In July 2011, Kumar Sangakkara delivering the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s, launched a scathing attack on the endless power-struggle that has haunted Sri Lanka ever since it won the World Cup in 1996. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been controlled and administered by a handful of the same individuals, either personally or by proxy, who occupy key positions in turns, either being appointed or via election.
Joe Root led England to an emphatic 227-run win over India in the opening Test on Tuesday, boosting their hopes of securing a rare series win against the hosts on their own patch. Spinner Jack Leach claimed four wickets and paceman James Anderson three as India were dismissed for 192 on the final day while chasing a record 420 to win.
Sri Lanka head coach Micky Arthur and batsman Lahiru Thirimanne have tested positive for COVID-19. ’’They were detected following PCR Tests carried out yesterday (02nd February) for the entire 36-member squad, along with the Coaching Staff, Net Bowlers, and the HPC Staff
At the start of Day 4 of the second Test, England had lost nine wickets in the first innings, still trailing by 42 at that stage. However, both teams combined to lose 15 wickets on the penultimate day, and England came out on top by six wickets and clinched the series 2-0. Dom Sibley and Jos Buttler stitched a crucial, unbeaten stand of 75 to seal the deal for the visiting side.
Joe Root’s marathon 186 took England closer to Sri Lanka’s total, with the visitors behind by 42 runs at close of play on Day 3 of the Galle Test. Meanwhile, Lasith Embuldeniya was the star performer for Sri Lanka, bagging seven wickets.
Joe Root’s England will look to sweep Sri Lanka in the second and final Test, starting on Friday, as they prepare to face an India side buoyed by their sensational victory in Australia. England, who resumed a tour that was halted in March by the coronavirus pandemic, won the first Test in Galle by seven wickets and start a four-Test series in India on February 5.
After those three wickets late last evening, it was smooth sailing for England on the final day of the Galle Test, as they wrapped up a seven-wicket win for a 1-0 series lead. With just 36 needed on the final day in a chase of 74, they took less than 10 overs to complete formalities on Monday (January 18).
For a good part of the first half an hour of England’s run-chase, it seemed like Sri Lanka could have a sniff at an improbable win, defending a mere 73. Not even in their best period with the bat, had they found themselves such close to parity with England as they did when the visitors lost their openers - Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley - early for the second time in the game to Lasith Embuldeniya, followed by Joe Root’s attempt to pick a quick singl
The England cricket team was hit by a new coronavirus scare Friday as two staff members tested positive and were hospitalised, officials said. Epidemiologist Venura Singarachchi told AFP the two kitchen staff at the Light House hotel in the Sri Lankan city of Galle were tested after they showed symptoms.
In contrasting fashion, Sri Lanka and England approached their batting on the opening day of the Test in Galle, and the visitors produced considerably better results on the turner, finishing the day on 127 for 2 after bowling out the hosts for 135 - the lowest ever first innings score at the venue.
It is 25 months since England toured Sri Lanka in 2018 and yet, remarkably, Dimuth Karunaratne’s team have played just two home Test matches since that series. England have played 12 home Tests, and 21 in all, in the same period. The contrast is striking, a neat illustration of the gulf between the small number of wealthy cricketing boards that make money from Test cricket, and thus play it regularly, and the majority who do not play anywhere nea
Australia coach Justin Langer gave under-fire skipper Tim Paine his “100 percent” support and blasted criticism of Steve Smith as “absolute rubbish” Wednesday after a backlash against their behaviour in the drawn third Test against India in Sydney.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Grant Luden as the physical performance manager of the side. Luden, a specialist in the area of strength and conditioning, will focus on developing the elite layers of Sri Lanka and will be in charge of the overall Strength and Conditioning program of the SLC.
Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya will be allowed to resume bowling in international cricket following remedial work on his action, the International Cricket Council announced Friday. Dananjaya was banned from bowling in international matches for 12 months after being reported for exceeding the 15 degree level of tolerance for arm flexion during a Test against New Zealand in Galle.
Moeen Ali tested positive on Monday upon arriving in Sri Lanka and will continue his 10-day self-isolation in a separate wing of the visitors’ team hotel; Chris Woakes - a possible close contact of Moeen - tested negative but will continue to isolate as a precaution
Nine minutes into day three, Sri Lanka’s head coach was on the balcony, on his feet and applauding Dimuth Karnaratne’s tenth Test ton. Thirteen minutes later, Arthur had his head buried in his hands probably aware that the knockout punch has been landed by South Africa. Karnaratne made 103 before Sri Lanka folded for 211 to set the hosts a target of 67 in order to gain a 2-0 series win.