      |
||
Rain
the favourite in Galle The Nidahas Trophy action shifts from Colombo to down south in a historic move today when Sri Lanka takes on India in the fourth match of the Limited overs cricket tournament at Galle International Cricket stadium. When experts visited the picturesque Galle stadium a few weeks back for the second test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, their idea was that a lot work still needed to be done in bringing it up to the international standard. Despite rain disrupting play for almost two days Sri Lankans emerged victorious within 40 minutes of the fifth day, sparking allegations that the pitch was under prepared. This however seemed a ludicrous argument as Sri Lankans also played on the same pitch. Whatever the standard of the pitch and the outfield is, one thing which is certain will be that the slightest rain would spoil the game. With the monsoon rains setting in to coincide with the tournament which ruined the third match between India and New Zealand on Tuesday, the most likely prospect will be heavy showers as Galle especially is an area directly fed by the monsoons. It is an unfortunate situation considering the bold and laudable move by the Cricket Board to grant international limited over tournament matches to an outstation venue, deviating from the hitherto exercised practice of sticking to a Colombo only policy. If God is also merciful to the Southerners as much as the Cricket Board, they will no doubt be fortunate to see breathtaking action today, 27th and 29th. Indians who coasted to a lop sided eight wicket victory over World Champions Sri Lanka in imperious fashion in the tournament opener, will no doubt be looking forward to repeat the result. They are in a very good position to do that considering the form of their players and the way they are clicking together. The great Sachin Tendulkar's fearsome batting form was evident in the first two matches and a lot will depend on his performance as once the master blazes away, he makes it so easy for the rest of the batsmen. The dashing opener who scored half centuries in both matches he played in the tournament, not only destructs bowlers but also demolishes them psychologically which helps the other batsmen a lot when he departs after an initial explosion. Skipper Mohammed Azharuddin is also in great form with two unbeaten knocks while opener Saurav Ganguly showed good touch against Sri Lankans. Vice captain Ajay Jadeja has proved to be cool customer under pressure while rest of the Indian batting is still to be exposed. Young medium paceman Ajit Agarkar bowled magnificently in the two matches and proved that is turning out to be an outstanding performer for the Indians with the new ball. The 20-year old bowled with a nagging accuracy which makes him a dangerous man to handle. Rest of the Indian bowling had not been extraordinary, but they are quite capable of performing what they need to do. Sri Lanka's shattered morale after losing their first match on home soil in four years, must have been repaired after a convincing performance against the Kiwis in the next match. Pathetic medium pace bowler Suresh Perera who parachuted into the Sri Lankan ranks from nowhere proved to be an utter flop, giving rise to questions of his selection into the original squad while left arm spinner Niroshan Bandaratilleke proved to be effective with the new ball. Galle boy Upul Chandana also showed why he is considered a vital part of the Sri Lankan line up, picking up three wickets against New Zealanders which hurried them to their final collapse. Sanath Jayasuriya's return to form must be a fact for the Sri Lankans to celebrate while Marvan Atapattu has been a blessing at number three with two beautiful half century knocks. With deputy skipper Aravinda de Silva also being among runs Sri Lankans will have little batting worries, but the bowling department as always looks inadequate. TEAMS (From) • SRI LANKA — Arjuna Ranatunga (Captain), Aravinda de Silva (Vice Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Marvan Atapattu, Roshan Mahanama, Kumara Dharmasena, Upul Chandana, Pramodya Wickremasinghe, Niroshan Bandaratilleke, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardena, Avishka Gunawardena, Suresh Perera. • INDIA — Mohammed Azharuddin (Captain), Ajay Jadeja (Vice Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Robin Singh, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Ajit Agarkar, Nayan Mongia, Anil Kumble, Harvinder Singh, Venkatesh Prasad, Gagan Khoda, Rahul Sanghvi, Debasis Mohanty. • umpires — Udaya Wickremasinghe, Peter Manuel. Third Umpire : D.N. Pathirana. Stand By : T.M. Samarasinghe • BENEFICIARY — H.I.K. Fernando TALKING
