The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), in consultation with Cricket Australia (CA), has revised the complete schedule of the upcoming Australia tour of Sri Lanka, which is better for Australia.

Previously, it was decided that Sri Lanka would host a two-match Test series against Australia, which would be part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. After that, they would play one ODI before Australia participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

See Also: Bed rest for Jasprit Bumrah: No certainty for Champions Trophy selection

An ODI added to the revised schedule

However, the SLC has added one more ODI to the revised schedule as Australia will now tour Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series and another two-match ODI series. The Test series will be part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, while Galle will host both Test matches. 

Meanwhile, Colombo will host both the ODIs on February 12 and 14. It is a better schedule for the two-time ICC Champions Trophy winners Australia, as they will get better preparation for the upcoming ICC tournament. 

On the other hand, Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to finishing outside the top seven teams (excluding Pakistan due to direct qualification as the hosts) in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. 

Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2024-25

(Test series)

1st Test: January 29 –  February 2 (Galle)

2nd Test: February 6 – 10 (Galle)

(ODI series)

1st ODI: February 12 (Colombo)

2nd ODI: February 14 (Colombo)

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Australia will play all group stage matches in Pakistan 

Australia are in Group B in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they have the opponents England, South Africa, and Afghanistan. As they are in the opposite group of Team India (Group A), the Aussies will play all their group-stage matches in Pakistan. Except they face India in the semifinals or final of the tournament, which will be played in Dubai, Australia will play all their matches of the tournament in Pakistan. 

Cricket Australia (CA) have finalized their Test squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka which will commence on January 29. Steve Smith will take over the captaincy responsibilities and will lead the side in the absence of Pat Cummins who has opted for a paternity leave. Besides, he is also addressing an ankle issue that came to light during the course of the five-match Border Gavaskar Test series against India. Travis Head has been named as Smith's deputy. 

There is no mention of Australian speedster Josh Hazlewood and bowling all-rounder Mitch Marsh, both of whom were ruled out mid-way through the Border Gavaskar Test series. As the Sri Lankan pitches are predominantly expected to favor spin, Australia have revamped their spin arsenal for all the obvious reasons. Cooper Connolly, Matt Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon, and Todd Murphy are the four frontline spinners who have been drafted into the squad. 

Beau Webster and Sam Konstas were the two debutants for Australia in the recently concluded BGT series. They have been included in the squad along with the opener Nathan McSweeney who looked a little out of form in that series. Alex Carey will primarily take on the wicket-keeping responsibilities but will also have the services of Josh Inglis as a backup wicketkeeper option.

See also: Young swashbuckling Australian opener in danger of missing out on Sri Lankan tour

A look at the Australian Test Squad 

Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (vc), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

In the second T20I between Sri Lanka and New Zealand on December 30, 2024, Sri Lanka had a strong chance to level the series and create history. Chasing 187, they were 69 runs away from victory with seven wickets in hand after 14 overs, a scenario that was quite promising. Kusal Perera’s brilliant batting gave Sri Lanka hope as they aimed to pull off a thrilling win, which would have tied the series at 1-1. At that stage, the Sri Lankan team seemed confident of chasing down the target.

It's all on at Bay Oval! How things stand with six overs remaining in the Sri Lanka chase. Follow play LIVE in NZ with TVNZ 1, TVNZ+, Sport Nation and The ACC. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/7h7R8dYvTv 📲 #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/GNJmHYttUx

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 30, 2024

Kusal Perera's exceptional knock of 48 from 35 balls gave the team a solid chance to pull off an historic victory.He tackled New Zealand’s bowlers with ease, delivering boundaries and rotating the strike effectively. With him at the crease, Sri Lanka seemed to be building a solid platform to chase down New Zealand's total. His resilience was evident as he played through some challenging moments and looked set to guide his team to victory.

