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- Sri Lanka go down to India
- Pakistan swamp Windies
- Aussies brush aside Kiwis
- South Africa into Plate C’ship semis
- Will it be Americas or Holland?
- When the high priests desecrated Test cricket
- COMMENT
Cricketing Crescendo- Another feather in the cap for Thuhashini
- Fun Rally full of excitement
- Nalanda wriggle out of the jaws of defeat
- Kasun a match bag of 10/87 in drawn match
- Bowler who was incapable of contracting meningitis
- Downfall of Kompannaveediya (Company’s Street) Football
- The ancient martial arts
By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Sri Lanka suffered their first defeat when they went down to India by 41 runs where the host team’s batting machinery for once failed to click in their Under-19 Youth World Cup match yesterday at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Chasing a challenging 243-run victory target, the Lankan top order failed to come to terms with the tidy Indian bowling attack. The Indian batsmen were not troubled by the Lankan bowlers on their way to 242 for 7 wickets in their 50 overs while Sri Lanka were dismissed for 201 in 45.4 overs. India’s match winner was Ritender Singh Sodhi who top scored with a well compiled 74 while Skipper Mohammed Kaif reduced the Lankan batting with 3 wickets for 29 runs in what was a fine team effort by the Indians. Sri Lanka now face strong Pakistan in their semi final match on Monday at the Galle International Stadium while India meet Australia in the other semi final at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium on Tuesday in what will decide the two countries to battle it out in the grand final on January 28 at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds. Yesterday, India took full advantage of the luck of the coin with the batsmen exploiting some poor outfielding coupled with fine running between the wickets to lay their victory foundation. Ritender Singh Sodhi, with the aid of two boundaries and a six, leading the way in his 83-ball knock. He was unfortunate deserved ton, running himself out while Niraj Patel (43) and Yuvaraj Singh (36) were the other cornerstones in that total. Following this defeat, Sri Lanka will have to re-think its batting strategy if they are to win the cup with victory over the strong Pakistanis requiring all their resources with the bat. As such, the team management will have to strongly consider allround batsman Mevan Fernando whose omission in preference for strengthening the bowling department was costly. With Ian Daniel failing yesterday Sri Lanka’s dependance on his consistency seemed too much.
When Sri Lanka batted, the top order batsmen lost their way in the face of the imposing target with the exception of Jehan Mubarak who made a brisk 30 off 25 balls inclusive of 5 fours and wicket-keeper batsman Rashan Peiris (61) and Kaushal Liyanarachchi (30). Sri Lanka, finally made a fight of it, thanks to a seventh wicket partnership of 58 runs between Peiris and Liyanarachchi which briefly raised victory hopes in the Lankan camp. But when Liyanarachchi was bowled by Yuvaraj Singh, the writing was on the wall. His 41-ball knock contained one six. Peiris brought up his fifty off 63 balls inclusive of 5 fours. But ten deliveries later, Peiris departed when he was deceived by a delivery from Skipper Mikaif who drew the batsman out of his crease for wicket-keeper, Ajay Ratra to remove the bails. Indian paceman M. Tripathi claimed 2 for 18 and Sodhi 2 for 22.
India
M. SHARMA c. Nissanka b A. Ganegama 11
R. RICKY c Pushpakumara b Dhammika 32
M. KAIF c T. Kandambi b R. Dhammika 12
Y. SINGH st R. Peiris b Pushpakumara 36
R. SODHI run out 74
N. PATEL b R. Dhammika 43
V. RAO not out 14
M. TRIPATHY c Weeraratne b R. Dhammika 00
A.RATRA not out 06
EXTRAS: lb-1, nb-5, w-8 14TOTAL: for 7 wkts in 50 overs 242
BOWLING: P. Nissanka 5-1-19-0, A. Ganegama 6-0-27-1, K. Weerarathna 3-0-20-0, R. Dhammika 10-1-43-4, M. Pushpakumara 10-0-38-1, Lokuarachchi 7-0-35-0, I. Daniels 1-0-5-0, J. Mubarak 8-0-54-0.
Sri Lanka
K.WEERASINGHE lbw b M. Tripathy 06
I. DANIEL c R. Ricky b N. Tripathy 14
J. MUBARAK c R. Sodhi b S. Srivastav 30
T. KANDAMBI c Y. Singh b V. G. Rao 04
M. GAJANAYAKE ct A. Ratra b R. Sodhi 16
M. PUSHPAKUMARA c S. Srivastav b R. Sodhi 11
R. PIERIS st A. Ratra b M. Kaif 61
K. LOKUARACHCHI b Y. Singh 30
R. DHAMMIKA c & b M. Kaif 02
A. GANEGAMA not out 14
P. Nissanka b M. Kaif 01
EXTRAS: lb-3, nb-2, w-7 12TOTAL: all out in 45.4 overs 201
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-9, 2-44, 3-56, 4-76, 5-76, 6-106, 7-164, 8-167, 9-197.
