Sports

Exodus of white South African cricket talent

Published

6 years ago

2020/11/29

by Rex Clementine

Every time Sri Lankan teams go to South Africa, they ask the locals one question. ‘What happened to Marchant de Langa?’ The six foot seven inch tall quick, made his Test debut against the Sri Lankans in Durban in 2011. He took seven wickets in the first innings and his victims included Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, and Tilan Samaraweera et al. Yet, after that, he was hardly heard of. So what actually happened to de Langa? Well, he turned ‘Kolpak’ preferring County Cricket in England instead of Test cricket for his country.

Isn’t that absurd? One may wonder. The ultimate joy for any player is to represent your country. That too, after you had proven yourself in Test cricket, why do you want to return to First Class cricket? Well, the reason being, white South African cricketers get a raw deal in their country and they are seeking greener pastures in Europe or in places like Australia and New Zealand. Not just cricketers, this includes farmers, businessmen and other professionals. Australia in particular welcomes South African farmers with open arms.

For decades, the black South Africans suffered at the hands of white rulers and those terrible apartheid laws not only segregated them but deprived them of equal opportunities. The world took notice and imposed trade embargos on South Africa. Sports associations followed banning bilateral sporting ties with South Africa and in the end; they were left with Hobson’s choice but to give in for fair play.

Sadly, now white South Africans are at the receiving end due to the ‘quota system’ that is prevalent across all walks of life. When seeking employment, black South Africans get the preference, followed by coloured and those of Indian origin and the whites come last. So opportunities for them are few and rare. In sports too talent alone won’t get you there. The quota system encourages more black South African representation and as a result the whites are moving out.

In the Lanka Premier League, two South Africans share the new ball for Jaffna Stallions – Kyle Abbott and Duanne Olivier. Both were successful international cricketers before they turned Kolpak settling in England to play County Cricket.

Abbott was playing the New Year Test against Sri Lanka in Cape Town in 2017. That he had signed a Kolpak deal was a poorly kept secret and the news was out during the Test match. Cricket South Africa reacted angrily and wanted to separate. The fast bowler announced his retirement at the conclusion of the Test match. This was the second Test. So for the third game in Johannesburg, the Proteas were short of a fast bowler. They drafted in Duanne Olivier.

Olivier on debut was on the money and his pace was too much to handle for the Sri Lankans. The game was lost inside three days. Two years later when Sri Lanka returned to South Africa, Olivier along with Kagiso Rabada was South Africa’s premier bowlers. Yet, after the second Test, Olivier too turned Kolpak and South Africa lost yet another fine talent in his prime.

All South Africans who have turned Kolpak are doing a terrific job for their respective counties. Their country meanwhile is struggling to make an impact in the sport. South Africa are ranked sixth in Tests and fifth in ODIs and T-20s. Not the true reflection of their sporting greatness.

What the Kolpak ruling means is that citizens of the country who have trade agreements with the European Union countries are eligible to work as locals. Now South Africa is not part of the EU, but they have a trade agreement with EU and that qualifies their citizens. So when English counties hire South Africans, it’s not considered an overseas signing.

In the last few years with Britain exiting from the European union more South Africans turned Kolpak in order to qualify. Cricket authorities in South Africa must be hoping that now their problems will end as Kolpak deal is no longer valid once Britain exits EU. However, unless they deal with serious issues like equal opportunities to all, they are going to face more problems.

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Sports

HFC girls set new meet record at Relay Championship

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/11

Thilina Walpola

Holy Family Convent team with coaches and school staff

Holy Family Convent produced an impressive performance at the 4th Hiru Relay Championship 2026, with their Under-12 girls’ 4×100 metres relay team clinching the gold medal while establishing a new meet record.

The championship, held at the Diyagama Stadium on August 2 and 3, saw the HFC quartet race to victory in an impressive 56.94 seconds.

The successful squad comprised Fiona Botheju, Shenumi Fernando, Saasha Perera, Nicola Garninghe, Divinita Joel and Finoli Botheju.

The athletes were guided by HFC Athletic Head Coach Roy Samantha, Primary School Athletic Coach Thushara Fernando and Assistant Athletic Coach Ms. Lalana Iranganie.

Also supporting the team were Sports Coordinator Shavini Silva and Sports Teacher Indika Wijesekara, while the school administration was represented by Principal Rev. Sr. Charitha Thandalge and Primary School Principal Rev. Sr. Celina de Silva.

Sports

DDS set to lose Test captaincy

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/11

Thilina Walpola

Dhananjaya de Silva

By Rex Clementine

The axe is set to fall on Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva following his uninspiring leadership during Sri Lanka’s 1-0 series defeat to India at home last month.

Sri Lanka’s next assignment in the World Test Championship is a two-Test series in Pakistan and The Island learns that Dhananjaya is unlikely to lead the side. More significantly, he could even find himself fighting to retain his place in the XI.

Although Dhananjaya served as Dimuth Karunaratne’s deputy for a couple of years, there was always a feeling that when Dimuth’s long tenure as Test captain ended (2019-2024), Dhananjaya inherited the job largely by default rather than through a carefully planned succession.

For too long, Sri Lanka’s selectors had stopped grooming future captains. Leadership was handed down largely on seniority, leaving precious little opportunity to identify and develop the next generation of leaders.

