.

Sri Lanka get act together

VISAKHAPATNAM, India, March 27 (Reuters) - Skipper Wasim Akram scored 79 off 60 balls in a valiant fightback but failed to stop Sri Lanka beating Pakistan by 12 runs in a close finish to the fourth match of the tri-nation series on Saturday.

Sri Lanka, who won the toss, bundled out Pakistan for 241 after scoring 253 for eight wickets and stayed in the reckoning to earn the final berth of the tournament in which India are the third team.

Pakistan, who were penalised for slow bowling, had only 48 overs to chase their target and were all out in 46.3 overs.

Medium-pacer Pramodya Wickremasinghe dealt three quick blows reducing Pakistan to 19 for three. They later slumped to 98 for six when Akram stepped in with his flashy knock which brought Pakistan within striking distance of victory.

Akram hit four huge sixes to mid-wicket and five boundaries. He put on 48 runs with Azhar Mahmood (37) for the seventh wicket and 83 runs with Saqlain Mushtaq (28) for the eighth.

Pakistan had began disastrously in the run chase when Marvan Atapattu rolled to catch Shahid Afridi for a duck at deep mid-off.

Imran Nazir was out soon for two, as he tried to pull a short one and Upul Chandana lapped up the ball at square leg.

Wickremasinghe got his third scalp in experienced Ijaz Ahmed, who was caught at cover as he played a half-hearted drive.

Off-spinner Ruwan Kalapage took two key wickets until Akram stepped in to stop the collapse.

Akram was out as he tried to hit offspinner Aravinda De Silva over square leg, where he was caught on the fence by Chandana.

Earlier, Mahela Jayawardene scored a gritty 101 in the Sri Lankan innings and survived a middle order collapse triggered by medium pacer Mahmood.

Mahmood was in total control as he snapped up Atapattu, De Silva, skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and Hashan Tillekeratne to return with four wickets for 40 runs in his 10 overs.

The lucky Jayawardene was caught behind off a no ball when he was on 16 and Sri Lanka were 46 for one and was dropped when he was on 43.

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka
A.Gunawardena c Akram b Akhtar 11
M.Atapattu c Nazir b Mahmood 28
M.Jayawardene run out 101
A.De Silva c Nazir b Mahmood 9
A.Ranatunga c Moin b Mahmood 0
H.Tillekeratne Moin b Mahmood 25
U.Chandana c Akram b Mushtaq 35
E.Upashantha run out 2
R.Kalpage not out 16
H.Boteju not out 1
Extras (lb-8 b-2 nb-7 w-8) 25

Total (for 8 wickets, 50 overs) 253

Did not bat: Pramodya Wickremasinghe

Fall of wickets: 1-15 2-70 3-86 4-86 5-157 6-218 7-228 8-238

Bowling: Akram 10-0-39-0 (n-3, w-1), Akhtar 8-0-45-1 (n-2, w-2), Mahmood 10-1-40-4 (n-1), Mushtaq 10-0-39-1 (w-1), Arshad Khan 9-0-62-0 (n-1), Afridi 3-0-18-0 (w-4)

Pakistan

Shahid Afridi c Atapattu b Wickremasinghe 0
Imran Nazir c Chandana b Wickremasinghe 2
Ijaz Ahmed c sub b Wickremasinghe 12
Inzamam-ul-Haq c and b Kalpage 16
Yousuf Youhana c Atapattu b Kalpage 21
Azhar Mahmood c and b Upashantha 37
Moin Khan st Tillekeratne b Chandana 16
Wasim Akram c Chandana b De Silva 79
Saqlain Mushtaq not out 28
Arshad Khan run out 5
Shoaib Akhtar c Wickremasinghe b De Silva 2
Extras (nb-12 w-9 lb-1 b-1) 23

Total (all out, 46.3 overs) 241

Fall of wickets: 1-0 2-2 3-19 4-58 5-64 6-98 7-146 8-229, 9-238

Bowling: Wickremasinghe 9-1-34-3 (nb-1), Upashantha 10-1-40-1 (nb-8 w-1), Kalpage 9-0-61-2 (nb-3), Boteju 9-0-57-0 (w-3), Chandana 3-0-21-1 (w-5), De Silva 6.3-0-26-2

Result: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 12 runs

Nalanda skittle out Ananda for 112

Two superb spells of medium pace bowling from Buddhika Ranaweera (4/17), Kelum Gangodawila (4/35) and a Scintillating knock of 55 by aggressive left hand bat Pradeep Hadigalle put Nalanda in the driving seat at the end of the first day of their 70th Battle of The Maroons Big Match against Ananda at S. S. C. grounds yesterday. Nalanda replying to Ananda's poultry first innings score of 112, were sitting pretty at 160 for 5 wickets having gained a first innings lead of 48 over their rivals by stumps yesterday.

