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71st Big Match
Ananda maroon Nalanda

By Mohamed Fazloon
Ananda had arch rivals Nalanda ‘marooned’ in their 71st "Battle of the ‘Maroons’ on the opening day at the S.S.C. grounds yesterday. Nalanda were reeling at 109 for 6 wickets at the close in reply to Ananda’s 223 for 6 wickets declared.

Ananda put themselves in the box seat through some fine batting by left handed Lakshan Fernando (83), Thilina Kandambi (44) and Eshan Abeysinghe (43 n.o.) as the trio collared the Nalanda bowlers. It was opening batsman Lakshan who laid the foundation for Ananda after fall of two early wickets. Lakshan struck 9 superb boundaries in his 176 ball knock which came off a laborious 1 1/4 hour stay at the wicket. He figured in a 91-run third wicket alliance with Kandambi.

Kandambi was unfortunate to miss a well deserved half century when he was stumped by substitute wicket keeper Sugith Peiris after regular stumper Udara Dissanayake retired from cramp off the bowling of S. Gunawardena. The score was then 113 for 2 wickets.

Eshan Abeysinghe entertained the large the ‘Big Match’ crowd as he livened up the day’s proceedings with four boundaries in a run a ball knock. He had four lusty boundaries.

The main wicket taker for Nalanda was right arm paceman Buddika Ranaweera who captured 3 wickets for 65 runs off 14 overs. Right arm off cutter Dilshan Jayasundara had two wickets for 75 runs.

Nalanda were struggling in the face of tight Ananda bowling.

The only batsman to offer a semblance of resistance of the Nalanda camp was Sugitha Peiris who scored 31 runs inclusive of four boundaries off 41 balls. M. Pushpakumara and Kasun Fernando captured two wickets each to lead Ananda’s trust.

When play resumes today, Nalanda will be hoping for bigger things to redeem themselves with Ananda looking to force a joyous big match victory.

DSS-Bens share honours in drawn Big Match

By V. Nagadharshan
The honours were shared equally in the 9th ‘Big Match’ between D. S. Senanayake MV and St. Benedict’s which ended in a tame draw at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

St. Benedict’s in reply to DSS’s first innings total of 172, made 149. DSS in their second innings were 99 for 4 wickets at stumps.

If the first day belonged to DSS’s skipper Malintha Gajanayake, yesterday’s individual honours went to DSS’s Pankaja Rajahetti who had a five-wicket haul and Benedictine Mohamed Ajmeer who not ched a half century. Ajmeer held the Benedictine batting together in a 86-minute stay at the wicket, in the face of Rajahetti’s accurate left arm medium pace bowling which earned him five for 28. Ajmeer struck six boundaries.

When D. S. Senanayake MV batted a second time, skipper Malintha Gajanayake made 34 and N. Pradeep an unbeaten 35. S. Fernando claimed 2 wickets for 19 runs.

The ‘Man of the Match’ award went to Gajanayake.

Premier League Overs C’ships
Tamil Union enter semis with 6-wkt. win over CCC

by Dhammika Ratnaweera
Sri Lankan off spinner Muttiah Muralitheran yesterday bowled his club Tamil Union into the final of the Premier League Limited Over Cricket Championship with a 4-wicket haul against Colombo Cricket Club at the NCC grounds.

Muralitheran took 4 for 22 and his Sri Lankan team-mate Upul Chandana 2 for 22 as CCC were all out for 154 in 43.1 overs having won the toss and elected to bat in the first of the semi finals.

Tamil Union raced to 158 for 4 wickets in 33.3 overs with skipper Chandana hitting the winning boundary. He was unbeaten on 32 inclusive of 3 fours. Indika Galaboda top scored with 39 inclusive of 3 boundaries with the other noteworthy contributions coming from Indika de Saram and Gayan Wijekoon 26 each.

At the outset, CCC were given a solid start by openers Bradman Ediriweera (45) and Lanka de Silva (12), but lost their way after the dismissal of Ediriweera. He struck 3 fours.

SSC meet Colts today in the second semi final at the P. Saravanamuththu Stadium at 9.30 a.m.

Chief Scores:

CCC 154 all out in 45.1 overs. (Bradman Ediriweera 45, Lanka de Silva 12, Damitha Hunukumbura 12, Harith Jayasuriya 26, Hemantha Boteju 15, Muttiah Muralitheran 4/22, Upul Chandana 2/22).

