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Mahela To Sue State Owned ITN
Tuesday, 1 March 2011 - 12:00 PM SL Time
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Sri Lanka vice captain Mahela Jayawardene is considering legal action against state owned Independent Television Network (ITN) in response to commentary which implied he was guilty of match-fixing.
A state television broadcast suggested Jayawardene deliberately played badly for financial gain in Saturday`s cricket World Cup defeat by Pakistan.
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No Complacency From Sri Lankans Ahead Of Kenya Game
Tuesday, 1 March 2011 - 2:18 PM SL Time
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by Rex Clementine
Sri Lanka`s worst defeat in Cricket World Cups came against Kenya in the 2003 tournament and to date that remains their only defeat against the ICC Associate Members and when they take on the same opposition in today`s Group `A` match at R. Premadasa Stadium, the hosts will not take anything lightly.
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I Learnt A Lot From Watching Waqar and Wasim - Malinga
Wednesday, 2 March 2011 - 12:45 PM SL Time
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Sa`adi Thawfeeq in Colombo
Sri Lanka fast bowler, Lasith Malinga, who became the first bowler in World Cup history to take two hat-tricks, has said that he learnt to bowl his deadly yorkers by watching Pakistan`s legendary pair of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Malinga ran through the hapless Kenya batting to take a career best 6 for 38 runs, and pick up the Man-of-the-Match award, as the opposition crumbled under his assault for a mere 142 runs.
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History Of The World Cup Hat-Trick
Wednesday, 2 March 2011 - 7:02 PM SL Time
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Apart from sixes and fours, there is nothing more exciting than watching a wicket fall in a cricket match and when three such denouements come in the space of three balls, it`s all the more mesmerising to the spectator and fan. What better stage to witness such a phenomenon than at the World Cup. Hat-tricks have been taken a total of seven times in the big event and here is Oneindia`s account of them.
India`s Chetan Sharma took the first World Cup hat-trick, against New Zealand in Nagpur in the 1987 World Cup. The pacer bowled Ken Rutherford, Ian Smith and Ewen Chatfield late in the innings, dislodging their middle stump, off-stump and leg-stump.
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Australian Pacers Can Trouble Sri Lanka: Bayliss
Thursday, 3 March 2011 - 12:04 PM SL Time
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Colombo:
Sri Lanka`s coach Trevor Bayliss feels Australia`s dependence on a pace attack is the right decision for the World Cup.
Bayliss, an Australian, feels that Australia`s pace trio of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait can give his team a tough time during their March 5 encounter at the Premadasa Stadium.
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Sri Lanka, Pakistan Teams Delight Media
Thursday, 3 March 2011 - 5:08 PM SL Time
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By K.R. Nayar, Chief Cricket Writer
Colombo: It is a nice experience to be with the Pakistan and Sri Lankan teams. These players have no hassles mixing with the media and are easily available for any comments.
It was a great sight to see an experienced player like Younus Khan putting an arm around many Sri Lankan fans and posing for a picture with them. Shahid Afridi, despite the pressure of having to perform to retain his captaincy, was at his usual cool self joking with the media.
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Aussies and Sri Lanka In Battle Of The Pacemen
Friday, 4 March 2011 - 10:38 AM SL Time
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A battle for supremacy between bouncers and yorkers may eventually decide the outcome of Saturday`s World Cup Group A showdown between Australia and Sri Lanka in Colombo. On spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka, it might sound surprising that pace will rule but going by current form and team composition, it may well turn out to be so in a re-run of the 2007 final won by Australia.
The champions, chasing their fifth World Cup title overall, have not tried to mask their intentions and have unleashed their pace battery of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait on opposition batsmen. The pace trio have used the short-pitched delivery with precise direction and a lot of fire, hitting many a batsman on the body and the helmet thus gaining the mental edge.
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Lanka Geared Up For Australia Game - Mathews
Friday, 4 March 2011 - 1:06 PM SL Time
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Angelo Mathews says Sri Lanka are prepared to take on Australia, one of the strongest teams in their group.
