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Asian Games
Sriyani takes the bronze

By Shirajiv Sirimane reporting from Thailand
BANGKOK; Dec. 19 - A bronze medal from the Sri Lankan skipper Sriyani Kulawansa, in the 100m Hurdles event was the highlight to the seventh and final day of the Asian Games Track and Field Championships.

Though Sriyani won the Bronze in this event, her timing of 13.08 seconds is nowhere near her Silver medal winning performance of the recently concluded Commonwealth Games performance (12.95. Sec.). It was heart breaking to see Sriyani running the last 10 meters very feebly. Her finishing was very poor and she never seemed to display the fighting spirit usually displayed by her.

The Kazakhstani Olga who is ranked world number two in this event was the best bet for a Gold, and with the pull-out of the strong Thailand Ravadee Watasin, was earmarked for a Silver the Lankans were anticipating a Silver from Sriyani.

Sriyani, got off the blocks rather late and lost her way in the last 30 meters and ran a relax dash towards the finish sensing that the Silver was not on for her.

Olga with a new games record of 12.63 won the Gold while Lin of China clocking 12.89 accounted for the Silver.

Speaking to The Sunday island, she said that she was starved for competition and that caused her the Silver. "I never had a heat or a semi final after we arrived on the 3rd. I had to wait for my event until the 18th. If I had a heat or a semi final, I could have gauged the opponents," she said.

Mahesh Perera, running his first international competition after a 10-month lay off due to injury did not have the stamina to complete the event stopping at the 7th hurdle. He said that he has not fully recovered from his injury. "However I am glad that I qualified to enter the final despite not having any exposure after my knee injury," he said.

Sri Lanka's men and women relay teams who were the most unfortunate competitors from the entire Asian Games due sports politics and bad luck had more to come.

Nimmi Soyza, despite being a seasoned runner let down the country's chances of a possible medal by running the first lap in a very feeble manner. When Jayamini Illeperuma received the baton she was last trailing behind by at least 10 meters and did well by giving out the baton to Swarnamali Edirisinghe after narrowing the gap.

Swarnamali, debutante's, breathtaking lap showing tremendous promise and went to meet Dharsha but due to Nimmi's disappointing run, earlier in the Relay, there was nothing much the double gold medallist could do. But Dharsha capitalized on the good work done by Swarnamali and beat the hosts Thailand team to the fifth place. (3:43.45 sec.). Sri Lanka's 400m relay national record stands at 3:39.38 seconds that was achieved at the last SAF athletic meet in Colombo early this month.

Chinese team won the event by running home in 3:32.03 seconds while India came with a pulsating performance to take the Silver (3:32.29 sec.) Kazakhstan team who finished in 3:37.16 seconds took the third place.

In the Men's 400m relay the Japanese team powered their way to the Gold setting up a new Asian Games record. (3:01.70 sec.) while India once again came off in flying colours by taking the Silver (3:02.62-sec.) and Korea took the Bronze (3:05.72 sec.)

The Lankans were aspiring towards a Gold medal each from the men's 400m and women's 100m realys and another medal was expected from their women's 400m quarter.

Their agony started with the unexpected pull out of Susanthika from the 100m relay fading away their Gold medal chances. The quartet slopped to an unbelievable last place in this event.

Damayanthi Dharsha, undoubtedly was the hero of the ASIAD by being the country's first woman to take two Golds from this competition. Sugath Tilakaratne accounted for the third Gold medal.

The team Head Coach said that athletes performed to their expectations. "They won the expected number of medals and if Susanthika did not pull out we would had two more Gold medals." He also added that the team's discipline was very good and everybody cooperated with the officials.

Ariya Kannangara President AAA said that he would lay down a code of conduct for all athletes including Susanthika and whoever refuses to abide by it will not be granted permission to represent the country. "Susanthika is dreaming about a Grand Prix, I think the world will be more interested in Dharsha now," he added.

Hemasiri Fernando, President of the Olympic Committee, said that a disciplinary inquiry would be held to find out more about Susanthika's pull out. He also said he was very unhappy that the 140 Telecom Tee Shirts have gone unaccounted for by the deputy Chef De Mission Gihan Dalpadado. "I told him to give me a report yesterday and if he fails to do it I will buy a first class ticket and send him home." he added.