Tamil Union 158/4 in 33.3 overs. (Indika Galaboda 39, Indika de Saram 26, Gayan Wijekoon 26 not out, Upul Chandana 32 not out).

FA Cup goes to Ratnams in breathtaker

Hafiz Marikar reporting from Bogambara
Ratnams SC pulled off a breathtaking 2-1 victory over traditional rivals Saunders SC in a thrilling FA Cup final, played in front of a mammoth crowd at the Bogambara Stadium.

After failing with five earlier attempts at the goal the Ratnams SC players, finally found touch to score two goals to Saunders SCs one which came in the first half.

Saunders, SC winners of the FA Cup on four occasions, appeared to be a better side in the first quarter of the game and were in the opponents territory in the first quarter, but the two fullbacks gave a superb display.

Ratnams SC, who won the FA Cup for the first time, launched a series of attacks moving dangerously towards the Saunders goal, but failed the finishing touches.

Saunders SC, who secured a one nil lead in the first half, gave a good display of football and they played as a team and it was interesting to see them giving a good run and pass game. And it was in the 43rd minute of the first half that Manjula Sirisena scored a goal off a cross kick coming from M. Rafeek.

It was in the second half that Ratnams SC delivered,netting the two goals. They missed five. Thereafter, the Ratnams forwards rallied strongly and took control of the game and scored the first goal in the mid way of the second half through M . Rafi, that put the Ratnams boys in an attacking mood and the second goal came off a superb heading through their star player M. Amanulla, who got a cross kick off a corner from Rahuman that gave them the two goals to take the FA Cup for the first time.

The final was played under the distinguished patronage of Deputy Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella and the Mayor of Kandy Harindra Dunuwille. The winners received Rs. 100,000.00 and the FA Cup and the runners up got Rs. 50,000.00 all winning team players were presented with gold medals and the runners up with silver. This match was given live on Rupavahini 2 and sad to say most of the Kandy fans failed missed the coverage after the half time due to a power failure.

All in all everything at the Bogambara Stadium went off well and a big hand to the Football Federation of Sri Lanka for a good job well done. The Pushpadana BMV band was in attendance.

Anura de Silva referred.

Another barren big match

Reggie Goonewardene Moratuwa Corr
The 49th Battle (the big match) of Moratu MMV and Sri Sumangala Panadura pottered into a tame draw at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa.

Moratu MMV who had scored 215/8 overnight and curtailed due to rain declared at the same score and sent in the Sumangalians to bat who declared at 219/7 with Chandana Aravinda (68) and Dilruwan Perera (56) who made half centuries put up a 3rd wicket stand of 83 to swell the score along with Chandana Pushpalal (22) and A. Priyadarshana unbeaten with 22. Vishwajith Mendis took 3/62 and Manoj Deshapriya 2/32.

Going in for the second essay Moratu Vidyalaya were 45/4 at close with T. Hemantha 14, C. Pushpalal and C. Aravinda sharing two wickets each.

The Limited overs encounter between the two schools will be played at the same venue today.

Chief Scores:

Moratu MMV 1st innings 215/8 declared and 2nd innings 65/5 at close T. Hemantha 14, C. Pushpalal 2/2 a and C. Aravinda 2/2.

Sri Sumangala 1st innings 219/7 dec. Chandana Aravinda 68, Dilruwan Perera 56, Chandana Pushpalal 22, A. Priyadharshana 22 not out, S. Silva 17, Viswajith Mendis 3/62, Manoj Deshapriya 2/32.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DAVENALL WHATMORE
Magic Formula!

BY SRIAN OBEYESEKERE

"What’s your magic formula?"

"Formula?"

The instantaneous rejoinder to the question is followed by a throaty chuckle which gives way to an equally resonating laugh.

But he quickly gathers his composure, tone gives way to seriousness as in the same breadth he toys with the question.

"You think so?" "Nopes. There’s no magic as such to it".

But you can say Davnell Whatmore is nothing more than being humbly modest as he journeys through the question as to the wonderous miracles his coaching influence has wrought on Sri Lankan cricket. For he sets forth to make it clear that his formula is unique in his own way. So much so that he does not deem it fit to go into the techniques at length under which he has fruitfully brought the national cricketers.

