Sri Lanka Cricket

JP Duminy's unbeaten century put South Africa in prime position on Day 2 of their first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Thursday. 

Starting the day at 268-5, having lost a handful of wickets in the third session on the first day, Quinton de Kock and nightwatchman Dale Steyn continued on before the latter was removed in the opening 10 overs.

Duminy made his way to the crease and proceeded to sweep beautifully on his way to a fourth Test century as he slowly guided his side to a very competitive-looking first-innings score.

Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Balls
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Petersen	lbw	Perera	34	46
Elgar	c Chandimal	Lakmal	103	187
Du Plessis	c Silva	Perera	80	196
Amla	c Perera	Herath	11	36
De Villiers	bowled	Lakmal	21	48
De Kock	c Jayawardene	Perera	51	90
Steyn	bowled	Lakmal	3	20
Duminy	not	out	100	206
Philander	lbw	Mathews	27	96
Morkel	bowled	Perera	22	74
Extras		(lb 2, nb 1)	3
Total		for 9	455
Lakmal	33	12	75	3
Eranga	9	4	32	0
Herath	60	12	148	1
Mathews	11	1	36	1
Perera	53.2	8	162	4

Steyn was bowled for three runs by Suranga Lakmal, having done his job of allowing De Kock to play his way in, and he was joined by Duminy, coming in at the unfamiliar position of No. 8 in the batting order.

De Kock reached his half century but was caught soon after by Mahela Jayawardene off the bowling of Dilruwan Perera to leave the visitors on 314-7.

With Duminy at the crease, however, they always had the chance of piling on a few more runs, and indeed the 30-year-old left-hander proceeded to do so as he put on 85 runs in partnership with Vernon Philander, who was eventually trapped leg before wicket by Angelo Mathews.

Unfortunately for the Sri Lankan bowlers, there was to be no quick tumbling of the tail as Morne Morkel came to the crease and admirably backed up Duminy as he headed toward his century.

South Africa's Day 1 century-scorer, Dean Elgar, had been highly complimentary of Sri Lanka's bowling attack in their home conditions after Wednesday's play, per Firdose Moonda of ESPNcricinfo:

The Sri Lankan seamers are very good exponents of their own conditions. The minute the ball started getting soft, they started changing their paces and bowling the odd cutter.

However, despite their toil, the Sri Lankans gained little reward on a docile pitch, and Duminy reached his century from 206 balls with—fittingly—a composed sweep, having batted very calmly with the tail.

One ball later, Morkel lost focus and was dismissed for 22 from 74 balls, and South Africa declared on 455-9, leaving a little time in the final session to have a bowl at the hosts.

Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Balls
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Silva	not	out	8	33
Tharanga	not	out	20	40
Extras		(lb 1, nb 1)	2
Total			30
Steyn	4	1	4	0
Philander	3	1	9	0
Morkel	3	2	4	0
Imran Tahir	2	0	12	0

Kaushal Silva and Upul Tharanga batted sensibly for a dozen overs, managing to finish the day none down and set themselves up to take a proper tilt at South Africa's impressive total on Friday.

With it being only a two-match series—the second is in Colombo—neither side will want to lose the opener and surrender their chances of a series win.

The South African bowlers may be in for a tough time on Friday, but with the likes of Steyn in the side they will be hoping for some early wickets on Day 3 to put them in the driving seat for victory. 

Kumar Sangakkara embarked on Sri Lanka's tour of England without a hundred at Lord's next to his name. He returned with it etched into the honours board at the Home of Cricket and his average in England significantly boosted.

It underscored his status as one of the true modern day greats and took him to fourth on the list of leading Test centurions. In two Tests, he scored three fifties and one hundred with his runs coming at an average of 85.50.

In both Tests in England, his contributions were significant. At Lord's, he batted for 449 minutes, longer than any other Sri Lankan batsman in that Test. His 126-run partnership with best friend Mahela Jayawardene was the second highest of the match.

It was significant because it came under the weight of expectation and pressure as the visitors were trying to save the Test. Reaching 100 and eventually departing for 147 was a significant landmark, but far more important was his effort during the second innings at Lord’s.

England were sniffing for a win after a late declaration from Alastair Cook, but Sangakkara stood firm and top-scored in the second innings with 61 off 168 balls. There was no famous second innings century, but his contribution went a long way in helping Sri Lanka draw that Test.

Runs did not matter here, but time at the crease did.  Sri Lanka's entire innings lasted 405 minutes, and Sangakkara spent more than half of it at the crease. His adaptability was evident yet again.

In the second Test, there was no century for Sangakkara, but he was once again the standout. Sri Lanka's top-scorer in the first innings and resident crease-occupier in the second, his efforts went a long way in helping Sri Lanka claim a historic win in England.

