One good thing with the national selectors is that they have given a player a decent run before axing him. Nishan Madushka for example as he played in all three recent ODIs. Avishka Fernando is unlikely to get that license for tomorrow given the scrutiny he’s been put under.

The first unofficial Test between Sri Lanka A and Australia A has ended in a draw. Nuwanindu Fernando has scored a hundred in the second innings while Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Pawan Rathnayake have scored half-centuries. Sonal Dinusha scored a hundred in the first innings.

We are one hour away from start at RPS. This 35,000 capacity stadium has gone through a facelift in last year or so with a new floodlight system installed along with a swimming pool. The latest addition is indoor nets making the High Performance Center a state of the art facility

T20s is Sri Lanka’s lowest ranked format and the last 72 hours has been proof that there’s lot of work left to be done. Last night the batters didn’t even put up a contest with spin being their Achilles’ heel. Not a bad idea to take a look at the ‘A’ team that’s now in Australia.

T20I troubles haunt the islanders despite Test & ODI gains 🏏 Urgent changes needed to keep up! #SriLankaCricket #SLvBAN Rex Clementine thepapare.com/sri-lankas-t-2…

Everyday we learn something. Today I learned that the rest area in the southern expressway was ‘gifted’ to us by Mahinda. I guess this is part of his ancestral wealth.

This ain’t the West Indies. This is Sri Lanka’s south coast.

Another hundred for Nuwanidu Fernando against the Aussies in Darwin. Sri Lanka were put into bat this morning. Sri Lanka A - 1st innings: 4/263 (90 overs) Nuwanidu Fernando 102, Kamil Mishara 81 Liam Scott 1-25, Henry Thornton 1-31.

Nalanda College is celebrating 100 years. The school has been an excellent cradle to Sri Lankan cricking having produced so many talents from first Test captain Mr. Bandula Warnapura to Mahanama, Gurusinghe, MJ, Kaluperuma, Dharmasena, Anura Ranasinghe and many others.

Watching India take on England in Manchester brings back memories of Sri Lanka’s gritty Test there last year. Kamindu Mendis braved the cold to post a sublime century while Asitha Fernando’s six-for gave them a sniff. Just 50 more runs and it could’ve been a famous Sri Lankan win

Sri Lanka will tour England next year and play three ODIs and three T20Is in September. The T20Is will be at Rose Bowl, Cardiff and Old Trafford, the ODIs will take place in Chester-le-Street, Headingley and The Oval.

Ravi Shastri in commentaries speaking of Lancashire greats in 1980s mentions Gehan Mendis, who has an impressive First Class record. He was offered a chance to play in Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test in 1982, but he stayed on hoping England would come calling. It never happened.

Nalanda's centenary: 100 years of academic brilliance and cricketing glory! 🌟🏏 #NalandaCricket Rex Clementine thepapare.com/cricketing-cra…

Well played India and England. But, imagine two wickets falling on last day of a Test match in Colombo, Kandy or Galle. The pitch would have been rated proor and that Andy Atkinson would have been flown down for corrective measures. Long live big three.

Sir Garfield Sobers is 89 today. He was Sri Lanka’s coach in 1980s. His contributions to our cricket is massive.

Uncle Percy would have been 89 today. He was a character. He also loved his country immensely. A proud Sri Lankan indeed.

Police have made a massive impact in domestic cricket in the last two years. Yet another final for them today. They take on CCC in the 50 over final. Maitland Crescent under lights is a gorgeous site. SSC to follow suit next year.

Pavan Rathnayake stars with an unbeaten 158 off 93 balls with 13 fours and nine sixes in the 50 over final as CCC complete a commanding 187 run win. A Sri Lanka call up is on the cards.

We are back shooting Legends series for ThePapare We start off with Angelo Mathews and Ajantha Mendis.

India playing England at The Oval brings back memories of Sri Lanka’s stunning win there last year in overcast conditions. Bold move to leave out a spinner and Lahiru Kumara bowled with fire. Then, Pathum Nissanka came up with a stunning knock to seal a rare Test win in England.