Says Whatmore, "I have worked very hard for that. A combination of a lot of things. Done with the full enthusiasm of the players. Everyone is trying to be the best each one can be". Indeed, like a hen broods over its chicks the Sri Lankan born Australian coach is knitted in a togetherness with the national cricket team. Understandably so. For a man who in the broader sense beautified cricket in this beautiful isle in the Indian Ocean to such oceanic heights of one-day stardom four years ago, it boils down to a lasting devotion. Lost to this country some two years after Sri Lanka won the World Cup after a fall out with the game’s administrative arm, Whatmore’s heart was yet with Sri Lanka that he was soon back like the messiah to restore a sagging image. At much sacrifice at that. The cancellation of a highly lucrative contract with English county, Lancashire in the middle of it having guided it to the county championship in his very first year.

Large at heart as the large figure that he is what makes him click with the team is essentially this humaneness in the man. Workmanlike on the field but making the boys feel at home, he would not look conspicuous. Dispensing with the usual tie and coat and flannels we see local coaches garbed in, for just a trunk as bare bodied he drills the cricketers into rhythm.

When the ‘Sunday Island’ asked him to comment on the Sri Lankan team’s tour of Pakistan in February-March 2000, Whatmore said: "It was very successful in two parts. In the first instance it was good one-day cricket because we batted first and came out with flying colours. Normally, we like to chase runs. But a satisfying aspect of the tour was that on the toss of the coin we had to bat first and won all three matches. The wickets were good and hard. The outfields were fast with even bounce. It was a test of both teams and Sri Lanka dominated".

The Lankan coach said that ‘everyone contributed towards that success’. Marvan Atapattu had shown great consistency with the bat. Russel Arnold was the new find who had matured with time in adding a solidifying influence. Tillekeratne Dilshan with only limited exposure picked up the tempo very quickly in the one-day game. Indika de Saram was ‘very handy’. He had to come and hit the ball in the slog overs and he acquitted himself very well in the fielding department as well, taking some fine catches.

Whatmore said that he was highly impressed with Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya’s leadership qualities. He had developed as a good reader of the game. As for his batting, Whatmore said that he would not say that Jayasuriya’s form had dropped. Although he had not come up with big scores, Jayasuriya had displayed the same temperament and weighed in when it mattered. His technique was good as ever. "I am giving him all the encouragement and support which is what he needs", said Whatmore.

He said that the 2-1 Test series win was the other high note of the Pakistan tour. Most of the batsmen had clicked while off spinner Muttiah Muralitheran had once again underlined he was the number one off spinner in the world. He described veterans Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva as two batsmen who added that much of muscle to the batting. "Aravinda is masterful", was Whatmore’s estimation of him. "His century in the match winning second Test was a gem of a knock", commented Whatmore. He noted that the over 100-run partnership for the fifth wicket between de Silva and Ranatunga when the side was 177/4 wickets was one of the finest he had seen considering Sri Lanka had lost the initiative at that juncture in the first innings.

Asked to comment on the form of the young Vice Captain, Mahela Jayawardene, Whatmore said, "Mahela has wonderful potential. Therefore I wouldn’t agree that he is too young to have been entrusted with the vice captaincy. He is a tremendous batsman and has age ahead of him".

Reflecting on the last eight months during his second tenure as coach, Whatmore said that he had concentrated on further conditioning the players to meet the rigours of five-day cricket. "You have to bowl a side out twice to win a Test, and I worked hard on the bowling and fielding. I can say that the players worked tirelessly on those lines which is why we achieved results".

He attributed the success of Pramodya Wickramasinghe with the ball and as a fielder due to hard work despite his 33 years of age. "He has become a very matured bowler with a disciplined length and direction. I would say that his fielding has improved because he has taken off a bit of weight at the waist line. He is a great trier and he took three catches on the run", was how Whatmore described Wickramesinghe.

YEAR 2003

What about building the one-day team for the year 2003 when the next World Cup will be staged in South Africa?

"The conditions in South Africa are quite different. The wickets, the weather. We are still improving the team from time to time. We hope to look and build a team to send to South Africa", said Whatmore.

Indeed, Whatmore’s contribution to Sri Lankan cricket is unique. Undisputedly he has taken the country’s cricket to lofty heights. It is the transformation he has invoked that has had the cricketing world agog as to the new dimensions Lankan cricket has ushered in.

Since he took over the coaching reins 8 months ago Sri Lanka has found its winning ways once again. The country has not lost a single one-day tournament or Test series. Under Jayasuriya’s leadership Sri Lanka has won a home triangular one-day tournament which included world champions Australia, a 1-0 Test series triumph also at home against Australia and away one-day and Test series wins against Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Says Whatmore, "The selections is a job for the selectors. It is my job to fine tune them".