Ananda who were sent into bat by the opposing skipper Niranjan Kumar failed to take full use of a good batting wicket before being shot out for a dismal score in the end with the two Nalandian pace duo of Ranaweera and Gangodawila sharing 8 wickets for 52 runs to condemn the strong Ananda XI to a sorry plight.

Ananda who were sans ex-skipper and wicket keeper bat Lahiru Chathuranga (injured on the eve of the Big Match) were indebted to their third wicket pair of Maduranga Mallawarachchi (24), and left hander and Vice Captain Thilina Kandambi (27), for rescuing their team from even deeper trouble as they put on 39 runs which really helped them to top the 100 run mark. Besides these two batsmen, star all rounder Muthumudalige Pushpakumara (21) also chipped in with a cameo innings as the rest flopped against the pace of Ranaweera and Gangodawila to be bundled out for a disappointing total. For the Nalandians skipper Niranjan Kumar also bowled well returning figures of 2 for 37 as the powerful batting line up of the Anandians came a cropper at the hands of the Nalanda pace trio.

Nalandians resuming their reply in mid afternoon were steered to an impressive score of 160 for 5 wickets by the close with one of their leading run getters of the season Pradeep Hadigalle making a fluent innings 55. He was well supported by no 4 bat Amila Kiriella who made an equally enterprising 44 as the left hand right hand combination added 67 runs for the third wicket in even time to put their team firmly in control of the match.

Hadigalle's 55 which came off 102 balls was studded with 9 fours and a six while Kiriella's 44 came off 74 deliveries and was punctuated with 7 fours and 2 huge sixes. With the dismissal of Hadigalle, Ananda came back into the game grabbing two quick wickets but with a deficit of 48 runs and having to pick up a further five Nalanda wickets the school from Ananda Mawatha certainly have a fight on their hands to keep a rampant Nalanda XI at bay and force an inevitable draw in this 70th Battle of the Maroons clash.

SCOREBOARD

ANANDA FIRST INNINGS

L. FERNANDO ct. H. De Mel b K. Gangodawila 8, D. BANDARA ct H. de Mel b N. Kumar 0, M. MALLAWARACHCHI lbw. b K. Gangodawila 24, T. KANDAMBI ct. H. de Mel b K. Gangodawila 27, J. PERERA ct M. Perera b N. Kumar 5, M. Pushpakumara ct Hadigalle b B. Ranaweera 21, E. Abeysinghe ct S. Peries b B. Ranaweera 0, M. Ramzi b K. Gangodawila 9, A. Ganegama ct. W. de Mel b B. Ranaweera 0, R. Fernando b B. Ranaweera 2, K. Fernando not out 4, EXTRAS (byes 6, l-byes 4, noball 1, wide 1) 12, TOTAL all out in 40.3 overs 112, FALL OF WKTS: 1-1, 2-21, 3-59, 4-70, 5-76, 6-90, 7-98, 8-98, 9-102

BOWLING N. Kumar 15-2-37-2, B. Ranaweera 10-4-17-4, K. Gangodawila 12.3-1-35-4, D. Jayasundera 3-0-13-0.

NALANDA FIRST INNINGS

D. JAYASUNDERA run out 8, S. PERIES ct Ramzi b D. Bandara 9, P. Hadigalle st R. Fernando b M. Mallawarachchi 55, A. Kiriella ct J. Perera b T. Kandambi 44, M. Porage ct J. Perera b M. Pushpakumara 15, M. PERERA not out 9, N. KUMAR not out 4

EXTRAS (I.byes 6, wide 1, no ball 3, byes 6) 16,

TOTAL for 5 wickets in 52 overs 160

FALL OF WKTS: 1-10, 2-53, 3-120, 4-132, 5-155

BOWLING

A. Ganegama 6-2-16-0, D. Bandara 4-2-19-1, M. Pushpakumara 17-4-41-1, M. Ramzi 6-1-15-0, K. Fernando 3-1-16-0, T. Kandambi 7-1-28-1, M. Mallawarachchi 9-3-13-1

Lankan women in a winning spree

A confident Lanka XI clinched their third successive win in the 50 limited over One-Day International at the Moratuwa Stadium. Once again, clever steering by Captain Rasanjali Silva saw her team end witting the visitors. From the moment Netherlands decided to bat after wining the toss, it was disaster though they did pose restrain to the Lankans. In reply, Lanka lost only one wicket for 95 runs in 30 overs.

