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Players have lost focus due to IPL - De Mel
2008-05-21 12:12:00
Players have lost focus due to IPL - De Mel By Champika Fernando The flagging fortunes of Sri Lanka at the international level could well be attributed to the infusion of youth into the big league, as team coach Trevor Bayliss emphasized in an exclusive interview with LAKBIMAnEWS a fortnight ago, but chief selector Ashantha de Mel says the players have lost their focus due to the cash-rich Indian Premier League.“I wish they show the same kind of passion and spirit while playing for the country,” de Mel, who opened bowling for country’s inaugural Test in 1982, said.Sri Lanka lost 12 matches, won eight and drew two during the period since World Cup, which included a humiliating 3-2 drubbing by the Englishmen in our own backyard, the first series defeat against England at home.“They seem to be more interested in playing for the IPL than the country and that’s why I said they have lost the focus,” he explained.The former fast-bowler is not in favour of the wham-...
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History of Asia Cup - 1988
2008-05-21 12:09:00
History of Asia Cup - 1988 India halt Lankan charge The ninth Asia Cup limited overs cricket tournament will be played in Pakistan from June 24 to July 6.Defending champions Sri Lanka have been drawn alongside Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates in Group A, while archrivals India and Pakistan will battle it out in Group B with Hong Kong. India have won the event four times, while Sri Lanka have lifted the cup three times, and Pakistan once. LAKBIMAnEWS continues to take a look at the history of the tournament which was inaugurated in 1984.The third edition of the tournament named Wills Asia Cup was played in Bangladesh in 1988. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were the participating countries. Although Sri Lanka cruised into the final with three wins in a row they were brushed aside by India in the final. Promising start Sri Lanka went to the tournament as defending champions (they annexed the trophy two years ago when the event was held in ...
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Sri Lanka without top runners at Asian Grand Prix
2008-05-21 12:08:00
Sri Lanka without top runners at Asian Grand PrixSri Lanka sans top-notch sprinters including Susanthika Jayasinghe will field a mediocre ten-member contingent at the forthcoming Asian Grand Prix 2008 series which will commence later next month in Thailand.The first two legs are scheduled for June 23 and 27 in Thailand while the final leg will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam on June 30.Jayasinghe opted out due to her training commitments ahead of Olympics in the United States, high jumper Manjula Kumara failed to secure a place due to his poor form and Rohan Pradeep Kumara is sidelined with an injury.The team includes three girls and seven boys, including the men’s 4x400 relay quartet which eyes an Olympic berth.Women’s 400m sprinter Menaka Wickramasinghe who clocked an impressive 52.93 seconds last year will be a possible medal prospect, though hard to predict anything due to poor preparations, while Premila Priyadarshani, the South Asian athletic champion, will carry the burden of t...
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‘Kalu’ to coach Malaysia national Cricket team
2008-05-21 12:05:00
‘Kalu’ to coach Malaysia national team Sri Lankan World Cup winner Romesh Kaluwitharana has been appointed coach of the Malaysian senior squad on a short-term contract.Five applicants are on the short-list for the long-term position as national coach of Malaysia but none are able to join before July. The Malaysian Cricket Association will bank on Kaluwitharana to boost the national squad in time for the ACC Trophy which takes place at the end of July.Kaluwitharana said that this is a new challenge for him and his main aim is to better the squad and to take them to victory in the ACC Trophy.“I will need to see the Malaysian squad’s cricketing standard first and then plan out my strategy. I do not want to make a lot of changes but I will develop them mentally and look to improve their approach to the game.“I have been in contact with ACC Development Officer Rumesh Ratnayake and he has been providing me with valuable information about Malaysia’s cricketing standard. I a...
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I Can Do It Again For The Country - Sanath Jayasuriya : return to the natio
2008-05-21 12:04:00
By Ranjan Paranavithana & Champika Fernando Sanath Jayasuriya who makes a return to the national side for the Asia Cup in Pakistan next month following some breathtaking performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League, yesterday said that it came at the right time for him.“I believe it came at the right time. I was waiting for this moment. When I was dropped from the side, I knew only way to earn my place back is to score some runs,” the veteran cricketer said from Mumbai.Following a disastrous performance at the CB tri-nation series involving, hosts Australia, India and Sri Lanka, the 39-year-old country’s highest capped player was dropped for the West Indies tour.“I couldn’t make runs in the domestic circuit even though my bowling and fielding has been pretty impressive. So the only thing that was needed was to score a few runs,” he added.Jayasuriya who retired from Test cricket last year now plays for the Mumbai Indians as the third highest paid player in the ...