BOWLING: S. Srivastav 8-0-49-1, M.Tripathy 6-0-18-2, V. G. Rao 5-2-17-1, R. Sodhi 7-0-22-2, A. Dave 4-0-25-0, Y. Singh 8-0-38-1, M. Kaif 7.4-1-29-3
By Dhammika Ratnaweera
A 67-run knock by Faisal Iqbal and 65 by opening batsman Toufeeq Umar took Pakistan to the semi finals of the Under-19 Youth World Cup at the expense of West Indies who lost by 7 wickets yesterday at the Colombo Cricket Club grounds.
After restricting the West Indies to 182 in 50 overs in 49.4 overs, Pakistan reached their target in 43.1 overs.
Iqbal and Umar were associated in a 116-run alliance for the fourth wicket as Pakistan shrugged off an early hicup of losing 3 wickets for 54 runs.
For the West Indies, Sewnarine Chattergoon top scored with 44 while Skipper Ryan Hinds made 32.
Pacie, took 4 for 27 while leg spinner, Danish Kaneria took 2 for 23 for Pakistan.
SCOREBOARD
West Indies
BRENTON PARCHMENT run out 17
CALITOS LOPEZ b M. Sami 00
KIRK WIKINSON st H. Parhat b D. Kaneria 29
NARSINGH DEOMARINE c & b D. Kaneria 13
MARLON SAMUELS c H. Parhat b A. Zaidi 07
BYAN HINDS c M. Sami b M. Z. Saeed 32
SEWNARINE CHATTERGOON c H. Parhat b Z. Saeed 44
CAMILUS ALEXANDER b Y. Arafat 02
ANDREW RICHARDSON not out 06
GREG FRANCOIS b Z. Saeed 01
JERMAINE LAWSON c H. Raza b Z. Saeed 00
EXTRAS: lb-1, nb-12, w-18 31TOTAL: all out in 49.4 overs 182
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-6, 2-42, 3-74, 4-86, 5-86, 6-170, 7-171, 8-176, 9-182.
BOWLING: Zahid Saeed 9.4-1-27-4, Muhammad Sami 5-0-31-1, Jannisar Khan 7-1-31-0, Yasir Arafat 9-1-35-1, Danish Kaneria 10-1-23-2, Ashar Zamdi 6-0-23-1, Taufiq Omer 3-0-11-0.
Pakistan
IMRAN NAZIR b C. Lopez 06
TOUFEQ UMAR c C. Lopez b R. Hinds 65
ASHAR ZAIDI c Z. Ali b A. Richardson 02
HASAN RAZA c M. Samuels b J. Lawson 22
FAISAL IQBAL not out 67
JANNISAR KHAN lbw b R. Hinds 00
YASIR ARAFAT c N. Deomarine b R. Hinds 00
H. PARHAT c N. Deomarine b R. Hinds 00
ZAHID SAEED not out 04
DID NOT BAT: M. SAMI, D. KANERIA
EXTRAS: b-1, lb-5, nb-5, w-8 19TOTAL for 7 wkts. in 43.1 overs 185
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-12, 2-25, 3-54, 4-170, 5-171, 6-173, 7-173
BOWLING: Andrew Richardson 8-0-33-1, Calitos Lopez 4-0-25-1, Jermaine Lawson 7-0-40-1, Marlon Samuels 10-1-29-0, Rayn Hinds 7-0-19-4, Camilus Alexander 7.1-0-33-0.
by Reggie Goonewardene,Our Moratuwa Sports Corr.
Australia coasted to an easy 69-run win over New Zealand in their under 19 youth World Cup Super League match at the Soysa Stadium Moratuwa yesterday to enter the semi finals.
Australia, batting on the luck of the coin, overcame some early blemishes to total 122 in 42.2 overs, and then demolished the Kiwis for 53 in 27 overs.
Australia’s batting was held together by E. Cowan (28) and T. Wolsford (30) who had a good double when he soon got into the wicket taking act with a haul of 5 for 23 when New Zealand batted.
Wolford, who opened the bowling with R. Refe (2/10) broke the back of the Kiwi batting, sharing 7 wickets between them.