Lanka won the two previous ODIs. The next match will be at the R. Premadasa Stadium on 29th and the Day/Night at the same venue on 30th. The last match was sponsored by United Motors (Pvt) Ltd and the first and second by Slimlins (Pvt) Ltd.

NETHERLANDS 97 for 7 in 50 overs. - L. Hiitink 16, M. Costa 15, C. Colemone 15.

Bowling - Chamanai Seneviratne 18-3-11-2, Rosa Fernando 10-5-12-1, Sudarshini Sivanathan 10-5-12-2, Ramanai Perera 10-0-23-2.

SRI LANKA Women's XI 98 for 1 in 30 overs. - Hiruka Fernando 41 n.o., Chaturi Thalagalage 21 n.o.

Bowling - G. Rambalde 7-1-19-1.

Umpires - Run De Leeum (Netherlands), C. Martinus (Sri Lanka).

Bringing in experts now reflects naivety and panic

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
Sri Lanka cricket is currently at sixes and sevens. This at a time when the players and the administration should be totally focused on the defence of Sri Lanka's hard-earned title of the World Champions.

MATTER OF MISSING FILES - ELECTION MOVES?

One report in the state newspaper spotlights the fact, under the headline: "Mystery of BCCSL missing files" that "several files belonging to the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka have been removed by some of its officials on Sunday night." The report adds that the disappearance has occurred due to fears of what may surface after the annual elections, if and when new officials take over. Of course, the CEO of the Cricket Board has refuted these charges. But, isn't there a law in this country called libel? Earlier too, there were reports that the file pertaining to the purchase of a car had gone missing. Or all these part of the parry and thrust of the hustings?

WHAT ABOUT COACHING FOR ALL-ROUNDERS?!

Another news item highlights the reinstatement of Duleep Mendis as cricket manager, and D. S. de Silva as an additional coach for the current triangular tournament in India and the World Cup. Further, the Board is reportedly exploring the possibility of immediately bringing down the fielding coach of the Australian Cricket Academy to arrest the declining trend in fielding. Since the batting remains untouched, perhaps we will soon hear Barry Richards being summoned again, and what about getting down Ian Botham - there were some rumours that he was contacted - for the all-rounders?! A very energetic Cricket Board indeed. But, what about the repercussions - not forgetting the expense - of these invitations? Surely, aren't there suitable coaches in the country for these disciplines?

CHECK ON HOTEL BILLS, LAUNDRY, PASSPORTS......???

According to the news item, Ranjit Fernando will continue as Tour Manager. So, in addition to the specialised coaches, now we have a Manager for cricket and another for matters pertaining tours. You know, ensure that the hotel bills are paid, the team bus arrives on time, the laundryman brings the fresh clothes properly laundered before the team checks out, that passports are in safe custody and produced at the various airports, new balls are available for practices (or, is that the duty of the Cricket Manager?) and so on.. Why a former national cricketer who was also the Manager, should perform such duties remains a mystery - just like the missing files. There was, of course, no official statements on these appointments nor a denial either by the Cricket Board. Hardly the manner in which a well-run organisation should function.

TOUR SELECTORS DISAGREE WITH NATIONAL SELECTORS

Earlier, it was reported that Arjuna Ranatunga had had a strong run-in with the Selectors and even threatened to throw his captaincy unless his voice was heard. Then there were allegations and denials about Romesh Kaluwitharana's selection - or non-selection - for the Asian One-day triangular. Talking about selections, what about the selection of Prasanna Jayawardena as a wicket-keeper for the Asian One-day triangular? But, look who is doing the job on tour? Yes, it is Hashan Tillekeratne who is not even 'keeping for the club in One-day cricket. That Jayawardena was picked by the national selectors but Hashan did duty whilst on tour apparently indicates the divergent views held by the tour selectors. National selectors can only pick the side for the tour, the tour selectors - usually comprising of the manager, captain, vice-captain and maybe a senior player - decide who plays and in what capacity whilst on tour.

JONTY RHODES TO COACH FIELDERS?

Then on top of all these problems, there is the all-important, all-embracing annual elections coming around the corner - so far, the files have gone missing - which each year gets more complex, more devious and ever so insidious and increasingly politicised. So, why worry about this little thing about the dropping of our standards in fielding? Let Jonty Rhodes handle that, did somebody say? And what about the stadium at Dambulla? Will it be in the sacred area? Maybe, the tourists can see the sacred sites and take in a cricket match as well.