POINT At a time when cricket fans have to contend with yakko local English TV cricket commentators who are an apology in sense of choice of words and description, isn't it another joke to hear the same jimband doing the rounds in the Nidahas Trophy Championships when we have at out disposal an expert World Tel International panel of messrs. Ian Chappell, Tony Greig, Ravi Shastri and Chishty Mujahid, Wouldn't it be a rare privelege for lovers of the game to hear their raspy, refreshing voices? Surely our viewers would love to give ear to the lively commentary of these former greats who are so well versed in the game. Even at this stage Rupavahini should make use of the services of this renowned panel who are at ourdoorstep, to do the round along with the Sinhala panel. Thomians humbled in season of
reversals In another reversal on the schools rugby scene which has witnessed one shock follow the other, S. Thomas' College took a nosedive at the hands of underdogs St. Joseph's who scored a spectacular 17 points (1 goal, 2 tries) to 15 (1 goal, 1 try, 1 penalty) win in their Milo Trophy Inter-School rugby fixture at Longden Place yesterday. At the breather Joes led 12-5. In a match where the Joes took the field as the clear minnows against their much-fancied and formidable counterparts from Mount Lavinia, the Maradana boys turned in a breathtaking display of fast, attacking, running rugby which simply knocked the stuffing-out of the Thomians. Joes completely outplayed the Thomians in this game in both the set pieces as well as the rucks and mauls as their hefty pack, well marshalled by No. 8 forward Lakshita Fernando, combined smoothly with the three-quarters to nail the Thomians for the third time running. St. Joseph's opened the proceedings when blindside flanker Thushan Perera went over the line off a five metre scrum in only the tenth minute of the first half. It was a super try planted by Perera as he simply barged over the Thomian goal line, brushing aside at least five players on his way, using his strength to the maximum. The conversion was fluffed by Dinuk De S. Wijerathne as they shot to a 5-0 lead. St. Joseph's then increased the lead further thirty minutes later when skipper and stand-off Avindra Wijesundera touched down off a perfect move which saw their three's working the ball down the line which had the Thomian defence in virtual knots. Fernando was successful with the conversion as they surprisingly surged to a 12-0 advantage at that stage. However, during injury time of the first half S. Thomas' got onto the scoresheets when half back Inam Jauffer fell over following a ten metre scrum. His try went unconverted as Joes enjoyed the lemons with a 12-5 scoreline in their favour. During the second half, Josephians played a well controlled, organised game which simply left no room at all for the Thomians to make any sort of comeback though the second half tally may not actually tell the story. Although Joes could score only a solitary try in this half they did extremely well in allowing the Thomians to notch up a mere ten points which in the final analysis made the difference between the two teams. STC began the second half when centre Azwan Thajudeen fired across an easy 20 metre penalty to reduce the gap to 12-8 in favour of Joes. During the 29th minute No. 8 Lakshita Fernando, who had a grand game, was rewarded for his untiring efforts on the field when he touched down off forwards rush following a quick tap taken by the Joes. The conversion was missed as Joes went further ahead by 17 points to 8. At this stage the Thomians began to play some fast furious brand of rugby and in their endeavour to score a try flanker Jeewantha Gunarathne surged over the Joes line during injury time again off a move which came thanks to their pack that shoved the Joes forwards wave after wave. Azwan Thajudeen though being on target with the kick could not prevent the Josephians from 'stealing the cake' from the grasp of their Mount Lavinia rivals. To add the 'Icing on the cake' as it were with this memorable triumph St. Joseph's regained the Lady Jayathilake Shield after a long lay off. THE
