Tuesday 10th May, 2011 Ten cricketers leave for England today Ten Sri Lankan cricketers will leave the island this morn- ing for a Test and ODI series in England. The national squad leaves without some of the senior players, who are expected to he first edition of the Sri ers, with total squad sizes Vettori, Daniel Christian, join the team in England ahead of the second warm up game Lanka Premier League between 16 and 18 players. The Herschelle Gibbs and Kevin against England ‘A’, starting on May 19. T(SLPL) will be a seven-team playing XI must consist of a mini- O’Brien. Newly appointed captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, former inter-provincial tournament, mum of seven Sri Lanka players The SLPL has also approached played over approximately 18 days and a maximum of four interna- a number of Indian players, apart captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, fast at the end of July and the begin- tional players, with one Sri Lanka from those likely to be playing the bowler Dilhara Fernando, off-spinner Suraj Randiv and all- ning of August this year. The player being a current Under-21 Test series against England and is rounder Thisara Perera are the players who will join the teams will play each other once, cricketer. Each team will also waiting for the BCCI to approve squad in England late, due to their IPL commitments. with the top four teams qualifying have its share of icon or marquee their participation. The BCCI has Sri Lanka will play three Test matches, five ODIs and a T- for the semi-finals. All the games players, as well as a prominent ex- already stated it has no problems will be played at the R. Premadasa Sri Lanka player as a mentor or with the proposed league and that 20 International against England before moving to Scotland, Stadium in Colombo and the win- coach. Indian players are free to take where they will play the hosts and Ireland in two ODIs. ner of the tournament will quali- International players will also part, as long as there is no conflict Sri Lanka’s tour kicks off on Saturday with a three day fy for the Champions League be assigned to the various teams with India’s international or warm up game against Middlesex at Uxbridge. domestic schedule. Twenty-20. by the SLC national selection The national team’s last Test tour to England was in 2006, According to a report which committee, depending on the The league will be run by the under Mahela Jayawardene, where they came from behind to appeared in the ESPNcricinfo needs of each team. In this Singapore-based Somerset website, the seven provinces that respect, SLC’s approach differs Entertainment, which has bought square the Test series and whitewashed the hosts 5-0 in the will be represented are from the IPL, in which teams the rights for five years. The tele- ODIs. Basnahira, Kandurata, were sold to franchises who then vision rights for the tournament Sri Lanka squad: have already been sold in Sri Nagenahira, Ruhuna, Uthura, Uva bid for players at an auction. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Captain), Dinesh Chandimal, and Wayamba. Sri Lanka Cricket Among the international players Lanka and the goal is to broadcast Nuwan Pradeep, Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath, Mahela will select the players for each who will be taking part are West the tournament across all medi- team, with domestic players likely Indians Kieron Pollard and for- ums in every cricketing nation. Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene (Wicketkeeper) Suraj to be allotted to their home mer skipper Chris Gayle, who has The matches will commence at Randiv, Suranga Lakmal, Ajantha Mendis, Tharanga provinces, thereby ensuring the provided great entertainment 4.00 pm and 8.00 pm on most days, Paranavitana, Thisara Perera, Thilan Samaraweera, Kumar although on some days there will teams have local support. while playing in the IPL which is Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chanaka Welegedara. Each team will have a mix of still on, Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, be only one match which will Additional players: Kaushal Silva and Farveez Sri Lanka and international play- Black Caps skipper Daniel commence at 8.00 pm. Chris Gayle could be strutting his stuff (Russ) Maharoof. in the Sri Lanka Premier League Itinerary May 14-16 Middlesex v Sri Lankans at Uxbridge Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi regretted his team lost a good May 19 - 22 England Lions v Sri Lankans at Derby Afridi on Sunday hit out at coach Waqar chance to win all the matches. May 26 – 30 1st Test at Cardiff Younis for interference in team selection “We