Sports Letters

Tremendous milestones

With great pleasure and interest, I read the detailed well presented interesting pair of articles (reports), under the headlines, "Murali bowls Sri Lanka to an innings win", and ('COMMENT' column) - "Sangakkara, Jayawardena join the legends," by your staff writer, Elmo Rodrigopulle, respectively that appeared in the 'Sport' page of your esteemed journal dated August 01, 2006, and let me add briefly my comment too, and appreciation towards our Sri Lanka Captain Mahela Jayawardene and his Deputy Kumar Sangakkara's amazing and tremendous milestones achievements!

They re-wrote the record books (on 29th July, 2006 at the Colombo SSC Stadium) with yet another milestone of 624 runs for the third wicket partnership, which is highest not only for third wicket, but also for any wicket in Test Cricket (of all Nations) that without any question will be a World Record, for more time to go as it is not so easy to crack that soon.

Being an ethnusiastic cricket fan, I am so jubilant and proud of their great performances and also of Mahela's fantastic knock of a massive 374 runs as personal achievement and milestone, just short of 27 runs to shatter the existing World Record being held by West Indies Veteran and Legend, Brian Lara's massive 400 runs (that miss) which I really felt very sorry.

What a pity, indeed! Mahela and Kumar played excellently well, supporting each other in the middle with an absolute concentration, grit, aim, understanding and disciplined communication between them will be treasured cherished and remembered by all cricket fans; that could be a lesson for all our young cricketers and future generations of follow or copy as well. Before I conclude my letter, I will be failing in my duty, if I don't say a word of thanks or appreciation to our wizard off spinner Murali's great milestone performance, once again.

His 54th five wickets in an innings and 17 match haul of Ten wickets today, another historical event, yes this true, remarkable effort to gain victory for his team and country was always there (as his mesmerism, magic and unique of course) that without any question, another World Records to crack for many years to come.

Thanks to the skipper and players of the team for all co-operation and the team hard work extended in the First Test against South Africa. Well Played and Heartiest Congratulations.

Keep it up and Good Luck ahead, Sons.

S. T. ARASU.,
Dehiwela

Jim Laker's epic feat

As I pen these few words on cricket, it must be stated that Steve Harmison's six wickets have helped England to dismiss Pakistan in the first innings of the second Test being played at Old Trafford, Manchester, cheaply. Harmison's bowling was reminiscent of his performance in the West Indies in 2004.

That was when Brian Charles Lara regained his world Test record in batting with a 400 not out. The first to get 400.

Matthew Hayden held the record which was Lara's for a short period.

It was sad that Andrew Flintoff was not playing due to injury, on his home turf in Manchester.

On the subject of Manchester, it is good to remember the 27th of July 1956, when Jim Laker became the first cricketer to take all ten wickets in an innings. His 19/90 still heads the Records Table. It was Locke and Laker that won the Ashes for England in 1956. A series in which the current TV commentator Richie Benaud held a remarkable catch in the Second Test which Australia won.

This same series saw England recall Cyril Washbrook from retirement. So Sanath Jayasuriya's recall is not history. Jayasuriya and Murali in England recently reminded me of Locke and Laker.

Jim Laker in his autobiography has said that if ever he owns a horse for racing purposes he will call that horse the Manchester Sun, for it was the sun playing on the Old Trafford wicket that helped Laker to mesmerise the Aussies. That 1956 Series was a great one for England. It was good cricket all round.

May we have more of that great stuff!

Sydney Knight,
Colombo