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Sri Lanka’s last few days with the cup

Srian Obeyesekere reporting from England
Sri Lanka is set to go through the final rituals of the Cricket World Cup against Kenya today at Southampton with hope against hope. Only a massive 400-plus total and bowling out Kenya for a score below 60 can put Lanka to super six

. True cricket is all about its glorious uncertainties, but it is a hope bordering more on myth, though of course the defending champions can draw inspiration from the fact that they have the highest one-day score of 398 against Kenya at the last World Cup. But it is a mountainous a hurdle as reaching the summit of Mount Everest. In reality, Sri Lanka can ready themselves to bid goodbye to the cup as they savour the last sweet taste of the World Cup which will be with them only for a few days more.

A sweet taste of four years ago when they scaled the summit of one-day cricket when all mother Lanka basked with them. There may have been shortcomings. But cricket is so gloriously uncertain that the heroes of four years ago should not be banished during failure. But remembered for playing the game as it has been known from its origin. Where above all, when the final ball is bowled what matters is not whether you won or lost but how you played the game. Instead of being castigated, such stalwarts like Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva should be remembered with the same adulation of four years ago from taking Lankan cricket through a thomy journey of small beginnings to the summit of one-day cricket.

That not all; to be known in the Test firmament as well. The realisation of a long felt dream that started many summers ago.

Thus, irrespective of whether Sri Lanka scale another summit or not against South Africa, it is cricket that should be the final winner. And in that perspective Lankan fans should not desert their cricketers but enjoy another contest in the true spirit of the game.

As Sri Lanka prepares to surrender the cup, Lankans, who basked along with their heroes of 1996, should remember that you cannot always win, there must be a winner and a loser as well. For Sri Lanka to live in the hope of entering the second stage of the Super Six, the luck of the toss of the coin will be one factor of fortune to be on their side. A Lankan team official said yesterday that winning the toss would enable them to go for the tall score they are looking for.

They would be looking to have Romesh Kaluwitharana open the batting with Sanath Jayasuriya in that endeavour. He said that a change or two was also in the offing with all rounder Upul Chandana expected to replace paciee Eric Upashantha. Kenya will be looking to further impress in a championship which they have not won a single match yet. However, the Kenyans have come up with gritty performances against such tough opposition as championship favourites, South African in defeat. The side will depend heavily on players such as Ravindu Shah, who took a half century from the fearsome South African bowling attack, Captain Aasif Karim and the seasoned Maurice Odumbe, main batting stay Steve Tikolo and Kennedy Otieno mainly.

Crowd invasions will not be banned at World Cup

Srian Obeyesekere reporting from England
Crowd invasions to the field in the ongoing World Cup has caused concern to the authorities. However, the organisers have not intention of clamping down on crowd invasions. According to an organiser, crowd invasions has been traditionally a part of the game down the years. "It has contributed to cricket being what it is down the ages. To clamp down on it would mean taking off some of the glamour from this tradition which has enriched the game down the years", he said. Spectators invading the field during the World Cup has increased with fans running to the ground to cheer their heroes whenever they achieve a feat. However, it has also taken a different turn causing concern over the security of player. Particularly after Indian fans invaded the field and one fan went for the Indian players following their defeat to South Africa recently. Indian and Pakistani fans from Asia are known for their fanatism where they hero worship their idols akin to demi gods.

Another factor that has heightened the likely risk to players from crowd invasions is the recent incidents in the West Indies where the Australians were at the receiving end of local fans who invaded the pitch during and after matches.

World Cup Chief Organiser, Michael Browning said however, that elaborate arrangements had been taken to ensure the safety of players during the World Cup.

Fifteen athletes to India

by Shirajiv Sirimane
Fifteen athletes and two officials have been invited to participate in four South Indian athletic events from July 2 to 12, in four venues.

Sri Lanka is expected to field their second string for this event and selections will be based on recently concluded SAF Selection trial.

The four championships are organised to pick the Indian team for the SAF games and only selected events have been selected by the organisers.

The organizers will house the local athletes in Bangalore and local transport, and board lodging will be provided.

Critics demand new blood as Sri Lanka Cup hopes vanish

By Amal Jayasinghe
Colombo, (AFP) — Sri Lanka’s humiliating exit from the Cricket World Cup did not surprise critics here who have been calling for fresh blood, but superstitious fans have put an extra-terrestrial spin on the debacle.

