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SAJITH FERNANDO (75) FOR BOARD XI Opening batsman Bryan Young slammed a blistering (108) to assure New Zealand a comfortable 80 runs victory over Board President's XI in the second warm up game at De Zoysa Stadium, Moratuwa yesterday. After being put in to bat, New Zealand opener Bryan Young played some classic strokes before being retired hurt after a hamstring injury to his left leg. New Zealand had omitted Dion Nash at the eleventh hour as he had a back injury. This made skipper Stephen Fleming to play in and New Zealand brought in Daniel Vettori, Chris Cairns and Adam Parore into this match. Hashan Tillekeratne after winning the toss invited the visitors to take first ease on a wicket which was ideal for stroke play. New Zealand batsmen took the best of the given opportunity. Young together with Craig Spearman put on 23 runs for the first wicket. Spearman was caught at mid-off by Dulip Samaraweera off Eric Upashantha for (10) runs. Skipper Fleming joined Young and these two put on 25 runs before Fleming being brilliantly cauaght by Haturusinghe off Indika Gallage at short extra cover. Mathew Horne joined Young and these two put on a 93-run alliance for the fourth wicket. Horne had five boundaries in his innings while Young hoisted one six and struck ten boundaries before retiring. New Zealand then lost two quick wickets of McMillan and Cairns for low scores. Left hander Chris Harris and wicket keeper batsman Adam Parore delighted the spectators with some blistering strokeplay. Harris was very severe on the bowlers scoring 16 runs each in the last two overs. Harris had two towering sixes and four boundaries in his short stay. New Zealand concluded their innings at 281 for the loss of six wickets in the quota of 50 overs. Medium paceman Malintha Warnapura had the best figures of two for 54 off 10 overs. Board XI in reply had a solid start with openers Sajith Fernando and Russel Arnold putting on 52 runs. Fernando who made a brisk (75) pulled Shane O'Connor over the fine leg fence for a six in his fourth ball of the first over. The first fifty came in the ninth over as both batsmen punished the bowlers all around the wicket. Arnold was the first to leave when he offered an easy catch to Fleming off McMillan for 11 runs. After his departure the Board XI lost Sanjeewa Ranatunga and skipper Hashan Tillekeratne for (1) and (2) in quick succession. Chandrika Haturusinghe joined Fernando to put on 91 runs partnership for the fourth wicket before Haturusinghe departed for 34 runs. Lankans lost wickets at regular intervals and were reeling at 201 for eight wickets at the end of their quota of overs. Vettori and Harris accounted for two wickets each. New Zealand won the match by 80 runs. SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND BRYAN YOUNG retd hurt 108 EXTRAS (w-20, lb-8) 28 FALL OF WICKETS: 1-22 (Spearman), 2-49 (Fleming), 3-142 (Horne), 4-150 (McMillan), 5-169 (Cairns), 6-281 (Harris). BOWLING: ERIC UPASHANTHA 6-0-44-1, INDIKA GALLAGE 10-0-53-1, TILAN SAMARAWEERA 10-0-52-1, CHANDIKA HATURUSINGHE 4-0-28-0, MALINDA WARNAPURA 10-0-54-2, RUSSEL ARNOLD 10-0-43-1. BOARD PRESIDENT'S XI RUSSEL ARNOLD ct Fleming b McMillan
11 EXTRAS (w-6) 06 BOWLING: SHANE O'CONNOR 7-0 46-0, CHRIS CAIRNS 5-1-18-0, CRAIG MCMILLAN 7-1-23-1, CHRIS HARRIS 9-3-29-2, PAUL WISEMAN 10-0-36-1, DANIEL VETTORI 10-1-36-2, MATHEW HORNE 2-0-12-0. Begin Nidahas Trophy campaign against India
today Sri Lanka will be striving to find the right combination and the winning formula as the Nidahas Trophy Limited overs cricket tournament begins today with an interesting day-night clash between the hosts and India at R. Premadasa Stadium today starting at 2.30 p.m. Having undergone dramatic changes since late, Sri Lanka's main concern will be the correct team with a battle between youth and experience being waged for the team slots. Among interesting selections will be the choice between Marvan Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardena for the number three batting position. Though Jayawardena's performance in the