After clinching the ODI series 3-2, the Sri Lanka cricket team will take on injury-hit Australia in a two-match Test series starting on Wednesday, June 29.

Led by captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka have announced an 18-man squad for the upcoming Test series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle.

Spinner Jeffrey Vandersay has been rewarded after his impressive showing in the ODI series. The 32-year-old leg-spinner picked five wickets in four matches at an economy of just 5.01 in the ODIs and has earned a call-up. Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama and Ramesh Mendis are the other spin bowling options in the squad.

Meanwhile, Pathum Nissanka returns to the squad after missing the Bangladesh series due to an injury. 

Veteran stars Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal have been added to the Test squad while fast bowlers Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando have retained their places.

On the other hand, the Pat Cummins-led Australian cricket team will miss the services of middle-order batter Travis Head, who suffered a hamstring injury during the ODI series. Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar is also doubtful for the first Test.

However, former Australia captain Steve Smith and pacer Mitchell Starc are expected to be fit for the first red ball engagement.

With several injury concerns, Australia have added swashbuckling all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to the squad since playing his last Test against Bangladesh in September 2017.

The two Test matches will be played at Galle International Stadium.

Sri Lanka vs Australia Test head-to-head record

Australia have dominated Sri Lanka in Test cricket, winning 19 of the 31 matches that they have played so far. Sri Lanka have managed just four victories while eight matches have ended in draws.

However, the last time Sri Lanka hosted Australia in a Test series back in 2016, the hosts whitewashed the Aussies 3-0. 

Sri Lanka vs Australia Tests 2022 squads

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Chandimal (wicket-keeper), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Vandersay. 

Standby Players: Dunith Wellalage, Lakshitha Rasanjana

Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith (vice-captain), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell

Sri Lanka vs Australia Tests 2022 schedule and live India match times

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date	Match	Venue	Time
Wednesday, June 29 - Sunday, July 3	Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test	Galle International Stadium, Galle	10:00 AM
Friday, July 8 - Tuesday, July 12	Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd Test	Galle International Stadium, Galle	10:00 AM

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Featured photo: ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP

The Sri Lanka cricket board has given its revolting players an ultimatum to sign the new contract by June 3. 

According to reports, if the Sri Lankan cricketers fail to sign the contract within the stipulated deadline, then they will be put on tour contracts which means specific contracts for specific tours. 

For the unversed, 24 Sri Lanka cricketers including Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne and a few other senior players had refused to sign the new contract offered by the board with lower base salaries and more performance-based incentives.

As per the new contracts offered, only six players are placed under category A with the annual pay ranging between USD 70,000 to 100,000. Interestingly, Dhananjaya de Silva will receive maximum pay while others will receive between USD 70,000 to 80,000.

Formulated by the Tom Moody and Aravinda de Silva-led Cricket Committee, the new contract has been evaluated on ive points: performance, fitness, leadership, professionalism, and future potential and adaptability.

“The performance during the last two years carries 50 points while 20 points are given for fitness. The other three attributes carry ten marks each. The allocation was done by the coach, the three selectors and the physical performance manager. The information is restricted to those involved in the grading process. But players unhappy about how they were slotted believe they have a right to know every detail of how their points were tabulated,�?a Sri Lanka daily called ‘Sunday Times�?reported.

Meanwhile, in the statement issued on behalf of the cricketers, attorney Nishan Sydney Premathiratne said the players are ‘not in agreement to sign unfair and non-transparent contracts and urge SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) to not hold the players at gunpoint or give the players such ultimatums�?

The Sri Lankan cricket team is currently in Dhaka to play a three-match one-day series against hosts Bangladesh. The island nation lost the first ODI by 33 runs and they will look to level the series on Tuesday, May 25.

Featured photo: Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP

Such has been India's domination at home in Tests of late that all a visiting team can hope for is to draw a Test match at best. Even a drawn series is a massive boost for a visiting side these days in India.

Given the current situation, we have gone the extra mile to put together a World XI which includes the best Test players who can give a shot at trying to trump India at home.