The contest between the teams on Saturday is one of the biggest in league games and the outcome of it could have an impact on the quarterfinal match-ups. There is even a chance that Sri Lanka, having lost to Pakistan in an earlier game, may have to come down to India to play in the quarterfinals.
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Sri Lanka Look To End Australia 30 Game Unbeaten Streak
Saturday, 5 March 2011 - 2:18 PM SL Time
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by Rex Clementine
Australia`s enviable record of going through 30 World Cup matches unbeaten is at stake as the 1996 World Champions Sri Lanka take them on today in a Group `A` match at R. Premadasa Stadium. Last night Sri Lanka were contemplating to play three frontline spinners as captain Kumar Sangakkara conceded `that`s the best way to play Australia`. Tickets for today`s epic encounter were sold out within days of going to sale and an electrifying atmosphere is expected in and around Maligawatta.
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Rain Ruins Epic Encounter
Sunday, 6 March 2011 - 11:39 AM SL Time
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by Rex Clementine
The last time Australia were scheduled to play a World Cup game in Sri Lanka, they pulled out citing security reasons in 1996 and when they returned 15 years later to play Kumar Sangakkara`s side in a Group `A` encounter at R. Premadasa Stadium, the venue was packed, but the result was disappointing as the game ended in no result due to rain after 32 overs of the Sri Lankan innings.
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Hosts Should Play At Home - Sangakkara
Monday, 7 March 2011 - 11:11 AM SL Time
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Questions Sri Lanka`s fixture in Mumbai
`Why should we play in India against New Zealand when we are the hosts?` asked Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara after playing Zimbabwe here.
Sri Lanka take on New Zealand at Mumbai`s Wankhede stadium in the last league match, and this has irritated the skipper. `We were surprised when we learnt that we will have to travel to Mumbai to play the game against New Zealand. I was under the impression that as hosts we play all our matches at home.`
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I Have Apologised To Mahela, Thilan, Sanga For Any Pain Of Mind: Mahinda Abeysundera
Monday, 7 March 2011 - 6:38 PM SL Time
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Mahinda Abeysundera, in the midst of a controversy for his television feature `Vimasuma` for which he himself had written the script, had expressed regret for the whole episode.
He said he had apologised to everyone who had faced embarrassment as a result of his programme.
Abeysundera telephoned the Newsfirst news studio this morning and sought an opportunity to tell his side of the story in the controversial episode on cricket and cricketers.
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Sri Lanka Climb Up To Third Slot In ODI Ranking
Tuesday, 8 March 2011 - 11:10 AM SL Time
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Sri Lanka moved ahead of South Africa to claim the third place in the Reliance ICC ODI Championship table after 22 matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
Sunday`s six-run defeat against England meant South Africa conceding two rating points which resulted in them to drop behind Sri Lanka by one point.
With plenty of cricket still to be played in the ICC`s flagship event, it is expected that there will be a few more reshuffles in the middle of the table before the final played on April 2.
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Murali`s City Hosts First One-Dayer
Tuesday, 8 March 2011 - 4:50 PM SL Time
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People in Kundasale, birth place of the legendary off-spinner, speak about their hero with pride.
By K.R. Nayar, Chief Cricket Writer
Kandy: `Welcome to the land of Murali,` a Sri Lanka scribe addressed me as soon as I entered the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Muralitharan, the record-holder for the maximum wickets in cricket history, hails from this beautiful city and they all address him as` Murali` with pride. This city is also the cultural capital of Sri Lanka.
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Sri Lanka One Win Away From Cricket World Cup Quarter-Final
Wednesday, 9 March 2011 - 11:14 AM SL Time
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Co-hosts Sri Lanka are one win away from entering the quarter finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Kumar Sangakkara`s men have two matches, against Zimbabwe and New Zealand, remaining in the group stages of the tournament to qualify.
Currently with five points from four matches, Sri Lanka will look to seal the deal on Thursday, when they take on Zimbabwe at the Pallekele Stadium.
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India Likely To Clash With Sri Lanka In Ahmedabad
Wednesday, 9 March 2011 - 6:43 PM SL Time
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Don`t be surprised if India and Sri Lanka clash in the second quarter-final match at Ahmedabad on March 24.
