Sports

Rugby show went on despite turmoil and leg pulling

Published

2 years ago

2023/11/15

Despite the turmoil in rugby SLR was able to field a team at the rugby sevens event of the Asian Games, hosted by China a few months ago

By A Special Sports Correspondent

The 2023-24 domestic rugby season is set to commence in December (2023) and the good news that supersedes all rugby news is that World Rugby (WR) has lifted the ban placed on Sri Lanka Rugby.

Sri Lanka’s rugby community or fraternity was forced to endure much tension and uncertainty during the current year due to the political interference in rugby. As a result of the ban the national team was not allowed to contest some of the major overseas tournaments. WR imposed a ban on SLR on May 17, 2023. Just a few days ago WR announced the reinstating of SLR’s membership with the world rugby controlling body; subject to three conditions. As reported in media outlets one of the conditions is that any official of SLR who has been suspended by WR or Asian Rugby cannot serve the Sri Lanka rugby controlling body. Officials serving the SLR have been allowed to function till March 2024.

Still with all these issues SLR was able to field a team at the rugby sevens event of the Asian Games, hosted by China a few months ago. Sri Lanka had to field a team under the ‘Olympic Council of Asia’ flag due to the ban it was serving. Sri Lanka faired disastrously at this rugby sevens event and finished tenth out of 13 teams that were in the fray. It was heartening to see a player like Tharinda Ratwatte of Kandy SC coming forward to take the responsibility as captain and lead the side from the front. There was little time for preparations. But living up to the sporty dictum that ‘participation is key whether a team wins or loses’ the team comprising the cream of the island’s players gave rugby fans at home something to cheer about by taking the fight up to their opponents at the tournament held in China.

The outside world is often surprised when they hear of the passion for the game played with the oval shaped ball in this little island. In Sri Lanka rugby is second only to cricket; in terms of popularity. What really shocks outsiders is that despite the rich traditions and long history in the game Sri Lanka rugby remains little recognized and lacking in achievements in the international scene. This is largely because the clubs own the players and not SLR and players grabbed by clubs for fat pay cheque contracts to perform in domestic competitions often make themselves unavailable for national duty because assignments such as overseas tournaments expose players to injury. We’ve also heard of players selected for overseas tournaments not living up to the standards shown at home; hence such players being ignored by the selection committee when it’s time to compile a team for international tournaments.

Other than for that issue the rugby scene at this island is live and kicking. This year saw Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club (CR&FC) continue with their celebrations for their ‘Centenary Year’ which officially began in September, 2022. The highlight of that celebration was the hosting of a sevens tournament which featured eight major clubs. The organizers also had competitions for schools and ladies teams. Kandy SC marked their presence at the event by winning the Cup competition and also underscored that they have the players to win and much to offer when there is a seven-a-side competition in the domestic scene.

Reflecting on the previous domestic rugby season that concluded Kandy SC prevailed over the other teams during the league tournament. Fazil Marija coached the side which was led by Damith Dissanayake. They won their 23rd league title and entertained their fans with some scintillating performances in the 15-a-side version of the game.

Unfortunately they made themselves unavailable in the knockout tournament, which was won by CR & FC.

CR & FC did well last season to finish second in the league. The Red Shirts were coached last season by Dushanth Lewke and led by Kavindu de Costa. Though losing the league CR & FC won the Clifford Cup knockout tournament by beating Navy Sports Club 24-18 in the final.

The other two teams which fared well in the season that concluded were Police and Army; rugby analysts predicting a bright future for the ‘soldiers’ in the upcoming season given the way they performed last season. Havelocks Sports Club hung in there while CH & FC proved a disappointment; finishing last in the league tournament that featured eight teams.

Last season there were quite a few rugby activities held by SLR despite the turmoil in the domestic scene; the analysis of World Rugby underscoring that all that was due to political interference which amounted to breach of a Word Rugby by-law. But when it came to the ban on SLR another reason was also highlighted by World Rugby; such as concerns over governance by SLR.

Some of the activities which caught the attention of rugby fans were the Mercantile Sevens and Plantation Sevens. All in all SLR had the ‘rugby show’ going despite the leg pulling activities by individuals who walk on the corridors of power.

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Latest News

SCG curator ‘really happy’ with pitch for final Ashes Test

Published

26 mins ago

2026/01/2

Priyan

The pitch at the SCG has been the centre of much attention [Cricinfo]

Todd Murphy is firming to play his first home Test, after the SCG’s head curator declared the pitch’s green covering would be near-irrelevant come day one.

With administrators still on edge after last week’s two day debacle in Melbourne, an extremely green SCG surface raised eyebrows in Sydney on Thursday.

But chief curator Adam Lewis insisted on Friday that should not be a concern, and he was hopeful Sydney would extend into a fifth day.

“You want to see green tinge three days out,” Lewis said. “If you’re not seeing any live grass three days out, then that’s when it’s a worry, … I’m really comfortable with where we’re sitting.

“We had a little bit of sun this morning. They’re saying a bit more sun tomorrow. That will take the greenness out of the pitch. We’re really happy with the pitches at the moment. We’re looking good.”