Dimuth Karunaratne

The Sri Lankan opener has been a steady presence at the top in Test cricket of late. A sturdy batsman with a strong defensive technique, Karunaratne is a good player of pace and spin and, in particular, a fine second innings batsman. As such, in India, he is a first-choice opener.

Dean Elgar

While South Africa has struggled in India this series, Dean Elgar has been a dominating presence with his handling of Ashwin and Jadeja standing out. He will partner Karunaratne at the top for the world XI.

Kane Williamson (Captain)

The New Zealand skipper endured a poor Sri Lankan tour recently but his overall numbers in Asia and incredible temperament makes him an ideal candidate at No.3 for a series like this. Given how well he has led the Kiwis in all formats, Williamson is a sure shot presence in this team and the one who should lead the side.

Steven Smith

The World's No.1 batsman, Steven Smith made a stunning second innings hundred at Pune in 2017 to help Australia to a win in India. That remains India's last loss at home in a Test match. After his incredible Ashes, there can be no world XI without Smith and combined with his record in India, he is a no-brainer in the team.

Ben Stokes

With a massive temperament and a penchant for big knocks in crucial situations, Ben Stokes is an ideal middle-order batsman to have. He can take on the spinners to disrupt their rhythm and can also play the anchor role if needed. Add in his hit-the-deck bowling and ability to generate reverse swing, Stokes is a must pick for this team.

BJ Watling (WK)

While Wriddhiman Saha pushed his claim as best Test keeper, one name that has often flown under the radar is that of BJ Watling. The New Zealand keeper showed in Sri Lanka earlier this year that he can come good in Asian conditions. Although Tom Latham and Mushfiqur Rahim are strong contenders in this team as keeper, Watling remains the No. 1 pick.

Shakib Al Hasan

A spin bowling all-rounder of the quality of Shakib Al Hasan cannot be kept out of a World XI and in conditions where his batting and spin bowling are exceptional, Shakib is a sure shot pick. He will act as a primary spinner and mainstream all-rounder in this World XI.

Roston Chase

Roston Chase has an incredible record against India with the ball and is also an able batsman down the order in slow and low conditions. If at all Chase has a weakness, it is against pace but on Indian surfaces, the West Indian should enjoy batting. If the wicket is a harder one, he can be replaced by another West Indian all-rounder, Jason Holder.

Pat Cummins

Cummins had an incredible tour of India in 2017 and has established himself as an all-condition bowler. The Australian can swing the new ball upfront, hit the hard lengths and also bounce out batsmen in these conditions. He will lead the World XI’s bowling attack.

Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon and Steven O'Keefe played a major role in trumping India at Pune two years back and the off-spinner, who generates sharp turn and bounce on turners, is a must-have in a World XI tour of India. The off-spinner will have Shakib and Chase to support him in the department.

Kagiso Rabada

Despite an average outing in India this time, South Africa's strike bowler is a fantastic addition to this World XI. With Ben Stokes and Pat Cummins to aid him, Rabada will be much more potent and his old ball spells, in particular, will be handy in these conditions. He and Cummins will start off proceedings for the World XI in India.

Featured image courtesy: AFP / Ian Kington

Ten Sri Lankan players, including T20 skipper Lasith Malinga and ODI captain Dimuth Karunaratne, pulled out of an upcoming tour of Pakistan citing security concerns, officials said Monday.

Following a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus during a Test match in Lahore in March 2009, a majority of international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country.

The Sri Lankan cricket board said national players were briefed on security arrangements for the six-match limited over series, and given the freedom to decide if they wanted to travel. 

Following the briefing, 10 players "chose to stay away" from the series of three One-Day Internationals and three T20 games, scheduled to begin on September 27 in Karachi, the governing body said.

The other eight who opted out were Thisara Perera, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal and Dinesh Chandimal.

Official sources said Karunaratne was most likely to be replaced by 30-year-old Lahiru Thirimanne as ODI skipper, while the T20 team is expected to be guided by Dasun Shanaka who celebrated his 28th birthday on Monday.