MiD DAY has learnt that the cricket community in Sri Lanka is saddened at the news that it will have to forego home advantage, if it does indeed clash against the Indians.
As per the schedule, the quarter-final matches are as follow: A1 v B4 (Mirpur), A2 v B3 (Ahmedabad), A3 v B2 (Mirpur) and A4 v B1 (Colombo).
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Controversy Lurks Where Dilshan Treads
Thursday, 10 March 2011 - 10:23 AM SL Time
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Apart from being one of the most brutal opening batsmen of the current generation, Tillakaratne Dilshan is also Mr Controversial of the Sri Lankan cricket. In recent times, the opener has stumbled from one controversy to another, with the latest being the reports of him failing a dope test after Sri Lanka`s washed out encounter against Australia on Saturday.
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Sri Lanka Aims To Top The Pool
Thursday, 10 March 2011 - 2:27 PM SL Time
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A confident Sri Lanka will take on a struggling Zimbabwe in a Group A ICC-World Cup encounter here on Thursday (today).
A Sri Lankan win would propel it to the top of the group, currently occupied by New Zealand after its comprehensive win over Pakistan.
Sri Lanka vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene, who addressed a press conference on Wednesday, said that Sri Lanka played quite a bit of provincial cricket here and hence the pitch itself did not hold much surprise.
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Dilshan, Tharanga Heroics Send Lanka To Quarters
Friday, 11 March 2011 - 10:18 AM SL Time
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Chris DHAMBARAGE reporting from Pallekele
A record opening stand and a four wicket haul from Tillekeratne Dilshan carried Sri Lanka to an impressive 139 run victory over Zimbabwe in their ICC 2011 Cricket World Cup Group `A` match worked off under lights at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy yesterday.
The Lankans rattled up an imposing 327 for 6 from their 50 overs after been put into bat and then dismissed Zimbabwe for 188 runs from 39 overs to book a place in the quarterfinals of the 14 nation tournament.
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I Played Best Match Of My Career: Dilshan
Friday, 11 March 2011 - 1:09 PM SL Time
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PALLEKELE (Sri Lanka):
Extremely pleased with his terrific all-round show, Tillakaratne Dilshan said he played the best match of his career against Zimbabwe as he scored a blazing century and took four wickets.
Dilshan scored 144 runs and took four wickets by giving just four runs as Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 139 runs to seal a place in the quarterfinals in the World Cup.
He shared a 282-run partnership with Upul Tharanga for the opening wicket, which is second highest in the history of World Cup.
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Lankans Looking Forward To Playing At The Wankhede
Saturday, 12 March 2011 - 11:37 AM SL Time
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The Sri Lankan team is looking forward to playing at the Wankhede Stadium as it would be the venue for the final. An assessment of conditions there would help the team, according to some of the senior members.
The team, which heads the points tally in Group A, travels to Mumbai for its last league fixture against New Zealand. The result of the match will decide whether Sri Lanka plays its quarterfinals at home or away.
Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara and his vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene were frank when they said they would have liked to play New Zealand in Sri Lanka, where the Lankans will have home advantage. But given that the finals would be held at the Wankhede, the team did not look at the away fixture as a disadvantage.
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I Feel Like There Is An Attempt To Distract My Game - Dilshan
Saturday, 12 March 2011 - 7:02 PM SL Time
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Sri Lankan all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan reacted to rumours that he had failed a dope test with a merciless 144 runs off 131 balls, which included 16 boundaries and a six, against Zimbabwe during their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Group-A match played at the Pallekele Stadium yesterday (Thursday).
To add to the century, the dynamic all-rounder then took four wickets for four runs to see Sri Lanka through as the first side to qualify for the quarter-finals.
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Sri Lanka`s Worry: Big Hitting Down The Order
Sunday, 13 March 2011 - 1:02 PM SL Time
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By Champika Fernando
Three wins, a rain forced draw and a defeat in five encounters sound impressive for a team that searches for its first major international title in 15 years, but whether it`s an indication of a resurgent team could well rest with the time.