The Turning Point: Perera’s Dismissal

However, things took a sharp turn when Perera was dismissed. His departure marked the start of Sri Lanka’s collapse, and momentum quickly shifted in favor of New Zealand. Jacob Duffy, a standout performer for the BlackCaps, claimed 4/15, continuing his excellent form. Sri Lanka, once in control, lost wickets rapidly, and the chase unraveled. New Zealand’s bowlers seized on Sri Lanka’s vulnerabilities, maintaining pressure with every over, ultimately guiding their team to victory as the match slipped away from Sri Lanka.

After Perera’s wicket, the Sri Lankan middle and lower order struggled to build partnerships, and the required run rate started to climb. Despite a valiant effort from other batsmen, the task proved too difficult. New Zealand's bowlers bowled with precision, and the fielding was sharp, making it increasingly hard for Sri Lanka to get back on track. In the end, Sri Lanka’s hopes were dashed, and they lost the match, leaving New Zealand to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Sri Lanka’s Challenge Ahead

This defeat leaves Sri Lanka with a tough task in the final match of the series.they will need to put in a complete performance. While Kusal Perera’s innings was the bright spot for Sri Lanka, the collapse afterward highlights the fragile nature of their batting lineup. The team will need to regroup and find a way to sustain pressure throughout the entire innings in the upcoming match.

Also Read:Happy Retirement, Rohit Sharma: Fans Call for the Captain to Step Down

New Zealand’s Upper Hand in the Series

For New Zealand, this victory strengthens their position in the series and gives them the upper hand. Their bowling attack, especially after Perera's dismissal, showed their depth and ability to recover under pressure. The Kiwis will look to maintain their momentum in the final match to secure a clean sweep series win, while Sri Lanka will be hoping to bounce back with a more complete performance.

A 31-year-old Sri Lankan cricketer, who was suspended from all forms of cricket due to an alleged anti-doping rule violation, has been cleared to play all formats of the game.

Last September, Niroshan Dickwella was officially suspended from all formats of the game for three years, effective from August 13, 2024, due to an alleged anti-doping rule violation during the Lanka Premier League 2024. In accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) conducted the tests and had positive results. 

Dickwella accepted the A-sample test results and hadn’t made any official request for the B-sample testing. Before his three-year official suspension, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) suspended him from the game indefinitely last August.

See Also: Naveen's 13-ball over proves costly as Afghanistan go down against Zimbabwe in the first T20I

Niroshan Dickwella won the appeal

Dickwella later appealed the decision with evidence that the substance used wasn’t related to enhancing sports performance and wasn’t consumed during the tournament. Ultimately, the 31-year-old Lankan cricketer Dickwella won the battle as the SLC has lifted his ban from the game with immediate effect.

In the LPL 2024, Dickwella led the Galle Marvels, who finished as the runners-up. The left-handed batter scored 184 runs in 10 games (average 18.40 and strike rate 153.33), and he was the fourth leading run-scorer for his team in that competition. In that tournament, he scored one half-century. 

Niroshan Dickwella: International career

Dickwella last played for the Sri Lanka national cricket team in March 2023 when they played the Christchurch Test against the hosts New Zealand. His last ODI was the Colombo ODI against Australia in June 2022. Meanwhile, the 2021 Southampton T20I against the hosts England in June 2021 was his last T20I match. 

After making his international cricket debut in 2014, Dickwella has played 54 Tests, 55 ODIs, and 28 T20Is. In his international career, the left-handed batter has scored 2757 Test runs, 1604 ODI runs, and 480 T20I runs. 

South Africa delivered a commanding performance at Kingsmead, Durban, to secure a massive 233-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test of the series. Despite losing the toss and being put under early pressure by Sri Lanka’s seamers, the Proteas rallied through skipper Temba Bavuma's gritty 70 and valuable lower-order contributions, posting a modest first-innings total of 191. Sri Lanka seemed poised to capitalize but crumbled spectacularly, recording their lowest-ever Test score of just 42, thanks to Marco Jansen’s devastating 7/13. This collapse handed South Africa a significant lead, setting the stage for a dominant second innings. 