After all, there is enough money in the Board coffers. It is only the pessimists who feel that moneys - guarantee fees - will not be coming when a team does not perform.

'CATCH-IT' THE FIELDING-AID

Speaking about the dropping standards in fielding, it was refreshing to read about a fielding aid called 'Catch-It' which has been devised by Bertram Jayasuriya, a keen cricket fan and the Executive Director of a leading shipping company. Its usefulness is in the simplicity of design and operation. The ball is thrown at a specially reinforced web of gutted-strings maintained at a particular tension on a stainless steel collapsible frame. When the ball is thrown, the ball, after hitting the gutted strings, rebounds at speed at varying angles. This exercise not only helps in honing one's fielding reflexes, both for catching and ground fielding, but also in developing ball sense. The other obvious advantage is its light-weight and the little space required for storage unlike the heavy, old-fashioned slip cradle. As demonstrated recently at the S.S.C., 'Catch-It' can be used either singly, or by a group of players up to six. Definitely a boon for cricketers of all ages.

BANNING OF THE REVERSE SWEEP

There was a letter published in the 'Island' of 25/3/99, under the headline, 'Ban the Reverse Sweep' written by Mr. Bandula S. de Silva a former Secretary of the Cricket Board. On the 22nd of June 1997, under the headline 'Is reverse sweep legitimate?' I expressed the identical views. Of course, Mr. de Silva, a former teacher of mine, must have missed reading it. Just goes to show how, occasionally, a pupil may beat a teacher to the draw!'

A WELL-ORGANISED CRICKET MATCH

So, Royal College won the Mustangs Trophy after having conceded the 3-day match. Firstly, a brickbat to the joint-organising committee. The playing conditions for the match were not available minutes before the match began. Eventually, the match was conducted on the One-day playing conditions for the Lemonade Trophy. It must be remembered, this is the Mustangs Trophy played for the past two decades, and there must be a consistent set of rules and that circularised early amongst those concerned. However, the joint committee should be given a great, big bouquet for having the services of a handful of army personnel for general security at the grounds. This had a deterrent effect on would-be mischief-makers. It was most salutary. Having been at the grounds on the three days, I observed only one incident of an inebriated spectator who ran into the field of play. The specially trained army personnel defused the incident immediately with tact. Too often 'Big' matches are ruined for those who prefer to watch the cricket by unruly elements interrupting play and even damaging the pitch. The Royal-Thomian was conducted sans all of that thanks to the sagacity of the joint committee in obtaining thee services of a handful of army personnel. There was no doubt amongst those who held independent views that the mere presence of the highly disciplined army personnel prevented further incidents. That must have been the intention of the joint committee and the boys in khaki certainly did their job. Their presence may have been felt, but not their strong arm.

COMMENT
Cricket Board 'Big Match' today

By Srian Obeyesekere
With the school cricket big match fever at its tailend, all big matches are bound to take a backseat when the biggest match of all, the Cricket Board's annual hustings gets underway this morning to elect its office bearers in what is expected to be one of the most hotly fought out contests of its kind in the history of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL). In the fray are incumbent President Thilanga Sumathipala and Clifford Ratwatte who have launched their campaigns for the hot seat in what is seen as a hectic campaign. This has led observers to remark that never has there been such a heated climax to this office.

With the run up to the BCCSL annual general meeting, it had looked as if it was a one horse race for Sumathipala who is said to carry much clout from the clubs and outstation district associations. But with Clifford Ratwatte entering the fray the interest has ballooned. So much so that the grapevine has it that much campaigning has been put into the contest with both camps looking for that extra vote. The television stations too have not lost out, bringing together the contestants in live debates. This has not only given the club and district association voters fodder to decide on their choice, but also livened up the hustings at a time the country's cricketers world champion one-day image has been taking a heavy toll following defeat after defeat.

But what has added great interest to the contest has been the confidence exuded by Sumathipala who has kept saying that there would be no interest in the elections if there was no challenge. Despite Ratwatte said to be picking up in his campaign, Sumathipala has continued to grow in confidence. "I will win. There is no doubt about that", he echoed in a television debate last Thursday. What has lent to the momentum is that two former presidents of the BCCSL, Upali Dharmadasa and Ana Punchihewa are backing the Ratwatte camp which has charged that Sumathipala's administration has not delivered the goods on the grounds of financial corruption. Interestingly, Punchihewa, under whose presidency Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996, however was not given a second term with Dharmadasa contesting and winning in 1996 with Sumathipala's backing. A comeback bid by Punchihewa last year, was again blocked following a Sports Ministry ruling that only candidates with a cricketing background could run for office which left Sumathipala uncontested.