Above and beyond his tally of runs, Sangakkara also brings something special to the crease in his approach. It’s not the runs he scores, it’s how he scores them.

There is no ugly slogging or swiping. Everything is calm and steady, a zen-like approach even in shots which are seen as aggressive. It is a sight to behold. He has a cover drive that would make Michael Vaughan blush and his ability to play the situation, not just the players, is something that has become invaluable to Sri Lanka.

There is no doubt that when Sangakkara calls time on his career, he will be celebrated as an all-time great in the same breath as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting.

Honourable mention: There has to be a mention for Angelo Mathews.  Sri Lanka’s new captain has only improved since taking charge of the team and his efforts in England were as impressive as Sangakkara’s. Two hundreds in two Tests at an average of 76.50, with the bulk of those coming down the order and under pressure, Mathews deserves a mention for his efforts.

In guiding Sri Lanka to the nation's maiden Test series victory in England, Angelo Mathews appears set to rise into the upper echelons of cricket's pecking order. 

Like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene before him, the 27-year-old is blossoming into a decisive figure for Sri Lanka at a time when generational change awaits his national side. 

Of course, it was more than a decade ago when the retirements of Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva appeared ready to gut the Sri Lankan lineup, only for Sangakkara and Jayawardene to rapidly fill the void left by their illustrious predecessors. 

Pleasingly, Mathews is following the same path, excelling like never before as Sri Lanka begin preparing themselves for the departures of the team's two great stalwarts. 

So, is the current Test and one-day international captain set to become his nation's next true great? Can Mathews—the man whom Sri Lanka's future is pinned on—join the likes of Ranatunga, De Silva, Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas in the pantheon of Sri Lankan cricket?

The statistics suggest he will. 

The most notable aspect of Mathews' rise has been the transformation of his record since ascending to the captaincy. 

While the batting all-rounder had been groomed for the position well in advance of his appointment, the versatile talent needed almost four complete seasons after his Test debut in 2009 to develop his game to the point it has reached now.

But the patience shown during Mathews' development has well and truly paid off for Sri Lanka, the 27-year-old rapidly entrenching himself as the cornerstone of his team since assuming the side's leadership.

Nowhere has that been more evident than Mathews' performances with the bat in the game's longest format. Across a remarkable 15-month stretch as captain, the right-hander has rivalled the records of Sangakkara and Jayawardene, helping to steer his team to four victories and four draws in nine Tests.

	Not as Captain	As Captain
Matches	31	9
Innings	50	16
Runs	1,668	946
Average	39.71	78.83
100s	1	3
50s	11	3

The extent of improvement in his robust technique was on show during both Tests in England, as Mathews struck centuries at both Lord's and Headingley to snatch the series away from Alastair Cook's men.

But it doesn't stop there, either.

Historically, Sri Lanka have endured significant problems when touring England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, primarily down to the nation's lack of quality seamers.

The captain might be ready to change that. 

Although Mathews is highly unlikely to become a spearhead of the nation's attack, the continual improvement in his bowling gives the Sri Lankans far more versatility when touring.

On faster and greener surfaces, the all-rounder's presence will ensure his team can field four seam options, helping to spread the burden of capturing wickets in foreign conditions. When drier wickets present themselves, Mathews' abilities with the ball will allow Sri Lanka to select a second spinner alongside two front-line seamers, helping the team to play to their inherent strengths. 

When you examine the development of his bowling at Test level—an improvement mirroring his rise with the bat—it becomes clear how pivotal the captain will be to his side. 

	Not as Captain	As Captain
Matches	31	9
Innings	33	14
Wickets	11	7
Average	70.45	45.28
BBI	2/60	4/44

However, perhaps more than any other nation, success in the limited-overs formats is just as important as positive results in Test cricket for Sri Lanka.

It must be remembered that the island nation owns a rich history in coloured clothing. It was under Ranatunga that Sri Lanka changed the way the one-day international game was played, revolutionising the approach taken by top-order batsman in the mid 1990s. 

Since then, the country has maintained a superb record in global tournaments, reaching six finals and claiming two titles (1996 World Cup and 2014 World Twenty20) in less than two decades. To put that into perspective, the cricketing colossus of India—a nation with more than one billion people—has won the same amount of titles and reached two less finals as the tiny Sri Lanka in the same period. 

The point of such a history lesson? Mathews will be judged by what he achieves in coloured clothing more than any other captain among the world's top-eight sides. 

Sri Lanka will be delighted, therefore, with the leader's growing reputation in the one-day international arena as well.

Like his record in five-day cricket, Mathews' batting statistics as his team's 50-over captain are extremely impressive for a middle-order player.

