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Adam Gilchrist
blasts 131 in 118 balls to steer Australia to victory SYDNEY, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Adam Gilchrist smashed a magnificent century on Wednesday to lead Australia to a remarkable eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a tri-series limited-overs match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Gilchrist blasted 131 in 118 balls as Australia overhauled Sri Lanka’s imposing total of 259 for nine with eight wickets in hand and 3.5 overs to spare. Gilchrist hit 10 boundaries and two sixes during his innings to propel Australia to 260 for two in 46.1 overs and give them their first win of the competition after they were beaten by England in Brisbane on Sunday. Sri Lanka, who will defend their one-day World Cup title later this year, have lost both their games so far. Gilchrist’s 131 was the fourth highest score by an Australian in a limited-overs international behind Ricky Ponting (145), Dean Jones (145) and Greg Chappell (138 not out). The world champions looked to be in with a good chance against Australia after posting a challenging total of 259 for nine from their 50 overs. Sanath Jayasuriya (65) and Hashan Tillekeratne (73) both hit half-centuries as the Sri Lankans attacked from the outset after winning the toss and deciding to bat. Jayasuriya, in particular, was in a determined mood, smashing the Australian attack from the start of the innings. He gambled on several occasions, chipping over the heads of the inner ring of fieldsman and deliberately edging the ball wide of the slips cordon, but was always in control. Scoring at better than a run a ball, Jayasuriya went on to make 65 - his first half-century in 19 limited-overs matches against Australia - before he was caught behind in the 15th over with the total on 95. With Jayasuriya gone, Sri Lanka’s run-rate slowed considerably as the Australians tried to restrict them to a manageable target. Romesh Kaluwitharana, who opened the batting with Jayasuriya, pushed his score along to 32 before he was bowled around his legs by Australian wrist spinner Shane Warne. Marvan Atapattu (18), Arjuna Ranatunga (26) and Mahela Jayawardene (11) all made starts but did not go on with it even though Australia suffered a major setback when their second-string spinner Brad Young injured himself sliding into the fence and was unable to either bat or bowl during the match. The exception was veteran lefthander Tillekeratne, who top scored with 73 before he was run out in the last over of the innings. But Tillekeratne was lucky to survive when he bottom-edged a catch to Gilchrist before he was off the mark. He was given the benefit of the doubt by the umpires although television replays clearly showed that he had nicked the ball. Chasing 260 for victory - three runs more than any team had made to win an international one-day match at the SCG batting second - Australia wasted little time in pursuing their target of 5.2 runs per over. With Gilchrist dominating the early stages of the innings, Australia reached their 50 off just 8.4 overs. Gilchrist brought up his own half-century off just 37 balls, which featured a massive six off Muttiah Muralitharan, while Mark Waugh made 63 off 76 deliveries in an opening stand of 151. Gilchrist, who was dropped by Jayawardene at deep mid-wicket on 68, went on to post his fourth one-day century from 98 balls when he smashed Jayawardene over the square leg fence for six. He departed for 131 when he hit paceman Chaminda Vaas straight to Atapattu before Ponting (43 not out) and Damien Martyn (16 not out) steered Australia to victory. SCOREBOARD Fall of wickets:
1-95 2-106 3-130 4-183 5-214 6-217 7-226 8-258 9-259 Australia innings Triangular series standings
High-scoring draw at Campell Park The inter-school cricket match between Wesley and St. Peter’s ended in a listless draw at Campbell Park yesterday. In a high scoring game, Wesley made 166 for three wickets by the close after St. Peter’s continuing from their overnight total of 60 for one made a mammoth 300 for eight declared. This was in reply to Wesley’s first innings total of 224 for six declared. For the homesters, openers Rakkitha Wijetunga (63) and Kurt Rodrigo (34) figured in a stand of 92 runs to wipe out the first innings deficit of 76 runs. Jehan Jayasuriya top scored with an unbeaten 61 which contained six boundaries for St. Peter’s while Dilshan Rupasinghe also hit a belligerent 52 cracking 10 fours. The pair were associated in a eighth wicket stand of 92 runs which boosted the Peterite total. Skipper and wicket-keeper