Cricket World's Island Diary No.5

Situated next door to the SSC grounds, where the final Test is being played in Colombo, lies the Nondescripts Cricket Club, Currently in its 115th year, the club may only rank as the fourth oldest in Sri Lanka but it certainly has one of the prettiest pavilions. Watching a game with the fans slowly rotating, gin and tonic in hand and 'walking Wisden' Leo Wijesinghe talking history was pretty memorable too. The club also has a fine tradition of grooming players towards the Sri Lankan Test side. These have included Aravinda De Silva, Hashan Tillakaratne and present club captain Russel Arnold.

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Kandy's tuk-tuk drivers certainly knew the British art of converation with the city's cool climate and 'Manchester of Sri Lanka' tag. As well as the weather being a topic of front-seat chat, one English supporter was surprised to be asked how television's Coronation Street and Blind Date were doing. This particular driver happily regaled his favourite Cilla moment when Richard from Oldham picked his choice before taking her on a week's trip to Malta.

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With Colombo knee-deep in blow-up Santa's, Cricket World was unsurprised to be handed a leaflet - after a particularly sweltering first day's play at the SSC Grounds - advertising the capital's first ever Snow City. Outlining snow games, playing with snow and Christmas Carols as some of the activities on show, Sri Lankan children should be guaranteed a good time. And Cricket World notes that families could save up to 100 rupees (60p) if children are less than four feet tall.