The Island sports

ReflectionS
Leaving Avishka in the cold costly

Leaving in the cold in form batsman Avishka Gunawardena who should in fact have partnered Sanath Jayasuriya in the Nidahas Trophy opener against India was a bad oversight on the part of the Sri Lankan team management. The other blunder was not having new spin bowling discovery Niroshan Bandaratilleke who made a telling impact in Sri Lanka's 2-1 triumph over New Zealand.

Leaving out in form players inevitably sees a team handicapped which is what saw Sri Lanka go down so badly to Azharuddin's new look Indians with Sachin Tendulkar in the explosive form he is in what was required of the Sri Lankan camp was a potential counter which would have been ideal to have new discovery the hard hitting Avishka Gunawardena partnering Jayasuriya. While Kaluvitharana does carry the reputation to strike the ball about, he certainly does not carry the same thrust he once infused to the Lankan batting in the opening slot.

Jayasuriya seems to be grappling with his form which any batsman does sometime or another and needs all the encouragement from the coach and manager to get over his bad run.

In Friday's game, Sri Lanka evidently stacked too many batsmen in its ranks, resultantly lacking in bowling depth. While the raw pacie Suresh Perera was a green horn on his debut and cannot be faulted for the bashing he came in for at the hands of the likes of Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen today. Pramodya Wickremasinghe, on the other hand, with all his long experience behind him, was strangely no exception coming in for much stick.

Playing two specialist batsmen in Roshan Mahanama and Mahela Jayawardana, as it turned out was costly with one bowler less as a result.

Taming of the champs

By Bertie Wijesinha
How have the mighty fallen from their high estate! How have the tables been reversed! Seldom if ever, have champions been brought so low in such humiliating fashion as were the Sri Lankan team of World Cup winners. Short cricket in particularls a funny game. It's brings it exponents to their senses. It draws a line. It lifts one to the skies. It brings one down. It is a hard task master.

Sri Lankan cricket were toppled from their high pedestal by some negative, tentative batting at the start, by wayward bowling and indifferent fielding; fielding used to be Sri Lanka's strength.

No doubt Sri Lankan cricket will rise again in the series to come but it was a terrific blow to morale. Sri Lanka was brought low by India's positive approach to batting after the bowlers had done their duty. On a wicket that gave the impression that it was slow and sluggish and non-productive when Sri Lanka had the strike. Tendulkar and Ganguly banished such thoughts putting them to flight.

They attacked from the very start, they pounced on the bowling and smashed it to all parts. They were assisted to a large extent by a wayward bowling display, bowling that for the most part catered to their strength.

Tendulkar in particular, and Ganguly following suit took his cue from his senior. They played their strokes with gay abandon, pestering the field with flowing strokes. The bowlers became their allies, permitting them to indulge in the luxury of playing their pet shot.

Indian bats snatched the ascendancy from the very beginning of their innings. They fairly raced along, at times over six runs per over. Fours flowed from their bats at times like bludgeous, giving the lie to the belief that the wicket was slow and not conducive to stroke-making!

Tendulkar threw his bat at everything and Ganguly stroked the ball beautifully past cover several times. He caressed the ball with graceful elegant bat which sent the ball skimming over the turf leaving the field motionless. Tendulkar in contrast, at times took the butcher's role in disdain of the bowling.

His stroking and timing were excellence itself save where he at times descended to slogging, at contempt no doubt of what the opposing bowlers had to offer him. When he did get out sooner than later it was a careless airy drive that let him down.

Azharuddin filled the breach and was soon into his usual stride with flicked placements to the on. He did occasionally extend his array with a drive or a cut but mainly he used his supple wrists to deflect the ball to the outside. He was content for the most part to let his partner Ganguly to do the scoring giving him much of the strike.

Spin and pretended pace came alike to Ganguly as he stroked he ball into the vacant places launching into attack now and again over the heads of the fielders. No bowler could contain him as they bowled to his strength. Muralitharan did resort to bowling at his legs, which ploy tucked him up a bit, but it was too late.

He was out trying to loft a ball from Muralitharan out of the ground to be well caught by Jayawardana, but by then the match as a match was over. Ganguly paid the price as Aravinda de Silva had done earlier, impatient to get that century, well-deserved in both cases but intangible.

Sri Lanka's batting was all Atapattu and de Silva coming together after two early wickets had fallen those of Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana. The pair kept Sri Lanka's hopes and aspirations high and alive by a partnership of 145 which promised well but later disillusioned. They occupied too much time and spent too many overs getting them.

Fours were denied them as they plodded along in singles and twos. They finally realised that they had to go after the bowling to penetrate a well set field as playing from the crease proved so unfruitful. Then they began to use their feet to some advantage.

Azharuddin spotted the change in approach and took measures to baulk the batsman, wringing bowling changes and altering the field so that the batsman became desperate. Atapattu played over a yorker from Kumble and was yorked and Aravinda de Silva lusting for that hundred lobbed a difficult catch which was beautifully judged and taken by Azharuddin himself.