test series against New Zealand may put him at an advantage, the selectors may well go for out-of-form Atapattu's established name. Romesh Kaluwitharana's position as an opener may also be in the balance with young Avishka Gunawardena consistently providing performances which are difficult to be ignored. However Kaluwitharana's place will still be guaranteed in the team as the wicket keeper. But if Gunawardena is picked to open with Sanath Jayasuriya, it means that Kaluwitharana would have a batting slot no higher than number seven or six. Experienced Roshan Mahanama will make a comeback into the side for the one dayers probably at number six. Left arm spinner Niroshan Bandaratilleke should be an automatic choice for the final XI considering his achievements against the Kiwis in the tests, but if selectors decide to go for extra batting strength, then all round capabilities of right arm leg spinner Upul Chandana also come into the picture. Chandana had been quite a noteworthy part in the Sri Lanka One day teams of late, but Bandaratilleke has proved to be no mug with the bat either. Aravinda de Silva's conspicuous failure and indifferent attitude since he was removed from the vice captaincy had been a major worry for the Lankans but it should pass off with the master batsman being reinstated to deputise Ranatunga. Jayasuriya was recently adjudged as the cricketer of the year, though he very clearly did not do anything to justify that in the latter part of the year. However it is time that Jayasuriya got his act together as selectors have another very good choice of a left hander in Gunawardena to be the Sri Lankan opener. Having performed pathetically in the recent South African tournament, the World Champions must be looking forward to regain their posture. But as Sri Lankans won the Independence Cup of India, they must be looking forward to settle the issue by capturing Sri Lankan Independence Trophy. Indians must be oozing with confidence after their recent brilliance in the one dayers especially having won two tournaments on the trot. Their additional strength, just as the Sri Lankans, will lie in the youth who have broken into the side to replace old hands. All-rounders Hrishikesh Kanitakar, Medium pacer Ajit Agarkar, left arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi, off spinner Harbajan Singh have all proven to be talented enough to hold their senses in crunch situations and turn the matches in India's favour. But the most disturbing factor for the Lankans must be the awesome batting form of the little master Sachin Tendulkar compared by many including rivals to Don Bradman. Tendulkar who narrowly missed the chance of ousting Jayasuriya for the Year's best cricketer award, had been in tremendous form ever since he was removed from the captaincy. He destroyed the Australians at home with his aggressive batting and then single handedly spearheaded the Indians to the Sharjah triumph. Heavy rains lashed the Premadasa Stadium area last evening and rains are very much a prospect this evening which may spoil an otherwise nail-biting encounter between the neighbours. With Monsoons having been started according to the Met Department, the tournament is likely to be a wet one. TEAMS : (From) SRI LANKA - Arjuna Ranatunga (Captain), Aravinda de Silva (Vice Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Avishka Gunawardena, Mahela Jayawardena, Roshan Mahanama, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumara Dharmasena, Pramodya Wickremasinghe, Niroshan Bandaratilleke, Muttiah Muralitharan, Marvan Atapattu, Upul Chandana, Suresh Perera. INDIA - Mohammad Azharuddin (Captain), Ajay Jadja (Vice Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Gaghan Khoda, Saurav Ganguly, Robin Singh, Hrishikash Kanitkar, Nayan Mongia, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Rahul Sanghvi, Venkatsh Parasad, Harbajan Singh, Debasis Mohanty. Cricket Board heralds