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SL Players at loggerheads over contract
2008-05-21 11:51:00
SLCricket , players at loggerheads over contract By Sa’adi Thawfeeq Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was facing a deadlock over central contracts with players refusing to sign because of certain clauses SLC has brought in to safeguard domestic cricket. The matter is being resolved between SLC and the Cricketers’ Association who are representing the players. SLC is hopeful that the issue would be settled once the players return from India and the contracts would be signed ahead of next month’s Asia Cup. SLC sources said that the players are refusing to sign because they don’t want to be tied down playing domestic cricket which would deprive them of playing county cricket in England and the on-going IPL Twenty20 in India. SLC feel that these clauses are necessary if domestic cricket is to be safeguarded. Without a strong domestic structure they point out would lead to a weak national team. SLC requ...
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The Master Blaster - Sanath J. ROCKS IPL
2008-05-16 10:14:00
"Sachin helped me right throughout my innings" : Sanath Jayasuriya 16th May 2008 After losing their first three matches of the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL), the Mumbai Indians seem to be back on track having won consecutive games after the initial hiccups. Yesterday, they were put to the test by Dhoni and his Super Kings. But a brilliant innings by opener Sanath Jayasuriya took the gloss away from Sachin Tendulkar's return and they've now won four on the trot.The Sri Lankan veteran said that he had a good start to the IPL but was not able to convert his 20s and 30s. However, his blistering knock of 114 against the Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday more than made up for the string of small scores. His Mumbai teammates were happy with his performance, which was the second fastest century of the IPL so far.Jayasuriya mentioned that he did not realize he was playing so well till Tendulkar, playing at the non-striker's end told him that he...
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Gavaskar steps down from ICC role
2008-05-09 10:25:00
Gavaskar steps down from ICC role Gavaskar is known for his strong opinions on cricketing matters Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has quit as chairman of the International Cricket Council's cricket committee after eight years in the job. He was asked to choose between his role and working as a media pundit amid concerns about a conflict of interest. "It has been extremely fulfilling to be able to give back to the game. "But with more and more cricket being played it has become clear that it is not possible for me to do justice to two jobs," Gavaskar said. "I envisaged the potential for this sort of issue two years ago and intimated then that I was not able to continue in the role but when I was asked to do so I was honoured to be re-elected. "Now, however, it is clear I cannot combine both roles and therefore I am relinquishing the chair of t...
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Harbhajan suspended after 'slap'
2008-04-26 23:27:00
Harbhajan suspended after 'slap' Harbhajan tried to play down the incident following the game India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been suspended pending an inquiry into claims he slapped an opposition player during an Indian Premier League game. Harbhajan was captaining Mumbai Indians when he allegedly slapped Kings XI Punjab and India paceman Sree Santh. TV pictures showed Santh crying at the end of the game, which his side won. Harbhajan misses his team's next game against Deccan Chargers on Sunday and India's board of control will hold an inquiry into the incident on Monday. "The BCCI condemns the behaviour of Harbhajan Singh as a contracted player of the board. "And he is called upon to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him and has been asked for clarification by Monday evening," board secretary Niranjan Shah said....

the IPL is going to be massive --Justin Langer column -
2008-04-21 21:59:00
Justin Langer column By Justin Langer Former Australia batsman and Somerset captain Cricket administrators worldwide have a delicate challenge on their hands in the way they handle the electricity being g...
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Now, Free Download : Indian Premier League team guide And Schedule
2008-04-19 23:12:00
Download Free - Indian Premier League team guide And Schedule as a,MS Word Document ,To download, use below links@ As a Word Document, Click Here@ As a WinZip file, Click Here
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Lasith Malinga , To Be Out Of IPL Matches in India
2008-04-19 23:09:00
Malinga doubt for IPL kick-off Lasith Malinga © Getty Images Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga has admitted he is struggling to be fit for the start of the India n Premier League, which gets under way this month.Malinga has been troubled by a niggling knee problem which has kept him out of Sri Lanka’s ongoing tour of West Indies.The 24-year-old was signed by Mumbai Indians at the IPL players’ auction in February but has now revealed he may not be fit in time for the start of the tournament. “I‘ve had this injury in Australia and played with it,” Malinga explained. “However as it got worse I couldn’t tour the West Indies too. “I would have loved to be with the team and enjoy its success. I am still under treatment and working hard. “It is tough at this stage to be sure about IPL, but I am very hopeful I can make it.”Mumbai Indians open their IPL campaign against Bangalore Royal Challengers on April 20.
