If you are a Sri Lanka Cricket fan, you might be exhausted watching the team’s horrible performances in the field recently. Sri Lanka national team’s last win came in October last year, 12 International matches ago. It has been a hectic two months on and off the field for the men in blue. If you couldn’t keep track of all the drama, here it is.
12/10 – Akila suspended
After being reported during the England tour of Sri Lanka, tests showed that Akila Dananjaya’s elbow flexion exceeded the 15-degree tolerance level permitted by ICC and he was suspended from bowling in International cricket.
12/13 – A new batting coach
Thilan Samaraweera was asked to vacate his position after the 3-0 series loss to England at home. Englishman Jon Lewis replaced him.
12/14 – New selection panel – New captain
Lasith Malinga was named the island’s limited overs captain, as the new selection panel led by Ashantha De Mel relieved Dinesh Chandimal of his duties. Malinga is expected to hold on to the captaincy until the World Cup.
12/30 – Pushups and injuries
Former Captain Angelo Mathews made a match-saving century in the 1st Test against New Zealand, which he celebrated with push-ups to indicate his fitness as it had been questioned by the head coach Chandika Hathrusingha in the past. However he was ruled out for 4 weeks due to a grade two strain in his left hamstring soon after and missed the Tour of Australia.
12/30 – A new low
Sri Lanka suffered their largest defeat by runs, losing the 2nd Test to New Zealand by a mammoth 423 runs.
12/31 – ‘Most Corrupt’ sports body
Sports Minister Harin Fernando revealed that Sri Lanka Cricket is the most corrupt sports body in the world after meeting with ICC anti-corruption officials.
01/01 – No more free passes
With only the top 8 teams in T20Is getting a spot, Sri Lanka missed direct qualification to the super 12-round at the T20 World Cup 2020. They will have to battle it out in the first-round qualifiers for the first time in history.
01/09 – Two-week amnesty
The International Cricket Council gave a two-week concessionary period to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to report any matters related to corruption.
01/11 – Another winless tour
Sri Lanka lost all their limited overs matches in New Zealand – 3 ODIs, 1 T20I, to go with their 1-0 Test series defeat (the 1st Test was drawn)
01/20 – Out before a ball bowled
Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep was ruled out of the Australia series after sustaining a hamstring injury before the 1st Test.
01/26 – An innings defeat
Pat Cummins demolished Sri Lanka to hand Australia a win by an innings and 40 runs in 1st Test – Sri Lanka were bowled out for below 200 in both innings.
01/26 – Another 2 down
Lahiru Kumara (hamstring) and Dushmantha Chameera (ankle) were ruled out of the Test Series against Australia due to injuries.
01/29 – Hathuru sacked
Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha was removed as a on tour national selector with immediate effect following a directive from the Ministry of Sport.
01/29 – “laughing stock of the country”
Thisara Perera sent a letter to SLC CEO stating his disappointment with the current affairs within the national squad after a social media spat with Lasith Malinga’s wife.
01/30 – A temporary batting coach
Sri Lanka ‘A’ team coach Avishka Gunawardena was appointed as the ‘Batting Coach’ of the National team for the 2nd Test against Australia, replacing Jon Lewis, who is on leave due to family commitments.
01/31 – Lakmal completes the pack
Suranga Lakmal wasn’t available for the 2nd test at Canberra due to a stiff back, making it 4/4 fast bowlers who were originally in the squad, out due to injury.
02/02 – Dimuth stretchered off
Sri Lanka Vice Captain Dimuth Karunaratne was taken to the hospital after getting hit by a Pat Cummins bouncer. He was later discharged and given the go ahead to bat the following day.
02/03 – KJP down
Kusal Perera was also forced to retire hurt after sustaining a nasty blow to the side of his head on the 3rd day of the Canberra Test.
02/04 – Another embarrassing defeat
Sri Lanka ended their horrible tour to Australia with a huge 366 run defeat, handing the Warne-Murali Trophy to the Aussies.
02/04 – Musical chairs of Captaincy continues
According to reliable sources, Test captain Dinesh Chandimal will be rested for the upcoming South Africa series with current Vice-Captain Dimuth Karunaratne tipped to lead Sri Lanka in the Tests.
- What’s Next??
Sri Lanka’s next assignment is South Africa (2 tests, 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is) before they take the flight to Scotland and England to participate in the World Cup.
Will the crisis end here? Will Faf Du Plessis’ men treat the islanders the same way England, New Zealand and Australia did? When will Sri Lanka win their 1st match in 2019?
