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Kaluwitharana, Atapattu and Tillekeratne
make half centuries; Muralitharan claims three wickets BRISBANE, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Neil Fairbrother struck a characteristically resourceful 67 not out to carry England to a four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the triangular limited overs series on Monday. Veteran left-hander Fairbrother showed his value in one-day cricket by holding England’s innings together as they won with three balls of their 50 overs to spare, making 208 for six in reply to Sri Lanka’s 207 for seven. England have now won their first two games in the series, having beaten Australia on a faster run rate in a rain-hit match here 24 hours earlier. Monday’s day-night encounter brought England up against off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who destroyed them with a 16-wicket haul in a one-off Test at The Oval last August. The Sri Lankan slow bowler with the unusual action was also making his first appearance in Australia since being no-balled for throwing during his country’s 1995-’96 tour, though his action was subsdequently cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Muralitharan again posed problems for England’s batsmen as he captured three for 34 in his 10 overs, including two wickets with the last delivery of his sixth over and the first of his seventh over. That double strike checked England’s smooth progress which was launched by openers Nick Knight, who hit 40 off 53 balls, and Alec Stewart (24) with a stand of 59. Graeme Hick and Fairbrother sustained the momentum by adding 41 for the third wicket before Muralitharan snapped up Hick (37) and Adam Hollioake (1) in two balls to reduce England to 130 for four. However, Fairbrother found a staunch ally in Mark Alleyne (18), the pair sharing a fifth wicket stand of 57. There was a contentious moment when Fairbrother gave Upul Chandana a gentle elbow as the batsman turned for a second run, prompting a brief heated exchange of words but a potential flashpoint was soon defused. After Alleyne and Mark Ealham (1) fell in quick succession to make England 190 for six, Fairbrother and Robert Croft joined forces to guide their side home. Earlier, opener Romesh Kaluwitharana led the way for the World Cup champions with 58 and was supported by Marvan Atapattu (51) and Hashan Tillekeratne, unbeaten on 50. However, England’s mainly steady out-cricket kept them in check, with Hollioake taking three for 32 with his medium-pacers. Sri Lanka face Australia in the next match in the tournament in Sydney on Wednesday, followed by England playing Australia in Melbourne on Friday. Each side play the other two teams five times, with the top two qualifying for a best-of-three final series. SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka Extras (b-1 lb-3 w-6) 10 Fall of wickets: 1-2 2-99 3-102 4-128 5-139 6-185 7-200 Did not bat: Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Zoysa. Bowling: Gough 9-0-37-1 (w-2), Mullally 10-2-35-1 (w-1), Headley 5-1-22-0, Ealham 6-0-33-1, A Hollioake 10-0-32-3 (w-2), Croft 10-0-44-1 (w-1). England Extras (lb-3 w-1 nb-6) 10 Fall of wickets: 1-59 2-87 3-128 4-130 5-187 6-190 Did not bat: D.Headley, D.Gough, A.Mullally Bowling: Vaas 7.3-0-40-0 (nb-2), Zoysa 6-0-31-0, Wickremasinghe 4-0-16-0, Muralitharan 10-0-34-3 (nb-3), Chandana 10-1-41-1 (nb-1 w-1), Jayasuriya 10-1-35-0, Tillekeratne 2-0-8-1. Result: England won by four wickets. Minister pledges funds from Treasury for
sports The President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge has directed the Sports Minister S. B. Dissanayake not to encourage tobacco and liquor sponsorships for Sports this year. The President has promised that all income generated in this regard would be met by the Treasury. "The President called me on the telephone on December 31 and requested me to discourage this kind of sponsorship for sports," he said. Dissanayake who was the chief guest at a felecitation ceremony in honour of the Asian Games Medal winners organised by the Amateur Athletic Association at Holiday Inn on Saturday, added that he would submit a memorandum seeking a grant in this regard soon. The Sports Minister also disclosed that he has requested for six Duty Free car permits from the President to be given away to sporting personalities who have done the country proud. "I am sure she will approve at least three of them and these three will be given to Damayanthi Darsha, Sugath Tilakaratne and Sriyani Kulawansa. In addition to the two Sports cars which we will be giving Darsha and Sugath, the Ministry has also decided to allocate land for all the medal winners of the Asian Games from Colombo,’’ he disclosed. The Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) also awarded Rs. 125,000 to Darsha, Rs. 100,000 to Tilakaratne and Rs. 75,000 to Kulawansa. In addition their coaches Sunil Gunawardane, Derwin Perera and Anura Bandara were presented with Rs. 50,000 each. The Minister also promised to find a conveyance for Sugath’s coach Anura. He also predicted that despite some wanting Arjuna Ranatunga to quit, Aravinda de Silva’s and Sanath Jayasuriya’s personal problems being highlighted, the team would win the World Cup for the second time this year. "The netball team which takes part in the next World Cup in September in New Zealand too will do very well. We are bringing down a Australian coach for them," he added. The Minister requested the AAA to concentrate more on events over 800m and on field events. "The AAA has set an example by providing financial aid for their district Associations and we will ensure that the athletic coaches would get good financial benefits," he said. The Minister also disclosed that a Russian Circus