Category: Sports

COLOMBO, October 4, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka has sacked its entire sports medical unit over allegations that staff were linked to banned steroids used by cricketers and national athletes, officials said Tuesday. Sports Minister Mahindananda Althugamage ordered the complete overhaul of the unit following positive tests for cricketer Upul Tharanga, national rugby players and […]

September 17, 2011 (AFP) – Kumar Sangakkara hit an unbeaten 61 in his 100th Test as Sri Lanka responded bravely to Australia’s 316 in the third and final game of the series in Colombo on Saturday. Sri Lanka, seeking a series-levelling win, closed the second day at 166-2 in their first innings after a batting […]

September 18, 2011 (AFP) – Skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan inspired Sri Lanka’s tenacious batting display as the hosts took charge of the third cricket Test against Australia in Colombo on Sunday. Sri Lanka, seeking a series-levelling win, closed the third day’s play at the Sinhalese Sports Club on 428-6 in their first innings, a lead of […]

September 14, 2011 (AFP) – A hugely proud Kumar Sangakkara hopes Sri Lanka will celebrate his 100th Test appearance with a series-levelling victory over Australia in the final match in Colombo from Friday. “It’s a great honour to have represented my country for a period of time, and also a great honour to play 100 […]

GALLE, September 3, 2011 (AFP) – Fast bowler Ryan Harris claimed five wickets as Australia beat a valiant Sri Lanka by 125 runs in the first Test on Saturday to take the lead in the three-match series. Sri Lanka, who resumed the fourth day at 120-5 chasing an improbable victory target of 379, were dismissed […]

KARACHI, August 30, 2011 (AFP) – Pakistan announced Tuesday the itinerary for their autumn series against Sri Lanka to be played in the neutral territory of the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan have been forced to play on foreign soil since a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore two years ago shattered […]

GALLE, August 29, 2011 (AFP) – Rival captains Michael Clarke and Tillakaratne Dilshan will look to lead their young teams from the front when Australia and Sri Lanka begin their three-Test series on Wednesday. Dilshan will miss the experience of prolific off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, Test cricket’s leading bowler with 800 wickets, who retired from the […]

August 20, 2011 (AFP) – Xavier Doherty and Brett Lee took four wickets apiece as Australia defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the fourth one-dayer on Saturday to gain an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Marsh, playing his first match of the series, hit one six and 11 fours in his impressive […]

HAMBANTOTA, August 14, 2011 (AFP) – Ricky Ponting cracked an impressive 90 not out to steer Australia to an easy eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second one-day international on Sunday. Ponting also added 94 for the second wicket with in-form opener Shane Watson (43) after the early dismissal of Brad Haddin. “The game […]

BIRMINGHAM, August 14, 2011 (AFP) – Alastair Cook said England were at the start of a journey, rather than the end of it, after becoming the world’s number one Test side. “I think we’re on the way to doing something special,” said Cook. “But I think we’re still at the start of a journey, rather […]

PALLEKELE, August 6, 2011 (AFP) – Tillakaratne Dilshan hammered a maiden Twenty20 century to set up Sri Lanka’s 35-run victory over Australia in the opening match on Saturday. The captain made a 57-ball 104 not out, smashing five sixes and 12 fours in a superb display of hard and clean hitting to help his team […]

NEW DELHI, August 3, 2011 (AFP) – The much-hyped Twenty20 Champions League has lost its title sponsor due to lack of interest in the multi-nation club tournament, Indian media reported on Wednesday. The Champions League was launched by the cricket boards of India, Australia and South Africa in the wake of the hugely popular Indian […]