Sri Lanka’s limited over skipper Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga have been denied No Objection Certificates (NOC) to play in the inaugural edition of the United States T20 League. Ashley de Silva, SLC’s Chief Executive, told the Sunday Times that the board turned down their request following the decision to allow only two foreign league appearances for Sri Lankan players.

The inaugural edition of the Major League T20 tournament will be played between July 13 and 30 at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. Shanaka was picked by Seattle Orcas while Washington Freedom signed up star spinner Hasaranga for this maiden tournament.

“We (SLC) have decided to allow only four leagues per year including our two leagues–Lanka Premier League and the proposed T10 League. So we have turned down their requests,” said de Silva.

Shanaka, who represented Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, also represented Peshawar Zalmi during the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He also represented Dubai Capitals at the International League T20 (ILT20), making it three foreign leagues for the year.

Wanindu on the other hand, had already done two leagues, having represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL and Desert Vipers at the ILT20. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who has gone out of national radar, has played in four foreign leagues this year, having featured in the IPL, PSL, BPL and ILT20.

“True there are some players who have played more than two leagues this year but in future, they will only be allowed two foreign leagues,” said SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva.

Hasaranga was to play for Quetta Gladiators at this year’s PSL but pulled out as Sri Lanka looked to manage his workload. He also missed out on last year’s the Hundred tournament when SLC denied him the NOC to sign up a £100,000 deal with Manchester Originals.

(sundaytimes.lk)

Australia are World Test Champions after completing a 209-run win over India in the WTC Final at The Oval.

The winners received US$1.6 million in prize money, while runners-up India received US$800,000.

ICC said the superb first-innings centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith gave Australia control of the Test early on, but India responded well to force the match to a fifth day, falling short of what would have been an all-time record chase to win a Test as they were bowled out for 234.

Australia, who batted first in this match at the Oval in London, scored 469 runs in the first innings, while India could only score 296 runs.

Australia, who started the second innings with a lead of 173 runs, lost 8 wickets and stopped the innings for 270 runs, giving India a target of 444 runs.

Travis Head, who scored 163 runs in Australia’s first innings, was named the man of the match.

Australia were the dominant team during the WTC cycle, finishing top of the standings to qualify for the showpiece final against India thanks to 11 wins from 19 matches.

A leading Sri Lanka athlete Grashan Dhananjaya has gone missing while representing Sri Lanka at an invitational athletics meet in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dhananjaya is the Sri Lanka record holder in the Triple Jump (men) and national champion in the Long Jump.

Dhananjaya was accompanied in the meet by long jump champion Sarangi de Silva
and National Athletic Coach Y. K. Kularathna.

“This tour was on a private invitation. Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) is not responsible. He went missing after taking part in the long jump event,” SLA Secretary Saman Kumara Gunawardena said.
(dailymirror.lk)