Sports

A day to believe cricket is not just an American Dream

Published

2 years ago

2024/06/8

Saurabh Netravalkar sinks to his knees after the victory in the Super Over

Saurabh Netravalkar moved to the United States in 2015. He was 23 and had accepted a difficult reality. He wasn’t going to be a professional cricketer.

“It was a very emotional call,” Netravalkar said in an interview last year. “I packed my bags and moved to the US to study. I never dreamt that I’d get to play cricket again. I didn’t even bring my cricket shoes.”

A decade later and Netravalkar is stood at the top of his mark in a World Cup, tasked with bowling the Super Over against Pakistan that will earn USA cricket the biggest win in their history.

“It’s a very humbling feeling that life has given me a second chance to pursue what I love doing,” Netravalkar said. “And I really feel that bliss as soon as I walk onto the field to play competitive cricket.”

As Netravalkar bowled, the bliss was evident. Ten minutes earlier, Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir, a veteran of over 100 international matches and a 2009 T20 World Cup winner, had lost his cool in a nine-ball over that went for 18. But Netravalkar, an eight-year veteran of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, where he continues to work full time, held his nerve. Dot, four, wide, wicket and the match was done.

To this day, Netravalkar’s Twitter bio lists his role as a Principal Member of Technical Staff at Oracle, first, and Professional Cricketer at USA Cricket, second. It is time to swap those around.

For many, this result was a confirmation of what they already knew. That cricket’s potential in this country is immense, with the challenge being harnessing it.

Those facts were evident in the aftermath of Netravalkar sealing victory. A historic win, met with as much an outpouring of relief as an explosion of joy.

USA were full value for their win. And had they not crossed the line, the reaction wouldn’t have been pats on the back and better luck next time, but a side of quality professionals bereft at the opportunity they’d let slip. After the first eight overs of Pakistan’s innings, the visitors were 40 for 3. And with seven overs to go of USA’s, they were 104 for 1 with only 56 left to win.

In both instances, Pakistan pulled it back, but far from being a day belonging solely to Netravalkar, it was one that highlighted the depth of US cricket and the playing ability below the big names.

For all the noise of parachuted players like Corey Anderson who flipped nations after a successful international career with New Zealand, this was an Anderson-less victory. His sole contribution to the match was a single over that went for six runs.

Instead, the heroes were lesser known figures such as captain Monank Patel, who made 50 off 38 balls, Nosthush Kenjige and Nitish Kumar.

Kenjige, born in Alabama but raised in Karnataka, took 3 for 30 in his first match of the competition. He moved back to the States in 2015 and worked as a hospital technician. When he decided he wanted to requalify for the US as a cricketer, he’d work from 9-5 before driving to an indoor centre from 6-10 in order to complete the 800 hours of coaching that were necessary to prove to the ICC that someone had “a commitment to the local community.” This isn’t a team of people mumbling the national anthem with a new badge on their chest, but a group of players living out, if not their childhood dream, then their adult one.

That context applies to Nitish, who was born in Canada and represented them in the 2011 ODI World Cup as a 16-year-old, before switching nations in 2020.

World Cups provide the opportunity for people to live out their dreams, but they also offer the opportunity for people to live out their nightmares. And with one ball of USA’s innings to go, Nitish was experiencing the latter.

Arriving at the crease at No.5 with 49 required off 35 balls, he went boundary-less for a tortured 10 not out off 13. Off the final ball of the innings, he managed to chip a low full toss over mid-off and to the boundary to force a Super Over. He’ll remember this day for the rest of his life, and mercifully, for good reasons rather than bad.

However, throughout the hysteria and the joy, there was also a reminder of the challenges that cricket in the USA faces. Five days ago, Aaron Jones, who shone once again here with 36 off 26 before playing the defining batting role in the Super Over, inspired a roaring stadium with the innings of a lifetime.

The fist pumps that followed each boundary on Saturday night were back again this Thursday afternoon, but rather than revving up an adoring home crowd, they were defiant in the face of a more sparsely attended stadium consisting mainly of Pakistani supporters.

