Proteas win battle of run-feast as game ends with 754 runs
Losing key bowlers to injuries and an erratic batting unit contributed to Sri Lanka’s thumping 102-run defeat in their opening World Cup fixture against South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi yesterday. Sri Lanka’s makeshift bowling unit endured a day of horror as they were placed under brutal assault by the South [...]
England come from behind to beat inspired Samoa
LILLE, France, Oct 7, 2023 (AFP): England came back to edge Samoa 18-17 in the Rugby World Cup on Saturday after trailing by nine points with half an hour to play. The 2003 winners were already guaranteed top spot in Pool ‘D’ before kick-off and needed Danny Care’s late try to beat the Pacific Islanders, [...]
Wales turn focus on World Cup quarter, but Faletau out
NANTES, France, Oct 7, 2023 (AFP): Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted that the 43-19 victory over Georgia on Saturday was ‘not pretty’, but added it was a case of ‘job done’ as his team now focuses on a World Cup quarter-final next weekend. Louis Rees-Zammit scored a second-half hat-trick of tries and Sam Costelow, a [...]
Mehidy stars as Bangladesh overwhelm Afghanistan in World Cup
DHARAMSALA, India, Oct 7, 2023 (AFP): Mehidy Hasan Miraz starred with both bat and ball as Bangladesh launched their World Cup campaign with a dominant six-wicket win over Afghanistan in Dharamsala on Saturday. The off-spinner took 3-25 as Afghanistan were bowled out for just 156. Mehidy then made 57 after being dropped twice, with Nojmul [...]
Kabaddi kerfuffle mars India milestone as Yao Ming slams ‘slackers’
HANGZHOU, China, Oct 7, 2023 (AFP): India surged past 100 medals at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Saturday but the milestone was overshadowed by their controversial gold in a fractious kabaddi final suspended for an hour. The curtain comes down on the biggest Asian Games in history, boasting 12,000 athletes, on Sunday after two [...]
Sri Lanka slinger Pathirana to be World Cup ‘X Factor’, says coach
NEW DELHI, AFP: Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana was backed by coach Chris Silverwood to be the ‘X Factor’ at the World Cup. The 20-year-old, dubbed ‘Baby Malinga’ for his copycat style of compatriot Lasith Malinga’s unorthodox action, has only played 10 ODIs and one T20 but is tipped to be amongst the tournament’s [...]
South Africa hit highest World Cup total of 428
NEW DELHI, Oct 7, 2023 (AFP): South Africa rewrote the record books on Saturday as they posted the highest ever World Cup total of 428 as Aiden Markram clubbed the fastest tournament century in just 49 balls against shell-shocked Sri Lanka. The Proteas bettered the previous World Cup best of 417 made by Australia against [...]
Defending champion Medvedev makes strong Shanghai Masters start
SHANGHAI, Oct 7, 2023 (AFP) – Defending champion Daniil Medvedev made a strong start to the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, with his main rival, top seed Carlos Alcaraz, due to launch his campaign later. Italy’s Jannik Sinner is also through after battling through an intense first set — saving four set points — against the [...]
Strange WC opener as 2019 finalists play to a virtually empty ground
England and New Zealand, who played an epic final four years ago at Lord’s, would not have expected empty stands when they opened the 2023 edition of the ICC Men’s World Cup on Thursday. But this was precisely what both teams saw in the 132,000 capacity Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and it was the [...]
‘Unfinished business’ as Rohit channels Tendulkar at World Cup
CHENNAI, India, Oct 7, 2023 (AFP): India skipper Rohit Sharma said on Saturday that a World Cup win at home was ‘unfinished business’ for his men, channelling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s words before the 2011 triumph that capped his career. The hosts open their campaign in the 50-over showpiece event against fellow big guns Australia [...]
Watching IPL on TV helps Pakistan get into India groove
HYDERABAD, India, Oct 7, 2023 (AFP): Pakistan players may be banned from competing in the Indian Premier League but TV footage of the lucrative tournament played a part in the team’s opening World Cup win. Of the 15-man Pakistan squad, only all-rounders Mohammad Nawaz and Agha Salman had ever visited the country before this World [...]
India win Asian Games cricket gold without having to bat
HANGZHOU, China, Oct 7, 2023 (AFP): A proud and emotional India were crowned Asian Games men’s cricket champions on their first attempt and without needing to bat in an anti-climatic finish on Saturday, consigning Afghanistan to a third consecutive silver. They were declared winners of the final under an Asian Games-specific rule where the higher-ranked [...]
Swiatek ends Gauff win streak to reach China Open final
BEIJING, Oct 7, 2023 (AFP): World number two Iga Swiatek breezed into the China Open women’s final with a one-sided victory over Coco Gauff in Beijing on Saturday, handing the American her first defeat in 17 matches. Swiatek beat the US Open champion 6-2, 6-3 to set up a clash with either Elena Rybakina or [...]
