With deep sorrow Sri Lanka Cricket announce the demise of former All Ceylon Captain C. I. Gunasekera.

His remains are lying at his residence at Sir James Pieries Mawatta (Formerly Dickmans Road) and will be taken to the Jawatte cemetery for burial at 3.30 pm today.

Conroy Ievers Gunasekera was born on the 14th of July in 1920. CI as he was popularly known was a right hand batsmen and bowled right arm leg break googlys.

He captained Ceylon and played in 20 first class matches. The late CI scored 1131 runs with a highest score of 212, which included 2 centuries and four fifties. Mr. Gunasekera took 53 wickets in 20 first class matches with the best bowling figure of 8 for 69. CI has recorded two five wickets and two ten wicket hauls.

Sri Lanka Cricket on behalf of all the staff and players convey our deepest sympathies to his wife Doreen and son Chris during very difficult time.

May his soul rest in peace

Sri Lanka “A” Team for the first unofficial four day match

1. Lahiru Thirimanne
2. Dimuth Karunaratne
3. Dinesh Chandimal
4. Kaushal Silva
5. Kosala Kulasekara
7. These players will be select only after the 3^rd Test
9. Suranga Lakmal
10. Sachithra Senanayake
11. Nuwan Pradeep
12. Seekuge Prasanne
13. Chaminda Vidanapathirana
14. Janaka Guneratne
15. Nadeera Nawala

Two Practice Games against New Zealand

04^th August

1. Mahela Udawatta
2. Lahiru Thirimanne
3. Dinesh Chandimal
4. Chamara Silva
5. Thilina Kandamby
6. Milinda Siriwardana
7. Kosala Kulasekara
8. Farveez Maharoof
9. Sujeewa Silva
10. S Prasanna
11. Thissara Perera
12. Nuwan Pradeep
13. Dilshan Munaweera
14. Dilhara Lokuhettege
15. TBC

07^th August 2010

1. Upul Tharanga (Capt)
2. Dilshan Munaweera
3. Kushal Janith (W/K)
4. C Kapugedara
5. Jeevan Mendis
6. Kaushal Lokuarachchi
7. Dilhara Lokuhettige
8. Chinthaka Jayasinghe
9. Tharanga Lakshitha
10. Sajeewa Weerakoon
11. Sachithra Senanayake
12. Akalanka Ganegama
13. Milinda Siriwardana
14. Sujeewa Silva
15. S Prasanna

Warm-up game against SA “A” Team on 07^th & 08^th August 2010

1. Michael Vandort
2. Nadeera Nawala
3. Jehan Mubarak (Capt.)
4. Ashan Priyanjana
5. Janaka Guneratne
6. Gehan de Silva (W/K)
7. Tissara Perera
8. Sohan Boralessa
9. Chaminda Vidanapathirana
10. Dinesh Dharshanapriya
11. Sachith Pathirana
12. Shalika Karunanayake
13. Ranesh Perera
14. Sameera Soyza
15. Hans Fernando

South Asian Games 20 players squad

1. Jeewantha Kulatunga
2. Malinga Bandara
3. Kaushalya Weeraratne
4. Chinthaka Jayasinghe
5. Indika de Seram
6. Nuwan Zoysa
7. Dilhara Lokuhettige
8. Kaushal Lokuarachchi
9. Dilshan Munaweera
10. Hasantha Fernando
11. T M Samapath (W.K)
12. Gihan Rupasinghe
13. Kushal Janith (W/K)
14. Mahela Udawatta
15. Isuru Udana
16. Gayan Wijekoon
17. Jehan Mubarak
18. Tharanga Lakshitha
19. Sajeewa Weerakoon
20. Dilruwan Perera

Sri Lanka Cricket have signed a five year contract with Singapore based organization “Somerset Entertainment Ventures” to sponsor the Inter Provincial tournaments conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket. This include the Title Sponsorship of the tournaments, Team Sponsorship of the five Provincial Teams and the Champion Inter-Provincial T20 Team participating in the Champions League T20 Tournament (CLT 20).

The Inter provincial competition which is the leading tournament in the domestic calendar played in all three formats of the game with the participation of the national players.

The inter provincial tournament is staged at all test playing venues, and matches are played in Colombo, Moratuwa, Galle, Kandy, Dambulla, Kurunagela.Inter Provincial matches will also be played at our newly constructed venue at Sooriyawewa.

