.

SSC on course to victory

By Jatila Karavita
CCC, trailing by a massive 320 runs on the first innings, rallied round through their third wicket pair of Skipper Bradman Ediriweera who made an unbeaten 37 and opener Damitha Hunukumbura who remained not out on 44, to reach a second innings total of 93 for 2 at the close at the end of the second day's play in their three-day Under-23 cricket final against SSC at Maitland Place yesterday. CCC, who will commence the final day today, has still to make another 227 runs to stave-off an innings defeat in this rather one-sided contest with the Maitland Place club clearly dictating terms to their rivals from the adjoining Maitland Crescent ground. Compact opener Hunukumbura, who top scored for CCC in their paltry first innings score of 52, on Friday with 13, batted quite aggressively for his knock of 44 which comprised seven fours and was looking extremely good for a big individual score today.

Hunukumbura also received able support from the other end with his Skipper Ediriweera who cracked a brisk unbeaten 37 with the aid of six boundaries. They were associated in a back to the wall third wicket partnership of 84 runs by the end of the day's play. However, CCC go into the match today very much hard-pressed to avoid certain defeat at the hands of a rampaging SSC outfit powered on by their devastating left arm paceman Ruchira Perera who turned out to be a thorn in the flesh of the CCC batsmen in their first innings when he simply scythed through to return the impressive figures of 6 for 22.

Earlier in the day, hosts SSC, resuming their overnight total of 205 for 2 wickets, batted on till shortly after the tea break to be all out for a sizeable first innings score of 372, which gave them a match-winning first innings lead of 320 runs over their opponents. Former Thomian Skipper Upeka Fernando hogged the limelight in their batting effort with a power-packed innings of 135 while his captain Sri Lanka test star Mahela Jayawardene was unfortunate to miss out on a ton being dismissed for a fluent 93. These two youth batting stars of tomorrow were involved in a fine third wicket alliance of 187 runs which enabled SSC to post this creditable score in the first innings. Fernando's knock which came off 135 balls was spiced with 11 fours and 1 six. Jayawardene's innings came off 235 balls with the help of 10 fours and a solitary six with the two master batsmen giving an abject lesson to CCC on what good, solid batsmanship is during their big partnership. Besides these two, late order batsmen wicket keeper bat Wesley Fernando who made 25, and all rounder Ruchira Perera who struck 29, also got among the runs to prop up their final score beyond the three hundred run mark.

For the visitors, opening bowler Indika Gallage bowled best to grab 3 for 53, with medium pacie Romesh Fernando giving him good support by picking up 3 for 61.

Chief Scores:

CCC 52 and 93 for 2 wkts at close.

(Damitha Hunukumbura 44 n.o. Bradman Ediriweera 37 n.o)

SSC 205/2 wkts cont, 373 all out.

(Upeka Fernando 135, Mahela Jayawardene 93, Wesley Fernando 25, Ruchira Perera 29, Shantha Kalavitigoda 24, Indika Gallage 3/53, Romesh Fernando 3/61, Neil Rupasinghe 2/74).

Thomians win bronze at Hongkong regatta

S.Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia won the bronze medal at the 20th Hongkong Regatta held on November 14 and 15 at the Shatin Rowing Centre on the Shing-Mun river. The regatta which was organised by the Hongkong China Rowing Association saw China win the gold and Hongkong the silver.

This regatta, in which arch rivals S. Thomas' and Royal College happened to be the only two teams from Sri Lanka, saw the 'Blue Black and Blue' versus 'Blue Gold and Blue' lock horns on foreign shores. The two sides renewed rivalry soon after their recent annual Royal-Thomian Regatta back home. The two schools were the sole representatives from Sri Lanka at this international meet. The S. Thomas'' A' crew comprised of Udesh Hettiarachchi (bow), Heshan Henry (two), Binara Seneviratne (three), Shamitha Ganegoda (stroke). The S.Thomas' 'B' crew was-Mark Maurice (bow), Revan Weerasinghe (two), Amal De Chickera (three), Rimaz Marzook (stroke). The STC 'C' crew were Hasira de Silva (bow), Charith Jayasundera (two), Sanjeeva Karunaratne (three), Krushan Abeywardene (stroke). The international teams which participated were Shatin Junior National team of Hong Kong, Chubu Rowing Federation of Japan, Henan Province Rowing team of China, Hitosubashi University Boat Club of Japan, National Rowing team of India, Toray Shiga Rowing Club of Japan, Sanyo Shiga Rowing Club of Japan.

The S.Thomas' 'B' crew rowed well into the semi-finals but unfortunately missed the finals due to technical difficulties with their boat. Meanwhile, the Thomian 'A' and 'C' crews worked very hard towards the finals to row against the Chinese Junior National team, the Hongkong National team, Sri Lanka's Royal College 'A' and 'B' crews.

The 4th, 5th and 6th places were also taken by Royal College 'A' and Royal 'B' and S.Thomas' College 'C' respectively.

Overall, it was an inspiring regatta where much was learned towards the betterment of rowing in Sri Lanka. The Thomians therefore expressed their gratitude to all those who contributed towards making their tour a success.

U-19 trial games on Monday, Tuesday

The two trial games to pick the Under 19 squad to tour India will take place at SSC, and NCC grounds on Monday Nov. 30 and Tuesday Dec. 1. After these two trial games the squad will be pruned down to 24 players said the coach Carlton Bernadars.

Prasanna Jayawardena and Upeka Fernando will lead the sides that play at SSC grounds, while Malinga Bandara and Malintha Gajanayake are to skipper the game at NCC.

The following should report at SSC ground on Nov. 30.

Prasanna Jayawardene, Anjala Perera, R. Wickramapala, K. Prasad Nalaka, Chamara Silva, Jitendra Perera, D. Gunetilleke, Umal Erandika, Arshad Junaid, Duminda Perera, Roshan de Silva, Sanjeewa Silva, Chatura Sanjeewa.

