Sri Lanka 2007: Han Solo comes to Colombo
Cricket photographers are a rum lot, not least on England tours abroad where they must spend long hours under a hot sun waiting for the shot that might ring round the world. To while away their time between balls and overs a couple of them have dreamt up a new game: casting the Sri Lankan team as Star Wars figures.
Bizarre certainly, but astonishingly gripping. Since Sri Lanka are a team of good guys any and all comparisons to Darth Vadar have been unnecessary as well as prohibited. Princess Leia is sadly but obviously not represented either.
But here is the rest of the cast list: Luke Skywalker - Mahela Jayawardene; Han Solo - Kumar Sangakkara; Yoda - Muttiah Muralitharan; Obi-Wan Kenobi - Sanath Jayasuriya; Chewbacce - Dilhara Fernando; C-3PO - Michael Vandort; R2-D2 - Chamira Silva. The snappers would welcome other suggestions and are now working on an appropriate movie vehicle for the England team
Please could I add that sling bowler Lasith Malinga would make a perfect Lando Calrissian and Mubarak would be Jar Jar Binks as he looks set for the drop after a unsucessful test series so far.
Posted by: free tut-tut | 13 December 2007 at 03:43 AM
How about Vaas as the competent, efficient and ever present Wedge Antilles?
Posted by: Alok | 13 December 2007 at 05:51 AM
Having watched the England team here in Australia last summer it's obvious they're a bunch of muppets.
Here's a suggested list: Hoggard - Miss Piggy, Flintoff - Fozzie Bear, Pieterson - Animal, Monty - Rowlf, Collingwood - Scooter, Giles - Beaker, Harmison - The Swedish Chef, Vaughan - Kermit. Special mention Geoff Boycott as both Statler and Waldorf.
Posted by: Dan | 13 December 2007 at 07:41 AM
I agree Dan, although I must say Vaughan was more Mr Snuffaluffagus - due to the fact we never saw him.
Watching Australia v England last summer also reminded me of The Harlem Globe-trotters taking on the 'faux' might of the Washington Generals.
Posted by: Kirky | 13 December 2007 at 08:36 AM
Would Australians kindly refrain from intruding on what is essentially private grief?
Posted by: StephenBrenkley | 13 December 2007 at 09:17 AM
I hear you brother. The Muppets were a great TV show, and the Washington Generals could obviously play. Maybe the comparison doesn't stack up?
Posted by: Kirky | 13 December 2007 at 09:45 AM
What about characters from the Lord of the Rings?
Posted by: Dinky Dee | 13 December 2007 at 10:01 AM
Lord of the Rings is no good, all of those blokes achieved great things (even the bad guys). Apart from the '05 Ashes, the England team would be doing well to be cast as Elrond's postmen.
Posted by: Dan | 14 December 2007 at 10:35 PM
i think with a little hair spray, u can make a decent princess Leia out of Slinga...though pls dont dress him up in a gold bikini!
Also, how could you not have Ranatunga as Jabba the Hutt!! (Sorry Arjuna! Couldn't resist!)
And Marvan Atapattu has to be Darth Vader, after he went to the dark side....
Posted by: Dimuthu Ratnayake | 17 December 2007 at 10:19 AM
I would like to apologise to any Muppets who were offended by the comparison with the English cricket team. The English cricket side is not even remotely worthy of shining the shoes on your little Muppet feet. I have learned my lesson, and will not be so flippant again. Sorry.
Posted by: Kirky | 21 December 2007 at 11:13 AM