In their second essay, South Africa piled on the runs with centuries from Tristan Stubbs (122) and Bavuma (113), amassing a daunting lead of 515. Despite resilient efforts from Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal in the fourth innings, Sri Lanka fell well short, bowled out for 282 as Jansen’s career-best 11/86 stole the spotlight. The victory not only gave the Proteas a 1-0 series lead but also showcased their ability to dominate in challenging conditions, leaving Sri Lanka with much to ponder ahead of the decider in Gqeberha.

See Also: Temba Bavuma's mixed battle against Sri Lanka's bowling Attack: A tale of grit and adaptability

Breakdown of Macro Jansen match winning spells against SriLanka 

Marco Jansen etched his name into the annals of cricketing glory with a stunning 11-wicket haul against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead, Durban, during the first Test. The left-arm pacer, known for his height and ability to generate awkward bounce, dismantled the Sri Lankan batting line-up with precision and skill. His career-best figures of 11/86 were the cornerstone of South Africa's emphatic 233-run victory, showcasing his ability to thrive under pressure and exploit the conditions to perfection.

In the first innings, Jansen unleashed his brilliance with the ball, claiming an extraordinary 7/13, a performance that will be remembered for ages. His wickets came at key intervals, as he consistently found the perfect lengths to trouble the batters. The Sri Lankan batters struggled against his variations and steep bounce, as Jansen orchestrated their historic collapse for a mere 42 runs, Sri Lanka’s lowest-ever Test total.

Jansen’s skill set as a left-arm pacer makes him a unique weapon in the Proteas’ arsenal. His ability to angle the ball across the right-handers and swing it back in creates endless dilemmas for batters. Additionally, his pinpoint accuracy and clever use of the crease were evident during his second-innings spell. Jansen’s dismissal of set batters like Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis highlighted his knack for breaking partnerships and turning the game in his team’s favor.

What set Jansen apart in this match was his relentless aggression coupled with tactical acumen. As Sri Lanka attempted to mount a fightback in the fourth innings, Jansen struck repeatedly to derail their chase. His ability to generate reverse swing on a deteriorating pitch and consistently attack the stumps left the visitors with no answers. He brought variety and adaptability to his spells, ensuring that every delivery tested the batter’s technique.

This performance not only reinforced Jansen’s status as one of the most exciting young talents in international cricket but also underscored the critical role of a left-arm seamer in modern Test cricket. His mastery of the art and ability to adapt to conditions have made him a linchpin in South Africa’s bowling attack. As he continues to evolve, performances like this ensure his name will remain synonymous with dominance and excellence for years to come.

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The Abu Dhabi T10 league continues to make headlines in the cricketing world for all the wrong reasons. In yet another shocking turn of events, Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka completely loses the plot during a league stage match between Delhi Bulls and Bangla Tigers on November 25. 

Dasun Shanaka commits a costly blunder

The cricketing world experienced a rare event that left everyone in disbelief. Playing for Delhi Bulls, Shanaka was tasked with bowling the penultimate over in which the all-rounder gifted 30 runs in just three deliveries including four five fours and a six in tandem with four no-balls. 

Yes, you read it correctly! By the time he reached the halfway point in the over, Shanaka had already conceded a whopping 30 runs which by contemporary standards is simply unthinkable. However, he conceded only three singles from the next three balls, thus finishing the over with 33 runs.

Scoring 30 runs in an over in the shortest format is a rare occurrence but to be able to do that in the space of only three deliveries is simply ou, shocking. 

In Abu Dhabi T10 League
Dasun Shanaka conceded 30 runs in his first 3 balls 😯 pic.twitter.com/8asZIJ9Gir

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) November 25, 2024

Shanka faces match-fixing allegations after this game 

After that infamous 33-run over that last 10 balls, the Sri Lankan all-rounder faces potential match-fixing charges. Many believe that Shanaka may have been a part of a much broader spot-fixing scandal. Concerns are starting to mount with many questioning the legality and fairnes of the tournament. Very recently, UAE bowler Hazrat Bilal raised eyebrows by bowling an enormous no-ball which was more than foot and a half beyond the popping crease.

Incidents like these tremendously undermine the spirit of the game often putting it in disrepute. ICC being the sole governing body for cricket must take charge of the situation and oversee the tournament more closely in an effort to keep the sport 'clean'.

