Latest news with #UpulTharanga
Express Tribune
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Tharanga plots T20 overhaul for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's chairman of selectors Upul Tharanga is determined to induct young blood in the team with an eye on the T20 World Cup. PHOTO: AFP Sri Lanka's Chairman of Selectors, Upul Tharanga, has vowed to overhaul the national T20 side after a humbling 2-1 series defeat to Bangladesh — their first ever against the neighbours in the shortest format. With the next ICC Men's T20 World Cup on home soil just over a year away, Tharanga is pushing for urgent course correction. Tharanga admitted in an interview with Telecom Asia Sport ( "We've simply been too inconsistent with the bat," "We've tried different combinations, but it's time to bring in fresh blood. Sri Lanka's recent collapse in Dambulla, where they were bundled out for just 94 — their lowest T20 total at home — was followed by a limp 132 in the series decider in Colombo. It left fans stunned and exposed the chronic frailties in the middle order, especially under pressure. Tharanga, a former captain and World Cup winner, has overseen commendable progress in Tests and ODIs since taking over as chief selector. But in T20Is, he concedes the team is lagging. With India and Sri Lanka co-hosting the marquee event in 2026, he knows time is slipping. Fresh Faces, New Ideas Among the names knocking on the door are Nuwanidu Fernando and Pawan Rathnayake — two domestic standouts who may soon get their big break. Tharanga said They've earned their chances. We need energy, hunger, and composure — especially in the middle overs. One player already in the system who could be handed greater responsibility is Janith Liyanage. A consistent performer in ODIs at number six, Liyanage is now being assessed for a similar role in T20s. "He's not a power-hitter, but he reads the game well," said Tharanga. "He adds value as a fielder and a calm presence when things get tense." Bowling Balance and Selection Headaches With a deep pace pool at their disposal, Sri Lanka faces a different challenge: who to leave out. Only two frontline pacers are likely to be picked in the playing XI, making it tough for express bowlers like Matheesha Pathirana and Dushmantha Chameera to feature regularly. Tharanga hinted at a rotation policy to both preserve fitness and inject variety. "We have options, but balance is key. You can't pick everyone, so we need to be smart about who plays when." Perhaps the most glaring issue is Sri Lanka's lack of firepower with the bat. Unlike other top teams, the islanders still struggle to clear the boundary consistently. Tharanga said: "Even in 2014, when we won the title, we weren't reliant on brute force. It was about smart cricket - rotating strike, finding gaps, reading situations. That's missing now, especially in the middle overs. To address that void, Sri Lanka has brought in renowned English power-hitting coach Julian Wood on a short-term assignment. Wood, a former Hampshire batter, has worked with IPL franchises and international teams, focusing on improving strike rates and power output. "It's a good move," said Tharanga. "The boys must absorb as much as they can. T20 cricket is evolving, and we need to keep up." Road to 2026 Begins Now The run-up to the World Cup offers plenty of opportunities to rebuild. Sri Lanka will face England, Pakistan and Zimbabwe in upcoming series, with the Asia Cup looming and a potential home series against India on the cards next month. "Every series from here on is a platform to experiment, refine and commit to a core group," Tharanga said. "We're not far off - but it will take bold decisions, patience, and a bit of risk. We owe that to our fans."
Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
8 of 9 batsmen in multiple successful 350+ Test chases all-time are Englishmen – list includes Pope, Woakes, Stokes and Root
Only 14 times has a 350 target been chased down in Test cricket history. And 8 of Baz McCullum's 'ballers feature in the list of batsmen who have achieved this multiple times (more than once). According to MensXP website, 9 batsmen have been involved in successful chases over 350, and 8 of them are Englishmen or recent vintage, specifically Bazballers. Sri Lankan Upul Tharanga is the only non-Englishman among these buccaneers, who have ensured that no matter how many their bowlers concede and set them stiff targets, England will back themselves to get there. Captain Ben Stokes and Joe Root have been involved in 3 such chases of over 350, says MensXP India. Besides the recent Headingley one against India, Root had combined with Jonny Bairstow for twin centuries at Birmingham on the last Tour. In the third instance, he was part of the English team that chased 359 and won by a wicket against Australia, after a Ben Stokes century in the target pursuit in 2019. In that Ashes game, England were in dire straits after being shot out for 67 in the first innings. But MensXP India quotes two other contemporary Englishmen as being part of 2 such successful 350+ chases – Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope (who also scored a ton at Leeds). The others to have managed it in recent past are Jack Leach, Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow, twice each, making it 8 out 9 members of England sides. High strike-rates, greater RPOs and unbridled shotmaking might be the other indicators – and Rishabh Pant and Yashsvi Jaiswal might well fit those criterion, but true Bazballing is at its pinnacle only when their batting lineups can assail tall targets in the 4th innings, in this case over 350. Upul Tharanga managed it twice for Sri Lankan wins at Premadasa 2017 chasing 388, against Zimbabwe and at Sara Oval 2006 against Siuth Africa getting to 352. Of the 37 times 300+ have been chased, England have managed it 6 times, with Bazballers also thrice chasing over 270 (to 299) against New Zealand in 2022. Australia against whom the two highest chases have been registered, (418 vs WI in 2003 & 414 vs SA in 2008) have chased down 300+ 9 times, and also lost defending it 9 times. They are joint top 350+ chasers alongside England (3 times). West Indies, SL have done it twice, while India, South Africa and Pakistan once each of the 14 occasions. Live by sword also implies die by sword, and opposition spinners are crucial in denying England 350+ targets in Bazball era. England could not chase down NZ's 658 with pacers & Santner pulling them back in recent years. Jasprit Bumrah and R Ashwin denied them 399 target at Vizag last time they visited, and Ravindra Jadeja did same for 557 at Rajkot. In an earlier tour in 2021-22, they couldn't chase 482 at Chennai. India have chased 300+ thrice and had opponents chase 300+ as many times (3-3). Pakistan have chased 300+ four times (4-3), and allowed opponents to get to that target thrice. Newly crowned WTC champs South Africa have chased 300+ twice (2-5) and 350+ once, but conceded 300+ in 4th innings five times for defeats. New Zealand have never chased 350+ for a Test win in 4th innings, but done 300+ twice. They have never ceded 350+ to opponents either in a chase, but twice for over 300 (2-2). Sri Lanka have a bold past, chasing 300+ four times, and allowing opponents to assail it only thrice (4-3).
