Former Sri Lanka cricketer and SLC president Ian Pieris died on Friday at the age of 82 after a long illness

Sa'adi Thawfeeq02-Jan-2016Former Sri Lanka cricketer and SLC president Ian Pieris died on Friday at the age of 82 after a long illness. His funeral took place in Colombo on Saturday.Pieris served as the president of the SLC on two occasions. His first term, in 1989, lasted just four months and the second, in 1990, for one year.In his first term, Pieris did not see eye to eye with the board’s executive committee on the need to follow the instructions of the sports minister Nanda Mathew, and subsequently resigned on principle. During his second term, Pieris, along with the secretary S Skandakumar, did a lot of ground work to get international tours started to Sri Lanka.Pieris also had a distinguished cricket career playing as a top-order batsman for S. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia, and as a right-arm opening bowler for Singhalese Sports Clumb, Cambridge University and All-Ceylon (as the national team was then known).While at school, Pieris made his international debut when he was picked to play against Lindsay Hassett’s Australia team in 1953. Pieris later joined SSC, but one of his ambitions was to play on the hallowed turf at Lord’s.During his three-year stint at Cambridge University from 1956, Pieris teamed up with the likes of Bob Barber and Roger Prideaux, who later went on to play for England, and Ian McLachlan, who played for Australia.Pieris’ best contribution for his country was as a batsman at No. 11, when he scored 46 not out in an entertaining last-wicket partnership of 110 in 53 minutes with Neil Chanmugam in an unofficial Test against West Indies at the P Sara Oval in March 1967. Recalling that innings, Pieris had said: “I was angry with the captain, the selectors and with everybody because I was sent to bat at no. 11. I felt that there were many who were sent before me. I was so angry I thought to myself that I am going to show these chaps that I can bat. Fortunately for me, Neil also stuck there. That’s how I scored 46 not out, fueled in cold fury.”Apart from cricket, Pieris also played golf and tennis, but was forced to stay away from active sports in 2003 because of a back problem which continued to plague him till his death.

Pakistan have spoken about being aggressive with bat and ball on tour, but Ahmed Shehzad has conceded that New Zealand are currently playing cricket that is “awesome to see”

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Auckland14-Jan-2016

‘Bowling a little quicker has helped’ – Astle

Consistency and speed through the air have marked Todd Astle’s route back to the national side, the legspinner has said. Astle had played a solitary Test in 2012 – one he remembers fondly, as New Zealand beat Sri Lanka in Colombo – but has not featured for the top team since. Good returns in the List A Ford Trophy have seen him rise into contention for a World T20 berth.
“Consistency all around over three formats has helped,” Astle said of his journay back to the New Zealand team. “Also bowling a little bit quicker has helped me to have the chance to play more of the T20 and one-day formats as well. The domestic success over the last couple of years has given me confidence to go out and just trust my skills.”
Astle has also improved his batting for the Canterbury Wizards, and said that aspect of his game gave confidence to his bowling. As one of two internationally inexperienced spin bowlers in the New Zealand squad, he expects added scrutiny this series.
“I’m the newcomer on the block and there’s always going to be those pressures,” he said. “The margins of error are so much smaller in international cricket. It’s up to me to go out there and do my thing.”

