Sri Lanka - who shocked England so spectacularly in Leeds last week - must now beat West Indies and India in their final two games if they are to stand any chance of making the final four.
Kamindu Mendis maintained his red-hot form and struck a majestic 114 to power Sri Lanka to 302/7 on the opening day of the first Test.
Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne obstinately defied New Zealand's bowlers for much of the second day of the first Test at University Oval in Dunedin on Friday though the hosts still have the upper hand.
Uncapped left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar has joined the test squad from the Pakistan A team currently in Hamilton.
Opener Dimuth Karunaratne frustrated West Indies with a patient unbeaten century to help Sri Lanka reach 250-2 on the opening day and stay on course for a big first innings total in the first Test at Galle on Wednesday.
All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva will take over from Dimuth Karunaratne as captain of Sri Lanka's Test side, the country's cricket board (SLC) said on Thursday.
IMAGES from Day 3 of the second Test between England and Sri Lanka, at Lord's, on Saturday.
Sri Lanka's decision to bat first backfired when they were all out for 236 on Day 1 of the first Test.
The second match of the series will be played at Lord's, starting from August 29 and the final Test match of the series will take place at Kennington Oval on September 6.
Gus Atkinson scored a superb maiden century as England's lower order collected quick runs against a ragged Sri Lanka bowling attack to post 427
Shanaka sustained a right thigh muscle injury in Tuesday's six-wicket loss to Pakistan.
Sri Lanka have suffered a double injury blow with batsman Dimuth Karunaratne almost certainly out of the World Cup and spinner Rangana Herath likely to miss at least a week of action, Mahela Jayawardene said on Friday.
SL executed their plans well against the Indian batters, who are not the cleverest performers on rank turners, while not many are though.
Sri Lanka have called up leg-spinning all-rounder Dushan Hemantha, while Chamika Karunaratne will be the travelling reserve player.
India's previous bilateral ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka came way back in 1997.
The Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management has an opportunity to decide who among KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will be India's long-term first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs
After being bowled out for a paltry 183 in the first innings losing as many as eight wickets in a single session, No 3 Mendis (110 off 135 balls) and opener Karunaratne (92 batting, 200 balls) added 191 as the visitors could get only two wickets in the next two sessions.
Their house in complete disarray after consecutive defeats, Australia will look to wake up from the slumber and return to winning ways against an equally stuttering Sri Lanka in the World Cup match in Lucknow on Monday.
Images from the ICC World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, in Pune, on Monday.
Sri Lanka were dealt another injury blow at the World Cup with seamer Lahiru Kumara ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a left thigh muscle injury.
After playing a major role in Chennai Super Kings' IPL triumph, young pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana will be hoping to make the same impact for Sri Lanka in the ODI series against Afghanistan.
Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews replaced injured pacer Matheesha Pathirana in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad.
Karunaratne at first didn't notice a young lady holding a placard saying, 'Chamika, will you marry me?'
NZ bowlers dismissed the tourists for 164 and reducing them to 113 for two, still 303 runs in arrear
Injury-hit Sri Lanka and South Africa seek winning start to World Cup
Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews helped Sri Lanka to overcome a top-order collapse and reach 242-6 on Day one
The Netherlands will have a spring in their stride when they take on a struggling Sri Lanka on Saturday.
Counter-puncher Sumit Nagal blunted the challenge of big-serving Beibit Zhukayev with his perseverance while Ankita Raina outgunned Adithya P Karunaratne without fuss as the two Indians inched closer to singles medals.
A dominant Sri Lanka thrashed Oman by 10 wickets in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier to climb to the top of Group B at the Queens Sports Club, in Bulawayo on Friday.
Uncertainty looms over Lanka-Bangla World Cup clash due to severe air pollution
Jayasuriya bowls Sri Lanka to innings victory
West Indies, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka will enter the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier high on confidence
Kusal Mendis and captain Dimuth Karunaratne handed Sri Lanka a strong start in Day 1 of the first Test against New Zealand.
Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Dushan Hemantha back in Sri Lanka squad
New Zealand's campaign has hit a disheartening flatline after their early domination and the Kiwis will have to rediscover their bowling mojo for a World Cup reboot when they face knocked-out Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Henry Shipley claimed a career-best 5/31 to dismantle Sri Lanka as New Zealand steamrolled the tourists by 198 runs in the first ODI.
Images from the ICC Men's ODI World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Australia at the Ekana Sports City Stadium in Lucknow.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be eager to shake off modest ODI form and spate of injuries to key players as they seek to start their Asia Cup campaign on a winning note when they face each other in Pallekele on Thursday.
Saud Shakeel's career-best 208 not out fetched Pakistan a significant first-innings lead of 149
England face fellow strugglers Sri Lanka in a must-win World Cup match on Thursday.
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