Island Cricket

IPL 2010

kaluhewage — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 01:47:57 +0000

Registered players of ipl session 3

sri lanka

Malinga Bandara, Indika de Saram, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Thilina Kandamby, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suranga Lakmal, Jehan Mubarak, Thisara Perera, Dammika Prasad, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Gihan Rupasinghe, Upul Tharanga, Kaushalya Weeraratne, ChanakaWelegedara.

Dilshan, Samaraweera and Herath shine for Sri Lanka in 2009

gavin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:57:37 +0000

Let's take a look back at the stats and see how team Sri Lanka fared in the 2009 calendar year.

Highest team total in Test matches

Sri Lanka scored the second highest total in Test matches in 2009 when they made 760/7 declared against India in Ahmedabad. However, Lanka's bowlers conceded 765 runs against Pakistan in Karachi in February 2009 to give Pakistan the highest team total in 2009.

Only four teams surpassed the 700 mark in 2009. Sri Lanka's bowlers bore the brunt of two such batting assaults. Once against Pakistan and the other against India.

Team	Total	Opposition
Pakistan	765/6d	Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka	760/7d	India
West Indies	749/9d	England
India	726/9d	Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's bowling attack dismissed Pakistan for 90 runs in the 2nd Test match in Pakistan's 2009 tour to Sri Lanka. This was the second lowest total a team had been dismissed for in 2009.

Highest team total in ODI matches

Who can forget that run fest in Rajkot? Over 800 runs scored in a single 50 over ODI match. India leads the table with highest ODI score for 2009 with their 414/7. But Sri Lanka aren't too far behind with the second highest ODI total for 2009.

Team	Total	Opposition
India	414/7	Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka	411/8	India

Sri Lanka's bowlers featured again in the list of lowest ODI scores in 2009 when they skittled out Pakistan for just 75 runs in Lahore in January 2009. Pakistan's 75 all out is the year's second lowest ODI total.

Highest team total in Twenty20 matches

Just as with ODIs and the Test arena, Sangakkara's men are second on the list for the highest T20 total for 2009.

Team	Total	Opposition
South Africa	241/6	England
Sri Lanka	215/5	India
India	211/4	Sri Lanka

Highest run scorers in Test matches

Thilan Samaraweera was on board that ill fated bus which was attacked by the Taliban in Pakistan, March 2009. Samaraweera who sustained the worst injuries amongst the Sri Lankan players on the bus, turned his fortunes around to become the most successful batsman in Test cricket in 2009.

Seven batsman scored over 1000 Test runs in 2009, four of them are Sri Lankan.

Batsman	Runs	Matches	Average	Highest Score
Thilan Samaraweera	1234	11	72.58	231
Mahela Jayawardene	1194	11	62.84	275
Andrew Strauss	1172	14	53.27	169
Simon Katich	1111	13	48.30	122
Tillakaratne Dilshan	1097	11	64.52	162
Kumar Sangakkara	1083	11	57.00	137
Michael Clarke	1042	13	54.84	138

TM Dilshan the only Sri Lankan to score more than 1000 ODI runs

Tillakaratne Dilshan was the only Sri Lankan batsman to have made more than 1000 ODI runs. Dilshan scored 1000 runs in 19 matches with highest score of 160 against India and an average of 55.55.

Highest run scorers in Twenty20 matches

Dilshan is also the year's highest scorer in Twenty20 Internationals. Dilshan's 471 runs from 12 innings came at an incredible strike rate of 141.44.

Two Sri Lankans join New Zealander McCullum as the only three batsman to have scored over 400 Twenty20 runs last year.

Batsman	Runs	Matches	Average	Highest Score
Tillakaratne Dilshan	471	12	42.81	96 not out
Kumar Sangakkara	434	12	43.40	78
Brendon McCullum	417	12	41.70	69 not out

Most Test hundreds

With six Test match hundreds, Tillakaratne Dilshan has the most number of centuries last year.

Player	Hundreds
Tillakaratne Dilshan	6
Gautam Gambhir	4
Ramnaresh Sarwan	4
Chris Gayle	4
Thilan Samaraweera	4

Most ODI hundreds

It's that man Dilshan again! With four ODI centuries Dilshan tops this list as well. He is the only batsman to have scored four centuries last year. Virender Sehwag is at number two with three centuries.

