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.

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.