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McCullum fireworks mark IPL's bow
2008-04-19 22:48:00
McCullum fireworks mark IPL's bow McCullum hit 13 sixes in an exhilarating display of batting The Indian Premier League, with its potential to transform world cricket, began on Friday with a spectacular floodlit match in Bangalore. The sell-out crowd of 55,000 was treated to a remarkable innings from New Zealand's Brendon McCullum. Playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders he hit 158 not out, the highest ever individual Twenty20 score, as his side romped to a 140-run win. The cricket was preceded by a lavish opening ceremony at the ground. Acrobats, singers and cheerleaders from the Washington Redskins performed to a backdrop of some impressive fireworks. But the home team, the Bangalore Royal Challengers, were soundly beaten, and there was one other sour note. A row about the restrictions placed on international news agencies Reuters, AP and AFP led ...
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Inter-provincial Twenty20 tournament
2008-04-18 13:09:00
Inter-provincial Twenty20 tournament Sri Lankan stars to miss inter-provincial Twenty20 Sa'adi Thawfeeq April 16, 2008 Jehan Mubarak will lead Kandurata in Mahela Jayawardene's absence © Getty Images With the Indian Premier League just days away from its launch, followed immediately by the conclusion of the Indian Cricket League's second season, Twenty20 cricket has caught on like a virus. Sri Lanka will have its own version with its inaugural six-team inter-provincial tournament scheduled to take off on Thursday. With the national team away in the Caribbean, and a few seniors set to take part in the IPL, the tournament has opened the doors for many budding cricketers trying to make their mark at this level. The inter-provincial limited overs series which was held in December and January was, however, fortunate to have the full contingent of national players. Jehan Mubarak and Kaushalya Weeraratne will have big shoes to fill when they lead ...
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Mahela Jayawardene will not feature for Derbyshire this season
2008-04-18 12:55:00
No Jayawardene for Derbyshire Cricinfo staff April 16, 2008 Mahela Jayawardene will not feature for Derbyshire this season owing to fixture clashes, the county has announced. Fans will be disappointed but perhaps not surprised after an already short stint was squeezed further by international demands. Jayawardene, the Sri Lanka captain, had planned to arrive after the Indian Premier League but with the Asia Cup being moved forward to June and changes to India's tour of Sri Lanka, there was too little time to make even a shortened contract worthwhile, the county said. "This is obviously a disappointment but the landscape of cricket worldwide is changing very rapidly," said Derbyshire's chief executive Tom Sears, "and we are forced to accept that. Unfortunately circumstances have changed in recent weeks." John Morris, the head of cricket, added: "It is a shame that Mahela won't be coming this year but we took the sensible option of securing Chris Rogers' services some weeks ago...
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Indian Premier League team guide
2008-04-18 12:53:00
Indian Premier League team guide By Simon Austin -BBC After weeks of hype and controversy, the Indian Premier League finally gets under way in Bangalore on Friday. Bangalore Royal Challengers will face Kolkata Knight Riders to kick off a six-week tournament featuring most of the finest talents in the world game. The highest-paid players will be earning weekly salaries normally associated with Premier League footballers and it seems no exaggeration for co-founder IS Bindra to describe the IPL as "a new milestone in the cricketing history of the world". 606...
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Indian Premier League changes cricket
2008-04-18 12:51:00
Indian Premier League changes cricket By Neil Heathcote India Business Report, Mumbai Batting for bucks: cricket is increasingly about money As the Bangalore Royal Challengers square off against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Bangalore this Friday night, there's a lot more than prestige at stake. If it succeeds, the newly-formed Indian Premier League (IPL) will place cricket in India firmly at the centre of a multimillion dollar business. India's economic boom has created a new middle class that wants to be entertained and h...
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Counties in India's shadow - BBC
2008-04-18 12:48:00
Counties in India's shadow By Oliver Brett & Arlo White A rainy start to the county season contrasts with excitement on offer in India On Wednesday, the County Championship will splutter into existence for another year with a round of matches at familiar provincial outposts such as Chelmsford and Bristol. Forty-eight hours later, the floodlights will be switched onto full beam at Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium (capacity 55,000) as the Indian Premier League explodes into life. It has never been that difficult to mock county cricket, with its sometimes comically awful weather and ever dwindling (and ever aging) supporters. B...
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How will the IPL change cricket?