Singer Akai Nidahas Trophy The Singer Akai Nidahas Trophy One Day cricket tournament which begins today at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium has been organised to commemorate 50 years of Independence of Sri Lanka as well as Cricket in this country. These remarks were disclosed to the local media by Thilanga Sumathipala, President of the Cricket Board when he addressed a Pre-Tournament Press-briefing at Hotel Taj Samudra last evening. The BCCSL President went on to state that they had arranged this International One Day tourney with great pains and also with the sole aim of providing ardent cricket fans of our country the opportunity to witness some top-class International cricket fare for the next three weeks or so. He said the Cricket Board and all the Sri Lankan players would take great pride in organising this One Day series as the Nation's 50 years of Independence has also fallen during this year. Sumathipala also said that the International Cricket Council has officially sanctioned this Nidahas Trophy tourney has appointed former West Indian cricket star Cammie Smith as the Match Referee, with the local Cricket Board at the same time being given the provision to appoint local Umpires to officiate in all the matches. This measure according to him had been taken with a view of giving all home umpires who are currently in the panel ICC International umpires more opportunities to make their presence felt in a International One Day tournament. He finally thanked both the New Zealand and Indian Cricket Boards and their managements for joining hands with the BCCSL here to make this Singer Akai Nidahas Trophy tournament a real success and wished all the three participating teams the best of luck in their endeavour to pocket the coveted Nidahas Trophy. It was also revealed at this press briefing the eventual winners of this One Day tournament will carry away a cash prize of US $ 10,000 besides the glittering Nidahas Torphy and the Runners-up a cash award of US $ 5000. Isipatana-Thomians clash in
grudge battle Isipatana come out brimming with confidence when they confront the 'battle hardened' Thomians in their annual rugby encounter which comes off today at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Injuries to two key players could lead to worries in the Thomian camp with skipper Shanaka Jayawardana and line out specialist Dax Moses being doubtful starters. S. Thomas' pack, who are known to be 'bull workers' will no doubt revel in going for the 'hits' and are sure to supply their fast running three quarters with ample possession. They have beaten Science College 29-5, Lumbini Vidyalaya 22-0, D. S. Senanayake College 34-0, Nalanda 29-3, Trinity 24-5, but lost to Royal 13-20. The Patanians on the other hand would be raring to go after picking up form in their last encounter against St. Peters. The 'Green Shirts' were back at their usual best and went on the rampage to down the lads from Bambalapitiya 55-0. Cohesive play between the forwards and three quarters could be linked to the team's success this season. Led by Sri Lankan youth skipper Shamly Nawaz, the team has notched up wins against Lumbini 28-0, Nalanda 37-0, D. S. Senanayake College 53-0, St. Peters 55-0, Trinity 24-0, Science 30-3, but lost to Royal 10-14. Junior players Roshan Peiris (fly half) and Lasantha Mallikarachchi (scrum half) will continue to be the team's new combination for the second week running. Regular scrum half Crishantha Chandran is reported to have undergone surgery on his shoulder and will be out for a few weeks. Isipatana will once again look into their speedy three quarter line to deliver the goods today. THE TEAMS: ISIPATANA — Janaka de Silva, Saleem Azhar, M. Rifasdeen, Rashmi Hafeel, Dulshara Ranasinghe, Rangana Senadheera, Shamly Nawaz, Lasantha Mallikarachchi, Roshan Peiris, Hamesh Gunaratne, Charith Kodagoda, Veediya Bandara, Nishantha Kumara, Amila Costa. S. THOMAS' — Gavin Jayasekara, Indrajith Perera, Nirosh Perera, Nimesh Amarasinghe, Jaymon or Dax Moses, Dinesh Perera, Shanaka Jayawardana or Jeewan Gunatilake, Jayan Gunatilake, Inum Jaufer, Steffan Van Twest, Ruchira Fernando, Sasanka Gunasekara, Crishan Gunasekara, Azwan Thajudeen, Romesh Perera. Referee — S. W. Chang. CENTRAL ASIAN