SCOREBOARD
Australia
S. March lbw b J. Franklin 05
E. Cowan lbw b T. Robin 28
C. Clarke wkt b J. Franklin 04
A. McDonald wkt b N. McCullum 13
S. Watson ct J. How b G Hayne 04
N. Harritz ct J. McNamee b N McCullum 09
T. Welsford ct J. How b G. Forge 30
L. Buchnan lbw b J Franklin 05
A Obrein ct J. How b G. Forge 00
C. Hartley lbw b J Franklin 06
P. Rofe not out 00
Extras: lb-2, nb-3, w-13 18Total: in 42.2 overs 122
Fall of Wickets: 1-29, 2-34, 3-62, 4-62, 5-73, 6-82, 7-92, 8-101, 9-121
Bowling: T Robin 8-0-30-1, J. Franklin 8.2-1-18-4, G. Irwin 10-0-30-0, N. McCullum 10-3-16-2, G. Hayne 3-0-12-1, G. Forge 3-0-14-2.
New Zealand
E. Morgan lbw b T. Welsford 11
J. How lbw b P. Rofe 00
N. Horsley lbw b T. Welsford 01
J. McNamee lbw b T. Welsford 00
J. Franklin lbw b T. Welsford 05
G. Irwin ct Clarke b Welsford 04
B. McCullum lbw b N. Hauritz 12
N. McCullum ct C. Hartley b P. Rofe 03
G. Forge lbw b S. Watson 04
T. Robin ct A. McDonald b N. Hauritz 04
G. Hayne not out 06
Extras: lb-4 nb-2 w-3 9Total: in 27 overs 53
Fall of wickets: 2, 3, 4, 19, 21, 28, 34, 44, 53
Bowling: P. Rofe 10-0-19-2, T. Welsford 10-1-22-5, N. Hauritz 4-1-5-2, S. Watson 2-0-3-1, A. O‘Brine 1-1-0-0
South Africa into Plate C’ship semis
Hafiz Marikar reporting from Asgiriya Stadium
South Africa booked a berth for the semi final in the plate championship in the Under 19 Youth World Cup Cricket tournament by beating Holland by 154 runs at the Asgiriya turf wicket.
South Africans elected to bat on an easy paced wicket, and their openers A. Puttic and G. Smith put on 73 runs for the first wicket. These two gave a superb display of batting. Puttic made 33 off 51 balls which had three fours, Smith’s 44 came in 63 balls. He had four hits to the boundry. J. Myburgh coming at No. 4 went on to score a solid 53 in 67 balls, which had four hits to the fence and one over it. U. Abrahams scored 40 with two fours in 53 deliveries. South Africa’s total was boosted chiefly by these four bats, R. de Graaf the medium paceman bowled best to take 4 for 53 runs.
Hollend taking their turn, had to face only 49 overs, one was a penalty over, and were able to score 124 runs in 49 overs for the loss of 8 wickets, R. Van Ierschot was the most successful batsman scoring 31 runs off 65 balls, which had three fours and a six.
South Africa — A. Puttick 33, G. Smith 44, R. Gobind 11, J. Myburgh 53, U. Abrahams 40, D. Makla Makalima 23, T. Joslekile 26 not out, H. Morkel 25 not out, Extras (b1, lb1, nb4, w17) 23 — Total 278 for 6 wickets in 50 overs.
Fall: 73, 97, 100, 191, 202, 245.
F. Nyimen 10-1-63-0, R. de Graff 10-0-53-4, E. Nawaz 10-0-74-01, A. Raja 10-1-37-0, K. Kout 7-0-29-1, R. Van Jerschot 3-0-20-0.
Holland — K. Shafig 08, Van Burge 07, A. Raja 11, E. Nawaz 02, R. Van Jerschot 31, R. Bakas 04, A. Burhman 00, K. Kout 19, G. Bins not out 12, F. Niymen 00 not out (R. de Graff did not bat) Total 124 for 8 wickets in 49 overs Extras (lb 4, nb 10, w 16) 30.
Fall: 23, 41, 45, 67, 86, 89, 89, 124.
D. Senbekal 8-0-21-1, A. Morkel 10-0-12-1, J. Botha 9-3-16-2, D. Abrhams 7-1-16-1, A. Abrahams 10-3-28-1, J. Myburgh 6-1-6-2, D. Makalima 4-0-21-0.
s
Will it be Americas or Holland?Hafiz Marikar reporting from Radella
Which of it will it be when Americas take on Holland at the Radella Grounds? If the weather permits, cricket fans can expect good fare. At Radella, no World Cup was started in time, every match had a delayed start.
Holland’s forte is their strong batting line up. They will be expecting a lot from R. Van Jerschot, a fine stroke maker, who should give a good start. Then there is K. Shafiq, E. Nawaz, K. Kout, G. Bins, F. Nivmen and R. Bakas. There is no reason why they should not put up a big total. Holland bowlers who should impress today are F. Nyimen, E. Nawaz, R. de Greeff, A. Raja.
