Australia A too hot for Sri Lanka

PERTH, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Australia A needed just 18 overs to overrun world champions Sri Lanka and post an eight-wicket victory in their one-day match on Sunday.

The result was never in doubt after Sri Lanka had been bundled out for 89 in just 25.1 overs at the WACA ground. The Australians reached 92 for two in reply, Greg Blewett (34) and Damien Martyn (24) putting on 54 for the third wicket.

Such was the domination by Australia A that the two sides then decided to play a second game under lights, making the day-night fixture a double header.

All-rounder Shane Lee was Sri Lanka’s chief tormentor, collecting four for 11.

Only Romesh Kaluwitharana (21) and captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who finished on 21 not out, came to terms with the bouncy wicket.

Opener Sanath Jayasuriya was the first to fall, out for five when he nicked a delivery from Nicholson and was caught by wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell with the score on eight.

Kaluwitharana and Aviska Gunawardena briefly steadied the ship by adding 19 for the second wicket before Gunawardena played on to Adam Dale for two. Marvin Atapattu’s run out for 12 triggered a collapse which saw the last eight wickets fall for 43 runs.

Lee took his first wicket when he had Roshan Mahanama lbw for two with the last ball of his first over.

He then removed Hashan Tillakaratne, Upul Chandana and Pramodya Wickamasinghe in his next four overs to finish with four wickets off seven overs.

Campbell (14) and Michael DiVenuto (17) went cheaply as Australia A chased quick runs but Blewett and Martyn guided them to an easy victory.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka Innings

S. Jayasuriya c Campbell b Nicholson 5
R. Kaluwitharana c Blewett b Nicholson 21
A. Gunawardena b Dale 2
M. Atapattu run out 12
A. Ranatunga not out 21
R. Mahanama lbw b Lee 2
H. Tillakaratne c Campbell b Lee 1
U. Chandana c Dale b Lee 10
P. Wickramasinghe b Lee 0
N. Zoysa b Denton 0
R. Perera b Harvey 0

Extras (lb-1, w-14) 15
Total (all out, 25.1 overs) 89

Fall of wickets: 1-8 2-27 3-46 4-46 5-50 6-64 7-76 8-76 9-79.

Bowling: Nicholson 7-0-22-2 (w-6), Dale 5-0-28-1 (w-2), Denton 6-0-27-1 (w-2), Lee 7-1-11-4 (w-4), Harvey 0.1-0-0-1.

Australia A

R. Campbell c Jayasuriya b Zoysa 14
M. Di Venuto c Tillakaratne b Perera 17
G. Blewett not out 34
D. Martyn not out 24

Extras (lb-1 w-2) 3
Total (for two wickets, 18 overs) 92

Fall of wickets: 1-19 2-38.

Did not bat: A. Symonds, S. Lee, I. Harvey, M. Nicholson, B. Young, A. Dale, G. Denton.

Bowling: Zoysa 7-1-18-1 (w-2), Wickramasinghe 5-0-36-0, Perera 4-0-25-1, Chandana 2-0-12-0.

‘I have no competition in Sri Lanka’
Susanthika vows to Return
By Shirajiv Sirimane

World Championships silver medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe who took wing to United States for advanced training said she would return to Sri Lanka and get herself selected for the Barcelona Athletic World Cup to be held in July.

Speaking to ‘The Island’ from the Bandaranaike International Airport moments before her departure, she said that her main aim was to represent the country again. She added that her image was tarnished by a section of the media and top officials of the AAA, NOC and the Sports Ministry, soon after the Asian Games.

"These people even projected the image that I went to Bangkok to buy one refrigerator. But this fridge was for another athlete, Suresh Dematapitiya," she said.

Susanthika who cited injury and skipped the Asian Games 100m final and 200m, and 4 x 100m relay events said that she was not frightened of her opponents. "My injury was the only reason for my pullout," she reiterated.

The national sprint queen said she has requested her husband Dhammika and her lawyers to notify her about the selection trials for the Barcelona World Cup. "I will spend my own money and come back to Sri Lanka and win both 100m and 200m finals. I say again, I have no competition in Sri Lanka," she declared in her fortright manner.

