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Cricket: Sri Lanka’s women’s squad in Melbourne

Sri Lanka’s women’s squad arrived in Melbourne ahead of their important assignment in Australia at the upcoming World Cup. 

The team led by superstar Chamari Atapattu appeared ready to make an impression after important lessons learned from their earlier tour here where they were comprehensively beaten by world number one Australia who are outright favourites to go back-to-back at home.

The felicitation to the cricketers at the Grand on Princes in Melbourne organized by Malik Zaveer, Sri Lanka’s Australian representative, was a huge success with a crowd of nearly 300 enjoying a lavish dinner and  super music by top Melbourne dance band Redemption.

The cricketers surprised their fans when  they showcased their other talent, on the dance floor, and their energy was electrifying as Redemption fed them with non-stop Bailas at a very entertaining night.

Pics. By Bryan Perera and Trevine Rodrigo. 

Please click here or on the photos below to view the full set of photos on eLanka Facebook page

Chamari Atapattu Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne Trevine Rodrigo Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne




Feb 11, 2020 Posted by In Articles, Photos, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged , , , , , Comments 0
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Annual Golf tournament in memory of Julius Ferdinands 

An annual Golf tournament in memory of Julius Ferdinands who passed away in Melbourne in 2018 was held at the Waverley Golf course recently.  The event was put together by Julius’s wife Romaine together with Philip Morris, Mohan Liyanage.and brother Anton Ferdinands.  

(Photos thanks to Trevine Rodrigo)

 

Golf tournament in memory of Julius Ferdinands Golf tournament in memory of Julius Ferdinands Golf tournament in memory of Julius Ferdinands Golf tournament in memory of Julius Ferdinands

annual Golf tournament in memory of Julius Ferdinands annual Golf tournament in memory of Julius Ferdinands annual Golf tournament in memory of Julius Ferdinands annual Golf tournament in memory of Julius Ferdinands




Feb 1, 2020 Posted by In Articles, Photos, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged , , , Comments 0
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T20 World Cup

women’s champions Australia

Defending women’s champions Australia will be hard to beat

Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga will lead Sri Lanka’s fortunes.

Multicultural flavour will be the ICC focus for the T20 World Cup in Australia – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE

Trevine-Rodrigo

 

Australia’s edition of the T20 World Cup will deliver a cricketing feast laced with multicultural flavour promises ICC CEO Nick Hockley at a briefing to the Sri Lankan involvement at the Grand on Princess in Mulgrave, Melbourne recently.

Speaking exclusively to the Lanka Times in Melbourne and Elanka community website in Australia Hockley says there will be a heavy emphasis on multiculturism and a projected attempt to lure all communities in Australia to get involved in this exciting event which is expected to have at least a billion viewers around the world.

All venues around Australia hosting World Cup games will be set up in a carnival like atmosphere in and around the grounds with Food stalls and large screen TV’s set up outside venues for those who choose to remain outside the main arena similar to when the Cricket World Cup was staged in Australia and New Zealand in 2015.

The T20 World Cup is currently touring Australia to get the nation fully involved and promotional activities have been organized in schools and other institutions involved in the game.

The unexpected distraction which has engulfed Australia due to the raging bushfires around the country will no doubt have an impact on the World Cup, but the ICC believes it will also help fans from cricketing nations around the world to rally in support by their attendance which will help in many ways towards the recovery of the stricken parts of the country.

The ICC for their part will be heavily involved in supporting initiatives orchestrated by Cricket Australia and through its association with UNICEF towards the bushfire crisis says Max Abbot, Media and communications Manager of the ICC T20 World Cup 2020.

The latest edition will see a separation of the men’s and women’s competitions in an ICC attempt to give equal reverence to the two competitions unlike in the past where the women’s competition was an undercard to the men’s event.

“We have seen a dramatic interest in the women’s game and have decided to have separate competitions to establish an equal footing and following among fans”, said Hockley. The ICC initiative is bound to meet with success while giving fans a break from a monotonous attendance at both events simultaneously.

The Women’s World Cup kicks off on February 21 with hosts and defending champion Australia led by Meg Lanning taking on India at Sydney Showground Stadium. The star-studded Aussies with fantastic talent in their ranks in Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healey skipper Lanning and the rest look firm favourites to go back to back at home.

The men’s T20 World cup begins in October 18 with the qualifying tournament for two spots with the top rung who have made it to the final stage.

