Tri-series: Sri Lanka win toss, elect to bowl

SYDNEY: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and elected to bowl against Australia in the third match of the ODI tri-series here today.

Australia have not made any change to the side that beat India in their previous match.

For Sri Lanka, Sachithra Senanayake has replaced Thisara Perera.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Sachithra Senanayake, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Thirimanne

Australia: Michael Clarke (c), David Warner, Matthew Wade, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Dan Christian, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty. AGENCIES

Sri Lanka orders 161 foreign Islamic clerics out

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has ordered a group of 161 foreign Islamic clerics to leave the country, for flouting visa regulations by preaching to pockets of Muslims around the country, an official said Sunday.

Controller of Immigration and Emigration Chulananda Perera said the clerics, who were mostly Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian, Maldivian and Arab, had travelled into the country on tourist visas.

“We have ordered them to leave the country by January 31. They have violated immigration laws. A tourist visa is to have a holiday or visit friends and family and not to preach Islam,” Perera told AFP.

He said the group, which belongs to the Tabligh Jamat group, arrived in Sri Lanka last month in small batches.

Perera said he acted on several complaints by the Muslim community, that the clerics were not preaching the moderate Islam practiced on the Buddhist-dominated island.

“Foreign clerics wishing to preach Islam in Sri Lanka, must first apply for permission through the religious affairs authorities,” Perera said.

In January, Sri Lanka launched an online-visa application system, scrapping the one-month visa on arrival for foreigners, except Maldivians and Singaporeans.

Sri Lanka cricket heading for major overhaul

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is to undertake a major overhaul of its national cricket team and coaching staff ahead of the country’s tour of Australia later this month, a media report said Thursday.

Skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan is tipped to be replaced by former captain Mahela Jayewardena while Australian coach Geoff Marsh is also likely to be asked to go, the local Daily Mirror said.

It said the national cricket board would also sack the team of selectors after Sri Lanka’s abysmal performance in South Africa where they lost both the Test and one-day international series.

The Mirror said Marsh was likely to be replaced by South African Graham Ford.

Sri Lanka Cricket officials said they were unaware of the moves allegedly initiated in the ministry of sports.

The report came two days after the government ordered a probe into the national cricket team’s “crisis situation” after they fell to another defeat in their one-day series in South Africa.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage asked the country’s cricket governing body to investigate and recommend remedial action to end the side’s recent poor performances.

South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by four runs on Tuesday to take a winning 3-0 lead in their five-match ODI series.

“Carefully investigate the current crisis situation in the national cricket team and report back to me within a week,” Aluthgamage told the chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket.

The probe was ordered a week after another minister slammed the side, blaming lack of team spirit for a 258-run thrashing by South Africa, the island’s worst one-day international defeat.

The Sri Lankan government is often accused of meddling in the sport and recent uncontested elections for the cricket board were mired in allegations of interference.

Sri Lanka did reach the final of last year’s World Cup but since the retirement of bowling star Muttiah Muralitharan in July 2010, the team have won only one Test match.

World Cup: Sri Lanka survive Kiwis late assault to reach final

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka succeeded in reaching the World Cup final for second time in a row after avoiding late bowling assault by New Zealand here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing 218, the co-hosts reached the target to beat the Kiwis by five wickets with 13 balls to spare in the first day-night semi-final as veteran off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan said goodbye to his home crowd.

Opener Tillekaratna Dilshan (73) and captain Kumar Sangakkara (54) hit half-cneturies to set a foundation for Sri Lanka’s victory to qualify for the World Cup final for the third time and second in succession.

They had won the final in 1996 at Lahore, Pakistan but lost it in 2007 at Kingston, Jamaica.

Sri Lanka play the winners of Wednesday”s semi-final between India and Pakistan in Mohali.

Muralitharan took his 534th wicket off his last ball on home soil as New Zealand were bowled out for a below-par score of 217 in 48.5 overs.

Muralitharan, who last year retired from Tests after finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 800, now aims to win his second title — after being part of the 1996 Cup winning squad — in Saturday”s final in Mumbai.

Sri Lanka, cruising along at 160-1, lost four wickets in the space of 25 runs to raise fears of an unlikely defeat before Thilan Samaraweera (23 not out) and Angelo Mathews (14 not out) guided them home with an unbroken 35-run stand.

New Zealand, who for the sixth time failed in a World Cup semi-final, seemed to be succumbing like England did during their 10-wicket quarter-final defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka, but they staged a brave rearguard action.

It was 34-year-old Dilshan who was once again in rampaging mood, taking the co-hosts to 40 by the eighth over in the company of Upul Tharanga who fell after scoring a 31-ball 30 with four boundaries and a six.

Dilshan then found an equally aggressive and in-form partner in captain Sangakkara as they added 120 for the second wicket, before Dilshan played straight into the hands of Jesse Ryder off Tim Southee.

Dilshan hit 10 boundaries and a six during his 93-ball knock. He also became the top run-getter of the tournament with 467.