Upeka Ferando, Jerome Fernando, Nadun Nanayakkara, Mahesh Perera, Tilina Kandambi, Prabath Nissanka, Chanaka Wijesinghe, H. M. S. Jayasundera, Lilan Aravinda, Heshantha Perera, Chamara Lasantha Perera, Malshan Fernando, Niranjan Kumara Manikkage.

At NCC grounds

(Malinga Bandara, Shashi Lafir, Ian Daniels, P. A Ariyadasa, Mevan Porage, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Suranga Gamage, Oshad Sumathipala, M. Fernando, Nalini Wijesinghe, Dharshika Jayakody, Ranil Dhammika, Gihan Fernando.

Malintha Gajanayake, J. Jeyasuriya, S. Arangalla, H. E. Mendis, M. Pushpakumara, Sampath Kelum, Pubudu Seneviratne, Ananda Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Naren Ratwatte, Jayenath Mangala, Suranga Pieris, Lahiru Edirisinghe (DR)

30-member Sri Lanka 'A' cricket pool

At a meeting of the Selection Committee held on 25th November 1998 the following squad was selected for Sri Lanka 'A' pool.

1. Mahela Jayawardena, 2. Russel Arnold, 3. Kumara Dharmasena, 4. Ruwan Kalpage, 5. Prasanna Jayawardena, 6. Sanjeewa Ranatunga, 7. Indika Gallage, 8. Duleep Liyanage, 9. Mario Villavarayan, 10. Ruchira Perera, 11. Hemantha Boteju, 12. H. Rushdie, 13. Ravindra Pushpakumara, 14. Sajeewa de Silva, 15. Eric Upashantha, 16. Shantha Kalawitigoda, 17. Kumar Sangakkara, 18. Manoj Mendis, 19. Upeka Fernando, 20. Indika de Saram, 21. Naweed Nawaz, 22. Indika Galaboda, 23. Malinga Bandara, 24. Malintha Warnapura, 25. Dinuka Hattiarachchi, 26. Arshad Junaid, 27. Prasad Wickramasinghe, 28. N. S. Rupasinghe, 29. Pradeep Hewage, 30. Chamara Zoysa.

The selectors will monitor the performance of the above cricketers during the current under 23 limited over tournament and the other tournaments to be continued in the future. The selectors will review the composition of the squad at the end of December 1998.

REFLECTIONS
Will Darrell Hair stand in Sri Lanka matches?

With the squad to Australia announced the controversy as to whether key bowler, off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan would be bowling with umpire Darrell Hair standing in continues. The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has referred the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) following Sri Lanka's protests on umpire Hair stating that he would not hesitate to noball Muralitharan if his arm action had not been corrected. The Sri Lankan cricket authorities had requested the ACB to withdraw Darrell Hair from the matches he is down to officiate in Sri Lanka's matches in the Carlton and United Triangular series. Sri Lanka, England and hosts Australia are competing in the tournament.

Sri Lanka's success in the tour will mainly depend on whether Muralitharan would be called for chucking or not. With umpire Hair having gone on record as stating in his autobiography that he believes the Lankan bowler chucks, Sri Lanka look certain to find their tour soured like in 1995 when Hair noballed Muralitharan seven times. It is understood that Hair has come to the conclusion that Muralitharan is chucking. That he had also studied videos of Muralitharan fielding and throwing the ball in which he sees a similarity with his bowling action.

All in all, the 15-member squad looks well balanced with a blend of youth and experience. While Hashan Tillekeratne and Roshan Mahanama solidify the batting department, youngster Avishka Gunawardena will get the exposure required to gain in experience being a stroke maker in the Sanath Jayasuriya mould. His century in the Commonwealth Games and half century in Sri Lanka's first match in the Sharjah Champions Trophy despite failing in the next few matches, were very fine knocks which makes the former Ananda College and SSC player quite a hard hitting batsman for the one-day game. If Gunawardena develops in experience he could be quite a boost for Sri Lanka for his ability to score runs fast like Sanath Jayasuriya.

Ladies golf
Centenary plate

Way back in 1979 "Centenary Plate" was presented to the Ladies Section, by the Ladies Golf Union in England, during the Centenary Year of the Royal Colombo Golf Club. It was the beginning of a popular and prestigious Board event, played annually, by all ladies, holding a valid handicap.

Over the years, most of the top lady golfers who played at the Ridgeways, had engraved their names on the Centenary Board.

During the past few years, Korean ladies have taken their turn, to win this tournament. This year in 1998 too, a lithesome Korean lady S. S. Choi, has succeeded in imprinting her name on the Centenary Board.

This prestigious tournament, worked out over two medal rounds, on two consecutive Wednesdays, attracted 33 ladies - the highest number of entries 50 far, for any competition played, this year.

At the end of the 1st round, 5 ladies were on line for the win - S. J. Jun (nett 67), Yvonne (nett 70), S. A. Jin Choi (nett 72), Shyanika (nett 74), S. S. Choi (nett 74).

The second round brought disaster to some of the contenders of the first day. Yvonne lost sight of the Centenary Plate completely, S. A. Jin Choi failed to make her mark. Shyanika with a good nett 71 on the 2nd day, and an aggregate of 145, still had to give way to S. J. Jun, to be the runner-up with a score of nett 144. S. S. Choi playing an excellent round of nett 67 on the second day, collected an aggregate of nett 141, and made sure, she has her name, up on the Centenary Board.

Centenary Plate this year, was lavishly sponsored by the Korean Golf Association. Prize giving in the evening of the finals, proved to be great fun. Korean ladies, in a jubilant mood, kept the ball, rolling, by sponsoring a fabulous lucky dip on their own, providing entertainment and "luck", to many other ladies.

