Rex Clementine, in ISLAND, 21 February 2018, where the title is “Mendis was used as opener for tactical reasons – Samaraweera
Sri Lanka’s Batting Coach Tilan Samaraweera shedding light into the decision to open the batting with young Kusal Mendis during the just concluded tour of Bangladesh said that it was more a tactical decision and wasn’t sure whether Sri Lanka would stick to the same strategy moving forward.
One tour, three formats, three series wins. For Chandika Hathurusingha, it has been the ideal start to his tenure as head coach of Sri Lanka. Speaking on his side’s return home from Bangladesh, a content Hathurusingha cited good communication, tactical flexibility, and a relaxed environment as key elements in Sri Lanka sweeping every trophy on offer. Now, his concentration has shifted to cultivating a strong squad that can compete in various conditions.
Andrew Fidel Fernando, in ESPNcricinfo, 10 February 2018, where the title is “Dananjaya takes five as Sri Lanka clinch series”
Bangladesh plunged, Sri Lanka’s spinners soared and the Mirpur Test tore to its conclusion midway through day three, the visitors triumphing by 215 runs. Debutant Akila Dananjaya was prime destroyer. He scythed rapidly through the Bangladesh lower-middle order, taking 5 for 24 to make it eight wickets on debut – the best performance by a Sri Lankan on debut. The charge to victory was also sweet for Rangana Herath, who claimed 4 for 49 and in doing so, became the most successful left-arm bowler in Test history.
Sri Lanka’s cricketer Roshen Silva plays a shot during the first day of the second cricket Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla national cricket stadium in Dhaka on February 8, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / –
Sri Lanka Test squad: Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dhananjaya, Lahiru Gamage and Lahiru Kumara.
ONE: Rex Clementine, in Sunday Island, 14 January 2017
Sri Lanka have dropped promising top order batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama for the two match Test series against Bangladesh. Samarawickrama, who made his Test debut against Pakistan during the tour of UAE, played all three Tests against India and finished with 74 runs in six innings. The 22-year-old is one of the brightest prospects around having finishing the last domestic season as the highest run getter. His close-in fielding earned the praise of former Indian cricketers as he fearlessly stood at short leg after begin repeatedly hit by Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli. Read the rest of this entry ?
Andrew Fidel Fernando, courtesy of ESPNcricinfo, 3 Jan 2018
To begin with, some numbers: of the 13 Tests Sri Lanka played this year, they lost seven to the four they won. In ODIs 23 defeats (yes, 23) to five wins. In T20Is, ten losses, five victories.
Sri Lanka’s series win in the UAE was memorable, but it didn’t translate to an improved performance over the rest of the year © AFP
Are you depressed yet?
Saádi Thawfeeq, in Daily News, 29 December 2017
The Sri Lankan cricketers got a taste of what lay ahead of them if they don’t fall in line with Chandika Hathurusingha at the inaugural practice session they had with their new head coach at the R Premadasa Stadium yesterday. Hathurusingha’s no-nonsense approach has made him one of the most successful, respected and most sought after cricket coaches in the world today and he believes he has arrived at the right time to put Sri Lanka cricket back on the right track to success.
The employment of a sports psychologist and tapping into the wealth of knowledge in Sri Lanka’s network of former players are among new coach Chandika Hathurusingha‘s first moves towards rehabilitating Sri Lanka Cricket.
“I will get Kumar Sangakkara‘s expertise and invite him to come and help us. If I don’t look for his help, then I will be wasting this opportunity I’ve been given,” Hathurusingha said to the media, following a prolonged training session with a pool of 23 players, some of whom will be travelling to Bangladesh next month.