BRADBY Flashy headlines in the weekend papers told everything about Trinity’s stupendous performance in the 54th ‘Bradby Shield’ rugby encounter which was played last Saturday. The outcome of this match came as a shock for both Trinitians and Royalists. But looking into past records of this prestigious event, it proves in no uncertain terms that the results have always been very close. Didn’t the Royalists know that taming the ‘Lions’ were tougher than scaling the Himalayas? However, the end result of the fixture proved something significant about the Bradby. There is no favourite whenever Royal takes on Trinity. The match proved to be a ding dong battle with both teams grabbing the lead at regular intervals. Royal’s Rananjaya Gonaduwa who shone in last year’s fixture just could not find accuracy with that all important kick which would have saved Royal from the agony of defeat. The final score read Trinity 20. Royal 18. Isipatana by the skin of their teeth The Thomians lived upto expectations in their match against Isipatana played over the weekend. But the lads from Havelock Town saved face when they stole victory from the Thomians by scoring five minutes from the end. The Thomians strong point seemed to be their defence. However, their opposition three quarters were sharper and smarter. The lads from Mount Lavinia surprised all when centre Sasanka Gunasekara went under the posts to put his team in the lead. But it looked more like ‘out of the blues’ when the "Green Shirts" shot back into the lead through a lightning try by M. Rifasdeen just before the long blast. Match Winner Skipper and centre Ayaaz Hossen proved to be the match winner for Science as his team got the better of Lumbini (22-11) in their annual fixture played at Havelock Park last Saturday. Hossen made a spectacular fifty five metre dash to end up under the posts and also showed his prowess with the boot, kicking right a penalty and a conversion. Lumbini played their hearts out. But the lack of finish to most of their moves left them far behind their opponents. Science College dominated most of the game and collected their points through two goals one try and one penalty. Skipper Hossen’s contribution was eleven out of twenty two. Kingswood warmed up for their second leg of the Blaze Trophy encounter with a smashing 22-7 victory over St. Anthony’s skipper M. K. D. Ranasinghe set an example to the others, playing a fine game as his side cruised to an easy victory at Nittawela. Musaeus, St. Joseph’s athletic
Champions St. Joseph’s College and Musaeus College won the boys and girls championship at the Sir John Tarbot Junior Athletic meet held at the re-developed Bogambara Stadium recently. The meet was organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Athletics Association and sponsored by Nestle Lanka Ltd. Three days of top class athletics saw several records lowered. St. Joseph’s College, emerged champions with 1051/2 points, second place went to Royal College who collected 90 points and the third place was taken by D. S. Senanayake MV. Royal’s Lakshman Dissanayake, who performed well, in the under (14) 100 meters event was picked as the best performer in the boys events. In the girls section, Musaeus College, with 132 points won the top sport, they were followed by Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya with 83 points, and Kandy Girls High School with 481/2 points took the third slot. The best performer in the girls section was Nilmini Kumari Sujatha MV Rambuk-kana, who did well in the under 15 400 meters. Sunil Jayaweera the Vice President of the AAA was the chief guest on the final day, while Sunil Wickremasinghe Nestle was the guest of honour. India thwarted by nature's vagaries It took whirling winds, gusting rain and a swamped outfield to halt the Indian charge for victory over New Zealand in this third match of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Trophy Tournament. India in the persons of Azharuddin and Jadeja were carrying on in the 'putsch' that Tendulkar had initiated in manner and fury akin to nature's whirlwind to follow. Tendulkar was all fury and fire in his manhandling of the N. Zealand bowling as if a man in great haste for another appointment. He fairly bludgeoned the ball to all parts reckoning not the consequences and with scarce respect for technical demands. He hit some towering sixes and had a spate of fours in his violent storm of an innings which reached fifty in the