should have made clean sweep of Petra Kvitova wins Jun 3 - 7 2nd Test at Lord's and threatened to take the matter up with the West Indies but the defeat in the last Madrid women’s title Jun 10 – 12 Essex v Sri Lankans at Chelmsford the country’s cricket chief, cricket365.com two matches left a bad taste in the mouth, Jun 16 – 20 3rd Test at Southampton reported on its website, sunday. we flopped in batting and that’s why I MADRID: Petra er from winning her third Jun 22 Worcestershire v Sri Lankans at Worcester Pakistani media last week reported must say we need a batting coach,” said Kvitova defeated Victoria title of the spring cam- Jun 25 T-20 International at Bristol tensions between Afridi and Waqar dur- Afridi, who admitted he was also below Azarenka 7-6(3), 6-4 on paign after winning Miami ing the 3-2 ODI series win against the par in the series. Sunday to win the ATP- and Marbella back-to-back. Jun 28 1st ODI at Kennington Oval West Indies. “I played aver- WTA Madrid Masters Azarenka, ranked fifth, Jul 1 2nd ODI at Headingley age cricket Afridi, not women’s title and earn her- has been one of the form Jul 3 3rd ODI at Lord's happy with selec- because I was Afridi slams Waqar self a place in the top 10 in players of recent months, Jul 6 4th ODI at Trent Bridge tion matters, on tired after the the world rankings. Jul 9 5th ODI at Old Trafford his return home World Cup and The upset victory in and still stands a early Sunday interference only played the one hour and 42 minutes respectable 19-3 on the sea- Jul 11 Ireland v Sri Lanka, Edinburgh lashed out at series on the prevented the Belarus play- son. Jul 13 Scotland v Sri Lanka, Edinburgh Waqar. advice of some friends and former players.” “Although the differences with the Afridi managed just two wickets in coach are not such which could not be five matches and scored 28 runs in three solved... I must say that everyone should innings. do his job and need not interfere in Meanwhile, Younis Khan will miss Haye calls Wladimir Klitschko 'a fraud' other’s work,” Afridi told reporters. Pakistan’s two-Test series against the Afridi said he will soon meet Pakistan West Indies following the death of his David Haye has labelled Wladimir perfectly and I'm not fooled by it. Even as Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt to take brother. Klitschko a ''fraud'' ahead of their heavy- a cruiserweight I could have knocked up the matter before giving further The Pakistan Cricket Board have given weight unification bout on July 2 in Klitschko out. details to the media. the former captain permission to leave With a relatively young side, Pakistan the Caribbean to be with his family. Hamburg, claiming the Ukrainian has ''The boxing Gods have decided July 2 won the first three matches comfortably “Younis is returning home, as unfortu- yet to face a fighter in prime form and is the day I become unified champion.' before going down in the last two match- nately, his elder brother, Shamshad Khan, condition. Klitschko responded to Haye's provo- es against the West Indies, who were also has passed away in Germany,” a PCB offi- "I have seen his style and I've seen cation by actually praising him, before depleted by the non-selection of senior cial said of the 67-Test veteran. what he does in the ring and I believe he insisting the fight would prove to be a His departure leaves the young touri- players like Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh is a fraud and the people he has fought "lesson" for the Englishman. Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. ing squad void of the one player to have played a Test in the West Indies. have made him look spectacular," said "I really respect you and you are a Haye, speaking at the Imtech Arena, the fantastic fighter with an impressive venue for the eagerly-awaited fight. Belts and braces: David Haye and record," Klitschko said. ''This time he has got a prime athlete Wladimir Klitschko show off their "I believe it will be a pretty good les- at his peak and someone coming off the spoils ahead of their eagerly antici- son in respect on July 2." Malinga fined back of some fine victories.'' pated bout in Hambury. The Ukrainian then spoke of Haye's Mumbai: Mumbai Daredevils at Wankhede Daredevils innings. Haye believes both IBF, IBO and fondness of using Twitter, and suggested Indians’ fast bowler Stadium here on Saturday. Match Referee Roshan WBO champion Wladimir and his broth- happen,'' he said. he post something onto the social net- Lasith Malinga has been Pleading guilty Mahanama of Sri Lanka er Vitali were scared to face former ''I believe it is because Valuev didn't working site ahead of the fight.