It will be intresting to see the Americas in action. They possess a knowledgeable outfit. Their batsmen should go on a scoring spree if Z. Zurkari, L. Minors, A. Bagai a top stroke maker, G. Pitcher, K. Sanders give off their best. The Americas have a sound set of bowlers like seamer Lucas Paterlini in good form, Z. Sukrani, Shahidi Elani, Olver pitcher, should show good class. So, this game should provide good intresting cricket to the planting sector. They are sure of watching some delightful batting and equally fine bowling feats from respective players. Fielding will no doubt be the key-note and the main decider in this game. No team can afford to drop catches.
When the high priests desecrated Test cricket
By Mahinda Wijesinghe
In an English county championship match, between Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, hosted by the latter in 1965, Clive Inman the former Peterite, Nondescripts C.C. & Ceylon left-hand batsman, plundered 32 runs (4,6,6,6,6,4) in an over off the bowling of part-time Notts bowler Norman Hill in 8 minutes! For quite sometime it was considered the record for the fastest half-century in first-class cricket. However, since Hill was bowling full-tosses to Inman, in order to obtain a declaration from Leicestershire, the record has since been removed from the official records. Contrived records or ‘fixed’ matches are an anathema to the game of cricket. Today, the fastest fifty is credited to C. I. J. Smith who achieved the mark in l1 minutes when playing for Middlesex against Gloucestershire in a county championship game at Bristol in 1938.
77 RUNS IN AN OVER!
Worse still, in a Shell Trophy match played in 1989-90 at Christchurch, New Zealand, R. H. Vance of Wellington, "acting on the instructions of his captain, deliberately conceded 77 runs (yes, seventy-seven!!) in an over of full-tosses which included 17 no-balls, and, owing to the umpire’s understandable miscalculation, just five legitimate balls", quoted from Bill Frindall in the Wisden Book of Cricket Records - 1998. Here too, this feat is not considered as the record for the highest number of runs scored in a 6-ball over - for the same reason. As most cricket fans know, the record for scoring the most number of runs off a 6-ball over in first-class cricket - of 36, comprising of 6 sixes- is held jointly by Garfield Sobers and Ravi Shastri.
WALKING ON THIN ICE
In other words, even in first-class cricket — which is a long rung below Test cricket-contrived results are not acceptable. That is as it ought to be. After all, what is the difference between contrived results and match-fixing? One gets on to very thin ice, because it is only a thin line that divides the two. Bets may be accepted for a draw, a win by side A, or a win by side B or a tie, or for a multitude of situations, and one of them could well be for a decision — any decision, See what I mean?
SUCH SHENANIGANS A TRAVESTY OF THE SPORT
When the recently concluded final Test between England and South Africa yielded a result after both sides forfeited an innings, I believe, the noble traditions of the game took a nosedive. Skippers Hansie Cronje of South Africa and Nasser Hussain of England, may have engineered a result in a Test match but they have desecrated the game in the process. One does not cut the neck off a patient who is suffering from a goitre. Have they forgotten that in any event they do play cricket restricted to one innings in One-day Internationals? When one recalls that England and South Africa were akin to being the high priests of cricket, it makes the situation more sad. It has created a precedence that can have fearful consequences in the future. Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game. If such shenanigans are permissible, then it is a travesty of the sport. Cricket is not only about winning or losing. There is sometimes honour and a thrill in playing for a draw. Remember the 4th Test at Adelaide between Australia and the West Indies in 1960-61? Ken Mackay and last man Lindsay Kline batted for the final 100 minutes to earn an honourable and a pulsating draw for Australia. It was a dramatic moment when Mackay (sans chest guard, helmet etc.) preferred to take the last ball delivered by paceman West Hall on the chest rather than the bat to avoid a possible catch. 40 years after the event, cricket fans the world over still recall the event. If the match was played to a finish would anyone remember the game?
TOUCHING UP SIGIRIYA FRFSCOES BY COMMERCIAL ARTISTS
The tension of the last man trying his best to survive against the fury of a paceman or the intricacies of a master spinner, while the established batsman is trying to shield his partner from the strike while the minutes are ticking away to the close of play - that is one of the alluring aspects of the tapestry of cricket. Let’s not spoil it by introducing artificiality. It would be akin to touching up the Sigiriya frescoes by commercial artists.