	Not as Captain	As Captain
Matches	89	38
Innings	72	33
Runs	1,771	955
Average	34.72	41.52
100s	0	0
50s	13	6

And a similar theme extends to his work with the ball in the one-day international arena.

As has been evident since the rise of limited-overs cricket from the 1970s onward, all-rounders have been among the most influential performers in the 50-over game. 

From yesteryear's greats in Sir Ian Botham, Sir Richard Hadlee, Kapil Dev and Imran Khan, to more modern stars such as Jacques Kallis, Chris Cairns, Andrew Flintoff and Shahid Afridi, the multi-discipline players have been indispensable in one-day cricket.

Currently, Mathews sits at No. 3 in the official ICC ODI all-rounder rankings, which isn't at all surprising when you examine his ongoing development as a limited-overs bowler.

	Not as Captain	As Captain
Matches	89	38
Innings	71	32
Wickets	54	23
Average	35.88	32.91
BBI	6/20	4/29

Therefore, the Sri Lankan captain's orchestration of his team's historic Test series victory in England—which, don't forget, was precluded by the capture of the one-day series against the same opponent—is likely to be the first of many glittering achievements based on his current trajectory in the game. 

And, just as Sangakkara and Jayawardene did more than a decade ago, Mathews is growing into a Sri Lankan great just when his nation needed him. 

All statistics courtesy of ESPN Cricinfo.

The honour boards in the Lord's Pavilion have always had a knack for eluding some of the game's greats. If you were to scroll through the collection of exalted names inscribed in the dressing rooms, you'd fail to find Tendulkar, Warne, Muralitharan, Ponting, Kallis, Lara, Ambrose, Gavaskar and Kumble, among others.

In one of cricket's curious quirks, the honour boards at the game's spiritual home have grown more notable for their absentees, seemingly oblivious to the sport's all-time lists. 

But Kumar Sangakkara will not be one of those. He will not add his illustrious name to that notable roll-call of those not present. 

Delightfully, deservedly, almost righteously, Saturday was to be his day. Against a strong seam attack under the cloud and drizzle of the London sky and the floodlights above the stands, Sangakkara cruised to 147, the afternoon sun eventually revealing itself to shine on the esteemed great as a memorable day drew to a close. 

Fittingly, the gracious left-hander achieved the feat alongside Mahela Jayawardene—his teammate and friend who has stood alongside him since his Test debut 14 years ago.

As the Sri Lankan pair stroked their way to a third-wicket stand of 126 on Day 3 at Lord's, the inseparable veterans also moved into third position for Test runs as a partnership (6,115), surpassing the formidable Australian combination of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer—two men who shared a bond reminiscent of that belonging to Sangakkara and his trusty countryman. 

Pleasingly, the 36-year-old's sought-after century was reached with typical elegance.

To England's spinners, the left-hander glided down the pitch to regularly lift the ball down the ground. Up against the quicks, he used the crease with aplomb to maintain his characteristic fluency.

Perhaps no stroke was more emblematic of the left-hander's serenity than a sumptuous pull-shot off Chris Jordan late in the afternoon.

As the bustling right-armer attempted to unsettle the Sri Lankan with some hostility, Sangakkara simply stood tall, swivelled and nonchalantly caressed the ball to the boundary between the two men positioned behind square. 

Few players in the game's history could have completed the stroke in such style. 

Cricket's affinity for symbolism and strong narratives was also present throughout the veteran's innings.

At a time when England are walking cautiously into a new era with a renewed XI, Sangakkara and his excellence will soon represent the definitive end for his own nation's current epoch.

At a time when his opponents at Lord's have discarded former pillars of strength in opting for fresh faces, the 36-year-old continues to prove that runs are the only quantity that matter. 

And at a time when cricket's dominant nations are looking to increase their ownership of the game's resources, the left-hander again proved why Test cricket must welcome the diversity of its vast borders. 

That one innings on its own was able to provide such important reminders was a reflection of the brilliance that has defined Sangakkara's career.

Yet perhaps what made the Sri Lankan's sublime century so treasured was what it represented for Sangakkara's time in the game.

It must be remembered that the tiny island nation doesn't enjoy the opportunity to compete for historic Test honours. Unlike England, Australia, India and the West Indies, the Sri Lankans will never enjoy an Ashes contest, a Frank Worrell Trophy campaign or a Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour. 

Regrettably, Sangakkara's nation is unlikely to ever experience the mightiest stages belonging to Test cricket, instead typically used to bulk out the international calendar. 

Which is why the veteran's achievement on Saturday carried added significance. 

