The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 started on July 1 and will conclude on July 21 in Sri Lanka.

As many as five teams will compete in a total of 24 matches across three weeks in the fifth edition of the Lanka Premier League.

Some of the world's top T20 batters including the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rilee Rossouw, Glenn Phillips, Kusal Mendis, Tim Seifert, Ibrahim Zadran, Pathum Nissanka and Towhid Hridoy are featuring in the Sri Lankan T20 League.

New Zealand’s experienced T20 batter Mark Chapman smashed the first fifty of LPL 2024. Representing Dambulla Sixers, Mark Chapman slammed an unbeaten 91 off 61 balls against defending champions Kandy Falcons in the opening match of the ongoing T20 tournament. 

Chapman’s scintillating fifty along with Chamindu Wickramasinghe’s 62 not out off 42 balls propelled Dambulla Sixers to 179/4 in their 20 overs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.

In reply, Dinesh Chandimal (65), Dasun Shanaka (46 not out) and Angelo Mathews (37 not out) helped Kandy Falcons chase down the target in 17.2 overs to register a comprehensive six-wicket win.

Kandy Falcons (earlier B-Love Kandy) captain Wanindu Hasaranga finished with the most runs in the Lanka Premier League last season. The Sri Lanka T20 cricket team skipper scored 279 runs in 10 matches at an average of 34.87 and a strike rate of 189.79. 

Colombo Strikers�?former batter Babar Azam was the second-highest run-scorer in LPL 2023 with 261 runs in eight matches. 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s talented batter Avishka Fernando holds the record for the most runs in Lanka Premier League history. 

Having represented the likes of Dambulla Aura (now Dambulla Sixers) and Jaffna Kings, Avishka Fernando has accumulated 1,170 runs in 40 games at an average of 35 and a strike rate of 133.71.

With that being said, let’s have a look at the players with the most runs in Lanka Premier League 2024.  

Most runs in Lanka Premier League 2024

Pos	Player	Team	Matches	Runs
1	Avishka Fernando	Jaffna Kings	4	210
2	Pathum Nissanka	Jaffna Kings	4	178
3	Mark Chapman	Dambulla Sixers	3	154
4	Tim Seifert	Galle Marvels	3	126
5	Kusal Perera	Dambulla Sixers	3	118
6	Dinesh Chandimal	Kandy Falcons	3	115
7	Charith Asalanka	Jaffna Kings	4	110
8	Niroshan Dickwella	Galle Marvels	3	109
9	Alex Hales	Galle Marvels	3	102
10	Glenn Phillips	Colombo Strikers	3	96

Photo credit: Alamy

The SA20 auction will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa on September 19.

Coined by Cricket South Africa (CSA), the SA20 is a new franchise-based T20 League featuring a total of six teams which are owned by Indian T20 League owners. The inaugural edition, SA20 2023, is scheduled to be played in January-February next year in South Africa.

MI Cape Town (owned by Mumbai franchise), Chennai-owned Joburg Super Kings, Durban’s Super Giants (acquired by Lucknow franchise), Delhi franchise-owned Pretoria Capitals, Sunrisers Eastern Cape (owned by Hyderabad franchise) and Paarl Royals (acquired by Rajasthan franchise) are the six teams participating in SA20 2023.

More than 300 cricketers from 14 countries have registered for the player auction of SA20 2023 scheduled to be held on September 19.

eXXcitement & anticipation for the inaugural #SA20 Auction is heating up as South African and international players look ahead to the historical event.

3️⃣1️⃣6️⃣ Players
1️⃣4️⃣ Countries

All going under the hammer on Monday.#SA20 #SA20Auction pic.twitter.com/tsbgeGAymo

�?SA20_League (@SA20_League) September 17, 2022

As per SA20 auction rules, each franchise has an overall purse of US$2 million and can sign seven overseas players and 10 local South African cricketers. During the match, every team can include four foreigners and seven local players in the playing XI.

England’s 2019 World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor, ex-Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal, West Indies batter Lendl Simmons, New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and Sri Lankan duo of Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera are some of the big names in the SA20 auction.

Players from South Africa, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have registered their names for the auction.

Cricketers from Associate nations like the Netherlands, Namibia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, USA, Oman, Sweden and Bermuda have also made themselves available for the inaugural SA20 auction.

Pakistan cricketers haven’t registered for the SA20 auction as Pakistan Cricket Board hasn’t given them consent.

The SA20 2023 schedule will clash with next year’s Australia's Big Bash League, UAE's International League T20 and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Meanwhile, the six franchises have also signed more than 30 marquee international players ahead of the player auction. This is in addition to all contracted Proteas and domestic players who have committed to the CSA T20 league.

Former Indian T20 League auctioneer Richard Madley has been roped in to conduct the SA20 auction. 