The tour has been seen as another step towards reviving international cricket in Pakistan after years of isolation.

- Tight security -

Shortly before the announcement, batsman Danushka Gunathilaka told reporters that "about 70 percent of players agree (on touring Pakistan) while 30 percent are not happy".

"But, from what they told us, I think there will be very tight security."

This will be Sri Lanka's second tour of Pakistan since the 2009 attack.

The Sri Lankans returned to Pakistan for a Twenty20 international in Lahore in October 2017 with a squad led by Thisara Perera who has decided to stay out of the tour this time.

Sri Lanka are also to play two Test matches against Pakistan, but the dates and the venue are yet to be announced.

Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Harin Fernando has rejected playing the longer versions of the game in Pakistan and suggested the Tests be played in the United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan have played many of their home series.

Series schedule:

27 Sep �?1st ODI, Karachi 

29 Sep �?2nd ODI, Karachi 

2 Oct �?3rd ODI, Karachi 

5 Oct �?1st T20I, Lahore 

7 Oct �?2nd T20I, Lahore 

9 Oct �?3rd T20I, Lahore

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Geoff Caddick

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne scored 122 as Sri Lanka chased down 268 for the loss of just four wickets to win the first Test against New Zealand at Galle on Sunday and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Karunaratne posted his ninth Test hundred along with enjoying a record-equalling opening partnership of 161 with Lahiru Thirimanne, who made 64, as Sri Lanka collected their first points of the World Test Championship.

Former captain Angelo Mathews chipped in with an unbeaten 28 as Sri Lanka finished off the game before lunch after the morning session was extended because only 22 runs were needed at the scheduled time for the interval.

Karunaratne enjoyed some luck on the way to his century, dropped on 58 at forward short leg by Tom Latham while wicketkeeper BJ Watling missed a stumping chance on the same score. He batted for over five hours, facing 245 deliveries, and hit six fours and a six.

Karunaratne and Thirimanne's stand equalled the record for the highest opening partnership in Tests between the two countries. In 1991, John Wright and Trevor Franklin had also put on 161 for the first wicket in Hamilton.

The opening stand was pivotal in Sri Lanka achieving the highest successful run chase in Galle, easily surpassing the previous best of 99. Resuming play on 133 for no loss, Sri Lanka required 135 from the remaining three sessions.

New Zealand finally got their breakthrough when Thirimanne was trapped leg before by William Somerville. Given not out by umpire Richard Illingworth, New Zealand overturned the decision on review.

Kusal Mendis soon fell after taking on Somerville, hitting him for a four and a six from the second and fourth balls he faced. 

But when he attempted to slog sweep Ajaz Patel in the next over he ended up hitting straight to midwicket where Jeet Raval completed the catch. 

Angelo Mathews joined Karunaratne and the pair put on 44 runs for the third wicket to steady the ship.

Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera after Karunaratne's dismissal but Dhananjaya de Silva (14) joined Mathews and helped Sri Lanka knock off the remaining runs with two sessions to spare.

Mathews brought up the winning runs with a single to fine leg off Boult.

The second and final Test begins in Colombo on Thursday.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ishara S. Kodikara

Sri Lanka's batters set the stage on Saturday for a thrilling final day, reaching 133 without loss at stumps on day four as they chased 268 to beat New Zealand in the first Test in Galle.

Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne were involved in a record opening stand of 133 runs and benefited from some sloppy fielding by the tourists. It leaves Sri Lanka needing a further 135 runs to record their first win in the World Test Championship.

Karunaratne was unbeaten on 71 off 168 balls with two boundaries while Thirimanne was on 57 having faced 132 deliveries and hit four fours. They were in no mood to withdraw to the dressing room but bad light ended play 34 minutes before schedule.

Batting fourth in Galle is not the prettiest thing for batsmen and the highest successful run chase here is 99. But this track held together and there weren't any demons making life difficult for batsmen.

Both openers were slow off the blocks with the first boundary coming in the 22nd over. Karunaratne was the first to reach half-century with a cut shot off William Somerville. It was the Sri Lankan skipper's 23rd Test fifty.

