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| Arnold joins elite band on
way to double century TAUNTON, England, July 16 - Sri Lanka's Russel Arnold, a Test discard despite his technique and aptitude for fluent stroke-play, gave his country's selectors a clear reminder as he stroked his way to a classic double century (209) to pull his side through from a follow-on and then almost give them victory in their First Class fixture against Somerset which ended in a draw on Thursday. The 24-year old left-hander in the process etched his name in the record books by becoming only the second Sri Lankan representing his country to score a century on debut on English soil after Duleep Mendis made 144 against East Africa in the inaugural World Cup championship in 1975. The lanky batsman also joined an elite band of just four other cricketers to make double hundreds on a maiden appearance in England. The previous feats were established by Australian players H.H. Massie (206) vs. Oxford in 1882, Bill Woodful (201) vs. Essex 1926 and Sir Don Bradman (236) vs. Worcestershire in 1930. Pakistan's Saeed Anwar made 219 not out against Glamorgan in 1996. Arnold also for the third time in 12 months emerged the first century-maker for Sri Lanka on foreign tours. He scored a hundred on a tour of the West Indies last July followed by a century during a sojourn of South Africa in March this year. Interestingly Arnold, who hails from Colombo, first found a place in the Sri Lanka team by replacing an injured Roshan Mahanama in May last year after scoring a home century in a side game against Pakistan. In making his 209 runs, Arnold found the boundary on no less than 37 occasions. His knock was made after Sri Lanka, replying to Somerset's 366 for 6 declared, were asked to follow-on having fallen for a first innings score of 130. Sri Lanka then declared at a second innings total of 483 for 6, a lead of 247 runs. The tourists nearly turned the tide to have Somerset reeling at 177 for 7 at the close. SCOREBOARD
Somerset first innings 366-6 declared (K.Parsons 101 not
out, M.Trescothick 95, M.Lathwell 56)
Sri Lanka first innings 130
Sri Lanka second innings (following on, overnight 243-3)
S.Jayasuriya lbw b Bulbeck 4
M.Atapattu c Burns b Bulbeck 53
R.Arnold c Harden b Trescothick 209
D.Jayawardene c Sutton b Parsons 9
H.Tillakaratne b Bulbeck 82
R.Kaluwitharana c Parsons b Trescothick 33
U.Hathurusinghe not out 34
H.Dharmasena not out 45
Extras (b-4 lb-4 w-6) 14
Total (for six declared, 113 overs) 483
Fall of wickets: 1-8 2-93 3-127 4-326 5-395 6-408
Did not bat: M.Bandaratileke, G.Wickremasinghe,
M.Villavarayan.
Bowling: Bulbeck 19-1-104-3, Jones 20-2-84-0, Burns
6-1-44-0, Trott 9-2-40-0, Pierson 15-3-54-0, Trescothick
20-3-83-2, Parsons 11-4-29-1, Bowler 9-3-25-0, Harden 4-1-12-0
Somerset second innings
P.Bowler run out 66
M.Burns c Dharmasena b Wickremasinghe 13
R.Harden c Dharmasena b Villavarayan 0
M.Lathwell c Jayawardene b Villavarayan 5
K.Parsons c Villavarayan b Hathurusinghe 25
M.Trescothick run out 26
A.Pierson st Kaluwitharana b Dharmasena 3
L.Sutton not out 16
S.Jones not out 8
Extras (lb-13 nb-2) 15
Total (for seven, 37 overs) 177
Fall of wickets: 1-27 2-29 3-39 4-94 5-139 6-146 7-155
Did not bat: M.Bulbeck, B.Trott
Bowling: Wickremasinghe 9-0-25-1, Villavarayan 8-0-35-2,
Hathurusinghe 6-0-32-1, Bandaratileke 4-0-26-0, Dharmasena
5-0-17-1, Jayasuriya 3-0-19-0, Atapattu 1-0-4-0, Tillakaratne
1-0-6-0
Result: match drawn
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| PRINCESS DIANA
MEMORIAL TODAY Aravinda, Sanath, Sachin the draw in World XI — MCC clash By Jatila Karawita The Inaugural Diana Princess of Wales, Memorial One-Day International match which starts today (4 p.m.) Sri Lanka time at Lord's cricket grounds would feature some of the finest array of cricket stars ever assembled together for an international match of this nature.
