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A
triumphant return The Sri Lankan cricketers make a triumphant return home today with two trophies in their bag having made a clean sweep. One, a beautiful, glistening a ship shaped silver work of what is called the Emirates Trophy. The fruit of winning the Emirates Triangular one-day contest at the expense of South Africa and hosts England in the final. The other the Cornhill Trophy, reaped by that historic maiden Test triumph over England in the one-off series. While that win saw Sri Lanka add to its away Test triumphs, it also significantly signalled to the cricketing world that Sri Lanka had crossed the bridge where we could match any nation shoulder to shoulder. Provided we did our home work. And that's exactly what new coach our own former star of his time Roy Dias has reaped in a short span of under five months. By their feats, the world champions in the one-day game underlined their superiority once again in the biff bang game, dispelling any doubts hitherto entertained that had we met South Africa in the World Cup finals we would have not annexed the cup. Or that had we played out of the sub-continent we would have lost. On beating England, Sri Lanka registered her third overseas Test series win having previously beaten New Zealand and Pakistan. It also brought Sri Lanka's tally of Test match victories against England to 2 as against 3 with one drawn. Notably, Sri Lanka won their last two meetings having also won at home in 1992 by 5 wickets at the SSC. The statistics apart, this white wash of England also signified Sri Lanka was not only a potent Test force in the world today despite its limited bowling resources, but also has in its ranks some of the individual greats capable of breaking records like Muttiah Muralitharan who has taken the No. 1 spot in the world in his art of off spin bowling, Sanath Jayasuriya, in the wake of his record breaking treble century last year August against India at home, once again displayed the same vein at the Oval in front of British fans with a breathtaking double ton. Aravinda de Silva's presence again showed the class of a batsman who could rank among the best today. About all, the England Test win was a personal milestone for skipper, Arjuna Ranatunga who capped a 16-year long career that began as an 18 year old schoolboy against England on his debut at home. Sri Lankan Tour of England Sri Lankan cricket team which completed one of their most successful overseas tours ever in the history of the island nation's cricket left the shores of England, the home of cricket yesterday and will reach Colombo this morning. Among their memorable achievements during the historic tour were the magnificent ten wicket victory over England in the one-off cricket test played at the Oval, a fantastic victory over pre-tournament favourite South Africa and hosts England in the Emirates Cup triangular one-day tournament, two wins over counties in side games and five victories over counties in one-day games. This tour also had a great importance as an eye opener to the English Cricket Board and also served immensely to create an awareness of Sri Lankan cricket in the English public, who had no idea of the game Islanders play, though they won the World Cup. As a result of the exploits of the Lankans, a huge public cry was created in England to offer a three match of five match test series to Sri Lanka. English crowds simply fell in love with the entertaining game of the Lankans and they publicly yearned for more of the breathtaking stuff Sri Lankans produced. English coach David Lloyd was referred to as a joker by the English media which criticised his comments on Muralitharan's bowling action just as England was losing the grip of the game. English Board severely reprimanded Lloyd for his remarks but did not take any stern action. Media also came down harshly on English Board for failing to offer a full test series to the Lankans. Another plus factor of the tour is that the increased interest shown by the county sides in Sri Lankan players. Muralitharan is highly likely to play for either Kent or Lancashire after the next World Cup. "We would very much like to have a bowler of Murali's calibre in our ranks. Wasim Akram is playing in his benefit year (Last year) with us. Provided he doesn't renew his contract we will definitely go for