Vaas skippers Colts to victory over NCC

by Jatila Karawita
Colts CC led by Sri Lanka speedster Chaminda Vaas, with a good all round team efforts, registered a 42-run win over Hashan Tillakaratne's NCC in their Premier Division-I limited over match at Maitland Place yesterday. Chasing Colts total of 235 for 8 in 50 overs, the Maitland Place club was never in contention losing wickets at regular intervals and were restricted to a score of 193 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. For the home side, hard hitting middle order batsman Chinthaka Jayasinghe top-scored with a quick-fire 54 which came off 72 balls inclusive of two fours and four mighty sixes, while burly ex-Sri Lanka paceman Ravindra Pushpakumara livened proceedings towards the latter stages with a breezy unbeaten 36 which came off 45 balls and with two boundaries and same number of sixes.

Skipper Thilakaratne could muster only 10 runs in this game while former Sri Lanka all rounder Ruwan Kalpage tried hard to redress the balance with a compact 23 but a steady clatter of wickets from the other end prevented Nondescripts Cricket Club from regaining the initiative from the Park Club.

Earlier, Colts after being sent in did well to post a challenging score of 235, thanks largely to an enterprising knock of 75 made by Sri Lanka opener and wicket keeper batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana. His innings laid the foundation for a good total with skipper Vaas and Bhathiya Perera later accelerating the scoring with a run a ball 76-run partnership for the eighth wicket which enabled them to put up a stiff score. Kaluwitharana's 75, which was realised off 88 balls, included six fours and a six, with the dashing opener being associated in a 77-run stand for the second wicket with No. 4 bat Sajith Fernando who made 28.

Towards the latter part of their innings, Chaminda Vaas used the long handle to very good effect to bash 41 off as many balls with the help of three fours and two sixes with Bhathiya Perera lending his skipper valuable support from the other end with an unbeaten 34. Sri Lanka test leg spinner Malinga Bandara returned the best figures for NCC of 4 for 46 with left arm leggie Suwanji Madanayake bagging 2 for 13.

* Scores:

COLTS CC 235/8 wkts in 50 overs (Romesh Kaluwitharana 75, Sajith Fernando 28, Chaminda Mendis 16, Bhathiya Perera 34 n.o., Chaminda Vaas 41, Dulip Samaraweera 11, Malinga Bandara 4/46, Suwanji Madanayake 2/13).

NCC 193/9 wkts in 50 overs (Ruwan Kalpage 23, Chinthaka Jayasinghe 54, Kumar Sangakkara 10, Hashan Thilakarathne 10, Ravindra Pushpakumara 36 n.o., Eric Upashantha 3/30, Chaminda Vaas 2/29, Malinda Warnapura 2/23, Sajith Fernando 2/33).

Colourful closing ceremony to Asian Games

by Shirajiv Sirimane in Bangkok
The Closing Ceremony of the 13th Asian Games to be held at the Rajamangala Stadium at Huamark on December 20th will feature altogether five colourful performances plus the official OCA protocol aiming to bid farewell to all Asian athletes in a most memorable way.

The overture performed by four renowned singers of Thailand will start at 5;40 p.m. and will last for only 20 minutes. Next performance starting at 6.00 p.m. will be the extravagant "Amazing Thailand". This performance includes the transformation of the English version to Thai and three other dialects ending by the re-featuring of the 13th Asian Games theme song "Fly" both in Thai and English. This part lasts for 5 minutes.

The next performance at 6.05 p.m. will be a 12-minute show performed by 400 members of a band and is called "Ever Onward Celebration". After that, the "Flowers of Asia", showing the Asian style will begin at 6:17 p.m. and will last only 10 minutes.

During the break of the performances, at 6.30 p.m., His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand will arrive at the Royal Main Sadium on behalf of HM the King along with his two daughters, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyapha and Her Serene Highness Princess Siriwanwaree Mahidol and the Royal National Anthem will be played. HM the King will be welcomed and seated.

Darrel - a hair-brained decision maker

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
Today, cricket is all about money. When, possibly, the most flamboyant umpire of the modern age, Englishman Harold 'Dickie' Bird, wrote My Autobiography, and the book became one of the top six best-sellers for 36 weeks with 22 re-prints and has currently sold an estimated 400,000 copies, there must have been quite a few envious eyes around. What the green eyes forgot were the facts that here is a man who has been a first-class cricketer himself, donned the white jacket for over three decades whilst officiating in 66 Tests, 93 One- day Internationals, 4 World Cups including 3 World Cup finals. Most importantly, Bird, eccentric he maybe, but has certainly won the confidence of players and administrators alike around the world. And, not leaving anything to chance, Bird had the services of Keith Lodge, a professional sports writer, living next door, to 'ghost' write the book. So, success was not wholly unexpected.

