PM XI gears up for Pakistan game The Prime Minister’s XI (PM XI) conducted an exclusive and intense training session today in Canberra. The players were observed displaying unwavering concentration and dedication during the three-hour long practice session in Manuka Oval, Canberra. The session also included net practice, where the players prepared well with a simulated match experience. With the clock ticking down to the four-day match against the Pakistan cricket team, the PM XI seems well-prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead. Cricket enthusiasts around the country now eagerly await the clash between the Prime Minister’s XI and Pakistan, set to unfold from Wednesday. The four-day match will commence from Wednesday, 6 December in Manuka Oval where the first ball will be bowled at 10:30 am local time. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet both squads before the game tomorrow. ...

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“Minister on thy journey back to the pavilion” – By K K S Perera Source : dailymirror Cricket still takes up valuable Parliamentary time. Before we delve into today’s main topic, let’s spare a few lines for the ‘Game.’The legendary Dr. W.G. Grace was known for his remarkable skills and memorable incidents. In a county match in 1870;on being bowled Grace said, “T’ was the wind which took thy bail off, good sir.” Umpire replied, “Indeed, doctor, and let us hope thy wind helps the doctor on thy journey back to the pavilion.”    Sagala, helped by Roshan’s coach, stumped him to Ranil’s Googly: The coach’s poor intellect and personal agenda left the ‘batsman’ unprepared. His failed attempt to, ‘step out of the crease’ and hit a six over the bowler’s head, might have been influenced by the erratic coaching. The lack of readiness to return to the crease after the ...

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The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, at Canberra Grammar School for the DreamCricket Gala Day – by Johann Dias Jayasinha     Source : What’s Doing In Melbourne The Dreamcricket Gala day was held at Canberra Grammar School on Friday17th November 2023, organised by The Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise the proud sponsor and coordinator of Dream Cricket in the ACT and surrounding regions. Yohan Ramasundara President and DreamCricket Coordinator – Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise program said, primary school students in Years 3 – 6 with a disability physical, sensory and/or intellectual, the opportunity to learn and practice the skills of cricket in a supportive and fun environment. The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley had a terrific time at Canberra Grammar School (CGS) participating in the 2023 Gala Day. They enjoyed meeting the students and took the opportunity to thank the volunteers for bringing the day and clinics to life. Students are ...

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Champions return home after creating a long-lasting legacy Australia captain Pat Cummins believes his team have created a career-defining legacy with their World Cup win, after a long six months on the road in India and England. “I think they have created their own legacy,” Cummins said of his side as he touched down at Sydney Airport. “A World Cup, you only get one chance every four years and especially playing somewhere like India, it’s hard. Even before the tournament, we knew playing ODI cricket in India, it’s a pretty tough assignment. To be pitted up against the rest of the world and come away with a medal, it doesn’t get any better than that. We couldn’t have planned for much better. So a pretty satisfied group.” Captain Pat Cummins and pacer Josh Hazelwood landed in Sydney on Wednesday morning while Head coach Andrew McDonalds and Allrounder Mitchell Marsh touched ...

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A seating zone in SCG to name after Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu    In a groundbreaking move, the Sydney Thunder has announced the introduction of “Chamari Bay,” a specially dedicated seating zone at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for their WBBL Derby clash on November 26. The decision to name a specific seating zone after Chamari Athapaththu underscores the Sydney Thunder’s commitment to fostering a multicultural cricket community and creating unforgettable experiences for Sri Lanka cricket fans. This move is not only a tribute to Chamari’s cricketing prowess but also a celebration of the diverse cricketing culture that the Thunder aims to promote. This initiative is aimed at recognizing the exceptional contributions of Chamari Athapaththu, for Sydney Thunder who has so far emerged as a standout performer in the tournament, amassing an impressive total of 374 runs in just nine matches, with an impressive average of 41.55. ...

