Sports

Sorry state of South Africa cricket

Published

6 years ago

2020/09/20

by Rex Clementine

Most players will not pick South Africa as their favourite destination but most cricket reporters would pick it. There are many reasons. A vast country, South Africa has much to offer. While most love the wildlife and weather, others prefer the variety of beers and meat. The visa process is the easiest while it literally takes you less than five minutes to complete the accreditation process. Like Sri Lankans, the people in South Africa are the most friendly. Then their cricketing centers are right up there with other world class facilities be it Kingsmead in Durban, Newlands in Cape Town or Wanderers in Johannesburg.

But cricket in South Africa is facing hard times at present. Some observers have even pointed out that the country is facing the threat of suspension from the International Cricket Council due to government interference. If the unthinkable happens, it will be a black day for one of the greatest sporting nations.

Three decades ago, when South Africa were readmitted to the ICC following the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, which ended the apartheid regime, there was new found hope.

The cricketing world witnessed Alan Donald for the first time during the 1992 World Cup. He was so quick and earned the nickname ‘White Lightning’

A year later, when South Africa made their maiden visit to Sri Lanka, the players had discussed at length how they were going to tackle Donald. But they were blown away by someone called Brett Schultz, whose left arm thunderbolts were unplayable.

As long as Mandela was in power, he ensured fair play. Mandela was a generous man. He was perhaps too honest. The South African constitution allowed him two terms. But he decided to retire after serving just one term. His successors were not so generous.

The racial quota introduced in South Africa has had a devastating effect in sports. Of the 11 South Africans in a cricket team, there can be only five whites. That is for international cricket and the chances of whites playing domestic cricket is even more less. Hence, the whites have moved in massive numbers to greener pastures in England, Australia and New Zealand. As a result, we have seen the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Marnus Labuschagne and Grant Elliott playing the sport for other countries.

The worst is that white South Africans giving up their international status and moving to the UK to play First Class cricket taking a KOLPAK deal. A KOLPAK deal briefly means that countries that have trade agreements with European Union (EU) also have same rights as member countries of EU.

Duanne Olivier debuted for South Africa when Sri Lanka toured that country. He bowled some hostile spells and Sri Lankans were in full awe given the pace he generated. But he opted for a KOLPAK deal giving up his chances of playing for South Africa. That was in 2019. In 2018, Morne Morkel turned KOLPAK and in 2017 Kyle Abbott had done the same. These are some of the finest fast bowlers produced by South Africa.

South African authorities don’t have to force it on the system to have a certain number of non white players. Equal opportunities for everyone means fine talents will emerge. Take the case of Hashim Amla, one of the finest batsman to play the game. Or go and ask Kumar Sangakkara who among current fast bowlers he hates facing. You can be assured his answer will be Kagiso Rabada. The quota system has only created unwanted issues. A non-white player effectively carries the stigma of representing his country not on merit. Not just players, even those none whites who were in administration had splendid careers. Haroon Lorgat was initially Chairman of Selectors and then went onto become CEO of the board and headed the ICC. There was also Lerato Malekutu, the long standing Media Manager of the team who did a splendid job.

Cricket South Africa recently has been unstable. In the last three years, the board has had four CEOs. They have also lost several sponsors in the last few years and could be heading for a financial crisis.

A vibrant South Africa is very much needed for the sport to thrive. With the Big Three again flexing their muscle, it is South Africa that can lead other smaller nations like Sri Lanka and Pakistan to keep the sport strong.

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Sports

Fifty days in Pakistan

Published

5 hours ago

2026/10/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan is one of the longest undertaken by the team in recent years. The team will spend 50 days in Pakistan and will play two Tests, three T-20Is and an ODI tri-nation series with England being the third team.

by Rex Clementine

England legend Sir Ian Botham’s famous quip that Pakistan is the sort of place to send your mother-in-law on an all expenses paid holiday was rather unkind. Touch down in Pakistan and you are greeted instead by warmth and affection, with people going out of their way to make you feel at home. Tell them you are from Sri Lanka and more often than not, the conversation quickly begins with one word ‘brother’.

That same hospitality greets you even at the Pakistan High Commission on Buller’s Lane when you turn up for a visa. The first question is not about the purpose of your visit or how long you intend to stay. It is much simpler: tea or coffee?

The Sri Lankan team that flew out to Pakistan on Sunday will experience plenty of that warmth during what promises to be a lengthy stay. It is one of the longest tours undertaken by the national side in recent years, with those involved in all three formats, along with the coaching staff, spending up to 50 days in Pakistan.

The tour comprises three T20Is, a tri-nation ODI series with England as the third participant and two Test matches. There is also a three day warm up game in Islamabad ahead of the Tests.

The current crop of selectors have been largely conventional in their approach, but some of their choices for the white ball squads suggest they are prepared to bare their teeth when required.

The boldest call has been to leave out star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, until recently one of the first names on the team sheet. The writing had been on the wall for Hasaranga for some time and it has now emerged that his omission has little to do with injury or form. Instead, the message from those running the show appears fairly straightforward: get your act together.

