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Selectors firm over decision to drop
Mahanama The national cricket selectors have stood firm by their decision to leave out veteran player Roshan Mahanama from the tour party to England despite his omission stirring the dust with a public outcry that was further fermented by Mahanama's second highest score for Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy final against India. The 'The Island' reliably understands that this had even led to Sports Minister, S. B. Dissanayake querying from the selectors the possibility of including Mahanama along with paceman Eric Upashantha. However, the selectors are said to have pointed out that the 18 selected were the best available talent in their opinion and it was not possible to reverse their decision on the premise of one good performance. Reacting to the public outcry and dissension from certain other sections, the Minister, it is understood, has noted that there was no such fuss when wicket-keeper batsman Romesh Kaluvitharana and left hand batsman, Hashan Tillekeratne were dropped from the side at different times and why only when Mahanama was dropped. Meanwhile, a top Cricket Board official, when asked for his comments, pointed out that the omission from one tour did not mean it was the end of the road for Mahanama. He also pointed out that in fairness to the selectors, they had stuck to the 'form' yardstick, a good example of which was the recall of Chandika Hathurusinghe who had the best batting aggregate in the concluded domestic season. However, there continued to be raised eyebrows in regard to the inclusion of paceman Pramodya Wickremasinghe despite his poor returns. He failed to pick a single wicket in the concluded Nidahas Trophy Championship Triangular. He altogether conceeded 140 runs off 21 overs in his barren spell. Several fans questioned on what yardstick Wickramasinghe had been included. PRESIDENT'S TROPHY RUGBY
TOURNEY Zahira College Skipper and Centre Riaz Haniz, who blitzed his way unchallenged covering well over 75 metres, fell over to score a scintillating try in injury time as they romped to a 27 points (2 goals, 2 tries, 1 penalty) to 17 (1 try, 4 penalties) win over a dour Vidyartha XV in their President's Trophy quarter-final match at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. Haniz, who received a clean pass from his stand off M. Saldeen following a line out won by Zahira in their 25, simply blazed his way in a searing run which virtually knocked the stuffing out of the Vidyartha lads. At that stage Zahira were in the lead by 22-17. However, at the short whistle of referee Dilroy Fernando, Vidyartha led 9-7. In a match where no quarter was asked nor given, both teams indulged in a fast, open brand of rugby football with Zahira egged on by their hefty pack and equally well supported by their back division finally nailed their gutsy Kandy rivals in telling fashion. During the first half, both sides matched each other well enough as Vidyartha's stand off Sudesh Dissanayake fired across four penalties in succession to take a 9-0 edge. But Zahira narrowed that gap on the stroke of half time, thanks to No. 8 Naim Ali who had a grand game when he barged over the line having worked the ball down the line. The conversion was fluffed by full back M. F. M. Fazmy and the scores read at 9-7 in favour of Vidyartha. During the second half it became a case of virtual one way traffic for the Zahirians as they ran down three more brilliant tries to dump Vidyartha with consummate ease. For the winners, No. 8 Naim Ali added another try as did centre T. S. Sabreen while place kicker M. F. M. Fazmy converted one of those tries, basides putting over a penalty to swell their final score to 27 points. For the gallant losers, lock forward Danushka Herath planted their solitary try which came as a result of a tremendous forwards rush following a short tap taken in the Zahira 22. Fly half Sudesh Dissanayake fired across four penalties for Vidyartha as Zahira, being the worthy winners here, qualified to meet Wesley in the first-semi final to be played on July 20. LANKA V. INDIA - FINAL