Despite having achieved all he could in the game, Sangakkara has always been denied the opportunity to score that hundred that shapes an Ashes series, to claim that catch that changes a five-Test encounter with the world's powerful sides. International tournaments aside, he's rarely enjoyed the game's brightest spotlight.

But still within his reach was a century at Lord's, a chance to engrave his name into the walls of Test cricket's cathedral.

And he did.

A majestic record that was missing one thing had its finishing touch applied.  

Kumar Sangakkara is a name which evokes many emotions. They range from awe at his cover drive and the thrill of watching him in full flow, to the horror of knowing your team is about to bowl against him.

Yet, it’s not a name that is thrown around as “all-time great” as often as it should be. Nobody denies his greatness, but he is often not mentioned in the same breath as some of the other modern-day legends.

He was the fastest player to score 11,000 Test runs, and earlier this year he reached his first 300 ever in Test matches. The last 52 runs of that knock came off just 30 balls. It went by almost unnoticed in Chittagong and there was nothing really different about his knock. It was classy, textbook and to the point, much like all of Sangakkara's other knocks.

Many will argue that the reason Sangakkara is not really talked about so much is that most of his runs have come on Sri Lankan wickets.

But just over half his runs have come at home. In total, 6,138 runs have been scored on home turf, with 21 fifties and 21 hundreds. His average at home is 63.27. Away from home, he's scored 5,013 runs with 24 fifties and 14 hundreds at an average of 52.76. Those are hardly amateurish stats.

He has been impressive away from home in many countries. In Australia, he averages 60.33; in New Zealand 66.80; in Pakistan 86.87 and in the UAE, 62.

However, he is not statistically in between the “greats” for his average against cricket’s top eight teams, but stats are like puppets: If you reach deep enough you can make them say anything.

The thing with greatness is that it is highly subjective. Many will believe that nobody trumps Sangakkara; not in the past and not in the present. But what defines greatness in cricket? Sangakkara’s greatness is defined by many things. For him, it is defined by being dependable on home soil. It is defined by his textbook cover drives, and his ability to seemingly never flinch.

It’s also defined by his dogged determinedness, his will to always want to do better. It is defined by the fact that he has often had the extra burden of keeping wicket added to his responsibility. It’s defined by the fact that when stats are measured about him without his gloves, he makes the average of 61.41 against top teams; third on the list of all-time averages against top-eight teams.

Sangakkara has scored a ton against every Test nation, but he has a dubious record in England, where he averages just 30.58. He has a chance to work on that in the upcoming weeks.

Sangakkara's greatness is also defined by his modesty. Despite having the same number of double tons as Brian Lara, the Sri Lankan legend does not see himself in the same frame. ESPNCricinfo quoted him as saying:

'I grew up watching and idolising sir Vivian Richards,' Sangakkara said. 'Then Brian Lara came along and he was magical to watch so I am pretty happy to have equalled him in some kind of way. But I don't think I will equal him as a batsman, because I think he is on a completely different level to most of the batsmen I have seen.

'I think I have surpassed him in very little. I may be fastest to 11,000 or whatever, but I don't think I compare myself to him at all. There is no use of comparing myself to him. To me he is beyond reach.'

Cricket, although heavily dependent on stats, does not lend itself to black-and-white answers when it comes to defining greats. Sometimes, though, they do help aid the argument, and for Sangakkara, that certainly is the case.

All statistics are via ESPNCricinfo Statsguru unless otherwise stated.

As Sri Lanka prepare for their Test matches against England, they play Northamptonshire in a four-day friendly at the County Ground.

Coming off a topsy-turvy ODI series with England, the Sri Lankans face a Northamptonshire side occupying the bottom spot in Division One of the County Championship.

Regardless of what has gone before, it should be a good test for the tourists and one they will be determined to make the most of.

Venue: County Ground, Northampton

Date: Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8

Start time: 11 a.m. BST

Live on: Not available

Weather: According to Weather.com, it will be a little on the cloudy side with some sunny intervals, with temperatures peaking at 17 degrees Celsius.

Overview

It was a tense five-match ODI series between England and Sri Lanka that concluded with the tourists coming out on top by a margin of 3-2 thanks to their six-wicket win in the final game.

The Sri Lankans announced their Test squad recently, with the injured Suranga Lakmal replaced by Chanaka Welegedara in a strong seam attack.

Their batting also looks deep, though much will still depend on the form of the experienced Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, the latter of which has hinted that retirement may not be far away.

This series will also be the first time Angelo Mathews has led Sri Lanka in Test matches outside of Asia.

Not included is spinner Sachithra Senanayake, who has been reported to the International Cricket Council over a suspected illegal bowling action.

Meanwhile, Northamptonshire have had some problems in First Class cricket but have done well so far in the NatWest Twenty20 Blast competition.