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Harmanpreet Kaur’s highlights importance of WBBL in the development of global women cricket   During her media interaction, Indian cricket sensation Harmanpreet Kaur spoke enthusiastically about the impact of the WBBL on the development of women’s cricket globally. “WBBL is producing great players. The fitness standards of domestic players uplift WBBL from other leagues. The franchise leagues like WBBL, WIPL, and The Hundred are playing a crucial role in advancing women’s cricket on a global scale,” she remarked. The seasoned all-rounder emphasized the hard work put in by her Melbourne Renegades teammates to regain momentum in the ongoing season. “We are trying to get the momentum back. Everyone is working really hard in the nets,” she stated, highlighting the team’s commitment to delivering strong performances. Kaur expressed her delight in being a part of the Melbourne Renegades family, stating, “I am enjoying my time with Melbourne Renegades. The camaraderie within ...

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Taking lessons from the colonies ……… A failed British PM is parachuted into a plum role. Sounds familiar? – By Aubrey Joachim The game of cricket originated in South East England and became the established sport in the country in the 18th century. The English foray into foreign lands saw the spread of the game globally in the 19th and 20th centuries. The English took their beloved game to all their colonies and lauded their skill at the game over their colonist subjects. They were the masters of the game they invented. Fast forward to the 21st century and the very same English are being given a lesson in the game they were once invincible at. How things have changed. Colonists being given lessons by their colonies! Cricket however does not seem to be the only game where the English are taking lessons from their colonies. The craft of politics ...

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Bangladesh and questionable umpiring make for a sad day in cricketing history.  Sr Lanka bow out of World Cup. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.  (Elanka Sports Editor). Shakib Al Hassan and Marias Erasmus sensationally made cricketing history by making a blotch on the Spirit of Cricket adding insult to injury to Sri Lanka who confirmed their exit from the World Cup with a three wicket loss.  The combine brought back bizarre memories of the 1980’s when Austrlian Umpires Darrell Hair and Ross Emerson took centre stage by embarrassing Sri Lanka’s greatest bowler Mutthiah Muralitharan,  by calling him for chucking. It was a ruling they lived to regret. There were other unsavoury incidents involving Mankad and Trevor Chappell that would be best forgotten, then there was this. Angelo Matthews was given “timed out” without facing a ball while calling for another helmet when the strap on the one he had, broke. ...

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Shakib has Sullied the Spirit of Cricket – By Michael Roberts Source : thuppahis In my experience from the late 1960s  Errol Fernando of Trinity College & Peradeniya University was the fairest of men and one possessing considerable acumen (besides virtuoso fingers at organ and piano) …… Errol Fernando to Lawrence Heyn, 6 November 2023 Dear Lawrence, Am I allowed to say that the ONLY game that has this thing called ‘Spirit’ is CRICKET?  May I add that all other games merely have ‘rules’ but no spirit. Is there a spirit of rugby, golf, football, tennis  –  even gudu or marbles ? Cricket has rules, of course, but what makes cricket the ‘greatest’ of games is that spirit that is far more important than rules. Anyone who disagrees with this should not be playing cricket. Alex Carey infamously  abused the spirit at Lord’s. I am more than happy to say that Carey should not be ...

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Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs furious after the batting debacle against India scoring only 55 runs, then losing to Afghanistan by 7 wickets – By  Sunil Thenabadu After this disastrous batting display against India collapsing for a paltry 55 runs ,thereafter to Afghanistan by seven wickets , to console the irritated fuming cricket fanatics very appropriately the Minister of sports and youth affairs Roshan Abeysinghe had requested the President and the supporting staff of the Sri Lanka Cricket to resign immediately before he takes drastic action. The Minster of sports and youth affairs Roshan Ranasinghe via his media division has expressed his discontentment on the dismal performance of our cricket team once again in the hands of India losing the WC encounter by a massive margin of 302 runs the worst defeat inflicted on Sri Lanka since participating in  all world cups from year 1975.The defeat recently has made all ...

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