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| Sri Lanka 'A'-S. Africa 'A' 2nd Test
at Welagedera Stadium Rock city fans 'rock-hard' over omission of local heroes Lanka, Eric (By Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Kurunegala) The fans will be there in their numbers when the second unofficial cricket test match at 'A' level between Sri Lanka and South Africa unfurls in the rock city's Welagedera Stadium today at 10.30 a.m. But the fans, by all reports, are waiting to bang their heads on the rocks in protest at a great injustice to local hero, wicket keeper batsman Lanka de Silva and pace bowler Eric Upashantha. For the cricket loving public not only in Kurunegala, particularly the conspicuous discarding of Lanka de Silva, who not so long ago pushed into the sidelines Romesh Kaluvitharana out of the national team, before being laid off by a Javagal Srinath bouncer, has been a devastating 'double bouncer' bowled by the national selectors. The consensus among even the average follower of the game is that Lanka de Silva has died a cold death at the hands of the selectors. That he deserved better where his place should have been there for the asking at 'A' level, 'Kalu' having walked back into the main team. These, then are the 'ups and downs' of cricket where ironically the deserving have not found themselves on the rewarding end as de Silva and Upashantha themselves become mere spectators to a game where less worthy talent take their places at Welagedera today. Some consolation for the disgruntled but cricket thirsty crowd here will be the reappearance of fast bowler Chaminda Vaas on the scene today at this level. For Vaas, trying to get back to grips with the game after a long injury lay off, this will be the ideal testing ground where he will test South African opposition, top even at this level who have played at the highest echelons as well. The game itself, despite the crowd gloom, has the promise of an interesting duel where the Welagedera Stadium would incidentally be the first real setting for some very looked to batting talent in Avishka Gunawardena, Peterite Malintha Warnapura, former Thomian Manoj Mendis and current Thomian Upeka Fernando who would find themselves in the mirror of focus where their different strokeplay could be exhibition. Warnapura and Fernando, particularly, for the fact they have already shown different qualities at a young age which augurs well for the country's future. The experienced left hand batsman from the hill capital, Sajith Fernando will lead the side whose bowling apart from Vaas will be in the hands of Indika Gallage, Malinga Bandara and Tilan Samaraweera. A notable omission here is also that of left arm spinner, Dinuka Hettiarachchi whose 6 for 120 against the South Africans at Moratuwa was not good enough for a call up. With the first test washed out, the second in the 3-test series will predictably see a keen contest. The South Africans, despite tasting little cricket due to rain, are a formidable outfit as their batsmen did show at Moratuwa. The captaincy reins will be in the able hands of Dale Berkenstein, a seasoned batsman with the strength of the batting revolving around Herschelle Gibbs, Derek Crookes, Martin Jaarsveld and Mark Bruyns. Sri Lanka is yet to see the touring team's bowlers in real battle. The pace department will be in the hands of Henry Williams, Allen Dawson, G. Filder and H. Bakkas with Claude Henderson and Crookes the leggie and off spinner respectively, the key spinners. THE TEAMS: SOUTH AFRICA 'A' from: Dale Berkenstein (Capt), Mark Bruyns, Ashwell Prince, H. D. Ackerman, Herschelle Gibbs, Derek Crookes, Loots Bosman, Martin Van Jaarsveld, Nick Pothas, Nick Boje, Claude Henderson, Henry Williams, Allen Dawson, G. Gilder, H. Bakkas, Umpires: Ignatius Anandappa, Lalith Jayasundera, Stand by: D. A. S. Dissanayake. |
| Flash - Middlesex 160-3 at tea Villavarayan shines for Sri Lanka with two early wickets Sujeeva Nivunhella from London Middlesex were 83 for 2 in 30 overs at lunch when acting captain Sanath Jayasooriya asked Middlesex to bat after he won the toss. Both wickets that were to fall before lunch was claimed by Mario Villavarayan. Sri Lanka went into this game sans Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and Mutthiah Muralitharan while Middlesex rested their test playing Mark Ramprakash and Angus Fraser. At the time of going to press Middlesex were 129 for 3 in 46 overs with Goodchild 48 not out and Langer not out naught. Goodchild was dropped when he was 38 at slips by Jayasooriya off Pushpakumara. Scoreboard Bowling: Pushpakumara 8-2-17-0, Suresh Perera 9-1-22-0, Hathurusinghe 7-1-30-0, Villavarayan 6-2-11-2. |
| Kandy-CR clash in blockbuster league decider By Ravi Nagahawatte All eyes would be on CR but, official statistics reveal something interesting. The CR-Kandy clash this evening will assure the spectators to witness a crowning moment. However it is specified in the tournament rules that whoever is to win the league title has to carry today's match with a margin of six points. The countries premier inter-club rugby title for once looks likely to fall out of the grasps of reigning champions Kandy. And if the 'Red Shirts' were to win today, it all proves to a beginning of a new era in the local rugby circles. According to the latest points table CR and FC are clearly in the lead with an aggregate of 48 points, while Kandy SC lie second with 44.5 points. And an official of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union confirmed the fact that for CR to win, the Colombo club has to down Kandy by scoring more tries than their opponents apart from keeping to the six point margin. The winners however will be decided on tries if CR lose today within a five point margin which will give rise to a situation where both teams will be left with 48.5 points each - the hosting team will gain 0.5 points for losing within a five point margin and Kandy will gain four points for winning. CR beat Kandy 17-12 in the first round fixture. Kandy's last win in the league tournament was in 1997 apart from their victories in 1994 and 1995, while CR bagged the trophy in 1996. The match which comes off today at Longden Place will be controlled by Britisher Steve Savage. THE TEAMS: CR AND FC - S. Rohana, V. Prasantha, S. Fernando, T. Tawita, K. Silva, D. De Silva, A. Hensman, N. Wijegunawardana, C. Nishantha, S. Mallikarachchi, K. Musafer, P. Bennete, A. Dhammika, M. J. Mushtaq, N. Weerakkody. |
| Saunders
all out to defend title By Althaf Nawaz Saunders Sports Club will go all out to defend their title just a step ahead of it when they confront Air Force in the first semi-finals of the Bristol League Soccer Tournament which kicks off today at Sugathadasa Stadium commencing at 5 p.m. Saunders with a well balanced team inclusive of the highest number of national players will have a cliff hanger battle for supremacy. They are strong favourites in this match. The man to watch will be their striker G. P. C. Karunaratne. Karuna-ratne had become one of the best forwards in the country with his daring performance. Saunders defeated Renown last year's final to grab the title. But it will be a different game over Airmen. Air Force too cannot be under rated as they have the potential of becoming a major force to reckon. They too possess some experienced players in their ranks inclusive of the National skipper Sam-path Perera. Their strength lies on their defence. A good game is expected. Meanwhile, the next semi-final will be an interesting one. This will be between Renown and Ratnam at 7 p.m. When these two teams last met at an invitation tournament Renown won the game convincingly. The match was called off during half time when there were interruptions by players. But this match will be a crucial one for both sides. Renown has the edge over their rivals. They have a fine balanced team than their opponents and the morale is high. They are the runner up of this tournament. On the other hand Ratnam too possess a young talented side. They are sans a few players who are under suspension due to poor behaviour in the recent past matches. But nobody can underestimate them as they are a side which can click at any moment. * The teams: SL Air Force SC * Renown SC * Ratnam SC |
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