Cricket World's Island Diary No.6

Match referee Clive Lloyd was featured on national radio's SLBC at the weekend during the island's popular programme 'Melodies and Memories' - similar to the BBC's Desert Island Discs. Hailing from Jamaica, along with Sky Sports' Michael Holding and umpire Steve Bucknor, the former West Indian legend was understood to be delighted at being asked to pick his favourite numbers. His selection included hits from Calypso king Johnny Mathis like 'Banana Boat Song' and 'Beautiful Parakeet'. One of the programme producers is Bertram Jayasuriya, inventor of the 'Catch It' Fielding machine, which would have been a great early Christmas present for the England team.

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By walking into the SSC grounds on the first day of the final Test here in Colombo, Irishman John Woods had finished what he set about achieving - visiting all 57 Test grounds in a year and a day. Woods says the idea was first conceived when he decided to travel to watch the Windies-Australia series in 1995, which was hanging in the balance at 1-1, after a few drinks down his local. Woods' journey this year has seen him take in 16 Test matches and 40 ODIs.

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Whenever a touring team comes to Sri Lanka, one cafe can be sure of custom. The Cricket Club Cafe in Colombo has for the past month been home to England's Barmy Army as well as being popularised by Sri Lanka's ex-pats. Inside, the Long Room and Bradman Bar walls are filled with newspaper clippings, past scorecards and scorecards from around the world. On the menu, you can choose from the Courtney Colada, Viv Veggie Burger or fan favourite Botham Burger.

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The same could be said for Beach Wadiya, revered among Sri Lankans as one of the best fish restaurants in the capital. Looking forward to a crab dish, Cricket World was told that most of the fish dishes had all gone after a particularly busy afternoon from one table. Speaking to Olwyn, the congenial owner of 30 years, it emerged that the Sky Sports team including one IT Botham had enjoyed a long meal earlier in the day.