News
Vajira’s ton guides Lanka Cavaliers to clinch Coconut Miracle Trophy

M.H.Yakeem
A sparkling knock by Vajira Wijegunawardena stroking a star-studded 122 runs not out in 92 balls including 8 fours and 7 sixes helped Lanka Cavaliers beat Legends of Richmond by a comfortable 103 runs in a Masters 30 overs league Cricket encounter, played for the Coconut Miracle Trophy at the Bloomfield ground, Reid Avenue, Colombo- 07 on Saturday.
Lanka Cavaliers led by Nalliah Devarajan taking first lease of the wicket, openers Punyakantha Abeygunasekera and Vajira Wijegunawardena were associated in a grand opening stand of 40 runs, with the dismissal of Punyakantha Abeygunasekera and the second wicket falling at 72 runs, Captain Nalliah Devarajan and Vajira Wijegunawardena, the pair together steadied the innings with a valuable 64 runs partnership. With the dismissal of Nalliah Devarajan at 136 runs and 4 more wickets falling at regular intervals, Lanka Cavaliers at this stage were 7 wickets down for 184 runs. Vajira Wijegunawardena, the opening batter at the crease along with Thusitha Karunaratne, the pair took them to a commanding position at the end of the 30th over. Prasanna Ramanayake, Asoka Sirimanne, and Thushan Jayawardena capturing 2 wickets apiece and Nishantha Mendis capturing a wicket were the pick of the bowlers for Legends of Richmond.
Legends of Richmond led by Thushan Jayawardena in reply, lost an early wicket at 2 runs on board. Wickets falling at regular intervals, Legends of Richmond at one stage were reeling at 7 wickets down for 53 runs with Dilshan Amarasinghe and Prasanna Ramanayake entering double figures. Useful contributions from batters P.A. Gunawardena on 19 not out and Upul Yatawara on 10 not out, Legends of Richmond could only manage to reach 93 runs at their 30th over. A fine spell by Ravi Subasinghe, capturing 3 early vital wickets and well supported by Renuka Nonis, Krishan Dharmasena, and Niranjan Dabare capturing a wicket apiece guided Lanka Cavaliers to clinch the Coconut Miracle Trophy by a comfortable 103 runs.
Scores
Lanka Cavaliers – 193/7 in 30 overs
Punyakantha Abeygunasekera 12, Nalliah Devarajan 17, Vajira Wijegunawardena 122 not out, Prasanna Ramanayake 2/22, Asoka Sirimanne 2/39, Thushan Jayawardena 2/25, Nishantha Mendis 1/31
Legends of Richmond – 90/7 in 30 overs
Dilshan Amarasinghe 13, Prasanna Ramanayake 13, P.A. Gunawardena 19 not out, Upul Yatawara 10 not out, Ravi Subasinghe 3/13, Renuka Nonis 1/21, Niranjan Dabare 1/9, Krishan Dharmasena 1/15
Caption
Captain of the Lanka Cavaliers Cricket team, Nalliah Devarajan received the Coconut Miracle Trophy from the Founder and CEO of Coconut Miracle ( Pvt ) Ltd., Shanthini Ahangama, and Deepal Ahangama.
Cricket
Shammi Silva Re-Elected as Sri Lanka Cricket President for Fourth Consecutive Term
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!
Cricket
Stephen Fleming Defends MS Dhoni’s Batting Position Amid Criticism
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,
Cricket
Inaugural ‘Battle of Green’ Set to Ignite a New School Cricket Rivalry
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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