Having earned promotion from Division Two of the County Championship last year, Northamptonshire find themselves rooted to the foot of Division One.

However, things have been much more positive in T20 with the Steelbacks in second place in the North Division.

With a talented team led by 24-year-old Alex Wakely, Northamptonshire should provide a good test for Sri Lanka.

Team News

Northamptonshire (from): Alex Wakely (capt.), Mohammad Azharullah, Ian Butler, Maurice Chambers, Kyle Coetzer, Steven Crook, Ben Duckett, Andrew Hall, Rob Keogh, James Kettleborough, Richard Levi, James Middlebrook, David Murphy, Rob Newton, Stephen Peters, David Sales, Matthew Spriegel, Olly Stone, Neil Wagner, Graeme White, David Willey.

Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (capt.), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welegedara, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhammika Prasad.

Key Players

David Willey

One player who has been talked up for a possible England inclusion in the future is David Willey, who will be determined to make his mark here.

A very capable all-rounder who contributes with bat and ball, he will pose a dual threat to Sri Lanka and be crucial for Northamptonshire throughout.

Kumar Sangakkara

He may not have been as successful in England as he has been elsewhere, but 36-year-old Kumar Sangakkara remains a crucial part of Sri Lanka’s middle order.

On what will be his last tour of England, he will be desperate to make an impact and get on the right track in this game.

Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 79 runs in the opening match of their one-day international series in Dublin.

The Associate Nation, who won the toss and chose to field at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground, restricted the tourists to 219-8 in their 50 overs.

However, the hosts could only make 140 in their reply.

Sri Lanka, missing rested veteran batsmen Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan, were in some trouble at 95-5.

However, Ashan Priyanjan (31) and Nuwan Kulasekara (42 not out) offered lower-order resistance.

The tourists lost Kusal Perera to a duck in the opening over and despite 39 from Dinesh Chandimal, they were five down in the 30th over.

Kulasekara, batting at eight, hit three fours and two sixes with 39 coming off the final three overs.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls
K Perera	c K O'Brien	b Murtagh	0		4
Upul Tharanga	c Wilson	b Thompson	24	69	52
Thirimanne	c Wilson	b Cusack	8	32	24
Chandimal	c and b K O'Brien		39	76	61
Mathews	run out (N O'Brien)		30	76	53
Vithanage	c Joyce	b Stirling	5	4	5
Priyanjan	c Joyce	b Dockrell	31	49	44
N Kulasekara	not out		42	45	34
Senanayake	c Dockrell	b Murtagh	3	13	14
A Mendis	not out		18	14	9
Extras		0nb 18w 0b 1lb	19
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Murtagh	10.0	1	21	2
Sorensen	8.0	1	31	0
Cusack	8.0	1	53	1
Thompson	4.0	0	19	1
Dockrell	10.0	0	45	1
K O'Brien	2.0	0	10	1
Stirling	8.0	1	39	1

Sri Lanka’s bid to win a 10th consecutive ODI was boosted as Paul Stirling and Ed Joyce were dismissed to leave Ireland 5-2 in the fifth over.

Niall O'Brien made 33 from just 39 balls, but he was trapped lbw by Ajantha Mendis before Gary Wilson, Kevin O'Brien and Stuart Thompson followed in quick succession to leave Ireland 74-6 in the 23rd over.

Captain William Porterfied departed after making a patient 37, becoming Mendis' third victim, and then Suranga Lakmal picked up his third wicket with Alex Cusack seeing his middle stump pegged back.

The newly-crowned World Twenty20 champions wrapped up the victory inside 40 overs as Tim Murtagh was trapped lbw for 10.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls
Porterfield	c K Perera	b A Mendis	37	103	87
Stirling		b N Kulasekara	4	5	6
Joyce	c Chandimal	b Lakmal	0	8	6
N O'Brien	lbw	b A Mendis	33	50	39
Wilson	run out (Senanayake)		3	11	2
K O'Brien	c Senanayake	b Lakmal	0	2	1
Thompson	lbw	b A Mendis	1	4	7
Cusack		b Lakmal	10	20	16
Sorensen	lbw	b N Kulasekara	17	39	35
Dockrell	not out		18	41	27
Murtagh	lbw	b Senanayake	10	12	13
Extras	0nb 4w 0b 3lb	7
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Lakmal	8.0	1	29	3
N Kulasekara	8.0	3	30	2
Mathews	2.0	0	6	0
Senanayake	7.5	1	27	1
A Mendis	10.0	1	27	3
Priyanjan	3.0	0	11	0
Vithanage	1.0	0	7	0

The second match of the series is on the same ground on Thursday.

Sri Lanka's victory at the World Twenty20 has meaning.

