Rex Clementine
Category Archives: cricket for amity
Face-to-Face: Sons of Lankan Cricketing Greats
Rex Clementine
Bulawayo!@#! … One Feast. Two Massacres!
Firdose Moonda, in ESPNcricinfo, August 2025 where the headline reads “New Zealand script their biggest win after Foulkes and Co flatten Zimbabwe”
After New Zealand declared overnight, with a lead of 476, Zimbabwe were bowled out in 28.1 overs in an extended first session ………….. New Zealand 601 for 3 decl (Ravindra 165*, Conway 153, Nicholls 150*) beat Zimbabwe 125 (Taylor 44, Henry 5-40, Foulkes 4-38) and 117 (Welch 47*, Foulkes 5-37) by an innings and 359 runs
Zakary Foulkes picked up the best figures by a New Zealand player on Test debut as New Zealand recorded their biggest Test win. Their innings and 359 run victory over Zimbabwe emphasised the massive gulf between the two sides as Zimbabwe capitulated for their fourth-lowest score against New Zealand to suffer their heaviest defeat in the format.
Reflections on the Test Scenario from A Lankan Cricket Aficianados
Errol Fernando’s Email Note to Lorenz Pereira
Dear Lorenz,
As someone who claims to always support the underdog I was delighted that India won the final Test by 6 runs and made it 2 – 2. Perfect result. India was playing against a team that has the best ‘first five’ batsmen in the world – Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root and Brook. No one better. By contrast Australia probably has the WORST first five – Khawaja, Konstas and three other jokers. However , the Aussies have the best quartet of bowlers in the world – Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon with Boland in the wings. No one better.
The 5 India-England Tests were totally riveting, and I couldn’t take my eyes off. High quality stuff. Captain Gill made 754 glorious runs for the series and Rahul and Pant were also glorious. England’s top 5 were good too.
Hara Kiri at Lords Test Match. Or, Was England ‘Shirajed’?
Michael Roberts
It was a thrilling privilege to watch the exciting Test Match at Lord’s unfold into a nail-biting finish with India winning by just 00 runs. India’s hero of the day was the unlovable Mohammed Shiraj.** But he was aided by some foolish batting from some of England’s men. Both Bethell the evening before and Jamie Smith on the 5th morning dismissed themselves with nervy, ridiculous shots.
THAT, of course, is a judgement of an armchair critic. IT is easy to slash a sportsman from the ease of a couch. … Ouch! Continue reading
KIWIS Face Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe Today
Hemant Brar.. “NZ back in whites sans stars, Zimbabwe seek redemption”
New Zealand, who are playing a Test for the first time this year, are without Latham, Williamson, Phillips and Jamieson
Big picture: Zimbabwe eye first win against NZ
Welcome back to Test cricket, New Zealand. The last time they played a Test was in December 2024, against England in Hamilton. Given that this two-match series against Zimbabwe doesn’t count towards the World Test Championship, they can take their time to reacquaint themselves with the flow and rhythm of red-ball cricket.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe have played seven Tests this year, the joint-most with Australia. But with six losses and just one win, they have the worst record for any team. Moreover, they are yet to beat New Zealand in Test cricket. Of the 17 Tests against New Zealand, they have lost 11 and drawn six.
Cricketer Pavan Ratnayake Bears a Brand
Ranjan Paranavitana
Pawan Rathnayake is a talented cricketer who should join the Sri Lankan team right now. He might be the only player who plays with a brand of his name.
That Magic Moment at Lords: India’s Last Wicket
Lam Seneviratne … in Colombo, July 2025… “Was Siraj blameless”
The last ball of the Lords Cricket Test match was not just Siraj getting bowled and England winning the match, it was a prolonged gripping drama stranger than fiction. Siraj was not required to score runs, but just defend his wicket which he had done assuredly for 12 overs.
Deeply Lankika: John De Silva
Responding to a Request from An Aloysian Schoolmate and Friend named Roberts, John de Silva, aka “Johnny,” provided these fascinating genealogical details…… Michael Roberts
UNIQUE FAMILY CONNECTIONS
I am not too sure if I had sent you details of where I came from! In other words, who were my parents and who were their parents. This is often a mundane Family Tree exercise and bears not much significance in the scheme of things. However, I feel that my family connections are unique when it comes to the Island of Sri Lanka.
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Big Cricket Matches in Sri Lanka: Long-Lasting …. Evergreen ….
Item circulated by Keith Bennett
𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮…………………………………….. It’s fiesta of 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 in Sri Lanka right now, which commenced in February and expected to go on until May this year. Most of the Big Matches are now converted into 03 Days, after a request made by Sri Lanka Cricket and Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association to all the Schools who are playing traditional Big Matches to extend their play from two days to three days. Until this year, it was a norm for schools to opt to play for three days once crossed the 100 years, a tradition set by Royal College and S.Thomas’ College (Royal-Thomian Battle of the Blues) in 1979 with their centenary encounter.
