Shastri's Audi moment

They say the best things come to those that wait.

So confident was Malcolm Marshall of success against India in the 1983 World Cup Final, he ordered a spanking new BMW as a gift to himself before Kapil Dev duly lifted the trophy.

Two years later, Ravi Shastri didn't even have to phone the car dealer. India's legendary all-rounder won an Audi 100 for his 'Champion of Champions' man of the series effort in Australia in 1985. Today marks the 21st anniversary and his prize still takes pride and joy in his front drive.

Shastri had a slow start to the tournament, which also featured Pakistan, but soon found his gear as he finished with 182 runs and 8 wickets as India beat Pakistan in the final.

After learning of his prize, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi waived the heavy duty on the Audi's import and Shastri took full advantage.

"Initially I was over possessive about it," said Shastri a few years ago. "I was always watching her with eagle eyes just to make sure no one touched her."

Cricket World's Island Diary No.3

After close on five years living in Galle, British couple Joe and Jack Eden, grandson of former prime minister Anthony Eden, have developed their business of helping run and maintain villas in the city, but not just through hard work. Word-of-mouth and tourism to the south-west coast have flourished and as Cricket World discovered, staying in one of these beautiful villas (www.villasinsrilanka.com) is close on equal to having the privilege of watching a Test match here.

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UNESCO recently visited the Old Fort area, a world heritage site, to help develop Galle for its future. And after several years of the Citadel being unable to maintain various sites with the funds given to them, the development uinit at the University of London has drawn up plans which will see the Fort's ramparts being properly maintained and conserved, advertising on the city's tuk-tuks and a focus on urban regeneration in the principle.

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If the Australian batsmen find themselves in a spin next February, when they are due to tour Sri Lanka, they could no worse than finding solace in one of their country's own brand of wines. Aussie company Angoves specialises in exporting wines and has tapped Sri Lanka as one of the new emerging markets after previously sourcing India and China. Last month it shipped its first 700 cases to Colombo.

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Finally, former England legend Ian Botham, who is covering the tour for Sky Sports and Ten Sports, has been busy on two fronts. He arrived in Sri Lanka only last week only then to fly to Melbourne, Victoria to shoot the latest in his line of Shredded Wheat adverts before flying back on Monday in time for the first Test.