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An interesting final expected today
Lankans out to win Freedom CupBy Bernard Perera
The Bristol Freedom Cup final between India and Sri Lanka will be played today at Sugathadasa Stadium commencing 5.15 p.m.India and Sri Lanka qualified for the final with unblemished records in a tournament where Malaysia and the Maldives too participated.
India collected seven points from their three games to be right on top of the points table. Sri Lanka followed them with five points gained through two draws and one win.
India collected their points from victories over the Maldives and Malaysia whilst drawing with Sri Lanka in the final game of the league.
Sri Lanka takes the field today as favourites to win the cup. Though they failed to overcome India in the previous game the Lankans were the better side on performance. Sri Lanka defeated Malaysia and drew with Maldives, while India recorded victories over Malaysia and Maldives.
Sri Lanka is expected to use a fully strengthened side for the game with the sole aim of keeping the cup intact. While India too will go flat out to win this and make it two Independence Cups for India from Sri Lanka. Earlier they carried away the Independence Cup on offer for Cricket.
Sri Lanka's striker Roshan Perera with four goals under his belt has been outstanding for the local side. He along with Mohamed Amanulla and Anton Silva are in peak form and with support coming from the back division Lankans can be sure of overcoming the team from neighbouring India.
India will depend heavily on their custodian Akhtar who is a tower of strength between the posts. Indians will be happy to see him back on field today. In the previous game against Sri Lanka Akhtar had to be carried off the field after colliding with an opposing striker. He failed to return to field on Thursday after the mishap.
Godfrey Thome Managing Director Ceylon Tobacco Company who has rendered yeomen service in sponsoring Bristol Freedom Cup too will be in attendance with his officials who have given their best to make this tournament a success.
Deputy Minister for Sports Jeevan Kumaratunge will be the chief guest at the final and give away the awards.
Darrell Hair Controversy
Board CEO says, 'we'll wait and see'By Jatila Karawita
Sri Lankan Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Dhammika Ranatunga airing his views to 'The Island' regarding the controversial Muttiah Muralitharan chucking issue involving the infamous Australian umpire Darrell Hair, said that the BCCSL would prefer to keep its fingers crossed and adopt a wait and see policy as to its future developments. The Australian Cricket Board (ACB), quoted by Reuters, announced yesterday they would postpone making any decision on whether umpire Darrell Hair should be allowed to officiate in the upcoming Carlton and United one-day international which features besides hosts Australia, touring teams England and World Champions Sri Lanka this summer. In 1995, Muralitharan was no-balled for chucking seven times during a Test match against Australia.Ranatunga said, 'We protested to the ICC and even went to the extent of asking the ACB to ban Hair from officiating in our matches after he criticised Murali's bowling action in a derogatory manner. What we simply cannot understand is how he could describe the spinners bowling action as 'diabolical' and go on to confirm that he would have no hesitation in no-balling the dusky offie in the future. When the games governing body, ICC had even cleared the unorthodox bowling style of Murali how can Darrell Hair question the Champion spinner's bowling arm, the BCCSL CEO questioned.
'This course of action resorted to by Hair certainly flagrantly contravenes the ICC rules which prohibits either players or officials from making any adverse comments regarding the game or its participants and that's why we called on the international ruling body to take disciplinary action against him and disallow him to stand in matches when we play against England and Australia', added Dhammika Ranatunga explaining the reasons behind the BCCSL's decision to step in this thorny issue.
Asked as to what he thought on ACB's decision to postpone making a ruling on Hair, he said that it was entirely upto the Australian Board to take the matter forward from here onwards saying 'for our part, we have already expressed our concern not just to the ACB but to the ICC as well regarding the remarks which he had expressed in his autobiography 'Decision Maker'. And I would say we will be keeping a close monitoring on the situation with the ACB and the ICC and I am confident this matter could be resolved amicably within a week or two.'