We take this opportunity, in welcoming our new partner “Somerset Entertainment Ventures”

From left: Duleep Mendis – CEO SLC, Nishantha Ranatunga – Secretary SLC, D.S De Silva – Chairman SLC, Gamini Wickramasinghe – Chairman BOC & Brendon Kuruppu – Sports Facilitator BOC.

BOC Chairman addressing the gathering at the awards ceremony.

Mr. Brendon Kuruppu handing over an award to Chamara Silva of Basnahira South team.

Duleep Mendis handing over an award to Thilina Kandamby of Basnahira North team.

Bank of Ceylon in association with Sri Lanka Cricket felicitated the winning teams and presented Bank of Ceylon Trophy for the joint Winners Basnahira North & Basnahira South and the individual awards for the best batsman, best bowler, and player of the tournament in the recently concluded Sri Lanka’s Premier four day inter provincial tournament which was sponsored by Bank of Ceylon.
The four day tournament was played over six weeks with five premier teams competing in a competitive championship at which national selectors were able to identify potential players for the national team.

Secretary SLC ‘Nishantha Ranatunga’ paid tribute to the Chairman of Bank of Ceylon for helping Sri Lanka Cricket with the sponsorship which not only enabled SLC to conduct the tournament but also opened a gateway to identify future hopefuls, which has helped SLC with an excellent bench strength. Secretary also added the competition also helped the players to prepare well for the ongoing test series. He was optimistic that success in the Indian Test series and the forthcoming West Indies series will help Sri Lanka climb the ladder in the ICC ratings. He thanked the bank profusely for their support which has helped SLC to achieve the above.

Chairman Sri Lanka Cricket D.S.De Silva together with Chairman Bank of Ceylon Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe graced the occasion. Chief executive officer of Sri Lanka Cricket, Duleep Mendis presented the award for the best batsmen to Dilshan Munaweera of Basnahira North, while former test star & Sports Facilitator of Bank of Ceylon Brendon Kuruppu Gave away the best bowler’s award to right arm leg spinner Malinga Bandara. Chairman Sri Lanka Cricket D.S.De Silva made the presentation to Janaka Gunaratne of Basnahira South, who was adjudicated as the player of the tournament.

Basnahira South and Basnahira North were declared as joint Champions.

U23 Division II Points Table

Key Words

M-match, WO-won outright, LO-lost outright, FW-first inn won, FL-first inn lost,

FT-first inn tie, MT-match tie, NR-no result.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara (R) is congratulated by his teammate Tharanga Paranavitana (L) after he scored a century (100 runs) during the first day of the second Test match between Sri Lanka and India at The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on July 26, 2010, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat in the second cricket Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Monday. India, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series, suffered twin blows when opener Gautam Gambhir and middle-order batsman Yuvraj were ruled out of the key match.

Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene plays a stroke during the second day of the second Test match between Sri Lanka and India at The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on July 27, 2010. Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 642-4 after tea on the second day of the second cricket Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Tuesday.

Sri Lankan cricketer Ajantha Mendis delivers a ball during a practice session at The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on July 25, 2010, ahead of the second Test match againstn India scheduled to start July 26. India needs to win at least one of the two remaining Test matches if they are to retain their number one ranking status. Sri Lanka won the first Test at Galle by ten wickets.

Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara (R) and chief selector Aravinda de Silva talk at a practice session at The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on July 25, 2010, ahead of the second Test match against India.

Sri Lankan cricketer Angelo Mathews hits a ball during a practice session at The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on July 25, 2010, ahead of the second Test match againstn India.

Sri Lankan cricketer Dilhara Fernando looks on during a practice session at The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on July 25, 2010, ahead of the second Test match againstn India.

Sri Lankan selectors have decided to make four changes to the team which won the 1st Test in Galle. Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralidaran, Rangana Herath and Chanaka Welagedara have been replaced by Dilhara Fernando, Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv and Dammika Prasad.

Malinga has been left out due to an injury concern which occurred during the 1st Test. Ajantha Mendis finds himself a place after the retirement of Muralidaran and Suraj Randiv is drafted in to the team in place of Rangana Herath who could only capture a solitary wicket in the previous Test.

The pitch carried a tinge of green last evening but it may be removed by the ground staff prior to play. Play gets underway at 1000hrs local time and the team which wins the toss is expected to bat 1st.

Vajira Dassanayake for www.srilankacricket.lk

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced it is presenting cricket fans with an unique opportunity to play a part in ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 by inviting them to propose a name for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 mascot, an elephant.