“We knew that we don’t have support from the crowd,” captain Patel said after play. “Pakistan had more support from the crowd and I thought it would backfire on them…they’ll be under more pressure.”

This World Cup in the USA is primarily about harnessing the interest that already exists here rather than expanding it. A position that carries with it pragmatic strengths, but blue-sky weaknesses.

For instance, the broadcaster carrying the World Cup in North America is Willow. A cricket specialist channel that if you’re an existing fan is gold dust as it carries almost any match that’s happening on the planet. But if you’re not an existing fan, you don’t even have the opportunity to accidentally scroll onto it as you’re flicking through channels. You won’t even know it’s not there.

America loves winners. But largely America doesn’t know it currently has one in its cricket team. Through Major League Cricket and the national side, they have the money and the quality to look after the short term of the game. And in growing diasporas such as the Nepali community that saw 5,500 people turn up to the middle of Texas to watch their match against Netherlands, they have the genuine interest and passion to look after it in the long term.

Far from just having the opportunity to grow the game, American cricket has a responsibility to, because if they get it right, this is a fairytale that’s only just beginning.

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Sports

President’s Balika win gold at All Island School Games

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

President’s Balika Nawala, won the girls’ hockey title at the All Island Schools Games, held recently at the Astro Turf, Reid Avenue. It was the second consecutive year the school had claimed the title.

Nethuli Dinethmi, who played a vital role in the team’s success, was named Best Player of the tournament.The victorious team is pictured here with the school’s officials, namely, H.P.M.P.D.Hasanthi Pathirathna, Principal, S.K.Tharsha Ranasinghe, Vice Principal, M.D.D. Aloka Dissanayake, Teacher in Charge of Sports, R.P.D. Dilrukshi, Teacher in Charge of Sports and Chathura Kalum Rupasinghe (Coach).

(Pic by Thushara Athapaththu)

Sports

Sorry state of Sri Lanka’s T20 cricket

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

by Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka were once pioneers in limited overs cricket, setting the bar so high that the rest of the world was left scrambling to catch up. And mind you, this was not confined to the 50 over format, where Sri Lanka tore up the coaching manuals, embraced an unconventional brand of cricket and took the world by storm.

Even in T20 cricket, despite not possessing an abundance of power hitters, Sri Lanka punched well above their weight.

Clever improvisation, fearless innovation and a willingness to back unorthodox talent helped them make the cricketing world eat humble pie. Fast forward to the present, however, and the picture is anything but rosy. Sri Lanka’s T20 cricket is in a sorry state, and there is no hiding the mountain of work ahead.

In Pakistan, their shortcomings have been laid bare, with the team repeatedly found wanting and left high and dry.

Successive administrations have tried every trick in the book to arrest the slide. Power hitting coaches have been brought in, psychologists engaged, players given unrestricted access to franchise leagues and emerging talent afforded regular exposure. Yet, for all these efforts, Sri Lanka’s players, particularly the batters, have struggled to raise the bar.

The series defeat to Pakistan was Sri Lanka’s fifth this year. Add to that the disappointments at the World Cup and the Asian Games and the picture becomes even more depressing. True, Sri Lanka returned from Japan with a bronze medal, but India provided a brutal reminder of the widening gulf between the haves and the have nots.

So, where do Sri Lanka go from here?

The Cricket Committee would do well to pick the brains of captains and coaches who have cracked the T20 code in recent years. There is no shame in learning from those who have mastered the format. The challenge is to identify a blueprint for su ccess and see how best those ideas can be adapted to Sri Lankan cricket.

Head coach Gary Kirsten himself has worked with successful franchises around the world. Perhaps he should be given a free hand to bring in specialist expertise if he believes that is what the team needs.

For all the disappointments in T20 cricket, fielding had remained one area where Sri Lanka could still hold their heads high. Alarmingly, even that department is beginning to unravel. The wheels appear to be coming off in a discipline that was once a hallmark of Sri Lankan cricket.

There were, however, a few encouraging signs in the final game against Pakistan. The manner in which Kusal Mendis went about his business was a breath of fresh air. The Sri Lankan captain struck at an impressive 181, combining clean hitting with the sort of innovation that has been conspicuously absent from the team’s batting.