For many fans, the writing was on the wall, or rather on their TV screens even before the tournament started on May 14 in England when Sri Lanka lost to the hosts by eight wickets.

Some ardant fans would like to shift the blame on a television voodoo.

"It is ridiculous to blame the television station for Sri Lanka’s poor performance," said veteran cricket commentator, Palitha Perera, who anchors cricket shows on Swarnavahini station.

"There is no need to look for scapegoats".

Perera said a scientific study of Sri Lanka’s form in the past two years showed a clear decline and blamed the authorities for not arresting the trend.

"In November last year I said we cannot go on like this. We must change the driver and keep the bus," he said referring to the ageing captaincy of Arjuna Ranatunga who led Sri Lanka to victory in 1996.

Perera also lambasted the squabbling in Sri Lanka’s Board of Control for Cricket for the pathetic state of cricket in the country. "When parents fight what do you expect the children to do".

"There was no discipline. No progress. There was a decline for the past two years in our batting, bowling and fielding," he said. "We had lost the fighting quality of our players".

"Anyway, this is not the end of the road. We can rise like the phoenix, but we must pump in new blood. Have new strategies. Our (cricket) board must adopt new techniques. They must act now".

Perera said those who made constructive criticism had been branded as "unpatriotic" and also blamed the media for hyping the national team after the team’s 1996 cup win.

However, for most Sri Lankans the latest disappointment was not devastating.

"Our expectations were modest," said Elton Ebert, a stockbroker at the Colombo Stock Exchange. "So the disappointment is less".

Skipper Ranatunga conceded that his 1996 Cup winning team was out of the World Cup after his side was crushed by India.

But he said he would not resign because of the debacle.

Ranatunga, speaking after his side’s 157-run group A defeat, said: "It looks like we are out...we can’t do anything about it.

"It was one of the worst days in Sri Lankan cricket that I have ever seen.

"Why should I go? I don’t think I’ll retire. It’s up to the selectors, but I think I did okay, compared to some of the others".

BCCSL official under investigation for assault

By Asoka Goonetilleke
The Scotland Yard Police is investigating an alleged assault by the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) Saliya Ahangama on Sri Lankan-born Alan Wahab who counts 23 years of service in the British force as a top administration executive.

This followed a complaint made by Wahab to the effect that Ahangama had allegedly caused bodily harm following an argument between the two during a tea break for officials at the World Cup match between Sri Lanka and India at Taunton, Somerset on Wednesday.

Speaking to the ‘Divaina’ yesterday morning, Wahab said the incident occured when a query was made regarding issue of tickets for the dinner held in honour of the Sri Lanka team at Grosvenor Hotel, London on May 1 after their arrival in England. "The incident happened at 3.30 p.m. when I was coming out of the committee room at Taunton. I came face to face with his Ahangama’s brother and two unidentified persons who were coming down the stairs. He asked me about the dinner tickets then. I had to pay money for three tickets which amounted to £150. Since I had already paid the sum for 47 tickets, I told him not to worry about the balance three and that I would settle it soon. I also told him that because £150 is less, it won’t be a big problem. After that there was a heated exchange of words and then suddenly he hit me," explained Wahab further.

According to Wahab, other members of the committee which organised the dinner also had not settled their dues at that time.

Wahab also alleged that Ahangama had threatened him later that night. Wahab had taken treatment at Belmont hospital after that incident.

Asked whether he had reported this incident to the President of the BCCSL, he replied in the negative.

Unseeded players down Davis cup champs

By Shirajiv Sirimane
Unseeded 16 year old Dinuka Ranaweera created the biggest Tennis upset this year when he beat the national number one, Rohan de Silva, in the senior Hard Court Nationals at SLTA, last Friday.

Ranaweera lost the first set 4-6 and in a dramatic fight back, beat top seed De Silva 6-2 in the next set. In the deciding third set, Ranaweera had an unbeatable 4-1 lead and De Silva sighting a cramp pulled out, thus shaving off some humiliation.

Sanjeev Paramanathan another Davis cup player too took a leaf from De Silva and bowed out when he was struggling 2-6 and 0-3 over Renuk Wijemanne.

The Hard Court national will be continued on Monday.

Results on Friday

Renuk Wijemanne (2) beat Sanjeev Paramanathan 6-2 3-0 and walk over. Dinuka Ranaweera beat Rohan de Silva 4-6, 6-2, 4-1 and walk over.