Pathum Nissanka was overlooked for the T20Is but has been named in the ODI squad subject to fitness. Charith Asalanka has been left out of both formats following a poor run of form, while a couple of youngsters have forced their way in on the back of impressive returns in domestic cricket.

More changes are in store for the two match Test series. ‘The Island’ learns that Dhananjaya de Silva is set to lose the Test captaincy following an unimpressive stint at the helm during the recent home series against India.

Kusal Mendis is expected to take over the Test side on an interim basis, giving him leadership responsibilities across formats, before the selectors settle on a long term choice.

Sports

Sebs keep alive hopes, Joes commence campaign with crushing win

Published

5 hours ago

2026/10/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

by Reemus Fernando

‎

St. Joseph’s College, Darley Road commenced their campaign with a crushing 124 runs win over Gurukula College, Kelaniya while St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa scored vital eight wickets win over Maris Stella College Negombo to keep alive their hopes in the Under-19 Division I Tier A Limited Overs Tournament.

‎The Joes posted a competitive 208 for eight in their allotted 50 overs, before Vigneswaran Akash, Vishwa Peiris and Nushan Perera joined to rattle Gurukula for 84 runs.

‎For St.Joseph’s Aveesha Samash top-scored with 43 rune (off 74 balls) including four boundaries, while Dilpa Maduranga contributed 30 off 38 balls.

‎The innings gained momentum towards the latter stages, with Nimthaka Goonewardena striking a brisk 28 off just 22 deliveries, including three fours. Pamoda Dalpadado made 23 off 21 balls.

‎Gurukula’s bowlers were led by Shan Jumath, who claimed three wickets for 32 runs in his full 10-over spell.

‎Gurukula never threatened the target and were bowled out in the 31st over. Shan Jumath offered the only significant resistance with a top score of 41 from 67 balls.

‎Vigneswaran Akash was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for just 12 runs from 7.2 overs. Vishwa Peiris also claimed three for 21, while Nushan Perera returned impressive figures of two for 11 from six overs.

‎‎St. Sebastian’s keep alive hopes

‎‎It was St. Sebastian’s third outing. They suffered two wickets defeat at the hands of Richmond in their first match. Then they bounced back to beat D.S. Senanayake in the second match. With only two teams advancing to knockout stage from the five-team group they came to yesterday’s match needing victory to keep alive their hopes. At the must win game they registeted an eight-wicket victory over Maris Stella, Negombo to make it two wins after three outings.

‎Maris Stella were bowled out for 145 in 38.4 overs after struggling to build substantial partnerships. Kavith de Silva top-scored with 35 off 57 balls, including three fours and two sixes, while Ameesha Fernando struck a brisk 31 off 31 balls with three sixes. Sathmira Silva added 22 and Gaveesha Induwara made 21.

‎St. Sebastian’s bowlers shared the workload effectively, with Risinu Prabesh, Thejan Bandara, Lashen Fernando and Chamath Wellalage claiming two wickets each. Prabesh was particularly economical, conceding just 12 runs in six overs.

‎The hosts made light work of the modest target, reaching 147 for two in just 21.4 overs. Lashen Fernando led the successful chase with a blistering unbeaten 61 off 38 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 160.53.

‎Hirusha Perera remained unbeaten on 37 off 42 balls, while Meshone Ferdinando and Thivanka Fernando contributed 25 and 24 respectively.

‎They will now meet Sri Sumangala Panadura in their last group match. A victory there is likely to guarantee Sebs a place in the knockout stage.

Sports

Musaeus sweep all age category titles

Published

5 hours ago

2026/10/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

Musaeus College, Colombo won all three age category titles at the All-Island Schools Games Badminton Championship 2026. Their Under 20 team are pictured here.

All Island Schools Games-Badminton

Musaeus College, Colombo, accomplished a remarkable achievement capturing all three girls’ team titles in the Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 categories at the 40th All-Island Schools Games Badminton Championship 2026.

‎Conducted by the Ministry of Education, the championship was held from October 2 to 4 at the Hormus Indoor Stadium in Malabe, with 150 teams representing all nine provinces.

‎Musaeus dominated the girls’ competition, winning ahead of Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara, and Southlands College, Galle, to win the Under-16 title. They continued their winning run in the Under-18 category, with Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Colombo, finishing runners-up and Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda, third.

Thidasa Weragoda of St. Benedict’s College and Thenuki Ayansa de Silva of Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya, Galle were adjudged the best players of the Badminton 2026.

‎The Colombo school completed its unprecedented clean sweep by securing the Under-20 crown ahead of Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Badulla, while Sujatha Vidyalaya took third place.

‎In the boys’ events, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, won the Under-16 title, Dharmaraja College, Kandy, emerged Under-18 champions, while Ananda College, Colombo, claimed the Under-20 crown.

‎W. M. Thidasa Weragoda of St. Benedict’s College and M. G. Thenuki Ayansa de Silva of Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya, Galle, were adjudged the best schools badminton players of 2026 based on their performances in the Under 20 age category. (RF)