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| Have to beat
World champs at home, weather, asking run rate to enter
final New Zealand face uphill task by
Channaka de Silva Hosts Sri Lanka who are leading the point table with six points from five games have virtually booked a place in the final. Second placed Indians have five points from five games while New Zealand have only three points, but to their advantage, they have two more games to be played. If New Zealand lose today, they will be thrown out of the tournament while a win will put them equal on points with India. This will put them in the finals by the virtue of the win in the preliminary round as the other two games between the teams were washed off without decisions. A no decision if rain intervenes, will still give Kiwis an outside chance of making it to the finals, provided they beat the world champions Sri Lanka in the final league match the happening of only which could jeopardise Sri Lanka's position in the finals. In such a case, all three teams will finish on six points each making the net run rate the decider of the finalists. Indian on the other hand, will not be prepared to take a chance in their final league match and would like to have two additional days for their final preparations. With a beautifully balanced team, Indians will be the firm favourites to do it. Winless New Zealanders who are at the end of a long tour, are carrying a lot of injury worries but apart from that, they will still be harbouring problems of checking the superior playing skills of the two sub continent teams who are very much home under the conditions available. Openers Bryan Young and Nathan Astle will bear the main batting responsibilities for them while skipper Stephen Fleming and the rest of the middle order men will have to get their act together if they are to pose a serious threat to the Indians. With pace bowlers being the main affected department by injuries, Kiwis must be eying to solve their problems with spinners. Indians on the other hand have only a few problems. Their batsmen are in great shape while bowling had been up to the mark especially with the superb showing of the new comer Ajit Agarkar. Plenty of talented all rounders such as Agarkar, Hrishikesh Kanitakar and Robin Singh makes it such a formidable outfit that Indians could go out with confidence in today's game. • TEAMS • NEW ZEALAND — Stephen Fleming (Captain), Bryan Young, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Matt Horne, Adam Parore, Craig Spearman, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori, Mark Priest, Paul Wiseman. • UMPIRES — B.C. Cooray, D.N.
Pathirana.
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| Havelocks rekindle the past as Kandy
scrape through 23-22 by Ravi Nagahawatte The home team shrugged off an early 0-5 lead taken by Kandy when they took "man for man"and brought the game alive with a try through speedster Sanjeewa Jayasinghe.The winger reverted back the pressure on Kandy by slipping away from his own twenty two and sent the opponents back peddling from mid fileld when he executed an up an under.Then he was over the line in a flash as he snatched the ball from the fallen Micheal Collins who failed in a valliant effort to safegaurd the Kandy goal line.Saranga Jayakody's kick failed to find its target. Kandy suddenly shot in to the lead with two timely tries through Radik Hettiarachchi and skipper Asoka Jayasena,with the former coming twenty one minutes into the game when Hettiarachchi ran with amazing speed leaving behind a trail which spaned fifty five metres.Micheal Colins missed both conversions. Havelocks brought back the cheers by levelling the scores on the stroke of half time when full back Saranga Jayakody took teammate Harin Perera's neat pass all the way into the Kandy twenty five to let winger Yugantara Karunaratne put the finishing touches to the three quarter move.Jayakody who kicked right a fifteen metre penalty minutes ago, came right with the conversion. The Kandy team which played with some new found vigour after the" turn around " ,grabbed back the lead through a try and a penalty to make the score 23-15 .First it was a penalty by Nilufer Ibrahim who sent the ball through the uprights.And twenty minutes later a missed penalty attempt (by Ibrahim) came as a blessing in disguise when they scored through Imithisham Marikar ,when the ball rebound off the right upright and fell back into the playing area.The conversion went abegging . Havelocks crossed the Kandy line during injury time when winger Yugantara Karunaratne went over mid left off a solo effort.The try was goaled by Jayakody. Referee-Dilroy Fernando |
| Royal drub Trinity 42-11 to claim Bradby by Hafiz Marikar Our Kandy
Sports Corr Having lost the first leg of the Bradby to Trinity in Colombo, Royal ruggerites fittingly beat the Trinitians in their own ‘Lions den’ in the second leg at the Bogambara Stadium yesterday. In doing so Trinity notched up the highest number of points in a match in this series so far surpassing the previous 36. Royal led 23-nil at half time. Royal’s score-line came of three goals, three tries and two penalty kicks at goal to Trinity’s solitary try. The winning tries came through Dinesh Rahim, Kishan Samarasinghe, Rananjaya Gonaduwa, Gemunu Dissanayake, skipper Shanaka Perera and Amila Namalarachchi. Three of the tries and penalty were goaled by Gonaduwa. It was Royal’s fly half R. Fernando whop cut the Trinity defence to ribbons with his half breaks, dummies and slicing runs for the three quarters to fashion the tries. It was sweet revenge for the Royalists at Bogambara Stadium following their 20-18 defeat in the first leg. Royal won the under-17 game 10-nil. |