ninth over bowled. It could not last and it did not! Resorting at last to a defensive push, he lobbed a catch to the bowler who had to dive full length to get one hand to it. Chris Harris, who for the most part bowls fastish leg cutters got one to 'stop' off the pitch. Tendulkar in mid-stroke, as it were changed his mind and pushed gently at it as it fell short of a good length. His mistimed defensive stroke was a trifle too early. Tendulkar, however, had set the stage for those to follow Azharuddin once again was elegance itself as he deflected wristily to the on and Jadeja was content with singles giving his captain the strike. These two carried merrily on scoring at an average of four per over which was above the asking rate. Well on the road to what could have been an easy win they were thwarted by the sudden unexpected behaviour of the elements which took everyone by total surprise. The score at this stage read 131 for two wickets in 24.2 overs: Azharuddin 53 not out and Jadeja 17. The manner in which they were handling the situation and the bowling required supernatural interference to halt them, and this was what exactly did happen! New Zealand's 219 in their full quota of 50 overs was well short of a total that they could defend successfully. Well as they began with Astle playing the foundation role, they lost wickets at regular intervals as they had done in their earlier game. Both Astle and Young cut powerfully as Agarkar, striving for pace gave them room to do so but Prasad bowling quite sensibly within himself was most economical. But it was Kumble who first broke through in his first over, the 13th, bowling Young with one that moved into the wicket and eluded the batsman's horizontal bat playing again to try to cut. Fleming played a strange innings. Realising, no doubt, that a big total was required he began to try to force the run rate. An attempted lofted drive to mid-on ended in the safe hands of Prasad at mid-wicket. Astle and McMillan stayed together for a while. At this stage of the proceedings India adopted a strange attitude. The bowling of Kanitkar and Tendulkar looked wayward and the fielding was somewhat lackadaisical. It was almost as if they were attempting to lull the batsmen into a false sense of security. The batsmen took the bait and McMillan trying to drive a wide leg-spinner from Tendulkar, finished in the capable hands of Jadeja at deep extra cover. The ruse had worked. Horne then came in and threw his bat lustily at the ball. He did score some runs in the region of mid-on and midwicket until he attempted a similar cross shot at Prasad who came into the attack to restore normalcy. It was straight, fast and pitched well up. Horne played across it and was beaten and in front of his stumps to be LBW patently. The rest of the New Zealand innings folded up for little addition to the score of 219, which thanks to nature's interference proved enough. The match abandoned as having not been completed so as to provide a basis for results, was the source of a point each to either side. Winner of Vijaya award requests land from
President Eighteen-year-old Asoka Shiromali Rupasinghe winner of the women's Racing Cycling championship at the Vijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Sports Festival, made a strong appeal to President Chandrika Kumaratunga for a block of land. Asoka, soon after collecting her award went up to the President and requested for a block of land from Dambulla. She told the President that she is from Amitirigala in the Kegalle District and since the roads are full of pot holes she wanted to train elsewhere. "Since the roads in Dambulla area are carpeted I told the President to provide a block of land from that area so that our family could move there," she told 'The Island'. Asoka also said that the President accepted a letter written in this regard, and said that her request would be looked into: Asoka Shiromali, a student of Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya is among the top three woman cyclist in Sri Lanka. Coached by Samantha Ganegama, another leading classified cyclist, Asoka has already won a series of prestigious cycling championships. Coming from a down trodden family of four, she voiced that if her request was made it would be a tremendous boost for her career. Meanwhile, the disorganised awards ceremony gave away nearly one hundred thousand for the players who participated in the sports events. The