Murali’s Ordeal in Pictures, 1995-2005-by Michael Roberts   Source:Thuppahis Looking back in retrospect, my respect for the resilence and strength of character shown by Muttiah Muralitharan has expanded by ‘metres’ these last few days. The story –involving numerous episodes — has been set out in my old essay “Saving Murali: Action On-Field and Off-Field, 1995-2005″ which has been presented as Chapter 5 in the book Incursions & Excursions in and Aound Sri Lankan Cricket, printed by Vijitha Yapa Publications in 2011 (ISBN 978-955-53198-0-5). Murali did not face the several challenges alone. Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and his team mates as well as numerous Sri Lankan officials over the years (see list appended) and Dr Buddy Reid; Daryl Foster, Dr Bruce Elliot and Jacque Alderson and the UWA team; Dr Ravi ...

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The Old and Sturdy Dutch Fort in Galle-by Michael Roberts Cricket in the 1980s –Pix by Nihal Fernando   Source:Thuppahis Volleyball, it is claimed, is our national sport. However there is no doubt that Cricket is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka. That popular West Indies calypso ‘Cricket, lovely cricket.’,’ will always be ringing in our ears. From the villages where youngsters from around 16 to 26 or maybe even older, use ‘polpithi’ bats, to the towns where more sophisticated young men use willow bats, it is cricket, cricket and more cricket. Little wonder then that we have been correctly described as ‘ a cricket crazy nation.’ And when it comes to grounds for international matches the Galle International Stadium is the most favored by our cricketers, our coaches and our spectators. The reason is that as at today (03. 05 .21), 34 Test Matches [have been] played on these ...

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“CRICKET-COMMENTS”-by Des Kelly Sent in to e’Lanka by Keith Bennett who never ever fails to “spin-up” a satisfactory yarn for each and every Sri Lankan who loves Cricket (I am still looking for one who doesn’t), so, thank you for this one, Keith. As I have said before, and reiterate for the umpteenth time, Cricket is only a GAME, and, like any other game, you WIN some, and LOSE some. Sri Lanka is on a losing curve at the moment, but hold on to your caps, for the tide to turn shortly, and we can cheer our team onto victory, no matter which team they are up against. In the meantime, let us just say “good luck, guys, don’t forget to keep on, keeping on, for old Sri Lanka, you are a great team, no matter what !!. Desmond Kelly. (Editor-in-Chief) eLanka. ...

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Thilanga says he wasn’t SLC President when wire transfer happened Source:Island Former Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala has written to Sports Minister Namal  Rajapaksa explaining that he was not the President of SLC when the illegal transfer of US$ 187,000 to a foreign account took place in 2018. Sumathipala a former President of the Asian Cricket Council has brought to the attention of Minister of Sports that at the time the incident happened, SLC was run by Kamal Padmasiri, the Competent Authority appointed by then Sports Minister Faizer Mustapaha. ...

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Duleep’s grit and courage – need of the hour – by Rex Clementine Source: The Island It was on a day like this, 43 years ago, Sri Lankan cricket made its biggest impact in the world stage. The six full members of the ICC were automatic choices for the 1975 World Cup and in a bid to make up the numbers, Sri Lanka and a team comprising cricketers from East Africa were invited to play the inaugural event. The quality of Sri Lankan cricket was displayed on this day at The Oval against an Australian side comprising the Chappell brothers, Dennis Lille, Jeff Thomson and others. A century by Alan Turner and half-centuries by Rick McCosker, Greg Chappell, and Doug Walters had propelled Australia to a total of 328. Many would have thought that Sri Lanka had little chance. But they did well; reaching 150 for two and needed 179 runs ...

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