Murali." said Dav Whatmore, Lancashire coach who earlier helped Sri Lanka to their World Cup victory. But Kent also have shown interest in murali and several other county sides also have approached him. Another player high on the probable list for a county berth is Sanath Jayasuriya. Sri Lanka team played an exhibition cricket match yesterday against an invitation eleven of millionaire Sir Paul Gatty at his own private stadium. Former Australian test player David Boon led the Invitation eleven which also included West Indian Philo Wallace, Derek Randall and Graham Cowdrey. Sri Lanka made 290 for 5 in their turn while The Invitation eleven were 62 for 3 when rain stopped play. Former test English test players Mike Dennes, Fred Trueman, Alec Bedser, Raman Subba Row had visited the venue to witness Sri Lankans in action. It is a tradition of every visiting national cricket team to play an exhibition game at the invitation of Gatty who is among the World's top ten richest people. The owner of the famous Wisden magazine and an avid cricket follower Gatty has built one spectator stand of the Lord's with his own money. Being impressed with the performance of the Sri Lankan cricketers, he is expected to help the promotion of Sri Lankan cricket. Ranatunga says there were no factions in
team this time In an exclusive interview in London with "The Island" just before he left England after a triumphant tour, Sri Lanka cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga said that one main reason for their success was the absence of factions in the team during this tour, unlike on previous tours. "One main reason for our success had been the unity shown by the players for the entire period of two months. Usually several problems crop up during a tour. But the difference on this tour was that there were no divisions of players into various factions. All worked in perfect understanding and harmony" he said. Asked about the reports of indiscipline during the England tour on Sri Lankan newspapers, Ranatunga said "There are small incidents on every tour. New players to the side tend to make mistakes due to ignorance. It is the duty of the manager and the seniors of the team to make them understand of their mistakes and correct them to help them to the correct path. Ruining a player's career is not the remedy to it." The 34-year-old Ranatungahe also said he has changed his earlier retirement plans and will now take a decision on it only after the next World Cup. Asked whether he wouldn't reconsider his earlier announcement about a retirement after the next World Cup, especially after the results of this England tour, Ranatunga said "I thought so an year ago. But I have lost weight and was able to be in the runs since then. This makes me re-think about my earlier plans. I will now take decision only after the next World Cup. Aravinda and I have been able to remain in the side because both of us are still making runs. I hope to remain as a batsman in the side as long as I keep scoring runs." Kandy prepares to welcome Murali home Muttiah Muralitharan, the wrecker, who bowled out the Englishmen to give Sri Lanka the maiden Test Victory against England at the Oval, will be given a warm welcome by his hometown crowd today. Murali and rest are expected to land at 7.00 a.m. and he is expected in Kandy in the afternoon. Murali who has been hailed as the 'Kandy Conjurer' has pocketed 203 wickets in 42 Test matches. One of the finest spinners in the world Murali will also visit his school St. Anthony's College. Murali is expected to land in Kandy soon after lunch, and at the entrance to Kandy City near the Peradeniya bridge he will be received by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lakshman Kirella, who is also the MP for Kandy and President of the Sri Lanka Umpires Association. The local cricket body members too will be there. From here he will be taken in a motorcade to St. Anthony's College hall where he will be met by old boys, students and staff. On his way, there will be several receptions where he will be garlanded by the cricket playing clubs, and in front of the Clock tower Murali will be received by the Mayor of Kandy, Harindra Dunuwille who too was a fine spinner during his days, and one time Vice President of the Cricket Board and the Members of the Municipal Council. Commonwealth Games unifies nations It is the