Thirimanne reached his sixth half-century with a flick for four off Ajaz Patel. After a series of low scores, he was under pressure to post a decent figure and the half-century will have saved his place for the next Test in Colombo.

A bat-pad chance off Thirimanne, when he was on 29, fell just short of short leg fielder Tom Latham. But the luckier of the two openers was Karunaratne, who was put down twice. Latham spilled a chance at short leg when he was on 58 off the bowling of Patel and in the very next over B.J. Watling missed a stumping chance off Somerville.

The duo went onto establish the highest partnership by a Sri Lankan opening pair in the fourth innings. The previous best was 110 by Roshan Mahanama and Chandika Hathurusingha against Australia at R. Premadasa Stadium in 1992. It is also the highest partnership by a Sri Lankan pair for the first wicket against New Zealand. Mahanama and Hathurusingha had posted 102 in 1992 at SSC against the late Martin Crowe's side.

Earlier, resuming from the overnight score of 195 for seven, New Zealand posted 285 with Watling top scoring with 77 runs. He was well supported by the tail with William Somerville hitting his highest score in first-class cricket - 40 not out. Lasith Embuldeniya finished with four wickets while Dhananjaya de Silva claimed three.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ishara S. Kodikara

New Zealand started their World Test Championship campaign against Sri Lanka on Wednesday and captain Kane Williamson said that vying for a place in a world final will add to the competitive edge in future series.

Williamson's side return to cricket action in Galle exactly a month after their cruel World Cup defeat by England, with the Kiwi skipper welcoming the addition of a new potential title.

After several delays, the world championship was finally launched at the end of last month. The world's top nine ranked teams will compete over two years for a place in the final at Lord's.

"It's a welcome addition to the Test format, bringing that context into every Test match that you play," Williamson told reporters.

"Every time you play any team it's very, competitive, but now there's that added carrot where in two years time everyone is vying for an opportunity to play in a Test Championship final, which will be a really exciting thing to be a part of."

New Zealand are currently ranked number two in Tests and a 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka will help them claim the top spot from India.

"If that happens, that would be great. The thing with rankings is that they fluctuate throughout a season, and are purely a reaction to the cricket that you're playing," said Williamson.

"For us, we're just focused on cricket because that gives us the best chance of success. We're looking forward to the challenge here against Sri Lanka."

The tourists' hopes could be hit by bad weather as rain is predicted on the first two days of the Galle match.

Neither team could train Tuesday because of rain.

"In the 10 or 12 days we've been here, about eight of them have been rained out. It's just one of those things that you try and prepare mentally as best as you can," said Williamson.

On paper, New Zealand are the stronger side having two players each in the rankings for top bowlers and batsmen.

None of the Sri Lankan players feature in the top ten bowling or batting rankings.

Sri Lanka will be looking to build upon their improvement since Dimuth Karunaratne took the captaincy in February and they became the first Asian nation to win a Test series in South Africa.

"We did our basics right in South Africa and that's the reason why we won. We are in a good position now and we are excited to play tomorrow," said Karunaratne.

"What I have done is to give freedom to all players and they have gone onto express themselves with their performances," he said.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ishara S. Kodikara

Avishka Fernando hit a quick-fire half-century as Sri Lanka eased to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second one-day international to seal the three-match series in Colombo on Sunday.

Opener Fernando made 82 off 75 balls, helping Sri Lanka reach 242-3 in 44.4 overs after Bangladesh were restricted to 238-8, despite wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim making an unbeaten 98 runs.

Fernando and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne set the tone for Sri Lanka’s run chase with a 71-run stand before Bangladesh had their first success through off-spinner Mehidy Hasan.

Mehidy bowled Karunaratne for 15 but Fernando and Kusal Perera continued the hosts' onslaught to put Sri Lanka, who won Friday’s opening game by 91 runs, firmly in control. 

Mustafizur Rahman dismissed Fernando and Perera, who made 30 off 34 balls, in quick succession to revive Bangladesh’s hopes but Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews denied them further success.

