Category Archives: cricket selections

August 8, 2024 · 4:59 pm

Indian Cricketing Machismo SPEWS OUT in the Field at Khetharama … As They Lose Comprehensively

Andrew Fidel Fernando in ESPNcicinfo, 8 August 2024, where the title runs  “Is this for real? Sri Lanka’s rare glory leaves India shaken” ….. while his report here has had highlights imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi

The visitors were left with plenty to ponder after their batting struggled in spin-friendly conditions.

Avishka Fernando cover drives…. & Wellalage celebrates one of his wickets

Mohammed Siraj is fired up. Halfway through his seventh over, the 39th of the innings, he strides down the pitch and sprays a few angry words at Kusal Mendis, who responds in kind. In his next over, Siraj bowls a ball to Janith Liyanage that the batter drives back at him. Siraj picks the ball up in his follow through, and flings it at the stumps, and misses. The batter would have been back safely in any case. Continue reading →

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August 8, 2024 · 1:32 am

Sri Lanka Squash India Comprehensively in Third ODI

Madusha Balasuriya in ESPNcricinfo, 7 August 2024, where the title reads “Wellalage five-for sends India crashing to 2-0 defeat” 

Avishka Fernando’s 96 took Sri Lanka to 248, paving the way for their first bilateral ODI series win against India in 27 years

Avishka Fernando struck 96 – the highest individual score this series – and Dunith Wellalage picked up a five-for as Sri Lanka secured a first ODI bilateral series win against India in 27 years, with a dominant 110-run win in the third and final ODI in Colombo.
Dunith Wellalage finished with career-best figures of 5.1-0-27-5  •  Associated Press

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August 6, 2024 · 9:03 pm

When Selectoral Machinations Shattered Ceylon’s Projected Tour of England in 1966

Chandra Schaffter, whose original essay in 2018 can be found in web-site CRICKETIQUE … That essay is entitled  “How the Scheduled Tour of England in the 1960s was blown apart from Within” ... NB: highlighting emphasis has been imposed by The Editor, Michael Roberts

[This account is a riposte to a public statement  from] Dhanasiri Weerasinghe Weerasinghe, in regard to the aborted English tour in 1968. Since my name has been mentioned in a not too complimentary manner, I thought I would state my side of the story in order to put the record straight.

Sometime around 1964 or 65 a new set of selectors were appointed by the Board.  They were D.D. Jayasinghe (Douggie Chairman),[1] Bobby Schoorman, K.M.T. Perera and myself.[2] We functioned for about three years I think, and at the risk of being accused of conceit, I would say this was among the best set of selectors Sri Lanka ever had.

 Ceylon squad that beat India in one Test [at  Ahmedabad in January 1965]  … after losing the first two

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August 6, 2024 · 12:54 am

A Rollicking Return to ODI Cricket by Vandersay

Andrew Fidel Fernando in ESPNcricinfo, 5 August 2024 –– where the title is “Vandersay brings the vibes back for Sri Lanka” ….  with highlighting imposed by The editor, Thuppahi

The legspinner  Vandersay has had a stop-start international career but produced a remarkable performance.

It didn’t take much to win them over. It was only five nights ago that Sri Lanka’s batters tanked what seemed to be an untankable T20I, the middle order collapsing with such seismic ferocity even the batting in the Super Over was shaken. Spectators were incensed, and let the team know it. Hundreds in Pallekele gathered on the edge of the grass banks closest to the presentation ceremony and demanded answers from Charith Asalanka, the only player who emerged from the dressing room. Sticking around until well after the last wicket fell to scream their frustrations. This was after midnight on a weekday – fan feedback driven almost totally by spite.
Jeffrey Vandersay had a night to remember•AFP/Getty Images

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August 4, 2024 · 12:54 pm

Andrew’s Hip-Hop Review of a Throbbing Match… A Tied ODI

 Andrew Fidel Fernando in ESPNcricinfo,  3 August 2024 .… with highlighting imposed by The editor Thuppahi

The legbreaks dance. The topspinners fizz. There’s chatter around the batter. A slip is in. The run rate is fine, and there are wickets to burn. But you’re still not sure the chasing team will win.
Hello. You’re in it now. This is a classic of the ODI genre. Keep your eyes on this thing. We’ve got a low-scoring-dogfight here.

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August 3, 2024 · 8:59 pm

Dunith Wellalage’s Appraisal of the Tied 50-Over Match

Andrew Fidel Fernando, in ESPN cricinfo, 3 August 2024, … with highlights imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi

Dunith Wellalage, all of 21, produced an exemplary all-round performance on a tough pitch at Khettarama. Batting at No. 7, he played Sri Lanka’s best innings, hitting 67 not out off 65, in a total of 230 for 8 in the first ODI. When defending, the left-arm spinner took 2 for 39 off nine overs, taking the crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma, who was India’s best batter on the evening, and Sri Lanka went on to tie the game.