Meanwhile, it is also reported that Darrell Hair has reportedly revealed through his autobiography that he possess enough evidence to suggest Muttiah Maralitharan throws the ball purposely and he could prove it to a competent authority if asked to do so. His memoirs which carry the controversial comments of the umpire went on sale during the week in Australia which according to the critics here has been used as a ruse to sell his book.
CEAT Cricket Ratings
India climb to the topIndia after lifting; the Coca Cola Champions Trophy at Sharjah have surged to the top position in the CEAT CRICKET RATINGS.
India's victory at Sharjah fetched them 11 points to take their total tally to 39 points while Sri Lanka move down to second position with 38 points. Australia climb to 4th position after their Test and One-Day International victories against Pakistan.
The latest ratings for CEAT INTERNATIONAL CRICKET TEAM OF THE YEAR 1998-99 from 1st May to 17th Nov. '98 are:
India (39 pts), Sri Lanka (38 pts), South Africa (32 pts), Australia (19 pts), England (18 pts), Zimbabawe (14 pts), New Zealand (11 pts), Pakistan (10 pts), Kenya and West Indies with (4 pts) each and Bangladesh (2).
Sachin Tendulkar with his two brilliant centuries in the Sharjah Champions Trophy now stands in second position with 54 points and is now right back in contention for the CEAT INTERNATIONAL CRICKETER FOR THE YEAR 1998-99.
The top ten in the CEAT CRICKET RATINGS from 1st May to 17th Nov. '98.
Rating Player Total points
1. M. Muralitharan 64
2. Sachin Tendulkar 54
3. Allan Donald 44
4. Alex Stewart 41
5. Jacque Kallis 39
6. Mark Taylor 37
7. Sanath Jayasuriya 37
8. Angus Fraser 35
9. Ajit Agarkar 34
10. Hansie Cronje 26
11. Araivinda de Silva 26
12. Marvan Atapattu 26
13. Saurav Ganguly 26
(Courtesy R.S.Hartley & Co.,(Pvt) Ltd.,)
Keen TT fare expected at nationals
By Anto Fernandopulle
Encouraging entries have been received for the National Table Tennis Championships which goes on stage at the Thomian gymnasium on December 5. All the leading players will be seen in action. The tournament points to a keen fare. No gate will be charged.The charm about the nationals is the thrilling hope that David will kill Goliath. The giants cannot disport themselves in their own class. They must face dwarfs of lower spheres and sometimes come down with a resounding crash. When this happens it adds spice to life.
Among the national champions Dick Schoorman was the greatest of all. He was tall, powerful and nimble. In the fifties he thrilled the TT buffs of Sri Lanka and India with his touch grace and elegance.
Defending champion Thilina Piyadasa looks the clear favourite to retain the men's singles title. He has the strokes to wear down the opposition. A strong challenge should come from Indika Prasad, Ravi Vindyan, Rohan Sirisena to mention a few.
Deepika Rodrigo starts as the hot favourite to retain the women's title. She has the ability to attack strongly. Former national champion Dilmini Direcksz is a tough player to beat. Steadiness has always been her strong point. It will be worth watching the progress of junior national champion Dilini Madawela of Hillwood College Kandy. She will be a big draw.
Largest contingent of disabled athletes to Bangkok
ESCO Rehabs Sri Lanka, the pioneers in introducing, promoting and popularising Rehabilitation Sports for the Disabled in the country since 1981, will send the largest contingent of disabled athletes numbering 26 including officials to attend the Far East and South pacific Games (FESPIC) in Bangkok.
FESPIC Games to be conducted from 7th 21st January 1999 will be attended by 2,048 competitors and 761 officials from 37 nations. ESCO Sri Lankan delegation will comprise of ESCOLYMPICS National Champions from the Sri Lankan Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of Social Services, Special School, Kotagala; Supem Uyana, Gonapeenuwela; ESCO, Egodauyana, Deaf and Blind School, Moneragala.