A satisfying feed, brought to an end, an enjoyable and relaxed evening.

Cricket spins like the fortune wheel

By Srian Obeyesekere
For cricket feverish fans used to seeing their heroes always on the winning side, the sudden barren run by the Sri Lankan world champion cricketers must have looked unreal.As unreal as trying their luck with a lottery seller. Or a gambler at the jackpot wheeling his arm without success. Of course, cricket too in this mo0dern age has begun to spin like a lottery wheel today with money crazy gamblers throwing big stuff on their fancy team, particularly in instant cricket. Betting having invaded what was once upon a time called the 'gentleman's game' with match fixing allegations tainting the sport.

Take Sri Lanka's sequence of defeats starting with the Dhaka loss to the barren run in Sharjah. It must have made betters who placed faith on Sri Lanka look like gold feverish miners digging for gold in vain.

For the world champion Sri Lankan cricketers too their dismal run needed to change. Five successive defeats was indeed degrading.

This waning off must have been the motivating factor which saw Sri Lanka's cricketing machinery look to stem their run of defeats. Not long after the return of the cricketers from Sharjah, a new brain child was mooted. The establishment of a cricket development squad. No doubt with the lofty ideal of lifting Sri Lanka from the low depths into a new horizon. A horizon which the cricket administrators believe would take Sri Lanka out of this rut and into next millenium.

This is a step which the game's administrators feel is the ultimate in the direction of making Sri Lanka among the best in the world. Both at one-day and Test level. A factor which the administrators seem to think had been lacking in Sri Lanka's furtherance of the game.

This new brainchild,which the 'The Island' understands originated from Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and the seniors in the national team, would envisage a 30-member squad which would be divided to two on the basis of 15 each. The first 15 being the main team while the other half would be the 'development squad'.

This latest concept, according to national coach Roy Dias, is expected to ensure 'continuity '

where fitness would be the theme which would also enable to overcome the existing bane of injury affecting the Sri Lanka team." It is a proposal to the Board of Control for Cricket by captain Arjuna Ranatunga and the team which is discussing with the selectors as to the modalities on how it should be started", said Dias who emphasised that this was a long felt need which is in existence in the major Test playing countries." Australia has its development squad which is why their cricket has a sound base. It will be a programme like in other countries. We will continuously have players under training", observed the national coach. Commenting that no standbyes had been selected in the past, he emphasised that what had been lacking in the country's cricketing structure was the lack of continuity which resultantly had been a drawback when players were affected by injuries.

The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, Thilanga Sumathipala, when contacted by the 'The Island' said that this latest move was mainly in view of the next World Cup to be staged in England where the onus will be on Sri Lanka as the reigning champions to win the cup for a second time.

Dwelling on what the authorities believe would put Sri Lankan cricket on song, coach Roy Dias spelt out that this new concept would ensure a squad always at training. Cricketers who would always be at hand when the need for feeding the national team arose.

The pool which a few days ago went into training would be from which the national selectors would select the 15-member squad to Australia for the one-day triangular also starring England at the end of the year." One side will be picked to Australia while the rest would continue to train back at home. Normally we have had what has been a squad that play as an 'A' side. But the squad which has gone into continuous training is quite different to that. The development squad will be training under a schedule where fitness of the players will be ensured," explained the coach. The coaching will be done by several former Lankan cricketers.

Umpire K.T.Francis speaks to the 'Sunday Island'
Are umpires biased?

By Srian Obeyesekere
Today it is the blackcoated fraternity in the middle on whom the game of cricket revolves very much like a flashing mirror. On how the umpire's finger works hinges a players success. While the correct decision furthers the career of a cricketer, a wrong decision on the other hand can be quite the opposite of that causing a drastic setback. In effect, a cricket match is virtually centered on the governance of the contest by the two umpires in the middle. But today, as it is, the game as it gets more and more commercialised by the day for all its new versions has catapulted to such heights where umpiring so often runs into much debated controversy. However much the cricketing firmament is bound by that sacrosanct word that 'the umpires word is law' the game, which was once referred to as the 'gentleman's game' has been shrouded with volatile situations with players challenging the word of the umpire before walking off. The most recent controversy to hit the sport was in the England-South Africa Test series when South African pace bowler, Allan Donald criticised umpire Mervyn Kitchen turning down an appeal for a catch by Michael Atherton to wicket-keeper, Mark Boucher off his bowling in one the fifth test matche. Donald was outspoken in his criticism of the English umpire to a point that Kitchen reacted by saying he wanted to call it a day due to what he called 'excessive appealing' by players which made their task that much more difficult.

The Donald-Kitchen controversy is one of a spate of its kind to have tainted the game which has entered an era where fines are slapped on players for breaching the code of conduct where the umpire's word is law. Ofcourse television replays showed that Kitchen had erred in not ruling Atherton out. Incidentally, Atherton went on to score a match winning century in a closely contested series.

How many such wrong decisions by umpires has the game endured whereby the course of a match has been changed?

Only last Tuesday viewers watched Sri Lanka's Romesh Kaluvitharana hold back the pangs of injustice from a wrong judgement by Pakistani umpire Javed Akhthar who ruled him leg before wicket after a ball rapped him above the waist. Clearly the television replays showed it and the outspoken Tony Greig and fellow commentators roundly criticised the wrong decision. This may have had a drastic effect on reversing the fortunes of the game because Kaluvitharana was stroking the ball very well at the time.

