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We have opportunity of securing spot in WTC final – Sanath

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2 months ago

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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.

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Sri Lanka Secures 2-1 Series Win Over West Indies with Stellar Performances from Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera

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3 months ago

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October 17, 2024

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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.

For more updates on Sri Lanka cricket, follow Sri Lankan Sports

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Chandika Hathurusinghe Suspended as Bangladesh Head Coach; Phil Simmons to Take Over

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3 months ago

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October 15, 2024

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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has suspended head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe on disciplinary grounds, following two counts of misconduct. Hathurusinghe, who has been with the team since February last year in his second stint, has been suspended for 48 hours, after which his contract will be terminated. Additionally, the BCB has issued him a show-cause notice.

BCB President Faruque Ahmed confirmed the decision, citing two major violations: “First, there was an incident involving an assault on a player. Secondly, Hathurusinghe took more leaves than what was stipulated in his contract.”

In the interim, former West Indies coach Phil Simmons will assume the role of head coach and is expected to lead the team until the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Hathurusinghe’s time with Bangladesh has been marked by mixed results. Despite a historic 2-0 Test series win against Pakistan this year—Bangladesh’s first-ever series win in Pakistan and their first overseas Test series win in 15 years—his tenure saw the team underperform in major tournaments. Bangladesh struggled in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, which raised concerns about the direction of the team.

After BCB President Faruque Ahmed took office in August, he had expressed doubts about Hathurusinghe’s continuation as head coach. The team’s recent struggles, including a dismal tour of India where they lost 2-0 in the Tests and 3-0 in the T20I series, appear to have sealed his fate.

As Bangladesh prepares for future challenges, Simmons’ experience will be key in guiding the team through this transitional phase.

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Sri Lanka Announces Strong 17-Member Squad for T20I Series Against West Indies

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3 months ago

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October 10, 2024

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Sri Lanka’s national cricket selectors have named a powerful 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against the West Indies. Charith Asalanka, 27, will once again lead the team in this highly anticipated series. A major highlight is the return of explosive batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who is set to make his comeback after a 21-month hiatus from the T20I format.

One of the significant changes to the lineup is the omission of former captain Dasun Shanaka. Meanwhile, wrist-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who impressed during Sri Lanka’s recent ODI series against India, has earned a spot in the squad.

The T20I series is scheduled to take place on October 13, 15, and 17 at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka T20I Squad for West Indies Series

• Charith Asalanka – Captain

• Pathum Nissanka

• Kusal Janith Perera

• Avishka Fernando

• Kusal Mendis

• Dinesh Chandimal

• Kamindu Mendis

• Bhanuka Rajapaksa

• Wanindu Hasaranga

• Dunith Wellalage

• Maheesh Theekshana

• Jeffrey Vandersay

• Chamindu Wickramasinghe

• Matheesha Pathirana

• Nuwan Thushara

• Asitha Fernando

• Binura Fernando

Stay tuned for live updates from the exciting Sri Lanka vs West Indies T20I series!

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