Sri Lanka then lost Mahela Jayawardene (one) and Sangakkara in the space of eight runs and then Chamara Silva (13) before the team held their nerve.

It was Ajantha Mendis (3-35) and Lasith Malinga (3-55), along with Muralitharan (2-42), who kept New Zealand under control after Daniel Vettori won the toss and opted to bat.

Scott Styris, who top scored with 57, added 77 for the fourth wicket with Ross Taylor (36) but the Sri Lankan bowlers never allowed them to run away with a big total, dismissing the Kiwis in 48.5 overs.

Styris and Kane Williamson (22) added 42 in the batting powerplay but New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for just 56 runs.

Sri Lanka once again dismissed hard-hitting Brendon McCullum through a spinner when left-armer Rangana Herath bowled him in the eighth over for 13.

Martin Guptill (39) and Jesse Ryder (19) took the total to 69 before Muralitharan had the big left-hander caught off a quickish delivery.

Soon it became 84-3 when Malinga bowled Guptill with a ferocious yorker after the opener had hit three boundaries off 65 balls.

Indo-Pak security tight ahead of W.Cup semi-final

MOHALI: More than 2,000 mounted police and commandos threw a tight security blanket around Mohali on Tuesday ahead of the World Cup semi-final clash between India and Pakistan.

But despite the significance of Wednesday’s game, there was only one match consuming interest in Sri Lanka where Muttiah Muralitharan was playing his last international on home turf, the semi-final against New Zealand.

India’s last-four encounter against Pakistan will be the first meeting between the two arch-rivals on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Although relations are still tense, the match has become a diplomatic lever with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani accepting an invitation from his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to attend the match.

“We are leaving nothing to chance. The security will be multi-layered,” said Mohali’s Senior Superintendent of Police G.P.S. Bhullar.

Around 100 commandos belonging to Punjab’s Special Security Group, trained by Israeli counter-terrorism experts, will also be on duty.

People living close to the 30,000-capacity PCA stadium in Mohali were left fuming at what they termed was “too much attention just for a game of cricket”.

“It has become a nightmare for us to reach and leave our homes,” said Vijay Khanna.

“I shudder to think what will happen on match day when the build-up is like this. I am thinking of going on a short trip and escape the madness.”

Hotel guests in Mohali and nearby Chandigarh, meanwhile, also complained of midnight security sweeps of their rooms.

In Colombo, Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara admitted that even a half-fit Muralitharan could be risked in Tuesday’s semi-final against New Zealand.

The world record breaking off-spinner, who will retire after the World Cup, has been carrying a hamstring injury and also picked up a knee problem in the quarter-final win over England.

But the 38-year-old, who has 800 Test wickets and 532 ODI victims, is so crucial to Sri Lanka, that Sangakkara could be tempted to gamble.

“Murali and everyone is trying to get him fit enough to play, it’s no use thinking about the final and saving him for other games,” said Sangakkara of Muralitharan who took 4-25 in the group stage win over New Zealand.

Sangakkara said the spinner, who played in the 1996 World Cup winning team, will be crucial to his team’s hopes of making the April 2 final in Mumbai.

“This is the crunch game and if he can play that’ll be great for us, but if that doesn’t work out for us, we’ve got enough cover to make sure that we are still a solid winning side,” said Sangakkara.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori believes the semi-final should mark the start of bigger achievements.

The Black Caps have never progressed beyond the World Cup semi-finals in five previous attempts, but Vettori hoped his team move on from their upset quarter-final win over South Africa.

“I think we need to move on pretty quickly from that South Africa game,” said Vettori of New Zealand’s 49-run win at Dhaka.

“It was obviously a tremendous result for us but Sri Lanka is a completely different prospect. It’s a different game so we need a different game plan and a better game plan if we want to succeed.” AGENCIES

 

Sri Lanka advance to World Cup final

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka advanced to the World Cup final for the third time on Tuesday after stopping New Zealand from pulling off their second upset of the tournament.

Sri Lanka, set a modest 218 to win, were cruising at 160 for one but lost four quick wickets before recovering to win by five wickets with 13 balls to spare.

The 1996 champions will play the winners of Wednesday’s semi-final between Pakistan and India in Mumbai on Saturday.

New Zealand, who defeated South Africa in a similar situation in the quarter-finals, have now reached the semi-finals six times without advancing further.

Tillakaratne Dilshan’s dismissal for 73 started a mini-collapse with Mahela Jayawardene (1) and captain Kumar Sangakkara (54) falling in quick succession.

Angelo Mathews, batting with a runner after a thigh strain, relieved the tension with a huge six as Sri Lanka thankfully crossed the finishing line.

Scott Styris anchored New Zealand’s 217 from 48.5 overs with a dogged 57 from 77 balls, before he was lbw to the last ball of Muttiah Muralitharan’s final match on home soil.

Muralitharan, 38, the world record holder for test and one-day wickets, will retire after the tournament.