awards and prize money were sponsored by the National Insurance Corporation., Many cabinet ministers and distinguished invitees including the President graced the awards ceremony which lasted nearly four hours. Results * Softball cricket (1) State Service SC, Piliyandala, Rs. 15,000/-, (2) Mulleriyawa Eleven Lions SC Rs. 10,000, (3) Arangala Navarella SC Rs. 5000/- 'Best Player' Kapila Wijesinghe. * Cycling Anuradhapura to Colombo Open Racing (Matara to Colombo) (1) K. U. Ajith Shantha (SL Army) Rs. 10,000/- (2) Jude Priyantha (A. J. Milton) Rs. 7,500/-, (3) P. Yasaratne (Vagason SC) Rs. 5000/-. Women's Racing - (Katunayaka to Colombo) (1) A. Asoka Shiromali Rs. 7,500/- (2) R. P. Dinusha Dilrukshi Rs. 5,000/- (3) U. D. Sriyalatha Rs. 3000 Standarad (Men) (Matara to Colombo) (1) H. L. Krishantha (Galle) Rs. 7,500/- (2) Senevi Piyaratne (Moratuwa) Rs. 5,000 (3) Sumith Sanjeewa (Kalutara) Rs. 3000/- Standard Men (Kurunegala to Colombo) (1) Priyantha Kumara (Anuradhapura), Rs. 7500/- (2) Rajith Appuhamy (Negombo) Rs. 5,000 (3) S. K. Warnashantha (Anuradhapura) Rs. 3,000/- Volleyball Women (1) Sri Lanka Ports Authority Rs. 15,000 (2) Sri Lanka Air Force Rs. 10,000 (3) Sri Lanka Army; Rs. 5000/- Men (1) Sri Lanka Air Force Rs. 15,000 (2) Ports Authority, Rs. 10,000 (3) Navy Rs. 5,000 Special Awards (Men and women) Best Court Defender Ormila Hemanthi (SLPA) Champika Marasinghe (Air Force), Best Defender-Anusha Deepani (SLPA) Roshan Dhammika (Air Force), Best Spiker - Mangalika Wasanthi (Air Force), Janaka Fernando (Air Force), Best setter - Nayana Jayaratne (Air Force) Nalin Sampath (Air Force), Best Receiver - Chandima Akarawita (SLPA), T. C. Adhikari (Air Force), Best Server - Sugandika Nayomi (SLPA) Dimuthu Krishantha (SLPA), Best Player Chandima Akarawita (SLPA) Janaka Fernando (Air Force). * Elle - (Men): (1) Weera Gamini Yakkaduwa (2) Wasana SC, Ganemulla. Six more new records Six more new records were set up bringing the total number of records to 13 in the four-day National Junior Schools Games Athletic Championships, inter-school and inter-club Relay Carnival and Heptathlon and Decathlon Championships concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday with a participation of over 6000 students. Three records were stamped in the 200 metres events while the relay championships produced 3 more new marks. Meanwhile T. Rukmali Dissanayake (19) won the Heptathlon championships. Rukmali, a student of Seevali MV, Ratnapura shot to a clear lead with 3589 points enjoying a 53 point lead over Ruwani Fernando of Ave Maria Negombo. Nadeeka Muthunayake of Holy Cross Gampaha with 3327 points and Pramoda Elipola of Sri Sangamitta, Matale with 2990 points were placed third and fourth respectively. Sharada Weerasinghe of Holy Family Convent, Colombo, who completed the under-13 200m dash in 28.3 seconds, establishing a new meet record was adjudged the 'Best Junior' Girls Athlete'. Maris Stella under-13 long jumper Srinath Solangarachchi (new meet record 5.18m) was the best boys junior athlete. The overall junior athletic title was clinched by Western Province by 293 points while North Western Province, with 68 and South with 56 were placed second and third respectively. Meanwhile, Welimada Central was disqualified on a protest of fielding overaged athletes for the 4X400 boy's relay. Anuradhapura Central was promoted to the first place. Vishva Warnapala, Deputy Minister of Education was the Chief Guest and gave away the awards. THE NEW RECORDS 400X4 - Under 17 Girls A. Ratnayake MV Menikhinna 4:08.2 Sec. 100X4 - Under 13 Girls Musaeus Colombo 55.4 Sec. 400X4 - Under 15 Girls A. Ratnayake MV Menikhinna 4:18.9 Sec. 200m - Under 13 Girls Irosha Ranawickrama (Musaeus) 28.4 Sec. 200m - Under 13 Girls Sharada Weerasinghe (Holy Family) 28.3 Sec. 200m - Under 13 Girls K. M. Muthuruwan, Devananda Ambalangoda 26.6 Sec. Team Championships - (Ran Kekulu Trophy) over all School's Relay - (1) Vidyartha (69), (2) Sumana, Ratnapura (74), (3) A. Ratnayake MV. Menikhinna. Club Relay (1) Army, (2) Air Force, (3) Matara AAA. Harmful changes and pitch fiasco The chaotic prelude prior to commencement of N.Z. Tests series, created a consternation amongst cricket fans with axing of our best all-rounder, highly experienced and previously second in command of gentlemanly wars on playing fields of cricket. The irony is, though possessing a brilliant career and dominantly instrumental in placing our young