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Karachi- Feb.12 — Sri Lanka face Pakistan today in the first of a three-match one-day triangular series at the National Stadium, Karachi. The Lankans arrived in Pakistan looking towards a challenging tour considering the strong Pakistanis the tourists would meet on host soil.
However, with the shake up in the Pakistani fold wqith four frontline players being axed, at the moment Sri lanka go in with a slight advantage having played as a team with the same combination and won.New as the combination is of both experience and young talent.
Jayasuriya has at his disposal some seasoned players in the in form Marvan Atapattu, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Mahela Jayawardena, newcomers Tillekeratne Dilshan, Indika de Saram with the Captain himself known for his one day fireworks when in full flight.
Pakistan on the other hand will be without the services of regulars Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ijaz Ahmed, Shahid afridi and Waqar Younis, all dropped while also fielding a mixture of experience under new Skipper, Saeed Anwar.
Dharmasena a victim of the ICC’s absurdity?by Srian Obeyesekere
Since Australia’s Ian Mackiff some three decades ago, throwing or chucking has been one of cricket’s biggest banes to snowball. In the good old days it was the umpire who had the sole discretion as to whether a bowler was chucking or not untill some years ago the game’s governing arm decided to have an advisory panel decide on suspect bowling actions. It in effect minimised a controversial bowler’s chances of continuing his career where once the sole discretion was with the umpire who could only no ball if he felt the bowler chucked.
But the International Cricket Council’s sudden ruling last Thursday removing the powers of its advisory to suspend players with suspect bowling actions from taking part in international cricket, should enable many controversial bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar to come back to the fold.
From a Sri Lankan point of view this ICC decision at its executive board meeting last week, should clear the way for the suspended Kumara Dharmasena to make a comeback. India’s Rajesh Chauhan too is under suspension.
Significantly, this new ruling, which according to the ICC President, Jagmohan Dalmiya was taken in view of the wide-ranging legal ramifications that need to be considered, has made what had been a longstanding stand by cricket’s governing body look absurd. Moreover, it invalidates the chucking law. As outdated. So much so that bowlers who were really not chuckers might have had their careers jeorpadised due to flaws in the law governing chucking. Many critics including Tony Greig have felt that the flicking of the lower arm during delivery as seen on video footage of controversial bowlers was being misinterpreted. That flicking is quite different to throwing, especially where off spinners are concerned. That in fact Akhtar had never been called for chucking.
With the ICC realising the need to review its policy on chucking, could enable better reviewing where bowlers with a flick of the arm do not really chuck. The change where now the ICC advisory panel would only study video footages of bowlers with suspect actions and advise them on remodelling their actions, could in effect enable bowlers like Dharmasena and Chauhan to make a comeback.
As for Dharmasena, the right arm off spinner with a fast, flicking action, the ban on him over two years ago ended a bright international career of an utility player who contributed much in Sri Lanka’s World Cup success in 1995-’96. In the wake of the ICC’s relaxation of its chucking related law, the Sri Lankan authorities should lose no time on having Dharmasena cleared considering the talent he has shown.
Sanjeewa Ranatunga lashes another century
By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Sri Lanka discard Sanjeewa Ranatunga yesterday kept the Ranatunga flag flying,striking his second consecutive century (145) in two weeks as SSC ran up 328 before having BRC on their knees at 199 for 9 wickets at the close in their Super League cricket fixture yesterday at the BRC grounds.
Continuing from an overnight 267 for 7 wickets on the second day,not out batsman Ranatunga, who had as last week figured in launching SSC"s innings,took his side to the comfortability of going for an outright win.He added 29 to his overnight score of 116.He struck 18 boundaries.Ranil Dhammika also chipped in with a brisk 26 inclusive of two fours and a six.
Wendall Labrooy was the most succesfulbowler for BRC with 4 wickets for 84 runs.
When BRC batted they were struggling at 60 for 5 wickets before former peterite allrounder,Malintha Warnapura made a steadying 72 runs inclusive of 11 fours.He was out to the last ball of the day.He added 83 runs for the seventh wicket with Indika Batuarachchi who made 29.
Tilan samaraweera took 3 wickets andleggie Ranil Dhammika 2.