2008-04-18 12:19:00
How will the IPL change cricket? By Simon Austin - BBC Dhoni, Symonds and Kallis are three of the stars taking part It has been described as the Indian revolution, the tournament that will change the face of cricket forever. The Indian Premier League (IPL) introduced new levels of glitz, glamour and wealth to the game as soon as its first auction was held in February. Since then it has overshadowed the start of the English county season and dominated the cricketing agenda. BBC Sport talked to some of the main protagonists in the IPL to ask what effect they think it will have on world cricket. PLAYER: SOURAV GANGULY ...
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Jayawardene's batting had a huge impact on the series
2007-12-30 21:46:00
Jayawardene's batting had a huge impact on the series Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says England's negative approach helped his side win the Test series. "I think we wanted to win this series more than they did. We saw a lot of negativity in that camp," said Jayawardene, whose side won 1-0. "That's when we realised from that if we concentrate, focus well and play to our strengths then they could not get close to us." Sri Lanka moved to third in the Test rankings. England dropped to fifth. Although England batted out a draw in the rain-hit third Test, Jayawardene's men regained confidence from the series after being beaten 2-0 by Australia in November. And the skipper credited their success to lessons learned under former coach Tom Moody, who was at the helm when they won key Tests overseas last year. "This was an important Test series for us coming back from Australia. We needed to get things right," he continued. "If yo...
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Sri Lanka v England 3rd Test
2007-12-30 21:10:00
Sri Lanka v England 3rd Test Vaughan and Pietersen look on as England fight to save the final Test Captain Michael Vaughan said Sri Lanka fully deserved their 1-0 Test series win over his England side. Despite salvaging a draw in the rain-hit final Test, England drop from second to fifth in the world rankings, while Sri Lanka move to third spot. "Throughout the whole series we have been beaten by a better team. Sri Lanka have been better in all the skills. "The heavens have helped us get a draw but to be brutally honest it has saved us from a 2-0 defeat," said Vaughan. Asked about the drop in the rankings, Vaughan said: "Those stats don't lie. We got to number two in the world because we beat most teams in the world. "We'...
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Warne highest paid in first IPL list - Sanga, Mahela, Murali, Sanath – L
2007-12-16 04:27:00
Sanga, Mahela, Murali, Sanath – Lanka’s highest with Rs. 98.25 lakhs Warne highest paid in first IPL list MUMBAI: The competition between rival Twenty20 leagues is really hotting up. And the men who are benefiting the most are the cricketers, for whom it’s raining money.According to the figures released by BCCI, the players involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be earning upwards of million dollars as per current indication. The inaugural event will be held in April-May 2008.Topping the list of 34 players who have been paid an initial signing amount is recently retired Australian spin legend Shane Warne, who will be netting $400,000 (Rs 1.6 cr approx) for the 2008 season.This is just the start for Warne, for he will also be part of the player auction to take place in January-February when franchisees will bid for the stars. So, the stock of Warne and others could rise further in the coming days, informed a BCCI official at the end of the finance committee ...
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Why do superstars like Sanath lies?
2007-12-16 04:11:00
Why do superstars lie?-------Nation.lkWhy can’t superstars be honest to themselves? Why do they want to hide behind a veil and take the sporting public who have supported and admired them for years for a ride?Sri Lanka’s master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya in an interview with our midweek paper ‘The Bottom Line’ when asked ‘Did anybody force you to make this (retirement) decision or was it a personal choice?’ replied: “No, nobody forced me; this was my personal decision. I thought I should concentrate more on my one-day cricket.”Why should a senior cricketer like Jayasuriya say that, when it was common knowledge to many that he was first approached by the selectors and given an ultimatum that they would not continue with him in Test cricket because of his poor batting record.Jayasuriya we understand was asked what his position was to the ultimatum and he had told the selectors to give him one more Test to announce his retirement to which the selectors had ob...
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battling to host final Test at Galle, Sri Lanka VS England
2007-12-16 03:53:00
Galle battling to host final Test Groundstaff are working frantically to get the stadium ready Sri Lanka v England Dates: 18-22 December Starts: 0430 GMTVenue: GalleCoverage: Listen live on BBC 5 Live Unseasonal rain has left groundstaff battling to get the Galle venue ready in time for the final Test between England and Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Heavy rain left much of the playing area under water on Friday while there was thick mud on one of the boundaries. There was also no electricity or water inside the buildings for what will be the first Test at the ground since it was devastated by the 2004 tsunami. But groundsman Jayananda Warnaweera said: "It will be ready come what may." The stadium had been due to host the first Test of the series but that was changed because of delays in the reconstruction of the ground...