Player	Hundreds
Tillakaratne Dilshan	4
Virender Sehwag	3
Sachin Tendulkar	3
Shane Watson	3
Hamilton Masakadza	3

Most wickets in Test matches

Rangana Herath was Sri Lanka's highest wicket taker last year. Herath's 34 wickets from 7 Test matches makes him Sri Lanka's most prolific wicket taker in 2009.

Herath also has the most 5-wicket hauls in 2009.

Plagued with injuries and flat batting tracks, Muttiah Muralitharan did not have a great 2009. He was still Sri Lanka's second highest wicket taker last year. Murali picked up 26 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 45.96.

Most wickets in ODI matches

Number five on the highest wicket takers list of 2009 is Sri Lanka's Nuwan Kulasekara. With 34 wickets at 27.47 Kulasekara is Sri Lanka's most prolific ODI wicket taker.

Angelo Mathews' 6/20 against India is the best bowling figures by any bowler in an ODI last year.

Sri Lankan idea on scrutiny in Dhaka

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:33:46 +0000

The tri-series is as good an opportunity as any for them to deliver consistently at the highest level and that will go a long way in boosting the Lankan confidence for the subsequent months.

The likes of Thilina Kandamby, Chamara Silva, and Tilan Samaraweera have showcased their talent only

Dilshan continues to push all the boundaries

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:30:25 +0000

"Batting at the top gives me the opportunity to play rather freely,” said Dilshan. “It suits my style of play. And my approach to the game has remained the same whether I played in Test, ODI or T20. A slight change in attitude was all I made when playing the longer version of the game..

Kotla pitch was poor, not ‘unfit’: BCCI

gavin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:05:15 +0000

In an attempt to evade an international ban on the Kotla pitch and get away with a fine, the BCCI has argued that though the pitch was ‘poor’, it cannot be termed as ‘unfit’.

According to sources, a pitch cannot be termed unplayable just because seven deliveries out of 20 odd overs behaved..

SLC silence over Indian slur, players were ‘chicken’ at Kotla

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:18:05 +0000

SLC and the interim committee seem to walk in some trepidation of big brother BCCI across the straits.Sangakkara has been too much of a gentleman to be critical of the shoddy handling of the debacle by the Delhi District Cricket Association, other than saying the pitch was unfit to play on.

Sri Lanka take on Bangladesh in tri-nation curtain raiser today

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:14:41 +0000

With an indifferent form in ODI cricket, Sri Lanka will take on Bangladesh in the curtain-raiser of the tri-nation series today in a competition that also involves India. Sri Lanka have had a poor run in ODI cricket in recent times and have slipped down to the number seven rank in ODI cricket.

Sri Lanka - A Talented Bunch

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:13:03 +0000

In many ways the Sri Lankan more than matched the Indian ranks. Its batting was on level grade with India with Sangakkara rated as highly as any of the Indian stars and Murlitharan by reputation, the greatest spinner in the world. And as under study to Murali the Lankans recent discovery..

Issues with floodlights at the Sher-e Bangla ahead of ODI Tri-Series

Hilal — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:09:49 +0000

Ground staff at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium detected a fault with the floodlights which eventually saw the Sri Lankan national team's practise session curtailed in Dhaka on Sunday, 3 January 2009.

The Sri Lankans take on hosts Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla in a Tri-Series Cricket tournament which also features India.

A press release on the Sri Lanka Cricket website states that the wicket has a tinge of green and the Sri Lankan camp feels that it may assist the fast bowlers.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss told reporters that the selection of young players on this tour has brought a "youthful enthusiasm to the team."

The tournament kicks off with the first match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on the 4th of January 2009.

Trevor Bayliss talks tough on Sanath Jayasuriya's prospects

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:06:53 +0000

Trevor Bayliss, the SL coach, has said Sanath Jayasuriya is unlikely to be picked as a specialist opener and will have to force his way in as a spinning allrounder if he is to play the 2011 World Cup.

"As Jayasuriya has himself said on record, he is a spinning allrounder now," Bayliss said.

Coach Bayliss has confidence in youth

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:59:11 +0000

Sri Lanka's young team are good enough to be competitive in the One-day Tri-Series in Bangladesh this month, their coach Trevor Bayliss said on Sunday.

"We had a number of injuries in India which forced us seeing some of the young players that have been close to the team for long years" he said.