batsman Jerome Fernando also struck a quick fire 44 with nine boundaries during a 60-run opening stand with Angelo Fonseka (30). (J.K.) SLT disconnects AAA The Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) of Sri Lanka which is hoping to organise itself in a more professional manner, suffered a setback at the hands of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT). The SLT has threatened to disconnect the AAA telephone, apparently because they had not paid the bill for three months. "We sent several ‘Red’ notices to the AAA but did not receive any payments," said a SLT official. She said that initially they would bar outgoing calls and if the bill is not settled by the end of this month, the phone will be disconnected. An AAA official denied that they were in arrears. "I do not know why SLT disconnected our phone since we have paid our bills. This outstanding bill must have been left by the previous administration," he said. Maliyadeva Model School in final Maliyadeva Model School, Kurunegala entered the final of the inter-school Under 13 Division III Horlicks Trophy cricket tournament when they defeated St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa ‘B’ by 31 runs in their semi-final match concluded at Moratuwa on Sunday. In reply to the Maliyadeva Model moderate total of 100, St. Sebastian’s were bowled out for just 69. S. Ariyasinghe was the wrecker with the figures of 5 for 16 from 10 overs. Scores: MALIYADEVA MODEL SCHOOL: 100 (Kalhara Sri Jayasena 34, S. Jayatilake 17, A. Ediriweera 3/04, D. Cooray 2/30) ST. SEBASTIAN’S ‘B’ 69 (A. Ariyasinghe 5/16), C. A. K. Dharmaratne 2/05, Amila Seneviratne 2/04). Sri Lanka wins three medals at FESPIC Games On the opening day of the Far East and South Pacific Games (FESPIC) for the Disabled, Sri Lanka bagged one silver and two bronze medals. Namali Nilanthi Wijeykoone, a physically handicapped competitor from the Department of Social Services (Wattegama Institution) came second in the women’s 100 metres final for Amputees below the knee. The gold medal was won by China and the bronze by Myanmar. Representing ESCO REHAB Sri Lanka, Chaminda Priyadarshaka of the Sri Lanka Army won a bronze medal in swimming in the 200 metres Free Style, amputee below the knee. Priyadarshika led upto the 175-metre mark, but was finally beaten by two Australians. P. Wijetunga of the Sri Lanka Army won Sri Lanka’s third medal, when he won a bronze in swimming in the 200 metres Individual Medley, amputees below the knee.. FESPIC Bangkok ’99 held at the Thammatsat University Complex, immediately after the Asian Games is attended by 2048 athletes and 761 officials from 37 countries. ESCO Rehabilitation Council for the Disabled based in Egodauyana sent a delegation of 26 participants and a Cultural Troupe of 10 to attend FESPIC and a Cultural Festival organised by the National Cultural Centre in Bangkok. SLT
disconnects AAA The Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) of Sri Lanka which is hoping to organise itself in a more professional manner, suffered a setback at the hands of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT). The SLT has threatened to disconnect the AAA telephone, apparently because they had not paid the bill for three months. "We sent several ‘Red’ notices to the AAA but did not receive any payments," said a SLT official. She said that initially they would bar outgoing calls and if the bill is not settled by the end of this month, the phone will be disconnected. An AAA official denied that they were in arrears. "I do not know why SLT disconnected our phone since we have paid our bills. This outstanding bill must have been left by the previous administration," he said. At the
school Nets Richmond College is packed with seven senior players for this years inter school season. The team is coached by C. K. Hewamanne, a former cricketer of the school whoplays for Galle CC. Dilantha Sumathipala, the fourth year coloursman captains the side while third year player Nuwan Ratnayake is his deputy. Two players, Omesh Wijesiriwardane and younger brother of the skipper, Oshad Sumathipala are the best all rounders in the side. Wijesiriwardane, the 15 year old all rounder captained the Southern Province Under 15 team last year. He scored over 450 runs and also captured over 40 wickets. His best figures being 6 for 26 against Devananda. He performed well with bat and ball in their last big match against Mahinda scoring a fluent half century and taking four wickets. Oshad Sumathipala, the top order batsman is in the National Under 19 pool for the forthcoming Indian tour. He scored over 450 runs and