CCC 363
At CCC grounds,CCC were in a strong position against Colts CC. Having rattled 363,CCC’s bowlers grabbed two Colts wickets for 78 runs at the close.
For CCC,Harith jayasuriya made an unbeaten 92 and Nisitha Rupasinghe 26 in putting together 61 runs for the last wicket.
Ruwin a fine 132
At Kurunegela’s Welagedera Stadium,Kurunegela YCC took their overnight score of 177 for 7 wickets to 200 all out against Tamil Union.This was in reply to Tamil union’s 297 all out which revolved around a superb 132 by Ruwin Peiris.
Charinda fernando claimed 5 wickets for 40 runs and Niroshan Bandaratilleke 3 for 31.
Following on Kurunegela YCC were 1 for no loss.
Aravinda a match bag of 10 wkts
Aravinda de Silva once again chipped in with the ball claiming 10 wickets for 45 runs in both innings as NCC registered a first innings win victory over Police SC in their Super league matcg at Police Park yesterday.
De Silva claimed 6 for 29 and 4 for 16 as Police made 151 and 58 for 8 wickets at the close.NCC made 166 in their first innings.
First innings points for Galle CC
At Reid avenue,Galle CC took first innings points over Bloomfield in a Plate Championship match.Galle CC made 274 and Bloomfield 185.
Mubarak makes 85 as Royal draw with Wesley
by V. Nagadharshan
The inter school cricket encounter between Royal and Wesley ended in a draw at Reid Avenue yesterday.
Wesley, batting first, made 161 while Royal replied with 151 for 3 wickets declared.
Jehan Mubarak, who was in fine form for the Sri Lankan Under-19 Youth World Cup team, did not disappoint his team, making 85 before retiring hurt.
In their second essay Wesley made 176. A Subasinghe top scored with 33. S. Edirisuriya and Ratnayake captured four wickets each.
Royal batting a second time were 29 for 1 wicket at stumps.
Scores:
Royal 1st innings 151/3 declared. K. Edirisuriya 29, J. Mubarak 85 and 29/1 wicket.
Wesley 1st innings 161 and second innings 176. (R. Wijethunga 26, A. Subasinghe 33, P. Chandrasekara 26, S. Edirisuriya 51/4, G. Ratnayake 40/4.
The gong has sounded for an absorbing clash
by Mahinda Wijesinghe
Today begins the first of the three One-day Internationals between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In what was previously going to be a clash between a comparatively inexperienced Sri Lankan side and a brilliant Pakistani team who had something to prove after a disastrous Australian tour, has now taken a different turn.
The Pakistani Cricket Board has made sweeping changes. Left-handed opening batsman Saeed Anwar has been appointed skipper after Wasim Akram had reportedly stepped down due to the wretched results down under. As a result of which, two left hand opening batsmen will lead the respective sides in this series.
An international skipper standing down owing to poor results of his team is a rare occurrence indeed. Perhaps Wasim realised that his head was on the block in any case! And in India and Pakistan changing Test captains is nothing new. This time however, the Pakistan Cricket Board has gone full circle by dropping Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam, Waqar Younis, Wasti, Afridi and Mohammad Wasim for the opening game. All-rounder Azhar Mahmood too has been left due to injury while Shoaib Akhtar has been excluded as a disciplinary measure. Five members of the Pakistani Youth team who played in the Youth World Cup last month in Sri Lanka has been drafted instead. It is interesting to note that the Sri Lankan Youth team beat their counterparts in a tingling semi final despite suffering five run outs, and there is only one member of the Lankan youth team, Pushpakumara the off-spinner, included in the touring team.
"The dropped players will be considered for future commitments as required", said an official of the Pakistani Cricket Board, Yawar Saeed. "The PCB with an eye for the future has attempted at providing a blend of youth and experience and the announced team depicts that constructive idea".
It seems clear however that the Pakistani authorities are wielding the big stick for the poor showing in Australia due to the lack-lustre performances by the established players. This is not all. Whilst they shoved their collective weight - even to the extent of appealing to the ICC boss who happened to be an Indian when relations between the two countries are presently at a low ebb due to smouldering political reasons - behind Shoaib Akhtar with regard to the ‘throwing’ accusations, yet did not hesitate to dock him for the first One-day International for a breach of discipline which was made public.