Since gaining membership from the FESPIC Federation, Japan, ESCO has participated in the FESPIC Games held in Kobe, Japan (1989), Beijing, China (1994) and annually at the World's largest Oita International Wheel-chair Marathon in Japan.
Physically and Intellectually handicapped competitors will participate in Swimming, Air Rifle Shooting, Archery, Badminton, Table Tennis, Volleyball and Track & Field Events.
H.E. the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Denzil Kobbekaduwa Trust Foundation, Southern Province Provincial Council, Air Lanka and the Sports Control Bodies of the Army, Navy and Air Force sponsored their participation.
Anura Ranasinghe's historic howling feat
By Gerry Vaidyasekera
The Battle of the Maroons - the Clash between Ananda and Nalanda - played at the Colombo Oval, now Sara Stadium, in 1975, was a historic one in which the late Anura Ranasinghe broke all bowling records. He excelled as an all rounder, hitting centuries against several leading colleges and was the Best Schoolboy Cricketer of that year.All Nalanda hopes were centered on him and many Nalandians, both old and new, were full of hopes that their hero, the late Anura Ranasinghe, would shatter Bandula Warnapura's , another great Nalandian, record score of 118 not out in this popular Clash.
But a week before the Battle, Anura was hit on the face by a rising ball when practising with the national team and was warded in the hospital. But his loyalty to his school, forced him to throw aside his doctor's order; and he came to the grounds straight from hospital.
Ananda batting first was heading for a big score, when Anura, a slow left arm bowler, joined the Nalanda attack. Soon everyone witnessed a great bowling feat of all time. Anura upset all Anandian hopes with a record bowling feat of 8 for 3 2, that still stands. This bettered P. W. Perera's record set up for Ananda in 1940. Only Tilan Wijesinghe faced him stubbornly with a life saving 55 runs, a comfort to many an Anandian.
Nalanda opened their innings in the afternoon, and before close at the wicket everyone expected a display of fireworks from him. He started the next day with elegant drives and with his score at 47, rather early, hit hard a ball on the leg.
Eyes were focused on the boundary, but the ball was nowhere near it. The Anandian mid wicket fielder, dived to his left and brought off a miraculous catch to the delight of his supporters. This was a catch of all time.
Kushil Gunasekera is fondly remembered at Dutugemunu Madhya Maha Vidyalaya, Potuhera, and St.Bernadette's Model School, Polgahawela, for nis generous sponsorship to their cricket. I, too, am very grateful to him, for having trusted me and obliging me with this rich sponsorship.
Anura bowled well again in the second innings and captured six more wickets to bring his tally to 14 wickets, for the first time in the series. This record was bettered the next year, 1976, with figures of 14 for 67, by Yohan Gunasekera, another Nalandian. This record still stands.
Incidentally the name Gunasekera' recalls to memory the Gunasekera's of Royal fame, who for over a century, contributed largely and vastly to our cricket, the fruits of which we now proudly share. I humbly appeal to the two great stars of this dynasty, now happily in our midst, to shun their 'hermitage' and join our administration. We need your vast experience and rich knowledge of the game.
Have your say
Our cricketers commitment elsewhere?Watching Sri Lanka fold for a paltry 98 the other day against India brought out some interesting comments from some of my neighbours and friends. These includes
(1) During the World Cup in 1996 and for a few months after that none of our players were married. Now, since they are married and have fiances their concentration and commitment seem to be elsewhere.
(2) Again in 1996 and 1997 they were much younger, keener and fitter. Now there are some players who have to be hidden in the field.
(3) The decline of Sri Lankan cricket commenced with the sacking of Dave Whatmore. Think of our present coach and manager who were great players, but can they convince the captain to make our team changes, etc. I doubt it.
(4) Almost 70 to 80% of the Sri Lanka team is from ONE CLUBHOW ZATT?
We are losing at everything these days whether it is the war, the cost of living or cricket...a sense of hopelessness prevails. Maybe this time we need some changes at the TOP...cricket, government or should we continue in this losing vein.
M. Aranayake,
Colombo 15.