EXPATRIATES OR EX-PATRIOTS?
When Australian umpire Darrell Hair released his autobiography, Decision Maker, did he expect to match the success of his antipodean contemporary? Not unless a clever marketing strategy was employed. Hair, possibly is unaware, that a Dickie Bird or a Frank Chester is a product of a generation. Here was a man, a mere Australian Grade cricketer who donned the white jacket only a decade ago, having officiated in a mere 25 Tests and 33 One-day Internationals, and has been embroiled in more than his fair share of controversy. And, he is trying to sell a book - poorly - written by himself. For instance, expatriates have been referred to by the author as 'ex-patriots'! One does not have to be a gimlet-eyed marketeer to realise that the only recipe for successful sales of a lack-lustre book of this nature was to cash in on the controversy aspect and to time the launch at the opportune time. Exactly what transpired, though, Hair did, albeit feebly, announce his regrets about the bad timing of the release of the book. The launch was timed to coincide on the eve of the Sri Lankan tour. Are we to believe that Hair, who had been originally assigned to stand in the upcoming triangular series involving Sri Lanka, had forgotten that the Sri Lankans were coming? Then, there was a great deal of media hype of what Hair had written in the book about the 'Muralitharan affairs'. Factors which naturally whipped-up sales of the book and something which Hair may have fewer regrets about.

True, Hair eventually opted - or, so we are told - to stand down from matches involving Sri Lanka, thereby losing his match-fees, but did he gain on the swings what he lost on the roundabouts?

NO-BALLED EVEN WHEN BOWLING LEG-BREAKS?
Naturally, he begins the book with the acrimonious Muralitharan affair. An affair which Australia's most resilient skipper, Allan Border himself, called a 'set-up'. By beginning the book with Murali's matter reveals his sales pitch. Hair's contends that Murali's delivery becomes 'illegal' when he is trying to impart more spin. Though, he no-balled the off-spinner 7 times in 3 overs - even when Murali bowled a leg-break - Hair claims he could have done so 27 times or even more. How he kept count of that will remain a mystery. It is also blatantly clear by his comments that he intends calling Murali the next time they meet - unless, of course, he has changed his action. A situation that cannot arise, since his action is, literally, what he was born with. After all, how can a bowler with a "diabolical action", according to Hair, pass muster? As a Sri Lankan legal luminary commented, can a judge who has referred to an accused - before the case was heard - as a 'villain' be expected to dispense fair justice?

His attitude towards the Sri Lankans is crystal clear when he, most sarcastically, captions a photograph depicting umpire Peter Parker with the Sri Lankan players during the infamous 'ball tampering' incident, during the 1996-96 tour of Australia, with the words: "Peter Parker explaining to Ranatunga that cricket balls do not normally have these scratches on them...." and another photograph showing Murali bowling - on the occasion he was no- balled by Hair - with the caustic words: " The ball is on the way - and so am I." Talk of bias.

OWN PARTNER DID NOT AGREE
Hair is also critical of Ranatunga who decided to put Murali from the other end after Hair no- balled him on that fateful Boxing Day at the Melbourne cricket grounds. Critical, possibly because, his partner at the other end, New Zealand's Steve Dunne, did not no-ball Murali from either end! Hair, who took the extraordinary liberty of no-balling Murali from the position of the head umpire, yet, did not penalise him when standing at square-leg, the usual place from where umpires, usually, judge the legality of a delivery regarding throwing. Nor did some forty odd umpires since that fateful day at Melbourne up-to-date.

A PROFESSIONAL SHOULD RESPECT ANOTHER'S VIEW
As a professional umpire, Hair has based his observation, that Murali's delivery is unfair. But, isn't he being unethical when he fails to recognise the opinions of fellow professionals who contend the opposite view. Orthopaedic surgeons around the world, and the findings in the department of biomechanics at the University of Western Australia who conducted rigorous tests with high-speed film, for instance, concluded scientifically that Murali was suffering from a congenital defect in the arm - something which another member of his family suffers from - and, in fact, creates an illusion of throwing when viewed from a certain angles. Of course, Hair can lean on the Law which clearly states that the umpire - on the field - must be absolutely certain of the legality of the bowler's action.