Over 35 - Ravi Subramaniam beat Peter Shaw 6-2, 6-1.

Ladies single - Umathanthri Dias beat Andriya Brohear . 6-4, 6-4.

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From dark horses to thoroughbreds and now carthorses?

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
There is no doubt about it. From the so-called cricketing pundits to the ordinary housewife and the Simple Simon on the road, most agree that Sri Lanka cricket has hit rock bottom. First, it was an 8-wicket loss to England, then a 89-run whipping from the professional South Africans. A self-effacing victory against the Zimbabweans saved most of the blushes until the defending champions were massacred by the Indians who have now got their tails up. It is not only in the playing area that Sri Lanka has been found wanting. The public is also well aware of the fact that all is not well in the administrative front either with a case pending in court. The prognosis for cricket in Sri Lanka seems indeed blacker than ever. The question is, what will be the solution? Or, as has been the case before, will the caravan keep merrily rolling along?

Losing a contest, or winning it, is part of any sport. After all, you cannot win them all. But, for the defending champions to be ground to the dust — 201 runs in 20 overs!! A 318-run partnership which is a record for any wicket in one-day cricket – the Indians maintaining a run-rate of almost 7.5 runs an over for the whole innings..being subject to a 157-run defeat — and we are the defending champions... the only consolation is that our annihilators were not the Australians! Anyway, there must be jubilation in the Australian camp, and Shane Warne, for one, must be having a smirk on his face! Not that he is having a good run himself. By the way, if the roles were reversed and the Indians got the hiding we did, the Indian cricketers would have had to face a hostile Indian public on their return. Ask Ajit Wadekar. Thankfully, Sri Lankans are not that rabid.

Was this tragic loss to India something that can be regarded as a one-off affair or the culmination of a series of events that indicated the writing was on the wall despite the bold statements by those who matter? Only the sycophants on the gravy train would want to write this off as ‘one of those things’. Writing for a preview of the 1999 World Cup this is what I wrote: ‘ In 1996, from dark horses, Sri Lanka were crowned thoroughbreds — thoroughbreds too get long in the tooth. Unless they are put out to pasture and replaced by promising colts who should be put through their paces soon, it will be long odds before anybody can jockey them past the post.’

Sadly, in 1999 our team resembles a team of carthorses. This is not all.

Sri Lanka cricket needs independent administrators with integrity and high moral values. Not those appointed by politicians nor those who can emerge from a system which permits unsuitable characters to hold office in such an august assembly. One need not be reminded of what transpired at the last annual general meeting to know what I mean. Obviously, then the system has to be changed. Despite many such appeals in these columns nothing has been done towards this end. Constantly pointing out the faux pas of the Selectors, for instance, I once earned the wrath of Sri Lanka’s cricket supremo, Duleep Mendis, who, not for the first time, showed that he does not appreciate what I write. The same Duleep Mendis also promised a few ‘surprises’ for the World Cup. Well, most of us were indeed ‘surprised’ by some of the selections and the performances of the team. To that extent Mendis’s credibility is unsullied, but, that is not what all Sri Lankans, including Mendis, expected of our team. However, at the time of writing, Sri Lanka has still a theoretical chance of getting into the Super Six stage of the World Cup with a match in hand. But, as for winning the Cup, we have as much a chance as a bat in hell.

After all the moneys spent on Barry Richards, the Pakistani psychologist Omar Khan, Trevor Chappell, yet another Manager in D. S. de Silva, an image-boosting campaign in the media just prior to the World Cup, and God knows whom and on what, was this the final result? As President Sumathipala admitted recently: ‘A lot of resources have been utilised to see that the team plays at the optimum level. We made arrangements for the team to go to England a bit early so they could acclimatise themselves. We sent our Vice President Anuruddha Polonowita to England a few months ago to look after the arrangements of our team.’ By the way, couldn’t the high-powered World Cup committee of Sri Lankan expatriates have looked after such things? Newspaper reports also indicate that most of the members of the Executive Committee too have travelled to England and speculation is rife as to who picked the tab for their travel. Will the public be made aware of the expenditure on the campaign to defend the World Cup title? It should make interesting reading.