Bangladesh ready to take on Sri Lanka

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:56:49 +0000

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan says his team will be looking to show its progress in international cricket when it takes on Sri Lanka in the opening match of a One-Day International tri-series on Monday.

"We are excited about the match," Shakib said on Sunday.

17 Sri Lankan players register for IPL auction

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:38:26 +0000

Seventeen Sri Lankan cricketers, some of them who have just made it into the national team are among 97 overseas players who have registered for the Jan 19 auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian media reports claimed.

Youngsters Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera and Suraj Randiv..

Sri Lanka tough side to beat despite missing veterans - Sehwag

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:30:55 +0000

Sehwag said Sri Lanka were a tough side to beat despite missing veterans Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya.

"I think Sri Lanka still are a good side and Bangladesh can also beat any team. We are not taking them lightly," said Sehwag.

Muralitharan speaks out

Merlin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:56:06 +0000

2009 has not been a good year for the game’s greatest spin bowler Muthiah Muralitharan who at age of 37 is feeling the strain of being his country’s main spearhead for the past 18 years. In a frank interview with The Nation, Muralitharan talks about Sri Lanka’s 2011 World Cup chances and more..

A smiling Sanath

Hilal — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:13:05 +0000

Sanath Jayasuriya at the Festival of Cricket 2009, in England. The event was organised by the Sri Lankan Old Boys' UK Associations. The image has been cleared for use on Island Cricket by Kapila Thilakarathne of Sponge Color.

Photographer:

Kapila Thilakarathne

Source

Lanka can exact revenge

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:43:23 +0000

India and Sri Lanka are set to land in Bangladesh Saturday for the ensuing Tri-nation tournament slated to kick off at Mirpur on January 4.

Kumar Sangakkara’s side however will get a massive opportunity to take revenge against India when they face them in the double-league basis tournament..

Plenty at stake in Dhaka bash

sanath189 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:32:42 +0000

It will be naïve to write off the fighting spirit of Sri Lankans. The Islanders had stretched the Indians in the recently concluded one-day series, but it will be tough for them to tide over the absence of impact players like Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Murali..

The expedition of destiny

sanath189 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:57:11 +0000

Sri Lanka Cricket team manager Brendon Kuruppu contends that in spite of a youthful look, the Lankan team has enough experience and talent to do well in the up-coming tri-series against India and Bangladesh in the latter’s venue.

Sanath Jayasuriya at the Festival of Cricket 2009

Hilal — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:49:18 +0000

Photographer:

Kapila Thilakarathne

Source

Adieu great ol’ pal Sanath Jayasuriya

sanath189 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:44:40 +0000

I wonder whether there is another cricketer hailing from this tiny Island who has done so much and who has been sought after so much in the game of cricket. I thought it was only fitting when another great the Indian Sachin Tendulkar who himself completed 20 years in International cricket..

Kudos for playing straight

sanath189 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:30:19 +0000

The most intriguing part of this episode is that both Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas were spoken to by the selectors on their stretching years and both cricketers opted to give up Test cricket and continue with the shorter versions of the game.

Sri Lanka squad to Bangladesh 2010

Ryan — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:57:56 +0000

The Sri Lankan squad to Bangladesh pictured here at SLC headquarters prior to their departure on 01 January 2009. Photo courtesy Sri Lanka Cricket.

Photographer:

Sri Lanka Cricket

Source

Thushara near the boundary line

sanath189 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:46:09 +0000

Thanks to Mr. Imesh Gunatilaka for providing us these images taken during Sri Lanka's series with Bangladesh this year (2009).

Photographer:

Imesh Gunatilaka

Source

Sanga & Mahela wait for the ball at slips

sanath189 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:46:00 +0000

Thanks to Mr. Imesh Gunatilaka for providing us these images taken during Sri Lanka's series with Bangladesh this year (2009).

Photographer:

Imesh Gunatilaka

Source

Dharmasena to officiate in the U19 World Cup

sanath189 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:15:41 +0000

The ICC has announced the match officials for the upcoming ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2010, to be held from 15 to 30 January in New Zealand.

International panel umpires include Gary Baxter, Owen Chirombe, Kumar Dharmasena, Nadeem Ghouri, Brian Jerling, Richard Kettleborough, Norman Malcolm..