It is mainly Australian opinion that Murali's action is 'doubtful'. However, what Hair and Co. must realise is that the findings based on science and logic must be respected. Just like in the beginning, primitive man though the world was flat, and thunder was heard when the gods were angry until science dispelled such foolish thought.

ATTITUDE OF THE ACB & THE ICC
Despite all of this, the Australian Cricket Board - dutifully? - appointed Hair and Steve Randall, as their nominees to the International umpires' panel. Randall is presently facing a series of charges for sexual abuse against under-aged children and has been since removed from the panel. Why did the ACB make such appointments? Why did the ACB find Shane Warne and Mark Waugh guilty of accepting money from an Indian bookie and keep it under wraps for 4 years? Was it the "the convict past" rearing its ugly head again? This is not all. When Hair contacted the Marylebone Cricket Club (M.C.C.) and the European Cricket Council (E.C.C.) to arrange some umpiring appointments, not only was he made an Honorary ECC Umpiring Instructor but was also sent on trips to Italy, Malta and Ireland. Would K. T. Francis, B. C. Cooray or Venkataraghavan had such luck?

PROPOSAL FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW
Hair also suggests some changes in the Law. His proposal to do away with leg-byes, which does have some sense and something that has been under the microscope for a long time, is nothing new. He fails, however, to note the negative aspect of such a change, namely that if such legislation became Law, the game will not 'flow' evenly. On the other hand, his ludicrous proposal to award 10 runs for a no ball, reflects his emotional bias against such infringements.

STRANGE SELECTIONS IN A WORLD XI
Sometimes, Hair appears not the knave that most Sri Lankans reckon. In fact, he pans out sometimes as an emotional personality and pass judgement based on that fickle characteristic. Not the best of traits an umpire, at any level, must possess. This is clearly illustrated in his selection of a skipper of an imaginary World XI he has picked. His nominee: Richie Richardson of the West Indies. In that side, there were 5 other international captains - Atherton, Tendulkar, Lara, Akram and Steven Waugh - yet he opts for the lack-lustre, unsuccessful, Richie Richardson whom he refers to as "an inspiration to the team". Something which the West Indian selectors and players would hotly contest. As contemporary writer, Indian, Vijay Lokapally, profiling Richardson in the Sportstar, in 1996, wrote as follows: "Richardson's plight during the last stages of his career was pitiable. Berated by his own mates, he had a torrid time leading a bunch of cricketers... there was a wide gap between him and some of the stars, and at times there was no communication at all. One need not need to peep into the dressing room to understand that since much of it was evident on the field." During the 1996 World Cup competition, the West Indians who won the first two tournaments, in 1975 & 1979, and was runner-up in the next tie, hit an all-time low under Richardson when even the lowly Kenyans beat them! Of course, Hair sees it differently, in much the way as he thinks that Murali throws, while the medical experts - or, close who matter, as in Richardson's case, the selectors and the players - have an opposite opinion. Now, could Hair have picked Richardson over the rest, because the West Indian skipper wished him well before he (Hair) stood in his first One-day International game at Adelaide in 1991 - West Indies v India - realising it was the umpire's first in the big time? As Hair, gratefully notes: "It was the one and only time that a captain has done this and it was a moment to cherish." So, Hair like the elephant did not forget.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ENGLAND, YET.......
Naturally, not a single member of the Sri Lankan World Cup winning team is in his dream One-day World XI. Hair even goes on to select England's Mike Atherton as Tendulkar's opening partner - and not Jayasuriya. Any cricket fan knows that the former England skipper, Atherton, finds it difficult to retain his place even in the mediocre England One-day side. Hair is probably unaware, for instance, that in the Caribbean, not so long ago, it was Atherton who, controversially, no doubt, yet had to carry the drinks when Hollioake was in charge. Yet, Atherton opens batting in Hair's dream side.

"MARK'S EXPLOITS ON THE TRACK...."
Finally, his adulation of Mark Waugh makes very interesting reading specially in view of the recent, startling revelations about his (along with Shane Warne) dealings with the bookies. Writes Hair: "Mark has an interest in horse racing and has raced a couple of pacers with some success. He also enjoys time away from the cricket field visiting race courses....On arrival at Ascot the first person I saw was Mark Waugh, with the form guide sticking out of his back pocket and a wad of notes in his hand ready for a confrontation with the bookies....Mark's exploits on the track will never be as well documented as his cricketing deeds..."