| Duncan White leaves behind a lasting flame By Sriyan Obeyesekere
Duncan White, who died aged 80 in England last Friday, has left a lasting flame which he lit on the Olympic track a half century ago. A feat not equalled by any other Sri Lankan to date. White, who was to be hailed as the ‘Ed Moses’ of Sri Lanka in the wake of that epoch making effort, was 29 years old at the time and almost not selected by the selectors who considered he was ‘too old’. But his feats on the local track, specialising in five events, were too much to overlook him. When he won the 440 yards hurdles at the British Empire Games two years later aged 32, Duncan White was to establish himself as the greatest athlete of all Asia. His victory in 52.5 seconds is one of the greatest of all-time, over the 3-foot hurdles. He missed out on the world record by one fifth of a second. At the London Olympics, White overcame four of the world's best outdistancing Ault of the USA, Mesoni of Italy and Cros of France while going down only to America’s Cochran, the world champion at the time. It was to White’s credit that he led the entire field at the halfway mark only to be overtaken by Cochran. The rest were breathing down his neck in the final few metres, but White's stamina prevailed. White who was to domicile himself in England, yet did not desert his passion for the sport and vision in later years, to see a fellow countryman emulate him. He had Sri Lanka at heart and made it a ‘dream to be realised’ by setting up the Duncan White Foundation which was to promote the athletic sport. By this he hoped one day Sri Lanka could see the dawn of the day another White would appear. He was highly impressed with the talent at hand. What he saw lacking was the facilities and finances to develop the potential to Olympic heights. He echoed in no uncertain terms it could be done. His message to striving athletes was, ‘don’t go for just one event. Try to specialise in as many events as possible.’ This had been his success formula where he believed then performance could not be shut out. Perhaps, White's dedication, sweat and tears on the track that propelled him to greatness could be best defined by his own words — "I loved athletics so much that I kept it up until 32 years." |
KUMAR DHARMASENA who followed on the heels of his Sri Lanka cricketing colleague SANATH JAYASURIYA in tying the nuptial knot is pictured here by our staff cameraman MANGALA WEERASEKERA in conversation with JAYASURIYA and his wife SUMUDU at the reception at Hotel Lanka Oberoi last Thursday. DHARMASENA wed 18-year-old DUSHANTHI GUNAWARDENE. |
| New Zealand offers training facilities to our
Olympic contingent by Shirajiv Sirimane
The Christchurch City Council has decided to provide training facilities for Olympic bound contingents two months prior to the games, according to Anthony. "The objective behind this is to let New Zealand athletes to train alongside other competitors and also to promote tourism", he said. According to Anthony, Christchurch Mayor Vick Buck, had indicated that Christchurch is a fantastic city to train since their sporting infrastructure is so good. "This helps the city so appealing to athletes of all disciplines and makes it very easy to train here," she had said. This ideal training ground is merely three hours' flying time from Sydney, Australia, destination for the Olympic and Paralympic games in the year 2000. Athletes and teams basing their pre-Games training programme around Christchurch will have access to professionally managed international standard facilities, many of them brand new and purpose-built, minutes away from the centre of a charming and sophisticated city. Teams have the chance to work to the limit, and afterwards, be replenished and pampered in top quality accommodation and relish fine food in one of the world's least polluted countries. This is the land that bred some of the world's greatest sports people: Athletes (John Walker, Toni Hodgkinson and Beartice Faumuina), yachtsmen (Sir Peter Blake, Russel Coutts) and triathletes (Erin Baker, Rick Wells) to name but a few. Quite possibly, New Zealand produces more Olympic standard athletes per head of population than any other country in the world. Kate Coleboutne, the Pre-Games event Co-Ordinator at Sports and Leisure complex in Christchurch, had inquired from Anthony as to what had happened to Susanthika. She had also been keen to host the Sri Lankan athletic contingent there, prior to the Olympic Games. Dubbed as the father of local Taekwonds, Anthony said that the Lankan's must avail themselves of this golden opportunity. |
| Norman Silva - A gentleman in his sport By Ravi Nagahawatte One of A few Youngest A bygone era Life policy 1987 best year Silva, who has been an automatic choice for the national team since 1986, also made the side in the recently concluded Quadrangular Tournament. Gerald the toughest His one wish to see war
end No special diet Will call it a day Memorable moments |
