Sports Minister Harin Fernando’s statement about the overhauling of Sri Lanka Cricket has motivated national players big time to defeat world cup favourite England at Leeds on Friday.
“I will change cricket in Sri Lanka from top to bottom after the World Cup. I didn’t do it prior, because at that time people’s could have said that I was on personal vendetta. I just want to bring Sri Lanka Cricket back on track. At the same time, I will overhaul domestic cricket as well” Harin said earlier this week to local media.
After historic win against England, entire Sri Lankan streets were lit up with firecrackers after Dimuth Karunaratne-led team pulled off a shock 20-run win over hosts England at Headingley on Friday. After opting to bat, Sri Lanka rode on an 85-run knock (not out) by Angelo Mathews to score 232 for nine in 50 overs. Chasing a small total, England faltered against an age-defying fast bowler Lasith Malinga (4/43) and suffered their second defeat in six matches at the World Cup 2019. While residents across the island nation celebrated wildly, local media didn’t fail to impress with pleasing headlines.
“Battered and bruised Lions decimate empire,” the local Daily Mirror said while the Island daily front-page the match report with a bold banner headline: “SRI LANKA BEAT ENGLAND.”
President Maithripala Sirisena welcomed the “competitive spirit” of the national team while Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was among the first to congratulate the team.
Sri Lanka – who have now beaten England in four successive World Cups – next play South Africa in Durham a week on Friday and Malinga said: “We want to carry on the momentum and confidence into the other matches.”