When one reads such frank revelations it is difficult, to say the least, to reconcile Waugh's testimony regarding the alleged match-fixing incident four years ago. Waugh, a noted punter, now maintains he was unaware of the identity of the man who gave him money, in exchange, as claimed by Waugh and Warne, for information about the weather and pitch conditions. Given the background, explanation that does not seem tenable. But, that is another story.

REFLECTIONS
Dharsha's re-emergence

by Srian Obeyesekere
Onetime 100 and 200 metres Sri Lankan champion, Damayanthi Dharsha, who was subsequently outshone by an emerging Susanthika Jayasinghe, has re-emerged in dramatic style. That she chose the 13th Asian Games venue in coming back to her old form or even better at a time when Susanthika is on a limbo makes her effort more the remarkable.

Susanthika,as it is,is on a limbo with her career on the line facing a possible drugs-related ban with an International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) arbitration decision on her expected early next year. On the other hand,Dharsha's re-emergence comes as a solace at a time the Lankan athletics world expected much from Susanthika.A solace that soared from one gold to another,her first in the 400 metres followed by the 200 metres.Accolades are meant for brilliance,and there cannot be one more deserving in her field than Damayanthi Dharsha.

For Susanthika,who boasted she was the fastest woman in Asia and that she would win gold with ease,her going back home as a non-participant has been a setback to her already controversy-ridden career.

Interestingly, Sri Lanka's hopes on Susanthika as a potential Olympic hope at the Sydney 2,000 Games,have receded with Dharsha emerging as the new beacon. An effort which has ushered a new chapter in Lankan athletics. What is remarkable in Dharsha winning the 200 metres event is that she came in as a stop gap replacement for the much talked of Susanthika Jayasinghe whose crying off on fitness grounds was a big setback for the country's medal hopes.

Strict measures against doping drugs

Shirajiv Sirimane reporting from Bangkok
Only one out of 300 tested athletes was found using prohibited substances, said Dr. Varin Tansuphasiri, Deputy Secretary General of the 13th Bangkok Asian Games Organizing Committee and Deputy Chairman of the 13th Asian Games Medical & Health Services Committee.

The use of a prohibited substance was found in one athlete following the completed testing of 300 out of about a total 800 athletes who will be tested from all sports at these Asian Games, Dr. Varin said.

Dr. Varin refused to disclose both name and country of the athlete even though, he said, punishment had been imposed.

"The testing result will be informed to the Doping Control Laboratory Centre and all involved before the public will be informed," he said.

Strict measures against doping drugs have been launched since the beginning of the Games.

During the Hiroshima Games in Japan, 15 out of 700 tested athletes were found using prohibited substances.

Sri Lankans were free of drugs.

* The most common surname in the athletes' village is 'Kim' at 113 people.

* 96 athletes have a surname that begins with 'Z'.

* Every female athlete at the games has to produce a valid gender verification card prior to competition.

* The Bangkok Asian Games Organizing Committee (BAGOC) purchased eight tons of Kimchi for the games at a cost of $US. 56,000.

* BAGOC also purchased 2,592 Table Tennis balls. That's 20.7 balls for each of the 125 players.

* With the exception of the very first Asian Games in 1951, Japan has constantly won the highest number of bronze medals every four years.

* Despite having the fewest rivers Iran has the fifth largest canoeing team out of the seventeen nations competing, with five men and five women.

* Nepal did not win a single medal at the games for thirty-six years then suddenly in the Tenth Asiad in Seoul, Korea, they took a stunning 8 bronze medals.

Sri Lanka team has 4 de Silva's and Perera's and has 3 Fernando's and Mendis.

THE GLINT OF GOLD

by Srian Obeyesekere
Thailand is a country known for its beauty. But for the numerical superstitious, its capital Bangkok, venue of the 13th edition of the Asian Games, has had some of its glamour shaved off by events both sports related and nature which overshadowed the extravaganza. While Japan turned tables on the Chinese domination of swimming, a plane crash close to the Games site threw a pall of gloom over Bangkok's Asian Games which had it dubbed 'the unlucky games' for its numerically superstitious No. 13. To add to the gloom, the much looked forward to women's 100 metres contest between Sri Lanka's sprint queen, Susanthika Jayasinghe and China's fastest, Li Xuemei never materialised with the Lankan withdrawing at the eleventh hour on fitness grounds that she had pulled a hamstring. From a Sri Lankan point of view, Susanthika's last minute withdrawal was a big setback in the country's hopes of a third gold medal.