PIONEERED BUT PROSTITUTED IT AS WELL
With so much in the air about alleged match-fixing and bookies doing the rounds in international cricket today, for the I.C.C. to ignore this incident would be fatal. Test cricket is the holiest of holies. Now, it has been desecrated, nay prostituted, by two of the three most senior Test-playing nations. After all, it was England and Australia, and next South Africa who were the pioneers in Test cricket, and they have the honour of playing the first-ever triangular Test series - in 1912. Although they pioneered, posterity proves they prostituted the game as well. On the other hand, if such an incident takes place (say) when Pakistan is due to play Sri Lanka shortly, would the high priests in the ICC start the battle-cry of ‘match-fixing? As Sunil Gavaskar had stated: "If it had been Pakistan doing this’ would they have been accused of ‘fixing’ the match? Integrity seems to be the copyright of certain developed countries and it would appear some of the developing countries aren’t considered to have that integrity. That I’m not prepared to buy." Even former England captain, Tony Greig, though fallen out of favour from the establishment especially in England said, Test cricket has survived for 100 years "without this sort of thing happening and it seems to be doing pretty well."
‘WIN OR LOSE WE BOOZE’
For those who want cricket to be either white or black - you know the local slogan "win or lose we booze" - I suppose a result is what all that matters. But, to the connoisseurs of the game there is far more to savour. It is the connoisseur who has uplifted the game and helped maintain the sport with dignity. Cricket cannot afford to lose them. They are the backbone of cricket. The others who come for the cheap thrills will be, perhaps, as happy watching a cockfight or indulging in the age-old card game of ‘asking-hitting’. These types are dispensable. So, to those who advocate such cheap ploy of forfeiting an innings, merely to obtain a result, I say to them, ‘do not kill the golden goose’. Cheapen the game and you lose the spectators. They are the life-blood of cricket.
Cricketing Crescendoby Srian Obeyesekere
As never before, the Sri Lankan cricketing scenario has swelled in a crescendo of activity that has shown rather than borne an abundance of talent for the future. While the immediate new talent that was unearthed but a few months back has cascaded in fair flow at the highest national level, that there is a resource of talent at hand at lesser level must be as equally satisfying to the cricketing hierarchy.If one were to go by the great flair shown by our under-19 cricketers in the ongoing Youth World Cup,it would assuredly make the selectors feel a surfeit never existed.
For one, the new finds in the Sri Lanka team have woven such a solidity under the mantle of Sanath Jayasuriya which has already seen a forward surge. But in that crescendo, our cricket is also experiencing the inevitable change that comes with form and time. Foremost, the careers of two of the country’s cricketing veterans - Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva. Two greats at the tether of their careers, but yet fighting to be counted, as teething talent has begun to come of age. Last week’s announcement of the one-day squad must surely have rubbed in that much of salt where for the second time the national selectors felt Ranatunga and de Silva were over the hill for one-day cricket.Two exponents at that level who took their country to the summit of one-day stardom in 1996.
No doubt as the selectors axe has begun to grind, there is yet a torrent of backing for the two old campaigners from their die hard fans who still see a glint in the rust of their careers. While Aravinda is yet idolised, Arjuna is a champion in the hearts of many.
It is such a changing scenario that Lankan cricket is going through. As for the selectors, headed by one of the best of his types, former opening batsman, Sidath Wettimuny, the latent talent they have laid faith on has justified their faith.Already, batsman Tillekerate Dilshan, at only 20 years has a century (161 not out) before him in only his second Test appearance. What a baptism to the firmamanet with the selectors looking four years hence. Add the lean and lanky left hander, Russel Arnold, who had a glut of runs against the Zimbabwe bowlers recently. Arnold,like the ‘hulk’ has shown great temperament and flair beyond his age in holding the batting together in crisis with an appetite for making huge runs with effortless ease. Also in the fold in the batting trade are youngsters Indika de Saram and Chamara de Silva. Saram, despite not coming up with big scores, yet showing the promise of a batsman for the future. The temperament to stay at the wicket standing him in good stead. Chamara,in contrast strokeful but needing more exposure to come really good.
As for Ranatunga and de Silva, the conjecture is whether they will be brought in for the all important second leg of the Pakistan tour in February when Sri Lanka will face a battery of pace bowlers of the calibre of Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar (whom his selectors are trying to have cleared on time), Waqar Younis, Azhar Mohammed and Abdur Razzaq, one of their best finds next to the controversial Akhtar who is on the sidelines.Or will the selectors give the young ‘uns the nudge to carry on with the promise they have shown?
As for the teenagers, Sri Lanka’s hosting of the youth extravaganza, has brought to the limelight some promising players in batsman Ian Daniel, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Jehan Mubarak, Skipper Malintha Gajanayake and bowlers Ranil Dhammika, Prabath Nisshanka and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara. The latter, who has already made it to the one-day squad to Pakistan for the three-match one-day series. Dhammika, the leg spinner already has a tally of 11 wickets in the on going championship including two four wicket hauls.
Talent in the making.
Another feather in the cap for Thuhashini
Reigning Sri Lankan Ladies Golf champion, Thuhashini Selvaratnam annexed another feather in her cap when she won the 38th Phillipine Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship last week. The 23-year old golfer, who has made a big impact on the international circuit, beat local champ Aileen Yao by 8 shots with a 2 under par on the first day at the Manila Golf and Country Club Course.