History has a knack of repeating itself every now and then. So it has been in all three 'Freedom' tournaments in India, Pakistan and now in Sri Lanka. The host country lost out in each case. India won the final in Sri Lanka to capture the Singer Nidahas Trophy, but Sri Lanka lost gallantly in the last gasp. India by virtue of some hectic batting from the persons of Tendulkar and Ganguly had set Sri Lanka an impossible task of scoring 306 at over six per over. Most thought it impossible. Some thought it overwhelming. There were a few faithfuls who knew Sri Lanka could do it or, at least, make a valiant effort to do so. After all, did they not chase a similar huge total in the World Cup Final in 1996 - and against Australia at that! That was in a final far more fraught with anxiety and doubt. Had they not prevailed then? Why could they not do it now in an atmosphere less charged with tension? Well they all but did! All but, because the early batsmen had set the tone and the pace for the performance. But for a late debacle of the last few batsmen it would have been done. To reach India's total of 305 needed batting of the highest calibre and long partnerships. Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana gave Sri Lanka a solid start on which the others who followed capitalised to good purpose. Both perished in their pursuit of maintaining the six-per over requirement. Then Aravinda de Silva and Atapattu carried on in the same strain. Atapattu who was stroking the ball sweetly attempted to drive Heerbajan Singh out of the ground and fell victim to be caught at long on. Ranatunga took his cue from the previous batsmen. The score kept mounting at the required rate. Then Ranatunga in a careless attempt to steer the ball past slip fell victim to a remarkable catch by Mongia behind the wicket. He should have known better, because he had missed the previous ball attempting a similar shot. The hapless Mahanama then joined de Silva and together they put on more quick runs, still at the winning rate Aravinda de Silva duly reached his century when the score stood at 261 in the 40th over. Mahanama gave him all the support he needed as well as most of the strike. At 269 Aravinda de Silva attempting a big hit was caught at mid-on. Things now began to happen. Wickets fell though the runs came thick and fast. The blow that nailed Sri Lanka fell when Mahanama was run out. He had scored 44. The rest was tragic - comedy, as Sri Lanka failed by 6 runs. Lost - but not disgraced. They made a valiant effort, the early batsmen deserving better of their colleagues. Earlier, Tendulkar and Ganguly had set up a world record partnership of 252, each scoring a century. Each had batted in his characteristic style, Tendulkar battering the bowling to make it look mediocre, and Ganguly playing as he does, driving off front foot and back, straight and through cover point. It was a breath-taking assault on the bowling which wilted as did the fielding. It seemed as if nothing could stop them. Save a thunderstorm, but there was no providential assistance. The bowlers just could not stop them unless the batsmen themselves made a mistake. That is just what happened. Tendulkar jumped out to drive Jayasuriya who saw him come and bowled wide. Tendulkar missed and was stumped. Ganguly soon followed having lost concentration. The pair in partnership had run away with the match. They had tempered down when approaching vital landmarks, satisfied with singles and twos which they ran with superb judgement while they played more orthodox strokes. The rest of the Indian innings saw a remarkable transformation as batsmen came and went having no time or overs to settle down. Jayasuriya bowled Jadeja with a beautiful ball that turned from leg stump. Robin Singh swept powerfully and then was run out in controversial manner at the bowler's end, the bails having been dislodged before the ball could hit the wicket. India's final total of 306 for 7 seemed unassailable - and so it did eventually. It was, however, a great cricket match played on a good wicket which produced most entertaining cricket. I am sure the crowd was enthralled, as I was.
