The BBC’s Charles Haviland examines the controversies in Sri Lankan cricket. Cricket is Sri Lanka’s universal game and almost nothing gets in the way of it, whether it is played in the street or at the Kettarama Stadium. In 2007 the Tamil Tigers even declared a ceasefire throughout the World Cup. But the national team’s recent loss of form, combined with endless tribulations off the pitch, has plunged many fans into gloom. … Speaking to the BBC this week, Mr Aluthgamage denied interfering. “If there is politics in cricket, in…
Written on December 10, 2011 | Posted in
Cricket,
Politics,
Sports,
Sri Lanka,
Sri Lanka cricket,
Sri Lankan cricket,
UN,
World Cup,
ad,
fans,
uth |
Leave a comment
The PCB’s committee that decides the number of Akmals to appear in each game
Written on December 3, 2011 | Posted in
Cricket,
ISI,
News,
Sports,
Sri Lanka,
Sri Lankan cricket,
UN,
War,
ad,
aid,
cia |
Leave a comment
Conroy Ievers Gunasekera, the former Sri Lankan first-class cricketer and All Ceylon Captain, famously known as ‘CI’, died in Colombo on Thursday, July 29 at the age of 90. Venkat Ananth recounts meeting Gunasekara in 2007, and says though Gunasekara died a lonely man, he will always be remembered as one of the most celebrated sportsmen in Sri Lankan history. I quizzed him further about his batting style, and he said, “I used to play tennis regularly, and that’s where I learnt shot-making from. My strength in tennis was hitting…
The honours keep pouring in for Muttiah Muralitharan, who recently retired as the highest wicket-taker in Tests with 800 scalps. The latest one is a proposal to name a cricket stadium, currently under construction in Sri Lanka, after him. A 22,000-capacity stadium, which is being constructed in Pallekele in Murali’s home district of Kandy, is due to stage three World Cup matches in 2011. And according to the Daily Mirror a proposal has been mooted to name the stadium the Muttiah Muralitharan International Cricket Stadium. The proposal has the backing…
All Test long the television cameras have been panning to Muttiah Muralitharan’s wife, Madhimalar, who has been joyously cheering her husband’s every ball as his remarkable career draws to a close. In an interview with the Times of India, she reveals that she tried to convince him to carry on, but Murali had made up his mind. The grand farewell at Galle has overwhelmed her, but she seems sad this is Murali’s last Test. “I have been watching each and every ball of this Test. I’ve been here day from…
Facing Murali was a mental trial beyond comparison
Muttiah Muralitharan sent down more deliveries than any bowler in Test cricket, and finished with more international wickets than anyone. Mike Selvey looks back at his feats and pays his tribute to the Sri Lankan spin wizard in the Guardian. He did not carry the Sri Lanka attack for the bulk of his career, until his shoulder began to object and a little of the fizz went out of him – he was the Sri Lanka attack. Murali would occupy one end until play was done. Only his record against…