Ranatunga was a revelation running between the wickets and actually made two into three on one occasion. He also made a few bold strokes attempting to push the score but became another victim to Azharuddin's fielding.

The innings was practically over by then at 243/6 which proved inadequate by a long way. India had 10 overs to spare.

Nalaka’s Golden Boot

By Ravi Nagahawatte
Sri Lanka’s number one full back Nalaka Weerakkody could be figured among the flamboyant characters on the local rugby scene. Nalaka’s characteristic sidestep, which at times leaves the opponent dumb founded, has been his best weapon in the face of a tackle. But when there is no room for much footwork, he will use his golden boot to get out of trouble’s way. The remedy is usually a booming kick. And like always it finds touch.

Weerakkody was more than just another "find". In the very first year of club rugby, the lad turned out to be a place kicking prodigy scoring 235 points. It eventually turned out to be a Sri Lankan record as well. Nalaka, who took great delight in attempting whatever form of kick which came his way, almost broke his old record the following year. His tally was 210 points.

Looking back into Weerakkody’s start, the makings of a star were almost visible from his school days. The youngster, who took to rugby under the watchful eyes of Ananda Kasturiarachchi, ended captaining his school, Kingswood in 1995 and was also the deputy of the junior national side the same year. He also established a rare feat that year by captaining the Sri Lanka junior soccer team. However, his passion for soccer was given up once he took to club rugby.

Achieved what he wanted
"My life is rugby", stated Weerakkody with a tone which indicated that he was like in heaven. "I have got what I have wanted in life. I have played for Sri Lanka and there is nothing beyond that to achieve. I only hope to maintain the standard of my playing", added Weerakkody. But there seem to be people who just cannot bear up the fullback’s rise to fame. There are some who hoot and jeer at him during matches. Nalaka puts up with all that. But what makes it impossible for him is when spectators abuse his parents.... around twenty of his relations, which includes his mother and father, make up his cheering squad. "I have a fear that someone will do something to me to stop me from playing", mused Weerakkody.

Fiery Baptism Vs. All Blacks
Receiving a fiery baptism in any sport would not be to the liking of anyone. But Nalaka simply looks into his first match against rugby giants, New Zealand, with a sense of accomplishment. Even though the Lankans were routed 0-7 by the "full New Zealand team", the young full-back is proud that he got to play against such greats of the calibre of Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen and Eric Rush. Asked whether he got a chance to tackle the giant sized Lomu, Weerakkody replied in the negative. "Their standard of rugby was extremely high", said Nalaka recalling the first match which was played in that Hong Kong Sevens Tournament 1996.

On Tackling
Coming to tackling, the youngster is not known to have the same flair as in kicking. It could be due to the fact that he has been playing with the best of teams that always had a lot of possession. Playing for his former club, CR and FC, this year, Nalaka has tackled on not more than three or four occasions. "I take on a player only when its very necessary. I like to portray myself as an attacking player and not as a defender," said Weerakkody.

Changing Clubs A Crime
Some might add to the list of crimes the changing of clubs by players. Die-hard supporters of any given club might go further than just frowning on a player who has deserted a club. However, the majority of spectators take it as part of the sport. Weerakkody who crossed over to his former club, CR and FC, from Kandy SC, is of the opinion that it is left for the player to decide. "I don’t see anything wrong in changing clubs," remarked Nalaka.

Being the eldest in the family, probably put him in a spot where he had to be an example to the others in the family. Today, he has his younger brother Eranda following in his footsteps - his brother represents the school’s under-thirteen team and also plays as fullback. Nalaka also has a sister who is younger to him.

"My parents have supported me in whatever I did. They have always left me to take my own decisions," said Weerakkody who also added that he has been very successful in all his efforts. Apart from being a ruggerite, Nalaka works as a merchandiser for a garment firm.

A great believer
Like all Buddhists should be, Nalaka happens to be very religious. At a time where athletes are forced into getting that extra something, legally or illegally, Nalaka has taken to praying which he does almost every day. He goes to temple daily or prays at home. "I think I will be protected", reflected Weerakkody.

Looking back into the many international matches he has participated in the World Cup qualifying match against Malaysia could be termed as his best where performance is concerned. Weerakkody’s contribution was 32 out of a total of 37 points. The final score read, Sri Lanka 37 Malaysia 15.

When not playing rugby, he usually involves himself in some kind of sports activity. Mostly it's several sessions of weight training in the Gymnasium. But according to Nalaka, that love for soccer still happens to be there. "Of late he has taken to snooker and billiards," a worker in the club-enlightened me.

Always with my friends
Asked whether he has time for friends with a busy schedule like this, young Weerakkody had this to say "I am always with my friends".

Nalaka was caught off guard when asked whether he had a female companion. But like in the rugby field, he slipped this difficult "tackle" with lots of laughs. However, Nalaka said that he gets lots of encouragement from the fairer sex who come for matches.