Fly Slip

Playing against India is the epitome for any Cricket team these days.

The players know they can become stars overnight with a possible viewing audience of over 1 billion people. The boards know that they can rake in the money with advertising deals. The cricket wouldn’t be too bad either.

But I am Sri Lankan and I say enough with playing India. Every time I turn on the TV there is an orgy of blue out in the middle. And its not just the One dayers either - there is only so much test cricket a fan can take on dead sub continental pitches before you decide Australian day-time TV is not that bad after all. Although that might be pushing it a bit too far.

2010 year started with Sri Lanka having 2 scheduled international engagements. No- not 2 tours, just 2 matches. And that was the 2 group matches in the 2020 World Cup. This was disappointing by it self - but then SLC announced India will be in Sri Lanka for another test series. I kind of died a little inside that day.

The Sri Lanka v India fixture has occurred an annoying 32 times over the last 2 years. That’s 55 days of cricket against the same team. I doubt Roger Federer makes more grand slam finals.

There are 9 other test playing countries. But we keep picking India. Shouldn’t Sangakkara be stepping in at this point and saying ‘India is good but how about Afghanistan or China for a change’. And what’s wrong with India – whoring themselves to play us. Maybe they get some sadistic satisfaction in beating us over and over on pitches Stevie Wonder could score runs on.

What about the Irish for a change? Heck, they will fill out our hotels and consume our arrack till they look like Pink Salmons under the sun. At least they are fun bunch to play – and beat.

Afghanistan recently got ODI status didn’t they?

To hell with those 7 ODI bi-laterals. Can 2 of those and come to Sri Lanka I say. Is it a wonder Sri Lanka wet themselves when they get over to Australia or South Africa. We never play them or tour those countries. Well, not as much as we should anyway. The last time Australia toured Sri Lanka was 7 years ago.

Of course all the blame falls squarely those evil doers at the ICC. The FTP programme ensures cricket is played through the year but not a lot of thought seems to have gone into who plays who. At least not who Sri Lanka plays. Bangladesh seem to have a more dynamic tour Programme than us. Something is not right and I am not happy. Neither should you be.

A friend told me that ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ referring to the lack of cricket we have this year. Well once I gave a beggar 5rupees and she threw it back. So I guess they can.

flyslip

damiths

Filed under: india, sri lanka | No Comments »

Some of you may know that T.M. Dilshan graced New Zealand with his presence recently. He came over, got flown around in his own helicopter, was waited on hand and foot and I’m pretty sure there was a street parade for him somewhere where a gold statue of him was unveiled.

He then showed the crowd the bling around his neck and made them all feel inadequate.

He was pretty much the biggest celebrity to hang out in New Zealand since the Flight of the Conchords realised they were actually good and left to a country where there are more people than sheep.

He made a token fifty. And I hear he played the Dilscoop once. It went for six. People cried because it was beautiful. It was like the ending of Princess Diaries 2.
He hasn’t done much else though. He’s playing in the New Zealand domestic tournament for Dan Vettori’s team. When they bat together I fantasise about them getting married and starting a family. Their children would be amazing.

But he hasn’t played the last two games, so I’m guessing he isn’t here anymore. I’m not sure what kind of trouble he got into with the ICC that he had to serve 2 weeks of community service here, but damn did we enjoy it.

Plus the fact that people actually went along to watch some of his games means that NZ Cricket have a little money now. Maybe they can get Scott Styris a new face.

flyslip

damiths

Filed under: andrew fernando, dilshan, flyslip, new zealand, vettori | 3 Comments »

So what does Megan Foxx and Dilshan have in common. Apparently sexiness. Says who?

Says you.

Because we asked you How sexy is Dilshans batting right now? You said.

* megan fox-transformers 2, sexy (33.0%, 20 Votes)
* sehwag on a good day sexy (32.0%, 19 Votes)
* robert pattingson-twilight, sexy (15.0%, 9 Votes)
* brad pitt- thelma and louise, sexy (13.0%, 8 Votes)
* james dean, rebel without a cause, sexy

Moving swiftly on to our next next bit of research, we ask you what you’d like to see Afridi sink his teeth into. Apart from a cricket ball. Cuz, well, he’s already done that hasn’t he.