VOLLEYBALL C'SHIPS The Indian spikers unleashed a stupendous performance to beat Sri Lankan women 15-9, 15-9 and 15-13 in their key Central Asian Volleyball Championship fixture at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium last evening. The Lankan women lost the first set tamely but fought back gallantly in the second to lead 9-5 at one stage. The experienced Indian team with four players who played in the 1991 SAF Games capitalized on Krishanthi Jayawardane's receiving lapses to level the scores at 9 and win 15-9. In the third set India's 31 year old mother of two, Salomi Ramu tormented the Lankans with her versatile spikes to turn the match in their favour. Skipper U. Hemalatha and S. Karwasra scored 6 and 5 points respectively to make their victory certain. Though the Lankan skipper Udeni Priyadharshani lacked her initial sting she scored 5 while the combination of Mangalika Wasanthi and W. Kumari shared 8 points. Setter Nayana Jayaratne was at her best while debutant Nayomi Bandara showed tremendous promise. Indian skipper Ursal and Salomi with 19 and 18 points topped the best scores list while Udeni (17) and Mangalika (16) followed. International referee Wimal Amarasinghe controlled the game. Meanwhile, Volleyball Interim Board Secretary Brig. P. C. Charles said that the resignation of two of its members have not affected them. "One senior member only attended 3 out of 18 meetings", he said. Today Sri Lanka 'B' play Maldives at 4 p.m. Chrys Gunaratne Memorial TT
championships from June 19-21 Chrys Gunaratne Memorial Table Tennis championships will be conducted from today until Sunday (June 19-21) at S. Thomas' Gymnasium Mt. Lavinia commencing at 8.30 a.m. each day. All ranked players are expected to participate in this tournament while those paddlers who completed a successful tour in Germany are expected to take part in this tournament as well. According to Sarath Gunaratne, President of the TTASL, the finals will be held on Sunday June 21 at 4.30 p.m. National Savings Bank, Deputy General Manager, E. Narangoda will be the chief guest on the final day. The winners will receive valuable trophies and awards presented by NSB. Asian Junior Shuttler
Championship Malaysia A ten member Badminton team left for Malaysia to participate at the Asian Junior Championship which commenced on June 14. The championship continues till June 22. Five school boys and an equal number of girls comprise the tour party with two K. D. H. Ranaweera (Manager) and Lady Chaperon Anoma Withanachchi accompany the team as officials. N. John and Nuwan Abeysinghe from St. Anthony's College Katugastota and two girls from Sirimavo Bandaranaike BMV Kanchena Geeganage and Taraka Abeywickrama also included in the team. Top seed at the junior nationals Pameesha Dishanthi Devananda Vidyalaya Ambalangoda, Rasangi Kalpana Visakha BMV and Deshani Bandara Mahamaya BMV Kandy are the members of the team. Meanwhile Yohan Gunasekara (S. Thomas, Mt. Lavinia), T. Sembapperuma (Trinity, Kandy) and H. Kumarasiri (Dharmaraja, Kandy) comprised the boys team Lalith Perera form secretary SLBA said, participation at this tournament is to gain more experience. We know they are not capable of winning. Two badminton umpires Lakpriya Edirisinghe and Pradeep Welagedera also left to Malaysia to participate the umpires training course which too held during the same period June 14 to 22. According to the Secretary SLBA Ajith Wijesinghe, the invitation is only for one umpire but we are lucky to send two umpires. IBF and ABF approved training courses is of great importance to our local umpires. The Sri Lanka Team: BOYS - N. John, and Nuwan Abeysinghe (St. Anthony's, Katugastota), Yohan Gunasekara (S. Thomas, Mt. Lavinia), I. Sembapperuma (Trinity), H. Kumarasiri (Dharmaraja). GIRLS - Pamesha Dishanthi (Devananda), Kanchana Geeganage and Taraka Abeywickrama (Sirimavo BMV), Rasangi Kalpana (Visakha), Deshani Bandara (Mahamaya), K. D. N. Ranaweera (Manager), Anoma Withanachchi (Lady Chaperon), Lakpriya Edirisinghe, Pradeep Welagedara (Umpires). |
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