaments.

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