PRADEEP HEWAGE, cricket Captain of St. Benedict's College, Kotahena received the coveted 'Prince of Wales Trophy' for the 'Most Promising School Boy Cricketer' award from the British High Commissioner, DAVID TATHAM at the presentation ceremony held at the British High Commission yesterday. Associated at the ceremony were President, Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA), NEVILLE DE ALWIS and Secretary SLSCA, B. S. PERERA. and Tournament Committee Secretaries KULASIRI DE SOYZA and HIRAN PERERA HEWAGE skippered the Sri Lanka Youth Cricket Team at the last Youth World Cup and was also a reserve in the Sri Lanka squad against New Zealand. (Pic by Nimal Dayaratne) President's Trophy Schools Rugby
Tourney The Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Union (SLSRFU) yesterday in an unprecedented move awarded two walk-overs respectively to Science College, Mount Lavinia and Wesley College, Colombo in the President's Trophy Schools Knock out Rugby Tournament that began at the Sugathadasa Stadium last afternoon. Secretary of the SLSRFU M. J. Mudannayake told The Island that Science and Wesley College's had to be awarded the walk overs following the decision taken by S. Thomas' who had intimated in a letter to the Union their inability to play their play-off match as most of the key players were injured. However, as regards Trinity, he said their match had to be given to Wesley purely because of the Hill-Capital school's failure to turn-up for the quarter final match yesterday which means the Wesleyites qualified to meet either Zahira or Vidyartha in the second semi-final on July 20. With the walk-over gained by Science College, they booked a berth to take on Thurstan in the first semi-final on July 13. With the walk-over handed over to Science College by the Thomians, it becomes the first occasion in the history of both the Schools Knockout Tourney and S. Thomas' College rugby that this top rugby playing school from Mount Lavinia has virtually gifted a rugby match to an opposition team. Hard on the heels of the Thomians walk over came this news that Trinity, one of Sri Lanka's foremost rugby playing schools, too had followed in the footsteps of their Mount counterparts which resultantly gave Wesley a clear passage to the semi-final stage unscathed. Windsurfing
C'ships The mid-summer Windsurfing Championships will be held July 26 at the Negombo lagoon. It is sponsored by the Lanka Sportsreizen-Airport Garden Hotel, National Windsurfing Association and Carlsberg. There will be three course races in the championships which will be conducted under Professional Board Sailing Association (PBA) rules. It will be open to local and foreign windsurfers of all ages. This was disclosed at a press conference held at Airport Garden Hotel yesterday. Sri Lanka's most professional windsurfer Tilak Weerasingha said that the size of the sail will be limited to 8.5 square metres. No custom made boards will be allowed. There will be four prizes for the winners - the L.S.R. Summer Cup, Airport Garden Hotel Trophy Carlsberg Trophy and Baron de Livera Trophy. This popular event will be free to those who wish to view it, said Ashok Fernando, Sales Manager, Airport Garden Hotel. Standard of squad for Junior Asian Netball
C'ships questionable The Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL) has selected a 21-member pool in view of the Asian Junior Netball Championships which will be held next November in New Delhi, India. However, the standard of the junior netball squad has not shown significant progress, according to many observers. A pool of 40 players were in training for nearly 2 months from which the pool was selected after a special trial. "Any team practising for two months must display better skills", said one coach who witnessed the trials. There are also reports that two officials in charge of the team had open altercations regularly even in front of the players. "These would end with both the officials crying" one junior player said. The juniors also complain of too much of netball in a short period. "We have to do strenuous weight training which is immediately followed by practices" she said. Some senior NFSL officials, when contacted, agree that there were some problems with the juniors, but assured they would be ironed out soon. The pool - Lakmini Gunasekera, Nilanthi Balasuriya, Vishaka Sandamali, Nishali Gamhewage, Rangika Abeyweera, Menojika Priyangani, Sakunthala Weeraratne, Kumari Seneviratne, Anoma Sriyakanthi, Radeeka, Nilushi Shamali, Vaggesha Shashikala, A. G. L. Priyangika, Seshala Ranasinghe, Sriyani Attanayake, Manoja Ranchagoda, Maduka Asangi, Shani Nissanka, Sujeeva Nilmini, Madavi Samaratunge and Dhammika Nilmini. BRADBY It bears