It is not just winning a tournament, or beating fierce rivals in India. It is not even just Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara's crowing glory—though they deserve a moment when they wake up today to savour all they have done for their nation, and the seal that this victory finally puts on their majestic careers, just as they retire from the shortest format of the international game.

It seems that in troubled countries; countries of war, of poverty, of hardship—sport matters more than elsewhere. Sport can strike an emotional chord so deep that it heals in a way that supersedes its logical right. It is only a game. But it is so much more. 

I've watched Sri Lanka's story as I've grown up. And as they won, I tried to put it into some kind of context.

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December 26th 2006, Galle

I am on holiday in Sri Lanka with my family and I’m fortunate enough to be staying in a beautiful, colonial-style, beach front hotel with just a handful of rooms and delightful staff. It is Boxing Day and me and my family swim in the pool, laugh in the sun and play on the beach. Sri Lanka in those moments seems idyllic, tranquil—perfect even. 

Yet just 100 metres down the beach from the hotel, round a corner of arching palm trees, back from the white sand, is the shell of an abandoned building. The brickwork, once white, is charred with black as if burnt, and green as if once submerged by water. The windows and doors are crumbling arches. There are no people here. The noise of the hotel around the corner just audible strikes a hollow contrast with the desolation of the scene, somehow heightened as a gnarled, limping dog skulks out from behind the ruined building.

Exactly three years previously an earthquake off the West Coast of Sumatra triggered a tsunami that took 250,000 lives in 15 countries and displaced more than 1.6 million people. Sri Lanka was one of those 15 nations, and the building around the corner from my hotel was one of thousands destroyed by the tidal water; one of thousands that still stand today. Ghost buildings. Reminders of the day Sri Lanka wants to but cannot ever forget. 

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April 27th 2007, Barbados

Cricket is the national sport of Sri Lanka. The psychological bond that unites a ravaged, diverse nation, and today is the World Cup Final; Sri Lanka, once champions in 1996, are playing the holders and the world's best team, Australia. 

Adam Gilchrist, Australia’s opening batsman and wicket keeper, is a child of the style conceptualised by Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya in that 1996 World Cup. Jayasuriya broke the traditional mould when he attacked the new ball and the opening bowlers, striking boundaries rather than playing it safe. Jayasuriya is now gone, but today Gilchrist channels his spirit in one of the greatest innings ever played in a World Cup Final.

Gilchrist’s 149 off just 104 deliveries surges Australia to 281 in just 38 overs. A target that proves too much even for Sri Lanka’s star-studded batting order. 

In the first World Cup since the Boxing Day Tsunami, Sri Lanka have got so near, yet so far, to national catharsis.

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March 3rd 2009, Lahore

The Sri Lankan team bus rolls through the streets of Lahore towards the city’s stadium for the third day of their Test match against Pakistan. Sri Lanka’s captain Mahela Jayawardene is sat at the back of the bus on the phone to his wife when he suddenly hears what sounds like heavy rain on a tin roof. It is not rain though; it is gunfire. It is not a tin roof either; it is their bus. 

Jayawardene dives to the floor as bullets puncture the side of the bus. An RPG flies over it. A grenade under it. 

Kumar Sangakkara recalled the attack in 2011 when he gave the Cowdrey lecture:

Suddenly Mahela, who sits at the back of the bus, shouts saying he thinks he has been hit in the shin. I am lying next to Tilan. He groans in pain as a bullet hits him in the back of his thigh. As I turn my head to look at him I feel something whizz past my ear and a bullet thuds into the side of the seat, the exact spot where my head had been a few seconds earlier.

I feel something hit my shoulder and it goes numb. I know I had been hit, but I was just relieved and praying I was not going to be hit in the head. Tharanga Paranvithana, on his debut tour, is also next to me. He stands up, bullets flying all around him, shouting 'I have been hit' as he holds his blood-soaked chest. He collapsed on to his seat, apparently unconscious.

I see him and I think: 'Oh my God, you were out first ball, run out the next innings and now you have been shot. What a terrible first tour.' It is strange how clear your thinking is. I did not see my life flash by. There was no insane panic. There was absolute clarity and awareness of what was happening at that moment.

The terrorist attack kills six Pakistani policemen who become embroiled in a gun-fight and two civilians. No cricketers die, but six of them and two support staff are seriously injured. International cricket has not returned to Pakistan since.

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May 19th 2009, Colombo 

At 9.00 a.m. the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa delivers a victory address to the national Parliament declaring that following 26 years of Civil War between the government and the Tamil Tigers, Sri Lanka has been liberated from terrorism.