SA20 2023 teams and squads

MI Cape Town: Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, Rashid Khan, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone

Joburg Super Kings: Faf du Plessis (Captain), Moeen Ali, Maheesh Theekshana, Romario Shepherd, Gerald Coetzee

Durban’s Super Giants: Quinton de Kock, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Reece Topley, Prenelan Subrayen

Pretoria Capitals: Anrich Nortje, Migael Pretorius

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Aiden Markram , Ottniel Baartman

Paarl Royals: Jos Buttler, David Miller, Obed McCoy, Corbin Bosch

Where to watch the SA20 auction live in India?

Live streaming of the SA20 auction will be available on SA20’s YouTube channel in India. 

There will be no live telecast of SA20 auction on any TV channel in India. 

Interested in cricket betting? Click here to check out the list of top sites

Featured photo: Aamir QURESHI / AFP

After suffering a 1-2 series defeat against India in the 50-over format, the Sri Lanka cricket team will host South Africa in a three-match ODI series starting on Thursday, September 2. The upcoming series is part of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League.

In order to return to winning ways, the hosts have added former Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal to their 22-man squad for the limited-overs series. Chandimal returns to the national team after five months, having last featured against West Indies where he registered two half-centuries.

Furthermore, wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Perera has been named in the squad after missing the limited-overs series against India at home in July due to a shoulder injury.

Sri Lanka have also called up uncapped players Lahiru Madushanka, Mahesh Theekshana, and Pulina Tharanga for the first time.

Meanwhile, the South Africa cricket team head into the Sri Lanka series high on confidence after securing series victories against West Indies at home and Ireland away.

However, the Proteas will miss the services of their top-order batsmen Quinton de Kock, David Miller and pacer Lungi Ngidi. While South Africa have rested Quinton de Kock, fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has pulled out of the 50-over series due to personal reasons. Swashbuckling batsman David Miller has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

Sri Lanka vs South Africa ODI squads

Sri Lanka ODI squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Chandimal (wicket-keeper), Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Minod Bhanuka (wicket-keeper), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Binura Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrema, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka, Pulina Tharanga, Maheesh Theekshana

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen (wicket-keeper), Janneman Malan, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper), Lizaad Williams, George Linde, Junior Dala, and Dwaine Pretorius

Sri Lanka vs South Africa ODI schedule, fixtures and live India match times

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date	Match	Time (IST)	Venue
Thursday, September 2	Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 1st ODI	3:00 PM IST	R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Saturday, September 4	Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 2nd ODI	3:00 PM IST	R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Tuesday, September 7	Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 3rd ODI	3:00 PM IST	R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Where to watch Sri Lanka vs South Africa ODI series live in India?

Sri Lanka vs South Africa ODI series will be telecast live on Sony Ten 2 SD and its corresponding HD TV channel in India.

Live streaming of the Sri Lanka vs South Africa ODI series will be available on the SonyLiv app and website.

SportsAdda will bring you Sri Lanka vs South Africa ODI live scores.

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Featured photo: LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI / AFP

The Sri Lanka cricket board has given its revolting players an ultimatum to sign the new contract by June 3. 

According to reports, if the Sri Lankan cricketers fail to sign the contract within the stipulated deadline, then they will be put on tour contracts which means specific contracts for specific tours. 

For the unversed, 24 Sri Lanka cricketers including Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne and a few other senior players had refused to sign the new contract offered by the board with lower base salaries and more performance-based incentives.

As per the new contracts offered, only six players are placed under category A with the annual pay ranging between USD 70,000 to 100,000. Interestingly, Dhananjaya de Silva will receive maximum pay while others will receive between USD 70,000 to 80,000.

Formulated by the Tom Moody and Aravinda de Silva-led Cricket Committee, the new contract has been evaluated on ive points: performance, fitness, leadership, professionalism, and future potential and adaptability.

“The performance during the last two years carries 50 points while 20 points are given for fitness. The other three attributes carry ten marks each. The allocation was done by the coach, the three selectors and the physical performance manager. The information is restricted to those involved in the grading process. But players unhappy about how they were slotted believe they have a right to know every detail of how their points were tabulated,�?a Sri Lanka daily called ‘Sunday Times�?reported.

Meanwhile, in the statement issued on behalf of the cricketers, attorney Nishan Sydney Premathiratne said the players are ‘not in agreement to sign unfair and non-transparent contracts and urge SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) to not hold the players at gunpoint or give the players such ultimatums�?

The Sri Lankan cricket team is currently in Dhaka to play a three-match one-day series against hosts Bangladesh. The island nation lost the first ODI by 33 runs and they will look to level the series on Tuesday, May 25.

Featured photo: Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP

Sri Lanka on Friday recalled former skipper Dinesh Chandimal to the 15-member squad for the first Test against New Zealand, ending a six-month exile for the wicketkeeper-batsman.