As for Susanthika, her crying off at the eleventh hour could effectively put her career on the line. In a field where an athlete's career on the track is a blur in the race against time, Susanthika aged 25 could well never be in the same fettle four years hence to win a gold at the next Asian Games.

For an athlete from a 'rags to riches' phenomenal rise from rural beginnings which was soon to be tainted by a long drawn drugs related struggle with the authorities, Susanthika's withdrawal has only added to her controversy ridden career. Already speculation has begun mounting whether the Lankan athlete did not put country before self by her stunning announcement that she was unfit to race. It has led to a long drawn debate as to whether Susanthika was fit to race but felt she could not beat her Chinese rival. With speculation also mounting as to whether she would face an inquiry, Susanthika, already facing a drug-related ban for testing positive this year-it is to be taken up for arbitration in 1999-finds her career further plunged into uncertainty. If the ban is slapped down on her by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) the Lankan faces a ban upto 2 years.

While the Susanthika Jayasinghe controversy continues to gather steam-in 1995 she was banned from racing on testing positive for the banned drug, nandrolone after she won the 200 metres gold medal and 100 metres silver medal at the Asian Track and Field Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia- it has once again put her career on the line. Only time will tell whether Susanthika Jayasinghe would live upto the expectations placed on her when she appeared on the track in a truly 'rags to riches' tale of success. A starry eyed lass from rural Wariyapola who had local experts seeing her as the best Olympic medal prospect since Duncan White. A career which saw her drawn into a sex scandal following accusations by Susanthika that a leading official in the Sports Ministry had sought sexual favours from her. Stuff that would make a best seller.

Whatever the final outcome of the latest controversy, the Lankan athlete who flaunted herself in a very big way when she claimed that she was the best of the women in her events, failed to live up to her boast. Was it that the woman who only last year humbled the world No. 1, Merlene Ottey in the 100 metres World Championship in Athens, feared she would lose to China's fastest woman Li Xuemei . .

That as it maybe, the dust from the Susanthika issue that took off some of the euphoria from the marvellous gold medal winning feats of compatriots, Damayanthi Dharsha and Sugath Tillekeratne, would not however dent their feats as a whole. Dharsha, who also rose from small beginnings as a schoolgirl in the outskirts at Panadura Balika Vidyalaya before being fine combed, wrote her name in gold in the pages of Sri Lankan athletic history when she crowned herself with the singular glory of landing the first gold medal for her country in the 24-year long history of the Asian Games. For an athlete who had switched from the short sprints of the 100 and 200 metres events which Susanthika was to later dominate, Dharsha showed great finesse to win in the longer duration-the 400 metres women's event .The 23-year-old long distance champion, who was to later develop her career at Ladies College, Colombo, brought alight the track from the mundane to the sublime as she outdistanced the rest with consummate ease.

If Damayanthi Dharsha entered history as 'the first',Sugath Tillekeratne's similar effort hot on the heels of his compatriot, was another milestone not to be outdone in terms of class. In reigning supreme in the corresponding men's 400 metres event, while becoming the second Sri Lankan to win a gold medal for Sri Lanka, Tillekeratne symbolised that here was an athlete for the future as well. Tillekeratne, whose standing was in challenge by Qatar's Ibrahim Ismail whom he had outdistanced in the same event at the Asian Champ-ionships in Japan this year, sealed his superiority over Ismail beyond doubt with his timing.

THE MATARA MARAUDER

by Jatila Karawita
Sri Lanka's 'Matara Marauder' dashing opening batsman left hander, Sanath Jayasuriya was felicitated last Saturday by R. P. G. Enterprises for having won the Maestro Trophy for the CEAT International 'Cricketer of the Year' at Hotel Taj Samudra amidst a distinguished gathering of present and past cricketers and leading businessmen. Jayasuriya, who enjoyed a purple-patch with the willow in both versions of the game aggregating well over thousand runs, warded off a stiff-fight mounted by Indian master bat Sachin Tendulkar to take home the coveted award. Thus truly living up to his nick name "Master Blaster".

The Sri Lanka batting sensation, addressing the gathering in his inimitable way, mentioned that it was a honour for himself and to the rest of the members of the national team to pocket the prestigious 'CEAT International Cricketer of the Year' award. He said "This award, in my view is a just reward all round to the Sri Lanka cricket team as a whole in appreciation of our performances in one-day International cricket during the year of 1997." Drawing his attention to the latest CEAT International Cricketer of the year ratings even ahead of champion Indian batsman Tendulkar.

