Sports

Reliving the magic of Rangana Herath

Published

6 years ago

2021/04/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

Rangana Hearth was never the super star to perform supreme stunts. Yet that day was different.

Chittagong Carnage;

by Aravinthan Arunthavanathan

On 31st March 2014, a Sri Lankan dream was disintegrating into pieces at Chittagong. In a do or die battle against the Kiwis the Lankans had put up a paltry 119, not anywhere close to giving them a chance. The Kiwis were off to a solid start adding 18 runs for the loss of just one wicket. Nothing but a miracle could keep Sri Lanka alive in the tournament.

Miracles are not strange in Sri Lankan cricket. But on a world stage, with survival on the line, the probability becomes even more remote. Miracles are enacted by superstars. Angelo Mathews, Sanath Jayasuriya, Lasith Malinga and the list goes on. Super strong, supremely skilled, the adjectives that define those who perform miracles are plenty. But on that day definitions did not matter. A burly tweaker merely a few times taller in centimeters than the score the team posted that day was the last hope Sri Lanka had. Rangana Hearth was never the super star to perform supreme stunts. Yet that day was different. A comeback win is always special. But those which are orchestrated by the bowlers are even more special. Melbourne, Durban, Galle the list of special wins in our history is long. But for some reason nothing could evoke the same excitement and thrill of what was to transpire in Chittagong that day. A knockout game on the world stage with back to the wall with no realistic chance. The stage was set for Herath to weave the magic wand, which nobody knew he possessed in the shortest format of the game.

The Kiwi dynamite Brendon McCullum tried to do what he does best, intimidating the bowlers. Trying to do so McCullum misread the length and turn to end up being stumped in Herath’s first over. A T20 maestro was made to look like an amateur trying his first dancing skit by a spinner who was far from the T20 prototype. With Ross Taylor in the middle Kiwis were in safe hands. But Herath was in no mood to give in easy. A beautifully delivered arm ball skidding of the glistening surface trapped Taylor plumb in front. The glimmer of hope was slowly but surely turning into rays of hope. Not only was he picking wickets, but Hearth was also miserly with the runs too. Neesham was next victim to an off spinner’s perfect scalp. Lured into the drive, beaten by the lack of pace, bowled through the famous gate. Hearth was imparting his Midas touch on proceedings. Suddenly Kiwis were left in a daze not knowing what was transpiring in the middle. It was as if an alien power had engulfed an unsuspecting civilization. At 29-4 the game was not gone by any means for the kiwis but soon it was to be. Luke Ronchi the swashbuckling wicket keeper batsman was squared up by a delivery that was angled in, pitched in line, and straightened. As the finger went up the Sri Lankan hopes too skyrocketed. Herath had caused havoc sending kiwis into an avalanche reducing them to 29-5. Despite Kane Williamson anchoring the innings and providing a fight Hearth’s effort was strong enough to outweigh the kiwis. The wicket of Trent Boult to polish off the Kiwi effort was a fitting finale to a fabulous effort. As the ball landed in the safe palms of ever reliable Mahela Jayawardena at slip, Herath had orchestrated an unimaginable win rekindling flames of million hopes.

For a team to win a world tournament there have to moments which instill self-belief that something special is around the corner. The New Delhi chase in 1996 was one moment that rejuvenated the 1996 campaign, similarly it was Herath’s effort against all odds that made Sri Lanka believe. In 2014 almost all the Lankans had gone unsold in the IPL auction weeks before the campaign began, due to a mix of skill related and administrative factors. But it was an indication that the team was competitive but not top contenders. In that way it was fitting that a team who were at best, outsiders to clinch the title went on to reach the pinnacle powered by an individual who would not have been imagined of as one who can deliver such a stellar effort in the shortest format of the game. While there are many bowling feats that are celebrated in the annals of our cricket, Rangana Herath’s Chittagong carnage will stand the test of time and continue to be celebrated.

Hearath’s superlative 5-3 not only matches the other renowned feats but impact transcends into a different stratosphere.

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Sports

Malinga’s career best effort fails to stop Pakistan crossing 300

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

Pakistan were looking for a big total at 215 for four with 13 overs remaining, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers struck back to reduce them to 305 in the curtain-raiser of the tri-nation tournament in Rawalpindi yesterday

Eshan Malinga returned career best figures of four for 46, but his impressive spell could not prevent Pakistan from breaching the 300 run mark in the curtain-raiser of the ODI tri-nation series in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

Pakistan were bowled out for 305, with former captain Salman Ali Agha leading the charge with his fourth ODI hundred.

Agha struck a fluent 107 off 90 deliveries, peppering the boundary with ten fours and a six before falling to Asitha Fernando. The Sri Lankan seamer was equally impressive, returning tidy figures of three for 39.

Agha featured in a 97 run partnership with Hasan Nawaz and at 215 for four with 13 overs remaining, Pakistan appeared poised for a formidable total. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers clawed their way back into the contest, applying the brakes just when the hosts threatened to run away with the game.

On a surface tailor made for batting, Sri Lanka’s late fightback could prove crucial, with the visitors fancying their chances of chasing down the target.

Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka finished with two for 67, although his figures flattered him somewhat. He was guilty of straying onto the pads far too often, offering the Pakistan batters several scoring opportunities.

Sri Lanka went into the contest with just four specialist bowlers, leaving the part timers to shoulder a fair share of the workload. To their credit, the makeshift attack rose to the occasion, sharing ten overs between three bowlers without allowing Pakistan to completely dictate terms.

Dasun Shanaka did the lion’s share of the work, sending down seven overs, while Sahan Arachchige and Kamindu Mendis chipped in with the remaining three.

Sri Lanka also welcomed back top order batter Avishka Fernando, who returned to the ODI fold after spending several years on the sidelines.