The 29-year-old was dropped after a poor series against Australia and missed the South African tour of Sri Lanka which the home side won 2-0.

Sri Lanka also recalled Akila Dananjaya who had been suspended from international cricket over a suspect bowling action. He returns after remodeling his action.

Read | Kane Williamson cuts birthday cake on boundary with Sri Lankan fans

The first Test against New Zealand starts on Wednesday at Galle. No squad has been named yet for the second Test starting August 22 in Colombo.

New Zealand will also play T20s on August 31, September 2 and September 6 during their tour.

Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dikwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Oshada Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando.

Feature Image: AFP  / Ishara S. Kodikara

 

Saeed Khan/ AFP

In a surprise move, Sri Lanka's Test captain Dinesh Chandimal has been dropped from the squad for their upcoming series against South Africa. Opener Dimunth Karunaratne has been named stand-in captain in his stead.

All-rounder Angelo Mathews remains side-lined by injury and has therefore been left out of the squad. The other significant changes see pacer Lahiru Kumara and spinner Dilruwan Perrera axed from the squad alongside batters Roshen Silva and Sadeera Samarawickrama. Five relatively inexperienced players from The domestic circuit have been added to the roster as replacements.

Chandimal struggled for form in the Test series against Australia with a top score of 15 and was poor in the Tests against New Zealand as well. His omission although a surprise, comes off the back of repeated failures.

Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella has been vice-captain for Sri Lanka's tour to South Africa which will include two Tests, five ODIs and three T20s. The Test series is scheduled to commence first in Durban on the 13 ^th of February. 

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Niroshan Dickwella, (VC), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya De Silva, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya

Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal insisted Monday his battered team can lift their game and be competitive on the upcoming tour to South Africa despite being outplayed over two Tests by Australia.

The visitors lost the opening day-night Test in Brisbane by an innings and 40 runs inside three days and followed it up by a 366-run thrashing on day four in Canberra.

It extended a dire run of results for troubled Sri Lanka, who have been hit by injuries and off-field dramas.

 

Saeed Khan/ AFP 

They have now lost a home series to England 3-0, then away to New Zealand 1-0 to go with their two defeats in Australia.

The first Test in South Africa looms on February 13, with the squad flying straight there from Australia this week to continue a gruelling overseas schedule.

"We are a young team and always learning how to play, especially in these tough conditions. We will bounce back in South Africa," Chandimal said

"I mean, they are three tough tours, we have finished two and now South Africa.

"We see that as a team we have to play in tough conditions and we need to adjust to those conditions and step up as a team."

They came into the Canberra Test without injured pace spearheads Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, and Nuwan Pradeep, who were all badly missed with Australia smashing four centuries. 

They were also without all-rounder Angelo Mathews, with the added off-field distraction of an ongoing ICC corruption investigation into Sri Lankan cricket.

Despite this Chandimal said that while the team has been transitioning in recent years, and is still young, it was time for them to start performing.

"If you get the chance to play for your country you have to take it with both hands," he said.

"Now as a team, we have to step up. 

"In our young group, some of them have played more than 30 Tests so that means they are still very young, but in the international arena they are really experienced.

"So now this is the time to play your game and play for your team."

Asked to outline the positives Sri Lanka could take from the Australia series, Chandimal admitted there weren't many.

"The only positive was our slip catching from our fast bowlers," he said.

"I don't want to talk about the negatives," he added. "We all know what went wrong as a team and I'm sure the boys will learn from that and they will come good in South Africa."

Sri Lanka’s Test captain Dinesh Chandimal wants his batsman to improve their game and consistently guarantee the team first innings scores beyond 300 ahead of the Australia tour, as he believes that is the only way to give the bowlers the best chance of winning games. The Lankan team start a Test series against Australia on the 24th of January and captain Chandimal aims to repeat team India’s heroics who recently became the first Asian team to win a Test series Down Under. 

Ishara S.Kodikara/AFP

“Our fast bowlers are in good shape and if we can get more than 300 that will be great from the batting unit.�?Chandimal said ahead of his team’s first warm up match adding, “The India bowling unit was really good, especially between overs 40-80. That's why they won the series. As a team we just want to do that as well."

The 29-year-old also expressed his concern over Sri Lanka’s inability to do well in the first innings of games, highlighting that as a major cause of their series defeat against New Zealand. His team conceded sizable first innings leads in both Test matches and were only saved by a combination of the batting brilliance of Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mendis and the weather Gods in the game in Wellington. 

"That's the one area we'll have to improve," Chandimal said adding, “We have done well in New Zealand in both Tests, especially in the second innings. We just want to start well whether bowling or batting.�?/p>

Sri Lanka will be without Mathews for their games in Australia after the all-rounder suffered a hamstring injury in New Zealand. Sadeera Samarawickrama makes a comeback to the squad instead.