repetition Maiya's wife is neither a Royalist, nor a Trinitian. When I phoned through once to get Maiya who was out she asked whether it was urgent and whether it was on medical attention. I told her, "No, it's more important than that. It's about the Bradby," and she smirked. But Maiya Gunasekera is a prophet of doom even though in half measure. His pre-Bradby prediction was "60 here 40 there." Trinity gave Royal 42 in honour of a player who had been in the throes of his team's ups and downs from '69 to '72 and, despite the stunning 22-3 win under Fred Perera in '72, Maiya and Fred both, under Jagath Fernando's captaincy in 70 had had the bacon taken off the platter by the lone wolf, Seevali Samarasekera. Maiya had also asked the sardonic question after Trinity lost to St. Anthony's, "this St. Sylvester's they play hockey, don't they?" Mahes Rodrigo, Royal Captain of '46 had rubbed the salt. "I don't know what to do about the Bradby", mused and theorised: "We'll declare at half time and in the second leg send you in for innings." Those were the premonitions, come Bradby first leg. Quintin Israel, the master strategist, who watches all games of Trinity's opponents to assess strength/weakness, had mapped out a plan. High ball Royal succumbed 20-18. It must be mentioned here and now how Trinity Athletics Lion of '69 had taken the Fellowship Service in the morning of the match. They spoke of the humiliating defeats that Trinity had suffered in the season. He spoke of grit and determination. He himself had run up the mountains around Kandy to prepare himself for athletics events. He spoke of rugger. He spoke of Trinity. He spoke of God. To a free-thinker like me that was the Trinity. He inspired the boys. And we went into the Sugathadasa Stadium that sweltering afternoon on the 20th of June. A rejuvenated, reactivated set of fifteen Trinity lads played against all odds to notch a ding-dong victory. David had slewn the Goliath. That Trinity suffered a massive defeat in the second leg in which Shanaka Perera's team wiped off the slate Manik Weerakumar's 36 point record with a final tally of 42-11 in Galle to Trinitians but Bogambara has witnessed more gruesome tortures in the years gone by. C. P. P. Abeygunawardena, ably assisted by Lasitha Gunaratne, had done the home work. And Trinity never knew it. The first two high balls ended in Royal jubilation. The dam was breached and the flood waters cascaded, 3, 5, 7, 7, 3, 5, 7, 5. Trinity tried valiantly but, in the process, had their best three players, Captain Prasanna Jayawardena, vice-captain Suren Hulangamuwa and line-out specialist Chaminda Kurera taken off the field through injury. Actually, they were virtual non-starters as they had been severely injured in the match against SPC and aggravated the injuries even before the short whistle. Trinity's score of 11 came off a penalty, try and a peach of a drop-goal, the cello as compared with the thabla however well Royal thumped it. But no matter, the loss. If Royal came first. Trinity was second was the justifiable comment of Jayantha Jayawardena, Trinity Lion and Captain of '61. Mahinda Ratwatte who captained Trinity in '55 and was congratulated by the British and Canadian High Commissioners for his brilliant drop-goals, kicks to touch and jarring tackles was the Chief Guest after his adversary C. V. 'Puggy' Gooneratne had been given the same honour in the First Leg. There is soul massaging reasons as to why Puggy would refer to Trinitians as Trinishans and say "Trinity may be the best school of all, but Royal is the best College. S. Thomas' is the best outstation College." "The school by the sea?" I would ask and Siriwardena of Waragoda would chip in: "The sea came later." The year ending with the digit 8 is numerically balanced towards Royal. They won the Bradby in '48, '58, '68, 78' '88 and now '98. I am greatful to U. L. Kaluarachchi for the information and he too realises that the year 1999 has no digit 8. May the better side win. Football
seminar success The Kandy Football League conducted a seminar for the Kandy Football Referees at the In Service Hall of the Kandy Police, it was a successful seminar, where nearly 30 referees were present. The seminar was conducted by former FIFA referee M. Musheen Arif, a well known figure on the football scene who has blown in most countries. He was assisted by FIFA Referee Sunil Senaweera. The seminar, for newcomers and referees focused on new technics and changes in refereeing. According to the Kandy Football Referees Association it was very educative for the newcomers. Another seminar is also expected to be conducted by DIG T. Perimpanayagam and Col. C. S. Fernando. |
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