Youngsters in the squad deserve a look in – Sangakkara

sanath189 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:09:19 +0000

These youngsters whom we are taking on tour have done exceptional well in the domestic season, hence don’t be surprised if some of these guys put immense pressure on the seniors who are left out of this tour due twin reasons.

I was very happy to speak to young Lahiru Thrimanne..

SL President honors Jayasuriya, Murali & Susanthika

sanath189 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:48:39 +0000

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa today honored three outstanding athletes of the country in a ceremony held at the Temple Trees.

President Rajapaksa presented awards to Sprinter Susanthika Jayasinghe and cricket legends Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan for their exemplary contri..

Absence of referrals and poor umpiring cost us India series - Murali

sanath189 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:57:59 +0000

"The other thing that affected us was that the referral system was not used in the series. The Sehwag factor was there. We missed chances off him so many times. There were unfortunate decisions that went against us when actually he was out,'' said the record-holder for most international wickets"

Sanath Jayasuriya 131 against Australia (Test) 2004

Irvine — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:46:50 +0000

Highest ODI score by a Sri Lankan batsman

Irvine — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:38:32 +0000

India v Sri Lanka at Sharjah, Nov 6, 1998

Irvine — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:26:32 +0000

Murali at his best - England tour of Sri Lanka 2003

Irvine — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:20:30 +0000

Mahela Jayawardene 374 against SA

Irvine — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:15:47 +0000

Jayasuriya get 26 Runs off Kapugedara Over

Irvine — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:04:37 +0000

I don't want to be selfish about staying on - Murali

SquareCut — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 04:42:19 +0000

sanath189 — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:53:23 +0000

Breaking his silence on the Ferozeshah Kotla pitch fiasco, Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said the track did not look "normal" soon after the first five overs and was too dangerous to continue playing.

"Even after 6-10 overs, we could feel that the pitch was not normal" he said.

Jayasuriya will be given more opportunities - Asantha De Mel

sanath189 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:12:42 +0000

Chairman of selectors, Asantha De Mel speaking to the media today said that veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuriya will be given more opportunities in future.

He also added that Jayasuriya's tour of duty will be to bat at any position depending on the match circumstances

Jerome Taylor arrested after assaulting cop

Short-Leg — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:59:10 +0000

West Indies bowler Jerome Taylor has been charged with improper conduct and assaulting a police officer following a bar scuffle in Jamaica.

Police sergeant Clifford Evans says Taylor became abusive after the proprietor was told to close the bar because it was past an 11pm cut-off.

West Indies' Jerome Taylor charged after bar scuffle

Rumesh Buddika and Banuka Rajapaksa helps Sri Lanka U-19 victory against South Africa

Short-Leg — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:56:52 +0000

Rumesh Buddika and Banuka Rajapaksa starred with bat and ball respectively to help Sri Lanka Under-19 trounce the home side in a one-sided contest at the Wanderers. Buddika's 139 propelled Sri Lanka to 283 but South Africa Under-19's response was so meek, they managed to bat out only 33 overs..

Young Sri Lankan cricket team to leave for Bangladesh today

sanath189 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:20:44 +0000

The Sri Lankan Cricket team with several younger players is to leave for Bangladesh tomorrow (January 1) for the tri-series with India and Bangladesh.

The team includes several young cricket players who are new to the international arena.The Tri-series tournament will be played from January 4-13.

20 years of Sanath Jayasuriya - Relive the mayhem

Hilal — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:05:10 +0000

Great opportunity for newcomers - de Mel

sanath189 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:40:37 +0000

Chairman national selectors Ashantha de Mel believed that the newcomers who have been picked for the tour of Bangladesh will grab the opportunity and make an impact in their attempt to form a formidable combination for the 2011 World Cup.

Can’t blame anyone for Kotla fiasco - Muralitharan

sanath189 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:31:50 +0000

It was a disappointing end to an engrossing series. More than anything else, it was a big disappointment for the organisers in Delhi. They had given the effort to prepare a good pitch. But what can you do if the pitch is deemed unfit.

They were trying to make a new pitch and had also relaid it.

I don't think our performance was that bad - Sangakkara

Hilal — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:10:02 +0000

"I don't think our performance was that bad. We play quite a lot of cricket. The main thing we need to improve is bench strength for people who got injured. There were 10 people who got injured when we were in India. We had five debutants in the ODI series alone.