Pakistan have spoken about being aggressive with bat and ball on tour, but Ahmed Shehzad has conceded that New Zealand are currently playing cricket that is “awesome to see”.The hosts’ batsmen set New Zealand records during the 2-0 defeat of Sri Lanka last week, but Pakistan have not enjoyed good T20 form in recent months. They had also beaten Sri Lanka 2-0 in Colombo in the middle of last year, but were more recently whitewashed by England in a three-match T20 series in the UAE. They also lost a T20 to Bangladesh last year, though more positive results did come against Zimbabwe.”New Zealand are playing wonderful cricket at the moment,” Shehzad said. “We all know the style they playing with is awesome to see. We have to match them. We have to compete.”New Zealand’s limited-overs game at home has been built around explosive starts from their opening pair, then swing, seam and bustling intensity from their seamers. Shehzad said Pakistan would have to raise their game to counter the hosts’ formula.”I think Brendon McCullum’s done a good job,” he said. “They’re playing without any fear. There’s no issues with their places. They’re shuffling their players. Now they have a good bunch which is doing their job together. If any side is playing good cricket we have to appreciate that and try to match them. It raises your standards as well. We have to admit they are playing good cricket, but it’s a T20 format. You have to execute your plans and flourish.”Pakistan had won their match against South Africa at Eden Park during last year’s World Cup, and have also played one T20 there after the ground was reshaped for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Shehzad said his team were aware of the unique challenges Eden Park’s small size and odd dimensions posed, but would rely on support staff to fine tune their strategy.”Basically it’s a rugby ground. It favours the batsmen. We’re aware of that. We played quite a few matches here. We kind of know the trick here. Our management is very experienced – Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Grant Flower – the way they work with players, they pinpoint everything and tell us what to execute. We try our best to do that. Management are all cricketers and they know whether you’re winning or lost, how to pick up the players.”Eden Park has at times been conducive to big scores, with England having hit 214 for 7 at the venue in 2013. However, batting teams have also been foiled by playing too aggressively at the venue, as had been the case for Sri Lanka on Sunday. The straight boundaries are particularly tempting, at less than 50m.”We have to pick and choose our balls,” Shehzad said. “Sometimes you play some rash shots when looking at the stadium and all these things, and you lose your wickets.. You can’t be rash, or lose your wicket and let your team down. The boundaries at the side aren’t very big either, but we have to play proper cricket.”New Zealand are trialling an uncapped T20 legspinner in Todd Astle in this series, and their other major slow-bowling option – Mitchell Santner – has himself played only two T20 internationals.”At the moment their spin is one area where any team can target them,” Shehzad said. “I think in this ground, they won’t use that spin. They will come hard at us – that’s what we’re planning for at the moment. I’m sure we won’t be able to see lots of spin here – maybe a couple of overs here or there. They will try to stick to their strength which is fast bowling and batting.”

Michael Carberry’s 35-ball 62 drove the Scorchers to 173 for 5. AJ Tye then defended 15 runs in the last over, giving away four in the last the ball after Darren Sammy had reduced the equation to 6 off 1

The report by Will Macpherson10-Jan-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMichael Carberry’s 35-ball 62 propelled the Scorchers to 173 for 5•Getty Images

