Jayasuriya's triple century

Mine will be a ‘Jayasuriya Triple Century’ please, and for him a ‘Border’s burger’. For the uninitiated that’s two chicken breasts with chips and a burger with all the trimmings (how Sri Lankan) at the Cricket Club Café in Colombo, an amazing place crammed full to bursting with memorabilia from every avenue of the sport. It, therefore, won’t surprise people when I say I have spent a few evenings down there since arriving in town.

It is a fascinating place for someone with my mild – and not at all unhealthy – interest in cricket. I visited for the first time on my first day here, and I think there were bets being taken on me taking out permanent residency in it for the three weeks. It hasn’t quite turned out like that – Colombo is well stocked with decent places for dinner – but I reckon the waiters are starting to recognise me.

If there is a piece of cricket history that’s worth a mention, especially involving Sri Lanka, England or Australia it will have a place inside. Autographed bats from a variety of sides line the walls, as do newspaper cuttings and scorecards from famous matches. In case you want to now what time a Test match is starting in any country, no fear, there are clocks dotted around showing the time in each nation. And, if you were thinking that it might be nice to see a game for yourself, then there is sign post showing the distance to every Test ground.

Also, if there is a match on TV, it will be on TV here, even if it is the highlights of a game from many years past. Whenever you flick on the sports channels they will be showing some highlights package involving India or Sri Lanka (although one evening I had the slightly surreal viewing experience of watching Geoff Boycott bat against West Indies – it just made you realise how times have changed). However, it isn’t just cricket that has given this place its name for major sporting events.

In 2003 it was the scene of England’s greatest triumph of their tour – the rugby team that is. The cricketers descended on the club for the World Cup final against Australia, resulting in joyous scenes when Jonny Wilkinson kicked that winning drop goal. If there is a sporting event on, this is place to come and watch it. Over the last couple of weekends rugby has again been the focus as the Six Nations swung into action. The bar has been well populated with fans, especially from the UK, cheering their team on with a pint and a pie.

It is easy to see why this place has a reputation around the world. A number of teams from the World Cup have enjoyed evenings here – a visit to Colombo (cricket related or otherwise) is not complete without, at least, one night here. I’m hungry just thinking about it…guess where I’m off to for dinner tonight. I’ll have my usual please.