With umpiring controversies hotting up like the action in the middle between bat and ball, the 'Sunday Island', with a view to mirroring the issue from the point of view of an umpire, spoke to one of Sri Lanka's leading umpires, K. T. Francis on the eve of his departure to Australia on Tuesday as to the role of the umpire. Francis was quick to note that the functions of the umpire was increasingly becoming hotter and hotter. "It is increasingly becoming difficult for us. As an umpire I can tell you I realise how crucial a decision made by an umpire can be. It affects the career of a player. Based on his split decision, a player can be dropped. That is one thing I realise and as such do my best to give the right decision", said K. T. Francis. However, while conceding that umpires are also human and prone to err, he did not believe an umpire would deliberately give a wrong decision. "No umpire likes to err, he does not take sides. But umpires are under pressure," he conceded.

Asked whether the pressure on umpires was increasing due to excessive appealing by players, Francis said that today the lot of umpires was definitely an unenviable one. Excessive appealing was increasing by the day with the game becoming more and more commercialised. He was quick to add, "Some controversies in decision making are due to the pressures umpires are put to. But I don't think any umpire would like to get a bad name. Will I like to get kicked out of the ICC umpiring panel? If an umpire is found to be biased the ICC will never stand for it. He will be removed".

Umpire K. T. Francis went on to observe that today the game was played in such heat for its commercialism that if a home umpire made a mistake by which the home team benefited, this was more often than not interpreted as biased. If a foreign umpire erred, it was looked upon as a genuine mistake. Such was the lot of the umpire.

He singled out factors like getting unsighted too as contributory in umpires being human when they erred. Wicket- keepers, he noted were the main offenders where excessive umpiring was concerned.

Incidentally, Francis stood in the Australia-England ashes series first test match. He stood along with the controversial Darrell Hair who recently heightened umpire-player controversies by issuing a warning he would call Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan if his action is suspect when Sri Lanka join Australia and England in the Carlton and United triangular series. However, umpire Francis was quick to observe that he would be getting much less than Hair as wages. "I will be getting only Rs. 4O,000 Australian dollars as an allowance for standing whereas in comparison, the home umpire Darrel Hair will be paid as much as 1,000 Australian dollars".

Indrajith and Raddika to be felicitated

By Hafiz Marikar
Two of the top ruggerites from Dharmaraja College, Indrajith Bandaranayake and Raddika Hettiarachchi will be felicitated topmorrow for their achievements in the field of rugby. This felicitation ceremony is organised by the Dharmaraja College Sports Council and Old Rajans Rugby Football Association. The ceremony will take place at the Dharmaraja College Auditorium from 12.30 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Indrajith Bandaranayake, a fine sportsman to come out of Dharmaraja, led the school at cricket and rugby. Soon after school he joined Kandy Sports Club and has given his best for the club. He plays as a wing-three-quarter and is one of the best in this position.

He led the Kandy SC to win the League and the Knockout tournaments. And he had the privilege of leading the Sri Lanka Sevens team at the Singapore Sevens. He is a regular member of the Sri Lanka team for several years.

Raddika Hettiarachchi is also a fine up-and-coming ruggerite, he plays as full back, but at school he played in the wing, and also for Old Trinitians SC. He presently plays for Kandy SC throwing the ball in which he sees a similarity with his bowling action.

Enough is enough, says rugby coach on way out

By Jatila Karawita
In what will be his swansong as national rugby coach, Ana Saranapala looks forward to winding up with a bronze medal for Sri Lanka in the upcoming seven-a-side and fifteen-a-side rugby tournament at the Asian Games to be staged in Bangkok from December 6.

In an interview with the 'Sunday Island' said that he would be looking forward to sign, off in style by helping the National team to win the Bronze medal, with the former Havelocks fly half and Sri Lanka star having already intimated of his decision to step down as the coach to the game's local governing body SLRFU.

Excerpts of the Interview

Q: What made you take this decision to resign as the rugby coach ?

A: I have been contemplating this decision for sometime now.

After the recent assignments in Malaysia for the Commonwealth Games and the Rugby Asiad 98 in Singapore , followed by the Singapore sevens tourney, I came to this decision to step down as this post clashed with my working schedule at my company. To it more clearly I'd say I have taken around 68 days of leave in 96 and another 32 days in 97 in order to be with the ruggerites particularly on tour abroad. This in my view very much affected my working career and added to this the limited amount of time which I have spent with my family during the two and a half year period which I have been with the family. Therefore taking everything into consideration I decided enough was enough for me and promptly informed the union Asian Games rugby tournament would be my final task with the National side in Bangkok.

Q: Your departure from the national rugby team as coach , does it mean that you would have nothing to do with the rugby set-up here in the future?

A: Well its totally wrong to say so. Even to think so. This decision of mine would concern only tours overseas. What I have stated to the higher-ups in the Rugby Football Union is that as far as those overseas assignments are concerned I would not be able to be away from my work and home for far too lengthy periods unlike in the past. I have done this for the past two and a half years running and I came to learn that I will have to put my work and family life before the country and decided to arrive at this tough decision at last. I must also say here that just because I'm handing over the reins to another person I am not going to be away from the boys forever. I will strive my level best to impart whatever knowledge and expertise not only to the players but to the officials as well whenever time permits me. But as for tournaments outside the Sri Lankan Shores, Asian Games would certainly be my swansong.

Q: What do you think of Sri Lanka's chances of winning any medals in the Asian Games Rugby Tournament?

A: To be realistic and candid I will only say that we are in a good position to pocket at least a bronze in each of the fifteen and seven-a-side games. Beyond that I did not think that the country's rugby followers should expect the boys to win any silver or gold which in my view is simply not on the cards. Taking into consideration the track-record and the statistics of each of our opponents I would say Japan and South Korea in particular will in all probability put paid to our chances of snatching either a silver or gold. With this in view we have targeted the game against Thaiwan and hosts Thailand to improve our capability to win at least a bronze. And to this extent we have decided to play second string sides against both Japan and Korea and to pit our best XV against both Thaiwan and Thailand which ultimately will further increase our chances to grab a bronze medal. This strategy will be put into practice at games and this will be done mainly with a view to safeguarding the key players suffering any injuries against the bigger made teams as well as to keeping the morale of the boys at the highest level, rather than allowing them to shatter their confidence after being subjected to unwanted hidings at the hands of the two Asian rugby superpowers, Japan and South Korea.