There are lessons for the Sri Lankan authorities to learn from the upheavals in Pakistan. Firstly, that no player is indispensable and above the law. Secondly, breaches indiscipline will not only be dealt forthwith but also made public.
Over the years, Pakistan has been plagued with various problems ranging from ‘match-fixing’, doubtful ages being disclosed by players, a lop-sided domestic cricket structure and bribery to throwing problems. Yet, they keep on churning out champion players just as the West Indians used to produce fast bowlers a few years ago. Remarkable that, of course is another story.
So the upheavals in Pakistan makes the upcoming clash between the two countries though less colourful, a more even contest on paper. But, make no mistake, the Pakistanis will be no pushovers, especially at home and now that a few youngsters have got a heaven-sent opportunity to stake a claim. Also, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, Aamer Sohail, Saqlain Musthaq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdul Razzaq and Moin Khan are no spring chicken, and have proved to be quite a handful to the Sri Lankans in previous encounters. So look out for a keenly contested One-day series.
One of the most controversial topics raging amongst cricket fans today is whether Arjuna and/or Aravinda should be included for the upcoming Test series. National Selectors, unlike those who sit on bar stools, housewives and the know-alls, cannot let emotion cloud their judgement. As Dav Whatmore mentioned, and we all agree there is no question on the contribution made by these two great players over the years. However, the performances of the current players during the One-day series will have to be watched, and then the selectors will have to make their decision, and as Whatmore said, if the selectors pick them "they will be most welcome".
Also, another point is that the youngsters in the side, not only have made their contributions with the bat, but are brilliant on the field. A superb fielding side exerts a lot of pressure on the opposition and shows up the bowling in a better light. Remember, this young side though not much was expected at the beginning, has carried all before them, even beating the mighty Australians and appear to be blending well as a unit. Sri Lanka is still scraping the barrel to find match-winning bowlers to complement Muralitharan and Vaas, so with the absence of especially Roshan Mahanama on the field, an athletic and an agile fielding out fit is a condition sine qua non for success.
From Sujeeva Nivunhella - Our London Corr.
Lord’s Cricket Ground has banned West Indian cricket fans bringing their drums to the Test match between England and West Indies scheduled to be played in this summer according to an article published in ‘The Express’ on last Thursday. It also said that whether they bring drums or not it is difficult for Black or Asian people to get to Lords and even poor Whites find it difficult to enter Lords. It further said that because of this hypocrisy both Black and White youth go and play football instead of cricket and no wonder that English Cricket is failing.
Below is the full text of the article under the heading "Cricket’s Old guard needs drumming out" by Peter Oborne.
It is entirely typical of Lord’s Cricket Ground - that temple to small-mindedness, pomposity and rank hypocrisy - that it has banned West Indian supporters from bringing drums with them to this summer’s Test match. Lord’s still claims to be the head-quarters of world cricket but it is rapidly turning into a disgrace. It is a repository for values that were becoming out of date and, in some cases, offensive 40 years ago.
That sad truth is that very many black cricket fans already find it effectively impossible to get into Lord’s - drums or no drums.
Try going to the Lord’s Test this summer. This match is always the highlight of the cricket year. The Queen comes to inspect the teams. They stand proudly to attention. The grass is perfectly cut. The ground is in immaculate condition.
Or is it? Now cast your eye around the ground. Let it rest in the pavilion, with its gouty old gentlemen in blazers, flannels and the obligatory tie of the MCC - the over-whelmingly white, male and middle-class organisation which sets the standards (though thankfully no longer the rules).
Notice the shortage of black faces. To the right is the Warner stand, named after marvellous old "plum" Warner, former captain of England and one of the founders of the modern game. Lots of happy white faces. Follow round to the glitzy media centre and then on to the modernistic Compton and Edrich stands, named after those Middlesex and England heroes of the post-war epoch.
Study the faces in the crowd. Mark their Home Counties look, the air of stolid, middle-class prosperity. Nothing wrong with that, some would say. All the better for it, others would quietly think. But then reflect that this is central London in the year 2000 and you realise that the whole place stinks.
I write this as someone who loves cricket and has followed the game with a passionate intensity since I first picked up a bat (in a very privileged middle-class environment) at the age of eight. I was first taken to Lord’s by my grandfather, an MCC member; when I was 10 years old. And I mean it: the whole place stinks.