Former World T20 Cup champion Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have slid to the bottom rung and need to top their group to make it to the main stage of the World Cup. They will be pitted against Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Scotland, Oman and the Netherlands.

From a Sri Lankan perspective it is unquestionable that their fortunes have been tempered by bad administration rather than lack of talent and ability.

The appointment of former Pakistan, Australian and South African coach Mickey Arthur as head coach replacing the controversially sacked Chandika Hathurusinghe after much turmoil at the last cricket World Cup will infuse much needed stability in the direction of the islanders fortunes as they regather their focus for the important tournament.

Sri Lanka on song, are no pushover to any nation and they will naturally be intent on regaining their lost mojo which has depressed their fans globally.

If there was a concern about their resurgence, it lies in the continued persistence with Lasith Malinga as Skipper of the side. While there is no doubt of his ability with the ball even in his twilight years, his decision making has been questionable up to the last venture in India where they were comprehensively thrashed in the three-match series.




Jan 18, 2020 Posted by In Articles, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged , , , , Comments 0
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Humbled Sri Lankans need to re-group before the World Cup – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE

Trevine_Rodrigo

Sri Lanka endured a torturous tour to Australia during a brief three T20 stint, but left with lessons learned for the upcoming World Cup in the same format in October next year down under.

While eyebrows may have been raised at the fiddling of the squad which lacked sufficient experience due the hardline stance taken by the administrators who decided to overlook some obvious choices who opted out of the tour to Pakistan fearing their safety, it gave some youngsters the opportunity to be exposed to Australian conditions if they are needed when the main event comes around.

The team that arrived here was packed with the squad that whitewashed the world number one ranked Pakistanis at home 3-0 in what was regarded as a sensational achievement, but seen by many as a reciprocal “thank you” from the hosts for the brave Sri Lankans who undertook the first ever tour since the near massacre of the team in Lahore which led to all teams in the world refusing to tour the country.

Lasith Malinga stood out with his solo effort at gaining some respect from the Australians who have had little success against the Sri Lankans in this format for a considerable period. They took the opportunity on offer with no remorse reducing the Sri Lankans to a sorry sight in all three encounters before sending them packing after a 3-nil rout.

The high riding Aussies, fresh from a memorable Ashes triumph have turned their flagging fortunes around on the back of consecutive successes against England, Sri Lanka and are in the process of dismantling a talented Pakistani outfit as the Summer approaches.

After the turmoil of the World Cup where the Lankans were in complete disarray with the sacking of the coach and other officials who were thought to be responsible for their poor showing, they travelled to Australia with a stand in coach in Rumesh Ratnayake while the hunt for a replacement was on.

Former Pakistani coach Mickey Arthur who also took the reins of Australia and South Africa is reported to be installed as the next coach and this is seen a positive towards steadying the ship that is veering off course.

Sri Lanka who have won the T20 World Cup during the era of the Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillekeratne Dilshan and some other outstanding superstars have currently dwindled to a position where they have to qualify to make it to the upper level in the World Cup in Australia. Upwards and onwards is the only course left for them and it only needs proper direction to get them back on track.

Their fans around the globe wait with bated breath to see where Mickey Arthur can take them in his short stint at the helm before the World Cup.

 

 

Nov 23, 2019 Posted by In Articles, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged , , , , , , Comments 0
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Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John’s Nugegoda – Photos thanks to Trevine Rodrigo

The bands were Rock this Country from Sri Lanka and Esric Jackson and No Limit

Click here or on the photos below to view the full album of photos on eLanka Facebook page.

Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John's Nugegoda Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John's Nugegoda Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John's Nugegoda Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John's Nugegoda Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John's Nugegoda Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John's Nugegoda Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John's Nugegoda Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John's Nugegoda Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John's Nugegoda

Click here or on the photos above to view the full album of photos on eLanka Facebook page.


Sep 23, 2019 Posted by In Articles, Photos, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged , , Comments 0
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All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick
All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick2

All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE

Trevine-RodrigoThe All Blacks will for the first time in a long spell venture into the unknown in Japan for the latest edition of the William Web Ellis World Cup as the gap between themselves and the rest have narrowed comprehensively to make it within reach of a handful of nations.

Kieran Reid’s men are on a mission for a hat-trick of conquests after Richie McCaw led the Blacks to memorable triumphs at the last two editions, the last in England over the Wallabies.