The crushing wins against Canada, Kenya and Zimbabwe were more than enough for Sri Lanka to earn a spot in the quarters: the do-or-die stage of the tournament. However, amidst victories against the minnows, Sri Lanka have clearly exposed the lack of strength down the line.
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Buchanan and Moody Among Those Seeking The Lankan Position
Sunday, 13 March 2011 - 7:38 PM SL Time
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By S.R. Pathiravithana
Legendary Australian coach John Buchanan and the former Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody are among the aspirants for the Lankan job once the incumbent think tank Trevor Bayliss bids adieu to his job after the 2011 World Cup which is in progress.
Buchanan who was appointed as the Australian coach in October 1999 to replace Geoff Marsh was considered an unlikely candidate given that he had not played the game at the Test level. Yet he became once of the most successful coaches for his country.
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Tillekeratne Dilshan In Line For Most Valuable Player Award
Monday, 14 March 2011 - 12:52 PM SL Time
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Sri Lanka`s dynamic all rounder Tillekeratne Dilshan has put himself in contention for the Most Valuable Player award following his heroics in the ICC 2011 Cricket World Cup Group `A` match against Zimbabwe at the Pallekele International Stadium.
The dashing right hand opening batsman hammered a magnificent 144 runs from 131 deliveries inclusive of one six and 16 boundaries and followed it up with a four wicket haul including two wickets in successive deliveries.
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Scotland, Ireland and Sri Lanka To Contest In Triangular In July
Monday, 14 March 2011 - 7:42 PM SL Time
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SRI LANKA CONFIRM HOME NATIONS GAMES
Scotland, Ireland and Sri Lanka are to contest a triangular one-day series in Edinburgh in July.
The matches, to be held at the Citylets Grange, will follow the Sri Lankan tour of England, which consists of two Tests and five one-day internationals.
Ireland face Sri Lanka on July 11 and Scotland the following day before the hosts take on the tourists on July 13.
Cricket Scotland CEO Roddy Smith said: `We are delighted that the Sri Lanka team will be visiting Scotland to play both ourselves and Ireland in ODIs. These games against full members are always vital, and will give the Scottish team another opportunity to compete against one of the best sides in the world.
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PCB In Talks With SLC For Short ODI Series In Pakistan
Tuesday, 15 March 2011 - 12:47 PM SL Time
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In an effort to revive international cricket in Pakistan, the PCB is in serious talks with its Sri Lankan counterparts for a short ODI and Twenty20 series in the troubled country later this year.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board sources, Sri Lanka Cricket is ready to send its team for the short limited overs series but want the Test rubber to be played in the neutral venues of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
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Playing In Mumbai Is No Big Deal: Mathews
Tuesday, 15 March 2011 - 7:31 PM SL Time
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MUMBAI:
His captain may not be happy to play their last World Cup Group A league match in India, but Angelo Mathews did not see it as a handicap that Sri Lanka are to play New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday and not at home.
It`s not a big deal. The conditions are similar to Sri Lanka and the wickets are also slow. We have also played in India often, said the 23-year-old all-rounder on Tuesday, PTI reported.
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New Zealand-Sri Lanka Clash, Already A Superhit
Wednesday, 16 March 2011 - 12:30 PM SL Time
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By Taus Rizvi
In India cricket maybe considered a religion, but it is difficult to find any takers for matches that don`t feature India. Even though India is a co-host of the World Cup, it is difficult to get the spectators to the stadium to watch other teams play.
However, Mumbai managed to get a decent crowd of close to 15,000 for a one-sided contest between New Zealand and Canada at the Wankhede Stadium last Sunday.
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Mathews Happy To Be Sri Lanka`s Forgotten Man
Wednesday, 16 March 2011 - 7:54 PM SL Time
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Angelo Mathews said he would be delighted to be Sri Lanka`s forgotten man if it helps his side lift the World Cup.
Middle order Mathews hasn`t had much chance to bat in the tournament with the top order coming good more often than not as Sri Lanka made sure of their place in the quarter-finals.
He has faced just 37 balls in the three games that he has batted, totalling 35 runs.
`I feel Sri Lanka`s batting is very strong,` he said. `The top order has batted very well and the opportunities for others have been limited so far.