See also: Abu Dhabi T10: UPN vs NYS Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI For 24th Match

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has named Charith Asalanka as their new T20I captain. This decision comes ahead of the three match T20I series against India, the T20 World Cup 2024 champions starting on July 27 in Pallekele.

Asalanka steps into the role after Wanindu Hasaranga resigned following Sri Lanka’s poor performance at the T20 World Cup 2024. The SLC board has not yet officially announced Asalanka’s new role.

Sri Lankan Sports Minister Harin Fernando has approved a 16 member squad for the series against India. The team mixes young talent with experienced players like Dinesh Chandimal and Chamindu Wickremesinghe.

Key players in the T20I squad

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Janith Perera, known for their explosive batting, are included in the squad. Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka will strengthen the middle order, while Wanindu Hasaranga will provide spin options against India.

Mahesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana will boost Sri Lanka’s bowling with a mix of spin and pace. Experienced players like Chandimal and Avishka Fernando will be key in tough situations.

The pace attack will be led by Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara, with Binura Fernando and the young all rounder Wickremasinghe offering extra bowling options. Young all rounder Dunith Wellalage has also made the squad.

“The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has chosen the 16-member squad for the T20I series against India, approved by Minister of Sports Harin Fernando. The games will take place on July 27, 28, and 30 at PICS, Pallekele.” SLC stated

Schedule for T20I and ODI series

The T20I series will be held at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on July 27, 28, and 30. The ODI series will follow on August 2, 4, and 7 at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s T20 squad for India series

Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando.

In a move to promote women’s cricket and ensure widespread support, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced free entry for spectators for the upcoming Women’s T20 Asia Cup starting from July 19.

Details of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup

The ninth edition of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup is set to take place in Sri Lanka, with all matches hosted at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. The tournament, running from July 19 to July 28, will feature eight teams: Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, Malaysia, and Thailand. This highly anticipated event will serve as a key competition ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.

See Also: Mark Wood replaces James Anderson in England’s squad for the second Test against West Indies

Sri Lanka Cricket’s initiative

By offering free entry to all matches, SLC aims to fill the stands and create an electrifying atmosphere for the players. According to SLC Vice President Ravin Wickramaratne, the board is committed to hosting a successful tournament that will elevate women’s cricket on the global stage.

“Sri Lanka Cricket, with the support of the Asian Cricket Council, is planning to conduct a highly successful tournament, as a successful outcome of this tournament will help advance women’s cricket on the world stage,’ said Ravin Wickramaratne in a press release.

Group Divisions and Fixtures

The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, UAE, and Nepal, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand. The tournament will kick off with the UAE facing Nepal, followed by a high-stakes match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.

India’s campaign kickoff

India, the defending champions, will begin their campaign against Pakistan. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, given the fierce rivalry between the two teams. India’s dominance in the tournament, having won seven out of the eight editions, adds to the excitement and pressure for both teams.

Tournament Format

The Women’s T20 Asia Cup will feature a total of 15 matches, culminating in the final on July 28. The tournament’s T20 format is not only fast-paced and exciting but also serves as a preparation ground for the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year. Teams will be looking to fine-tune their strategies and build momentum ahead of the global event.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the schedule for their upcoming series against India at home. The series will feature three T20Is and three ODIs.

India’s team, led by new coach Gautam Gambhir after replacing Rahul Dravid will be taking part in their first matches since winning the T20 World Cup. Currently, they are playing a five match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

India is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on July 22, with the T20I series starting on July 26 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The second and third T20Is will follow on July 27 and 29 respectively all at Pallekele.

After the T20Is, the action will move to Colombo for the ODI series. The first ODI is slated for August 1, followed by the second on August 4, and the third on August 7, all to be held at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.

IND vs SL schedule and venues

Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga steps down after a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024

This tour marks India’s first visit to Sri Lanka since 2021, when they played 4 T20Is and 3 ODIs. India won the T20I series 3-1 but lost the ODI series 2-0.