Thuhashini, who only a fortnight ago won the Thailand Ladies Open Golf Tournament, was the only golfer to break par in the entire tournament. She beat a field of 83 players from 4 countries in this most prestigious event in the Phillippines.
A ‘Fun Rally’ was conducted by the Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Club (SLMCC) recently and attended by well over 150 members and their guests. Thirty two (32) vehicles participated in the Rally, the route for which was exclusively mapped out to give the participants, especially the members and their guests a day of excitement filled travel
The Rally started off opposite the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, covering a distance of 112 km with the finish at Dolphin Hotel at Waikkcal where the participants were entertained with music before lunch. The social and prize-giving that followed was a colourful event at which the members shared their ideas to uplift the standards of motor sports, giving prominence to the youth of the day.
This Rally was an ideal opportunity for the lady drivers to share their experience with the more experienced Rally Drivers.
Nalanda wriggle out of the jaws of defeat
Peterite captain, Chrishantha Pieries led from the front yesterday with a fine allround display (74 n.o. and a match bag of 11/62), but Nalanda came out of the jaws of defeat in their inter-school cricket match which ended in a thrilling draw at Bambalapitiya.
Nalanda, needing 207 runs for victory in 1 1/2 hours of the final session, were reeling at 88 for 6 at stumps with Peiris finishing a haul of 4 for 31 in finishing the wake of his first innings 7 for 31 with his left arm leg breaks.
St. Peter’s made 229 and 134 for 4 wickets declared.
Nalanda made 157 in their first essay. M. Danusinghe 30 top scoring with 30.
CHIEF SOCRES
St. Peter’s 1st Inning 229 (Chrishantha Peiris 74 n.o.), Denver Fox 36, G. Ishara 4/70) and 139/4 decl. (D. Fox 27, Jehan Jayasuriya 43, Mahesh Perera 36, Malin Silva 21.
Nalanda 1st Innings 157 (M. Porage 26, M. Dunusinghe 30 n.o., Naduna Withana 2/5 and 88/6.
S. Peiris 25, H. Gunawardene 33 n.o., C. Peiris 4/31)
Kasun a match bag of 10/87 in drawn match
by V. Nagadharshan
Ananda’s left arm leg spinner Kasun Dissanayake had a match bag of 10 wickets in their drawn inter-school cricket match against Trinity College at Ananda Mawatha yesterday.
Ananda, replying to Trinity’s first innings total of 186, took their overnight score of 81 for 1 wicket to 202 for 7 declared. B. Bandara top scored with 68 with L. Fernando (21) and E. Abeysinghe (26) being the other main run getters for Ananda.
For Trinity, Selvakumar claimed 4 for 56 and Manjula Dissanayake 2 for 48.
Trinity, in their second essay were all out for 129 in 69.4 overs in the final session. R. Gamage made 39 and M. Dissanayake 23.
Kasun Fernando with 4 wickets for 39 had a match bag of 10 for 87. Wickramage took 3 for 24.
Trinity 1st innings 186 and 129 all out. (R. Gamage 39, M. Dissanayake 23, Kasun Fernando 4/39, Wickramage 3/24).
Ananda 1st innings 81/1 wkt. overnight contd. (B. Bandara 68, L. Fernando 21, E. Abeysinghe 26, Selvakumar 4/56, Mangala Dissanayake 2/48).
Bowler who was incapable of contracting meningitis
By Mahinda Wijesinghe
There is no question about it. Cricket serves up more funny stories than any other game. Tell me one funny soccer/ tennis/ rugby (not jokes!) Hockey story and I will tell you fifty cricket stories. So here goes a couple to light up your Sunday morning.
The setting was rural England. There was this fast bowler who was built like a battleship — tall and strong as an ox but empty where it matters - and as fast as a jet, at least, by village cricket standards. Naturally, he was the blacksmith, and the needle match against the adjoining village was the occasion. The whole village had gathered, including the parson, and the event was one of the red-letter days of this sleepy village.
The fast bowler, whom we shall call Fred — not The Fred! — seeing the parson among the spectators, was at his wittiest: "So padre, have you come to administer extreme unction to my victims?" And, Fred himself laughed the loudest, which spoke volumes of his empty mind.