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Sri Lanka Don`t Have A Winning Attack - Michael Holding
Thursday, 17 March 2011 - 12:41 PM SL Time
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I would certainly agree with the line of thinking that England`s performance in this World Cup has been as erratic as Pakistan have usually been.
Their win over South Africa and chasing down of India`s target contrasted their losses to Bangladesh and Ireland. I can only put it down to complacency on their part against the minnows.
The bowling form of some of the English bowlers has definitely played its part as well. James Anderson`s expensive bowling cannot be a surprise to those who have followed his bowling performances when there is no swing or seam movement.
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Mahela Hopes Stylish Batsmen Keep Emerging In World Cricket
Thursday, 17 March 2011 - 4:24 PM SL Time
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MUMBAI: When Mahela Jayawardene goes down on one knee and sends the ball to the cover fence or uses his magical wrists to hit it to the mid-wicket boundary, one feels compelled to thank the Almighty for the gift of eyesight. So pleasing on the eye is the 33-year-old that one reckons he is the odd one out today.
Modern-day batsmen bludgeon the ball with their big bats which have heavy edges. Mahela, like the other great Indian stylist VVS Laxman, has made a career out of caressing the ball.
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Middle-Order Doesn`t Worry Sanga
Friday, 18 March 2011 - 11:32 AM SL Time
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Rex Clementine reporting from Mumbai
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara says there`s nothing to worry about his team`s middle-order batting and remained confident the trio of Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva and Angelo Mathews would rise up when the occasion demands.
Of the top four Sri Lankan batsmen, three have scored hundreds in this World Cup while the other (Sangakkara) has already notched up two half-centuries in the competition.
The dominance of top-order meant that middle-order didn`t get much of an opportunity as well, but Sangakkara wasn`t overly bothered.
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Sri Lanka Looking At Positives Of Playing In Mumbai
Friday, 18 March 2011 - 2:13 PM SL Time
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Rex Clementine reporting from Mumbai
The irrational scheduling of Sri Lanka`s Group `A` World Cup match against New Zealand away from home annoyed many, but Kumar Sangakkara`s side will be looking at the positive side of playing their final first round game here (today) at the Wankade as the venue will be the location for the April 2nd World Cup final. A win here will enable Sri Lanka to finish in the top half of the group, irrespective of the result of the Pakistan-Australia clash in Colombo on Saturday.
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New Zealand Rage In Jayawardene `Clean` Catch Row
Saturday, 19 March 2011 - 11:29 AM SL Time
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New Zealand and Sri Lanka were involved in an angry World Cup stand-off on Friday when umpires struck down what appeared to be a clean catch by Kiwi slow bowler Nathan McCullum.
Veteran Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardene, the vice-captain, tried to play a defensive shot in the 24th over against McCullum but ended up chipping the ball back to the bowler.
McCullum dived and managed to get his right hand under the ball to cap a stunning effort. But even as McCullum broke into a celebration, the TV umpire Amish Saheba was called in and he ruled it not out.
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If It Was A Clean Catch Mahela Wouldn`t Have Hung Around - Kumar Sangakkara
Sunday, 20 March 2011 - 1:01 PM SL Time
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S.R. Pathiravithana reporting from Mumbai
The jubilant Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara believes that if a side wants to win the Cricket World Cup they have to be the best at that particular event. After scoring a match winning ODI hundred his first since 2008, the Lankan skipper made a very strong statement to the rest of the cricketing world that the Lankans mean business at this version they are here to win it, after guiding his side to that 112 run victory over high riding New Zealand at the Wankhade Stadium on Friday.
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Sri Lanka`s Cricket World Cup 2011 Group Stage Facts And Figures
Sunday, 20 March 2011 - 7:56 PM SL Time
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Sri Lanka have qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 quarter-final stages. Here are the facts and figures relating to Sri Lanka`s performance at the group stages of the tournament.
The co-hosts finished second in the Group-A points table and have played a total of six matches of which they won four, lost one and shared equal points with Australia as a result of abandonment due to rain.
