Week in Sports by Ishan Samaraweera
View(s):This segment gives our readers brief updates on all the sporting action that happened during the course of the week.
Cricket
- Kumar Sangakkara to become next MCC President
Sri Lankan legend and a former captain of the national team Kumar Sangakkara, is set to become the President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Sangakkara will become the first non-British President of the MCC. His nomination was announced by the current President, Anthony Wreford, at the MCC Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, May 1, held at Lord’s. Sangakkara will take up the post for one year from October 1, 2019.
- Sri Lanka slides in ICC ODI rankings
According to the latest standings of the International cricket Council (ICC), Sri Lanka has dropped down to the ninth position in One Day International (ODI) Rankings. England continues to dominate the 50 over format. The listed countries according to ranking are — England (123 points), India (121 Points), South Africa (115 points), New Zealand (113 points), Australia (109 points), Pakistan (96 points), Bangladesh (86 points), West Indies (80 Points), Sri Lanka (76 points) and Afghanistan (64 points).
- Men in Blue dominate Test arena
India tops the ICC Test Rankings, according to the latest standings, while Sri Lanka is placed sixth in the list. The listed Test rankings are — India (113 points), New Zealand (111 points), South Africa (108 points), England (105 points), Australia (98 points), Sri Lanka (94 points), Pakistan (84 points), West Indies (84 points), Bangladesh (65 points) and Zimbabwe (16 points).
- Pakistan tops T20 Rankings
Pakistan tops the ICC T20 rankings while Sri Lanka is ranked eighth according to the latest standings. Newcomers to the global cricket, Afghanistan is placed seventh, one place above Sri Lanka. The teams listed are — Pakistan (286 points), South Africa (262 points), England (261 points), Australia (261 points), India (260 points), New Zealand (254 points), Afghanistan (241 points), Sri Lanka (227 points), West Indies (226 points) and Bangladesh (220 points).
- More trouble for Alex Hales
England’s top order batsman Alex Hales has been excluded from England’s World Cup squad as a result of his ban which gave him a 21-day suspension from cricket following his medical tests revealing that he has used recreational drugs. According to the England captain, the senior players didn’t want to have Alex Hales in team because he has damaged the reputation of the English cricket culture.
- Special Security measures for Sri Lanka at the World Cup
In the wake of recent tragic incidents took place in the country, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to take additional measures to strengthen the security of the national team, taking part in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales. The SLC is working on the matter in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and the International Cricket Council.
Rugby
- Sri Lanka President’s side thrash Malaysia Barbarians
Sri Lanka President’s side comprehensively beat Malaysia Barbarians 55-14 to register their first win of the tour, in which the Tuskers engaged as a preparation tour ahead of the Asia Division 1 Rugby Championship. Sri Lanka scored from nine tries and five conversions, while leading the first half by 41-7. Malaysia Barbarians scored from two converted tries.