The match began and our hero, as usual, opened the bowling. The opening batsman — who shall remain nameless — was, as is the case in these village skirmishes, not a Len Hutton or a Gordon Greenidge. Now Fred too realised this and thought he could have some fun rather than get him out. Bowling round the wicket at a lively pace, Fred hit the unfortunate batsman on his midriff with the second delivery. "Did that hurt young man?" asks Fred as the batsman doubles up in pain. The next ball nearly parted his hair as the poor batsman who now felt that he should have stayed at home and cut the lawn rather than face this maniac, ducked for dear life. The next ball flew past his face before he could make a move. The last ball of the over hit the miserable batsman over his heart and they ran two leg-byes.
This scenario continued. Wickets were falling around the opening batsman who gamely continued gathering runs despite Fred’s deliberate attempts at maiming him. "I will make him dance and make it painful too" seemed the fast bowler’s attitude. In the meantime, the opener was milking runs from the other end. Finally, when the No, 11 was scalped by the left-arm spinner, the opening batsman had carried out bat for a battered but brave 56 runs. A big score in village cricket.
As the innings closed, the entire crowd stood up and gave a thunderous ovation to the batsman who remained unbeaten with a half-century to his name. Fred walks alongside him and says:
"You know, I could have had you in the first over"
"Probably, you may have" says the batsman rubbing his sore body and now raising his cap to acknowledge the applause, "but, you were more keen in trying to hit me than in getting me out. Anyway, there’s one thing I’ll say in your favour"
"What’s that?" asks Fred.
"You’re never likely to contract meningitis" replies the batsman. ‘"Why?" asks Fred.
"Because, you got to have a bloody brain to get it!" replied the batsman walking into the dressing room.
Emote Robinson was an institution in Yorkshire cricket when that county was the most respected bastion of English cricket. After all, it was the home of giants such as Wilfred Rhodes, George Hirst, Hedley Verity, Len Hutton, Herbert Sutcliffe... Need one say more?
Robinson was an opening bowler and a useful batsman, but more than that, he was a Yorkshire cricketer.
The Yorkshire Lancashire encounter, known as the Battle of the Roses, from time immemorial was a thorny affair. No holds barred and it was a blood battle. During this game there wasn’t the modern concept of ‘sledging’ on the field. In fact, the only words that were exchanged on the field, it used to be said were "Good morning" and "How’s that?" Luck, the old professionals always maintained, was for the sissies. Cricket was a man’s game.
One day the rival teams met and Emote arrived early to the grounds. He looked in the Yorkshire dressing room and there was no one. He looked into the Lancashire dressingroom possibly responsibly to say ‘good morning’ — and there was none there either. He then grabbed a cushion from the dressing room, had a good look around and went into the shower room, knelt on the cushion and started his prayer:
"Lord, I know Thou art the greatest judge of any cricket match that ever takes place. Today the two best teams in the world are going to meet for the next three days. If Yorkshire has the best team they will win. If Lancashire has the better team than us. Let them win. If the teams are equal or if it rains the match will be drawn. But, Lord, If you keep out of this game for the next three days, we’ll knock the bloody hell out of this Lancashire lot."
Downfall of Kompannaveediya (Company’s Street) Football
There is no angel to come and bring back the standard of football to this part of the metropolitan which was one time the stronghold of Sri Lanka football scene and at one stage the whole Sri Lanka football was kept at ransom at all competitive tournaments by the clubs from my home town. Even at times the National team could not beat a foreign team in our own shores, it was one of our clubs which rejoiced the fans of soccer game and kept the Sri Lanka flag in high by beating the foreign teams.
Day to day it is deteriorating and there is no backup of whatsoever in the field for the youngsters to raise their standard. Players are seeking other clubs to make their representation. The clubs which are hostile to the fans and players of this part of the city are now joining them to quench their thirst to play football in major tournaments as well as to be recognised them as Division I player.
Senior players who belonged prior to 1980’s and found in the football grounds are not keen to see that the present generation play a hard game. When I was at the grounds I have noticed that one advise given by a senior player is opposed by the other and the present player is in great confusion as to what he should decide and what really he should play.
There is a club which has so many senior players and everyone claims to be the coach of that particular club. At practising sessions these senior players make a loud voice just to keep others aware that he is the coach but it is not only his shout can be heard but there are two to five others who can be heard shouting louder at every corner of the playground having similar thing in mind. There is a mere competition among the senior players to take place as a coach but they are not productive.
When they are in the grounds they are not setting an example to youngsters by speaking more about the football but rather engaged in gossips and politics. My suggestion to these category of players who frequent the grounds is to confine themselves to their families and don’t visit the grounds let the youngsters decide who really fit to train them.
There is a hearsay that certain senior players of 1980’s who wish to assist the youngsters in their training are being discouraged by other senior players from coming to the grounds. They even hire certain IRCs of this area to abuse them while they were on the field or off the field. Therefore, these players kept away from coming to the grounds to preserve their self respect in the field of football through which they have attained their popularity nationally as well as internationally.