troupe would be in Sri Lanka to raise funds for the AAA. Ariya Kannangara the President of the AAA said that they are in the process of finding a permanent sponsor for the sport amounting to Rs. 10 million. "When this sponsorship is confirmed the AAA too will have to work in a more professional a manner," he cautioned. The president noted that the Sri Lankan technical standard is still at a low ebb. Sriyani Kulawansa, the Sri Lankan skipper who addressed the ceremony said that credit of their medal won at the Asian Games should be shared by a lot of people. "Our coaches, AAA officials, Press and so many others too helped us. We must also thank T.D. S. A. Dissanayake who provided us with non-oily foods in Bangkok," she said. Sunil Gunawradane, Co-ordinating Secretary Sports Ministry said that when the Sports Minister formed the Olympic pool four years ago, with five athletes, even he laughed about it. "The Minister gave these five athletes AC rooms and all facilities in our hostel. This is one major factor which contributed towards these medals,’’ he added. Resignation of tournament
committee member casts cloud over SLTA The Sri Lankan Tennis administration has once again run into controversy with the World Junior ranking tennis tournament round the corner, with Sriyani Gunaratne, a member of the SLTA Tournament Committee resigning yesterday. ‘The Island’ understands that this pullout is due to the fact that the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) has not taken any action against a series of complaints that were received on the 13 and under International tournament concluded in Colombo in December. There were series of complaints that a Tournament Committee member cum coach was seen in rooms occupied by players and their parents at the Grand Oriental Hotel, which housed them. He was also accused of forcing himself to sell Tennis rackets to them. Another complaint was that the official games soft drink was not distributed as planned. It is alleged that some of these soft drinks were sold to wholesale shops. Some complaints of similar matters too have fallen on deaf ears. Though Sriyani has cited personal reasons for her resignations Tennis circles have indicated that she resigned since that SLTA has not taken any action against these malpractices. Gihan Dalpadado, the Secretary of the SLTA and who was the Assistant Chef De Mission to the SRTI Lankan contingent for the Asian Games when contacted sidestepped the issue. "I was in Bangkok during that time and I cannot comment on it", he said. Meanwhile the Grand Oriental management, who were once again good enough to be the co-sponsors of the International Tennis Tournament to be held in Colombo next week, were up in arms since they were completely ignored at the tournament media briefing. The head table of this well attended Press conference had a record number of five SLTA officials, two representing the principal sponsor Ericson Communications and despite the media briefing being held at the GOH, none of their members were invited. The Island understands that a senior official from the GOH who was at the premises left, as a mark of protest. Another irregularity of the SLTA, that is highly debated is the selection of the Sri Lanka team for the Davis Cup championships scheduled to be held next February in Colombo. Three players Rohan de Silva, Asiri Iddamalgoda who finished winner and runner up of the 1998 Nationals along with Jayendra Wijesekera were selected while the SLTA insisted that the others face a selection trial to find a place in the national side. Young players are questioning as to why this double standard procedure is being enforced. "Jayendra has not played a single tournament for the last year while the other two have played only the Nationals. This is very unfair", said a young player. Outright win for Antonians A match bag of 10 for 97 by former Sri Lanka off spinner Ranjith Madurasinghe could not prevent Kurunegala Youth CC from losing at the hands of Antonians SC, Wattala by 116 runs in their Premier Championship match concluded at Welagedara Stadium on Sunday. Batting first Antonians scored 224 runs in their first innings in 11 overs. Buddhika Ekanayake made a sedate 90 in 308 balls with 2 fours. His first 50 came in 224 minutes, without a single boundary. In reply KYCC were dismissed for a paltry 98 in 48.1 overs. Antonians too did not fare well in the second innings and were bowled out for just 117 in 45 overs. KYCC were set to make 243 for an outright win, could manage in 127 in 58 overs. Ranjith Madurasinghe had match figures of 54-15-97-10. For Antonians Thushara Kodikara bowled well to capture a match bag of 8 for 78. Scores: (Buddhika Ekanayake 90, Priyantha Perera 24, Mark Fernando 30, Udaya Hettiarachchi 21, Wasantha Kumara 2/33, Ranjith Madurasinghe 5/57) and 117 in 45 overs (Priyantha Perera 37, Thushara Kodikara 29, Ajith Ekanayake 3/27, Ranjith Madurasinghe 5/40). KURUNEGALA YOUTH CC 98 in 48.1 overs (R. Madurasinghe 19, T. Kodikara 4/41, Nishantha Saranasekera 2/06, Mark Fernando 2/22) and 127 in 58 overs (Senadi Malmeewala 21, R. Madurasinghe 16, A. Ekanayake 38, Boomika Rasanjana 4/45, T. Kodikara 4/37). Colombo University Staff XI defeated Central Bank by 8 wickets in a state services cricket fixture played recently. Central Bank batting first were bundled out for 60 runs in 45 overs with K. Amarasinghe scoring a top score of 18. P. de Silva bowled well for University team to capture 4 wickets while S. Rodrigo and S. Alwis took two wickets each. University staff team notched up the required runs losing only two wickets. Sumith Walpita made 26 while S. Rodrigo scored 18. Scores: UNIVERSITY STAFF XI 61 for 2 wkts (S. Walpita 26, S. Rodrigo 18) |
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