Perhaps this type of trauma may awaken the powers-that-be to open their eyes. If this does not, nothing ever will. Pillorying the captain is the norm when things go wrong. Is Ranatunga the culprit? As the incumbent President of the Cricket Board, Mr. Tilanga Sumathipala, in a newspaper interview stated, inter alia: ‘Arjuna was given the freedom to make his moves as he had a wealth of experience like no other player in the business.’ Or, is it the administration including the Selectors who should take the rap? Or, is the Ministry of Sports responsible for the whole ‘achcharu’? Since it is the Ministry who has overall authority, it is they who must take the prime responsibility for this sorry state of affairs. At the same time, the elected administrators too must share the blame. Otherwise, would the courts of law have intervened? Questions and questions. Answers have to be sought and matters reconciled. This time, it just cannot be swept under the carpet.

Changes, and radical ones at that, have to be made, and made fast. Such changes should be made for the welfare of cricket and the millions of cricket fans in this country. These changes could and should have been made when suggested earlier. But, most prefer to hear only those who sing for their supper. The changes should be made by people with integrity and those who have more than a fleeting knowledge of cricket.

And, there should be one principle guiding all changes. Ensure that politics and politicians are kept out of cricket. That is our only hope for the future of Sri Lanka cricket.

Dharmasiri Weerakoon — a good friend of everyone

It is almost one year since the untimely demise of our close friend Dharmasiri Weerakoon, DIG former Commandant of STF and former President of ABA of Sri Lanka. Last year on 29 of May he was drowned while swimming at sea at Beruwala, the irony of it being it occurring on his daughter’s birthday.

A boxer since the age of 14, he blossomed in that sport when he was adjuged as the most scientific boxer at national championship in 1958. He also got the rare distinction of representing the country at Rome Olympics in 1960. He was the only person in local boxing circle to hold all key positions viz, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President of the ABA of Sri Lanka. He also had the unique achievement of Refereeing at three consecutive Olympics. In 1997, he was elevated as an Asian Juror.

He was immensely popular in the International Amateur Boxing world as an unbias technical official who had lot of wit and courage. In 1988 at Seoul Olympics when the Korean coach assisted by supporters invaded on to the ring to assault the European referee when his boxer lost, it was Weerakoon who boldly sprang on to the ring to save the referee from further intimidation. He was highly respected by everyone after that incident. Being a policeman and a Boxer, he could react immediately to any situation.

He preferred Police Force to any other armed forces. Joining the Police as a probationary Sub Inspector in 1958 he rose to the rank of Deputy Inspector General with an unblemished record of 41 years.

He was an ideal companion for a trip. He had humorous and hilarious stories to tell. Whenever someone known to him fell sick, he was the first to arrive at the sick bed. He always helped anyone whenever the need arose. He was delighted in helping people.

People of his calibre are very rare. May he attain Nibbana!

- Donald Munasinghe, Former Secretary ABA

Kandy survive CH onslaught

by Allaam Ousman
Kandy SC survived a gallant second half rally by CH and FC to maintain their unbeaten run in the Carlsberg ‘A’ division rugby championships with a lacklustre 13-6 victory at Maitland Crescent At half time the winners led 10-3.

In a game which was punctuated regularly by stoppages to treat injured players on either side, Kandy SC controlled proceedings though not exactly dominating the opposition who found their feet in the second session. Kandy SC virtually sealed the match with two unconverted tries within the first 15 minutes, exploiting yawning gaps in the defence.

The indifferent form of goal kicker Jude Pillai who succeeded with two penalty kicks and missed a couple more attempts from similar range, did not help CH’s cause although they came within striking distance in the final quarter. This was during a period when Kandy SC appeared to lack cohesion and leadership although skipper Harris Omar came into the field midway in the first half after sitting an examination.

But their defence was rock solid epitomised by the manner in which Radhika Hettiarachchi, who switched from the wing to man the last line of defence after Nalaka Weerakkody hobbled out, throttled CH skipper Nazeem Mohamed from completing a wonderful scoring opportunity. Having made a lovely break after a sweeping move, Nazeem Mohamed had a team-mate in support but failed to outfox Hettiarachchi. Earlier, full back Ajith Upawansa made a break against the run of play from their ‘22’ but lacked support. Although CH appeared to handle the wet ball better, luck seemed to be with Kandy SC who survived a five-metre scrum in the dying moments of the game after a last ditch rally by the forwards.

Kandy SC scrum half Niloufer Ibrahim darted over the line with the game just four minutes old after No.8 Malith Silva drew the defence and sent him away on the blind side from a five-metre scrum. Weerakkody’s conversion struck the woodwork.