Sri Lanka Beat New Zealand: Two Asian Teams Will Contest Final

After New Zealand got defeated from Sri Lanka it is confirmed that there will be two Asian teams in the world cup 2011 final match. Sri Lanka will face the winner of 2^nd semi final that will be played between Pakistan and India. The craze of Pakistan Vs India semi final is on its peak.

Pak vs SL: BHOOM BHOOM AFRIDI – Takes His 300th Wicket In ODI

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: While “BHOOM BHOOM AFRIDI” is renowned for his aggressive batting, he is also a handy leg-spinner capable of producing a good mix of wicket taking balls. This is a good news for the fans of Afridi that he claimed his 300th wicket in one-day internationals during his team’s World Cup Group A match against Sri Lanka on Saturday. . While his stock ball is the leg break, his armoury also includes the conventional off break and a ‘quicker one’ which he can deliver at nearly 80 mph in the style of a medium-pacer.

He got 5 wickets in the first match of ICC Cricket world cup against Kenya. 11th match of ICC Cricket Cricket world Cup 2011 is continue in R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. And now “BHOOM BHOOM AFRIDI” is also on fire in bowling against Sri Lanka.

Afridi picked up the wicket of Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara to achieve the feat in his 314th ODI. He became the 11th bowler in the world to have 300 or more wickets. He occasionally sends down a bouncer to a batsman, which is very rare for a spin bowler.

Sri Lanka offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan holds the world record with 522 wickets. Pakistan’s Wasim Akram (502) and Waqar Younis (416) are at second and third place respectively.

Sri Lanka’s Malinga ‘likely to face Pakistan’

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said dangerous fast bowler Lasith Malinga was likely to feature in the crucial World Cup clash against Pakistan on Saturday.

The 27-year-old quick, whose slingy action has made him the spearhead of Sri Lanka’s attack, bowled in the nets under close scrutiny from team physio Tommy Simsek.

He missed Sri Lanka’s comprehensive 210-run win against Canada on Sunday because of a back strain and had not bowled until Friday.

“He (Malinga) had just pulled up a bit stiff before the first game. We are just making sure that he is 100 per cent before we start playing him because we have a long World Cup campaign,” Sangakkara said.

“I am sure he is pretty fit for selection for this one and, hopefully, if the physio clears him, we can have him on the park tomorrow.”

But Sangakkara said Sri Lanka were anxious not to rush Malinga back as he “is the most important player for us in a big tournament like this.”

The skipper said Group A opponents Pakistan were a dangerous side.

“I think Pakistan is a great side. They’ve got great balance, they’ve got match-winning cricketers, not just one but quite a lot of them, so any opposition is wary of them and we are not going to take anything lightly or for granted.

“We are just going to go out there, do the best that we can do and hope that’s enough,” said Sangakkara, who played down Sri Lankan’s record of no wins against Pakistan in World Cups.

“I wasn’t really aware of that history so maybe it’s time to change that now and hopefully tomorrow if we can do our basics better than Pakistan, I think we have a pretty good chance,” said Sangakkara.

Pakistan have won all six World Cup matches against Sri Lanka, but the sides have not met in cricket’s showpiece event since the 1992 edition in Australia and New Zealand, which Pakistan won.

Sangakkara said he hoped there would be a sell-out 35,000 crowd to back the home team, co-hosts of the event with India and Bangladesh, despite problems with tickets being sold on the black market.

The skipper said unscrupulous people took advantage of the passion for cricket in Sri Lanka in a bid to make money.

ICC Worried About the World Cup Venues

Less then one month remaining in the start of ICC World Cup 2011 but the construction work of stadiums in India and Sri Lanka is not completed yet, for the hosting of Mega event. World Cup will be co-hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka starting from 19 February. The ICC is so much worried about the situation and has sent an inspection team to India in order to check the construction work of these venues.

In Premadasa stadium of Sri Lanka seven matches will be played including a quarter final and a semi-final. While talking to media, the chairman of Sri-Lankan cricket committee Dandeniyage Somachandra de Silva accepted that four important stadiums are not ready for the Mega event yet. He further said that hopefully the work on these venues will be completed soon.

The duo of Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai are not ready. The final of Mega event will be played in Wankhede Stadium. The organizers are hopeful that before the start of the world cup all work would be completed.

Kotla Stadium in Feroz Shah is an other important venue of World Cup and its construction work is little bit remaining it is to be remembered that this stadium was banned by the ICC in 2009 for producing a track which sub-standard and dangerous for
the batsmen.

The chief exective of ICC Haroon Logart has shown his reservations about venues before Indian and Sri Lankan cricket boards time and again. In the ICC meeting held on 30 October, last year, ICC gave the deadline for completion of construction of stadiums and to make them suitable for play as 30 November and 31 December 2010 respectively. Both India and Sri Lanka did not put these deadlines under consideration which makes ICC so angry.

14 teams are participating in the tournament. These 14 teams are divided into two groups in each of which seven teams are included. The final of the tournament will be played on 2nd April.

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