Cricket - Int News
Sri Lanka Cricket board wants change in venue for first practice game in Bangladesh
BIPIN DANI
Sri Lanka's touring cricket team which was supposed to play its first two-day practice match in Chattogram will now play in Dhaka.
The visiting team was scheduled to play the inaugural tour game on May 11 & 12 at MA Aziz Stadium, (the first Test match is to be played in Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) but the same has been shifted to the BKSP (Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan) ground in Dhaka.
The home team to play the practice match against Sri Lanka will be known as the BCB XI and will be led by Md. Mithun.
"The request to change the venue was received from the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)", one of the sources in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said exclusively over the telephone from Dhaka on Sunday. "No specific reason was given for this change", the source further added.
The Lankan squad comprising 18 players and 12 support staff including the tour selector Pramodya Wickramsinghe reached Bangladesh on Sunday morning will stay in Dhaka till the training and the practice game are over. Whereas, the home team was scheduled to reach the first Test venue on Sunday, i.e. a week before the Test, which is to begin on May 15.
"Maintaining the protocol, there was no thread ceremony held at the SLC office", the source in Colombo confirmed.
The opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who, on Saturday scored 36 runs in his last match (of the first half season) for Yorkshire is scheduled to leave for Bangladesh immediately after the Sunday match. He is believed to have had chats with the coaching staff.
Roshan Mahanama keeps his promise of meeting a boy in Mumbai
BIPIN DANI
Former Sri Lanka captain and ICC Elite Panel Match Referee Roshan Mahanama met a young cricket enthusiast Arsalaan Akhtar at his home in Mumbai recently and shared with him the experience as a cricketer and in life as well.
This was revealed by Arsalaan's father Talha Mohsin.
"My 11-year-old son, Arsalaan Akhtar, is a budding cricketer and his only dream is to play for India. The last two years were really tough for him as his cricket academy was shut due to Covid. He was extremely tense and worried as he was losing out on all the training", the father explains.
During his father's recent visit to Sri Lanka, he met the 1996 World Cup winning team member Mahanama.
"I told him about my Arsalaan and asked him if he could record a video message for him. He promised me that whenever he’s down in India next, he’ll meet him personally instead of just recording a 10-15 second video message. He told me that it would be far more motivational".
"I thought such a big man would naturally forget about it, especially when he’s busy helping people of Sri Lanka during a state of great disturbance, confusion, and uncertainty. But I was wrong. Now, something I never expected happened. I got a call from Roshan Sir to inform me that he’s in India for some important work but he will try to take out time to meet my son. We met and he spent a good 2 hours talking about cricket with my son. He shared his childhood stories. The lessons he got from his coach. The sacrifices he made to become an International Cricket player. He also spoke about how important proper cricketing shots are and it’s not just about playing the ball in the air".
Father adds, "It was like a master-class on cricket and also on how to be a better person. From the basics of cricket to leadership skills and from the importance of discipline to passion. He heard all his questions patiently and answered each one of them. Not only my son, even I learned a lot in those 2 hours".
In the end, when we were saying goodbye, my son told him how he still can’t believe that he got so many lessons from a World Champion like Roshan Mahanama. To this, Roshan Sir said, “This is one more leadership lesson, son. Always stay true to your word. I promised your father so I had to fulfill it.”
"My son is feeling extremely pumped up after meeting a great man and an even better human being. He’s practicing even more, all thanks to Roshan Sir!", the father concluded.
Playing in IPL will benefit my son to become a successful captain, says Sr. Pooran
BIPIN DANI
Nicholas Pooran who has been appointed new white ball captain for the West Indies team will benefit from playing in India now. This was opined by his father Lawrence Pooran.
The 26-year-Nicholas Pooran has been playing the IPL in India for the SunRisers Hyderabad team.
"Definitely, Playing in the world's biggest men's league will immensely help him to succeed", his father Lawrence, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Trinidad said on Wednesday morning.
"My son is playing the IPL with and against world's leading cricketers and the experience he has been getting there will help him in long run. Only the renowned cricketers from Caribbean islands and other foreign countries are selected to play in the IPL".
The father was not surprised with the decision of the West Indies selectors to promote him as a new captain.
"He was already the vice captain of the team and we are not surprised with his elevation", he added.
Kraigg Brathwaite will continue to lead the West Indies team in red ball format, confirms Ricky Skerrit.
