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Richards and Botham replace Wisden Trophy

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by Rex Clementine

Watching County Cricket in the 1980s must have been fun. There were some quality players around. Hampshire had David Gower and Malcolm Marshall; Essex had Graham Gooch and Allan Border while Somerset had Sir Ian Botham and Sir Viv Richards. Watching the two friends trying to outhit each other over River Tone would have been quite an experience. England and West Indies have been playing Test cricket for the last 57 years for the Wisden Trophy and the two cricket boards announced on Friday that they are naming the series after two former greats – Richards and Botham.

The Wisden Trophy was introduced to mark the centenary anniversary of the Almanac. Both Richards and Botham played for it.  The need to change the title and dedicate the series after some of the finest players the countries have seen was first suggested by former England captain Mike Atherton, who is now a prominent cricket writer and broadcaster in Britain.

There are of course those who ask the question whether instead of naming the series after the two terrific players, whether it should have been just named Sir Viv Richards Trophy. Like Sir Frank Worrell Trophy for which Australia and West Indies contest.

The simple reason for it is that Botham never was part of a winning side when he played the West Indies, who dominated the sport from late 1970s to early 1990s. Botham averaged 21 with the bat and 35 with the ball against the West Indies and scored no hundreds.  Richards whereas always raised his game when playing against England. He averaged 62 against them, way above his career average of 50.

But there is more to cricket than stats alone.  Botham calls Richards a ‘blood brother’. Richards recalls how Botham used to get hate mail simply because the Antiguan was his friend. Not just that.  Richards was Botham’s first born’s godfather. Liam was born in 1977, and Richards was yet to become a superstar. That must have been a very unpopular decision in Britain in 1970s. But Botham stood by his mate.

Twice, Botham was offered lucrative contracts by South Africans during the apartheid era to be part of ‘rebel tours’. Botham turned down both offers simply because Richards was his friend. Botham calls Richards ‘smoky’ and Richards calls Botham ‘beefy’. Nicknames that stuck.

Those who argue that Botham’s name should not have been there should be reminded that Australia and Sri Lanka play for Warne – Murali Trophy. Now then, what’s Murali’s stats against the Aussies? World’s highest wicket taker averaged 36 against the Aussies, whereas his career average was 22. Nobody argues about Murali’s name being there.

Botham’s was knighted for his services for the game of cricket.  He could have been knighted for his charitable acts as well. Many walks that he undertook to help leukemia patients has been appreciated by all and sundry. Not just in the cold climes of Britain.  Even in the heat and humidity of Sri Lanka, Botham walked from north to south for several days. Funds poured in and were utilized to help the poor.

Sportsman can do much to make others’ life better.  Both Botham and Richards have done much. It’s time to retire the Wisden Trophy to the Lord’s museum. Let’s celebrate cricket by appreciating some of our finest players.



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Lions ready to roar against Kiwis in Dambulla showdown

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New Zealand cricket team visited Minneriya National Park yesterday. They are in Dambulla ahead of the two-match T20 series starting Saturday.

Rex Clementine  at Dambulla

The New Zealand cricket team took a breather, immersing themselves in the natural splendor of Minneriya, where they witnessed the breathtaking ‘Gathering’ — a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle where elephants congregate around the Minneriya Reservoir during the dry season. It’s a sight to behold, one of the world’s most captivating wildlife events, and a must-see for nature lovers.

But today, the Kiwis will shift their focus back to the pitch, preparing to face Sri Lanka in a two-match T20 series kicking off at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Riding high on a stunning Test series triumph over India, where they handed the hosts a 3-0 whitewash, the Kiwis have shaken the foundations of Indian cricket. The loss has sent shockwaves through Indian cricket circles, with many demanding the heads of captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, and even the illustrious Virat Kohli hasn’t escaped criticism.

Despite New Zealand’s momentum, Sri Lanka will step onto the field as the firm favorites. The islanders blanked the Kiwis 2-0 in last month’s Test series, and with several top New Zealand players focused on their upcoming home Test series against England, this white-ball squad looks somewhat underpowered. The Kiwis’ World Test Championship hopes were dashed after the drubbing in Sri Lanka, but cricket has a way of flipping the script, as they showed by turning the tables on India in their own backyard. No wonder reputed cricket writer Rajan Bala called cricket the game of glorious uncertainties.

In the absence of regulars, New Zealand will be under the leadership of left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, one of their standout players in the series against India.

Since taking charge, Sanath Jayasuriya has set his sights on two goals: lifting Sri Lanka’s rankings from the bottom rungs and clinching overseas victories. With a laser-like focus, he’s making strides on both fronts. Sri Lanka recently downed the third-ranked West Indies in a T20 series, coming from behind to seal the win. Given that T20 is Sri Lanka’s lowest-ranked format, Jayasuriya is eager to propel the team upward. If eighth-ranked Sri Lanka can topple fifth-ranked New Zealand, they’ll surely gain ground.

Both T20 matches will be held at Dambulla, with the venue also hosting the first ODI. The series will then move to Kandy for the remaining two ODIs.

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Maliyadeva Balika win three out of four individual awards at Milo Schools Netball Championship

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Milo Schools Netball Championship concluded with Maliyadeva Balika Kurunegala winning the overall title of the annual event at Matara on Wednesday. Displaying their trophies here are the most outstanding players of the four age categories. Incidentally, the most outstanding player titles in the Under 13, 15 and 19 age groups were won by players from Maliyadeva Balika.

From left Sheyara Dahamdi Wijesuriya (U13), Senumi Vimansa (U15), Ayodya Alawattegama (U17) of Mahamaya B.V. Kandy and Bhashini Udagedara (U19) pose with the presentation party.

(Pic by Nishan S Priyantha)

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Damsath, Yudheerya, Annaya to compete for singles titles

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Damsath Peiris and Yudheerya Atapattu are set to compete for the Under 14 boys’ title today after they secured victories in the semi-finals of the ATF Under 14 week two tournament at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts yesterday.

In the girls’ final Annaya Norbet will meet Diya Ravikumar after the Sri Lankan edged out India’s Sanvi Reddy 6-4, 7-5 in the semi-final. In the other semi-final Ravikumar (India) beat Mithravinda  Sathis of USA) 6-3, 6-0.

In the boys’ semi-finals Peiris beat Dexter Yu of Hong Kong 6-3, 6-0 and  Yudheerya Atapattu beat  Thuvakar Sathiees.

The tournament which commenced on November 4 will conclude on November 10.

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