For decades the All Blacks have gone to World Cup’s with a clear gap ahead of all nations and favourites to win the event. But in many episodes, they fell short usurped by the French on two occasions before the final.

New Zealand have been the most consistently ranked number one team since the introduction of IRB World Rankings, having held the number one ranking for more than 85 percent of the time during this period. South Africa and England make up the remainder.



The All Blacks have fittingly won the event on the most number of occasions (3), the last two and in 1987, followed by arch rivals the Wallabies and the Springboks two apiece and England once. The record clearly indicates the Southern Hemisphere dominance of the World Cup with the Englishmen being the solitary success story for the Northerners.

Wales will lead the Northern Hemisphere challenge as the most successful team in recent months. But the French have had a penchant for delivering the unexpected when they compete in the World Cup. Ask the All Blacks and they will readily testify to this.

The World Cup in Japan the first ever held in Asia sees the top twenty teams in the world go head to head to showcase their own brand of rugby in an event that will be watched by millions of viewers worldwide.

To see the styles of the Russians, Georgia, Fiji, Uruguay, USA, Canada, Namibia and Italy will be a feature as they strive to stamp their class on the world stage. On form there should be a few upsets but the teams that have shown class and consistency are expected to rise to the top come crunch time.

Wales, Australia, South Africa, Ireland and England loom as the strongest challengers in Japan as the All Blacks strive to stay ahead of the closing pack.

It will no doubt be a titanic episode this time round and indications after the kickoff where the host nation knocked off the Russians in the tournament opener 30-10 shows Asia stepping up to the plate to challenge the might of the dominant nations.

 All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick

All Blacks dominance will be tested as they chase hat-trick2



Sep 21, 2019 Posted by In Articles, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged , , Comments 0
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Darren de Vos 30 and living it up – Photos thanks to Trevine Rodrigo: Melbourne

Click here or on the photos below to view the full album of photos on eLanka Facebook page

 

Darren de Vos Darren de Vos Darren de Vos Darren de Vos Darren de Vos Darren de Vos Darren de Vos Darren de Vos Darren de Vos

 

Click here or on the photos above to view the full album of photos on eLanka Facebook page



Sep 21, 2019 Posted by In Articles, Photos, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged Comments 0
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David Young honoured by Sri Lankan President – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE with Johann Dias Jayasinha

david young award

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena presented Australian doctor David Young with the country’s second highest Honour conferred to non-nationals, ‘The Sri Lanka Ranjana’, at the annual National Awards Ceremony held at the Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on August 19.

Dr. David Young needs little introduction in Australia and now Sri Lanka for his selfless deeds to help those with joint problems or others in need of proper medical equipment and training in the field of Orthopaedic surgery in which he is one of the leading specialists in
Australia.

David has a special place in his heart for Sri Lanka after his initial introduction to the island nation through a picture postcard he received from his grandfather in 1970.

His Fascination for Sri Lanka and its need for expertise in his chosen field soon had him introduced to Sri Lanka’s cricket team that won the World Cup in 1996 through then coach Sri Lankan born Australian Dav Whatmore.

David Young has since made numerous visits to the Island since then on mercy missions including being instrumental in lecturing and offering specialist advice to local orthopaedic professionals.

His indefatigable efforts to bring Sri Lanka up to international standards in the orthopaedic field saw him initiate a project which raised US $3 million which was given to the Sri Lankan govcernment to set up an Accident and Emergency Trauma treatment unit in Batticloa. This was soon after thee dreaded Tsunami hit Sri Lanka among other countries losing thousands of lives.

David Young led a team of volounteers to Sri Lanka in 2004 after receiving an SOS from Sri Lanka spin great Mutthiah Muralidaran soon after the Tsunami hit the island nation.He worked alongside locals in less than ideal conditions and in a tension filled situation due to the conflict at the time between the LTTE and the Sri Lanka government forces.

He ended up in Batticaloa and worked at the Teaching Hospital in less than ideal conditions. He was complimentary of the staff who had worked non-stop for days but was appalled at the lack of resources, instruments and equipment to treat the injured.It was then that he pledged to return and help build a modern state of the art accident and emergency trauma treatment unit at the Batticaloa Hospital.

Cricket stars including Mutthiah Muralidaran, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena,Angelo Matthews, Rangana Herath and Lasith Malinga were among the numerous sports people that sought orthopaedic treatment and care from David Young. He gave them his
attention often without charge as he did for a number of other sports people, rugby players, athletes and sports men and women from the less prominent sports.