performed well as a right arm off spinner last season. The two newcomers Dilan Bahar and Mohamad Faizer open the innings. Both left handers did a fine job during their last under 17 cricket season. Chamal Perera and Omesh Wijesiriwardane open the bowling attack with medium paceman Manoj Chaturanga, skipper Sumathipala will be support bowlers Chandimal Gunasekera, Tharindu Wickramasuriya and Oshad Sumathipala are the key spinners in the side. Apart from the opening batsman Bahar and Faizer, Nuwan Ratnayake, Avantha Redeegammanagedara, Manoj Chaturanga, Dilantha Sumathipala and Chamil Perera are the other key batsmen of the side. Nihal Gunawardane is the Master-in-Charge . Nihal Gunawardane, the former coach said, this is his 20th year as master in charge of Richmond. ‘I have been able to inculcate integrity, discipline, patience, endurance and the grit to accept victory and defend alike into our cricketers he said. He further said with the assistance of new coach Hewamanne ‘we expect to play good cricket’. Following are the pensketches of the Richmond College cricket team 1998-99. • DILANTHA SUMATHIPALA — (Captain). Fourth year player. Right hand middle order batsman and right arm medium paceman. Last season he missed few matches due to an injury. He took them 20 wickets and scored over 250 runs with highest being 48 against Wesley last season. • NUWAN RATNAYAKE — (Vice Captain). Third year player. Right hand top order batsman. Last season scored over 550 runs with a half century against Dharmasoka. • CHAMIL PERERA — Second year player. Right hand batsman and right arm medium paceman who opens the attack. He missed the last season due to the exams. The experienced player plays for Galle CC in the Sara Trophy Cricket Tournament. First year he took 45 wickets. • OSHAD SUMATHIPALA — Second year player. Younger brother of skipper. Right hand aggressive stroke maker who opened the innings last season. This season bats at number four. Last season scored over 450 runs with two half centuries against Dharmapala and Mahinda. A useful right arm off spinner who took over 30 wickets last season. He is included in the Under 19 National pool to forthcoming Indian tour. • MANOJ CHATHURANGA — Second year player. Right hand top order batsman and useful right arm medium paceman. Last season scored over 350 runs with a highest score of 82 against St. Aloysius. • OMESH WIJESIRIWARDANE — Second year player. Right hand batsman and right arm medium paceman who opens the attack. Last season captained the Under 15 side. Best allrounder in the side. Last season scored over 450 runs and claimed over 45 wickets. Scored a fluent 74 and took four wickets in the big match against Mahinda. Last season took 6 for 26 against Devananda and also took four wickets against St. Benedicts and Dharmapala. • AVANTHA REDEEGAMMANAGEDARA — Second year player. Right hand hard hitting bat and right arm medium paceman. • CHANDIMAL GUNASEKARA — Fresher. Right hand batsman and right arm leg spinner. • THARINDU WICKRAMASURIYA — Fresher. Left hand batsman and useful left arm leg spinner. • DILAN BAHAR — Fresher. Left hand batsman who opens the innings. • MOHAMAD FAIZER — Left hand batsman who opens the innings with Bahar. • ERANGA RATNAWEERA — Fresher. Left hand batsman and wicket keeper of the side. • M. P. SARAJ — Fresher. Right hand batsman and right arm medium paceman. • CHATURA ARAVINDA — Fesher. Right hand batsman and right arm medium paceman. • ASANKA DAHANAYAKE — Fresher. Right hand batsman and right arm medium paceman. • SUBODA GUNAWARDANE — Fresher. Left hand batsman. Coach — C. K. Hewamanne. Master-in-Charge — Nihal Gunawardane. The celebrated Clive Lloyd libel case "The libel case which had occasioned Lloyd’s clash to Australia was one of the most celebrated in the history of cricket, perhaps in sport as a whole. It arose in the one day series during the tour of Australia by the West Indies in 1981- 82. During this period the fifteen-match series between the W.I., Australia & Pakistan provided 2 finalists for the Benson & Hedges World Cup Series, 1981 - 82. The final games on a best of five basis began on 21 November and were concluded at Sydney on 27 January, when the WI defeated Australia 3 - 1. Coming into the last qualifying game, the WI had already secured their place in the final with 14 points for 7 wins and 2 losses. Pakistan had completed their series with 8 points, 4 wins and 6 losses. Australia had 6 points from 3 wins and 5 losses. However Australia had enjoyed a faster scoring rate throughout the series. Consequently a WI victory would have had to a WI - Pakistan final on the basis of WI 16 