"The Test captain was changed a year ago from Jason Holder to Kraig Brathwaite. Only change is white ball to replace Pollard who has retired representing the West Indies", Skerrit said.
Arjuna Ranatunga addresses students in India
BIPIN DANI
Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatuinga is in India now.
Late last week, he addressed about 200 Indian students in Mumbai.
"I was invited by the former Indian spinner Nilesh Kulkurni to share my experience and knowledge with his students at the International Institute of Sports Management (IIMS)", the 58-year-old Ranatunga said exclusively over the telephone.
"I spoke about the mind game and several other issues. It was like a motivational lecture".
"My 30-minute lecture was followed by a question and answer session, in which the students asked about how I handled Muralitharan's no-ball issue (1996, Australia tour). They were also keen to learn how such issues can make sure that the game is not distracted".
"The students were also told about discipline and attitude to be maintained. They have been guided to respect the elders and worship the parents, which is our old custom", added the former captain.
Interestingly, Ranatunga also stated that the next time he visits this institute it would be as the President of Sri Lanka.
Ranatunga will spend a few more days visiting Trivandrum, Cochin and Bangalore before returning to Sri Lanka.
Asanka Gurusinha resigns as Nigeria cricket head coach
BIPIN DANI
Sri Lanka's former top order batter and manager of the national team Asanka Gurusinha has resigned as coach for the Nigerian team. In December 2020, Gurusinha, who was a member of the 1996 World Cup winning Sri Lankan team was signed by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) as their head coach and high performance director.
"Gurusinha has resigned due to his health issues", Musa Ehizoje, the PRO of the NCF said over the telephone.
Gurusinha is believed to have been carrying a shoulder injury. The injury is unlikely to have occurred during his coaching or training stint but has aggravated recently, it is learnt.
"He needs surgery and if not done at the earliest, it may worsen", one of the sources in Nigeria confirmed.
"It is not known whether he will return to his birth country or may head to Australia, where he has been living for the last so many years. Chances are that he may prefer to go to Australia", the source further added.
"He submitted his resignation recently and the directors have had to accept it with a heavy heart", the PRO added.
"We have not yet decided on a new coach yet. Gurusinha has not recommended any name also", Musa Ehizoje confirmed, adding, "Gurusinha, in his short time with us, made significant impact in the game in this country, notably bringing in more discipline to players’ approach to the game and establishing a coaching development template that had been rolled out for coaches also".
Ben Stokes named England Test Team Captain
Sports Bulletin Report
LONDON:-Durham’s Ben Stokes has been appointed captain of the England Men’s Test team by the England & Wales Cricket Board.
He succeeds Joe Root in becoming the 81st captain of the England Men’s Test team. The ECB Interim Chair and Chief Executive Officer approved the appointment on Tuesday evening following the recommendation by the Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key.
Rob Key said:
“I had no hesitation in offering the role of Test captain to Ben.
“He epitomises the mentality and approach we want to take this team forward into the next era of red-ball cricket. I am delighted that he has accepted, and he is ready for the added responsibility and the honour. He thoroughly deserves the opportunity.”
Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said:
“I am delighted that Ben has agreed to become England Men’s Test captain, which is another great achievement in his extraordinary career in an England shirt.
“He cares deeply and passionately about what it means to represent England and he will lead us into a new era with great pride. It’s an important summer for our Test side and Ben will I am sure relish the challenge before him and his team.”
Stokes made his Test debut in December 2013 and has represented his country on 79 occasions at this level. He was named vice-captain in February 2017 and also stood in as captain when Root was absent for the birth of his second child in the summer of 2020. The Durham star currently has 5,061 Test runs at an average of 35.89. He has taken 174 wickets with the ball and is amongst the best all-rounders in the world.
Test Captain, Ben Stokes, added:
“I am honoured to be given the chance to lead the England Test team. This is a real privilege, and I’m excited about getting started this summer.
“I want to thank Joe (Root) for everything he has done for English Cricket and for always being a great ambassador for the sport all across the world. He has been a massive part of my development as a leader in the dressing room, and he will continue to be a key ally for me in this role.”
Sri Lankan record holder to miss Pakistan tour: School principal proud of her recent achievements
BIPIN DANI
Vishmi Gunarathna will miss the Pakistan tour because of her Level 11 examinations to run from May 23 to June 1. Sri Lanka's women's team will play three T-20Is and three ODIs' in Pakistan between May 24 and June 5.
Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya (Gampaha, Sri Lanka) is proud of her pupil Vishmi Gunarathna, who at the age of 16 years smashed unbeaten 417 runs, the highest score in Under-19 Schools Cricket last week.
Vishmi's 417 runs scored in 128 balls (30-over match against Jayasiripura Kanishta Vidyalaya) included 49 fours and 29 sixes. Interestingly, she reached her 300th, 350th and 400th runs with sixes.
"She has reestablished the history of Sri Lankan girls’ Cricket, setting a new record. We are proud of her achievement", the school principal Mrs. HAH Jayawardena said over the telephone.
Vishmi commenced career in sports with athletics securing national level victories in 100m,200m,100mx 4 , and has been able to set new national records in the years 2018 and 2019 in 100mx4.
"Presently she captains the school Cricket Team and is an all-rounder. She has also brought pride for the school by representing the national team as an opening batter".
Vishmi is good in her academic career also.
"Vishmi Gunarathna who is in grade 11 of our school has been a bonafide student of the school since grade 6 and she has been outstanding in every aspect", the principal added.
In January this year, Vishmi represented the country in Commonwealth Games Women's Cricket Competition Qualifiers in Malaysia and had played four international matches.
Vishmi's elder sister, Nethmi Gunarathna has also been an outstanding student of our school who secured a number of victories in cricket as well as athletics bringing fame and reputation to the school", added the principal.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis return from Dhaka Premier League for fitness tests
BIPIN DANI
Sri Lankan all-rounder (and possible vice captain on the forthcoming Bangladesh tour) Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis have returned (to Sri Lanka) from Bangladesh, where they were playing the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.
"They gave and passed their fitness tests on Monday", one of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board sources revealed.
Both Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis were recently hired by two franchise teams-Abhani Limited and Mohammedan Sports Club- respectively to play List A Dhaka Premier League (DPL) matches in Bangladesh.
More than 80 players (yes, you have read right, above 80 players) gave their fitness tests on Monday and "almost all" have passed.
This long list (of more than 80 players included) included the national players to leave for the Bangladesh tour, Under-19 players and players from the Emerging squad. They underwent tests for skin folds, strength, speed and agility and endurance, it is learnt.
Fitness tests of the national men's team were supervised by the new head coach Chris Siverwood, whereas the young players' tests were conducted in the presence of Ruwan Kalpage, the head coach for the Emerging squad, which is to leave for the England tour.
Pramodya Wickramasinghe to be tour selector in Bangladesh
Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka's chief selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe will travel with the team to Bangladesh, it is learnt.
According to the well-placed sources in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board, the 50-year-old former right-arm fast bowler will act as a selector on tour.
The Sri Lankan team which is scheduled to leave for Bangladesh on May 8 will play a 2-day match (May 11 and 12) before the two Test matches in Chattogram (May 15-19) and Dhaka (May 23-27).
The squad is unlikely to have Chaminda Vaas as bowling coach. The SLC had already named him as a bowling coach, however, the negotiations between the two have failed and the board is likely to send someone else.
The new coach Chris Silverwood, who acted as an observer and had one-to-one with some players will begin the coaching and supervise the training sessions from Tuesday onwards with those players, who passed their fitness tests on Monday.
The coach is likely to address his first media interaction this week, it is understood.
New Sports Council
In the meantime, the sports minister Thenuka Vidanamage is likely to announce the new members of the National Sports Council this week.
"Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara didn't show interest for a zoom meeting and hence I presume they are not interested. Will form a new committee this week", the hon. minister, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, confirmed.
Mohammad Hasnain modifies his bowling action
Khurram Shehzad Awan
RAWALPINDI:-Young Pakistan pacer Mohammad Hasnain has modified his bowling action and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will soon contact International Cricket Council (ICC) for reassessment.
The 22-year-old's bowling action was found illegal on February 4 after umpires in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) reported. He underwent a test at the ICC's accredited testing centre in Lahore on January 21.
The report stated that his elbow extension for his good length delivery, full-length delivery, slow bouncer and bouncer exceeded the 15-degree limits.
According to sources, the modification of Hasnain's bowling action has been completed under the supervision of Umar Rasheed at the National High Performance Center (NHPC).
Tests at a local laboratory also found that the elbow of his arm was within the legal range of 15-degree limits. After complete satisfaction, the PCB will now formally request a review from the ICC.
The world's governing body will send Hasnain to a recognized laboratory for a test. He will be allowed to play international cricket if clearance is obtained.
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