Cricket

A collection of 35 posts

On This Day Featured

The Captain Who Fought The Smallpox Outbreak

Born today in 1894, Dr. C.H. Gunasekara is a hallowed name in Royal College Cricket like his other family members, and the first Ceylonese to play County Cricket in England.

Stories

The 'Keeper of Faith' and Promise to his Son

Former Zimbabwe Captain Tatenda Taibu once 'came out of retirement' as an overseas player for Badureliya CC in 2019 because his son never had the chance to see him play!

On This Day

The Day When Sri Lanka Braved Thomson's Fury

50 years ago today, Sri Lanka showed their fighting spirit as they faced one of Cricket's deadliest duos - Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee in the World Cup against Australia.

On This Day

'Karu Ayya' - A Genius In Lyrics And Commentary!

Karunaratne Abeysekera who was born 95 years ago today, was not only a lyrical genius behind more that 2000 songs but also introduced Sinhala Cricket Commentary

On This Day

Mathews - The Match Winner Of Yesteryear

Angelo Mathews who turns 38 years today, embodies many nostalgic memories from his 17 year long career as a match winning all rounder of generational talent.

On This Day

Mahanama - A Big Name Who Walked The Talk!

Roshan Mahanama who turns 59 years today, is remembered for his fighting knocks and safe hands in the outfield for Sri Lanka, before he became an ICC Match Referee.

Cricket

She Let The Ladies Play The Gentleman's Game

An Actress turned Administrator, Mrs.Gwen Herat will be remembered for her giant leaps in Cricket as the Founding President of the Sri Lanka Women's Cricket Association

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On This Day

Mahela - A Mastermind In The Shortest Format

Mahela Jayawardene who turns 48 years today, is an underrated example of format adaptation, with a strike rate in T20Is greater than Test and ODIs combined!

Stories

Aravinda's First Taste of England: Where Dreams Were Forged

A 15 year old teenager stepped onto a plane for the very first time, full of excitement, on his way to England with his U19 cricket team. That was Aravinda de Silva's reality in 1981...

Karunaratne - A Frank And Underrated Opener

Dimuth Karunaratne, who recently retired on his 100th Test match and one of the most prolific openers to grace the field in whites for Sri Lanka, turns 37 years today!

Astonishing Feats Of The Bent Arm Bowler

With 1347 international wickets to his name, Muttiah Muralitharan who turns 53 years today is not your everyday tailender when looking at his batting and fielding feats!

Cricket

When 'Hope' Finally Became A Reality

After sharing sorrows as the losing side in four straight World Cup finals, Sri Lanka became the T20 World Cup winners on this day in 2014 at the Sher-E-Bangla Stadium.

On This Day

A Life Around Cricket, Hockey and Insurance!

Chandra Schaffter, founder of Janashakthi Insurance PLC and the oldest living First Class Cricketer who represented Ceylon in Hockey and Cricket, turns 95 years today.

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On This Day

The Bizarre Pitch That Bamboozled Bradman!

On this day in 1948, Colombo came to a halt as more than 20,000 spectators surrounded the P Sara Oval to watch Sir Don Bradman score the same number of runs as the pitch!

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On This Day

Tissera - The Tea Taster, Cricketer and Manager

'Deshabandu' Michael Tissera who turns 86 years today, didn't only taste tea but has also led Ceylon in the Pre-Test Era, famously tasting victory on Indian soil in 1965

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On This Day

From 2nd Fastest Bowler to 2nd In The World

Recent World Lead and Former Schoolboy Fast Bowler Rumesh Tharanga who turns 22 years today, is the first Sri Lankan Athlete to break the 85m barrier in Men's Javelin

On This Day

The Banker Who Took More Than 500 Wickets

Rangana Herath who turns 47 years today, holds the record for the most wickets taken by a Left Arm Test Bowler and the longest span of 19 years for Sri Lanka Cricket!

On This Day

"That's it, all the way to the boundary for four!"

On this day in 1996, the captain's Late Cut towards Third Man saw Sri Lanka conquer the mighty Australians for their first ever World Cup win, inspiring future generations.

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Cricket

Origins of 'The Great Intercollegiate Match'

Ashley Walker, a First Class Cricketer and Royal College Master, wrote a letter to S.Thomas' College that led to the 'Big Match' and birth of School's Cricket in Ceylon.

On This Day

When Sri Lanka Became the 8th Test Nation

On this day in 1982, Sri Lanka played their inaugural Test match as the 8th country to receive the Full ICC Membership, against England at the P. Sara Oval Stadium.

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On This Day

Battle of Helm's Deep Recording at Wellington

LOTR Director Peter Jackson had an unusual idea to gather as many people to chant in Black Speech, during the New Zealand vs England 2nd ODI on this day in 2002!

On This Day

HSM Pieris, A Master In Chemistry And Cricket!

Henry Sri Mevan Peiris who turns 79 years today, is a renowned Polymer Technologist who even represented Sri Lanka as a fast bowler at the Inaugural World Cup in 1975.

On This Day

When Love Made Shashikala Bat On!

Shashikala Siriwardene who turns 40 years on Valentine's Day, has the longest career of 17 years with Sri Lanka Women's Cricket that was influenced by her pillar of success

On This Day

The Queen of Sri Lanka Women's Cricket

Chamari Atapaththu who turns 35 years today, once found inspiration from a destructive southpaw and wanted to be just like him. But it's a "boy's sport", many said.

On This Day

The Pilot Who Scored Sri Lanka's First Fifty

Capt. Sunil Wettimuny who turns 76 years today, had an unusual encounter with a Policeman at the hospital after scoring Sri Lanka's first ODI Fifty in the 1975 World Cup!