Skill cannot be devalued and Whatmore’s service to Lankan cricket cannot ever be devalued.

EXCLUSIVE
Mahanama is back
Ready ‘to serve with love’

By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Roshan Mahanama is back and has much to offer to Sri Lankan cricket. But he says no tangible offer has yet come his way.

"The Cricket Board approached me and sought my services. But they have not been specific. They must state in what capacity they wan’t my services", said Mahanama in an exclusive interview with the ‘Sunday Island’ on his return from Australia. Mahanama, 33, who was signed up as Coach cum Captain by Topline Shield, Ferntree Gully Footballers Cricket Club (FGFCC) which of course is foreign to football last year, said that the Australians wanted his services badly.

But he was home sick and wanted to give back his talents to his motherland. "I have to also think of the future of my family and three kids", he elaborated.

As to his own future the former Sri Lankan cricketer said, "At the moment I’m thinking of turning out for my former club Bloomfield as coach and player. But my options are open. If I get an offer to serve Sri Lankan cricket in a bigger way I will be ever willing to do so".

Mahanama, who called it a day after being dropped from the Sri Lankan team following Sri Lanka’s disastrous showing at the World Cup 1999 in England, took wing down under in disgust." I wanted a holiday to get over it and re-think my future. I felt I should get out of the system (of international cricket) and give something back to the game" said Mahanama who was swayed by long-time friend and cricket fanatic David Cruse, the co-owner of Knox Tavern, to return to Australia after he fell out of favour with the Lankan selectors.

Mahanama’s talent and experience came in for much praise by the Australian media no sooner he began his stint with (FGFCC).

The ‘Knox News’ daily had this to say of Mahanama: "Roshan Mahanama’s tenure as captain-coach of the Ferntree Gully Footballers Cricket Club was barely three months old when he spotted a deficiency in Mal Francis’ batting technique. Francis is one of the most trumpeted players in FTGDCA history-evident by the frequency with which the engraver has inscribed his name on association honor boards. To his peers he is a batsman of unmistakable class. But to the recently retired Sri Lankan international, the only thing unmistakable about Francis was his subtle head-tilt at the point of impact with the ball."

‘Knox News’ had also this to say of the Sri Lankan’s regimen," He also brings with him a steely work ethic- a trait that was framed by countless childhood hours spent practicing in the dusty streets of Colombo. It is his discipline for training-particularly fielding- that made him one of the most revered fieldsmen in international cricket. Practice and more practice has been ingrained in his cricketing mechanics. Striving for perfection is his fuel."

The newspaper went on to quote the club’s Secretary, Steve Brown as saying this of Mahanama, "When he got here he asked me if he should train them at Test level or club level. I said, you better find somewhere in between."

This is how ‘Knox News’ described Mahanama’s career, "Forget Michael Slater and his nervous nineties, Roshan Siriwardane Mahanama is surely one of international cricket’s unluckiest. The 33-year old was overlooked for Sri Lanka’s Test squad to play Australia-only two months after being his country’s second top run-scorer at the World Cup."

The newspaper referred to Mahanama being ‘tossed around more than the pizza dough in Lygon Street and batted everywhere from number one to the tailend.’ Mahanama said, "I decided my priorities should be family. I had been playing international cricket for 14 years and I’ve been married for 11 years: you have to sacrifice so much of your time". He has three daughters.

Mahanama says he has had offers also from television, newspapers, and even Hollywood." I’ve been approached to do commentary, write in newspapers ,coaching , and even acting," he said. But cricket comes ahead of all of them.

The big question is, What will the Sri Lankan cricket authorities offer Mahanama?

Mahanama bears no animosity over the administration.He is ready to,’serve with love’.

Ambrose and Walsh perform their magic again

It seems the expression new brooms sweep well applies to international cricket captains. The story of our own Sanath Jayasuriya needs no repetition. However, his copy book was spoilt by new Pakistani captain Moin Khan when Sri Lanka lost the Third Test by 222 runs. India’s new captain Saurav Ganguly brought a ray of sunshine to India when, in his first assignment, South Africa were beaten in a one-day series, played at home.