| REFLECTIONS From soccer to kick boxing From the now famous - to the English infamous - 'hand of God' Diego Maradona goal when Argentina rocked England's Cup hopes in 1986 in Mexico to 'foul play' which again controversially culminated with the defeat of a depleted 10 man England to their arch rivals at France '98, the sport looks more than anything embroiled in rough house play. Akin to 'kick boxing' and grappling where footballers more often than not have been roughing up their opponents. Of course, Maradona's was not a foul, the former great himself reiterating it saying he was deft in it even when he played the game as a street kid. The ongoing World Cup brought to T.V. viewers here has seen at least ten out of twelve teams resorting to foul play where what looked like certain goals never sailed past the box. Today, clearly, marking star players who come in for rough-house tackling from hitting with the hand to kicking the opponent has become part and parcel of most players. A strategy that was in its height of play in the Spain 1982 World Cup when Maradona, arguably the greatest wizard with the ball for his artistry in dribbling and heading, found himself virtually coralled. But Maradona, came back four years later, his wizardry prevailing over dirty tactics to kick Argentina to the World Cup in Mexico. But the likes of a Maradona is one in a thousand as rough play continues to haunt the game with referees kept on their toes in 90 minutes of suspense where the destiny of a team hinges like an engine on wheels on the accuracy of their sole judgement. The ongoing championship has as it is seen players feint fair play while dealing 'under the belt' blows. Some which certainly have escaped the eye of the referee. Interceptions too have proved costly. As it did for England when a certain goal by Campbell was to be denied them due to Shearer's folly of trespassing in impeding the goalie. The penalty kick awarded to Croatia against Romania which proved to be the ultimate winner when a Croatia striker was kicked down in front of the Romanian goal perhaps was another costly kick in the elimination round. Be it as it is, soccer's biggest global event has brought with it the flaws that dirty tactics have infused into the game where invariably referees being human are prone to err. Some matches in France '98 have not been without controversy with certain decisions as in the Argentina - England contest being questioned by the English camp. Perhaps, the best indication that referees do err has been from a very recent survey released during the ongoing championship. The survey had revealed that referees had been found to be guided by wrong decisions where they failed to spot certain fouling of players as a result of running too close to the action. |
| Have your say The Wide Wild World of Cricket The ‘Sunday Divaina’ of 28th June carried an article by Last Man, critical of Saliya Ahangama and Ranjith Fernando for accepting cricket commentary assignments for World Tel during the on-going Singer Akai Nidahas Trophy limited over cricket tournament. The argument is that it is morally unacceptable and justifiable for the former in his capacity as Secretary of the Board of Control of Cricket and the latter as manager of the Sri Lanka team to accept such assignments as the situation provides sufficient opportunities for them to make use of their respective official positions in the cricketing hierarchy to their own advantage. There is a semblance of truth in the argument, but the case has to be viewed in the context of the circumstances under which the two officials had to make the commitment. These two are celebrities, highly skilled, enormously talented, knowledgeable and whose competence as cricket commentators, both at local and international level, has never been subject to criticism at any forum. Their fluency in the English language and the recognition they enjoy from the international media, in particular, have contributed largely for their selection for this particular assignment. Undoubtedly, under these circumstances, the internationally renowned cricket commentator, Tony Greig, would not have had any other choice but to indicate his preference for these two commentators. These two specialised cricket commentators have been in the field for years and it is not fair for them to be deprived of their continuance as cricket commentators just because they hold appointments in the Cricket Board. Should they also resign from their jobs either in the government or mercantile sector? The posts they hold in the Cricket Board are purely on honorary capacity and they do not receive any remuneration. Their talents and experience have to be utilized for the good of the game. They are kind of specialists in a particular field comparable to those specialists in the medical profession, while working for the government earn simultaneously by resorting to private practice. This they do with the concurrence of the government. It is assumed that the Cricket Board was aware of this position when they gave the green light for them to continue with their cricket commentary assignments with the World Tel. Millions of cricket fans the world over sincerely wish that they would have the good fortune of listening to the lively English cricket. I am interested in the game of cricket but I don't hold any brief for any one. I have no special persons or heroes in the game except that I admired the great cricketers of the calibre of my contemporaries in school, Stanley Jayasinghe, Ashley de Silva and Carl Obeysekera. In the good old days cricket was considered a gentleman's game and the youngsters took up to playing cricket for the love of it but, the game is now highly commercialised. There appears of be an involvement of big money and gambling even at international level which has not only resulted in the gradual deterioration of the game but also has created a set of stooges and conspirators behind the sight screen to throw mud at the honest and dedicated players at the centre of the game. In cricket parlance, the last man has appeared before the wicket, taken his crease, sadly, a well aimed googly scrapes through his padded legs smashing the middle stump to the utter frustration and disgust of the side he is trying to save. The last man walks back to the pavilion disappointed, rejected, dejected, with a glimmer of hope for a fight-back, perhaps, on another day. Third Umpire |
