Sri Lanka record comprehensive victory against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka recorded an innings and 234-run comprehensive victory in their first test against the Bangladesh team yesterday, at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

The determination and resistance shown by the top-order Bangladeshi batsmen were all in vain, as the middle and lower order collapsed in no time. Finishing day 3 on 233/5, the Bangladesh team still had time to put up a good show, even if that meant defeat.

Having to end day 3 early because of bad light, the match started a half an hour early on day 4. Lasith Malinga continued with his balling as he had an incomplete over from the previous day. His first delivery was quick to go down to the boundary indicating the intentions of the Bangladeshi middle order.

Yet, it didn’t take too long for a yorker from Malinga to remove the out-of-form Khaled Mashud. Soon after Mashrafe Mortaza was trapped for leg before by Muttiah Muralitharan. The three remaining wickets followed the same fate, as the Sri Lankans wrapped up the match in just half an hour. No other bowler was even needed. Malinga- Murali pace-spin combination did the job for Sri Lanka. Malinga bowled superbly picking up 4-80. The ever brilliant Murali increased his wicket tally to 683 taking 4-87. The spin king who was also adjudged Man-of-the-Match is now only 25 away from equaling Australian Shane Warne’s World Record.

So, the Bangladeshis have yet again failed to deliver and lost another test match, their 41st defeat in test history. The Sri Lankans have improved since their last test encounter as they completed the highest victory (in terms of the margin), against the Bangladesh team, surpassing their previous first, of an innings and 196 runs in 2002.

The next test is scheduled to commence on the 3rd of July at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo.

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Arnold enjoying role from Cricketer to Commentator

Former Sri Lanka batsmen, Russel Arnold who retired from international cricket after the 2007 World Cup has taken up a new assignment as a cricket commentator during the on going test series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Arnold said that he is enjoying his new role as a cricket commentator and is a great privilege to be associated in the company of some of the elite cricket commentators in the calibre of Tony Greg, Sanjay Manjerkar, Ranjith Fernando and Ranil Abeynaike.

Arnold feels that his new assignment is a challenge similar to that of batting in the middle order and would give a serious thought if given the opportunity to continue as a commentator.

He was thankful to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for granting him permission to take up the new assignment with Ten Sports who are the official broadcaster of the series.

Courtesy : Daily News

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Bangladesh bat through Day 3

Bangladesh batsmen frustated the Sri Lankan bowlers, finishing on 233/5 at the end of day 3.

The two openers Javed Omar and Shahriar Nafees got on to a brilliant start in a 86-run partnership for the first wicket. Nafees hit 38 before falling to a Muralitharan delivery caught by Murali himself. Bangladesh made sure that they didn’t lose wickets at regular intervals unlike their first innings when they were bowled out for a paltry 89. Partially helped by a no-ball filled poor balling by the Sri Lankans, Bangladesh clearly dominated in the pre-lunch session.

Both Omar and middle order batsman Rajin Saleh hit half centuries. Saleh was finally removed just one run after making his 50, by Tillekaratne Dilshan caught by Mahela Jayawardene at slip. It was a breakthrough that Sri Lanka much needed.

Murali then struck with his spin picking up the wicket of Captain Mohammed Ashraful on 37. This takes his wicket tally up to 681, only 27 short of passing the world record made by Shane Warne.

Vaas and Malinga, after a continous shower of no-balls in the first session, came back strong later in the day by taking one wicket each.

Bangladesh now have to make 255 to avoid an innings defeat. The Test still has two days left, but unpredictable weather could be a factor, so the Sri Lankans might look to finish off on day 4 itself. On the other hand, the Bangladeshis have made a good fightback after their awful performance in the first innings, and will look to continue the same form.

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Sri Lanka continues to dominate in the First Test

Sri Lanka continued to dominate in the First Test against Bangladesh at the SSC, Colombo yesterday.

First, Michael Vandort who was unbeaten at the end of day 1, walked past the 100 mark to record his third test century in only 7 matches, his second against Bangladesh. Captain Mahela Jayawardene who retired hurt on 93, resumed his innings hitting his 17th test century. Tillekaratne Dilshan who added 117 for the fourth wicket with Vandort, had to depart in an unfortunate run-out on 79, after smashing a classy half century.

The Bangladeshis then picked up two quick wickets, removing Jayawardene as well.(353/6)

But, unbeaten maiden tons from wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene and opening bowler Chaminda Vaas in a 223-run partnership propelled the Sri Lankans to a massive total of 577. Incidentally this was also the highest partnership in the Sri Lankan innings. It also became Sri Lanka’s highest seventh wicket partnership in test cricket, surpassing 194 between Hashan Tillekaratne and Kumar Sangakkara against India in 2001. This was also Sri Lanka’s highest total against the Bangladesh team, going past 555/5-dec in 2001.

Prasanna achieved his first test century in his 10th test match whereas the other century-scorer Vaas, played in his 97th test match. For an all-rounder of his caliber, it was a long overdue one.

A happy Captain Jayawardene declared the innings on 577/6 as soon as Vaas scored his hundred. The Bangladeshis now trail behind the Sri Lankans by 485 having played 3/0 in the three overs bowled in the last session of day 2.

