Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Martin Crowe - the man who kept Sri Lanka's cricket flame alive
The Island
|October 17, 2025
New Zealand's women's team are in Colombo this week for their Women's World Cup fixtures against the hosts and Pakistan and local fans can't help but recall how former skipper Martin Crowe once played a match-winning innings off the field — saving Sri Lanka from cricketing isolation.
-
Barely two years after Sri Lanka gained Test status, the civil war broke out. In 1987, a deadly bomb blast at the Colombo Central Bus Station killed more than a hundred people, bringing the island to its knees. The New Zealand team was touring at the time and the series was abandoned midway.
For the next five years, no international team dared set foot on Sri Lankan soil. That forced several players to retire prematurely, including their charismatic captain Ranjan Madugalle. He was just 29.
The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka knocked on many doors, pleading for teams to return. Australia finally agreed, followed by New Zealand but tragedy struck again.
This story is from the October 17, 2025 edition of The Island.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Island
The Island
First oarfish sighting in Sri Lanka highlights citizen science in marine protection
Scientists have documented the first-ever record of an oarfish (Regalecus russellii) in Sri Lanka, a 2.6-meter (8.5-foot) specimen caught off the country's western coast.
4 mins
October 18, 2025
The Island
Bangladesh tribunal seeks death penalty for former PM Sheikh Hasina
A prosecutor, on Thursday (16 October 2025), in a special domestic tribunal in Bangladesh, sought the death penalty for ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a case involving charges of crimes against humanity in amass uprising last year that forced her to flee the country.
2 mins
October 18, 2025
The Island
ComBank partners Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens 2025 as Gold Sponsor & Official Banking Partner
Reaffirming its strong ties with one of Sri Lanka’s most followed sports, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has partnered with the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025 (2nd leg) as Gold Sponsor and Official Banking Partner.
1 min
October 18, 2025
The Island
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan spike as truce about to expire
Suicide car bomber strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid unconfirmed reports that Qatar has offered to host peace talks
2 mins
October 18, 2025
The Island
IMF: Lanka on path to growth following debt restructuring
Sri Lanka, emerging from a debt restructuring, is on the path to growth and to restoring confidence, International Monetary Fund's (IMF's) Monetary and Capital Markets Department Director Tobias Adrian said.
1 min
October 18, 2025
The Island
Lanka Ashok Leyland reports strong first half
Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC, a successful joint venture between the Government of Sri Lanka and Ashok Leyland Limited of India, recently announced robust financial results for the first half of the financial year ending September 30th, 2025.
1 min
October 18, 2025
The Island
Ex-President Mahinda's former personal security officer further remanded
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday (17) ordered the further remand of retired Lieutenant Colonel Neville Wanniarachchi, former Personal Security Officer (PSO) to ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, until 31 October.
1 min
October 18, 2025
The Island
Jayananda Warnaweera: The Kingmaker who turned Galle into a spin fortress
Former Sri Lankan off-spinner Jayananda Warnaweera, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 64 after a brief illness, had his moments with the ball, but it was his deeds off the field that truly left a mark on the game.
2 mins
October 18, 2025
The Island
Minorities cautious as Pakistan cracks down on far-right Islamist party
(UCAN) A sweeping crackdown on the far-right Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) after deadly anti-Israel protests has sparked cautious relief among religious minorities, including Christians, who have been targeted by the group in the past.
2 mins
October 18, 2025
The Island
Cost of a gold sovereign tops Rs. 400,000
The price of a 24-carat gold sovereign in Sri Lanka has surpassed Rs. 400,000 for the first time, reaching Rs. 410,000, the All-Island Gold Jewellers' Association said yesterday (17).
1 min
October 18, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size