While Sumathipala eschews confidence of making another term, the Clifford Ratwatte camp has also made a strong bid with the latter, who heads the Nationalised Services Cricket Association, being seen as the best candidate to defeat Sumathipala. Ratwatte has launched his campaign on the grounds of cleaning up corruption in the BCCSL and restoring cricket back to what it was. Sumathipala, has countered this saying the sudden decline in the cricket team was not negligence, but due to some of the veterans waning for which the groundwork had been laid to infuse new blood.

Whoever wins today the build up to the World Cup should continue with the necessary know how harnessed to blend the team to retaining the Cup.

Kandy's battle of the Maroons a draw

Hafiz Marikar from Asgiriya
Kingswood made 142 runs in the first innings in their 93rd Battle of the "Maroons", against Dharmaraja College.

Rajans were 109 for 9, when Pubudu Senavirathne declared having faced 43.2 overs in 230 minutes.

Kingswood in their second outing, were able to score the same score of Rajans, this time Chamara Senavirathne.For Dharmaraja, skipper Pubudu Senevirathne and Anuruddha Jayasundara bowled well. Jayasundara claimed 3 wickets, while Senavirathne took 4. Needing 143 for victory, Dharmaraja were 30 for 3 wickets.

Kingswood 1st innings 142 all out

Dharmaraja College 1st innings 25 for 2 overnight

Yasa Jayasundara c Marasinghe b Pushpakumara 09, Muditha Wijekoon c Senavirathne b Pushpakumara 08, Sunil Ranasinghe run out 04, Nuwan Ekanayake b Herath 08, Asanka Marapana b Herath 05, Chamila Kaduruwewa b Madanayake 17, Chathura Wickramanayake not out 27, Anuruddha Jayasundara c Senavirathne b Madanayake 04, - Extras (B-1, Nb-14, W-1)-16, Total 109, Wickets 09 overs for 2 43.2 Minutes 230, Fall 3-26, 4-34, 5-42, 6-50, 7-66, 8-89, 9-109.

Bowling - Namal Pushpakumara 17-11-24-03, Lakshitha Herath 16-03-43-03, Hemantha Hettiarachchi 02-00-03-00, Thushara Madanayake 5.2-3-17-2, Vajira Senavirathne 03-01-07-00.

Kingswood 2nd innings Lasitha Ekanayake run out 03, Malith Mallawarchchi ct Yasa Jayasundara b Anuruddha Jayasundara 09, Namal Pushpakumara ct Marapana b Jayasundara, 02, Chamara Senavirathne c Sub Navarathne b Senavirathne 45, Thushara Madanayake st Ranasinghe b Senavirathne 05 Rushira Marasinghe ct Ranasinghe b Marapana 00, Vajira Senavirathne c Ekanayake b Senavirathne 08, Lashitha Herath c Rathnayaka b Senavirathne 25, Hemantha Hettiarachchi not out 03 - Extras (B-04, Lb-01, Nb-03)-08, Total 109 for Wickets 9 overs 52, minutes 185.

Fall 1-02, 2-14, 3-17, 4-17, 5-26, 6-27, 7-44, 8-102, 9-109.

Bowling - Nadeepa Nagapitiya 03-0-08-00, Anuruddha Jayasundara 06-02-13-03, Pubudu Senavirathne 18-08-19-04, Asanka Marapana 16-03-30-01, Nuwan Ekanayake 03-01-03-00, Chathura Wickremanayake 02-00-08-00, Chamila Kaduruwewa 02-00-03-00, Yasa Jayasundara 02-00-17-00.

Dhamaraja College 2nd innings; Sunil Ranasinghe st Ekanayake b Madanayake 13, Yasa Jayasundara c Pushpakumara b Ekanayake 11, Harsha Ekanayake Rathnayake c Pushpakumara b Ekanayake 02, Mudith Wijekoon not out 00, Chamila Kaduruwewa not out 00, Extras (B-03, Nb-01)-04, Total 30 for wickets 3 Overs 08, Minutes 37.

Fall 1-16, 2-30, 3-30.

Bowling - Namal Pushpakumara 3-0-12-0, Lakshitha Herath 01-01-0-0, Thushara Madanayake 03-01-09-1, Lasitha Ekanayake 02-0-05-2.

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Cricket is a funny game isn't it?