Q: Well, do you think our chances would remain the same in the Sevens Tourney as well?

A: Well I guess I will have to give the same answer to this question also. With teams like Japan and South Korea in the fray our chances look all the more bleak. But looking ahead with a positive frame of mind I would say similarly like in the fifteen-a-side arena, we will be going in with the tactics of aiming to turn the tables against Thaiwan and Thailand respectively with a bronze for our troubles in the end. I know that by all means it would be tough going for the players. What with couple of key players down with injuries, but I would like to emphasise the point that we are prepared to take the gauntlet thrown down by the top -notch sides in Asia.

Q: Any drawbacks which you have noticed within the teams forwards and the backs ?

A: To single out any reason to say that we are found wanting in certain areas is not the done thing at this moment.

Especially with such an important tour looming in the horizon. After our setback in Malaysia and in Singapore, the boys have gone through a rigorous course of training and under my watchful eyes they were put through their paces and I am pleased to note the team under hooker Viraj Prasanna is raring to go and win a bronze medal which in my view will be the first time that a rugby -side from Sri Lanka will be winning a medal in the country's rugby history. I am not trying to be complacent here, but if we could play true to our ability I honestly feel that there will be some kind of laurels awaiting the Sri Lankan ruggerites in the Thailand capital.

Q: What are the injuries suffered by the players at this juncture ?

A: Kishin Musafer, the fleet footed wing three quarter is currently down with a foot injury and star forward Asoka Jayasena is also on the injured list. The absence of these two very good players no doubt will blunt the killer-instinct of the team to a certain extent. But I must say that with players of the mould of forwards Shantha Rohana , Pradeep Basnayake, Skipper Viraj Prasanna, Harris Omar, Alfred Hensman, Nalin Wijegunawardene, and backs Nillufer Ibrahim, Asanga Rodrigo, Manjula Pathirana, Indrajith Bandaranayake, M. J. M. Mustaq, and Radhika Hettiarachchi we should stand a chance of giving a good account of ourselves in these games. Also, I have noticed that since the boys returned from the Asiad, particularly the forwards have shown a great deal of quickness, alertness and agility which was hitherto unseen. Even the three-quarters are in fine fettle currently with the very good defence and tackling being the feature of their play. And I sincerely hope that the boys will continue in similar vein in Thailand so that I could sign-off in my final assignment in style as the outgoing rugby coach.

Q: What are your views on hiring a foreign coach to train the rugby team at important International and local rugby tournaments in the future?

A: I must say that the Idea is indeed a very good one ~ and I am quite sure that will certainly augur well for our rugby set up here in the long run. But I have to stress a point here and that is it will yield positive results in time to come only if we appoint a world class foreign national from the grassroots level. What I mean is that a highly competent foreign national should be given the opportunity to develop teams from the Inter School level. After that it should be brought to the level of development squad and eventually to the level of National side where he should be in overall charge of the team at tours abroad and at crucial tournaments locally. A good example to this can be cited from Singapore where they had already got hold of the legendary rally Wallaby winger David Campese as the head coach. However, I must say that we have already had foreign coaches of the class of former All Black, Jeff Matheson and former Hong Kong player George Simpkin assisting the national side before. But sad to say the results have still been the same . And I would say that with the intention of putting the country's rugby on the Asian Map the S L R F U would definitely do well to appoint leading knowledgeable players to scout for future potential from the school level and encourage the budding and talented youngsters to take to the game in a big way . To do this I personally feel we do not need to go after foreign know how as the country possesses enough material to take the game places in this country.

Q: What are the happy memories you will cherish with the National side as its head coach during your tenure for the past two and a half years ?

A: I will say that the national teams effort of winning 11 games both here and away in 17 International games played during the past two and half year period would certainly rank high on my list of achievements. Added to this the teams showing in the Rugby Asiad of 1996 and 1997 as well as the Asiad of '98 have all been my high points though I must admit that we could not get the better the giants of Asian rugby in each of these rugby tournaments. Also I must state performance churned out by the boys against the formidable northern territories team down-under couple of months back where we hammered the Australian side by a convincing margin in one of the unofficial tests would rate highly in my coaching manual" summed up coach Saranapala.

ARE COACHES PUTTING CART BEFORE HORSE ?

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
The barnstorming batting of Bradman still reveberates, fifty years after he laid his bat down, not only in the world of cricket but elsewhere as well. There are not less than 22 roads named in Australian state capitals in his honour. A newspaper polls last year indicated that Bradman was the most wanted man to light the Olympic flame at the Sydney Games in 2000. That the P.O. Box No. of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has been designated as 9994, is a reminder of the great Australian's stupendous Test batting average of 99.94. A Bradman bat used in 1930 was sold at Phillips in London last year for a sum exceeding Rs. 2 million, while a lifesize bronze Bradman statue changed hands at Christies in Melbourne six months ago for Rs. 3 million', Sir Garfield Sobers the legendary West Indian, was the greatest all rounder the world has ever seen, being a batsman with uncanny eye, apprehensive fielder and a three-in-one bowler who stalked the field of cricket with the majesty of a lion in the jungle. England's Sir Jack Hobbs, the gentleman of cricket, also known as 'The Master', not only has the distinction of having scored the highest number of first class centuries - 197 to be exact - but is regarded as technically the best batsman in the history of the game by most experts. Sri Lanka's M. Sathasivam too has been regarded by those who have played with or against him, as a batting artist without para Bradman, Hobbs, Sobers and Sathasivam. What has Bradman, Hobbs, Sobers and Sathasivam in common, other than their superlative skills? Believe it or not, they did not receive formal coaching. Whereas the Boycotts used to spend more hours in the nets than in the middle, the like as Bradman and their ilk occupied the middle longer than they used to, the nets. How come? Were they just 'born' with it or did they acquire such skills in a different way? Probably a combination of both helped.