It stinks because the more you look at that contented and prosperous crowd you realise that you are studying a middle-class, white ghetto. This is not because of any conscious racist policy on the part of the Lord’s authorities. It is simply that the prices are so high that very few black Londoners can afford a ticket - and for high-profile events such as the Lord’s Test availability is hugely restricted.
You can get in if you belong to the MCC. There are black members - but they are predominantly distinguished former cricketers from overseas (though even the great Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar was once turned away at the gate).
An MCC member told me: "If a West Indian in this country, or an Asian, wants to get in the only way is by playing or joining a 20-year waiting list".
It is also possible to get in if you work in the City and have been invited in on a corporate jolly. Indeed, one of the most offensive sights of the Lord’s Test is the rows of empty seats when play resumes in the after-noon as wealthy bankers and marketing men linger over their lunch and call for extra double brandies rather than watching the play - or seeing the pavilion empty because MCC members can’t be bothered to turn up when thousands of true cricket fans have been turned away by Lord’s.
There is a wonderful essay by the great Trinidadian novelist V.S. Naipaul. He tells how, as a young writer in London, he attended each of the five days of the epic Lord’s Test of 1963. He describes the feeling of excitement as he got off the tube at St John’s Wood, with Colin Cowdrey walking out to bat with his arm in plaster to save the game as Wes Hall bowled the final over.
Lord’s isn’t like that any more. It has become, without meaning to, a metaphor for all that is worst about Britain. It has turned its back on Londoners and transformed itself into Sunningdale Golf Club, with the same public school rituals and arrogance.
And now they ask themselves, these flannelled buffoons, why England is so bad at cricket. And they don’t pause to wonder why the young inner-city kids, both black and white, just turn their backs and decide to play football instead. And then they ban the Caribbean steel drums with their wonderful colour, good nature and rhythm. It makes you despair. It makes you want to cry.
Ancient Lankan martial arts extinct
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
Two traditional forms — ‘Maruwalliye’ and ‘Sudaliye’ were two of the advanced of ancient martial arts ‘open hands’ techniques among martial artists in Sri Lanka. These local martial artists were skilled not only in techniques with the hands and feet, but also in weaponry techniques and vital points and in herbal treatment.
The ancient Sri Lankan martial arts has been illustrated by Professor P. A. P. Deraniyagala in his book, ‘Thrasajanaka Kreeda’ of two local martial artists in combating a sculpture where an Indian national officiated. In martial arts combat, only an artist with a better knowledge than the contestants can officiate. Therefore this Indian national might have been a martial artist who had visited Sri Lanka to train traditional artists.
However, there is no indigenous Sinhala martial arts in existence today. There are no known martial artists skilled to teach these. Why is this? Although the reason is not known for certain, there are so many factors these can be attributed to. Since 1505 — till the country’s independence, Sri Lanka had been under continuous foreign rule. History has it that Sinhalese of that time were devoid of social ills while being brilliant in combat and therefore it could be colonial rulers destroyed such martial artists and their teachings so as to install their doctrines. It can also be thought that in keeping with the Buddhist way of life, the Sinhalese felt they should distance themselves from an art which they considered a social ill.
It can also be thought that the Sinhalese did not value an art, some of which had come from foreigners.
In conclusion one thing can be said. The ancient martial arts in the world had existed so long to date with civilisation due to the inherent values such as discipline and character in the way of life. All forms of martial combat are bond by the indigenous values that go with the martial arts. These have transcended beyond the physical and mental levels they have inculcated into a technology. It is clear from history that all other arts left society. Also, the world martial arts history has it that no evil rulers or colonial rulers could eradicate such an art from any society. The martial arts has been so treasured down the ages because it had the special blessings of the rulers of those countries. These are so honoured because the heads of those countries considered these not just as sports but as cultural arts.
(To be continued).
by Mahinda Wijesinghe
The story goes that a village cricket game was in progress. A funeral party hove into sight. The batsman solemnly took his cap off and stood with his head bowed until the procession passed the ground. The wicket-keeper deeply impressed with the batsman’s gesture, said: "You know, that was a very touching gesture on your part". "Well, that’s the least I could have done, after all, she was my wife for the past 22 years’"
Cricket is a funny game. How often has one heard that expression? It is not only funny in terms of what happens in the middle but also the incidents outside the field. For instance, how often have you heard funny stories concerning umpires? Or, the last man trying to face the though modern cricket seems all about winning and ‘sledging’ there was a time the game was played as it should have been and the game ‘produced’ some interesting characters.