| Welagedara Stadium to be upgraded as Test
venue by
Shirajiv Sirimanne reporting from Kurunegala Speaking to the "Sunday Island" he said that he would bring in a motion in this regard at this months NWP Provincial Council meeting. "All the members have accepted this idea in principle and this motion is only a formality," he said. The Chief Minister who is an old boy of Maliyadewa and had played cricket for the school said that there are only two hurdles in the way of Welagedara Stadium being declared a 'Test' venue. "One is a pavilion and the second is to find additional playing space," he said. The Minister said that there was adequate land under the Atthagala rock belonging to the government, which can be acquired to extend the ground. "We are confident that the Cricket Board and Sports Ministry would contribute financially for this project. Our Provincial Council will also shoulder part of the financial burden," he said. The Minister said that it was not advisable to spend millions and build a new Test venue. "The Government must upgrade the existing venue before planning to put up new venues at Dambulla." The Minister explained that Kurunegala public had been seriously involved in cricket in the past 40 years and it was unfair to deprive Kurunegala a Test venue. A good number of 17 teams including Vavuniya were present for the Senior Nationals but it was very sad to note that none of the sponsors (Hatton National Bank) were present for the opening ceremony. The notable teams absent were Track Master, Army, Schools, Playground, Mahaweli, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Puttalam and Badulla. The Netball Federation is contemplating taking stern action against these teams that kept away. Meanwhile, several junior National players are very disappointed with regard to their activities during training. According to senior netball officials the junior teams have not shown any significant progress during the last two months. In the opening match Vavuniya District team displayed their superior skills when they out classed Hambantota. This victory is highly commendable since they undergo tremendous hardships in Vavuniya. The Nationals will conclude today at 4 p.m. Salinda Dissanayake, Deputy Minister of Lands and Agriculture will be the chief guest. |
| Countdown for the Sri Lanka v India
clash begins by Mahinda Wijesinghe "...The India v New Zealand game provided some fireworks by Tendulkar. He simply exploded. Blazing strokes around the ground brought him 3 sixes and an equal number of boundaries until impetuosity borne of over-confidence brought about his downfall." Wasn't it a repetition of the same scenario at the S. S. C. grounds, against Sri Lanka? 8 an over and a train
to catch Similarity of Tendulkar
and Bradman The new bowling style
of Sanath A new batting style for
Sanath? Why is the official
souvenir late? Finally, a word about the Radio/TV commentators. Most of them are broadcasters with a great flow of words but very little insight into the game. The TV commentators give a radio commentary. In other words, they repeat what is happening on the screen which all of us can see. They must follow the golden rule of competent TV commentators: Do not speak unless you can add something to the picture. Cannot former cricketers be trained in this business? |
| Mahamaya win swimming and Diving C'ships Hafiz Marikar our Kandy Sports
Corr
He has been an asset to Mahamaya swimming. Today despite only the Trinity pool in Kandy available, the sport has become popular, Mahamaya, which has a strong Old Girls Association and a Parents Association, should go for a pool, with the assistance from the Sports Minister S. B. Dissanayake. The Minister promised to give a helping hand. Of the swimmers who excelled at the recent meet were Hasthi Dissanayake who won four out of five events including establishing a record. Her sister Shama Dissanayake too was in the winning act. Both sisters got the highest points in their age groups and contributed over one third of the team's total of 300 points. The other swimmers who did the Kandy school proud were Ridmi Coomasaru (a record holder) Uma Darmadasa, Mihiri Kangarachchi, Nimendra Mawelagedera, Shalika Wimalantha, Dilathi Ranaweera, Nimendra Mawelagedera. Their Coach E. G. A. Willson has singled out Uma, Shanika, Dilanti, Nimendra, Hasthi, Ridmi, and Shama are very bright prospects for the future. |
| Ladies golf Nonita win Ridgeway cup In a keenly contested match Mrs. Nonita Lal Qureshi Indian and International Champion beat former Sri Lanka Champion Yvonne Abhayaratne on the 18th hole in the final of the Ridgeway Cup. The Ridgeway Cup is the first major Board event to be played for by the Ladies Section this year and is the only major match play off handicap tournament conducted by the Ladies Section. Evenly matched, the score was all square after the 15th hole. Nonita won the 16th hole with a birdie, halved the 17th and went onto win the 18th and the match 2/1. |
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