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June 21st 2009, London

Pakistani fast-bowler Mohammad Amir, lean and athletic, his short hair flicking back in the wind, charges towards the crease in the World Twenty20 Final at Lord’s between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. His action is tightly-packed until the moment of delivery when his torso whips round a fizzes the ball towards the batsman.

This ball, the fifth ball of the first over, is full, fuller than the batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan expected anyway, and it rushes onto him as he attempts to flick it over the fielder at short fine-leg. The ball balloons in the air, and the fielder Dilshan thought he could clear darts across the short grass and with a melodramatic knee slide, catches the ball.

Dilshan, Sri Lanka’s most in-form batsman is out for nought. It is the worst possible start to a day that ends with Sri Lanka losing another final. And their wait for world glory goes on. 

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April 2nd 2011, Mumbai

Sri Lanka were never meant to win the 2011 World Cup Final. India were. And India, at home, and after 28 years, did. Sri Lanka were the stooge in a far grander performance; a performance outweighing their presence.

India were the story. Sri Lanka were just there.

And Sri Lanka, for the third consecutive global final, lost. It was as it was meant to be. Yet Sri Lanka mourned while the rest of the world forgot about them. Losers again. Their wait for glory goes on. 

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January 2012

Amnesty International release the details of a report that claims as 80,000 Tamil civilians remain detained in military-run internment camps in Sri Lanka, and that another 11,000 suspected Tamil Tiger combatants including more than 500 children, are held by the state in Orwellian-titled “rehabilitation centres”. The Civil War may well be over, but the persecution of Tamil’s in Sri Lanka continues to this day. 

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 October 7th 2012, Colombo

Walking through the Khettarama neighbourhood into the R Premadasa stadium on Sunday afternoon, it was impossible to contain a smile. Police had cordoned off the streets leading into the grounds to ease congestion, but the locals had taken that as a signal to begin the street party early. Stereos were set up on the roadside, pumping everything from baila to Western pop, grown men were dancing with children, Sri Lankan flags were draped across every balcony and awning, and the face painting stands and popcorn stalls were bedecked in blue and yellow. It was supposed to be the warm-up event, the precursor to the night's long celebrations. - Andrew Fernando, ESPNcricinfo

Surely this time. Surely now. The West Indies, batting first in the World T20 final against Sri Lanka are 38/2 after 11 overs. Just 54 balls remain to set a competitive total. Chris Gayle is gone. They are floundering. The global tournament Sri Lanka so crave is tantalisingly close. The home crowd sense the gravity of the next few overs…

Little more less than an hour later the feeling of the occasion has been transformed.

The West Indies have posted 137 in their 20 overs. Still not a daunting total, but in light of the carnage of the final 9 overs, it is terrifying. 99 runs had been scored in those 9 overs.

The Sri Lankans trudge back to the pavilion as if stunned. Shell-shocked, they sleep-walk their way through the first few overs of their innings. The run-rate, not insurmountable starts to climb, the pressure increases.

The air is heavy. The crowd feel closer than normal. Their presence perpetuated by their relative silence. One wicket falls. Then another. And then two more. The collapse is on. The match is slipping away.

The match is lost. 

Eight hours later, those same streets were deserted. No anger, no riots, just the profound disappointment only silence can convey. Signs in Sinhala reading "Victory to Sri Lanka" still flapped in between the lamp posts they had been anchored on. No one had had the will to remove them. Sri Lanka had hurtled to a cricket frenzy over the last few days, but their expectations have crashed and burned even more quickly. The country now awakes to gloom. - Andrew Fernando, ESPNcricinfo

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April 6th 2014, Dhaka

Another final. Another match against India. Bangladesh this time the venue.

India, unbeaten in the tournament, are favourites. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are retiring from international T20 cricket after this match. They will play on to the 50 over World Cup next year, but there is a sense that this is their time. Fifth time lucky?

Jayawardene glides down onto one knee, his bat arches and skives through the air towards the ball. But it’s not right. He’s mistimed it. It skews off the edge and the fielder and short-midwicket dives forwards, catching the ball inches above the turf. Jayawardene has played his final shot. Sri Lanka are 65/3 chasing 130. Ghosts of finals past arrive at the shores of the stadium. Jaywardene’s looks ruefully at his partner Sangakkara as if asking him to somehow turn back time. Turn back time, he cannot - bat, he can. 

“There will be new heroes” proclaims former Sri Lankan all-rounder Russel Arnold on television commentary. Indeed, young Thisara Perera dovetails with Sangakkara. His bashful aggression complementing, Sangakkara’s velvet gloved iron fist. Thisara wallops. Sanga glides.

The pressure is released slowly, like air from a balloon.

Indian heads drop. Sri Lankan hopes rise.