Additionally, the crowds appreciated the eccentricities of players such as that great Australian opening batsman Sidney Barnes - considered by his contemporaries as only second to Don Bradman. Barnes it was who once carried the drinks on to the field, as the twelfth man, complete with a tray in a three-piece suit. And, then there was the occasion when Barnes ‘forgot’ to bring his entrance ticket whilst playing in a Test match. He had given it to a friend!
Said the gateman: "Your ticket please Sir?"
Barnes: "Oh, I’ve forgotten it, but you know, I am Barnes, Sid Barnes, my face is my ticket." Quick as a flash, the man at the gate came back with these immortal words: "Well Sir, I’ve been told to punch all tickets!"
But, ‘Slippery’ Sid gave him the slip, jumped over the turnstile, and was in the dressing room in a trice.
Then there was that legendary English umpire, Alex Skelding, who was renowned for witty comments. For instance, when stumps were drawn at the end of day’s play, he did so with a flourish by announcing: "And that, gentlemen, concludes the entertainment for the day". In fact, there was once an amusing clash between Barnes and Skelding. The latter ruled Barnes caught behind when he was batting, whilst the Australians were on tour in England in 1938. Whilst Barnes was passing umpire Skelding on his way back to the pavilion, the following exchange of words took place:
Barnes: "Well, Alex where is your guide dog?"
Skelding: "I got rid of it. Same as you - for yapping too much".
Closer to the modern era, there was the infamous clash between two former Australian captains, the volatile Ian Chappell and the legendary Don Bradman. Bradman was, inter alia, the Chairman of Selectors at that time and considered, Mr. Cricket of Australia. Owing to an alleged misdemeanour, Chappell was summoned by Bradman to ‘explain’ his conduct. Chappell presented himself for the interview dressed in a pair of shorts and slippers, a fancy hat, with a glass of beer in hand and a cigar!
Acts of compassion by players of yesteryear are also legion. In this regard, the much-loved and revered Australian artist of a batsman, Victor Trumper, stands supreme. No wonder, Sir Pelham (‘Plum’) Warner, doyen of English cricket in the 1920’s, described Trumper as follows: "When Victor walks out to bat, even the very blades of grass seem to bow down to him in obeisance." Such was the reverence he was held in.
An incident that warms the hearts of everyone took place in the cold of England during the celebrated Australian tour in 1902. A few members of the Australian team were visiting the theatre one cold, rainy night when Trumper observed a young boy, ill-dressed, selling programmes. Obviously trying to make ends meet. The compassionate Trumper excused himself from his friends, went across to the boy and bought the lot without a murmur. Numerous are the stories of how Trumper gave away cricket materials free to deserving youngsters from his cricket shop in Sydney which naturally resulted in the bankruptcy of the business! No wonder, when Trumper died prematurely, aged 38 years in 1915, even news of the War was relegated to the back pages of all newspapers. Such was his popularity. His Test batting average (a modest 39 runs) may have been only on par with the former Australian skipper, Kim Hughes, but many critics rate Trumper, amongst the greatest of all Australian batsmen. Some even - dare - compare him with Don Bradman. As The Don himself stated in his autobiography: "Alan Fairfax of New South Wales had a batting average of over 53, but nobody would dream of mentioning his name by way of comparison with Trumper."
Other than characters who have adorned the game, there are coincidences that have occurred from time to time which adds colour and drama to the game. Can one ever forget the fact that the first-ever Test match between England and Australia played in 1877 at Melbourne, ended in a victory for Australia by 45 runs, and the match staged at the same venue to commemorate the centenary of that event, in 1977, ended in the identical manner - a win for Australia by 45 runs?! Not even a schoolboy fiction writer, at his zaniest, would have written that in his script. Or, the occasion when Dennis Lillee was caught by Willey off the bowling of Dilley in the gully during the First Ashes Test of the 1979- 80 series? By golly, did you say? Delightful isn’t it? It can happen only in cricket.
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