Lewis admitted he felt for MCG counterpart Matt Page last week, but said he felt no external pressure to ensure the fifth Test in Sydney went the distance.

It’s estimated that Cricket Australia (CA) has lost in the vicinity of AUD15 million in profits this summer, with the opening Test in Perth also finishing inside two days.

Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked at a function with teams on Thursday night that they had to ensure the game went to day three, in order to support the McGrath Foundation fundraiser.

One of the hardest grounds in the world to bowl on between 2014 and 2023, last year’s SCG Test was over in just two-and-a-half days.

Lewis said that his ground staff would go with 6mm of grass this year compared to 7mm last season, while also reducing its density. That in itself generally acts to flatten out the wicket and produce less movement, while also inviting the chance of spin late in the match.

“We just thought … we could thin our density out a little bit,” Lewis said. “That’s what we’ve done this year. We’ve practised that in the Shield matches and we’ve received very good marks.”

CA CEO Todd Greenberg said he too was confident the SCG Test would last the distance.

“I’ve had more phone calls and conversations about wickets and millimetres of grass than I thought I’d ever have,” Greenberg said. “But I’m hopeful and confident we will have a long and productive Test match here.”

All of which should spell good news for Murphy. Australia’s coaching staff had a prolonged conversation around the pitch on Friday morning, after leaving Murphy out and going with four quicks at the MCG.

Murphy then spent most of Friday’s training session bowling to Australia’s top order, while Alex Carey also had an extended run keeping to him.

With seven Tests to his name overseas, Murphy would be expected to come in for Jhye Richardson if he does play in Sydney.

England have promised to take the attack to Murphy, who played two Tests during the 2023 Ashes were he conceded 4.72 an over.

“Whoever plays, I think that’s the mantra of our team, is to try and put pressure on people,” opener Zak Crawley, said. “Todd’s a very good bowler, but I can envisage us trying to put some pressure on him, like we would all their bowlers.

That’s going to come with some risks, and if it’s turning it’s definitely going to be a threat. But I think we’ll try and put pressure on all their bowlers.”

The other question for Australia will be whether Cameron Green remains in the side, after Beau Webster was spotted fielding in the gully during slips training on Friday. Green has averaged 18.66 with the bat in this series. The SCG was the scene of Webster’s debut a year ago against India.

[Cricinfo]

Sports

Pramod hits 42 runs in an over

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/2

Thilina Walpola

Pramod Madushan hit 42 runs in an over.

Young Pramod Madushan has become the talk in cricket circles after he scored 42 runs in an over for Mercantile Services Cricket Academy against Sigi Cricket Academy at Ambalangoda recently.

In an over that contained nine deliveries, including two no-balls and a wide, Madushan cut loose hitting three fours and five sixes. In all, the over bowled by Bihandu Sandiv went for 45 runs.

The young cricketer from D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo shares the same name as Sri Lanka fast bowler Pramod Madushan. However, the 19-year-old is a wicketkeeper batter.

His knock of 103 came in just 38 deliveries and contained eight fours and ten sixes.

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Usman Khawaja to retire after fifth Ashes Test

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/2

Priyan

Usman Khawaja has played 22 Ashes Tests [BBC]

Australia batter Usman Khawaja will retire from international cricket following the fifth Ashes Test against England in Sydney this week.

The 39-year-old will play his 88th and final Test on the ground where he made his debut against the same opponents in January 2011.

Khawaja was born in Pakistan and became the first Muslim to play for Australia when he took the place of Ricky Ponting at the end of England’s 3-1 series win 15 years ago.

The left-hander has made 6,206 Test runs at an average of 43.39, with 16 hundreds.

He has played in six Ashes series – winning two, losing two and drawing two.

He was also part of the Australia team that won the World Test Championship in 2023.

The final Test at the SCG starts on Sunday (23:30 GMT, Saturday).

Alongside Steve Smith, Khawaja is one of two remaining members of the Australia team beaten by England in their most recent series win in this country in 2010-11.

He needs 30 runs in his final Test to go above Mike Hussey and into 14th on Australia’s all-time run-scorers list, behind the great Donald Bradman in 13th.

Khawaja played the last of his 40 one-day internationals in 2019, having scored 1,554 runs at 42. He played in nine T20 internationals, scoring 241 runs at 26.77.

Now playing domestically for Queensland, Khawaja will end his career on the ground that was his home when he first played professional cricket for New South Wales in 2008.

Often in and out of the Australia team during his Test career, he found a home at the top of the order during the previous home Ashes in 2021-22.

However, his place has come under scrutiny during this series after he suffered back spasms in the first Test that prevented him from opening.

Travis Head took Khawaja’s place in the second innings and made a swashbuckling century to lead Australia to an eight-wicket win.

Khawaja subsequently missed the second Test with the back problem and was due to be left out of the third, only to receive a late call-up when Steve Smith fell ill.

He made 82 and 40 in Adelaide to retain his place for the fourth Test. Australia lead the series 3-1.

After the Ashes Australia will not play another Test until August, by which time Khawaja will be almost 40.

[BBC]