Sri Lanka has earned a proud moment on the global cricketing stage as national women’s captain Chamari Athapaththu has been appointed to the Player Advisory Board of the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA).

The latest reshuffle of the board brings together some of the most influential voices in international cricket. Athapaththu joins a distinguished lineup that includes Pat Cummins, Jason Holder, Heather Knight, Aiden Markram, Scott Edwards, and Laura Wolvaardt.

She also joins newly inducted members such as Rashid Khan, Wayne Madsen, Daryl Mitchell, and Maddy Green. The new appointments come as former board members Tim Southee and Sophie Devine step down from their roles.

Speaking about her appointment, Athapaththu described the opportunity as both a personal honour and a milestone for Sri Lankan cricket as a whole. She emphasized that her inclusion reflects growing recognition for players from Asia on the global stage.

The experienced all-rounder expressed her eagerness to bring her international insights to the table, highlighting the importance of ensuring that players from all regions have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of the sport. She particularly stressed the need for stronger representation from Asian cricketing nations in global decision-making.

Athapaththu also reaffirmed her commitment to collaborating with fellow board members to enhance player welfare, support the development of the game, and contribute to a more balanced and inclusive global cricket structure.

According to the WCA, the refreshed Player Advisory Board comes at a crucial time for international cricket. The body aims to strengthen player representation and ensure that athletes play a central role in guiding the long-term direction and sustainability of the game.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have signed South African allrounder George Linde as a replacement for injured Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in IPL 2026.

Hasaranga, bought for INR 2 crore, was ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup opener in February and never joined the LSG squad. His absence left LSG short of spin options early in the season.

Linde joins the franchise at his base price of INR 1 crore. The 33-year-old left-arm spinner is set for his first IPL stint, but arrives with extensive global T20 experience, having featured in leagues such as SA20, The Hundred, PSL and Major League Cricket over the past year.

Across 250 T20 matches, Linde has taken 218 wickets at an economy of 7.42 and scored 2,746 runs at a strike rate of 136.68, adding depth as a bowling allrounder.

LSG, who began IPL 2026 with a loss to Delhi Capitals, have since bounced back with two narrow wins to climb to fifth place on the points table. The addition of Linde is expected to further strengthen their balance ahead of a key phase in the tournament.

LSG next face Gujarat Titans on Sunday in Lucknow, where Linde could be in line for his debut.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has moved to ease tensions with Sri Lanka Cricket by issuing a formal apology and indicating his readiness to withdraw legal proceedings over the denial of a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

In a communication addressed to CEO Ashley de Silva, with copies sent to President Shammi Silva and other officials, Thushara clarified that legal action was never intended to undermine the board or create conflict. Instead, he emphasized that his actions were driven by a desire to address what he believed was unfair treatment.

The pacer acknowledged that the situation may have caused concern within the governing body and expressed regret over any inconvenience or misunderstanding. He reaffirmed his respect for Sri Lanka Cricket and its leadership, stressing his commitment to resolving the matter constructively.

Significantly, Thushara stated he is now willing to abandon court action in favor of a mutually agreeable solution. He expressed optimism that both parties could move forward positively through dialogue.

The dispute arose after Sri Lanka Cricket declined to grant Thushara the required NOC to participate in overseas franchise tournaments, including the Indian Premier League. The board cited the player’s failure to meet newly introduced fitness benchmarks as the reason for its decision.

In response, Thushara had filed a petition before the Colombo District Court seeking legal intervention to secure clearance for participation in international leagues.

During recent proceedings, Sri Lanka Cricket informed the court that it would submit formal objections. The case is scheduled to be heard again on April 23, though Thushara’s latest statement signals a possible out-of-court resolution.