Then new West Indies skipper, Jimmy Adams, made it a hat-trick of sorts when he stunned the cricket world, and his own countrymen by pulling off one of the most spectacular wins in the history of Test cricket, at Port of Spain, against Zimbabwe. Remember, the calypso boys were without Brian Lara and the West Indians were, as usual, going down to yet another defeat - they had lost 9 of their previous 11 Tests! - when Zimbabwe were set to make what appeared a nominal 99 runs to win the inaugural Test between the two nations. As Jimmy Adams said on the morning of the fateful day: "West Indies need a miracle." They got it, as the Zimbabweans were skittled out for a pathetic 63 runs and the hitherto victory-starved West Indians at last tasted the joys of victory, by 35 runs. And, who was on the pavilion steps to embrace the new skipper other than the controversial Brian Lara himself. It was a most emotional moment.

Indeed it is coincidental that Jimmy Adams was featured in yet another sensational Test match way back in 1992 at Bridgetown, Barbados. Coincidental, due to the fact that here too the West Indies were playing an inaugural Test - this time against South Africa, Zimbabwe’s neighbour - and Jimmy Adams was making his Test debut. It was memorable for the middle order left-hand batsman and left-arm leg-spinner, as he top-scored in the second innings with an unbeaten 79 (of a total of 283) and was the most successful bowler for the hosts with a bag of 4/43 in the first innings including a wicket (Hansie Cronje, no less) with the fourth ball he bowled. As he described the other day, after the victory against Zimbabwe: "For me both of them are great Test wins coming from a situation where the odds are heavily stacked against you."

The Barbados Test in 1992 was as dramatic. South Africa, returning to the Test arena for the first time since March 1970 after having been banned for reasons that need not be repeated, dominated the game for the first four days, needed a mere 79 runs with 8 second innings wickets in hand on the final day. The South Africans were sitting pretty at 122/2 (skipper Wessels 74* and Gary Kirsten 36*) as the fateful day began. A mere formality it seemed, and Bridgetown was now in danger of losing their 57-year old unbeaten sequence. Then came an unchanged spell of almost brutal pace bowling by Curtly Ambrose (4 for 16 in 10.4 overs) and Courtney Walsh (4 for 8 in 11 overs) as the tourists lost the last 8 wickets for a mere 26 runs and conceded victory by 52 runs.

Eight years later, the same assassins, Ambrose and Walsh again played their lethal part, against the Zimbabweans. Ambrose took the final three wickets without conceding a run and Walsh captured two wickets which leaves him four adrift of Kapil Dev’s all-time Test tally of 434 victims. In 1994, these two partners-in-crime, Ambrose & Walsh, scythed through England in a similar act, again at Port of Spain. Here too the opposition had dominated the first three days of the Test. England had replied with 328 runs after the West Indians had batted first and scored 252. Going in for the second time the hosts managed to score a modest 269, leaving England to score 194 runs for victory. They were bundled out for 46 runs by Ambrose (6/24) and Walsh (3/16) in just 19.1 overs (!) with only Alec Stewart (18) entering double figures. We Sri Lankans were blaming our batsmen for having been bowled over by the Pakistanis in the Third Test inside 46 OVERS for 228 runs!

So, let us not be too harsh on our boys. Others, and more experienced sides at that, have done worse. Not that we should emulate such poor performances. Indeed, England avoided their lowest Test total — of 45 made against Australia at Sydney in 1886-87 - in 699 Tests by a single run on that disastrous day in Trinidad as Ambrose and Walsh wreaked havoc as cats among the pigeons. It also provided the first instance for West Indies when two bowlers operated unchanged throughout a completed innings. - Mahinda Wijesinghe

The ball is in Bodhi’s court

Hafiz Marikar
Deputy Inspector General of Police Bodhi Liyanage was unanimously elected as the President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, at their Annual Congress held on Saturday at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel in Kandy.

All posts at this Annual Congress were, uncontested, and it was a friendly affair.

The outgoing President Manilal Fernando, after a fabulous innings stepped down and gave way to Kandy’s Bodhi Liyanage gracefully.Fernando the great football lover, did a great job by putting the Federation affairs in order.He has left a large sum of money for its work, and also done all the necessary work for the football headquarters.The game maybe experiencing a lean period,but where others failed, Manilal has done much.

When the history of football is recorded, his name will stand alongside the greatest of administrators this country.What was unique was that his his style of leadership was different from the rest.

The new President, Bodhi Liyanage, carries lofty ideals to revive the game’s image.

Liyanage is an old boy of Mahinda College Galle, where he excelled in sports and later played football, rugger and hockey for the University.

So, much can be expected from Liyanage has a fine team to back him.

The vice presidents elected are J. N. S. Anandaraja, a well known figure in the football field,G. A. K. Abeyasekera.Both are able workers.

