Category Archives: cricket selections

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.

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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

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A Nailbiter … As Windies beat Pakistan with Last-Ball Single

Report & Details  from  ESPNcricinfo 

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KIWIS Face Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe Today

Hemant BrarHemant 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.

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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.

 

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A Pathway to History: Biographical ‘Hits’ in Thuppahi, 22 July 2025

Michael Roberts

Biographical tales and investigations serve as one pathway to historical enquiry.  Because they resonate with readers interest in their own personal journeys this fascination seems to evoke continuous appeal. The WORD PRESS record of readers hits on items in THUPPAHI confirm this fact. Let me, therefore, provide TPS readers with a list of some of the items that drew at least one reader …. that is one HIT …. today/yesterday.

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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. 

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Topsy-Turvy Cricket ….. Lords …. Bridgetown

Michael Roberts 

It was a privilege to witness (on TV) much of the coruscating contest between England and India in their Third Test, held at Lord’s, with both sides displaying admirable determination and high levels of skill.

And then we read that the West Indies collapsed for no less than 27 runs in the face of devastating pace-bowling from Starc and Boland. The West Indian cricket fans must be deeply dismayed.

YES! …. just 27 runs ….. a shipwreck of an innings ….. one that will haunt the Caribbean peoples for a long-time. The fact that the Aussies struggled in their second innings and were all out for 12 runs, however, indicates how treacherous the pitch had become.

We will never know how the Aussies would have fared on that treacherous pitch; but that is an issue we must keep in mind.

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Extra! Extra! Aussie Cricket Headlines Today 16 July

HOT HOT Cricket NEWS –Australian

Fraser-McGurk dropped, Owen earns maiden T20I call-up

Maxwell retires from ODI cricket, available for T20 World Cup

 Smith retires from ODI cricket, remains committed to Tests

 Stoinis makes shock decision to retire from ODIs

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Sri Lanka Overwhelm Bangladesh in Third ODI

Andrew Fidel Fernando n ESPNcricinfo, July 2025, where the title is different

Sri Lanka 285 for 7 (Kusal 124, Asalanka 58, Mehidy 2-48, Taskin 2-51) beat Bangladesh 186 (Hridoy 51, Asitha 3-33, Chameera 3-51) by 99 runs

Kusal Mendis crashed 124 off 114, Sri Lanka‘s seamers took three wickets apiece, and Sri Lanka surged to a series win, defeating Bangladesh by 99 runs in the deciding ODI. The centrepiece of Sri Lanka’s batting was the 124-run  between Kusal and Charith Asalanka, who made 58 off 68. Bangladesh’s bowlers did well either side of that partnership, particularly at the death, conceding only 62 off the last 10 overs.

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