June–July 2017
Zimbabwe had created a history by beating Sri Lanka 3-2 in the ODI series. Not only this, Zimbabwe had become the first team, in Sri Lanka, to chase down a 300-plus total in ODIs. Big guns such as Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, or sub-continental teams such as India and Pakistan had never attained the feat but Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka’s 203 for 8 was the lowest score for any team against Zimbabwe after completing 50 overs, since India’s 194 for 9 in 2010. This explains their pathetic batting effort.
Despite having a decent squad of batsmen, including skipper Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunaratne, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, and Chamara Kapugedera, they could not do much to put up a series-winning performance.
Dickwella had a couple of tons in the series, making him the second most successful batsman in the series after Gunathilaka. However, he could not deliver in the final game and as did Gunathilaka.
It was also Zimbabwe’s first-ever ODI series win in Sri Lanka, and their first ODI away series win in eight years.
In the series, none of Sri Lanka’s strategies dished out well. In the two wins, they made sure they take wickets at regular intervals, thanks to poor shot selection by the Zimbabwe batters. Otherwise, Sri Lanka looked lacklustre. The commentators kept pointing at the same mistakes and Sri Lanka put it on a repeat mode.
The batsmen did not show responsibility. They often failed at crucial junctures. They often failed to stitch partnerships.
If the top order played well, the middle order did not complement their efforts. If the top order laid a strong foundation, the middle order stuttered.
After the series loss, Skipper Angelo Mathews resigned. Legendary Sanath Jayasuriya led selection committee also resigned after India series. After few months, former Sri Lanka fast bowler Pramodaya Wikramsenghe stunned entire cricket fraternity by claiming some allegations of corruption. This year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) banned Jayasuriya for his non corporation IN the investigation.
Asanka Gurusinha was Sri Lanka’s team manager at that time.
Thilanga Sumathipala was Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) president back then.
August 2019
As Asanka Gurusinha failed miserably in all his responsibilities in last three years- head of SLC’s high performance Centre (HPC) and brain centre operations, as well as international and women’s cricket affairs – SLC Top officials decided to not to extend his contract. However, Sumathipala opposed the move during ExCo on August 16 and forced SLC to evaluate Gurusinha’s tenure!
On August 19, Sumathipala instructed SLC secratary Mohan De Silva to circulate a resolution, saying that he (Sumathipala) is recommending two years extension for Gurusinha and to get the vote of the members.
Later in the day, the circular was sent within SLC, saying that Sumathipala has proposed to extend Gurusinha’s contract for two years and asks for response within 24 hours. In the circular, it was also stated that if no response within 24 hours, it would be taken as agreement.
Accordingly, out of 20 ExCo members, 10 members – Sujeewa Godaliyadda, Bandula Dissanayake, Gihan Weerasinghe, Priyantha Zoysa, Mohan De Silva, Lasantha Wickramsingha, K. Mathivanan, Crysantha Kapuwatha, Deepal Mdurapperuma and Marlon Ranasinghe – have agreed to Sumathipala’s resolution, that recommends two years extension for Gurusinha.
SLC President Shammi Silva, Vice president Ravin Wickramaratne, Nalin Aponso and Roshan Iddamalgoda were disagreed with the resolution, with remaining 6 didn’t reply.
Asanka Gurusinha’s contract ended on August 14th.
Thilanga Sumathipala is currently holding a position as immediate past President at SLC.