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
How often has one heard the expression 'Cricket is a funny game'? Well, the Royal skipper, Thushan Amerasuriya for one, must have thought so. A couple of week-ends back, during their 120th traditional encounter with S. Thomas', Amarasuriya's innings of a fluent 72 helped greatly when the Thomian skipper surprisingly offered them first choice of an almost perfect batting pitch. Declaring the innings closed at 288/3 and having captured 5 Thomian wickets for 76 runs, the Royalists were in a commanding situation. Then came the first 'funny' turn. Aided by what appeared to be a simple chance (few were aware that Amerasuriya was suffering from a fractured thumb which had not fully healed) muffed by the Royal skipper himself, Meshad Pieris hit a century and led the Thomian recovery. The Thomians who were at one time in danger of not averting the follow-on, now declared their innings closed just 30 runs behind with the last pair in.

At the end of Day 2, Royal, batting second were 41/1 with Amerasuriya himself unbeaten at the crease, which meant a lead of 71 runs and 9 second innings wickets in hand. At this juncture, all observers opined that the game can have only two possible results - either a draw or a Royal victory. No prospect of a Thomian win. The pitch was still playing true, the outfield fast and 19 wickets still to fall in the match.

The third and final day saw the 'funniest' turn of the match. Royal lost their last 9 wickets for 39 runs, and S. Thomas' made it to the post after a few hiccups to win the game by 4 wickets. Obviously, it is the skipper who has to carry the can - and that is not funny! - as Amerasuriya must have ruminated about the game that got away.

Now came the Mustangs Trophy limited-overs game. What if that too is lost? Amarasuriya must have felt more than nervous before the limited-overs fixture. Will he have the ignominy of being the skipper of a Royal side who lost both 'Big' games? After all, if fate was that cruel, will the fickle Lady Luck smile at him this time? She did. Not only did Royal, led astutely by Amarasuriya, win the Mustangs Trophy by the handsome margin of 7 wickets, Amarasuriya prised two early wickets, held a blinder of a catch off his own bowling - making ample amends for his earlier lapse? - and hit a stunning six to bring eventual victory for his side. There was no doubt as to who the Man of the Match was. 'Funny' isn't it, this complicated game called cricket? Down in the dumps one week-end, and right up in the sky in the next.

Now take the first One-day game Sri Lanka played against Pakistan at Jamshedpur. Pakistan began with a bang, averaging at once stage over 7 runs an over! 148 runs were hammered before the first wicket fell. 300 runs were there for the asking. Then, suddenly 6 wickets fell for the addition of just 12 runs, and finally Pakistan limped to a fairly reasonable score of 246. Sri Lanka in reply was cruising at 155/1 and when the 4th wicket fell the total was 217. Just a matter of 30 runs for victory with 6 wickets in hand - and sufficient overs. Then came the 'funny' turn. Sri Lanka lost the last 6 wickets for 20 runs and conceded the game by 9 runs.

So, whatever the type of game, the orthodox or the limited-overs type, the game of cricket can be funny or frustrating - depending on which side you are in! It can be cruel or it can be so generous. Sometimes taking you to the heavens of ecstasy at others to the pits of hell. No, not even Bradman was bigger than the game. Remember, that batting phenomenon who needed just four runs to end his legendary Test career with an average of exactly 100 runs? It was as if Bill Gates was asked to donate a chair for an old folks home. It was that easy. But, Bradman was out bowled second ball for 0! So, Bradman's average is still in two figures - though just about.

No wonder, the Americans, for instance, just cannot understand this complex game. Try explaining its simple functions, not the intricacies, and see where you will end. Which reminds me of an unknown New Zealander who wrote, as follows, in describing the game of cricket to a foreigner:

"You have two sides, one out in the field and one in.

Each man that's in the side that's in goes out and when he's out he comes in and the next man gets in until he's out.

When they are all out and the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out.

Sometimes you get men still in and not out.

When both sides have been in and out including the not outs that is the end of the game."

That explanation should knock the stuffing out of anybody desiring to know the rudiments of cricket! But, it is funny.

Then there is the following conversation, reportedly, which occurred between an American GI and Frank Rostron, the London Daily Express correspondent at the Scarborough festival in 1948 when Bradman's team was playing:

GI: Say, what's all the clapping for Frank?

Rostron: The bowler has bowled a maiden.

GI: Hey, what's that? Has some guy scored?

Rostron: No.

GI: Is some guy out?

Rostron: No.

GI: Well, then why are they clapping?

Rostron: Because nobody scored.

GI: Is that good?

Rostron: Yes.

GI: For whom?

Rostron: The pitcher.