Cricket fans can make their suggestions up to 27 July, 2010 with the ICC announcing the winning name of the mascot at a launch in Sri Lanka to mark ‘200 days to go’ to the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 which will be played in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 19 February 2011. The ICC Cricket World Cup final will be in Mumbai on 2 April 2011.

The mascot’s key characteristics are:

• Young, enthusiastic and determined
• Thinks cricket is the most fun game in the world
• Loves playing street cricket – would play 24/7 if he could
• Worships his cricket heroes, their technique, skill and character
• Understands there is a lot to learn, work’s hard at it, step by step
• Learning to master the art of concentration
• Dreams of playing in the ICC Cricket World Cup…one day
• Age: 10 (human years)

Suggestions should be sent to mascot@icc-cricket.com or posted/delivered to the “Tournament Director, World Cup 2011 Secretariat, No. 35, Maitland Place, Colombo 07”, along with your contact details; posted/delivered entries should reach the World Cup 2011 Secretariat on or before 12.00 noon on Tuesday, July 27, 2010.

More information about the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 mascot and his characteristics can be found here, http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/newsdetails.php?newsId=10833_1279593660

To see a short clip of the mascot in action please visit:

http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/events_and_awards/CWC/broadcast_video.php?mediaId=1210

The Hony Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket revealed that the Sri Lanka National
Team has a golden opportunity to lead the Test ranking by end of this year
by defeating India during this series and wining the West Indies Series.
This was disclosed at an Award Ceremony held at Sri Lanka Cricket head office
today, to felicitate the winners of the Provincial four day tournament.
He was thankful, to the title sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket main tournament,
which is the Provincial tournament, sponsored by Bank of Ceylon, and
paid a special tribute to the Chairman, Bank of Ceylon, Mr. Gamini
Wickramasinghe for agreeing to assist SLC by way of sponsorship at a very
short notice. He also thanked SLC partners for their support during past year.
This would be in line with the vision of SLC, and also in preparation for the WC
2011 and most importantly to boost the morale of the National Team to be the
champs of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Media Unit SLC

Itinerary

Mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis and Fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep Fernando have been included in the 16 man squad named to take on India in the 2nd Test match scheduled to begin at SSC Grounds in Colombo on Monday.

Ajantha Mendis replaces Muttiah Muralidaran who retired from Test Cricket last Thursday. Nuwan Pradeep, who is rated as one of the fastest bowlers in the country is drafted in as cover for injured Lasith Malinga. Another remarkable move made by the selectors have been the appointment of Mahela Jayawardena to the position of Vice Captaincy, which was left vacant by the retirement of Muralidaran.

Squad:

1.      Kumar Sangakkara                   –           Captain

2.      T.M. Dilshan

3.      Tharanga Paranawithana

4.      Mahela Jayawardana              -           V Captain

5.      Thilan Samaraweera

6.      Anjelo Mathews

7.      Thilina Kandamby

8.      Prasanna Jayawardena

9.      Ajantha Mendis

10.  Chanaka Welagedara

11.  Suraj Randiv

12.  Rangana Hearth

13.  Dhammika Prasad

14.  Dilhara Fernando

15.  Lahiru Thirimanna

16.  Nuwan Pradeep

Vajira Dassanayake for srilankacricket.lk

Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan holds up the cricket ball as he walks back to the pavilion at the end of India’s second innings during the fifth and final day of the first cricket Test match between Sri Lanka and India at The Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on July 22, 2010.   Retiring world bowling record holder Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka reached the 800-wicket mark with his last delivery in Test cricket.  The off-spinner, 38, had last man Pragyan Ojha caught at slip by Mahela Jayawardene to terminate India’s second innings after lunch on the final day of the first Test at the Galle International Stadium. India, who were made to follow on 244 runs behind, were all out for 338 in their second knock.

Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan (C) celebrates with teammates on claiming his 800th Test wicket with the dismissal of Indian cricketer Pragyan Ojha during the fifth and final day of the first cricket Test match between Sri Lanka and India at The Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on July 22, 2010.

Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh (2L) and teammates congratulate Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan (L) after the Sri Lankan victory in the first Test match at The Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on July 22, 2010.  World bowling record-holder Muttiah Muralitharan retired with 800 Test wickets as Sri Lanka thumped India by 10 wickets in their first match.

Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan waves to the crowd as his teammates captain Kumar Sangakkara (R) and Damika Prasad (L) carry him around the pitch in a lap of honour after they won the first Test match between Sri Lanka and India at The Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on July 22, 2010.