‘The Sri Lanka Ranjana’ is the second-highest Honour conferred to non-nationals and this year the award was presented to three personalities. They are Dr. Cumaraswamy Sivathasan, Dr. David Alexander Young and Prof. Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran.

Aug 28, 2019 Posted by In Articles, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged , , , , , , Comments 0
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SRI LANKA CRICKET’S AMAZING TURNAROUND – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE

SRI LANKA CRICKET

Dimuth Karunaratne

Dimuth Karunaratne

If motivation comes from within, it should not be activated by the misfortune of others as Sri Lanka’s cricketing fortunes appear to indicate. The sacking of the coach and the installation of a new leader appears to have done just that judging by the sudden dominance of an ordinary looking line up that struggled against all-comers till now.

installation of a new leader appears to have done just that judging by the sudden dominance of an ordinary looking line up that struggled against all-comers till now.

Rising like the proverbial Phoenix from the ashes of a horrendous past few months, Sri Lanka under new skipper Dimuth Karunaratne have discovered a new confidence which has turned things around and brought with it unprecedented success.

Following up on a better than expected World Cup performance, the Lankans have shown dramatic improvement and a newfound mindset which saw them merciless in crushing Bangladesh 3-0 in the one-day series in Colombo. The Bangladeshis have proved that they
are no pushovers in the modern environment and the hiding they received is an indication of Sri Lanka’s growing maturity despite the constant chopping and changing of the squad.

Following up on the success against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka have now grabbed a 1-0 lead in the World Test Championship with a comprehensive 6-wicket win over the high riding New Zealanders. That gives Karunaratne a 100 per cent Test captaincy record with three
consecutive wins following the team’s success in South Africa.

Diehard fans have been scratching their heads wondering what happened so quickly to turn things around. Surely it cannot be just the change in the Captain. And they are now functioning without a Coach after Chandika Hathurusinghe was given his marching orders
following a mediocre return for a handsome paycheck and high expectation.

Many feel that Hathurusinghe was a victim of circumstance and some pig headed members of the team who did not like his coaching style who then proceeded to orchestrate his failure and removal. Such is Sri Lanka’s style historically, that only in chaos and confusion
can they perform at unexpected levels. This was confirmed to me many years ago by a star member of the past who said to me. “Trying to make Sri Lanka perform under a structured process is almost impossible. There will always be personality clashes and divided opinion as they wade through a pool of confrontation”.

Dimuth Karunaratne has emerged as the man for a crisis picking up the pieces of a fragmented set up and cautiously exploring the avenues open to him. He openly admits drawing on the experience of the seniors in the squad before tinkering it to his own plans.

It’s obviously working for him and the team as they build towards an era similar to the one
commandeered by the likes of Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, Mutthiah muralidaran, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga and many others.

The Test in Galle against the Kiwis was a low scoring affair with Sri Lanka succumbing to New Zealand tweaker Ajaz Patel who grabbed 5 for 89 to restrict them to 267 after New Zealand were bundled out for 249 falling to the wiles of Akila Dhananjaya 5 for 80 and
seamer Suranga Lakmal 4 for 29.

New Zealand fought back to get 285 in their second stint leaving Sri Lanka an imposing target of 266 on a quickly deteriorating wicket. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne led from the front and with Lahiru Thirimanne cautiously negotiated a century opening stand to lay the
platform for a memorable run chase which resulted in a six-wicket victory. Karunaratne was fittingly named man-of-the-match.

“I had a positive approach to this innings,” Karunaratne said. “We were watching the batsmen that did make runs, and we noted how they went about it. After the ball became a bit softer it became easier to bat, and then it was a case of using your feet to the spinners. We had a plan to do that, and we knew that whoever got a start needed to go big. Both myself and Thirimanne were able to do that. We batted well yesterday, and this morning we added a good 30 runs to that partnership. We set ourselves little targets and broke the chase down.”

“Keeping New Zealand to around 250 in the first innings was a big thing. We made sure that for the shots that are easy to hit – shots with the spin for example – were covered off by fielders on the boundary. If a bowler bowled a bad ball, we needed that to cost only one run, because that’s a big advantage. There was a good chance bowler would deliver good balls, because the pitch was taking turn, but in the meantime, we needed the bad balls not to cost us. It was really important that we didn’t let them get away from us at any stage.”
The makeup of the current squad boasts of some outstanding emerging talent in the likes of Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya, Akila Dhananjaya, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Mendis and Lahiru Kumara to name a few.