The other three Vice presidents are DIG Gamini Randeniya, T. Panditharathna and Sarath Weerasekera.

The hard working horse, Chrysantha Perera is the Secretary General once again.

M. Z. Farook,a schoolmaster is the Deputy Secretary General, Administration, and Sunil Senaweera is the Deputy Secretary General Technical. M. Premadasa of the City Football League fame is the Treasurer with B. Sallay as his assistant.

The executive committee will be elected later. There was a big request from all leagues that Manilal Fernando, should be made the advisor of the controlling body in recognition of his yeoman services. Manilal presented Rs.1 million for development of football and all two vechiles for the Federation.

Honouring Kandy’s ruggerites

by Hafiz Marikar
Kandy Sports Club, a club which has taken the top spot in the local rugby scene, has decided to honour some of its members who have given off their best. They are to be made honorary life members, for which they will be having a special general meeting in a few days time.

The people who are to be made honorary life members are Chandra Wijenayake who celebrated his 50th year with the club last year by winning the triple, senior member E. W. Balasuriya a man who gave of his best in difficult times. Malik Samarawickrema the godfather of the club, who turned the club from a match lossing team to a match winning team.It was Malik’s work that helped Kandy SC to win trophies. Maurice Perera who has given of his best as a player coach and administraor, Col. Allan Nugawela under whose presidency too this club won the triple. Dr. S. Nadesan another senior hand of the club and Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte under whom the club won its first trophy.

Cricket Comments
Even Bradman hoped to have played an innings like that!

Don Bradman stood, and still stands, heads and shoulders above all batsmen who played international cricket from time immemorial. For 20 years, ending in 1948, he strode the international cricket scene just as Gulliver did at Lilliput. Yet, on one occasion, it was the First Ashes Test in 1938, played at Nottingham, when the great man asked his players to watch the batting of one of their team-mates with the following words:

"Come and see this, you’ll never see the likes of it again", and when the batsman returned to the pavilion after his innings, of 232 runs, The Don himself described the scene as follows:

" ....I gripped his hand, wet with perspiration. He was trembling like a thoroughbred racehorse. I can recall saying to him after expressing my congratulations, "I would give a great deal to be able to play an innings like that." No skipper was ever more sincere in his adulation of another’s skill."

His name? Stanley Joseph McCabe (1910-1968), and always referred to as Stan McCabe. What was the scenario for the innings? England batted first and declared at 658/8. Australia, in reply, lost 6 wickets for 194 runs with Barnett, O’Reilly, McCormick and Fleetwood-Smith remaining. Only Barnett had any pretensions of being a batsman. Then came the fireworks. McCabe scored 232 out of 300. 44 runs came off leg-spinner Douglas Wright in 3 overs, and he finally blasted 72 runs in 28 minutes out of the last wicket partnership of 77! Australia totalled 411 and was sent for the follow-on. The fared better in the second innings and scored 427/6 (Bradman 144*, Brown 133), to save the game.

As Bradman wrote: "Towards the end I could scarcely watch the play. My eyes were filled as I drank in the glory of his shots.... such cricket I shall see again, nor shall I ever feel competent adequately to describe this elegant display."

Can there be higher praise than that from a man who is considered the greatest-ever? Well, Bradman prefers to let Sir Neville Cardus, the doyen of cricket writers, to describe McCabe’s innings that day. Here are excerpts of that description which can be classified as a gem in cricket writing:

"Today McCabe honoured the first Test with a great and noble innings. McCabe changed the gravest innings with the ease of a man using a master key. In an hour he smashed the bowling and decimated afield which for long had been a close, keen net.

The dear valiance of his play won our hearts.

McCabe demolished the English attack with aristocratic politeness, good taste and reserve.... his boundaries were jewels and trinkets which he accepted as though dangling them in his hands.

In half an hour after he scored nearly 50, unhurried but trenchant. He cut and glanced and drove, upright and lissom: his perfection of touch moved the aesthetic sense; this was cricket of felicity, power and no covetousness, strength and no brutality, opportunism and no meanness, assault and no battery; dazzling strokes and rhetoric; lovely brave batsmanship giving joy to the connoisseur, and all done in a losing hour.

He blinded us with fours in an over from Wright; his innings became incandescent. With consummate judgment he kept the bowling; Fleetwood-Smith was almost as much a spectator as I was. This gorgeous Siroces had a calm pivotal spot; McCabe’s mind controlled the whirlwind; his shooting stars flashed safely according to an ordered law of gravitation. One of the greatest innings ever seen anywhere in any period of the game’s history...."