More than any other team in the BBL, Perth Scorchers just seem to have a bit in reserve. Sam Whiteman, their first-choice wicketkeeper, has missed the entire tournament with injury; both Ashtons, Agar and Turner, have barely needed to bowl; David Willey, who has a 40-ball T20 century, has seldom been required with the bat; Michael Carberry, until now, has been keeping the Scorchers’ bench warm.All four of those aspects combined to secure a thrilling victory over Hobart Hurricanes before a packed house at the Bellerive Oval, as a hobbling Darren Sammy managed only four of the six runs the hosts required from the game’s final ball – bowled by death specialist AJ Tye.For the recalled Carberry, it was his bat, not the pine, that was smoking as his quickfire half-century propelled Scorchers to 173, with some brutal late hitting from Willey completing the job. With Carberry replacing Joel Paris, Scorchers looked a bowler light, but Agar took the key wickets of Kumar Sangakkara – stumped on the second attempt by Whiteman’s understudy, Cameron Bancroft – and Tim Paine, bowled for 57, as Scorchers’ bowlers – consistently remarkable defenders of tight totals – pulled off a strangle to win by a single run.This was all little surprise, given the hallmarks of Scorchers’ successive titles were adaptability and depth; with a place in the last four confirmed, they now know victory over Melbourne Stars at the WACA next Saturday ensures them a home semi-final, a significant step toward a third title.Marcus Harris thrice drove Clive Rose for four in the match’s opening over, but when the same bowler returned four overs later, Harris was fooled by one that was tossed up and, when he groped awkwardly forward, Paine duly stumped him. In the face of a barrage of verbals and chin music from a fired-up Shaun Tait – who had exchanged terse words with Harris – Michael Klinger was the picture of calm, swatting Sam Rainbird for a pair of leg-side fours in an over, and driving Dan Christian through cover. But Klinger was run out after some fine work in the deep by Rainbird and sharp hands from Darren Sammy. Six balls later Adam Voges slog swept Cameron Boyce straight to the man in the deep.After marshaling their victory over Sydney Thunder three days ago, Agar had uttered the standard words of the supportive team-mate for the beleaguered colleague, claiming Carberry was “looking great in the nets.” Agar was not wrong, with Carberry immediately looking in fine form, smashing Ben Dunk’s apologetic offbreak over cover for four. In consecutive overs, he took Christian for three fours, then Boyce for four to bring up his 50 in 30 deliveries.But Tait, who had been luckless in his early overs and touched 150kph, returned to stymie the Scorchers’ progress. Carberry looked to cut him, but was caught behind, before Agar’s leading edge went to cover. Willey’s hard running pinched at least two runs from every ball of Sammy’s last over – which also included a massive six over midwicket – to drag the visitors to 173.Paine looked to anchor the Hurricanes’ chase as Dunk and Sangakkara – who is averaging just 14.42 this season – fell early. Christian was promoted to No. 4 and shared 53 with his captain, before being bowled by Brad Hogg at the start of the third over. Paine nudged and nurdled effectively, reaching his fifty with a pulled six off Jason Behrendorff.But when he missed a sweep off Agar and was bowled, a thrilling finish was set up. As Scorchers’ fielding flagged, Michael Hill hit Hogg for a pair of sixes, and Jonathan Wells ran hard, but it was left to Sammy to complete the heist. He hit Behrendorff over deep midwicket for six to leave 16 required from Tye’s last over. Sammy felt his hamstring twinge during a hard-run two, and hobbled through for two more the ball after. Then another of Tye’s trademark yorkers claimed a dot, but Sammy stepped away and threw his hands at a wider delivery that flew into the stands at cover point.With six required from two, Tye found a yorker that Sammy missed, and Wells was run-out sprinting down the pitch. Finally there was a four, and the Scorchers’ strangle was complete. This, right here, is why they are double champions.

Test bowlers Peter Siddle and James Pattinson were both among the wickets for Victoria as they restricted Tasmania to 241 despite a maiden first-class century from Beau Webster on the rain-affected opening day of the Sheffield Shield match at the MCG

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Feb-2016
ScorecardPeter Siddle picked up a couple of wickets in the lead up to the Trans Tasman Trophy•Getty Images

Test bowlers Peter Siddle and James Pattinson were both among the wickets for Victoria as they restricted Tasmania to 241 despite a maiden first-class century from Beau Webster on the rain-affected opening day of the Sheffield Shield match at the MCG.Siddle and Pattinson were each playing their first matches since some niggles ruled them out of the Big Bash League and ODI matches that followed the Tests against West Indies, and returns of two wickets each allowed them to regain some rhythm ahead of the looming series in New Zealand.Morning showers meant only 70.3 overs were possible on the day, enough time for the Bushrangers to work their way steadily through the Tigers’ batting order in conditions that afforded some assistance to bowlers.It might have been worse for the visitors if not for strong contributions from 22-year old Webster and 21-year old Ben McDermott. They came to the crease at 4 for 67 and batted with good sense to put on a hundred partnership after their captain Alex Doolan was dismissed in the 22nd over.McDermott stayed on to guide the tail to somewhere near 250 as the day faded out. Victoria’s openers survived two overs before the close for the addition of 10 runs.