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August 3, 2024 · 2:29 am

Heart-Stopper! …. A Tied 50-Over Match in Colombo

“Sri Lanka and Asalanka Snatch a Tie from Inside the Indian Whale’s Mouth”  …. My Thuppahi Title*

Dunith Wellalage = Man of the Match …. while Hasaranga dismisses Kohli
Sri Lanka  (50 ovs maximum)
BATTING R B M 4s 6s SR
lbw b Washington Sundar 56 75 116 9 0 74.66
c Arshdeep Singh b Mohammed Siraj 1 7 10 0 0 14.28
lbw b Dube 14 31 47 1 0 45.16
c Shubman Gill b Patel 8 18 21 0 0 44.44
c Sharma b Kuldeep Yadav 14 21 19 2 0 66.66
c Sharma b Patel 20 26 44 1 1 76.92
not out 67 65 99 7 2 103.07
c Patel b Arshdeep Singh 24 35 31 1 2 68.57
c Washington Sundar b Arshdeep Singh 17 21 29 2 0 80.95
not out 1 1 3 0 0 100.00
Extras (lb 2, w 6) 8
TOTAL 50 Ov (RR: 4.60, 219 Mins) 230/8

Did not bat: 
Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Avishka Fernando, 2.3 ov), 2-46 (Kusal Mendis, 13.1 ov), 3-60 (Sadeera Samarawickrama, 18.3 ov), 4-91 (Charith Asalanka, 23.5 ov), 5-101 (Pathum Nissanka, 26.3 ov), 6-142 (Janith Liyanage, 34.2 ov), 7-178 (Wanindu Hasaranga, 42.6 ov), 8-224 (Akila Dananjaya, 49.3 ov) • DRS
BOWLING O M R W ECON 0s 4s 6s WD NB
8 2 36 1 4.50 33 5 1 1 0
8 0 47 2 5.87 25 5 1 2 0
10 0 33 2 3.30 38 2 1 0 0
4 0 19 1 4.75 14 1 0 3 0
10 0 33 1 3.30 40 2 1 0 0
9 1 46 1 5.11 31 7 0 0 0
1 0 14 0 14.00 0 1 1 0 0
India  (T: 231 runs from 50 ovs)
BATTING R B 4s 6s SR
lbw b Wellalage 58 47 7 3 123.40
c †Mendis b Wellalage 16 35 2 0 45.71
lbw b Hasaranga 24 32 2 0 75.00
lbw b Dananjaya 5 4 1 0 125.00
b AM Fernando 23 23 4 0 100.00
c Wellalage b Hasaranga 31 43 2 0 72.09
c †Mendis b Asalanka 33 57 2 1 57.89
lbw b Asalanka 25 24 1 2 104.16
b Hasaranga 2 10 0 0 20.00
not out 5 11 0 0 45.45
lbw b Asalanka 0 1 0 0 0.00
Extras (lb 4, w 4) 8
TOTAL 47.5 Ov (RR: 4.80) 230
Fall of wickets: 1-75 (Shubman Gill, 12.4 ov), 2-80 (Rohit Sharma, 14.2 ov), 3-87 (Washington Sundar, 15.4 ov), 4-130 (Virat Kohli, 23.1 ov), 5-132 (Shreyas Iyer, 24.2 ov), 6-189 (KL Rahul, 39.4 ov), 7-197 (Axar Patel, 40.5 ov), 8-211 (Kuldeep Yadav, 44.3 ov), 9-230 (Shivam Dube, 47.4 ov), 10-230 (Arshdeep Singh, 47.5 ov) • DRS
BOWLING O M R W ECON 0s 4s 6s WD NB
6 1 34 1 5.66 22 4 1 2 0
4 0 25 0 6.25 14 3 1 0 0
9 1 39 2 4.33 33 6 0 0 0
10 0 40 1 4.00 34 1 2 0 0
10 0 58 3 5.80 28 5 2 0 0
8.5 0 30 3 3.39 32 2 0 2 0
India innings
  • Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 – 10.0 (Mandatory – 71 runs, 0 wicket)
  • Over 2.1: Review by India (Batting), Decision Challenged – Wicket, Umpire – JS Wilson, Batter – RG Sharma (Upheld)
  • India: 50 runs in 5.3 overs (33 balls), Extras 3
  • 1st Wicket: 50 runs in 33 balls (RG Sharma 37, Shubman Gill 10, Ex 3)
  • RG Sharma: 50 off 33 balls (7 x 4, 3 x 6)
  • Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 – 40.0 (Mandatory – 125 runs, 6 wickets)
  • Over 15.4: Review by India (Batting), Decision Challenged – Wicket, Umpire – RR Wimalasiri, Batter – Washington Sundar (Struck down – Umpires Call)
  • Drinks: India – 98/3 in 18.0 overs (V Kohli 8, SS Iyer 7)
  • India: 100 runs in 18.3 overs (111 balls), Extras 4
  • Over 23.1: Review by India (Batting), Decision Challenged – Wicket, Umpire – RR Wimalasiri, Batter – V Kohli (Struck down)
  • India: 150 runs in 30.1 overs (181 balls), Extras 4
  • Over 30.2: Review by Sri Lanka (Bowling), Decision Challenged – Wicket, Umpire – JS Wilson, Batter – AR Patel (Struck down)
  • Drinks: India – 164/5 in 35.0 overs (KL Rahul 17, AR Patel 16)
  • 6th Wicket: 50 runs in 81 balls (KL Rahul 24, AR Patel 25, Ex 1)
  • Powerplay 3: Overs 40.1 – 50.0 (Mandatory – 34 runs, 4 wickets)
  • India: 200 runs in 41.4 overs (250 balls), Extras 6
  • Over 47.4: Review by Sri Lanka (Bowling), Decision Challenged – Wicket, Umpire – RR Wimalasiri, Batter – S Dube (Upheld)
  • Over 47.5: Review by India (Batting), Decision Challenged – Wicket, Umpire – RR Wimalasiri, Batter – Arshdeep Singh (Struck down)
IND Innings