Winger Indrajith Bandaranayake scored a classic try near the left corner flag, piercing between two defenders who fought shy of touching him from a set piece move. Weerakkody fluffed the conversion but made no mistake with a penalty kick soon after the turn around. He also came close to scoring in the first half when he made a superb dash before being corner flagged. However, he had an indifferent game at full back. His positioning for the high ball was sound but failed to bring them advantage with his line kicks.

Referee: Nizam Jamaldeen

Thomians coast past Trinitians

By Jatila Karawita
S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia maintained their unbeaten record for the season when they scored an impressive 15 points (one goal, one try and a penalty goal) to 5 (a try) win over a lacklustre Trinity College team in their inter-school rugby fixture at Sugathadasa Stadium At the ‘breather’, the winners led 7-0. Thomians thus retained the coveted Canon R. S. de Saram Shield for another year by virtue of having won it up in Pallekele last year.

The Thomians who went into this crucial game sans regular skipper and centre Ruchira Fernando, who was sidelined through a leg injury, lived up to their top billing. Their powerful pack well marshalled by No 8 Jeewan Gunathilake, blended perfectly with a lightning fast back division as they ultimately romped to a facile win in front of an appreciative gathering at the stadium.

For Trinity, it turned out to be a game of lost opportunities as their three-quarters, when having got possession of the ball fumbled with it on numerous occasions as they were clearly outplayed by a more superior Thomian outfit.

Thomians opened scoring when their right winger Krishan Gunawardene dashed through on the blind side, having collected a pass from stand-off Stefan Van Twest following a five-metre scrum in the 15th minute of play. Van Twest added the extra points to that try as the Thomians took the lead 7-0.

After a hard fought passage of play both schools did their best to pierce each other’s defences but was unsuccessful as the Mount Lavinia lads did well to preserve the 7-0 lead till ‘lemons’.

After the turn around, the Kandy school got their act together to a certain extent when they pinned the Thomians to their half for the first 10 minutes or so. This was before the Thomians managed to win a five-metre scrum near the Trinity goal line as a result of which prop Danya Gunawardene scored a push-over try following a successful thrust forward by the heavy Thomian pack. Van Twest fluffed the easy conversion attempt as they swelled their lead by 12-0.

Trinity undeterred by that setback scored their solitary try in the game when prop Kusal Halpe fell over in the 20th minute off a forwards rush, having won good ball from a line-out in the Thomian territory. Fly half Shanaka Kumara missed the conversion as the score stood at 12-5. With just 10 minutes to go for the long whistle, S. Thomas’ put the issue beyond doubt when Van Twest was on target with a 25-metre penalty kick to coast home as worthy winners of the de Saram Shield.

Referee: Anil Jayasinghe

Kingswood beat Wesley 18-3

By Hafiz Marikar our Kandy sports Corr.
Kingswood College defeated Wesley College by 18 points to 3 in their first leg of the L. E. Blaze Trophy game played at the Bogambara Stadium.

The points were made out of one goal one try and two penalty kicks at goal to 3 a penalty.

This was the first leg of the 14th encounter. Out of the 13 games the Kingswoodians have won 9 and the Wesleyites 3, while one has ended in no decision.

Every one expected the holders Wesley will give a good run to the Kingswoodians, but they could not do it. The game itself was ragged and little constructive rugger was on display. The Kingswoodians should have scored more, if not for their key men trying to do too much on their own. They kept losing sight of the fact that rugby was a team game.

The Wesley side gave the Kingswoodians a shock by dictating terms in patches.

M. Senanayake and S. Weerakkody scored the tries, one of the tries and two penalty kicks were goaled by M. Bocks. For the Wesley side it was Prasad Perera who put over the penalty.

The second leg will take place in Colombo. This trophy was presented in memory of the man who introduced rugby to Kingwswood, L. E. Blaze, by Roy de Silva old boy of Kingswood College.

R. Seneviratne refereed.

Weight Lifting course

By Hafiz Marikar our Kandy sports Corr.
After 15 days of heart throbbing action, at the Kandy YMCA, the Olympic Solidarity Course for Weightlifting will come to an end today, at Hotel Casamara Kandy. This International Olympic Committee Solidarity Course was organised by the Sri Lanka Weightlifting Federation and was sponsored by the National Olympic Council. A big hand should be given to the Sri Lanka Weightlifting Federation chief S. A. Wijewickrema (Jnr), its secretary R. B. Wickramasinghe and the rest of the committee for a good job well done.