The match, which is to be played between MCC captained by former England skipper Mike Atherton and Rest of the World led by former Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar for the coveted Dr. W. G. Grace Trophy on the 150th birth anniversary of this pioneer English cricketer of yore has been organised to generate revenue for the 'Diana Memorial Fund'. The cream of world talent will see Sri Lanka's foremost cricketers in vice captain and master batsman Aravinda de Silva, and master blaster, Sanath Jayasuriya turning out for the Rest of the World XI where they will be a big draw. It must also be noted that de Silva has in fact climbed to the top spot of the world Wisden rankings during the past week ousting Sachin Tendulkar from the top slot. Among some of the leading players who will be representing the World XI besides de Silva and Jayasuriya are Pakistanis Saeed Anwar, Wasim Akram, Mushtaq Ahmed, New-Zealander Chris Cairns, and Zimbabwe's Andy Flower who would take top billing in this gala clash. The MCC XI is also expected to boast of such star attractions of the calibre of India's Mohammed Azharuddin, Saurav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, South African's Allan Donald, Brian McMillan and Australians Ian Healy and Glen McGrath in that fold. This 50 overs per side match to be played according to ICC rules will be officiated by England's David Shepherd and India's Srinivas Venkataragavan with New Zealand's Steve Dunne as the third umpire. •TEAMS (Probable) • REST OF THE WORLD FROM — Sachin Tendulkar (India Capt), Saeed Anwar (Pakistan), Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka), Graeme Hick (England), Tom Moody (Australia), Andy Flower (Zimbabwe), Chris Cairns (New Zealand), Wasim Akram (Pakistan), Mushtaq Ahmed (Pakistan), Ian Bishop (W. Indies). |
| S. Africa 'A' Board XI match today The three-day match between the Board President's XI and South Africa 'A' XI was postponed from yesterday to today following heavy showers that swept Colombo. The opening game has been re-scheduled will be played till Monday according to the Sri Lanka 'A' team Manager, Brendon Kuruppu. (DR) |
| 9th Asian Squash
Championship Lankan women beat Thais By Dhammika Ratnaweera Sri Lanka Ladies squash team beat Thailand 2-1 in their first game of the team event in the 9th Asian squash Championship in Malaysia yesterday. In the first game Yasmin Zarook lost to Thai's number one player in straight sets 9-7, 9-1, 9-4. Padmini Samarasinghe the manageress said it was essential for Sri Lanka to win the balance two matches. Shivanthi Kottage beat S. Grachanenetari 9-5, 9-0, 9-0 and Disna Ranjini also got an easy victory over S. Piphak 9-0, 9-3, 9-1. Sri Lankan women’s team will now meet India for the 5th and 6th places. Meanwhile Sri Lankan mens team played against Thailand yesterday for the 9th to 12th place. E. Ravichandran lost a gruelling five set game which lasted one hour ten minutes against Aprom Na Nakorn 5-9, 9-0, 9-4, 7-9, 9-6. Hirantha Goonasena won the second match easily beating Charnchai Mahantakhun 9-2, 9-0, 9-7. In the third and deciding game N. S. Jayashantha the skipper beat the Thai contender to clinch the tie for Sri Lanka 9-3, 9-5, 9-3. Sri Lanka now meet the Philippines for the 9th and 10th places. |
| DSS's 88 group sixes on July 19 The limited over cricket tournament organised by D. S. Senanayake College Old Boys Association (88 group) will be worked out on July 19 at Nomads Grounds commencing at 9.30 a.m. According to a organising committee member Dharshana Panangala, the main objective of this tournament is to develop friendship among the DSs’ Old Boys. He also said that more than one team can participate from one group and with good weather a keen tussle is to be expected. A musical entertainment is also lined up. (DR) |
| Yasas scores unbeaten 80 Skipper Yasas Hewawitharana struck a fine unbeaten knock of 80 while leg spinner Thilina Samarasinghe had superb bowling figures of 4 for 52 which enabled CCC chalk up an easy victory over S. Thomas, Mt. Lavinia in their under 13 cricket fixture at Mt. Lavinia recently. Opener Yasas Hewawitharana struck three sixes and six boundaries while nine year old right arm leg spinner Thilina Samarasinghe bowled a hostile spell to claim for Thomian wickets. S. Thomas 144 (C. Samarasinghe 30, D. Ratnayake 27, D. de Zoysa 16, I. Irshad 15, Thilina Samarasinghe 4/52, Amrit Wijesuriya 3 for 18,. CCC Cricket School 173 for nine wickets (Yasas Hewawitharana 80 n.o., Dilan Nayanajith 32, Adran Wazil 2 for 20, P. Gunasekera 2 for 15. (DR) |