England are the third team in the tri-nation competition, which serves as valuable preparation for next year’s World Cup.

The opening three matches will be played in Rawalpindi before the tournament shifts to Lahore for the remaining fixtures, including the final.

Sri Lanka are in the midst of a marathon 50 day tour of Pakistan. Having already completed a three-match T20I series, they will turn their attention to the tri-nation tournament before playing a First Class warm-up fixture followed by two Tests.

Sports

Mahinda face St. Sebastian’s in opening quarter-final

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

19 Division I – Tier ‘A’ Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

‎The top eight teams begin their battle for the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ limited-overs title today, when Mahinda College, Galle, take on St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, in the first quarter-final at Dombagoda.

‎Led by Dulsith Dharshana, Mahinda qualified for the knockout stage with wins over St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota (by five wickets), Royal College, Colombo (by six wickets) and Lumbini (by ten wickets). Their only defeat came against St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, the only side to top 200 against them. In their other matches, Mahinda’s bowlers kept opponents to low totals.

‎That bowling unit, spearheaded by left-arm paceman Sadew Nethmina, appears to have peaked ahead of the crucial clash. They bundled Lumbini out for 40 in their last match, with Nethmina and Vishmitha Sathsara sharing nine wickets between them.

‎St. Sebastian’s reached the knockout stage on the back of wins over Maris Stella College, Negombo, and D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo. Their match against Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, ended without a result because of rain, while they lost by two wickets to Richmond, the eventual group champions.

‎St. Sebastian’s boast a strong batting line-up, with Hirusha Perera, Navinu Fernando, Lashen Fernando, Thivanka Fernando and Meshone Ferdinando all making notable contributions in the group stage. Skipper Koshendra Fernando is expected to lead the bowling attack with his spin, supported by Adeesha Lakshan, Lashen Fernando and Risinu Prabesh.

‎Teams

Mahinda (from):

Dulsith Darshana (Captain), Sadew Nethmina (Vice Captain), ⁠Randula Mabarana, ⁠Manitha Rajapaksha, ⁠Sehas Ashinsa, ⁠Kaveesha Githmal, ⁠Thiyon Helika, ⁠Kavindu Nimsata, ⁠Gesandu Bisas, ⁠Vishmitha Sathsara, Buddhima Tharupathi, ⁠Naviru Nishitha, ⁠Nihindu Sesitha, ⁠Anuga Palliyaguru, ⁠Senuja Vehan, ⁠Kevin Geemitha, ⁠Bakshara Jayarathne.

‎‎Officials: Denuwan Rajakaruna (Head Coach), Sandaru Nethmina (Asst. Coach), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in Charge)

‎St. Sebastian’s (from): Koshendra Fernando (Captain), Meshone Ferdinando, Nisila Dimath, Navinu Fernando, Hirusha Lochana, Lashen Fernando, Thejan Bandara, Chamath Wellalage, Risinu Prabesh, Sanoj Perera, Deneth Keshara, Adeesha Lakshan, Dilena Fernando, Thiwanka Fernando, Shenas Hashein, Pathiv Vehan, Dineepa Wickramsooriya.

‎‎Officials:

Lahiru Kanishka (Head coach), Nishantha Fernando (Asst. Coach), Sandaru Tharusha Perera (Master in Charge)

‎The other three quarter finals will be played on Tuesday as per the below schedule.

‎‎Mahanama Colombo V St. Joseph’s Darley Road at Mattegoda

‎Nalanda Colombo V St. Anthony’s Katugastota at Campbell Place

‎Richmond Galle V Wesley Colombo at Weeraketiya

‎‎Several big names fell at the first hurdle, including last year’s finalists Royal College, Colombo, as well as S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Trinity College, Kandy, and St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya. Royal and St. Peter’s were in the same group and finished behind Mahinda and St. Anthony’s. S. Thomas’ were in Group ‘A’, where Mahanama and Wesley edged out the rest to book their places.

‎

Sports

Mihinsa breaks Poornima’s decade-old record

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

Mihinsa Dewmini Abeyratne who established a new meet record in the Under 20 high jump event poses with her coach Gamini Dias.

by Reemus Fernando

‎Asian Junior Championship medallist Mihinsa Dewmini Abeyratne broke a ten-year-old meet record to win the Under 20 high jump at the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship at Diyagama on Sunday.

‎The President’s College, Embilipitiya, athlete cleared 1.75 metres, equalling her personal best, to erase the record of Poornima Gunarathne of Leeds International, Panadura. Gunarathne’s mark of 1.74 metres had stood since 2016.

‎Trained by retired sports officer Gamini Dias, Mihinsa was expected to achieve something special this season after setting a personal best of 1.75 metres at the same venue earlier this year. She followed that with a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championship in Hong Kong.

‎Hers was one of six meet records to fall by the time this report was filed on day three of the meet.

‎In the girls’ category, Lyceum International School, Wattala, and Ave Maria Convent, Negombo, set new marks in relay events. In a closely contested Under 14 4×100 metres final, Lyceum clocked 51.35 seconds to erase Musaeus College’s 2019 record. Ladies’ College, who finished second in 51.52, also bettered the previous mark.

‎Ave Maria Convent edged Nimala Maria Balika in another tight finish to win the Under 16 girls’ 4×100 metres in a new meet record of 49.49 seconds. Nimala Maria Balika also bettered the old record.

‎In the boys’ category, Sadeesh Denuwan of Halmillaketiya MV stole the limelight with a new meet record of 11.22 seconds in the Under 14 80 metres hurdles. Maneesha Samarasinghe of Lyceum International, Wattala, set a new record of 13.09 seconds in the Under 16 100 metres hurdles.

‎Lyceum International, Wattala, also set a new meet record of 3:13.76 in the Under 20 4×400 metres relay.