Commonwealth Games that brings together under one unbrella nations, once subjects of the British monarchy, in the sports field which still symbolises that friendly bond that unifies them despite now being independent states. This common bond also goes to foster peace and harmony through sports. As the famous sports writer John Rodda puts it, ‘it is like an annual pageant to the queen’. ‘The games are held every four years while the Commonwealth heads of State convention takes pride of place in propagating its goals and unification. The current Secretary General is Emeca Aneyako. Three fourths of the world population come under the Commonwealth. It is interesting to note that the concept of the Commonwealth Games was born in 1932 following a meeting of its Sports Committee at the Los Angeles Olympics. The Games motto is, competition among sportsmen only and not at among countries. The Commonwealth Games dates back to the first of its kind held in Hamilton, England which saw 16 countries compete. This followed the 1938 Games in Sydney, Australia with 15 countries, Auckland, New Zealand 1950, 12 countries, Vancouver, Canada 1954, 24, Cardiff, Wales 1958, 35, Kingston, Jamaica 1966, 34, Edinburgh, Scotland 1970, 42, Christchurch, New Zealand 1974, 18, Edmonton, Scotland 1986, 26, Auckland, New Zealand 1990, 54, and Victoria, Canada 1994, 63 where in all it has been conducted. In the 16th to be held in Kuala Lumpur which marks the last such to be staged in the 20th century, it carries novelty where for the first time team events like cricket, hockey, netball and rugger have been incorporated. Following are the Commonwealth countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, England, Barbados, Bellies, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands. Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cook Islands, Kamaan Island, Cyprus, Dominica, England, Fiji, Falklands, Japan, Giblater, Grenada, Gu Ensi, Guyana, India, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Kenya, Losotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Moltoa, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nambia, Nauru, New Zealand, Norfolk Islands, North Ireland, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leon, Singapore, Soloman Isles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St. Helen, St. Kyts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Swaziland, Tanzania, Gamibia, Iongo, Trinidad, Uganda, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Under 15 rugby on Sept. 5 and 6 The Under-15 Division II Mini Rugby Tournament organised by Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Union (SLSRFU) and sponsored by Nestle Lanka Limited will be held on September 5 and 6 at Royal Rugby grounds and Thurstan grounds respectively. All teams are divided into eight groups and each group will consist five teams. The respective group leaders will qualify to play in the Cup championship while the first and second runner-up will qualify to play in the Bowl and Plate championships respectively. The A, B, C and D group matches will be held either at Thurstan ground or Longden place. The remaining group matches will be played at Royal rugby grounds with the final also at the same venue. S. W. Chang, a senior referee of the Referees Association will be the chief guest at final on September 6. The draw: • Group 'A' - St. John's Nugegoda, Sri Rahula, Katugastota, Asoka Vidyalaya, Colombo, Meepawala, Amarasuriya. • Group 'B' - Sir John, Kurunegala, Bentota, Gamini MMV, Bandarawatta MV 'A', Christ Church Boys School, Baddegama. • Group 'C' - Richmond, Galle, Royal, Panadura, Saranaliya MV, Peradeniya, S. Thomas, Matale 'B'. • Group 'D' - S. Thomas' Gurutalawa, Mahinda, Galle. Malharsulhiya MMV, Galle, S. Thomas' Matara. • Group 'E' - S. Thomas MV, Matale, 'A', Embilipitiya MMV, Dharmapala MMV, Elpitiya Ananda MV. • Group 'F' - S. Thomas' St. Anne's Kurunegala, Badrawathi MV, Colombo 5, Sulaimaniya MMV, Kananthota. • Group 'G' - Devapathiraja MV, Ratgama, Kataluwa, MMV, Katuluwa, Kegalle MV, Kegalle, Homagama MMV, Homagama. • Group 'H' -Seetavaka MMV, Avissawella, Ehaliyagoda MMV, Ruwanwella MMV, Prince of Wales. Disabled Soldiers to compete in TT tourney Disabled soldiers from Ranaviru Sevana, Ragam will take part for the first time in the inaugural Aquarius Beach Club Table Tennis Championships for the