West Indies’ breakaway Twenty20 players may have finally won themselves the place they have been seeking at the WICB negotiating table

Nagraj Gollapudi04-Apr-2016By claiming their second World Twenty20 title in dramatic circumstances, West Indies’ breakaway T20 players may have finally won themselves the place they have been seeking at the WICB negotiating table.Reacting to the strong criticism thrown at him and his board, the WICB president Dave Cameron announced that he would meet the players after the IPL at the annual review in June to find a “common ground” where the “best” players can represent the region in all formats.Cameron was reacting strongly to the critical remarks made by West Indies captain Darren Sammy immediately after becoming the first team to be crowned World T20 champions twice. In his acceptance speech Sammy said it was “very disappointing” to not hear from the WICB on the team’s triumph against England on Sunday evening in Kolkata.While expressing his disappointment at Sammy’s “inappropriate” comments, Cameron delivered his most conciliatory message to the players for some time. Previously, he has refused to speak with the group, insisting they must deal with the players association WIPA, whose president Wavell Hinds fell out with them when he agreed to a vastly inferior pay deal in 2014, leading to the disastrous walkout from that year’s ODI tour of India. Cameron has now changed his tune.”Coming up in May this year, the Board will host its annual review (retreat) with the players, WIPA, selectors and the technical team to review player, management and technical plans. We want to see how we can find common ground in ensuring that the best players in the region are available for selection for West Indies teams,” Cameron said in a statement delivered hours after Sammy and his men stunned England in a dazzling last-over finish.According to Cameron, the reason the meeting with the players, which would also involve selectors, team management and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), was planned in June was because many of the senior Caribbean players like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Carlos Braithwaite would be busy with the IPL which will be played between April 9 and May 29.The board and selectors have omitted big names like Bravo, Sammy, Pollard from the ODI squads ever since West Indies abandoned the India tour. Bravo and Pollard were not considered for last year’s World Cup by the Clive Lloyd-led selection panel and have not played any ODI since October 2014. This January, when the WICB announced annual retainer contracts for 15 players, it said that the short list was arrived at by keeping only the Test players in mind.One of the major stumbling blocks for the players is WICB’s insistence that they play in the regional tournaments consistently in order to be eligible for the international engagements in all three formats. The WICB has said that the players who travel around the world playing in the T20 franchise-based tournaments, cannot expect to be picked solely on their experience and stature.Although Cameron has extended an olive branch, he highlighted that the WICB approach is hardly going to change going forward. “We are fully aware of the financial rewards on offer in the lucrative international T20 leagues, but we believe deeply in the importance of cricket to the people of the region and of West Indies cricket’s place in world cricket. It is therefore a priority to have all of our players competing and available for selection. We will also engage the ICC on this so that we protect not only the rich heritage and legacy of West Indies Cricket, but also its future. “Incidentally, the WICB release was titled ‘WICB President has high praises for World Twenty20 Organisers’. The only word of praise for Sammy and co came indirectly when Cameron described the WICB was “overjoyed” by the fact that two West Indies teams – women and men – had won the WT20 titles. But Cameron did not waste the opportunity to remind the players who was still in charge. Cameron “pledged” to address the issue of Sammy’s outspokenness and take any necessary action.”The President would like to however apologise for what could be deemed inappropriate, comments made by the West Indies’ male captain, Darren Sammy in a post-match interview and would like to apologize on behalf of the WICB, to the millions of fans who witnessed,” the statement said. “The President has pledged to enquire the reason and will have the matter addressed.”In an earlier media release the WICB had sent a thank you note to all the three teams – men, women and Under-19 – for emerging as the champions this year. “The men, women and Under-19 teams within the last three months have made the West Indies a region worthy of tremendous attention by being the best at the international level in World Cricket. We are indeed a proud set of people today and we want to thank ALL OF YOU for your tremendous support,” the release, titled ‘From the desks of the CEO (Micheal Muirhead) and President (Cameron)’, said.”The men’s team has been electric and exciting in their performances during the tournament and we are all PROUD. This is a defining moment for Cricket and we ought to thank each and every one of our Directors, Management, Staff and supporters for the support West Indies Cricket has received. This is a truly ecstatic moment and we are indeed proud of this momentous achievement.”The T20 format is a springboard to the other formats and we will use this as an opportunity to continue the development work we have to do to make the overall cricket product better. The men executed their comprehensive plan and we are pleased with the results. We salute the entire delegation on the hard work and commitment showed. We congratulate the team and management.”For the full coverage of the West Indies payment dispute, click HERE.

Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the England series after sustaining a stress fracture to his lower back

ESPNcricinfo staff24-May-20162:54

Fernando: Chameera’s loss is a huge blow

Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the England tour after suffering a stress fracture to his lower back. Chameera has been advised rest for four months and will return to Sri Lanka to continue his treatment. Chameera is also likely to miss the home Tests against Australia, which start from July 26.The Sri Lanka selectors are expected to meet by Wednesday to pick a replacement for the squad in England. The loss of Chameera is the second big blow to Sri Lanka’s bowling attack after fast bowler Dhammika Prasad returned home last week because of a shoulder injury.The stress fracture was confirmed after Chameera underwent a scan on Tuesday morning. The fast bowler had taken 3 for 64 – including the wicket of Jonny Bairstow who top-scored with 140 – in the first Test at Headingley, which Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 88 runs.Chameera has played five Tests since his debut in June 2015 against Pakistan, taking 21 wickets at an average of 27.28. He suffered a side strain after his first Test, which kept him out of the Pallekele Test against Pakistan, and played only one match in the series against India that followed. He had made his international debut earlier – in January 2015 – and replaced Dhammika Prasad in Sri Lanka’s squad for the 2015 World Cup, where he played two matches. Overall, Chameera has taken 10 wickets in nine ODIs and 13 T20Is, respectively.

South African pace bowler Kagiso Rabada proved an instant hit with Kent supporters by claiming two wickets on debut to help steer Spitfires to a tense 10-run win over NatWest T20 Blast rivals Sussex Sharks in Canterbury

ECB Reporters Network30-Jun-2016
ScorecardKagiso Rabada struck twice on his Kent debut•Getty Images

South African pace bowler Kagiso Rabada proved an instant hit with Kent supporters by claiming two wickets on debut to help steer Spitfires to a tense 10-run win over NatWest T20 Blast rivals Sussex Sharks in Canterbury.On a two-paced pitch that made boundary hitting tricky for both sides, Kent successfully defended 166 for 6 with Rabada claiming 2 for 31 and Fabian Cowdrey 2 for 8 to seal their sides third south group win.After collecting his Man-of-the-Match award 21-year-old Rabada said: “It was a great start for my debut and I’m just happy that I could contribute and that the team has won. It’s a good start for me and hopefully we can get some momentum from this.”It was quite a good wicket but most of the guys felt we fell a bit short runs wise, so credit to all the bowlers because we made it tough for them to score and got wickets at crucial times.”Visiting skipper Luke Wright said: “I was delighted, after the start Kent had, to restrict them to that total. I’d have taken that total any day, so it’s disappointing now and feels like we let that one slip away. But credit to their bowlers, I felt they executed their plans really well.”Also credit to Sam [Northeast] for his decision to bring on Cowdrey when he did. You never know how it’ll go when you bring on a part-time bowler, especially with someone like Ross Taylor batting. But it proved a gutsy decision.”Needing to score at 8.35 an over to surpass Kent’s modest 166, Sussex openers Wright and Chris Nash had faced only eight deliveries when a low sun glinting through the gap between the Pavilion and the Frank Woolley Stand caused a stoppage in play for 17 minutes. As the players stood in the middle waiting for the sun to drop, the irony was not lost on a Kent side who have lost 1,216 overs to inclement weather in all forms of cricket this summer.On his Kent debut, Rabada struck with his 11th delivery by pegging back the off stump of Chris Nash with a 90mph yorker.’Bad light’ came into play again at the opposite end of the ground as this time the setting sun reflected off the windows of the Sky Sports commentary box to dazzle the batsmen and cause a further 10-minute delay.Six balls after the resumption Wright attempted to uppercut against Rabada to be caught superbly on the run at third man by David Griffiths.With James Tredwell bowling frugally, Sussex still required 100 to win with 10 overs remaining, but that was the cue for Taylor to cut lose by taking 17 off a Darren Stevens over.Kent hit back when, in his first over, Cowdrey had Phil Salt caught at cow corner then, Cowdrey’s arm ball wrapped Taylor on the pads flush in front to send him packing one short of his 50.Matt Machan launched into a leg-side six off Griffiths leaving Sharks to score 32 to win off their final two overs. Mitch Claydon conceded nine off the penultimate over, leaving Rabada with 23 to defend in the last.Batting first after winning the toss, Kent made a watchful start through Tom Latham and Joe Denly, who appeared content simply to see off the pace of Tymal Mills.The Kent openers took a brace of boundaries off Nuwan Kulasekara, the Sri Lanka seamer making the first of his three appearances for Sussex, but still seemed too circumspect.Ajmal Shahzad dropped short allowing Latham to clip the first six of the night over midwicket as Kent reached 48 without loss after their six Powerplay overs.   
Sussex hauled the run-rate in further to restrict Kent to 89 fwithout loss at the innings mid-point and spark the loss of three wickets in seven balls.After helping to set a record opening stand in matches against Sussex worth 90, Denly’s 40-ball knock for 44 ended with a sliced drive high to deep cover off Nash then, four balls later, Northeast holed out to long-on to make it 99 for 2. The rot continued as Latham clipped off his legs to be caught at deep fine leg for 48.Sam Billings should have gone for 12 when he miscued a Danny Briggs full-toss only for Salt to spill a comfortable throat-high chance at mid-wicket. The drop cost only 10 runs when Billings miscued his next full toss to long-on where Machan pocketed the chance to make it 130 for 4.In his second stint down the Nackington Road slope Mills mixed his pace and lengths superbly to bamboozle Kent’s big-hitting duo of Stevens and Alex Blake.Frustrated by the lack of boundaries, Stevens launched into a straight drive against Jordan to pick out Kulasekara at long-off.Mills conceded his sole boundary of the night in his final over, but wrapped up his excellent four-over stint of 1 for 15 by yorking Cowdrey for a duck. Blake’s unbeaten 36 was full of miscues and mishits as Kent mustered 166.

Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann highlighted a few areas as key battlegrounds, as the touring team moved out of their initial Colombo base to prepare for the first Test match in Kandy

Daniel Brettig21-Jul-2016Twin spin, batting big and being wary of how a deteriorating pitch can dictate the pace of play. Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann highlighted these areas as key battlegrounds in the series against Sri Lanka, as the touring team moved out of their initial Colombo base to prepare for the first Test match in Kandy.Steve O’Keefe’s 10-wicket haul opposite Nathan Lyon has more than likely vaulted him back into the Test XI after he missed the tour of New Zealand, particularly as Lehmann and the selection chairman Rod Marsh are expecting a sparsely grassed surface when the series begins on July 26. They also expect pitches that will start out flat before deteriorating rapidly at the back end of each match, and can foresee Sri Lanka trying to test the patience of an aggressive batting line-up by blocking the boundaries. To lose patience is to lose the battle.”You play the conditions on each game, so for us it did start to turn a lot [at P Sara Oval], which is pleasing, our spinners exploited that very well, so the conditions they’re learning to bowl in is pretty important as the Test matches wear on here in Sri Lanka,” Lehmann said. “They’re pretty good wickets to start with, and that’s the challenge for us, going big and making big runs.”We know that Sri Lanka will defend a lot once batters are in, so it’s going to take a lot longer to get your runs if that makes sense. We’ve spoken about the need to bat long periods of time is going to be key, which we’ve done pretty well to be fair over the last little while, but the challenge is to do it here.

Australia’s likely XI for first Test

David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Steve O’Keefe, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