GI: What does he get?

Rostron: Nothing.

GI: Is it bad for the strikers?

Rostron: Yes.

GI: Does the striker get a penalty?

Rostron: No. It's bad because he should have scored and he didn't.

GI: In other words, if nothing has happened, they might as well not have played that over?

Rostron: Oh yes. But, it goes in the score-book.

GI: How can it, if nothing has happened?

Rostron: They write down six dots to indicate what has happened.

GI: Gee, I'd sure like to see those dots Frank. They must be really something to get excited about!

Sinhalese Sports Club in the 1940's and 1950's in retrospect

By Ronnie de Mel
The Sinhalese Sports Club in the 1940's and 1950's in the period just before and after Independence, reflected the values, the culture and the leisurely life of a bygone spacious age. Situated in its beautiful old grounds at Victoria Park, next to the Lawn Club and by the National Art Gallery and Museum, it was by far the premier Club of the Sri Lankan elite of that age and time. The Europeans held sway at the Colombo Club, the Garden Club, the Queen's Club and the old Colombo Cricket Club. Other Clubs like the Nondescripts the Tamil Union, the Colts, the B.R.C. for the Burghers, the Moors, the Malays, Bloomfield and certain other Clubs existed, but the S.S.C. under the Presidency, first of D.S. Senanayake and then of Sir John Kotalawela was always primus inter-pares during that period. The Sri Lankan elite of that age and time all gathered at the S.S.C. for cricket, for tennis, for billiards and bridge and for a very active and healthy social life dominated both by an efficient Bar Committee and an equally efficient Dance and Social Committee.

The cricket of that period was led by two giants of the game. Derrick De Saram, the old Oxford Blue who had taken 118 runs while at Oxford in 1934 against the bowling of Clarrie Grimmet and Bill O'Reilly, two of the greatest Australian bowlers of all time and Sargo Jayawickrema, "good old Sargo", one of the greatest right-hand batsman of that period. Both of them captained the S.S.C. and All-Ceylon and they were the bedrock, the sheet anchor of all All-Ceylon cricket teams for over 20 years from 1932 to the early 1950's. While Derrick De Saram scored most of his runs with pushes past mid-off and mid-on and deflections and leg glances, Sargo excelled with some of the best full-blooded off and cover drives, hooks and square cuts ever seen in Sri Lanka.

Round these two stalwarts, a wonderful and well balanced cricket team evolved which dominated the Inter-Club Cricket in this era. The S.S.C. were the unofficial Club cricket champions of this age and time. C. I. Gunasekera and Mahes Rodrigo added both strength and flavour to the middle order of the batting, both of them scoring heavily not only against other Clubs but even against visiting teams from abroad like the West Indies, India and Pakistan. In the early part of this period, L.D.S. (Chippy) Gunasekera also shone both as an elegant left hand bat and brilliant fielder in the covers. "Khoo" De Sararn, better known as a tennis player was a stolid opening batsman. Ryle De Soysa, was a free flowing left hand bat in his customary silk shirts. "Kale" Gooneratne was a fast scoring right hander with a penchant for huge sixes over the pavilion roof and even into St. Bridget's Convent. Hector Perera was a beautiful left hand bat and brilliant fielder at cover point with one of the fastest pick-ups and throws I have ever seen. Bertie Wijesinghe was an all-rounder of high class, a nippy medium paced bowler with a late in-swing, a text-book batsman and a brilliant fielder anywhere. Then there was the one and only Ben Navaratne behind the wickets, perhaps the greatest Sri Lankan wicket keeper of all time and no mean batsman.

Of the bowlers, the two most outstanding were D.S. Jayasundera, the terror, the fastest bowler of that era who had several hat-tricks and records to his credit and Lucian De Soysa with his teasing leg breaks and googlies which got him a large haul of wickets. D.S. was so fast, he was a real "pacey" and most Club batsmen of that period feared to face him in his first two or three spells. I have had the pleasure of seeing stumps hurtling in the air and dropping yards away whenever he bowled out one of his unfortunate victims. I have also heard a story, may be even apocryphal, that in one match he broke a stump in two in the process and the stump had to be replaced before the game was resumed. All in all, he was a great character and a most unassuming personality who always practised hard at the nets. "Kalle" Gunaratne, not so fast as D.S. opened bowling at the other end and sent down fast medium out-swinger stuff, some going "kalle" and wide off the mark as his pet name signified. Bertie Wijesinghe and Sargo Jayawickrema were also useful medium-paced bowlers who often got among the wickets.