Get voting on the left.

flyslip

damiths

Filed under: flyslip | No Comments »

Once upon a time Uncle Jrod of www.cricketwithballs.com wrote a book.

Then he wrote another one.

That one, the 2nd one - in case you get confused,  got nominated for the best sports writer on www.thebookseller.com.

The only glitch is that he had write about a Pom and religion to get there. How strange the ways of the world.

flyslip

damiths

Filed under: cricketwithballs | No Comments »

Well, quarter Kiwi-Three fourths Lankan.

We are glad to introduce a new writer to our little family - Andrew Fernando

Now you are thinking to yourself, “Damith is this the same Andrew Fernando who writes those deranged pieces on Cricinfo page2.”

The answer of course is - “The very same”.

Now, it must be noted that the reason Andrew is going to write for us is not because we begged him and literally bombarded his email and facebook in box’s - well, not solely because of that anyway.

Andrew believes in the spirit of theflyslip - which is to write incoherent, sporadic posts on the game you and I love.

You know, kind of like the Sri Lankan middle order.

flyslip

damiths

Filed under: andrew fernando | 2 Comments »

That has no reference to breasts. Or Cancer. Or Oranges.

None Whatsoever.

Also, can Pidgeons drink with a straw?

flyslip

damiths

Filed under: glenn mcgrath | 4 Comments »

Of Singapore.

One time opener. Part time Nemesis of National selectors, Marvan ‘Marvi’ Attapattu, is catching the 3 and half hour red-eye to Singapore.

Why would he do this. Not because you can enter Singapore with no Visa for month. But to coach their cricket team.

Having spent sometime coaching the Canadians, Marvan has decided to move into a more challenging role in trying to teach Singapore aka a rat-pack of expants the joys of the flanneled game.

On first look Marvan has been quite impressed with the talent on show at the nets stating “I was impressed” and added “they are certainly no muppets with the bat”.

This is high praise for a team that went on a blitzkriege against the formidable talents of Guernsey, Botswana, Bahrain, Malaysia and Norway in the Word Cricket league previously.

Marvan has apparently been picked for his sound batting technique during his playing days. His volatile mentality is just an added bonus. But when you look at the image below - one used by cricinfo for this tit bit of news - you wonder if Singapore would fit well with Atappatu after all.

Trevor Chappelle had also been considered for the role but had to pass on the opportunity due to a previous engagement - a seniors underarm bowling competition

flyslip

damiths

Filed under: marvan atapattu | 1 Comment »

Well would you.

If he gets this excited about getting a wicket. Imagine how radical he might get if he ends up with a lot of cash in hand.

Looks a wee bit wonky to us. Kinda like the South Africans.

It’s comforting to know that generations upon generations of proteas are/will choke in the big match.

Of course we are talking about the U19 WC. And the dude in this pic, is another one of those Left arm seamers SL has come up with.

Wijesinghe Mudiyanselage Charith Jayampathi would like to be a banker if he cant make it as a cricketer. Which is nothing new because all retired/ex-Sri Lankan cricketers somehow seem to end up at a bank or an insurance company. Weird I know.

But if he keeps choking Saffers and picking up wickets like he has been the only time he will be heading to the bank is to deposit his MoM cheques.

Watch this space for Jayampathi updates.

flyslip

damiths

Filed under: Charith Jayampathi, sri lanka under 19, under 19 world cup 2010 | 1 Comment »

True story.

flyslip

damiths

Filed under: flyslip | 3 Comments »

So most of you would gladly give up carnal pleasure and money for cricket.

Thats what we like to hear.

What describes your cricket-life-work balance best ?

* Sex and Money is good, but cricket is better (52.0%, 34 Votes)
* If in doubt, I always pick cricket (30.0%, 20 Votes)
* I lost my job after spending too much time on cricinfo (14.0%, 9 Votes)
* It became too hard, so I quit my job (3.0%, 2 Votes)
* I left my wife and job for cricket (2.0%, 1 Votes)

This time around we ask you about Dilshan, and how sexy his batting is to you right now. Its on the left there. So have a go.

flyslip

damiths

Filed under: dilshan | 1 Comment »