points, Pakistan and Australia 6. An Australian victory in this game would have meant a WI - Australia final, since the points would have been 14, 8, 8 respectively but with the Australians getting through by virtue of this faster scoring rate. The match was played at Sydney in 19 January and was one of those games in which anything seems to go wrong. To begin with, the WI batting first, were all out for 189 in 50 overs. This was an appreciably slow scoring rate than they had typically achieved throughout the series. They had lost the toss and been put in to bat and, without the series of Lloyd who was ill with a nasty attack of ‘flu’, were put on top of the bowling of Lilee, Thompson, Pascoe, Malone & Chappell. Australia’s reply was aborted by rain after 43.1 overs. At that stage they had scored 168/7 and even the game on a faster scoring rate. In any event, it was by them reasonable to suppose that they would have win the match since they needed of another 22 runs from 6.5 overs with Allan Border n.o. 30 and seemingly in charge. The next day an article appeared in the Melbourne Age, one of Australia’s largest daily Newspapers. It accused the West Indies of ‘throwing’ the game for financial reasons. The article alleged first of all that a Australia / WI final would have drawn far larger crowds than a WI/Pakistan final, since the matches were in Australia. The article went on to allege that a WI/Australia final would have meant nine for the WI players and WI Board. Interestingly, no player was actually named in the article. Immediately, Lloyd took legal advise on behalf of himself and the team. The lawyers advised that there was gross libel and a solid case for Lloyd and the rest of the team. It was finally decided that Clive Lloyd as the captain of the team against whom the allegation was prevailing decided, would by a libel action which would act as a test case for all on both sides. The case was tried in Melbourne is March 2, 1984. The Court heard one vital set of facts which may have proved to be decisive in the determination of the matter. Evidence was held to show conclusion that the WI players take part in a tour on the basis of and flat fee. Though a quarter take at the fakes did not arise. Income would not have been attended one way or the other. The WI Board received a flat percentage of jobs. There was no financial advantage in which two countries participated in the final matches. The our variable income was for particular awards, winning team, man of the match etc. These prizes were not affected by the choice of apparent. Lloyd won the case and was awarded a $ 100,000 as damages - whereupon the paper appealed to the Appeal Court in 1985. Then it was contended that no libel could have been committed since no player had been named. The Court struck down the award and Lloyd appealed to the Privy Council in London. The case was heard by the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords, was celebrated on three counts. First, it was a rare occasion for their lordships to adjudicate in a matter of sports. Second, it was the last case rejoined to the Privy Council before the Australian Constitution was amended to retain appellate jurisdiction within Australia. Finally the case was significant because their Lordship took the heir that Lloyd had been libelled, that the damages should steered and that the Australian Court of Appeal had been wrong in reversing the judgement. As a consequence Lloyd finally won his A $100,000 with costs. The Melbourne Age had much cause to regret the indiscretion of its columnist. In retrospect, the common sense of the matter seem to be entirely with the court of first instance and with the Privy Council. It must be nonsense to contend that there is no libel because it is a team that is named and meet the individuals of it. The members of a national cricket team are world famous personalities and certainly in the case of a captain like Lloyd, both the inference and the target are incapable obvious. In the end, all the other players on both side received A $ 25000 in damages in out of court settlements that followed the Privy Council ruling." Exhibited from a History of West Indian cricket by Michael Manlet - Pages 321 - 323) S. A. Bandaranayake., Colombo 3. Lanka Lions Athletic calandar comes out The newly formed Lanka Lions Sports Club, has published their athletic calandar for 1999 well in advance and they have included an International Marathon for it. This was disclosed at a press conference held recently, in which the club released its Logo for the International Marathon. "We have named this event as ‘Nidahas