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World Cup Quarter-Finals Line-Up
Monday, 21 March 2011 - 12:38 PM SL Time
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Quarter Finals
Mar-23 Pakistan Vs West Indies At Dhaka
Mar-24 Australia Vs India At Ahmedabad
Mar-25 New Zealand Vs South Africa At Dhaka
Mar-26 Sri Lanka Vs England At Colombo
Semi Finals
Mar-29 NZ or SA v SL or ENG At Colombo
Mar-30 PAK or WI Vs AUS or IND At Mohali
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Quarter Final Tickets For Colombo Game Sold Out
Monday, 21 March 2011 - 7:20 PM SL Time
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The World Cup office in Colombo announces that all the tickets for quarter finals have been already sold out and there are no tickets left for sale.
The fourth quarter final will be played between Sri Lanka and England on 26th March at R Premadasa International Cricket stadium.
The public are advised not to buy any tickets at higher rates from any third parties as there could be a possible risk of touting of tickets and selling counterfeits which will constitute an offence against the interests of the ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket.
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Lanka Record Best NRR At World Cup
Tuesday, 22 March 2011 - 1:36 PM SL Time
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MEETS ENGLAND IN SATURDAY`S QUARTER-FINAL:
Dinesh Weerawansa
Sri Lanka has registered the best net run rate (+2.582) out of all 14 teams which competed in the semi-league qualifying round of the ICC World Cup 2011 cricket tournament in the subcontinent.
On completion of the 42 first round matches, during which seven teams competed under two groups on a semi league basis, Sri Lanka enjoys the best net run rate (NRR), calculated by scoring run rate minus run rate of opponents. (NRR=(total runs scored/total overs faced )-(total runs conceded/total overs bowled)
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Five World Cup Magic Moments
Wednesday, 23 March 2011 - 12:05 PM SL Time
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FIVE MAGICAL MOMENTS FROM THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 2011 WORLD CUP:
Lasith Malinga`s Hat-Trick
Sri Lanka`s king of sling claimed a second World Cup hat-trick in a six-wicket haul against hapless Kenya in Colombo. Malinga sent back Tanmay Mishra, Peter Ongondo and Shem Ngoche in successive balls. In 2007, he had taken four in four balls against South Africa.
Kevin O`Brien`s Record Century
Irish whirlwind Kevin O`Brien scored the fastest-ever World Cup century, off just 50 balls, as Ireland completed a stunning three-wicket win over England.
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Pakistan Favourite Against Stumbling Windies
Wednesday, 23 March 2011 - 2:57 PM SL Time
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Dhaka: Pakistan takes momentum and confidence into Wednesday`s (today) first World Cup quarterfinal against a West Indies team that is lacking both.
Pakistan sprung a surprise by finishing atop Group A and relegating Australia to third place by ending the three-time defending champion`s 34-match unbeaten run in the World Cup.
West Indies won its three matches against the lower-ranked sides in Group B but was beaten by the three higher-ranked teams and threw away winning positions in its last two games.
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England `Do Not Fear Sri Lanka`
Wednesday, 23 March 2011 - 7:38 PM SL Time
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England batting coach Graham Gooch says Andrew Strauss`s team will not fear playing Sri Lanka in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
England reached the knockout stages after a series of stuttering performances while Sri Lanka will be playing at home in Colombo.
`Sri Lanka in their own country are a top team with world-class players and lots of experience,` said Gooch.
`But England won`t fear them, they`ll look forward to competing with them.`
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Five Things India Must Do To Beat Australia
Thursday, 24 March 2011 - 1:00 PM SL Time
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New Delhi: Playing in the subcontinent, Australia not the Australia of old, a World Cup semifinal at stake and a chance to fulfil Sachin Tendulkar`s dream India can`t ask for better incentives to show defending champions the door in the quarterfinal of an event that the Aussies have literally turned into their backyard in the last 12 years.
Though Australia`s knack of hitting the bull`s eye at the sight of a big kill hasn`t deserted them, it`s not looking as pungent as it did in 2003 and 2007. That`s where India needs to hit, and hit hard.
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Australia To Unleash Raw Pace Against India
Thursday, 24 March 2011 - 3:16 PM SL Time
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New Delhi:
India`s top order batsmen will need to find an effective counter to Australia`s fast bowlers in Thursday`s World Cup quarter-finals if they are to sustain a billion dreams.