The explosive Sri Lankan opener rounded off describing the CEAT cricket rating system as the only such rating system that duly recognises a player and a team's efforts by awarding them a glittering trophy. He wished the organisers of the CEAT International Cricket rating Awards R. P. G. Enterprises all success in the future and expressed his fervent hope that more players from Sri Lanka will follow in his footsteps and vie for the CEAT Trophy in the years to come. The CEAT International 'Cricketer of the year' and team awards which is chosen by an adjudicating panel of three legendary former cricketers namely Ian Chappell of Australia, Clive Lloyd of West Indies and the little master of India, Sunil Gavaskar, also came in for high praise from the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, Thilanga Sumathipala. The Cricket Board Chief speaking on the occasaion, said, "It was a rare honour brought to Sri Lanka by Jayasuriya as his deeds went to the extent of wining this award which in itself was a first in the country's cricketing history. Since winning the Wills World Cup in 1996 in Pakistan our cricketing stock has gone from strength to strength and though for the time they have been brought down to earth from their high-riding days, Sri Lanka will once more bounce back with a vengeance under the shrewd leadership of Captain Arjuna Ranathunga in the upcoming tour of Australia," emphasised Sumathipala.

He finally thanked the organisers for instituting an award of this nature which gives an equal opportunity to each and every cricketer to stake a claim for it through their prowess in the three departments of the game - batting, bowling and fielding. He sincerely hoped more Sri Lankan cricketers will win this CEAT award in the seasons ahead. Harsha Goenka Chairman of R. P. G. Enterprises, speaking on behalf of the organisers said, "cricket around the world has reached a new high. One of the reasons for the inauguration of the CEAT awards was that we felt there should be a balanced, impartial system which would acknowledge the best on the international cricket arena and also to encourage young talent to set new standards in the game.

The maestro trophy, in appreciation of outstanding performances is awarded every year to the best cricketer and the team. These beautiful sculpted trophies are symbolic of every cricketer and his team's goal to be the best in the game. They are a display of unabashed exultation, experienced after reaching the Zenith of success" elaborated Goenka. Continuing, he said, winning the title of CEAT International Cricketer of the Year proves consistency in the game and the right spirit in which it is played. The '97 season saw a tough fight between two great players in their own right Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar. But when the dust cleared Jayasuriya took home the award, thus living up to his status as one of the world's best one-day batsmen. "He assured the audience that R. P. G. Enterprises would continue to give away CEAT awards on a yearly basis, thus underlining their committment to reward deserving international cricketers and teams in the years to come.

Ranjith Fernando, Manager of the Sri Lanka team made the occasion the stage to dwell on Sanath Jayasuriya winning the CEAT International Cricketer of the Year' award. His effort had brought laurels to the motherland which no other player had achieved before. He said, "when the national, team won the World Cup '96 the entire nation erupted in unbridled joy and united behind the cricketers as one happy family. Since that heady day in March that year, the boys have brought many a victory to the country in both forms of the game which has been duly acknowledged and rewarded by fans and officials alike. And it is with that in mind I call upon everyone interested in Sri Lanka cricket to support the boys in their hour of need. And I am sure Sri Lanka, after the setbacks suffered in Bangladesh and Sharjah, will rise from the ashes and with a positive outlook. Captain Ranathunga and his band of champion cricketers will strive hard to restore the lost glory in the Kangaroo land".

The Sri Lankan team Manager was also of the view the CEAT award, with the recognition accorded to international cricketers from the nine test playing nations would go a long way in appreciating their performances by an eminent panel of judges and added that more Sri Lankan players should compete for these honours alongside their foreign counterparts in the seasons to come. Begun in '95, CEAT International cricket rating awards hall of fame has been graced by luminaries such as Brian Lara, Venkat Prasad and Wasim Akram in the past. Another highlight of the evenings proceedings besides the handing over of the CEAT maestro trophy to Jayasuriya by Harha Goenka was the three large giant screens erected at the Golden Pond" which displayed the one-day exploits and heroics of the sensational Lankan opener in his hey-days hitting the cover cut of bowlers, and the proud occasions when the local wonder boys took the cricketing world by storm winning the prestigious Wills World Cup in Lahore in what turned out to be the country's finest hour in its sports history.

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