Give Aussies a Ticker Tape parade as a farewell gesture by driving them through the streets of Colombo (near Galle Face Green) once this popular Australian cricket tour is over.
This is exactly what the Australians did in Melbourne on February 20, 1961 when they bid goodbye to the West Indian Cricket Team led by Frank Worrell. Australia beat West Indies by 3 to 2 in a close contest which went down to the wire.
The fourth ODI held at Khettarama on the June, as we know, was magnificent match …and a cliff-hanger. With the benefit of a night’s sleep, I can venture on a more considered commentary.
Cricket is a great leveller is it not!! The skipper Dasun Shanakahad jolted the world with a heroic innings of the Maxwell variety in the second ODI at Palleakele. But, here, at Khettarama in the 4th ODI, he proved to be a lemon: running between the wickets like a novice …. with the first run taken in a dawdling manner, he was run-out at a crucial time.
Andrew Fidel Fernando, in ESPNccricinfo, 22 June 2022,…. where the title reads “In a parallel universe, Sri Lanka offer a glimpse of normal, happier times”
Is this it? Have they arrived? Is this the new Sri Lanka? The future? Bright? Blinding as the sun? Fairyland!
Sri Lanka celebrate after clinching victory•AFP
Energy. Remember that? Batters who will whisk the team out of a hole. Bowlers who will make an anthill of a target seem like a forbidding Himalayan peak. Fielders who don’t comically clang into each while circling under a gently descending catch. It has been long enough. Too long.Years since #SangaMahelaDilshanMalingaHerathMurali.
Errol Fernando, adjudicating from Melbourne, decided that the MAN of the MATCH Awad should be presented to the awesome, ……….. jolly, …….passionate Sri Lankan fans
From: Errol Fernando Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2022 10:08 PM To: sunil perera <sunilp1943@gmail.com> Subject: RE: 3rd ODI
Apart from giving my ‘Man of the Match’ to a batsman or bowler, Sunil, I have also over the years given it to the umpire, third umpire, groundsman, coach, selector or sports psychologist. Sometimes even to the player’s wife, the Woman of the Match. Recently, in the Lord’s Test, I gave it to the ball because it was the actual change of ball that enabled England to beat New Zealand.
Yesterday, in the series-deciding game at Colombo there were contenders such as Asalanka who were more than worthy of MOM. However, my winners were the spectators. They were wonderful – passionate, ecstatic, deliriously happy and an inspiration to the players.
Fantastic achievement from Sri Lanka to win the series. Nice to finish with a 4-1 result tomorrow………………..All the best, …………………….. Errol
Where Sri Lanka’s pulsating win on Sunday 20th June seemed on the cards as the game moved on towards a climax with Sri Lanka’s batsmen in command, the match on the same grounds at Khettarama in Colombo on Tuesday the 22nd was a nailbiter in the last over. The unlikely near-hero for Australia was their last-minute spinning stand-in Matthew Kuhnemann.
Andrew McGlashan in ESPNcricinfo, 19 June 2022, where the title reads “Pathum Nissanka’s brilliant maiden ODI hundred secures big chase” …. with highlighting imposed by the Editor, Thuppahi
Andrew Fidel Fernando, in ESPNcricinfo, 11 June 2022, with this title “Shanaka’s 25-ball 54* scripts stunning victory for Sri Lanka”
If you were watching on TV, you might wonder what the big deal was. Khettarama, one of cricket’s great party grounds, overflowing as it almost always is for T20 internationals, roaring for Sri Lanka lbw appeals, vibing to papare even through rain breaks, generally being its regular rambunctious self. On the field, a dramatic batting collapse is unfolding. Even this feels like a familiar and comforting companion to Sri Lankan life. Even this only slightly dampens the mood.
Ashton Agar may play cricket now for Western Australia, but he is the eldest of three boys schooled at the De La Salle College in Melbourne. Our investigations indicate that his father John Agar is from a cricketing family associated with the Prahran Cricket Club in Melbourne – a happy coincidence because Prahran had several Burgher migrants active within its portals—notably Owen Mottau and Dav Whatmore.[1] As vitally, his mother Sonia is a Sinhalese Sri Lankan, being the daughter of Nala Hewawisa[2] from a marriage with Sheila Plunkett,[3] who is described in one source as a “Burgher of British descent.”