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Sri Lankans Reduce Bangladesh to 89 in the First Innings

Sri Lankan bowlers headed by ace spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan and seamers, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando and Lasith Malinga demolished the Bangladeshi batting line up from 28/0 to 89-all out in the first day as they recorded their third lowest total in test matches.

Fernando removed key players such as Former captain Habibul Bashar and present skipper Mohammed Ashraful in his 3-33. Vaas and Malinga shared one wicket each.

Murali picked up his 58th five-wicket haul in tests as he crumbled the opposition in his seven overs, recording figures 5-15. He had 674 test wickets prior to this innings and he has now drawn 5 wickets closer to Shane Warne’s world record of the most number of test wickets (708).

In reply, the Sri Lankan debutant, Malinda Warnapura was trapped at ‘0’ for lbw by Shahadat Hossan as he ended his forgettable debut. Hossain bowled a fine spell in the early stages as he reduced the Sri Lankan side to 14/2.

The skipper, Mahela Jayawardene then built the innings with opener Michael Vandort. Jayawardene retired hurt on 93, just 7 runs short of his 17th test century. Soon after, Abdur Razzak picked up Chamara Silva for 1.

At the end of day 1, SL were 227/3 with Vandort on 87 not out.

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SL Cricket eye Rhodes and Blewett for Assistant Coach

Sri Lanka Cricket is considering South African Jonty Rhodes and Australia’s Greg Blewett as suitable candidates for the assistant coach position of the national cricket team.
A search for an assistant coach comes all of a sudden as former Sri Lankan fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake turned down the offer last week citing personal reasons.
The board will especially look at someone who was outstanding in his fielding as a cricketer.

Out of those shortlisted, Rhodes, 37, was regarded as one of the world’s best fielders during his 11-year career that ended in 2003 after 52 Tests and 245 One-Day Internationals.

Blewett, 35, played 46 Tests and 32 One-dayers for Australia from 1995 to 2000 before retiring from first-class cricket last month.
The appointed individual will be assisting Trevor Bayliss, the newly appointed Head Coach.

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Rumesh Ratnayake turns down Assistant Coach post

Sri Lanka Cricket is extremely appointment at the withdrawal of Rumesh Ratnayake as assistant coach of the Sri Lankan team. Ratnayake, the former Sri Lankan fast bowler, had signed a four-year contract with Sri Lanka Cricket nearly a month ago to become assistant coach, replacing the outgoing coach Trevor Penney. But in a sudden turn around, Ratnayake has sent a letter saying that he is unable to accept the position due to family commitments.

Ratnayake, who is currently a Development Officer of the Asian Cricket Council, was preferred to be replaced as Assistant Coach two years ago, but Sri Lanka Cricket instead decided to pursue with Moody’s nominee, current stand-in coach Trevor Penny.

Since he had signed a contract with SL Cricket, he was expected to take over beginning August.

But, now that he has withdrawed from this post, it is highly unlikely there will local assistant. Newly appointed Head Coach, Australian Trevor Bayliss, who will begin his two-year stint in August, will most probably be given the opportunity to find a suitable assistant.

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Vandort replaces Tharanga in First Test

Sri Lanka ‘s ‘A’ team opener, Michael Vandort has been called up to replace injured Upul Tharanga in the first Test against Bangladesh.

Vandort, who averages 51.22 in six Tests made his Test debut against Bangladesh six years ago in Colombo. Having played only six Test matches so far, he already has two centuries to his name. He last played a test against England in June 2006.

He also hit a brisk 38 in the three-day practice match against Bangladesh.

The left hander will open the batting with debutant Malinda Warnapura.

Sri Lanka will play two test matches in Colombo, and the final in Kandy, with its first scheduled to begin on June 25.

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Sri Lanka’s Opener, Tharanga to miss first two tests

Sri Lankan left-handed opener Upul Tharanga injured a foot and has been ruled out of the first two Tests against Bangladesh compounding problems to secure the top order.

“Tharanga was hit on his foot by a Lasith Malinga delivery this morning.”

Tharanga will miss the first two Tests in the series of three Tests and three one-day matches against Bangladesh which gets under way next week.

According to Sri Lanka Cricket sources, Michael Vandort will be the likely replacement.

Thilan Samaraweera and Jehan Mubarak will also be considered.

Sri Lanka will now have to look for two new openers, since  veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya is also joining Lancashire and former Captain, Marvan Atapattu has also withdrawed citing personal commitments.

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Bangladesh arrives in SL for the ‘Laqshya’ Trophy

The Bangladesh national cricket team captained by young Mohammed Ashraful arrived in Sri Lanka recently. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will play three tests and three ODIs beginning June 25. At a press conference organized to welcome the Bangladesh team, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said that this was a good chance for the grooming youngsters. He also cleared any doubts fans had, about Kumar Sangakkara, confirming his presence in the entire series. He also said that Bangladesh should not be taken lightly, emphasizing that they have improved a lot since they last met in a Test in 2005.

Meanwhile, veteran opener/middle-order batsman and former captain Marvan Atapattu who was named in the Test squad has pulled out of the Bangladesh series citing personal commitments. He’s currently playing club cricket for Lashings. A replacement for Atapattu will be announced shortly.

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