Bens inaugurate Saints Twenty20

Accepted that twenty20 cricket is not what the game is all about in the true sense of the word. It is more a mockery on the time honoured and revered established game of Test cricket.

Having said that, the fact is that Twenty20 cricket has come to stay and now that is the game that everyone wants to play and one that spectators yearn for.

Test cricket which the game is all about, has more often than not become big yawns, which has gone to keep the spectators away. Most all Test matches, but the majority of them have ended in lacklustre draws which has gone to make spectators shun them. As I have stated earlier, the International Cricket Council has not done or endeavoured to do things that could make the game of Test cricket more attractive to the spectators.

When 50 over cricket hit the scene and business tycoon the late Kerry Packer made it more attractive and exciting when he introduced day/night cricket, everyone found time to be there, because the second half of the game was being played when work in offices ended.

Test cricket was being played for five days, whereas 50 over cricket took seven hours and it had all the excitement encapsuled in it that spectators did not grumble to pay and watch it.

Then some bright spark came up with the Twenty20 idea and now it has become the top of the pops in the game of cricket. Initially this game evoked a lot of laughter with India who emerged champions in the first World Cup Twenty20 shunning it. But later hugging it after tasting success.

Now schools, clubs paying a lot of attention

Now schools, clubs and countries are paying a lot of attention to this style of cricket and now it is more the rule rather than the exception.

And moving with the trend is St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena who have signalled the birth of a Twenty20 cricket tournament with a Saints schools quadrangular Twenty20 tournament to be played on March 28 at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

It will be contested by St.Benedict’s College, St. Anthony’s Kandy, St. Peter’s and St. Joseph’s. The green, white and green school will host the inaugural tourney, like they did when they organised the old boys quadrangular among the same four schools in 1964.

The Bens who have the knack of organising and executing anything to everyone’s satisfaction and perfection have organised a colourful opening ceremony followed by the semi-finals and finals under lights in a carnival atmosphere. The trophy that would be contested for is the ‘Archbishop of Colombo Trophy’. So keep Saturday free and flock in numbers and savour the excitement that will be provided by the cricketers of the four schools who are raring to go after their “Big matches”.

TENDULKAR MARVELLOUS

Right hander Sachin Tendulkar tagged the “little master” has done it again. Coming back to form after a long time the stylish and elegant Indian batsman rolled out his 42 Test three figure score when he smacked 160 against New Zealand in the First Test in Hamilton.

He is now five centuries ahead of Australian captain Ricky Ponting who has made 37 centuries.

If the manner in which Tendulkar is batting is an indication, then there is no doubt that he will make the batting record all his own in both forms of the game, Test and one-day cricket. In the one day format he has 43 centuries.

When he first came into the game, the knowledgeable who watched him predicted an excellent future for him. As his game progressed and he began to make runs, with three figure scores coming naturally, he also began to show the mannerisms of the late great Sir Donald Bradman, the Australian run churning machine.

Bats so much like Don

Even the great Don who saw the “little master” in action said he bats so much like him. That was the ultimate in compliments considering that Sir Don was a household and venerated name in the game of that era. When Tendulkar played in Sri Lanka recently, the best of him was not seen, as he was undone by some poor umpiring. In the three innings he took strike, he was adjudged leg before wicket and when TV replays were shown it was clear that he was not out as the deliveries to which he was adjudged out were not pitched in line with the wicket.

‘Little master’ in action again in Lanka

It is likely that the Sri Lankan cricket fans will be able to see the ‘little master’ in action again, because there is a triangular tourney between India, South Africa and Sri Lanka slated to be played here later in the year.

After his century innings against New Zealand, there was a bit of controversy when he took the catch of Kiwi opening batsman Tim McIntosh at slip. The Kiwis claimed that the ball had touched the ground. But Tendulkar has been known to play the game clean at all times and if there was a doubt, he would have been the first to say that the catch was not clean. He has stated that the camera at times look different when a catch is taken. We can believe Tendulkar.

ENGLAND OLD FASHIONED

Watching the England-West Indies first one-dayer on Ten Sports being played in Guyana, it was hilarious listening to former England captain Nasser Hussain.

When the Windies opening bowlers Darren Powell and Fidel Edwards were bowling no balls and the England batsmen Andrew Strauss and Ravi Bopara not going for the free hit which is allowed off a no ball Hussain said: “England seem to be old fashioned” how true.