The future appears to be back on track for Sri Lanka and the hope is that less meddling by the administrators will enable them to climb back to the status of respect they once commanded

Their visit to Australia this summer for a T20 series is now much looked forward to.

NEW ZEALAND 249(83.2 OVERS)
1ST INNINGS
• Ross Taylor86 (132)
• Henry Nicholls42 (78)
• Suranga Lakmal4/29 (15.2)
• Akila Dananjaya5/80 (30)

SRI LANKA 267(93.2 OVERS)
1ST INNINGS
• Niroshan Dickwella61 (109)
• Kusal Mendis53 (89)
• William Somerville3/83 (22.2)
• Ajaz Patel5/89 (33)

NEW ZEALAND 285(106 OVERS)
2ND INNINGS
• BJ Watling77 (173)
• Tom Latham45 (81)
• Dhananjaya de Silva3/25 (12)
• Lasith Embuldeniya4/99 (37)

SRI LANKA 268/4(86.1 OVERS)
2ND INNINGS
• Dimuth Karunaratne122 (243)
• Lahiru Thirimanne64 (163)
• Tim Southee1/33 (12)
• Trent Boult1/34 (9.1)

Aug 20, 2019 Posted by In Articles, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged , , , , , , , , Comments 0
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Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga in action for the last time

 

Much improved Sri Lanka exit before semis – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE

England grabbed the World Cup in controversial manner after an epic final against a plucky New Zealand and debate will rage into the next episode about the fairness of the competition rules which crowned them champions for the very first time.

After scores were tied at the end of the England innings and tied again after the super over it seemed a travesty of justice that the number of boundaries scored by the two sides ultimately decided a winner. To make matters worse one boundary by a deflected default in the crucial stages.

All in all, it was a wonderful competition highlighted by some close encounters and apart from quickly emerging Afghanistan, there was little to choose from the other competing teams which augurs well for the sport on a global level.

The ICC must be chaffed at the tremendous response it received for the tournament which registered record interest from around the world. Billions of viewers took in this World Cup which saw some titanic contests the only downside proving to be the unseasonal rain which caused the abandonment of some crucial games.

Pre-tournament favourites, Australia, India and hosts England cruised through to the semis but my dark horse to win the tournament New Zealand, scrambled through to the final four before stunning India in the semi-final to have a second crack at glory after being undone by Australia in the last episode. Sadly, it was not to be once more for Kane Williamson’s men who did everything but win a nail-biting final.

Sri Lanka under Dimuth Karunaratne showed glimpses of fight before being bundled out before the World Cup semifinal but dispelled all the doom and gloom predicted by their detractors prior to the tournament.

Amidst the usual turmoil that is now customary in Sri Lanka cricket, they went into the important event half baked and seemingly not expected to beat anyone according to the experts outside the boundary.

Yet, the returned home with three wins, two no results washed out by unseasonal rain and losses to Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and India, two of them winnable if they capitalized on early ascendency.

On reflection now, Sri Lanka had the rare distinction of knocking off the eventual World champion England in a stunning upset while also claiming wins over Afghanistan and the West Indies. They missed out on the semis by 3 points ending sixth ahead of South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. England lost three games falling to Pakistan, Australia and Sri Lanka before storming into the semis.

Under Dimuth Karunaratne whose selection to lead came under fire from critics who stereotyped him a Test cricketer only, he went on to prove many wrong, heading the batting averages at the outset before failing in the last few games. What he gave the team was stability at the top and clever leadership drawing from the experience of the senior players in the squad before executing his plans. He also helped heal the division between certain members in the team.

Sr Lanka will also rue some poor selections to the squad which would definitely have benefitted with the inclusion of Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, the latter for his experience although out of form, perhaps Dhanushka Gunatillake and a better all-rounder than Thisara Perera who had a horrid run.

Sri Lanka fans are hopeful that a more settled line-up will travel to Australia this summer and are in anticipation that they will produce a better showing than the last time they toured here.

 

 

 

 

 

 




Jul 16, 2019 Posted by In Articles, Trevine Rodrigo Tagged , , , , , Comments 0
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