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Sri Lanka - England in battle for supremacy England cricket reach another milestone in its cricket history today at Lords when they take on World Champions Sri Lanka in the final of the Emirates Triangular Tournament. England who reached the finals of World Cup in 1975 and 1979 held at Lords failed to win the cup on both occasions. Emirates Triangular Tournament the first Tri Nation Series in England see once again its entry into the final. This tournament also brought coloured clothes and white balls to England for the first time with the sponsorship coming from Emirates Airlines which is also the first occasion Emirates take on sponsorship for cricket. Emirates sponsorship brings in prize money to the value of 15,000 and 10,000 sterling pounds to winners and runners-up while the man of the match receives 1,500 sterling pounds in addition to Emirates Trophy. The adjudicater for the final will be former England test skipper David Gower. ECB has appointed David Shepherd and David Constant as umpires for today's final. Sri Lanka who gained a easy victory over South Africa in the opening game lost to England in the next game unexpectedly. This loss was mainly due to irresponsible fielding by Lankans. Lankans after this defeat is trying their best to overcome this situation by using special programmes during their practice sessions. Coach Roy Dias was seen taking a keen interest in developing this aspect. Sri Lankan skipper speaking to 'The Island' soon after the defeat said our poor performance brought us bad result. We failed in all three aspects of the game. He said today's final will be played on the same strip that was used to play against England. It is stated by cricket analysts that this strip is a bitter one for batsmen. Ranatunga further said there could be few changes to the team that played against England. Hashan Tillekeratne is tipped to take the place of Russel Arnold while Chandika Hathurusinghe is to be left out to make way for Mahela Jayawardena or Mario Villavarayan. Arjuna further said that Greame Hick who made two half centuries in earlier games has to be restricted at any cost. It is important for our bowlers to have him early, said Arjuna. He also said that Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana who laid a solid foundation against South Africa which paid heavily towards Sri Lanka's win should get themselves together again get for a big score. They must play openers Gough and Mullaly according to their merit to make runs. It is also expected to see Aravinda de Silva back in the runs for Sri Lanka, which will be of immense importance in today's final. According to reports England will field the same squad that performed duty for the game against South Africa. The Weather Bureau in England has predicted windy weather conditions in and around London. On the whole Sri Lanka faces a battle today to maintain its prestige as world champions while the Englishmen are out to cut to maintain its supremacy by beating champions. The squad: SRI LANKA: Arjuna Ranatunga (Capt.), Aravinda de Silva (V. Capt.), Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluvitharana, Marvan Atapattu, Hashan Tillekeratne, Mahela Jayewardene, Kumara Dharmasena, Suresh Perera, Pramodya Wickremasinghe, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mario Villavarayan, Upul Chandana, Russel Arnold, Chandika Hatturusinghe. ENGLAND: Alec Stewart (Capt.), Allistair Brown, Nick Knight, Graeme Hick, Nassar Hussain, Adam Hollioake, Robert Croft, Ian Austin, Peter Martin, Allan Mullaly, Darren Gough, Angas Fraser, Asley Giles, Mike Atherton. Daya leaves behind a deep void The ‘Island’ Sports desk has lost one of its closely knit hands with the demise of Dayaprasad Peiris who was affectionately known as ‘Daya’ among his colleagues. With his sudden death of a heart attack last Monday, the ‘Island’ sports desk has lost a true colleague and friend whose journalistic touch was a rallying force in bringing out on print the day to day sports events. As a Sub-Editor, Daya was a bull worker. His job came first Rain or sunshine, Daya was there at the desk when needed where deadlines mattered so much in churning out the sports pages. Daya’s interests were varied. But cricket it was that superseded all where he never missed a match. Whenever Sri Lanka played, it was the match that mattered more than anything else for Daya. He would often discuss the finer points of the game with his colleagues. Hours before death called him that fateful Sunday, Daya was by his T.V. watching Sri Lanka play England in the ongoing Emirates Trophy triangular. Daya’s demise has left a deep void among his colleagues of an institution he served with his heart and soul for 17 long years, not believing in feathering his own nest. His funeral takes place today at the Koralawella, Methodist church burial grounds, Moratuwa at 5.00 p.m. Jehan and Ruchira help Petes take U-15 Div. I