Apart from these first team regulars mentioned by me, there were Dudley Senanayake and his brother Robert, both excellent batsman who appeared off and on for the Club when their other work permitted. Dudley Senanayake was a beautiful right hand batsman with one of the best cover drives I have seen in the game in this country. It was a pity politics prevented him from playing cricket more often as otherwise he could have walked into any All-Ceylon side in his prime. I remember once while still a school boy, watching him and Sargo share a first wicket partnership of, if I remember right, 219 runs against one of the other premier Clubs of that time. It was the real champagne of cricket with cover drives flowing from both of them with a frequency and a regularity that left the fieldsmen standing and the spectators speechless, as four followed four to the ropes in the Old Victoria Park grounds.

The Second Eleven was then led by E.B. Wickremanayake, a leading Q.C., and Ornithologist of repute and a keen cricketer. His team included G.H. Wijeratne (Bing), the centre of many club yarns in the old days.

While cricket, as usual, occupied centre stage in the Club, tennis was played on five courts in the Museum side of the grounds. Dudley Senanayake played tennis often when politics permitted and Sir John and J. R. Jayewardene more rarely. A regular, however, was Sir Lalita Rajapakse, then Minister of Justice, a stylish player who had captained St. Joseph's, both at Cricket and Tennis before going to London and completing a L.L.D. I had the privilege of playing with and against both Dudley and Sir Lalita quite often and enjoyed doing so as a student. Lady Rajapakse also came very often, while Sir Lalita's sister, Mrs. C.R. Gunaratne and her lawyer husband were regulars. Justice H. W. R. Weerasooriya and Justice Christie Alles, Q.C.s D. S. Jayawickreme and Siri Perera, Gamani Jayasuriya, Gamani Goonesena, Lalith Hewavitharana, the Illesinghe brothers, Shirley and Cedric were among the regular tennis players of that period. The standard of tennis, though not as high as in the Lawn Club, which then attracted the best players in the land, was still quite good and the S.S.C. held its own with the other tennis playing Clubs of that time, with the exception of the Lawn Club. Above all, tennis drew a large number of ladies and very often got inter-twined with Tennis Dances and a healthy social life which helped to promote the entertainment and family side of the Club activities during this period.

The old S.S.C. in Victoria Park thus catered to a very full and active social life with Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Dances, which sometimes drew large crowds and engendered a very enjoyable and convivial atmosphere particularly among the younger members of the Club like us. We had a beautiful boarded floor upstairs and top bands like Tony Felice, Louis Moreno and the Millionaires were in attendance to provide the music almost till morning. Sometimes there was excellent Cabaret and I still remember the many occasions on which Erin de Selfa sang. She was one of the best Cabaret singers ever produced in this country. J. R. Jayewardene and Mrs. Jayawardena used to come often for these dances with their friends. Also Sir John Kotalawela and many of the ladies of his old "Purple Brigade" were also there adding colour to the scene. Many of the bright young things of Colombo were also there and needless to say, we young bucks enjoyed ourselves to our hearts content at these delightful dances in the old S.S.C. which gave much colour and gaiety to the old Club. I now look back to these good old times with a certain sense of nostalgic.

The Bar was under the ever watchful eye of Dr. M. D. D. Jayawardene ("Doc") who presided over it every evening without fail, sometimes giving us impecunious young students a round or two of free drinks for which we were eternally grateful to him. Other regulars were Dr. Shelton Karunaratne ("Shelley"), Leslie Gunasekera, Bennet Medonza, Festus Wijeyeratne and Gate Mudaliyar Vincent de Silva, the grand old man of the Old S.S.C. in his spotless white cloth worn so stylishly and impeccably over his trousers. He had also donated the famous Mudaliyar Vincent De Silva Challenge Cup for Tennis which I had the privilege to win once. The Billiards, Snooker, Bridge and Poker sections of the Club were equally thriving and Bennet Medonza was prominent in these activities. Then there was the old Bar Keeper, A. M. D. Sirisena and the Bar Boys led by that old faithful "Sara", all of whom helped us young students sometimes to get a bottle out on "tick" to be paid later. Needless to say, the student members of that period faithfully paid all their bills in time and I do not think there was a single default by these young member who later went on to become famous lawyers, judges, doctors and Civil Servants and political leaders in the country.

Club life in the old S.S.C. was real club life in the truest and best sense of the term and in the very best traditions of club life anywhere. The old S.S.C. at Victoria Park compared most favourably with the best clubs in the world - whether in the U.K., the U.S.A., France, India, Malaysia, Pakistan or any other country which I had known.

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