Sri Lanka and India to go all out in today’s final
After a rollercoaster group stage, we are left with two giant teams fighting for the Asia Cup title. Three weeks of action delivered on everything desired in a tournament–the heart-stoppers, heartbreaks, washouts and thrashings, before Sri Lanka and India broke through. India’s presence in the final may have been anticipated but as for Sri Lanka, [...]
Senanayake to spend more time in remand
Former Sri Lanka national team cricketer Sachithra Senanayake, who was further remanded over allegations of match-fixing, has ‘acted as a seasoned criminal’ by attempting to mislead the investigators by providing inaccurate information, the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court heard on Friday. Senanayake was in remand custody over his alleged attempt to entice two players of the [...]
ICC is toothless and unprofessional: Arjuna Ranatunga
Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga criticised Sri Lanka and Bangladesh cricket boards for agreeing to a reserve day for the India versus Pakistan Super 4 fixture in the Asia Cup alone. Ranatunga, who is known to be outspoken, questioned the Asian Cricket Council’s decision to keep the tournament in Colombo amidst heavy rains and [...]
England’s Malan proud to silence critics with thrilling century
LONDON, Sept 15, 2023 (AFP): England’s Dawid Malan said he was delighted to silence his critics after blasting a match-winning century in his side’s 100-run win against New Zealand on Friday. Jos Buttler’s team scored 311 for 9 from their 50 overs before dismissing the Black Caps for 211 at Lord’s to win the four-match [...]
Klaasen slams 174 as South Africa level series against Australia
CENTURION, South Africa, Sept 15, 2023 (AFP) – Heinrich Klaasen slammed 174 off 83 balls to lead South Africa to a 164-run win in the fourth one-day international against Australia at SuperSport Park on Friday. Klaasen shared an extraordinary fifth wicket partnership of 222 off only 94 balls with David Miller (82 not out) as [...]
Sri Lanka Men’s 7s team to come under OAC flag
The 19th Asian Game’s Rugby Sevens Men’s tournament is scheduled to take place in Hangzhou China from September 23 to 27. Going through many challenges, the Sri Lanka Men’s Rugby 7s Team, ‘the Tuskers’ will now compete with 13 Asian rugby teams under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag, in Pool ‘B’ initially to [...]
All Blacks coach Foster hails Roigard, rues De Groot red card
TOULOUSE, France, Sept 15, 2023 (AFP): Early forward dominance allowed All Black half-backs Cam Roigard and Damian McKenzie to run the show in a 71-3 hammering of Namibia in the World Cup in Toulouse on Friday, according to New Zealand coach Ian Foster. Roigard and McKenzie each scored two tries, with the latter also hitting [...]
Leitch to set Japan record for World Cup appearances against England
NICE, France, Sept 15, 2023 (AFP) – Japan coach Jamie Joseph has made four changes to his starting XV from last week’s win over Chile for the Pool ‘D’ match against England in Nice on Sunday. Hooker Shota Horie, flanker Pieter Labuschagne and captain and No.8 Kazuki Himeno come in to the forwards pack and [...]
Uruguay eye ‘history’ with Italy win after statement France loss
LILLE, France, Sept 15, 2023 (AFP): Uruguay’s main focus before the Rugby World Cup began was next week’s game with Italy as they eye finishing third in the pool to guarantee automatic qualification for 2027′s edition. Despite the wider objective, the South Americans ranked 17th in the world showed on Thursday that they can match [...]
Yupun’s withdrawal a major blow for Sri Lanka at the Asian Games
South Asia’s fastest Yupun Abeykoon, perhaps the only sprinter to clock Asia’s best timing in Men’s 100m in the recent years, has withdrawn from the upcoming 19th Asian Games, which will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8. However Abeykoon was part of the approved list by the Ministry of Sports, [...]
US Open 2023, the last Grand Slam in tennis
The last Grand Slams in tennis is the US Open, a reflection of what tennis turned out to be in 2023 and who is who. It concluded last Sunday in Flushing Meadows, New York. Most successful in recent years free of restrictions to spectators and players. A relief gave aura of freedom. Noticeable tactical variant [...]
Mithil, Oneli and Jaanya of Gateway to represent Sri Lanka
Rising higher from a successful series of performances, three young rowers of Gateway College – Mithil Wickramasinghe, Oneli Chandrasekara and Jaanya Kumaravadu — were selected to represent the country at the forthcoming Asian Junior Rowing Championship to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in October. All three athletes commenced rowing under the direction of Sharen Kannangara [...]
Ex-Wallaby Leali’fano guides Samoa past Chile
BORDEAUX, Sept 16, 2023 (AFP): Former Australia fly-half Christian Leali’ifano kicked 16 points as Samoa beat Chile 43-10 to start their Rugby World Cup with a bonus point win. The Pacific Islanders crossed five times as Duncan Paia’aua, Jonathan Taumateine and Fritz Lee scored and Sama Malolo grabbed two tries against the South Americans, who [...]
Fiji banking on Tuisova ‘power’ to beat Australia
SAINT-ÉTIENNE, France, Sept 16, 2023 (AFP): Fiji are banking on the bullocking power-running of centre Josua Tuisova to keep their Rugby World Cup hopes alive against Australia, assistant coach Graham Dewes said on Saturday. It is a must-win clash for the Flying Fijians following their opening 32-26 Pool ‘C’ loss to Wales last week. Head [...]
IDM Campus celebrate 50 years with All-Island U-16 Football Championship
Coinciding with their 50th anniversary celebrations, which takes place in 2024, IDM Campus has expanded their base into sports activities by coming forward to host a junior national football event, with a massive player participation. Accordingly, the IDM Campus All-Island Schools Under-16 Football Championship 2023 has been organised in collaboration with Sri Lanka Schools Football [...]
All-rounders shine at Bens annual Prize Giving
Students with all-round capabilities, who excelled both in their academic and sports endeavours, were presented with the ‘1964 Champion Cricket Team Gold Medals’ at the annual Prize Giving of St. Benedict’s College, which took place last week. The annual event, however, was held after a lapse of three years, and the highlight of the evening [...]
C Rugby returns
A total of 16 teams, combining past students of brother and sister schools, who together under their college flags are set to hit the pitch in the much anticipated 7-a-side C Rugby Tag Rugby Tournament. The tournament takes place this weekend at the CR&FC ground in Longdon Place promising to be a game that will [...]
Vinuka clinches double gold while Dulein pockets bronze
In a brilliant display of talent, two young players from Sri Lanka made their mark at international level as Vinuka Dihain Wijerathna emerged champion, winning the gold medal in the Under-11 Open category with an impressive score of 5.5 out of 7 points at the Asian Schools Blitz Chess Championship 2023 held in Uzbekistan. In [...]