Speaking about her training stint in the States, she said that though many Sri Lankans are afraid to help her, there are others who extend a helping hand. "I am sorry I can’t disclose their names since they could be subject to harassment like me," she said. "I am hoping to enter a Californian University and undergo intensive training."

Susanthika also said that she needs US $10,000 as entrance fees and it was made available by a Sri Lankan living in the States. "He has also arranged for a top sprint coach for me," she revealed.

Susanthika, whose second coach Capt. Dissanayake of the Sri Lanka Army too abandoned her, said many people have come forward to sponsor her stay in the States. She also thanked the American Embassy in Sri Lanka for granting her visa for one year.

Asked what she missed most, she said it was her husband Dhammika." He has been framed for a murder case and his passport has been impounded." The outspoken sprinter also added that the case will not be heard for one year.

Daya Perera, her lawyer said that Susanthika had been trying to organise this training stint for nearly three months. "We found out that she has no respect for senior athletic and Sports Ministry officials here. She even does not have a doctor her to go to," he said. "I do not blame her for this."

Asked if there would be any obstacles from her competing in the World Cup, he answered in the negative. "She is a Sri Lankan citizen and she has the right to run in a selection trial and get herself qualified. When she reaches the qualifying mark no one can stop her" he said.

Asked to comment on the IAAF doping case, he said it was a "dud" case. "With a series of false deeds such a case can’t survive," he said. "I do not want to go into detail, but look at the way her urine sample was taken. It was done by an unauthorised and unqualified person. If an accredited doctor like Maj. Gen. Thurairajah had done it, we would have had a tough case," he quipped.

Ariya Kannangara, president of the Amateur Athletic Association said there was no problem in her going to the States. He conceded that it could benefit her.

"If she trains and brings glory to the country, we also would be happy. She is welcome to represent Sri Lanka at any time. She doesn’t have to come to Sri Lanka to qualify for international meets. But if she wants to, she can come to Sri Lanka," he said.

Inclement weather curtails play
By Reggie Goonewardene, our Moratuwa Corr.

Continuous rain and bad light curtailed the Premier Division Championship Cricket encounter between Sebastianites and Panadura C.C. played at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa.

After 2 p.m. start the game could not be continued after the tea break due to a heavy downpour. It being a three day encounter it will be continued today weather permitting.

Sebastianites continuing from their overnight total of 135/3 were 200 for 6 when they stopped for tea. Ranga Yasalal made 48 and Sanjeewa Silva 31. For Panadura SC M. Jayasena took 2/65 and Kapila Silva 4/37.

SSC gain first innings points

B.R.C. replying to S.S.C’s first innings total of 304 were bowled out for 196 mid way in the post-tea session in their Premier Championship Division 1 cricket tournament at Maitland Place yesterday.

For the visitors none of their frontline batsmen were allowed to play a substantial knock by the home side bowlers as strangely enough the sundries top scored with 52. Among the top order batsmen only Indika Batuwitarachchi held firm with a sedate 45 which included five fours while emerging batsman Sean Mackay made 31. A fourth wicket stand of 68 between opener Mahesh Rajapakse and Indika Batuwitarachchi also to a great extent helped B.R.C. to reach their eventual total.

For S.S.C. paceman Suranga Arunakumar returned fine figures of 3 for 22 before retiring in the afternoon session with a hamstring injury, while Mahela Jayawardene claimed two wickets. S.S.C. enjoying a handy first innings lead of 108 runs were thwarted from commencing their second essay when the heavens opened out at 4.15 p.m.

The final day’s play will start at 9.45 a.m. today.

Scores: B.R.C. first innings 196 all out. (Mahesh Rajapakse 22, Indika Batuwitarachchi 45, Nalanda Pushpakumara 25, Sean Mackay 31, Suranga Arunakumar 3/22, Mahela Jayawardene 2/7). SSC 304 all out. (JK)

Matara SC struggle

Matara SC replying to Anthonians SC score of 187, were 111 for 6 wickets when rain stopped play at 2.30 p.m. in their Premier Championships match at the Uyanwatta Stadium Matara yesterday.