Probably the prosaic description fits the innings, and only Cardus could have done justice to an innings of this calibre.

Stan McCabe was an outstanding schoolboy cricketer and played for New South Wales as a right-hand batsman and a useful right-arm medium pace bowler, at the comparative tender age of 18 years. Mind you he had to pit his skill in a team which boasted of players of the class of Bradman Woodfull, Ponsford, Jackson and Kippax. Quite a galaxy. Yet, he held his own.

Standing a mere 5 ft. 7 ins., and stockily built, though extremely agile, McCabe was strong and had been described as a batsman of the highest class, mainly because of the "daring and cavalier gaiety about it", as Chris Martin-Jenkins described him. His bowling, though it did not send shivers down the spines of most batsmen, was considered good enough to open the bowling in Tests on several occasions. He first toured England as the ‘baby" of the side in 1930 - when Bradman first made his presence felt in no uncertain terms - and managed a modest average of 35 runs/innings. He also toured England twice more. In 1934, he aggregated 2,094 runs (average 67.5) which was only 12 runs less than what Bradman scored. In the Bodyline series, he was only second to Bradman (average 42.7) and scored a scintillating unbeaten century (187* out of a total of 360) at Sydney in the First Test during the infamous Bodyline series of 1932-33. It was the highest individual score by an Australian in that series, even the mighty Bradman’s highest score in the series was 103* while no other Australian batsman got to a century.

Yet, McCabe who died tragically from a fall off a cliff near his home - which some have construed as suicide - will always be remembered for three epic innings played during his career of 39 Tests for an impressive average of 48.21. The most talked-of was the one at Nottingham described above. The next two will be described in the following two weeks. - Mahinda Wijesinghe

Ranatunga stands above them all

by Maurice Goonasekera
Arjuna Ranatunge, former Sri Lankan skipper, who was injured whilst batting in the second innings of the First Test match vs Pakistan at Rawalpindi on 1.3.2000, returned to the crease to steer Sri Lanka to an exciting 2 wicket victory. Arjuna was struck by a nasty blow from a delivery from Waqar Younis on the left hand and had to retire hurt when the Sri Lankan total was 146 for the loss of 5 wickets and his personal score on 8. When Sri Lanka was 8 wickets and his personal score on 8. When Sri Lanka was 8 wickets down for 177, chasing a victory target of 220 runs, Arjuna returned to the crease after X’rays and pain killers and left thumb heavily strapped to be engaged in a 43-run partnership with Romesh Kaluwitharne and earn Sri Lanka a creditable 2-wicket victory. Arjuna batted heroically using his versatility and immence experience to guide Kaluwitharne during the crucial moments of the game.

Arjuna’s courageous batting which earned Sri Lanka a magnificent victory overshadows Collin Cowdrey’s effort in saving a Test match for England at the hands of the West Indies in 1963. The match in question was the Second Test match between England and West Indies at Lord’s in June, 1963. England was led by Ted Dexter and West Indies by the late Sir Frank Worrell. This Test match is hailed as the greatest Test match ever seen at Lord’s which ended on a more fantastically melodramatic manner than the famous "Tied" Test between West Indies and Australia played at Brisbane in December, 1961. Here too the West Indies Skipper was Sir Frank Worrell and Australia was led by Richie Benaud. Ninety five per cent of the breathless tension at Brisbane was packed into the last 15 minutes of the game where as in the Lord’s Test it was a breathless drama from the first to the last ball.

England’s pace attack comprised "Fiery" Fred Trueman accurate Derek Shacklton supported by seamers Ted Dexter and Brian Close. West Indies had the most fearsome fast bowling pair" in W. W. Hall and C. C. Griffith, West Indies, who batted first were all out for 301. England in reply were all out for 297. Dexter made 70 off 75 balls which was described as "uncomparable" "unequalled" and unparalleled".

West Indies were all out for 229 in their second innings. England needed 234 to win the match. England started their second innings badly, losing the wickets of M. J. Stewart, J. H. Edrich and Dexter for 31 runs. Ken Barrington and Colin Cowdrey had to face a terrifying burst of short pitched bowling of tremendous pace from Griffith and Hall Both, Barrington and Cowdrey batted courageously. Three balls in an over from Hall to Cowdrey flew wickedly from just short of a length and in the next over another, of fearful pace, kicked and turned into Cowdrey faster than even his reflexes could follow. Cowdrey played back, left arm brow high, and the ball hit him a terrible blow just above the wrist. He staggered away from the stumps, head back, arm raised and gradually folded to his knees and lay prone. Cowdrey, eventually got to his feet and staggered to the pavilion. The sad injury to Cowdrey put him out of cricket for the rest of the season with a fractured retna. There were 3 Test matches to follow. Hall began to bowl to a fuller length at a lesser pace. Barrington appealed against bad light and play ended at 4.45 p.m. on the fourth day with England total at 116 for the loss of 3 wickets. It was announced that Cowdrey would bat "if it was absolutely necessary."

