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A collection of 27 posts

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

Stories Featured

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

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

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!

When 'Hope' Finally Became A Reality

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.

A Life Around Cricket, Hockey and Insurance!

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.

The Bizarre Pitch That Bamboozled Bradman!

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!

Tissera - The Tea Taster, Cricketer and Manager

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

From 2nd Fastest Bowler to 2nd In The World

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

The Banker Who Took More Than 500 Wickets

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!

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

"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.

Origins of 'The Great Intercollegiate Match'

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.

When Sri Lanka Became the 8th Test Nation

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.

Battle of Helm's Deep Recording at Wellington

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!

HSM Pieris, A Master In Chemistry And Cricket!

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.

When Love Made Shashikala Bat On!

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

The Queen of Sri Lanka Women's Cricket

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.

The Pilot Who Scored Sri Lanka's First Fifty

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!

The Bittersweet U19 World Cup Final

The Bittersweet U19 World Cup Final

Today marks 25 years since the Malintha Gajanayake led Sri Lanka team played in the U19 World Cup Finals, only to lose to India who won their maiden U19 title

Longevity And A Name Longer Than His Run Up!

Longevity And A Name Longer Than His Run Up!

Chaminda Vaas who is Sri Lankan's only Fast Bowler to reach the milestone of 100 Test matches and the record holder in Men's ODI bowling, turns 51 years today.

The Men Who Lived And Died For Sports We Love

The Men Who Lived And Died For Sports We Love

Remembering Messrs Y.C. Chang and Neil Perera who passed away this week, for their unparalleled and unsung service to Sri Lankan Rugby and Cricket respectively.

Born Today- Sri Lanka's First Test Captain

Born Today- Sri Lanka's First Test Captain

Bandula Warnapura, the man who led Sri Lanka in the inaugural Test match in 1982, was born on this day(?) in 1953. Read more on his legacy, and on his birth anniversary.

Academics, Aquatics, Cricket and Coaching

Academics, Aquatics, Cricket and Coaching

Jehan Mubarak who turns 44 years today is the one of two US-born Cricketers to play Test Cricket, and has unique achievements in academics and sports altogether

When Sana and Kalu changed the 'Powerplay'

When Sana and Kalu changed the 'Powerplay'

On this day in 1996, Cricket saw a new way of batting in the PowerPlay in ODI when Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana opened for the first time, against Australia.

The 'Gem Miner' For Fast Bowling Talent

The 'Gem Miner' For Fast Bowling Talent

Champaka Ramanayake, the fast bowling legend who was better known for his eye for talent that fast tracked many Fast bowlers we know today, turns 60 years today.

Brendon Kuruppu - The Opener who wore his pads for 5 days

Brendon Kuruppu - The Opener who wore his pads for 5 days

Brendon Kuruppu turns 63 years today. He is Sri Lanka's first Double Centurion in Test Cricket, from an uncharacteristic marathon knock on debut which lasted 777 minutes.