There is every possibility that Australia would unleash a three-pronged pace attack in Ahmedabad to exploit India`s perennial weakness against the fast, rising deliveries that was so cruelly exposed in Chennai on Sunday even by the modest pace of West Indian Ravi Rampaul.
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Music At Cricket Is No Distraction - Mahela
Friday, 25 March 2011 - 11:46 AM SL Time
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The International Cricket Council banned music instruments from the last World Cup in the Caribbean while the local authorities imposed restrictions ahead of the current tournament before easing those restrictions. However, Sri Lanka vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene believes that music is part of the local cricket culture and that the players don`t mind the music.
Sri Lanka`s quarter-final against England at R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday is sold out and an electrifying atmosphere is expected.
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South Africa Look To Shed Chokers Tag
Friday, 25 March 2011 - 2:14 PM SL Time
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Mirpur: Title aspirants South Africa will look to shed their chokers tag and take a step closer to the World Cup title when they lock horns with an inconsistent New Zealand in the third quarter-final here on Friday (today).
South Africa started their World Cup campaign in a rollicking fashion beating West Indies and Holland but the choker tag came back to haunt them against England when they failed to chase down a target of 171 and folded up for 165.
But Graeme Smith`s men bounced back to beat the mighty Indians in their next match and then blew away Ireland and Bangladesh to finish on top of the Group B table.
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No Issues With Middle Order - Sanga
Saturday, 26 March 2011 - 11:17 AM SL Time
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by Rex Clementine
Sri Lanka`s top four batsmen in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup have don exceptionally well having scored centuries in group games. But the fact that there`s just one half-century when the trio of Angelo Mathews, Chamara Silva and Thilan Samaraweera put together has been some concern, but captain Kumar Sangakkara brushed aside such worries reminding journalists that the lack of opportunities was the reason for their less than impressive record and backed his batsmen to perform when it mattered.
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England Will Be Under Equal Pressure: Sangakarra
Saturday, 26 March 2011 - 3:08 PM SL Time
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Colombo: Kumar Sangakkara refuses to believe Sri Lanka will be the only side under pressure before a packed home crowd in their quarter-final on Saturday (today), saying England will also feel the intensity.
The 1996 winners go into the last of four quarter-finals with huge expectations, but Sangakkara was confident his players were capable of handling the situation.
`What you lose is a semi-final berth, so I don`t think any side is going to want to lose that. So wherever you play that incentive is going to be there and all sides feel that pressure equally,` said Sangakkara.
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Need To Keep Our Feet Grounded: Sangakkara
Sunday, 27 March 2011 - 12:47 PM SL Time
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Colombo:
Sri Lanka on Saturday eased into the semifinals of the cricket World Cup where they will meet underdogs New Zealand but skipper Kumar Sangakkara cautioned his teammates against any complacency and said they need to be at their guards against the Kiwis on March 29.
Chasing England`s 229 for six in the fourth and final quarter-final, openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (108 not out) and Upul Tharanga (102 not out) scored superb unbeaten tons to guide Sri Lanka to a comprehensive 10 wicket win at the R Premadasa stadium with more than 10 overs to spare.
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Dilshan Is A Special Player: Sangakkara
Sunday, 27 March 2011 - 8:00 PM SL Time
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Colombo: Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara on Saturday praised Tillakaratne Dilshan as a `special` player and described his opening partnership with Upul Tharanga as `ruthless` that saw the team cruising into the semi-finals with a record 10-wicket win over England in the World Cup quarterfinal.
Sangakkara said Dilshan is a player who brings something to the team in every department.
Openers Dilshan (108) and Tharanga (102) chased down the target of 230 in 39.3 overs. A part-time off spinner, Dilshan also shared the new ball and picked up the wicket of in-form England captain Andrew Strauss.
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Rest Murali For Semi-Final - Gura
Monday, 28 March 2011 - 12:25 PM SL Time
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One of Sri Lanka`s heroes of the 1996 World Cup triumph Asanka Gurusinghe says that the team should consider resting off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan from the World Cup semi-final encounter against New Zealand on Tuesday, so that he could be fully fit to play Saturday`s final in Mumbai if Sri Lanka go through.
