Sports

Lord’s is changing

Published

2 years ago

2024/09/1

Thilina Walpola

The Sri Lankan team posing for a photograph before the Lord’s Test

Rex Clementine in London

When former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar delivered the Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s in 2003, he drove home some pertinent points. The legendary opening batsman said, “There may be some among you who on receiving the invitation to this evening’s lecture must have seen who was going to speak and said “Oh! Yeah! Only if he is allowed through the gate!”

“For me, it’s a bit like getting an invitation to a party on 1st April; you don’t know whether it’s for real or if it’s an April Fool’s joke. Having now got to the podium which does afford me a better view than my natural height, I can see that you all did take the chance that I would be allowed in,” he went onto say.

“As you can see, I am here – let in by the stewards who over the years have become quite charming. No more does one hear “Oi! Where do you think you are going?” Instead, now we hear “Excuse me, sir, can I help you?” Now this is a tremendous change and the MCC needs to be complimented on the remarkable improvement in the attitude of those manning the various entrances at the ground,” Gavaskar added.

There was an awkward moment on day two of the ongoing Lord’s Test when Sidath Wettimuny tried to enter the press box to be interviewed by AFP’s Julian Guyer and the stewards would not let him in. Finally, after learning that this was the first Sri Lankan to score a hundred at Lord’s, not only did they let him in, but were profusely apologizing too.

Lord’s has seen lot of changes over the years. They had a first ever non British MCC President in Kumar Sangakkara not too long ago. It was a groundbreaking moment and when Sanga ended his term, he named Clare Connor as his successor. It was a historic moment as she was the first female to be President of MCC in its 234 year history.

Twenty years back when you came to Lord’s to cover your first Test match, you were told to wear a jacket and a tie. Not anymore. Nowadays, reporters turn up at Lord’s in shorts. Not the Sri Lankans, but the locals. At least in this case there should be some formality.

In India, they are going to ban reporters entering press box wearing team jerseys. It’s a good move. Maybe there’s something for Lord’s to think about too.

Lord’s has lost its significance somewhat in the modern day with the ICC office that was situated here now moved to Dubai. It was initiated by Jagmohan Dalmiya during his tenure as ICC President and came to effect during the tenure of Eshan Mani. A lot of people think that the headquarters were moved for political reasons, but in reality, Dubai was providing tax exceptions and it was a good call.

England and Wales Cricket Board headquarters are still at Lord’s though.

MCC continues to be the guardians of the Laws of Cricket and are responsible for drafting, debating and changing these laws. With cricket’s power bases shifting to India again, is MCC in danger of losing ? This is a question that comes to your mind.

With England and Australia playing ball with India, MCC’s role is somewhat diminishing, yes. But both members who enjoyed veto power at ICC once have been left with Hobson’s choice but to go along with India.

The appreciation of every boundary, every wicket, every catch or a milestone that you get at Lord’s is unparalleled and good cricket whether it comes from the home team or the opposition is appreciated here. That’s something unique about Lord’s.

MCC members getting into an altercation with Australian players at the Long Room during The Ashes last year was a blackmark for the famous club. But they acted swiftly banning one member for life and handing long suspensions for two others.

A few new stands have come up at Lord’s and while these facilities are fine and enjoyed by spectators, you also get the feeling that the iconic ground has lost its charm a little bit.All said and done, Lord’s remains a special place to watch cricket. Every fan should enjoy that experience.

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Sports

57th Annual Saints’ Quadrangular Tournament on Saturday and Sunday

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/15

Priyan

The much-anticipated 57th Annual Saints’ Quadrangular Tournament which brings together four of Sri Lanka’s leading Catholic schools, St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, St. Benedict’s College, Colombo 13, St.Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, and St. Peter’s College, Colombo 04, for a weekend of spirited competition, camaraderie and nostalgia is scheduled to take place this weekend (weather permitting).

This year’s tournament is being hosted by the St. Peter’s College Old Boys’ Union (SPCOBU) during its Centenary year, marking 100 years since the Union was founded in 1927. The Centenary celebrates a century of service to the College and the Peterite community, under the theme “Honouring the Past, Strengthening the Present, Inspiring the Peterite of Tomorrow.”

The origins of the ‘Saints Quadrangular Tournament’ trace back to 1963, during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of St. Benedict’s College. An open invitation was extended to schools across the country for a cricket tournament, and coincidentally, only the above three premier Catholic institutions joined

What began as a two-day cricket encounter has evolved into a multi-sport carnival that continues to embody the true spirit of sportsmanship and fraternity.

In 2002, the organizers introduced a 25-over Cricket Tournament for players aged 40 and above, allowing past cricketers to once again represent their beloved alma mater. Two years later, in 2004, Basketball was added to the lineup, enriching the event further given the strong basketball heritage of the four schools.

Continuing its evolution, 7-a-side Rugby was introduced in 2014, transforming the Saints’ Quadrangular into a vibrant sports carnival that now features three major sports across four tournaments namely Cricket, over 40 Cricket, Basketball, and Rugby.

This year the organizing committee has opened the doors to four sister schools as well. Good Sheperd Convent Kandy, Good Shepherd Convent Colombo, St Bridget’s Convent and Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya, are to play a six a side ladies’ softball cricket tournament and a ladies’ basketball tournament.

Each sport at the Quadrangular carries its own prestigious silverware:

The Quadrangular Trophy is awarded to the winners of the two Cricket tournaments.

The Very Rev. Fr. Joe E. Wickramasinghe Trophy is presented to the Basketball champions.

The Ranjith Samarasekera Challenge Trophy is awarded to the Overall winners of the tournament.

Sports

President’s Balika win gold at All Island School Games

Published

17 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

17 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.