Jens Baudisch Memorial Trophy which will be worked out from today (September 4), to Sunday the 6th at S. Thomas’ Gymnasium, Mt. Lavinia, commencing at 3 p.m. According to Dietmar Doering, Chairman of Asian German Sports Exchange Programme, (AGSEP), 16 disabled soldiers will compete in three special events for Arm Amputees, Leg Amputees and Wheel Chair. Another event will be conducted for able soldiers for the first time in table tennis history. The wheel chair event will commence today at St. Joseph’s BMV, Nugegoda Gymnasium at 12 noon, while several other events for disabled soldiers will be worked out tomorrow at the S. Thomas’ Gymnasium at 12.30 p.m. AGSEP conducted this inaugural tournament to commemorate the death of 22-year old German paddler, Jens Baudisch who died under tragic circumstances while touring Sri Lanka with the German Staenhium TT Club team on September 7 in 1997. All trophies for this tournament have been donated by the parents of the late Baudisch from Staenhium city, Germany according to Doering who said this would be an annual event. CH and FC routed Army SC by 30 points (1 goal, 4 tries 1 penalty) to nil in a Western province under 24 quarter final rugby fixture played at Havelock Park yesterday. The winners led 8-0 at Half time R. Mohamed, N. Kumara, Weerabangsa, R. Nishantha and S. Subahulla touched down once each for the winners while Subahulla was successful, in goaling his own try. Milinda Jayasinghe put over a penalty early in the first half. Referee — Anil Jayasinghe (RN) Havelocks go as firm favourites today Havelocks Sports Club sporting no fewer than ten A division players who represented them in the Carlsberg league and President's trophy tourney's will come out as hot favourites to book their berth in the Semi-finals when they scrum down with the Navy Sports Club in their quarter final match of the Under 24 knock out rugby tournament at the Havelock Park today. Havies led by hardy Half-Back Leonard De Silva have the services of such stars in the mould of Sanjeewa Abeygunawardene, Shiyam Pradeep, leading try scorer of 98 inter-club season Winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, Yuganthara Karunaratne and Forwards like R. Alles, Lumbini Schoolboy L. Sumith among a host of other players who could runaway with the game against a new look Navy outfit. Sailors who will take to the field under Prof. U. G. M. Suranga will have the services of players such as Second Row R. M. K. Ruwanthilake, Fly Half Niroshan de Silva and Centre D. Soyza who all did duty for them in the league season besides several other leading schoolboys to thwart a victory bid by the Park Club in this game. Overall an entertaining game of fast open rugby will be in store for the rugby hungry fans who would wend their way to the park this evening to take in yet another thrilling match in this Under 24 K.O. tournament. Teams: Havelocks — D. Ekanayake, Rajiv Perera, Chathura Peries, Rajiv Sonnarathnam, K. S. Ellawale, R. Alles, L. Sumith, Sanjeewa Abeygunawardene, Leonard de Silva (Capt.), S. Pradeep, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, Jeffrey Saheed, Kelum Senarathne, Yuganthara Karunaratne, Shantha Dharmarathne. Navy — U. G. M. Suranga (Capt.), K. Deshapriya, I. Samidon, R. M. K. Ruwanthilake, Isuru Perera, W. M. J. B. Halangoda, C. Jinarathnan, M. J. Raheem, A. Niroshan, Niroshan de Silva, N. Manage, Lee Zing, D. Soyza, P. Chandrasoma, K. Silva. In an all-Trans Asia Hotel final, L. K. Manjula, dethroned the defending champion, Samantha Jayashantha at the 9th Annual Travel Trade Squash Championships, concluded at the Trans Asia Courts. The tournament conducted by the Travel Trade Sports Club was sponsored for the 9th time by Trans Asia Hotel. Palitha Weerasinghe of Colombo Hilton won the intermediate over 35 event. Shafiz Wahab, Director Sales and Marketing, Trans Asia Hotel was the Chief Guest and gave away the awards. Results Mens Open Final L. K. Manjula (Trans Asia) Beat N. S. Jayashantha. 10/9, 7/9, 9/6, 9/1. Mens Intermediate over 35 event Semi-finals Sunil Wijeratne (Col. Hilton) beat Wimal Fernando ( (Ait Spence) Travels 9/1, 4/9, 9/5, 9/6. Palitha Weerasinghe (Col. Hilton) beat Heran Soyza (Ait Spence Travel). 9/1, 9/2, 9/4. Final — Palitha Weerasinghe (Col. Hilton) beat Sunil Wijeratne (Col. Hilton) 9/2, 9/6 & 9/1. |
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