“Knowing the game is going to speed up as the wickets deteriorate, that’s going to be important to be ahead of the game in the Test series, but really happy with where everyone’s at. Our batters have a big role to play and our bowlers were probably a little bit rusty in the first innings but pleased we got through, there’s no injury concerns and away we go.”Lehmann spoke warmly of O’Keefe and also Lyon, who was recovering from illness over the course of the tour match, and is set to play a central role in the same country he made a memorable Test debut back in 2011. Significantly, Lehmann pointed to the use of tandem spin, turning the ball in opposite directions, as something that would be vital not only in Sri Lanka, but also India next year.”He’s been excellent for NSW, had a lot of success in Shield cricket, his 200th first-class wicket today so pleased for him,” Lehmann said of O’Keefe. “He’s worked really hard, he’s a really lively, buzzy character for us and played exactly the role we want him to play over here in this game. Bats really well, fields really well and complements Nathan really well, spinning the other way.”We think that [twin spin] is the way to go. India do it there with Jadeja and Ashwin and most teams have a spinner going both ways, so for us that’s important.”A conclusion drawn by Lehmann and the team performance manager Pat Howard from unsuccessful recent tours to India and the UAE to play Pakistan was that touring sides needed to spend as much time as possible in unfamiliar climes before walking out on day one of the series proper. To that end, the Australians have followed an internal practice fixture with the match in Colombo, and will now have five days in Kandy before Angelo Mathews tosses the coin next week.”We’ve come over here a little bit earlier than we normally would, we think that’s a helpful thing in future, we haven’t done that in the past,” Lehmann said. “So to come a little bit earlier here and go a bit earlier to India to get acclimatised for an extra few days and hopefully an extra game in most places.”Having entered the final week of their preparation, all Lehmann is looking for now is the announcement of Sri Lanka’s tour squad, the better to plan individual opponents. “I wouldn’t mind the side at some stage,” he said. “That’s the challenge, I don’t think anyone knows what squad they’ve got. Once they name their squad we’ll work through that. We know a bit about them. They’ll be a lot better side at home, and that’s going to be a challenge for us, but end of the day we just worry about what we’re doing. Once we get their squad away we go.”The only Australian player under any sort of fitness cloud is David Warner, in the latter stages of recovery from a broken thumb, but Lehmann gave no hint of thinking the vice-captain might be in any doubt to open the innings with Joe Burns: “We’re preparing for him to play.”

Substantial crowd trouble marred both Dambulla ODIs, as several thousand ticket-holders were either unable to take their seats, or – in some cases – even enter the ground

Andrew Fidel Fernando03-Sep-2016Substantial crowd trouble marred both Dambulla ODIs, as several thousand ticket-holders were either unable to take their seats, or – in some cases – even enter the ground. SLC has issued an apology, and condemned the actions of spectators who forced their way into the venue.This is the first series in which SLC has sold its tickets through BookMyShow – a ticket distributor of Indian origin. Tickets were sold at outlets in many of the main towns in the region, as well as online. However, the perception that a move towards online ticket sales marginalised a large portion of cricket fans is what is understood to have angered some of those who swarmed the gates of the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium last week. Wednesday’s ODI had even seen a large protest at the entrance, which led to severe congestion on the Colombo-Dambulla main road.”SLC has clearly advertised the selling points of tickets, and has sold their tickets prior to the match at 18 outlets island-wide, including in Dambulla, Matale and Anuradhapura,” an SLC release said. “Ninety per cent of the tickets were reported sold through the above network and only 10% via internet.”Public who did not purchase their respective tickets prior to the match behaved in an unruly manner, causing a situation outside the main gate. As a result, even the people who purchased the tickets could not come into the ground, due to the heavy traffic congestion caused by the unruly crowd who were blocking the main road in protest. Sri Lanka Police made several requests to the protestors to move out of the road to enable the genuine ticket holders to enter the ground. More than 2000 spectators who had purchased tickets complained that they could not get into the grounds within the first two hours of the play.”The standoff between the police and the “unruly crowd” had only been resolved after the gates were opened even to those who had not bought tickets, in order to clear the road.In the previous match, on Sunday, thousands were seen entering the ground illegally, which led to the 18,000-capacity stadium having to accommodate up to 45,000 people. The protesting crowd had pelted the police with stones on Wednesday, but there have been no reports of major injury as a result of either incident.”SLC would like to state that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable and would like to denounce the violent behaviour of the protestors who pelted stones at the police and damaged property of the stadium. As a result, Sri Lanka Police had no choice but to use minimal force to curb the situation.”The new ticketing protocols have been in place right through the tour, but Dambulla is the only venue at which substantial crowd-control issues have emerged. Dambulla also has the lowest capacity of the three limited-overs venues.