On the final day only 50 minutes of play was possible in the pre-lunch session during which period 14 runs had been added and Barrington out for 60 caught behind by D. L. Murray off the bowling of Griffith. Barrington made 80 in the first innings. When play began at 2.20 p.m. after interruption due to rain England needed 104 runs to win in 150 minutes of maximum time. Hall bowled unchanged from the pavilion end from 2.20 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. at top speed showing superb endurance. Brian Close batted stubbornly, ably supported by Jim Parks and Fred Titmus. Parks was out playing a horrible forcing stroke off thhe back foot across the line of a half-volley off the bowling of Griffith for 17. Close and Titmus put on 42 runs in 45 minutes. Titmus was out to a lifting ball from Hall giving E. D. McMorris a catch at forward short leg for 11. Trueman was out immediately for no score to a good catch by Murray of a ball of incredible pace from Hall, at this stage England were 203 for the fall of 7 wickets needing 31 runs with 45 minutes left for play, and D. A. Allen, Shackleton and the injured Cowdrey to come. But, of course, the indomitable close was still there. Close, with intent on plundering the bowling, moved well down the pitch to Griffith, swung belligerently to leg, getting only a tickle and Murray taking another good catch behind the stumps. Close batted magnificently for his 70 runs. Fifteen runs needed, 20 minutes to go, and No. 11 Shackleton - taking guard. Hall bowled a maiden, Shackleton got singles to square-leg and fine-leg, Allen prodded a short ball to extra-cover, 12 to win, 10 minutes to go. More singles and a bye. Hall walked thoughtfully up from third man to bowl the last over of the match to Shackleton, with 8 runs needed. Shackleton missed the first, stabbed the second in front of him and Allen came rushing for a single. Allen took a single to fine-leg off the third ball. Six to win, 3 balls to go. Shackleton dabbed at the next ball missing it but Allen rushed down the pitch for a single. Murray cooly tossed the ball to Worrell, who ran ahead of Shackleton to dislodge the wicket, ball in hand. Two balls left in the match and it was Allen who had to face them instead of Cowdrey who made his way to the wicket, having his left arm encased in plaster. Worrell reminded Hall that a no-ball at this stage would be disastrous. Hall banged both balls straight at the stumps. Allen stunned by the fifth, got his bat somehow to the sixth and the great match ended in a draw, with Cowdrey remaining passive during the last two balls, at the non-striker’s end.

Arjuna Ranatunga’s effort in winning the match for Sri Lanka is more admirable and praise-worthy as he batted overall for 156 minutes compared to Cowdrey who did not face a single ball.

Mini tennis camp at Holy Family Convent

Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya conducted its first mini tennis training camp for children between the ages 5 to 10 years old. "We invited other schools that are within the SLTA’s Mini Tennis programme. Children from Ananda College, Vishaka Vidyalaya, Bishop’s College, Musaeus College, D. S. Senanayake Vidyalaya and Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya participated", said Dharshini Munasinghe Tennis Coach HFC. Over 300 children from these 6 schools participated at this full day camp.

Coaching was conducted by professional coaches from the Sri Lanka Tennis Association, Mr. Boshan Dayaratne – STI Coordinator, Ms. Dharshini Munasinghe and the senior Tennis players of Holy Family Convent and mini tennis coaches from other schools. The morning session was focused on improving fundamentals such as forehand and backhand strokes, developing coordination and creating a general awareness of the game. In the evening session a tournament for year 5 students and games of skill and competitions for the students of year 3 and 4 were worked out.

"We funded this camp entirely through a few sponsors. All participants received attendance certificates and winners received trophies. We also provided participants milk and drinks free of charge," said Dharshini.

Commenting on the well organised camp Arjan Perera, Chairman Coaching and Promotion, SLTA, said that such initiative by schools was important to develop tennis in Sri Lanka.

Rev. Sister Francisca, Principal of Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya, was the chief guest at the awards ceremony.

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