Scores:

Anthonians SC 187 all out in 76.3 overs (A. Hettiarachchi 21, Krishan Dharmasena 37, U. Hettiarachchi 23, M. Hettiarachchi 38, K. Guruge 4/31)

Matara SC 111/6 wkts. in 20.3 overs (N. Tharanga 29, K. Guruge 29, M. Fernando 2/21, T. Kodikara 2/32).

Have your say
Steer sports away from bookmakers

With the dawn of the New Year it should be the fervent wish of all citizens, be it in Sri Lanka or in any part of the world that this ‘Bookmaker Menance’ be completely eradicated from sports. Never before has this scandal of participating sportsmen or women getting mixed up with bookmakers for financial gains have reached such frightening heights.

The recent scandalous saga that has come to light regarding cricketers being accused of match-fixing is most disgusting. It is even more disgusting when you pause to consider that all these dirty business deals between book-makers and cricketers had in the main taken place on Sri Lanka soil. The Australian cricketers have said so. In the light of this one cannot be blamed for wondering whether the Test match played between Sri Lanka and Australia in 1994, where we lost unaccountably when being well poised to gain a comfortable victory.

The other important factor that quickly comes to one’s mind is how could an overseas bookmaker, said to be from India had come to Sri Lanka during the period these matches were played and carried out brazenly his nefarious activities?

Here again one cannot be blamed for thinking that such activities in a country could not be carried out, without the help of an individual or an organisation in that country.

The question of bookmaker’s involvement with sports participants is not only confined to cricketers. It is reported that the Olympic movement is also taking urgent and meaningful steps to eradicate this menace of bookmakers getting involved with participating athletes, footballers, etc. and thereby bringing total disrepute to sports.

The most stringent punishment must be given to those players who were the ugly beneficiaries of any racket.

Anthony de Silva,
Ratmalana.

Under 13 Division I cricket final
Petes take on Antonians today
by Hafiz Marikar, Kandy Sports corr.

Cricket enthusiasts in Kandy will have the opportunity of witnessing the formidable Antonians play against the Peterites, in the final of the Division I under 13 today and tomorrow at police grounds here.

This is the fourth year the Antonians entered the finals. In 1997 they were joint champions with St.Sebastians. In 1996 joint champions with Maliyadeva College, and in 1995 they won the championship.

The Peterites too have done well in cricket this season when the seniors won the League plum, and the Under 15 Division I champions.

Antonians are led by all rounder R.G. Madivila, a fine cricketer who should do well both with the bat and the ball. They have a strong batting line up consisting of deputy skipper P. D.Vithanage, M. Imran, H. M.Rikaz, S. V. Wijesiri and M. I. Rizlan the stumper of the side.

The Antonians are coached by H. C. Ranjith who is responsible in bringing them to the fourth final.

Peterites are led by wicket-keeper batsman Gihan de Silva a fine stroke maker. He expects his deputy Rakitha Rupasinghe, Rajan Thuraisingham, Shanaka Prasad,Prajeeva Jansze and Shohan Boralessa to put up a big score.

The Peterites are coached by L. H. Sunil.

On the way to the final Antonians beat St. Sebastians College in the semis and Peterites beat St. Annes College. If the weather permits a good game of cricket can be expected from the young cricketers.

Teams:

St. Anthonys — K. G. Madivila (Capt.) D. P. Vithanage (Vice Capt.), M. Imran, S.V. Wijesiri, M. I. Rizlan, H. M. Rikaz,M. P. Karunatilake, K. P. Palihakkara, N. J. Chithrasena, C. A. Kulatunga, D. C. Silva, S.Malagama, D.C.Perera.

St. Peter’s — Gihan de Silva (Capt.) Rakitha Rupasinghe (Vice Capt.), Rajan Thuraisingam, Chanaka Prasad, Shehan Wijetunge, Prajeeva Jansze, Dinesh Panditharathne, Shohan Boralessa, Shanaka Fernando, Janahitha Hettiarachchi, Kanishaka Jayasumana, Hans Fernando, Charitha Samarasekara, Muditha Chinthaka, Dilshan Fernando, Gehan Jayarathne, Mevan Samarasekara.
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