Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Society Year Book 2022

4 In 1984, some 30 years a er Pakistan had become the rst international side a er WW2 to be elected to full membership of the ICC (International Cricket Conference), Sri Lanka became the second. ey were duly awarded a short tour of England, following England’s 5 match series against the West Indies who had won every match. A er such a drubbing England were clearly expecting an easy ride in the only Test against the Sri Lankans, at Lord’s, in late August. Sri Lanka’s tour consisted of nine rst class matches, including the Test. By any admission they were a fairly weak side, born out by the fact that they drew eight matches and lost one. However, they rose spectacularly to the occasion in that Test, scoring 491-7 seven declared in their rst innings, to which England replied with 370. Sri Lanka responded with 294-7 at which point the game ended in a draw with the tourists undoubtedly having the better of it. eir main contributor in the rst innings total was Sidath Wettimuny with 190 in a knock stretching over 10 hours, 42 minutes, occupying the whole of the rst two days and a short part of day three. It was one for the record books for it was then the longest innings in a Test at Lords, and the highest score by any batsmen on his rst appearance in a Test in England; only six other visiting Test cricketers had scored more runs in a Lord’s innings. Sri Lanka cricket developed systematically Playing at the home of cricket remains a dream for players the world over, including the emerging cricket nations. JOHN HOPKINS contnues his series about those occasions when they first achieved it. SRI LANKA * * CEYLON UNTIL 1972 WHEN THE ISLAND BECAME A REPUBLIC. Kumar Sangakkara