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I wont come back” says Sanath but people want him to - San
2007-12-16 03:44:00
“I wont come back” says Sanath but people want him to 7% of The Bottom Line SMS poll respondents want master blaster to retire after Galle test By Dharisha Bastians Sri Lankan opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya says he will not consider making a comeback under any circumstances despite a majority of respondents in a sample SMS survey asserting that he should retire after the final test against England in Galle. A survey, done by The Bottom Line in partnership with award winning zMessenger, rendered the result that 71 percent of poll respondents wanted Jayasuriya to finish his test career in Galle, while 29 percent believed retiring after Asgiriya was the correct decision. In our SMS poll, The Bottom Line asked people whether they agree ...
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Jayasuriya clinches Bears switch
2007-12-15 02:53:00
Jayasuriya clinches Bears switch Jayasuriya won the World Cup with Sri Lanka in 1995 Former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya has joined Warwickshire for next year's Twenty20 Cup competition. The 38-year-old retired from Test cricket after the first match of the current series against England, but he will continue to play one-day matches. A veteran of 110 Tests, Jayasuriya has amassed 12,207 runs and taken 307 wickets in limited overs cricket. "His knowledge of the game will be crucial in the Twenty20 format," said Bears cricket director Ashley Giles. "Sanath has vast experience in all forms of cricket but especially the one-day format. "He will be a great man for the younger members of our squad to learn from, I am looking forward to working with him next summer." Jayasuriya made his one-day debut for Sri Lan...
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Hoggard fitness boost for England
2007-12-15 02:50:00
Hoggard fitness boost for England Hoggard has been dogged by injury this year Sri Lanka v EnglandDates: 18-22 December Starts: 0430 GMTVenue: Galle Swing bowler Matthew Hoggard could be in line for a return to the England team in time for the third Test against Sri Lanka which starts on 18 December. The 30-year-old missed the second Test draw in Colombo after being plagued by a back injury in the opening match. "The medical team tell me he is progressing nicely," said England skipper Michael Vaughan. "Hopefully come Sunday and Monday he is available for selection. Having Hoggard fit will be a real bonus." Hoggard suffered the injury while bowling on the fourth day of the 88-run first Test defeat and had to ask for a runner when batting on the final day. The Yorkshire bowler, who claimed six wickets in Kandy, ha...
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Dilshan secures Sri Lankan recall
2007-12-15 02:48:00
Dilshan secures Sri Lankan recall Dilshan made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in 1999 Sri Lanka v EnglandDates: 18-22 December Starts: 0430 GMTVenue: GalleCoverage: Listen live on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra, Radio 4 LW and BBC Sport website (UK users only); Watch on Sky Sports 2 Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has been recalled for the final Test with England in Galle on Tuesday. The 31-year-old, dropped for the tour to Australia and the opening two Tests with England, replaces Jehan Mubarak who scored only 18 runs in the series. Dilshan averages 37 in 42 Tests and has seven wickets with his occasional spin. With Dilhara Fernando due to have ankle surgery in Australia, uncapped paceman Chanaka Weladegera is also added as the Sri Lankans protect a 1-0 series lead. Dilshan was run out for a third-ball duck in...
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Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test - 5th day ( The Final Day)
2007-12-13 21:46:00
Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test Second Test, SSC Colombo: (day five, close)Sri Lanka 548-9 dec drew with England 351 & 250-3 By James Standley Michael Vaughan helped his side towards safety on Thursday England drew the second Test against Sri Lanka and kept the series alive after rain brought an early end to the match in Colombo. England reached 250-3, with their top order all weighing in, before play was halted at tea on the final day. Fifties from Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook and Ian Bell ensured the tourists will travel to Galle for the final Test with a chance to level the series. Kevin Pietersen was 45 not out at the close, with Paul Collingwood on 23. England bossed the morning ...
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Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test - 4th Day
2007-12-12 20:28:00
Sri Lanka v England 2nd Test Second Test, SSC Colombo: (day four, close)Sri Lanka 548-9 dec v England 351 & 48-0 By James Standley Harmison took two wickets before a painful afternoon for England England face a struggle to save the second Test after conceding a sizeable first innings lead against Sri Lanka on day four in Colombo. When the tourists took their fourth wicket of the day soon after lunch they held hopes of restricting the lead. But the hosts' ninth wicket pair of Prasanna Jayawardene (79) and Dilhara Fernando (36no) put on a defiant 98. Mahela Jayawardene's 195 helped them declare on 548-9, a lead of 197, and England reached 48-0 at the close. Sri Lanka's gritty first...
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