| Bristol League reaches final stage The semi-finals of Bristol League Soccer tournament conducted by Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) and sponsored by Ceylon Tobacco Company Limited will be played on August 1 at Sugathadasa Stadium. Saunders Sports Club meets Air Force in the first semi-final while Renown SC will confront Ratnam SC in the second semi-final. First match commences at 5.30 p.m. The grand final of this tournament will be staged on August 8 (Saturday) at the same venue commencing 6.30 p.m. Godfried Thoma, Chairman, Ceylon Tobacco Company Limited will be the chief guest on the final. (AN) |
| Roy de Silva to be honoured By Hafiz Marikar, our Kandy Sports Corr. The 121st Annual General Meeting of the Kandy Club will take place today at the club house. Soon after the AGM, the new wing of the club will be ceremonially declared open by Manilal Fernando, President of the Sri Lanka Football Federation and the Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation, who is also a member of this club. This will be followed by the unveiling of the portrait of Roy de Silva President of the club, for the long-standing service he has rendered to the club. Also the Secretary of the Club Dudley Gunatilake, a hard worker will be elected as its fifth Honorary Life Member, the other four being Col. Stanley Ratwatte, Stanley Martin (both of them are no more), Gordon Rat-watte and Roy de Silva. There will be a special plaque for sale for members and the members get-together will follow soon after the AGM. |
| Mercantile Services Five a Side
Cager tourney this week-end By Dhammika Ratnaweera Mercantile Services Basketball five a side tournament will commence today (18) at St. Josephs College Indoor courts. The finals will be held the following day. Play will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Union Assurance Ltd. have come forward to sponsor this Cager tournament for the fourth successive year. H. A. Rehmanjee, Chief Executive Officer of Union Assurance said that they always give support for sports, like Chess and Basketball which are not so popular in Sri Lanka. He also observed that more publicity should be given to these sports like for popular games Cricket, Athletics and Rugger. He also pointed out, that this tournament commenced in 1990. "It is to the credit of the Association that they continued to hold this tournament up to 1994 without any assistance, until of course Union Assurance sponsored the event for the first time in 1995" he added. Ram Ratnavale, Secretary of the Mercantile Services Basketball Association (MSBA) said that 21 teams will take part in 58 matches in four divisions. "The ‘A’ division will be for the Union Assurance (UAL) trophy, ‘B’ division for the UAL Plate, ‘C’ division for the UAL Bowl and ‘D’ division for the UAL Beginners trophy". He also said that Celltel Lanka and David Pieris Motor Company are the two debutante. He also disclosed that several National Players and National Youth poolists will take part in this tournament. This year Union Assurance will be awarding a trophy for the best player of each division. Nishantha Wickramage, President of MSBA said that matches will be played on a round-robin basis in the preliminary round and the first four teams qualify for the final round in their respective divisions. H. A. Rehmanjee, CEO of Union Assurance will be the Chief Guest on final day while Ramal Jasinghe, General Manager Marketing and Deepal Abeysekera, Assistant General Manager Marketing will be the guests of honours. The Teams • ‘B’ division — Commercial Bank, HNB ‘B’, Seylan Bank ‘B’, Ceylinco Group. • ‘C’ division — Sampath Bank ‘B’, Eagle Informatic Systems, Celltel Lanka, Airport and Aviation. • ‘D’ division — Commercial Bank ‘B’, Metropolitan Group, Akbar Brothers, David Pieris Motor Company, Ceylon Tobacco, Air Lanka Ltd. |
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