Kamindu Mendis, too, showed signs of returning to form and Sri Lankan supporters will be hoping the pair can carry that momentum into the triangular ODI competition, also featuring England, which gets underway later this week.

Sri Lanka badly missed Pathum Nissanka, their highest ranked T20I batter at number nine in the ICC rankings. His absence robbed the batting line up of much needed quality and consistency. To compound matters, a troublesome hamstring has left his participation in the ODI leg uncertain as well.

The occasional flash of brilliance may offer some comfort, but it cannot disguise the larger malaise. Sri Lanka were once the trendsetters in limited overs cricket. Today, they are struggling to keep pace with the rest. Unless there is a serious rethink, the gap will only grow wider.

Sports

Richmond seal quarter final berth as Tenusha bags another five wicket haul

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

Tenusha Nimsara

by Reemus Fernando

Richmond College, Galle wrapped up their group stage unbeaten as Tenusha Nimsara claimed his second five-wicket haul of the tournament, steering them to a thrilling two-wicket win over D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo, in their U19 Division I Tier A Limited Overs Tournament Group B encounter at Karandeniya on Wednesday.

‎Chasing a modest target of 118, Richmond reached 118 for eight in 44.2 overs, surviving a tense battle after DSS had put up a determined fight with the ball.

‎Earlier, DSS were bowled out for 117 as Richmond’s bowlers delivered an impressive collective performance. Left arm spinner Nimsara was the standout performer, claiming five wickets for just eight runs in eight overs, including two maidens. Hiruk Akalanka and Punal Hansajith claimed one wicket each, while Tenura Dias and Gayuka Manawadu took two and one wickets respectively. It was Nimsara’s second five-wicket haul. He has 14 wickets against his name going to the quarter finals.

‎Richmond struggled in their essay as DSS bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the chase. Sadil Dias led the attack with three wickets for 26 runs, while Oshadha Perera claimed two wickets.

‎Vinuda Ravishan played a crucial role in Richmond’s chase, scoring 44 off 114 deliveries.

Unbroken seventh-wicket stand steers Wesley

‎Wesley College secured a vital four-wicket victory over S. Thomas’ College in their Tier A match at Mount Lavinia thanks largely to an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership.

‎Chasing a modest target of 140, Wesley were in trouble at 82 for six before Lithum Senuja and Lithma Perera joined forces to guide their side home. The pair shared an unbroken 58-run partnership for the seventh wicket, taking Wesley to 140 for six in 44.1 overs.

‎Senuja anchored the innings with a patient unbeaten 46 off 116 balls, while Perera provided valuable support with an unbeaten 25 off 43 deliveries. Their composed partnership ensured Wesley overcame a difficult situation to claim victory.‎

St Joseph’s secure quarter-final place

‎St Joseph’s College, Darley Road scored a 46 run win under the DLS method against Thurstan in their encounter at Darley Road to secure a place in the quarter finals.

‎Batting first, St Joseph’s posted 193 all out in 44.4 overs, with Kavith Fernando top-scoring with 53 off 53 balls. Yenula Dantanarayana contributed 38 and Aveesha Samash made 36.

‎Thurstan reached 112 for seven in 30 overs against a revised par score of 158. Rachintha De Silva scored 42 off 27 balls, while Vigneswaran Akash starred with three wickets for 21 runs. Nushan Perera and Vishwa Peiris claimed two wickets each.

‎Earlier in the tournament they beat Gurukula and St. Servatius’ while conceeding their only defeat against Nalanda.‎

Mahanama beat Cambrians

‎Mahanama College, Colombo, beat Prince of Wales’ College, Moratuwa, by five wickets in their match at Moratuwa. Prince of Wales’ scored 141/9 in 27 overs, with Matheesha Aponsu top-scoring with 58. Mahanama chased down the target, reaching in 18.4 overs. Sineth Veerarathne scored 48 off 26 balls, while Dulneth Algawatte remained unbeaten on 30. Ojash Shankar took three wickets for Prince of Wales.‎

‎Janith Panditharathna took four wickets as St. Peter’s College Colombo beat Lumbini by 58 runs in their match at Colts ground.