It is only the players of 1980’s who should take over the clubs that exist today in Kompannavidiya to uplift their standard as they have the stamina to show skillness and tactics. They must be identified by the respective clubs officials and brought to the scene. This can be tried since all yesteryear players have failed to show their efficiency in the field of coaching.
Another reason for the failure of these clubs is that money has been offered to players. Now it is evident that this cannot be continued forever and there is complete breakdown of enthusiasm shown by the players towards the game. Without money they are not doing a proper job when compared to the players of yesteryear who performed well not for money but for the love of the game.
Payment of money has not resulted in yielding good results and continuous of better play. It has completely ruined the game in this part of the city. Those responsible for this must bear up. Money in terms of a contract for whatever sum could be reasonable. Here it is some sort of irregular pay out in different amount to each player not for his capability but for favouritism.
Party spirit exist in the grounds not the club spirit. Petty tournaments are conducted on this basis ignoring those who can perform well in the game.
Club spirit should be brought back by the respective club officials ignoring the party spirit. First it should be prohibited for the players to discuss matters of party interest on the field or off the field. A little interest to be shown in this area in order to put the players on the right track.
Although coaching is important but it didn’t play a prominent role in the development of football here in the good old days. It was a self motivated scheme among the players that help the football to grow here.
A renowned coach of Sri Lanka Mr. Neville Abeygunawardena at his first day of meeting the National Poolists will request them that those from Kompannaveediya (Company’s Street) to raise their hands and those who do so were introduced to other poolists that these lads do not required a coach because, he explained, that they have the inborn talent in them. But today it is a pity to see that there has been hardly a player in the National Pool.
In Kompannaveediya the rise of football since Independence has not fallen as such as it is now. The fame of Kompannaveediya being the household name for football is no more and it is now vested with Kotahena, whose teams are performing well at the nationwide tournaments. Their playground too being developed rather no change is seen in the pitch conditions of the Kompannaveediya grounds, which is older than 100 years now.
Opinions of the fans are that the blame for the present day poor performance of the clubs should be shouldered by two coaches of the Kompannaveediya clubs. One is to be blame for taking the trade as a full time occupation and ignoring totally the club activities while the other is taking a limited interest for a short run in the improvement of his club and abandoned it. There must be a steady coach similiar to Saunders S.C. coach Mr. P. D. Sirisena. He is good example to the rest of the coaches in the country as a whole because he kept his club standard intact althroughout the season.
Hope this will be an eyeopener to five leading clubs in my home town to look for a better season.
T. M. R. Rsseedin
Martial artist, H. Douglas Peiris, a member of the International Martial Arts Federation, International Federation of Wado-Ryu Karate Do-Organisation and founder member of the Asian Martial arts research centre of Sri Lanka in conversation with Srian Obeyesekere
TAIKYOKU KEN - This form has been formulated from ancient Chinese soft movements which are practised to keep fit. China found this art very useful in its wars against Mongolia, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan.
MONGOLIAN WRESTLING - It is a form believed to have been evolved in 650 A.D. Its valued uses which have been incorporated into Chinese forms of combat. Mongolian wrestling has been found useful in further developing the Soviet Sambo and Turkish wrestling. The use of the knee in attack being a speciality.
SOVIET SAMBO - Although not so ancient, an art which was very popular in the Soviet Republic as a form of combat.
KOREAN KEMPO - A form of combat mainly with the use of the head and elbow.
JAPANESE SUMO - An ancient Japanese art of combat which is said to have been started in about 300 A.D. is today accepted as a national art and is considered as a much loved sport by the Japanese. While it was used as by Sumo wrestlers a total form of combat, it suffocating fatally, breaking body joints and like techniques. Today’s Japanese Sumo wrestlers, who enjoy state patronage, devote their entire lives to their much loved art who from their tender ages concentrate on building sturdly bodies.
JU JUTSU - An ancient Chinese form of combat. An art that was developed through the use of the basics of the China form of combat, it was introduced to Japan including Okinawa by a Chinese national in about 600 A.D. The Ju Jutsu form of combat which envisages such manoeuvres as the turning of bones, breaking body joints, applying pressure, dashing on the floor and like forms of techniques has today become a form of a sport. These techniques have also been extended to the Japanese Sumo art. Once the Ju-Jutsu art was introduced to Japan, it had been further developed by incorporating important areas from traditional Japanese forms of combat. Significantly, the Judo art was created by professor Jigoro Kano in 1885, and the Aikido art by Morihei Uyeshiba in 1932 with the use of lessons from Ju-Jutsu. Japanese martial artists had identified this form of combat also as Tai-Jutsu, Wa-Jutsu, Kempo, Kumiudi Yawara, Kogu Soku and Tai-Do.
(To be continued)
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