Over 48 • IND 230/10

Shivam Dube lbw b Asalanka 25 (24b 1×4 2×6) SR: 104.16

W

Arshdeep Singh lbw b Asalanka 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

W

Match tied

 

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Match Coverage
All Match News

Wellalage, Nissanka fifties take Sri Lanka to 230

Axar, Kuldeep and Washington thrived on a slow pitch to claim combined figures of 4 for 112 from 29 overs
Wellalage, Nissanka fifties take Sri Lanka to 230

‘It’s not a practice ground, it’s an international game’ – Rohit Sharma keeps his focus on the present

India ODI captain says team will be looking to beat Sri Lanka first and foremost, rather than using this series as a testing ground for the Champions Trophy
'It's not a practice ground, it's an international game' - Rohit Sharma keeps his focus on the present

Jayasuriya: ‘Don’t see a lack of commitment, but SL players have to tackle pressure better’. Sri Lanka’s interim coach also says people need to give Asalanka some time as captain before judging him

Jayasuriya: 'Don't see a lack of commitment, but SL players have to tackle pressure better'

Will it be another mismatch as Sri Lanka and India switch to ODIs?

Sri Lanka have lost five fast bowlers to injuries or illness, while India will be boosted by the return of Rohit, Kohli and Kuldeep
Rohit: Gambhir very clear on what he wants to do
India Innings
PLAYER NAME R B
lbw 58 47
caught 16 35
lbw 24 32
lbw 5 4
bowled 23 23
caught 31 43
caught 33 57
lbw 25 24
bowled 2 10
not out 5 11
lbw 0 1
Extras (lb 4, w 4)
Total 230(10 wkts; 47.5 ovs)
<1 / 3>

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August 2, 2024 · 8:28 pm

Balasuriya’s Appraisal of the Forthcoming 50Over Contest –India vs Lanka

Madushka Balasuriya, in ESPNcricinfo, August 2024

Sri Lanka just can’t catch a break. While still reeling from the almost comical nature of the defeat in the final T20I, one which handed India a 3-0 series sweep – and possibly a multitude of nervous breakdowns to those watching, their preparations for the ODI leg have been hampered significantly by the injury or illness-related absence of no less than five of their fast bowlers.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir share a light moment during training•Ishara S Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images

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July 31, 2024 · 12:32 pm

Bokku and Hara-Kiri sink Sri Lanka in Third ODI Match at Pallekele

Michael Roberts from the Outside without seeing Live Coverage

Studying the CricInfo ball-by-ball reportage and the eventual surveys by  BBB and Rex Clementine, it seems to me that the principal reasons why Sri Lanka lost were because of (A) Suryakumar Yadav’s sagacious  captaincy; (B) an Asitha Fernando bokku; (C) the search for sixers by our set batsmen when going for two or fours was a more sensible method; and (D) Charith Asalanka’s first-ball duck –the  second in a row. And since I am a devoted Gallilean that last factor is esepeciially galling (pun intended).

But let the scores and two reviews by Rex Clementine and  Hemant Brar respectively tell you the story …. while I also direct you to Facebook where, no doubt, Brian Thomas will be posting a caustic set of comments in his familiar style.

Suryakumar Yadav: whose capataincy & personal contributions were central pillars in Indiá’s dramatic win

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July 30, 2024 · 6:36 pm

That Cricket Match in1958: A Bantering Exchange

The THUPPAHI Item re the washed out international cricket match at the SSC grounds in Late 1958  drew this SET of EXCHANGES in July 2024

A=  Skandakumar-Rasiah, 30 July 2024

Sharing a comment of a great follower of the game

Whose Idol was Peter May

B = Rasiah-Skanda, 30 July 2024

Oh yes-wonderful childhood memories

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