A feel for the job
Whilst not totally decrying formal coaching, as per (say) the MCC coaching manual, there appears, presently in Sri Lanka, a mass leaning towards it. Fond parents seeing potential Sanath Jayasuriyas and Aravinda de Silvas in their offspring are rushing in drives to coaching schools/coaches. Not for a moment am I saying that coaching is to be decried. But, not only should coaching be done by one who has a 'feel' for the job - not necessarily by one who can boast of a so-called advanced coaching certificate - but also one must bear in mind that cricketers cannot be delivered down an assembly line. In other words, quality players cannot be manufactured (say) in the manner of making bread out of dough. And, there are many reasons for this.

Aravinda de Silva and Marvan Atapattu
Firstly, each individual is built differently. His physique and mentality, along with his eye-hand-feet co-ordination will vary with the next. So, though the coaching manual will give specific instructions how to execute (say) a cover-drive, each will do it his way. For instance, there will be a distinctive difference in the manner Aravinda de Silva and Marvan Atapattu will play (say) a square-cut. Or, left handers Sanath Jayasuriya and skipper Arjuna Ranatunga will not hook in exactly the same manner. Secondly, and most importantly, each individual does not have the same speed of 'reading' where the ball is going to pitch, the moment the bowler releases it from his hand. The late Bill O'Reilly, considered one of the greatest of leg spinners and not a Bradman fan, though each considered one of the greatest of leg spinners and not a Bradman fan, though each considered the other as the best in their respective fields, once declared: 'Don Bradman is the most remarkable batsman I've seen anywhere in the world. The moment the bowler releases the ball from his hand, Don moved exactly to the place where the ball would pitch. This extraordinary ability, I believe, is the secret of his stupendous success."

A piece of paper called certificate
The general technique adopted by the innumerable coaches who have a piece of paper called a certificate, is to drill their charges on back-lift, stance, forward defence, back-foot defence, check drive and so on. On the principle anyone should be able to play cricket. After all, learning how to play a shadow cover-drive or a shadow check-drive is not a big deal. The problem arises when one has to do it in the middle. Remember, you bat alone. And, the first job is gauge the length or where is the ball going to pitch, the moment when the bowler releases it from his hand. Next comes the execution of the stroke. The coach has only taught Stage 2, namely how to execute the stroke. Not to which ball stroke must be played. So, coaching a student how to play a shot is tantamount to putting the cart before the horse. Firstly, the students must be taught how to judge flight. After all, light travels at a certain speed-to all - and nobody can 'see' earlier than another. The difference is, that some (like Bradman) are able to 'read' where the ball is going to pitch sooner than the rest of the pack.

Susanthika Jayasinghe's cricketing ability
That is why it is often said that top batsmen have 'all the time' to play their strokes. Or, some top players can even change their strokes midstream and still live to tell the tale. Some big-made players such as Colin Cowdrey, Tom Graveney or the present-day Mark Waugh may not run the 100-metre dash as fast as our own Susanthika Jayasinghe-certainly not Cowdrey '- but when the fastest of bowlers deliver the ball, all three of these batsmen would be poised for a stroke. With all respect to Susanthika's cricketing ability, during that same timeframe, she may not have even moved her feet in the right direction. It is not that she cannot see the ball, it is simply because she cannot convert what she sees fast enough.

All ballet stars and sprinters
So, can cricket coaches find a method of how a batsman can learn how to gauge where the ball would pitch, fast enough? The question of footwork is a myth. If footwork is a decisive factor for good batsmanship, then all ballet stars and sprinters would be top batsmen. And, conversely, fat batsmen such as Colin Cowdrey or Colin Milburn should be dragging their fat bodies and feet, and not be able to bat the way they did. The point is, top batsmen, or those who can decipher where a ball would pitch fast enough, move to that spot easily and early, giving one the impression that his footwork is excellent. Whereas the fleet-footed American sprinter Carl Lewis for instance, may lap Cowdrey in a 100 metre sprint (!), but if a ball is delivered to Lewis, he may not even have moved his feet where as Cowdrey would have executed a delectable leg-glance, for the same type of delivery. Therein lies the difference.

Asia's greatest sporting show

by Shirajiv Sirimane
The 13th Asian Games dubbed as Asia's greatest show on earth will be held from December 6 to 20 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The event drawing over 45 Asian nations will have on offer a total number of 377 gold medals encompassing some 38 sports. Two sports and Amateur Muay (a Thai team sport) will be on a demonstration level.

Sri Lanka is fielding a contingent of nearly 100 competitiors and officials for sports. The events competed by Sri Lankans are athletics, golf, rifle shooting, rugby, yatching, billiards, snooker, kabaddi, squadh badminton, gymnastics, taekwondo and swimming.

Minister Tosaporn Arjunka, Counsellor, Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo, who spoke to the 'Sunday Island' said 490 men and 322 women and nearly 40 officials would be included in the Thailand team. When asked as to how the Thailand facing an economic crisis, had finances to host an event of this magnitude, he said that the government was always keen to promote sports as well. "The Games will be yet another plus point for our tourist industry and will be a bonous for our world image", he added.

The official partners for the Games sponsorship are Caltex, Samsun Electronics, Carlsberg, Toyota, Thai Airways, Samart, Acer, Fuji, Xerox, Laem Thong Bank, Tissot Swiss watches and FBT master licensing agents.