Mathews struck occasional leg-spinner Sabbir Rahman for a four to complete Sri Lanka’s win. He was unbeaten on 52 runs facing 57 balls.

He was well supported by Mendis, 41 not out, in an unbroken 96-run fourth-wicket stand.

"I am disappointed to not get to the three-figure mark and hopefully I can convert my starts into bigger knocks in the future," said man-of-the-match Fernando.

"The track was a bit slow and also spun a bit. I am glad that I was able to make a contribution," he added.

Mustafizur finished with 2-50 for Bangladesh.

Mushfiqur falls short

Bangladesh had Mushfiqur to thank for providing them something to fight with after their top-order crumbled for the second time in the series.

Mushfiqur slammed six fours and a six in a 110-ball innings to bail out Bangladesh who lost their first six wickets for 117 runs.

Mushfiqur and number eight Mehidy shared 84 runs, a seventh-wicket record for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka to give the visitors' innings some respectability.

Mehidy made 43 off 46 balls with six boundaries before he was caught by Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne at mid-off off Nuwan Pradeep.

Pradeep, fellow pace bowler Isuru Udana and leg-spinner Akila Dananjaya claimed two wickets each for Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh were in trouble soon after skipper Tamim Iqbal won the toss and elected to bat at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Pradeep trapped opener Soumya Sarkar leg-before for 11 before Tamim dragged a Udana delivery onto his stump after making 19.

Dananjaya removed Mohammad Mithun for 12 and bowled Mahmudullah Riyad for six before Sabbir Rahman's run out for 11 compounded Bangladesh's woes.

Mushfiqur began his fightback with Mehidy after Udana had Mosaddek Hossain caught by Kusal Perera for 13.

Mushfiqur went off the strike in the fifth ball of the final over to miss out on his eighth ODI hundred by just two runs.

The third and final match of the series will be held at the same venue on Wednesday.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ishara S. Kodikara

Sri Lanka on Friday named a 22-member ODI squad led by Dimuth Karunarathna for the upcoming Bangladesh tour of the island.

The first of the three one-day internationals will be played on July 26, the second two days later and the final match on July 31. All three games will be played at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Read: Sri Lanka to sack coaches over World Cup failure: officials

Here’s a look at the final squad:

Dimuth Karunarathna (captain), Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimane, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathileke, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Amila Aponso, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lahiru Madusanka

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ishara S. Kodikara

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne has backed India to win the World Cup after losing to Virat Kohli's side at Headingley on Saturday.

India wrapped up their group stage campaign with a seven-wicket victory inspired by Rohit Sharma's record fifth century of the tournament.

Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, created the biggest upset of this World Cup by beating hosts England, but failed to make the semi-finals.

Karunaratne believes of the four semi-finalists in India, England, holders Australia and New Zealand, it is Kohli's team who are the most well balanced.

"I think India has a better chance to win this World Cup, for me, from my point of view," Karunaratne told reporters.

"And I think on that particular day if the other team can do better than the India team, they're definitely going to win."

Sharma, who made 103, led India's chase during his 189-run opening stand with KL Rahul, who went on to top score with 111.

Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah took three wickets to restrict Sri Lanka to 264 for seven despite a gritty hundred from Angelo Mathews.

Karunaratne, who was made captain of the side just ahead of the World Cup, credited India's domestic structure for their steady flow in talent.

"I think India, they have a nice structure behind the India national team. I think they have the Indian T20 League," said Karunaratne.

"They have good domestic teams and a good season. So those are the things they will keep building, keep producing the good players. So we expect the same from our administration."

Karunaratne said the team was disappointed not to give a winning farewell to veteran paceman Lasith Malinga, who was playing his last World Cup game.

"We all want to give him a nice farewell, but unfortunately we couldn't. But I think we tried really hard," said Karunaratne.

"But Mali (Malinga) going to play another couple of games in Sri Lanka against Bangladesh. We'll try to give a nice send-off at that time."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Dibyangshu Sarkar