NEWS
EXCLUSIVEKumar Sangakkara scored 28,000 runs for Sri Lanka – now he’s playing with welders and hot-tub salesmen in Dorset and loving the best teas in the country
Shillingstone is your typical sleepy village in north Dorset, a quiet haven situated on the River Stour on the periphery of the Blandford Forest. But this summer, the local cricket team have caused quite a stir after enticing a familiar face out of retirement.
ADVERTISEMENT
He’s not your average village cricketer, it’s fair to say. Not someone who has spent their life making time for playing cricket around a day job as a delivery driver, welder or hot-tub salesman, like his new team-mates.
Instead, across a 15-year career, Kumar Sangakkara cemented his place as one of the greats of the game.
The silky Sri Lankan left-hander toppled the most fearsome fast bowlers and canniest spinners of his generation to score the second-most runs in international cricket history.
38 Test hundreds were notched all over the world, from Lahore to Lord’s.
Legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara played for Shillingstone Cricket Club
Sangakkara cemented himself as one of the greats of the game in a dazzling 15-year career
Turning out for Shillingstone Cricket Club in division three of the Dorset Cricket League this summer, then, has been an entirely new experience altogether.
symbol
00:20
02:24
Read More
The surroundings for his run-scoring are certainly different. Sangakkara’s home ground is the council-owned recreation ground in the village, just a few miles from where he lives, affectionately known as ‘The Rec’, which is also used by the local football and tennis clubs.
The spectators are usually just a handful of locals who pop by while on their Saturday afternoon stroll – though that has changed when Sangakkara is in town, with fans travelling from all over to catch a glimpse of him playing.
‘It’s just to do with my friends,’ Sangakkara told Mail Sport. ‘I have quite a few friends I’ve known for quite a long time who live near Shillingstone, around the area where my kids go to school.
‘So whenever they were short, they were always trying to say, “You’ve got to come and play, you’ve got to come and play”. I said yes and I went and played a few games.’
Seven games, to be exact, squeezed in around coaching duties in the IPL and broadcasting commitments.
Sangakkara, after all, remains one of the most highly sought-after minds in the game after his run-scoring exploits and captaining some of the great Sri Lanka teams of the modern era. Since retiring in 2015, he has also served a term as MCC president.
But the joy is palpable in Sangakkara’s voice when he it comes to speaking about Shillingstone.
NEWS
Beverly Hills Cop’ actor John Ashton dead at 76 after battle with…see more
Beverly Hills Cop” star John Ashton has died. He was 76.
The actor passed away “peacefully” in Ft. Collins, Colo., on Thursday, Page Six confirms. TMZ reports he died after a battle with cancer.
“John leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication and service,” his rep Alan Somers told us in a statement.
His memory will forever be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as his brother, sisters, his extended family and all who loved him,” the statement continued.
John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”
Ashton is survived by his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye.
He was the father of two children, Michelle Ashton and Michael Thomas Ashton, and three stepchildren. His grandson, Henry, “held a cherished place in his heart.”
He filmed over 200 movies during his 50 years in Hollywood and was well known for his role as Sergeant John Taggart in the 1984 movie “Beverly Hills Cop” with Eddie Murphy.
Ashton recently reprised his role in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” which was released on Netflix in July.
In June, he attended the film’s premiere at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The Massachusetts native also starred in the 1988 film “Midnight Run” alongside Robert De Niro and in John Hughes’ 1987 comedy, “Some Kind of Wonderful.”
During a break from acting, he co-hosted the “Ashton and Davis Show” on ESPN Radio.
(Armani)
NEWS
Baseball icon Ozzie Virgil Sr – the first Dominican to ever play in MLB – dead of…see more
Ozzie Virgil Sr, the first Dominican to ever play in the MLB, has died.
He was 92 years old.
Virgil Sr. began his nine-year career in 1956 with the Giants (then of New York), who remembered him on Sunday with a tribute on X.
He later spent time with the Tigers, Athletics, Orioles and Pirates before wrapping up his career back with the Giants in separate stints in 1966 and 1969.
The MLB wrote on its official X account that it was ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of his passing.
Our thoughts are with his son, two-time All-Star catcher Ozzie Virgil Jr., and the rest of the Virgil family,’ they wrote.
Virgil’s presence in the MLB opened the door for many other Dominican players to follow suit.
Today, Dominican players make up 9.83% of all MLB rosters according to World Population Review – the highest figure of any country other than the USA.
Virgil served as a utility player in the big leagues and had a career batting average of .231 with 14 home runs.
After he finished his playing career, he spent 19 years as a coach with the Giants, Expos, Padres and Mariners.
He was born in Monte Cristo, Dominican Republic on May 17, 1932.
(Armani)
NEWS
Will Taylor Swift be at Travis Kelce’s game for Chiefs-Chargers on Sunday?
Travis Kelce is back to playing NFL games in 2024, and now that Taylor Swift is off from the Eras Tour for a couple of months, she has some time when she can once again come to cheer him on at Kansas City Chiefs games. She was there for the Week 1 win and attended the Week 2 victory. She wasn’t there for the Week 3 game in Atlanta.
MORE: 8 photos of Taylor Swift having a blast at the Chiefs-Bengals game
So the question is: will she be there for the Week 4 matchup on Sunday afternoon between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Chiefs? According to our handy Taylor Swift calendar, she appears to not have anything planned that day. Which means we might see her there!
Stay tuned and we’ll see if she’s there.
More TAYLOR SWIFT
Taylor Swift stickers were used by Grotesquerie’s film crew for the Travis Kelce series
Donna Kelce talked Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and Taylor’s family: ‘Feels like home’
Taylor Swift fans think the Chiefs should let Travis Kelce be bejeweled
-
CELEBRITY8 months ago
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce passionately kiss on the field after Chiefs secured spot in the Super Bowl ❤️
-
CELEBRITY6 months ago
l love Animal,Taylor Swift acquired another luxurious cat following the loss of her previous one, expressing, “I’m a huge cat enthusiast; I adore having them around me. I couldn’t care less about the criticism from haters. Cats bring me joy, and that’s what matters.”
-
NFL5 months ago
Taylor Swift firmly stated, “In this lifetime, I will not apologize to Kim Kardashian or Kanye West, because I owe no one an apology.”
-
NEWS9 months ago
Buffalo Bills could be forced to CANCEL or POSTPONE Chiefs VS Bills NFL playoff game because of more heavy snow forecast this week
-
CELEBRITY8 months ago
Did Travis Kelce just had sex with Taylor Swift? Jason Kelce noticed something Odd during latest episode of the New Heights Podcast.. ‘We gotta talk about it, Bud’
-
NEWS9 months ago
Taylor recently stated that having kids is not in their plans right now and fans should wait until they get married. This came after fans suggested the couple should have a baby together.
-
CELEBRITY9 months ago
Watch an Adorable Moment as Jason Kelce Pauses Podcast to Comfort Daughter Elliotte While She was ‘Losing It’.. Uncle Travis praised his niece as a ‘trooper’ and She laughs in a cute way..
-
CELEBRITY8 months ago
The Lavish Lives of Celebrity Kids Exposed
-
CELEBRITY9 months ago
Donna Kelce says, “There’s a difference between love and money. Money can’t buy love or happiness. My sons chose wisely, and I will give them my full support as a mother.”
-
CELEBRITY9 months ago
Jason Kelce hugged his mom and said, “You’re the best mom in the world. Thanks for the love and support.”