Muralitharan sustained a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka`s last group game against the Kiwis in Mumbai last week and although he picked up two wickets in the quarter-final clash against England on Saturday, he looked to be in considerable pain towards the end of the innings.
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Sangakkara Urges His Players To Keep Cool
Monday, 28 March 2011 - 7:41 PM SL Time
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Colombo: Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is urging his players not to get carried away in the moment and `show off` in Tuesday`s World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.
Sri Lanka thrashed England by 10 wickets and the same wicket will be used for the semifinal at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
`The guys have done that pretty well and tomorrow is not going to be any different. You can`t play too much to the crowds or too much to show off,` Sangakkara said on Monday. `There`s no room for complacency at all.`
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Sri Lanka May Have Last Say - Sir Richard Hadlee
Tuesday, 29 March 2011 - 11:10 AM SL Time
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Handling spinners big challenge for New Zealand
Against the odds, the New Zealand Black Caps have reached their sixth World Cup semifinal in 10 tournaments.
Their surprising win over South Africa has propelled them into a match against the formidable Sri Lankans who are hot favourites to reach the final. It is not surprising to see three Asian teams reach the semis -- they have simply performed better than other teams in sub-continental conditions and they have the players better suited to those conditions.
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Sri Lanka Has History And Momentum In Its Favour
Tuesday, 29 March 2011 - 3:08 PM SL Time
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New Zealand will look to buck the odds and upset the host`s applecart
Between Sri Lanka and its third World Cup final stands New Zealand, the World Cup over-achiever which has made a habit of gate-crashing into the last-four, but never beyond, in the premier event.
New Zealand bushwhacked South Africa in Mirpur to enter is sixth Cup semifinal and on paper the contest between the Kiwis and the Lankan Lions would appear to be governed by the stark logic of the food chain: ominously tilted in favour of the carnivores.
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`Happy To Have Given Murali A Good Send-Off`
Wednesday, 30 March 2011 - 12:03 PM SL Time
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Colombo: Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara was a touch emotional as he spoke about giving legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan a memorable send-off in what was his last international match at home.
However the skipper who also won the man-of-the-match award for his gritty half century and fantastic glove-work said that celebrations can wait till they win the final.
`There was a bit of pressure in the end but it was Murali`s last game (in Sri Lanka) and we wanted to give him a great send-off. But we have just qualified for the final and we still have to win the final,` the Lankan captain said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
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Two Nations, One Aspiration - World Cup
Wednesday, 30 March 2011 - 3:23 PM SL Time
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Mohali: India and Pakistan will come to an absolute standstill when 22 men - carrying the hopes of two emotionally charged-up nations - will put themselves in the line of fire for a place in the World Cup final.
All roads will lead to the northern part of India, where the city of Mohali will host the second semifinal of the 2011 World Cup and the match-up couldn`t have been more even.
While expectations soar on both sides of the border, tempers are sure to reach a crescendo and emotions set to drool over when the two teams line up for their national anthems before an epic.
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Sri Lankan Team Arrives
Thursday, 31 March 2011 - 12:18 PM SL Time
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The Sri Lankan team led by Kumar Sangakkara arrived here on Wednesday to play in the cricket World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium on April 2.
Having defeated New Zealand by five wickets on Tuesday in Colombo in the first semifinal, Sri Lanka is all set to play its second successive final of the mega-event after finishing runner-up to Australia four years ago in the West Indies.
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Wankhede Pitch Will Be A Slow Turner: Curator
Thursday, 31 March 2011 - 6:14 PM SL Time
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Mumbai: The Wankhede Stadium wicket for Saturday`s World Cup final will be a slow turner, like most wickets in the subcontinent during this time of the year, says curator Sudhir Naik.
Naik, a former India player, however, insists the pitch will still be full of runs and the team batting first should have the advantage.
`It will be an ideal one-day wicket,` Naik, who toured England with the India team in 1974, told IANS.
Naik feels a score of 270-280 would be very much on the cards in the day-nighter.
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