Trevine Rodrigo

New Zealand succumb to Sri Lankan batting hurricane. Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando and Charith Asalanka crush New Zealand hopes. –  BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports Editor) Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando delivered an avalanche of boundaries in Dambulla breaking several records in the process as Sri Lanka thrashed New Zealand in  the first one-dayer. The rollercoaster Sri Lanka batting hit top gear to scatter a hapless Kiwi attack to all parts of Dambulla to record a memorable victory in front of delirious home fans. Mendis, whose form is becoming more consistent recently, showed no mercy as he smashed his way to 143 off 128 balls with two sixers and 17 fours. Aided by a welcome return to form by Avishka Fernando who also notched his first century, 100 off 115 balls with 2 sixers and 9 fours, they romped to 324 for 5 in 49.2 overs when rain ...

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Never-say-die Kiwis stun Lankans after early setback.  T20 series ends in stalemate.  – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports Editor). New Zealand were quick to learn the intricacies of the wicket at Dambulla, cleverly using Sri Lanka’s strategy when bowling, to snatch a pulsating five-run win and tie the two match T20 series.  The gutsy Kiwis refused to throw in the towel when Sri Lanka’s bowlers reduced them to 108 all out as they rallied in a remarkable fightback to skittle the home side for 103 leaving a bewildering trail of disaster for the Lankans in their wake. New Zealand are currently on a high after thrashing India 3-0 in Test cricket in India prior to the Sri Lankan leg of their tour. So the Lankans should have been wary of their never-say-die spirit. Sri Lanka had found a new fortress in Dambulla,  which after Galle, is becoming a ...

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Pumped up New Zealand look set to challenge Sri Lanka dominance using Herath trump card – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports Editor) Rangana Herath stands between Sri Lanka’s hopes of snaring another scalp in the visiting New Zealanders, and his input on how to handle the mysteries of a hoodoo Galle track will be vital to the tourists. Former Sri Lanka leg spinning hero Herath’s value has trebled since he masterminded India’s 3-nil Test capitulation in New Zealand’s historic series win in India prior to this tour. The Kiwi spinners had the Indians in a knot much against all expectations, and credit certainly should be handed to him and New Zealand’s batters who rammed home their advantage given to them by their bowlers. Sri Lanka’s plans to unsettle New Zealand’s batters hold the key with a potent spin attack capable of tilting the scales in their favour. Failure ...

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Whirlwind Lewis gives West Indies the last laugh. Fantastic run chase ends Sri Lanka’s winning streak. — BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports Editor) West Indies opener Evin Lewis produced a hurricane in stormy conditions in Pallekelle smashing Sri Lanka’s tormenting bowlers to all parts as West Indies scampered to a rain restricted 8- wicket victory with six balls to spare.  The Windies opener was in devastating form scattering the field as he slammed a swashbuckling unbeaten 122 off 61 balls with 4 sixers and 9 fours leading the chase to a revised target under the Duckworth/Lewis method leaving the home team dizzy and spent. Taking centre stage in a massive run chase which required 195 off 23 overs, Lewis slammed the Sri Lanka attack into submission first adding 72 for the second wicket with Shai Hope, he then joined Sherfane Rutherford (50 off 26 with 3 sixers and ...

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Winds of change indicate surge in Sri Lankan cricket.  Windies crushed in one- day rout. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports Editor) Sri Lanka’s white ball game has finally turned the corner with a comprehensive blitz of the West Indies in Pallekelle.  Brimming with confidence after a series win in the T20 format, the cock-a-hoop Lankans rammed home their new found belief to reduce the Windies to non competitors taking a unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series.  Two 5-wicket thrashings in as many games strongly suggests Sri Lanka has now stepped up to be noticed as a worthy competitor once more. The sudden swing in the winds of change, is a significant step in the right direction for Sri Lanka cricket, which like the country’s plight, was on a downward trend.  Things overall appears to have changed for the better as the country, and cricket have ...

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‘Comeback kid’ Kerrigan LaBrooy blows an appreciative audience away at Bunjil Place in Narre Warren. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  We ventured into the hazily unknown when Pastor, Country singer and allround nice guy Kerrigan LaBrooy invited us to what he described was a ‘comeback’ musical concert at Bunjil Place in Narre Warren. We left astounded by a discovery of the depth of talent he possesses. Kerrigan showcased a musical evening with a difference. No orchestra, no live band but no problem, in a superbly synchronised vocal delivery that had a packed house enthralled by its professional projection, and highly energised quality. What stood out with this musical was the pleasing and comprehensive planning that was incorporated into its production which differed from the norm.  A standing ovation at the end of two hours of enjoyment was an unquestionable testament to an enjoyable evening of entertainment.  The well travelled multi ...

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New Zealand and South Africa stun the favourites to battle it out for women’s T20 World Cup. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports Editor). Australia’s hope for back to back World Cups were derailed by a shocking capitulation to a fired up South Africa when they were knocked out in the semi final in Dubai.  Always the benchmark of the World game, the tournament marked the emergence of new powerhouses in South Africa and New Zealand who left the favourites Australia, India, England,  and West Indies in their wake. Winners of the last three T20 World Cups, Australia looked on track for another conquest until they proved that fallibility does happen to the best. It opens a refreshing new perception and focus as teams such as West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh close the gap on the best teams promising closer contests in future engagements ...

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Sri Lanka’s batters run riot in historic series triumph over West Indies.  Nissanka,  Mendis and Perera destroy Windies defiance. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports Editor) Sri Lanka found their mojo and restored lost pride with a comprehensive 9 -wicket thrashing of the West Indies in game three while recording a first ever T20 series triumph over an adversary that has prevailed over them previously.  Dambulla has now become a venue that Sri Lanka have found recent success,  beating New Zealand in the Tests now a successful T20 series at home.  Charith Asalanka’s men will be satisfied with this turnaround in fortunes which has been concerning over the recent past in the T20 format.  After the comprehensive comeback win in game two, Sri Lanka faced sterner opposition from the quick learning Carribbean team who batted first and set a competitive target of 162 for the loss of 8 wickets.  ...

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Sri Lanka react in savage fashion to crush Windies in game two. Debutante Dinuth Wellalage has West Indian batters in a dizzy spin. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports Editor) Sri Lanka responded in emphatic fashion to the first game loss by crushing West Indies by 73 runs in Dambulla.  Stung by the first game  reversal, the Lankans responded in merciless fashion to bowl out the visitors for 89 while they were in pursuit of 162. Young debutante Dinuth Wellalage proved to be the catalyst spinning a web around the West Indian batters as he went on to grab 3 for 9 in a selection master-stroke.  Introduced early in West Indies chase, the young star soon had the visitors in trouble removing Brandon King and Evin Lewis who won the first game for the visitors cheaply, and aided by Maheesh Theekshana they ran riot with dismantling any hope ...

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 Whirlwind stand by Windies openers sink Sri Lanka in Dambulla.  BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (eLanka Sports Editor) West Indies found their groove early and started their tour to the Sri Lanka with a stunning 5 -wicket win over the home team in Dambulla.  West Indian openers Brandon King and Evin Lewis led the onslaught on an inocous Sri Lanka attack smashing a whirlwind 107 off 9 overs to set the stage for a memorable win. Sri Lanka’s bowlers fought back after dismissing the duo, but could not stop the visitors from galloping to victory and a 1-0 lead in the three match T20  series.  The setback must surely have rattled the Lankans who have had success at this venue recently but were usurped by a team on a steady winning streak. The Carribbean kings of the past, appear to be heading on an upward trend in the white ball ...

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