Some of the official products of the Games are as follows:

Caltex has contributed Five Million US dollars to the Bangkok of Asian Games Organizing Committee. In return they have the right to identify themselves as a major partner. Caltex is active in 31 of the 43 countries that will be participating in the Asian Games. Caltex has invested significant additional amounts in advertising, public relations and promotions to ensure that its customers, retailers, and employees in each of these markets have a chance to share in the ASIAN Games experience.

The Asian Games sponsorship will associate Caltex's new identity with the skill and performance of the best athletes from across Asia. With millions of people watching the games from all over the region, it will further establish the Caltex Brand with a large number of existing and new customers. This sponsorship, like the Asian Games itself, will move the Caltex Brand beyond the boundaries reinforcing its stand as a truly regional operation.

Caltex has been present in Sri Lanka for over 60 years and are active supporters of Sri Lankan sport. The sponsorship of the Sri Lankan contingent for the 13th Asian Games and being an integral part of promoting our local talent is indeed yet another feather in the cap for this good corporate citizen.

Soft drinks, Fried Chicken and Appetizers: The Committee sold the rights for soft drinks, fried chicken and fried potatoes products to Pepsi - Cola (Thai) Trading Co. Ltd. for US$ 640,000. US$ 275,000 was in cash and the other US$ 365,000 in goods and services as follows:

- Soft drinks (Pepsi - Cola) US$ 250,000

- KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) US$ l00,000

- Potato Chips (Frito - Lay) US$ 15,000

Photo Films 120 mm. and 135 mm. and Disposable Cameras: The Committee offered Kodak (Thailand) Co., Ltd. the right to set up labs for processing, copying and enlarging photos, servicing the athletes, staff and mass media during the 13th Asian Games at the Athletes Village and Press Center for US$ 145,400 for convenience, especially for the press/mass media throughout the games.

Blazer Suit: Song Samai Rajthevi Co., Ltd. was selected by the Organizing Committee to produce Blazer Suits for the Organizing Committee, Technical Committee, Referees and the individuals involved. The company provided Bht. 2.5 million in support to the Organizing Committee. The Administration Headquarters will inform the Committees and Sub-Committees concerned to have their Blazer Suit made at Song Samai.

Photos of Activities and The Asian Games History: The Committee granted Photo Kishimoto Corporation Co., Ltd. "Photographer of the 13th. Asian Games Activities" in exchange for rights to use the photos of the previous Asian Games for producing the 13th Asian Games Official Report, a task assigned by the Olympic Committee of Asia to the Official Report Sub-Committee.

Service Center for Lens and Cameras: The Committee selected Niks Trading Co., Ltd. to establish the service center at MPC and IBC to provide photographers and mass media with Cannon and Nikon lens and cameras. Upon presentation of an l.D. Card, a photographer will also be able to loan camera equipment from this centre. All of these are free of charge for the convenience of photographer and TV personnel as is tradition for the Asian Games and the Olympic Games.

Jacket and Track Suit: Mizuno Corporation will contribute 15.000 jackets for the Organizing committee for distribution to sub-committees, working groups and volunteers: Moreover, Mizuno also contributed jackets and track suits for the Olympic Committee of Asia and the Olympic Committee of the 43 nation members. Total value of approximately Bht. 10 million.

Who comes first - President or the country?

By Mahinda Wijesinghe
A news report over the last week-end states that incumbent Cricket Board President, Thilanga Sumathipala, has decided to throw down the gauntlet and has appointed a probe committee in a bid to clear his name from a bribery scandal which he (Sumathipala) was allegedly involved in - a charge that was levelled around eight months ago. Trying to clear one's name is an inalienable right, nay, a fundamental right, one possesses. But, on this occasion, two questions immediately surface. Firstly, is the timing for such a probe, opportune? Secondly, since the 4-member probe committee has been drawn from the current officials of the Board, of which Sumathipala is the President, would justice be deemed to have been served?

SITTING NEXT TO A TIME-BOMB
Reverting to the first question. Is the timing right for instituting such a probe? Presently there are many important issues for the Cricket Board to tackle. The first one, or in the short run, is the upcoming tour of Australia. It is like sitting next to a time-bomb. Then comes the all-important defence of our hard-earned title of World Champions commencing in May next year. This is not taking into account the much-needed preparations for these events and other activities of the Board. Can the Board afford to waste their time, energy and finance in order to clear the incumbent President's name? There are other fora, if it needs be, for such actions. Of course, Mr. Sumathipala can rightfully claim that the original charge was levelled at the Cricket Board. Then, the answers should also have been given at the same forum. Wasn't some answers given at that time? So much so that people have all but forgotten them now. Didn't the C.I.D. also get into the act? What came of those investigations? Why wasn't it made public? Then why the urge to resurrect this issue now? "It would have not been proper to intervene at a time" defended Sumathipala "when we were in the process of getting all moneys due to us from World TellÉI waited till we got all the money and now I am free to clear my name from these bribery allegations".

GET OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT
Perhaps, the President has a point there. After all, each to his own. It is not often that others come to another's defence. But, here's a situation when despite intense media exposure on the issue at that time and apparently high-level investigations, nothing came of it. So, by stoking the old fires again, will the truth be any closer now, or will it be yet another wild goose chase when the trail is cold - and possibly, the horse has bolted? Let the stable door be. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board, presently, has to harness all their energies to attend on far more important matters. The Board must decide what is more important. Is it the good name of our country, defending the prestigious tag of World Champions, or is it the good name of the President? So, let us get our priorities right. Especially, as mentioned earlier, there are other fora available for such action and presently the President has his plate full.