International Run’ and expect a host of international runners", said Vice President Parry Liyanage "The race will be held on 4 February 1999 in 9 divisions, including one for foreigners," he added. The categories will be Open Men and Women, (20 years and above), Junior Men and Women (17 to 20 years), Veterans Men (Over 40) and Women (over 35) School Boys and Girls (13 to 17 years) and International Men. The Open Men and Women and the International event will be run for 15 kms while all the other races will cover 6 kms. The Lanka Lions SC has also announced a qualifying time of 90 minutes for Open Men Junior men, International Men and 70 minutes each for Open Women, Veterans Men and Women. The qualifying time for Open Women and Junior Women will be 60 minutes. "We will be issuing certificates to only those runners who finish under these stipulated times said the Secretary of LLSC G. L. S. Perera. Don Victor, President of the club said that they hope to classify this event in the International Calendar after a lapse of three years. "We will be giving Rs. 84,000 as prize money for the Marathon". He also thanked Klevenberg (Pte) Ltd. for coming forward to sponsor the club for an undisclosed sum. He also disclosed that their club formed three months ago now has over 1500 members. The International run will commence on February 4 at 6 a.m. from Katubedde and Wellawatte and finish opposite Municipal Grounds, Colombo 7. Entries for the event close on January 25 with G. L. S. Perera, Secretary, LLSC 100/31, Jubilee Mawatha, Mirihana, Nugegoda. Hemasiri Fernando, President National Olympic Committee who was invited to unveil the Club’s Marathon Logo said that Sri lanka needs more athletic clubs of this nature. "Though athletics has picked up and we see more participants, new athletic clubs are formed but only at a snail pace this must change," he said. The Club also presented Rs. 30,000 each to Polonnaruwa and Kegalle District affiliates for them to conduct District Club, Marathons. Following is the Lanka Lions SC athletic Calandar for 1999: 17th January — Sabaragamuwa Run (Kegalle) 24th January — Ruhunu Run (Hambantota) 04th February — "Nidhahas Run" (Colombo) 21st February — Wayamba Run (Kurunegala) 28th February — "Hill City Run" (Kandy) 19th X 20th June — Junior Championship Meet (Sugathadasa Stadium) 10th X 11th July — Senior Championship Meet (Sugathadasa Stadium) 17th October — Technical Officials Seminar 07th November — Medical Seminar. Tour de Ratnapura for
‘Bristol’ Trophy The Bristol ‘Tour de Ratnapura’ conducted by the Cycling Federation (Karunaratne Fraction) will be held on February 14 around Ratnapura. The event is organised by Ratnapura DCA. The race is sponsored for the fifth year under ‘Bristol’ by Ceylon Tobacco Company Ltd. Cash prizes to the value of Rs. one hundred thousand will be awarded along with trophies and certificates. The route for the race will be as follows: Starting opposite Ratnapura town hall-proceeding to Pelmadulla, Kahawatte, Godakawela, Pallebedde, Embilipitiya turning from Embilipitiya on the same route to Ratnapura covering 150 miles. This route is covered with hills, downs, flat, which the riders could show their skills and ability. Accommodation will be provided to all competitors on the previous day. Entries close on 12.02.99, with Anthony Symons, Chief Organizer, President Ratnapura District Cycling Association, Grand Stand, Old Race Course, Reid Avenue, Colombo 7. SLTA "A" in surprise win over SSC "A" Chammika De Silva and Arjan Perera of SLTA (Playing Section) "A", pulled off an exciting win against Davis Cup player Jayendra Wijesekera and Chrishantha Perera of SSC "A" in the Inter Club Division 1 Tennis Tournament. They won 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in the deciding match to give SLTA "A" the tie 2-1. In the Division II inter Club match SLTA (Playing Section) suffered a setback when former Davis Cup player Dishan Herath and Methmal Hewage of Colombo University combined well to beat the more fancied pair Suresh Subramaniam and Sylvester Francis of SLTA "B" in a thrilling match 6-4, 3-6 7-6. Colombo University won this tie 2-1. Results of last weeks matches: Division I. SLTA (Playing Section) ‘A’ beat SSC ‘A’ 2-1 Division II. Colombo University beat SLTA (playing section) ‘B’ 2-1 Division IV. Queens beat SLTA ‘D’ 2-1 Division VII. SLTA ‘I’ beat Otters ‘D’ 2-1 Division VII. SLTA ‘G’ beat Panadura R/C 3-0 Division VII. Queens beat SLTA ‘H’ 2-1 Veterans Over 35. Queens beat SLTA (Playing Section) 2-1 Veterans Over 65. SLTA (Playing Section) beat Cosmos 3-0 |
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