Sangakkara reaches his fifty…three balls later, Thisara pounds down the pitch, meets the ball, and with a sledgehammer blow sends it into the stands. Sri Lanka have won. Finally. At the fifth attempt. Sri Lanka have won. 

“This was a victory for a new Sri Lanka; for a young breed of men and women in a land more united than it had been for most of their lives. As people of all creeds celebrated together, Tamil victory cries were almost as abundant as Sinhala ones. To have been at the Shere Bangla for the final moments would have been great, but to see Colombo come together and roar to life in wild, unbridled, joy was something else.” - Andrew Fernando, ESPNcricinfo

In our cricket we display a unique spirit, a spirit enriched by lessons learned from a history spanning over two-and-a-half millennia. In our cricket you see the character of our people, our history, culture and tradition, our laughter, our joy, our tears and regrets. It is rich in emotion and talent. My responsibility as a Sri Lankan cricketer is to further enrich this beautiful sport, to add to it and enhance it and to leave a richer legacy for other cricketers to follow.

I will do that keeping paramount in my mind my Sri Lankan identity: play the game hard and fair and be a voice with which Sri Lanka can speak proudly and positively to the world. My loyalty will be to the ordinary Sri Lankan fan, their 20 million hearts beating collectively as one to our island rhythm and filled with an undying and ever-loyal love for this our game.

Fans of different races, castes, ethnicities and religions who together celebrate their diversity by uniting for a common national cause. They are my foundation, they are my family. I will play my cricket for them. Their spirit is the true spirit of cricket. With me are all my people. I am Tamil, Sinhalese, Muslim and Burgher. I am a Buddhist, a Hindu, a follower of Islam and Christianity. I am today, and always, proudly Sri Lankan.

- Kumar Sangakkara, 2011 Cowdrey Lecture

 

Sri Lanka reached the final of the 2014 World Twenty20 tournament with a 27-run victory over West Indies in Dhaka.

Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to bat, made 160-6 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

In their reply, the defending champions were 80-4 after 13.5 overs when a huge storm brought a premature end to proceedings. They were declared the winners via the Duckworth Lewis method.

Sri Lankan stalwarts Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara failed to fire, but they still reached a competitive score.

Opener Kusal Perera thrashed 26 from 12 balls before being bowled by Krishmar Santokie, but Sri Lanka slumped to 49-3 after the loss of the veteran pair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dy3gOdxi-E

Jayawardene was run out without facing after being called for a quick single by Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Sangakkara was caught and bowled by Samuel Badree for one.

Dilshan departed for a run-a-ball 39 after another run out in the 14th over, but Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews boosted the Sri Lanka cause.

Thirimanne made a career-best 44 from 35 balls, with Mathews chipping in with 40 off 23 balls before being caught off the final ball of the innings.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls
K Perera		b Santokie	26	16	12
Dilshan	run out (Simmons)		39	54	39
M Jayawardene	run out (Sammy)		0	2	0
Sangakkara	c and b Badree		1	7	6
Thirimanne	c Simmons	b Santokie	44	42	35
Mathews	c Dwayne Bravo	b Russell	40	30	23
Prasanna	not out		6	14	5
Extras		0nb 2w 0b 2lb	4
Bowler		Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Badree		4	0	23	1
Santokie		4	0	46	2
Narine		4	0	20	0
Samuels		4	0	23	0
Russell		3	0	37	1
Gayle		1	0	9	0

The WI reply started explosively as Nuwan Kulasekara's opening over went for 17.

Yet Sri Lanka's stand-in skipper, Lasith Malinga, removed both openers in the fifth over, Chris Gayle played on for three and Dwayne Smith was deceived by a slower ball after making 17.

Leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna dismissed Lendl Simmons with his first ball of the tournament as West Indies stuttered to 36-3 and they were left needing 100 from the last nine overs.

Their hopes were further hit when Dwayne Bravo was caught at deep mid-wicket off Kulasekara for 30 with Marlon Samuels labouring to 16 off 27 balls, an innings which left his side behind the required run rate when the inclement weather arrived.

		Runs	Minutes	Balls	4s
Dwayne Smith		b Malinga	17	22	14
Gayle		b Malinga	3	18	13
Simmons	lbw	b Prasanna	4	13	8
Samuels	not out		18	38	29
Dwayne Bravo	c M Jayawardene	b N Kulasekara	30	23	19
Sammy	not out		0		0
Extras		0nb 7w 0b 1lb	8
Bowler		Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
N Kulasekara		2.5	0	22	1
Senanayake		2	0	6	0
Malinga		2	0	5	2
Herath		4	0	27	0
Prasanna		2	0	15	1
Mathews		1	0	4	0

Sri Lanka will face India or South Africa in Sunday's final.