REMOVE HAIR
Hopefully, by the time you read this, the problem of Australian umpire, Darrel Hair, standing in any of the triangular One-day games in Australia will have been solved. Our Cricket Board has left no stones unturned in this regard, and must be commended for the unrelenting pressure they have maintained. If they fail, it is not for want of trying. True, all these allegations of Hair are being spotlighted, possibly, in order to sell his autobiography, but in that quest his slip shows. Many eminent professionals - orthopaedic surgeons and similar professionals - have expressed the opinion that Muralitharan does not 'throw' his usual delivery and that he appears to do so due to a congenital defect in his arm. Now, Hair too is a professional. A professional umpire. In the best of circles, a professional accepts the findings of another professional of a different field. For instance, in a court of law, a lawyer defending a murder suspect will have to accept the scientific findings of a forensic medical expert,though he may get another forensic expert to contest the former's opinion. It is time somebody taught Hair the niceties of professional etiquette.

DO PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS NEED PROTECTION?
However, it has also been reported that a leading law firm in Australia and a public relations company has been appointed to advise/protect the Sri Lankan team when they tour that country in January/February next year. Obviously, such appointments are going to cost a packet. Explained President Sumathipala: "With impending issues already on the cards we thought it's best that we have a law representative in Australia to promptly acquire legal advice and solve issues on the spot, not having to depend on advice from home. The public relations company is expected to help and guide the Lankan players and officials to face the media more confidently Down Under."

THIS IS A CRICKET TOUR, ISN'T IT?
Now correct me if I am wrong. Sri Lanka hopes to tour Australia to play cricket. Our cricketers will not be on trial for any misdemeanour they hope to commit, nor do our boys need the PR boys to sing their praises. If they perform, as they are expected to do, their praises will be sung by those who matter. One cannot hire PR boys to do that. So, why the lawyers and the public-relations experts? True, the Australian press can be unrelenting and abrasive. Surely, our officials should have gleaned sufficient experience to handle that by now? Our players have earned so much prestige and praise by their prowess on the field. What have the officials contributed in this regard?

WHERE IS THE CONTRIBUTION FROM OUR COACHES/OFFICIALS?
Let's look at it more closely. On the coaching sphere, we have to send our fast bowlers for training to the MRF in Madras. Our batsmen have to be advised by a Barry Richards or a Garfield Sobers. Recently, Roshan Mahanama had to be sent to Australia to, apparently, fine tune his technique. What are our local coaches doing? Yet, much praise has been heaped time and time again on local coaches by those who matter. And, foreign coaches don't last very long. Remember Dav Whatmore and Bruce Yardley? Now let us take the managerial aspect. This is not the first occasion Sri Lanka is visiting Australia. Memories of the previous tour cannot be that cold. Cannot our officials even handle this aspect of our cricket? A little tact, diplomacy, firmness and humour should be used in handling the high-pressure Australian media. Surely, are these officials just going for the ride? And, they have been riding for sometime. Which other Test-playing nation resorts to hiring lawyers and companies dealing in public relations when on a cricket tour? Sri Lanka is not new in this business. We are world champions, you know.

"DON'T BE LATE FOR BREAKFAST, BOYS"
Speaking of humour reminds me of an incident that took place during the now-famous West Indies tour of Australia in 1960-61 under their charismatic skipper Frank Worrell. At a press conference, a typical Australian reporter, trying to provoke Worrell, asked: "Frank, we are told that your boys keep late nights and are seen painting the town in red, doesn't that affect their fitness?". Replied the unflappable Worrell: "Young man, I do not know who told you these tales, nor if I ask, would you remember them. But, I've told the boys that they can paint all of Australia in any Colour, if they so wish, so long as they are not late for breakfast!"

True, Worrells don't come that easy. But, I believe that Sri Lanka must treat this primarily as a cricket tour and not create bogeys for themselves. Money spent on such unproductive exercises can be better utilised for far more important and pressing projects the country needs.

It is high time that officials make meaningful contributions to the welfare of Sri Lanka cricket. Just knowing how to get on the gravy train and enjoy the perks that go along with it, is just not good enough.

PoW make a bold reply

Reggie Goonewardena Moratuwa Corr.
A four wicket partnership between Krishantha Jayawardena (40) and Muditha Fernando (56) boosted Isipatana MV to 239 in their inter-school cricket encounter against Prince of Wales College played at Moratuwa.

Kanchana Rodrigo made an unbeaten half century while Milinda Wickremasinghe scored 28. Left arm off spinner Pubudu Ranaweera captured 5 wickets for 72 runs.

Prince of Wales in reply made 96 without loss. Rashan Peiris 44 and Dhammika Fernando 46 were unbeaten at the wicket.

Chief Scores: Isipatana MV 239 in 81 overs (Milinda Wickremasinghe 28, N. Sampath 22, Krishantha Jayawardena 40, Muditha Fernando 56, Kanchana Rodrigo 50 not out, Nilantha Atapattu 14, Pubudu Ranaweera 5/72, S. Cooray 2/47)

Prince of Wales 96/0 in 23 overs (Rashan Peiris 44 not out Shammika Fernando 46 not out).

Kandambi scores a fine century

Tilina Kandambi (118) helped Ananda College reach 190/9 in reply to Kingswoods 92 in their inter school cricket fixture which began at Kandy yesterday.

Kandambi's century was studded with sixteen boundaries and three towering sixes.

N. Pushpakumara top scored for Kingswood with 32 runs. H. Bandara, M. Pushpakumara and Tilina Kandambi took three wickets each.

SCORES:

KINGSWOOD 92 (W. Seneviratne 23, N. Pushpakuamra 32, H. Bandara 3/16, M. Pushpakumara 3/19, Tilina Kandambi 3/14)

ANANDA 190/9 (T. Kandambi 118, M. Ramzi 40, N. Pushpakumara 3/43, C. Seneviratne 2/15, B. Ratnayake 2/54) (RP)

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