Courtesy of island.lk
Wettimuny cover drives -Getty Pics Continue reading
VIDEO of Sri Lanka at Lord’s in 1984 – the famous Botham-Mendis battle and Sidath’s century = http://www.islandcricket.lk/videos/sri-lanka/cricket/sl-cricketers-at-lords-in-1984-famous-bothammendis-battle-and-sidaths-century .. courtesy of http://www.islandcricket.com
Duleep Mendis in characteristic pull shot —
Sidath square drives- Pics from Wisden Cricket Monthly Continue reading
Murali Harmony Cup Unity tour to UK
The Foundation of Goodness confirmed last Friday that it is organising a Murali Harmony Cup Unity tour to the United Kingdom. The Unity squad includes exceptionally talented U-19 cricketers from 14 different schools island-wide, including seven from the previously war affected areas in the North and East.
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The young cricketers were invited to participate in the tour after their outstanding performances during the 2013 Murali Harmony Cup, initiated by Sir Ian Botham. The Unity Tour, designed to showcase Sri Lanka’s cultural diversity, while promoting nation building and reconciliation, will depart for the UK on Monday (tomorrow), and play three matches against top English schools. The 50-over limited overs matches will be played against Emanuel School (11 June), Eton College (12 June) and Oundle College (15 June). Continue reading
Janaka Malwatta, courtesy of ESPNcricinfo, where the title is different and where you will find comments from Sri Lankan bloggers
August 1984. That rarest of beasts, a hot English summer. Grandmaster Melle Mel’s “White Lines”, the soundtrack of that summer, brought a new music, hip-hop, to the streets. I was 16 years old, on the brink of adulthood, and wherever I looked, change was in the air. Eclipsing all else was the momentous event about to unfurl at Lord’s; Sri Lanka’s first official Test in England. On a hazy Thursday morning, I joined a throng of Sri Lankan supporters at the Grace Gates. It felt as if every Sri Lankan I knew was at the match. Aunties carried foil packets crammed with patties and vadai, uncles sneaked off to the bars as soon as they opened. It had been a long wait for Test status. The Sri Lankans had come to enjoy themselves.
Sidath Wettimuny
For the England cricket team, playing a match against a fledgling Test country at the fag end of the summer was probably the last thing they wanted to do. David Gower’s team had been battered in every sense by Clive Lloyd’s West Indians in five brutal Test matches. At The Oval, scene of the final denouement, placards proclaimed the “blackwash”. Perhaps Gower was simply weary when he invited Sri Lanka to bat first on a wicket so placid that Ranjan Madugalle remarked, “Machang, you could go to sleep on this”, shortly before he was bowled. Continue reading