Tharushi’s moment of glory
A little-known girl from a well-known school to produce athletes of international repute, has now won the hearts of many a Sri Lankan. Tharushi Karunaratne, who will be turning 19 on November 18, not only made her country proud at the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, but also engraved her name in the record [...]
Barrett says All Blacks want revenge for Irish series pain
New Zealand are still ‘hurting’ over their home Test series loss to world number one Ireland last year and are itching for revenge, All Blacks fullback Beauden Barrett said on Friday. Ireland had never before beaten New Zealand away from home before that series in June 2022, where they bounced back from losing the first [...]
Galthie’s France preparing for next ‘World Cup final’
France coach Fabien Galthie said his team is focused on playing another ‘World Cup final’ after securing their place in the knock-out stages with an eight-try thumping of Italy on Friday. The tournament hosts completed a perfect pool stage record with their 60-7 thrashing of a team who ran them close less than eight months [...]
The remarkable rise of Pakistan match-winner Shakeel
HYDERABAD, India, AFP: Saud Shakeel was nowhere near World Cup selection three months ago but a thrilling half-century in Friday’s win over the Netherlands underlined his remarkable and rapid rise up the cricketing ladder. Shakeel actually made his ODI debut in England in 2021 but he was largely out of the reckoning until he cracked [...]
De Leede ready for New Zealand versions of Shaheen, Rauf
HYDERABAD, India, AFP: Dutch all-rounder Bas de Leede believes New Zealand seamers Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson will pose the same dangers as Pakistan’s vaunted pace duo Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf when they meet in the World Cup on Monday. The Netherlands slipped to an 81-run defeat to Pakistan in their championship opener [...]
BWF upgrades Edirisinghe’s umpire status
In a remarkable achievement that underscores his dedication and passion for the sport, international umpire Lakpriya Edirisinghe was elevated to the status of a semi-professional umpire for the 2024-2026 cycle by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). This significant milestone not only serves as a testament to Edirisinghe’s unwavering commitment but also shines a spotlight on [...]
HNB shines at 39th MBA Team Championship
Hatton National Bank (HNB) emerged victorious, securing the prestigious title at the 39th MBA Team Championship at the Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) courts blazing with stirring action. The prestigious annual Team Championship attracted a remarkable grouping of corporate talents from across the nation as the event proved to be a spectacular showcase of badminton prowess, [...]
Fondre sponsors SSC All-Island Open Championship
The highly anticipated SSC All-Island Open Badminton Championship 2023, which is set to take place from October 7 to 15, will be sponsored by Fondre of Pyramid Wilmar. Organised by Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) in association with Western Province Badminton Association (WPBA), and conducted by Sri Lanka Badminton, this is the longest running Ranking Level [...]
Champions of 21st Supersport School Volleyball Championship honoured with grand roadshow
DSI, the leading footwear manufacturer in Sri Lanka, extended a grand celebration to honour the triumphant teams of the 21st DSI Supersport School Volleyball Championship with an exciting roadshow. The two victorious teams, Divisamara National School, Seeduwa and Dammissara National School, Naththandiya, were treated to a memorable journey aboard a double-decker bus. The open-top, two-story [...]
Sri Lanka at FIBA Asian U-16 Basketball Tournament in Doha
The Sri Lanka Under-16 national basketball team qualified for the FIBA Asian Under-16 Basketball Tournament which was held in Doha, Qatar from September 17 to 24, conducted by the Federation Internationale de Basketball Amateur (FIBA). Prasad Samarathunga, the Principal of St. Joseph’s College, Grandpass, who was named as the team manager, said that the Under-16 [...]
Young Bridgetine gymnasts showcase their skills at ‘Gym for Life’ Challenge 2023
The inaugural ‘Gym for Life Challenge’ Gymnastics championship, which was organised by the National Gymnastic Association of Sri Lanka, was a captivating display of athleticism and artistry. The tournament, which was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium earlier this month, showcased the talents and skills of over 2,500 young gymnasts from all across the country. [...]
Ritzbury Sir John Tarbat Athletics Championship expands to North and East
The North and East Ritzbury Sir John Tarbat Junior Athletics Championship concluded triumphantly at Jaffna’s Dorreappa Stadium on October 4. This event, while celebrating its success, also championed a deeper message of empowerment, diversity, and inclusivity across Sri Lanka, further boosting Sri Lankan youth opportunities. The overall championship for girls was secured by Dehiattakandiya National [...]
Karateka Chirayu to represent Sri Lanka in Japan
Chirayu Wijekoon, a promising martial arts athlete, has been selected to represent Sri Lanka at the 13th World Karate Championship to be held in Tokyo, Japan on October 14 and 15. Chirayu, now 23, is a former student of Royal College, Colombo, and is a Black Belt Dan 2. He has recorded a few victories [...]
Thomian cricket gets hydration partner
S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, teamed-up with the island’s renowned sports drinks manufacturer ‘Yeti’ as the hydration partner for the current Senior Inter-School Cricket season. As a result, the Thomian senior cricket team will have access to the elite Yeti portfolio of sports isotonic products including the electrolyte powders during their matches. Meanwhile, the current [...]