Dhananjaya’s tenure has done little to silence those concerns. Off the field, he has often appeared aloof and laid back; on it, he has struggled to stamp his authority, too often allowing games to drift rather than forcing the issue.

His tactics during the two Tests against India came under particular scrutiny. Sri Lanka went defensive with the ball far too early on several occasions, surrendering the initiative instead of attempting to wrest it back.

Admittedly, Dhananjaya does not possess an arsenal that allows him to call the shots like an Ian Chappell or Clive Lloyd. But captains such as Arjuna Ranatunga and Sourav Ganguly showed that limited resources need not prevent a leader from imposing himself on a contest.

Those are admittedly enormous boots to fill, but at the very least Dhananjaya was expected to be more assertive.

The Island learns that the selectors contemplated a change midway through the India series but were persuaded against it by Head Coach Gary Kirsten. What appears increasingly clear, however, is that Dhananjaya’s days as captain are numbered and the selectors may not wait until the end of the current World Test Championship cycle to pull the trigger.

Chief Selector Kapila Wijegunawardene was asked at Wednesday’s media briefing about Dhananjaya’s defensive captaincy, but played a straight bat, saying it was too early to comment. Behind closed doors, however, the former Sri Lanka seamer is understood to favour a change.

That leaves the selectors with an awkward question of their own: who takes over?

Having failed to groom a successor, they are now searching for someone to assume the reins immediately, a problem that should have been addressed long before the captaincy reached this crossroads.

White ball captain Kusal Mendis is one of the front runners, along with Kamindu Mendis, although the latter was recently stripped of the vice-captaincy after being appointed deputy across all three formats in June.

There are understood to be concerns among the authorities over Kamindu’s attitude, with his removal from the vice-captaincy intended to send a clear message that no player is indispensable.

Charith Asalanka is another name in the frame, although he has not played a Test in more than four years and at present, would struggle to command a place in the side. A productive limited overs series in England, however, could strengthen his case considerably.

Then there is the intriguing fourth option Sonal Dinusha.

Young and relatively raw at international level, Dinusha has captained CCC with considerable success over the past couple of years and is understood to possess many of the leadership qualities the selectors are searching for.

A keen student of the game, Dinusha’s cricketing nous and the qualities he has brought to the dressing room have impressed the team management. The selectors may decide that handing him the reins now is a gamble too, but his name being seriously discussed is itself significant.

Should they take the plunge, Dinusha could become the second youngest Sri Lankan to captain the Test side after Angelo Mathews.

Sports

Royal, S. Thomas’ clash for U17 Division I cricket title

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/11

Thilina Walpola

Royal College Team

An intriguing battle is on the cards when arch rivals Royal College, Colombo and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia meet to decide the Under-17 Division I Inter-School title in the final today.

‎The final brings together two sides that have truly dominated the knockout stage and now stand one victory away from claiming the premier school Under-17 title.

‎Royal, led by Dushen Udawela, entered the semi-final with an impressive knockout record, having eliminated Sri Sumangala Kandy, St. Joseph’s College, Darley Road, Isipatana College and Wesley College Colombo on their way to the last four. Their consistency throughout the tournament has made them one of the strongest contenders for the title.

‎S. Thomas’ have been equally impressive. Reshon Solomons, who leads the Mount Lavinia side, has guided the Thomians through victories over Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda, Mahinda Galle , Dharmaraja Kandy and Trinity College Kandy.

‎The strength of both teams was underlined by their paths to the semi-finals. Royal had to overcome three established schools, while S. Thomas’ also came through a demanding series of knockout matches. That makes today’s final a contest between two sides with plenty of confidence and momentum.

‎Royal will look to Udawela to provide leadership in what is expected to be a pressure-filled contest, while the Thomians will depend on Solomons and their senior players to keep their challenge on course.

S. Thomas’ College Team

‎The final also gives both schools an opportunity to add another chapter to their long cricketing rivalry. With the Under-17 Division I title at stake, neither side is likely to give ground easily.

‎‎Teams:

‎Royal College (from): Dushen Udawela (Captain), Sandul Abeywardene, Mahiru Kodithuwakku, Gagan Gamage, Manuth Dissanayake, Mudith Gunasekara, Chanithu Kankanamge, Javeeth Perera, Ranuda Ranasinghe, Nithesh Jayasinghe, Saven Gamage, Thenuja Bandara, Thenuka Balasooriya, Thenula Weragala, Sithum Sathsara, Budmina Gunawardane,.

‎Officials: Sandun Weerasooriya (Master in Charge), Gamini Perera (Head Coach), Prageeth Ferdinando (Asst. Coach), Charith Fernando (Asst. Coach), Kasun Madusanka (Asst. Coach)

‎‎S. Thomas’ College (from):

Reshon Solomons (Captain), Stevon Peiris, Methuka Gunarathne, Sarindu Sugathadasa, Kevin Gunaseela, Prabash Jayawickrama, Kushen Perera, Vihas Peiris, T.D. Kakulandara, Tharul Jayasuriya, Shaven Fernando, Shenuk Fernando, Seelan Aathithya, D.S. Janath, R.P.P.B. Randunu, P. W.G.B.M.A. De Silva.

‎Officials:

Kapila de Silva (Master in Charge), Nilanka Peiris (Head Coach), Pasan Wanasinghe (Consultant Coach), Omalka Fernando (Asst. Coach).