title Two fine all round contributions by Jehan Jayasuriya and Ruchira Fernando helped St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya win the 'Horlicks' Trophy defeating Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala in the final of the Inter-School Under-15 Division I Cricket Tournament at Bambalapitiya yesterday. Jayasuriya and Fernando who did well against Devans with the ball, contributed immensely once again. Left handed Jayasuriya was severe on the Devans bowlers slamming a quick-fire (63) inclusive of one towering six and eight power packed boundaries. Fernando batted firmly to be unbeaten on 34. He was also associated in a 78 runs alliance with Nathan Wijeratne who scored a brisk (40) for the sixth wicket. Wijeratne's innings comprised of six fabulous hits to the ropes. Earlier Maliyadeva were 230 for nine wickets in their allotted 95 overs, Peterites needed 90 overs to seal the game in their favour. Peterites last won this tournament way back in 1995 and from then onwards they qualified for the final on few occasions. Scores MALIYADEVA 230 for 9 wkts in 95 overs. ST. PETER'S 232 for 6 wkts in 90 overs (J. Jayasuriya 63, N. Wijeratne 40, S. Perera 37, R. Fernando 34 n.o., V. Gunatillake 2/31). Vaas to be considered for test Sri Lanka's speedster Chamminda Vaas joined the tour party on Tuesday after completing medical attention to injuries on his ankle and groin muscle. He was sent to England specially for medical treatment. However it is understood that if he has recovered well he too will be considered for the test against England which is scheduled to commence on Aug. 27 at the Oval. According to tour management medium pacer Ravindra Pushpakumara too have been out of practice sessions due to an injury. Six-member athletic team for Singapore
Championships The Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka has nominated a six-member team for the NIKE Open Athletic Championship which will be held on September 4 to 6 in Singapore. The 4x400 metre relay team which won a bronze medal at the Asian Championships recently have been included for the tour. Sugath Tillakaratne who too was a member of this relay team will not make the tour as he will be in South Africa for the Athletic World Cup along with Damayanthi Dharsha. The relay team members are V. Ratnakumara, Rohan Pradeep Kumara, Ranga Wimalawansa and Chaminda Mendis. In addition Sriyani Kulawansa too will join the team Anura Bandara goes as coach cum manager for this tour. This team after the Singapore Championships will fly to Malaysia for the Commonwealth Games. Eight paddlers to take part in Asian Table
Tennis C’ships Table Tennis Association has selected a team of eight members (four men and four women) to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Japan from Sept. 27 to October 4. Former National Champion Lalith Priyantha will accompany the team as Coach cum Manager. According to Lalith the team is a balanced one with lot of experience. Tilina Piyadasa and Deepika Rodrigo are the two main hopes of Sri Lanka team. Indika Prasad and Ravi Vindyan who failed to make the German tour too are included in the team. The other member for the Japan tour is Rohan Sirisena. Experienced Namal Gunasekera, Dilmini Direckze and Rifka Kameel are the three women peddlers in tour along with Deepika Rodrigo. Sarath Guneratne President of the Sri Lanka Table Tennis Association too will join the tour party as delegate from Sri Lanka to attend Asian Table Tennis Congress. The following players are requested to report to the coach on Aug. 24 at S. Thomas’ Gymansium Mt. Lavinia at 10.00 a.m. The squad Men : Tilina Piyadasa (Vidyartha College), Indika Prasad (Abans Ltd.), Ravi Vindyan (St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota), Rohan Sirisena (Royal College). Reserves : K. S. T. Chalitha (Sri Devananda Ambalangoda). Women : Deepika Rodrigo, Namal Gunasekera (Lake House SC), Dilmini Dereekze (Education Ministry), Rifka Kameel (Pushpadana BMV). Reserve : Dilini Madawala (Hillwood BMV). Manager : Lalith Priyantha. A rugby coaching camp for juniors will be held on August 22 and 23 at Harischandra MV Grounds, Negombo and Major Raj Fernando Grounds, Kurana respectively. This coaching camp is organised by Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) and conducted by one of its Rugby Co-ordinators Basil Rodrigo. He has instrumental in introducing Rugby to many schools in Gampaha district while the coaching camp is on a tournament involving 30 teams from five schools. The schools are Harischandra MV, Negombo, St. Peter’s, Negombo, Christian College, Hekitta, St. Joseph’s Grandpass and T. V. Jayah, Colombo 02. The tournament is sponsored by Western Province Development Committee coaches S. W. Chang, S. M. Gunaratne, Indika Nishantha, Dilruk Gunaratna and Dinesh Rodrigo. Dr. Maiya Gunasekere, President Rugby Union will be chief guest while Iqbal Hassan, President, WPRFU along with Y.C. Chang Chairman, SLRFDU too will be present on the occasion. (AN) |
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