A REVIEW from one ERROL in a Note to one GAVIN, 18 August 2019
The message I am receiving is that it is all over and Tim Paine already has the Ashes in his suitcase. Of course, this may well be true. However, I merely want people to hold on a moment because I would always back the side bowling fourth. I would hate to be the side chasing even one hundred to win a match. The nerves and tension are usually unbearable.
Courtesy of island.lk
Wettimuny cover drives -Getty Pics Continue reading
Richards and Roebuck at the wicket in a county game. Roebuck reveals he lived in fear of Richards’ temper © Getty ImagesThe civil war that beset Somerset cricket more than 30 years ago was all the more remarkable because of the unimposing, bespectacled figure at its centre. Peter Roebuck would not have immediately struck a casual observer as a man capable of going to war. An unconventional loner, gauche even with close friends, he did not meld easily with either the old-fashioned administrators in charge of the club or the imposing superstars, Ian Botham, Viv Richards and Joel Garner, who would eventually be expunged from a Somerset dressing room that had fallen on hard times.
John Ashdown, in The Guardian 31 August 2016, with the title “
The Warwickshire batsman’s possible England comeback for the tours to Bangladesh and India has divided opinion, but history shows returnees can rediscover their magic touch. 
England’s middle-order problems have opened the door for Ian Bell’s possible return to the England side at the age of 34. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
Glue or fairweather friend? What is it about Ian Bell? In his own quiet way he has been almost as polarising a figure as Kevin Pietersen over the past decade or so.. For some he was the ultimate cult hero, the most aesthetically pleasing cog in the England machine, the often-overlooked glue that bound the flashier elements together. For others, he was a flake, a fairweather friend, a frustration. And each camp’s existence helped entrench the other. Continue reading
Filed under cricketing icons, English cricket, Ian Botham, performance, player selections
Courtesy of The Island, 12 June 2015
In the picture is Sri Lanka’s renowned cheerleader Percy Abeysekera (on right) who met South Africa’s Jonty Rhodes at the R. Premadasa Stadium recently when the latter was here for a short coaching stint with the Sri Lanka National team. At this meeting the legendary player, world famous for his fielding abilities, remembered how he once misfielded a ball during an international match before Percy picked it up away from the boundary line in fine style falling over, even with his National flag in one hand. Then Jonty had commented quickly: ‘Percy, you are a better fielder than me’. Continue reading
Ian Botham: “Hit for six by spectacular Sri Lanka …” SEE https://thuppahi.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=14211&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2 AND at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2787839/Ian-Botham-reveals-Sri-Lanka-perfect-holiday-destination.html
Pic from Rex Features
Quotable Quotes from Ian Botham: “It’s incredibly child-friendly – as child-friendly as destinations like Spain or the Caribbean. We wanted to show the grandchildren that life isn’t easy, that terrible things happen but you have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and carry on.
The Sri Lankans are the best example of this – they’re always smiling and there’s no bitterness about the unfair hand they’ve been dealt, with the civil war and tsunami. They are the reason my wife Kath and I keep returning.” 
What a moment for the young multi-ethnic reconciliation cricket team from the length and breadth of Sri Lanka … our congratulations to Kushil Gunasekera, Anura and others at the Foundation of Goodness … and our thanks to Sir Ian Botham an Family
IF YOU ARE INSPIRED BY THIS FORM OF CRICKET … and Ian Botham’s works of charity please do follow up and support FOG… which has two centres of committed charity via sport and more: MANKULAM and SEENIGAMA
Botham and Kushil Gunasekera of FOG
Filed under FOG, Ian Botham, unusual people, welfare through sport
GAME ONE
MHC UNITY TEAM – 164 all out in 42.1 overs….. Kaveesh Dilranga 42, Sudesh Indunil 12, Ravin Sayer 13, Kasun Veeranga 21, Roshen Fernando 14, P Thuvarakaseelan 15
— A.Gravin 3 for 20, Ros Powel 3 for 30, P.Mclanghlan 2 for 26
Trinity Group Combined Team 141 all out in 45.2 overs.G Thomas 20, A Gravin 21, G Jackson 34, R Powel 2
— Janith Liyanage 4 for 21, Ravin Sayer 3 for 2
Result: MHC UNITY TEAM WON BY 23 RUNS. ………MAN OF THE MATCH: Janith Liyanage
GAME TWO
MHC UT winning the toss made 244 for 09 in 50 overs……… Kaveesh Dilranga 41, Janith Liyanage 27, Sudesh Indunil 25, P Thavarakaselan 22, Kasun Veeranga 59
— Bowling – R Macmillan 2 for 50, J Watt 2 for 24
Eton College 161 all out in 46.2 overs…. D Gandde 41, G Lanax 27, P Watt 26
— Bowling – Ravin Sayer 2 for 31, Sudesh Indunil 2 for 32, K Thanushan 4 for 34
Result: MHC UT Won by 83 Runs. ……… Man of the Match : K Thanushan from Tamil MMV – Vauniya 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.
click PIC to enlarge
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