I.C.C. member Nation in recognized annals when opposed to cricketing giants who hitherto enjoyed those coveted positions and rankings in the past. It was by personal skills and sustained efforts of this cricketer - A. de Silva and latterly by another needs little or no comments. The former, undoubtedly the best orthodox English style cricketer in the East and leads other Lankan cricketers since Independence, fifty years ago. Instead of sincere appreciation and respect for an ongoing cricketer of that calibre, we have done more harm to cricket, than intended good, by casting him out like rubbish, probably by a lift of sedentary hands of non-playing cricketers or rubber-ball type champs. Ignoramus - Did the damage. It is never too late to make immediate amends and recoup all round losses, by a befitting gesture - on his selection to lead us in remaining one dayers on the card, with S. J., captaining a few for sake of gathering further experience. Arjuna R., who has admirably led us time and again appears to be on end of his tether with age taking its natural toll, by gradually receding of reflexes and verve, had immensely reduced that vital acumen of earlier years. Hence, like all gentleman cricketers, when it is vividly apparent, may willingly step-down with no qualms or displeasure and devote energies to other departments of cricket before conclusion of present series. It also applies to others unfit for International cricket. Thereby giving youngsters a better opportunity to establish themselves in never ceasing process of team building. Heil Hitler - click your boots. Or lick'em. It will not be superfluous to mention that jealousies severely contest cricketers, more than opponents in the middle. The other disgraceful issue that brings discredit was the fiasco of pitch preparation by Groundsman/Curator in charge of last test venue. If it were done by consent of B.C.C. to deviate from usual practice of presenting a good even wicket for international cricket games, then we are at fault, for failure too make an advanced announcement, for benefit of all concerned. However, if secretly a rolled-mud pitch was prepared, explicitly suitable only for slow bowlers; that action robbed cricket fans, supporters, other casual spectators and sponsors of beautiful display of batting prowess, eagerly expected from both quarters. Instead were treated to lacklustre cricket of village green type or local schoolboy cricket. In the absence of valid clarification by B.C.C., it appears highly controversial whether such inordinate manipulation were by expressed approval, or performed on whims and fancies of Groundsman/Curator to obtain results, irrespective of method used. If so, deterrent punishment should be meted out immediately by way of cancellation of future engagements on that venue. And lastly to quash all palpable lies and untruths made on a second occasion, it is incumbent on part of controlling authorities to call for a full recast of that T.V. interview conducted prior to commencement of play - between T.V. commentator, T. Greig, R. Abeynayake and S. Flemming preferably during lunch or tea breaks on the next match dates. This would enable other cricket lovers to arrive at a plausible conclusion. C. V.
Rupasinghe Final trial for Asia muscle contest June 26 The final trial to form the pool for the forthcoming Asian Body Building Championships to be held in Vietnam, will be worked off at the Isipatana M.V. hall on June 26 (Friday). The finals of the Western Province Mr. School Boy Body Building Championships will also be held on this day. The championships will commence at 3 p.m. (RN) Enter Carlsberg round two in July The second round of the Inter-Club Carlsberg Rugby Tournament will commence early next month with six teams for Cup Championships and three in the Plate Championships. CR and FC, the league champions who defeated Kandy in a close final, head the tally while Kandy are placed second followed by Havelocks, Petersons and Army SC. Air Force, Police and Navy are the other three teams meeting in the Plate Championship. The second round Cup Championship curtain raiser will be between Petersons and CH and FC at Longden Place on July 3. Havelocks will host Kandy at Havelock Park on June 4 while Army will scrum down with CR on June 5. Meanwhile, the prestigious President's Trophy Knock-out Tournament will be held from August 12 onwards and all matches will be staged at Longden place. |
||
 |