This solidarity course was handled by worlds well known weightlifter who is also the Hungarian National Coach Imre Zsuga. Twenty five national poolists followed this course in addition 20 selected weightlifting coaches too were trained. This was big filip up for the Iron sport, which is one of the oldest sports known to mankind.

Mayor Kandy Harindra Dunuwille will be the Chief Guest. 

When an eagle-eyed manager helped win a game

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
The World Cup competition was first played outside England in the 1987-88 season, when India and Pakistan acted as joint hosts. The tournament lasted 6 weeks (compared to 4 weeks it took for the 1983 World Cup in England) and was held on 21 venues spread across an area as vast as Europe barring only the Soviet Union. The fourth World Cup, known as the Reliance Cup, attracted more spectators, there were more than the usual share of thrilling, closely-fought games, and did the game of cricket a world of good than any of its three predecessors staged in England. It was also the first time matches were restricted to 50 overs-a-side as opposed to 60 overs, previously.

Though the hosts, India and Pakistan, were expected to reach the finals, Australia and England snuffed out all the hopes and aspirations of the millions in the sub-continent, by beating them in the semi-finals. Australia beat Pakistan by 18 runs and England overcame India by 35 runs, and the script was spoiled as the oldest foes in cricket met again in Calcutta, a colonial outpost of England, to decide the issue. Ironically though, it was the descendants of their former colony of convicts, led by doughty Allan Border, who overcame the masters by 7 runs in the final to claim the plum.

The 1987-88 World Cup began promisingly. Sri Lanka, led by Duleep Mendis, kicked off the tournament by playing hosts Pakistan at Hyderabad in Group B. Winning the toss and batting, Pakistan scored an imposing 267/5 in the allotted 50 overs, thanks mainly to a scintillating 103 runs (in 96 balls with 6 fours) by Javed Miandad and an innings of 76 runs by opener Ramiz Raja who anchored the innings. Opening bowler Vinothan John returned impressive figures of 10-2-37-0. Chasing a target of 267 runs which meant a rate of over 5 runs an over against an attack having bowlers of the calibre of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Abdul Qadir and Tauseef Ahmed was going to be a stiff task. So, it proved but it was close.

Let the Wisden Almanack (1988) now take over: ‘Sri Lanka, with their exciting young opener, Mahanama, in the vanguard, made a courageous attempt at a target that required more than 5 runs an over. As he began to accelerate in a partnership of 79 with Gurusinha, it began to look as if Mahanama (one six and seven fours) might orchestrate an upset. With his dismissal, however, Sri Lanka, again fell behind the run-ratei. Eventually, Sri Lanka fell short by 15 runs and was all out for 252 in the 50th over. Mahanama top-scored with 89, Aravinda made 42 while Gurusinha contributed 37. Unfortunately, three top-order batsmen, Kuruppu (9), Mendis (1) and Roy Dias (5) contributed only a paltry 15 runs.

Ten years back, Sri Lanka had an exciting young opener in Mahanama. Gurusinha was also beginning to make his presence felt. Where are they today? Why couldn’t these players develop in a proper manner and realise their potential? These follies seem to be taking its toll today.

Getting back to the Reliance World Cup. A day after the Sri Lanka/Pakistan clash, the first Group A game was played at the Chiddambaram Stadium in Madras between India and Australia. One year earlier, these two teams met at Test levels and staged a dramatic tie on the same venue, the second occasion it happened after 1052 Test matches. Now, it was going to be almost an encore. Strangely enough, some of the key players in the tied Test rose to prominence yet again. Sadly, none more than the turbaned left-arm spinner Maninder Singh. In the Test match, Maninder was adjudged lbw to off-spinner Matthews in the fifth ball of the final over of the match and the game was tied. This time, poor Maninder again, with India needing just one more run to overhaul Australia’s total of 270, lost his off-stump to Iceman, Steve Waugh in the final over. Yes, Maninder was again dismissed in the fifth ball of the last over, and Australia, this time, triumphed by a run!!

Requiring hospitalisation after an epic innings of 210 runs in the Test match, Dean Jones again came into the limelight during the World Cup encounter. So did skipper Kapil Dev who scored an impressive century (119) batting at No. 7 in the Test match. But, there was one man who eventually tilted the balance Australia’s way and enabled them to clinch victory by a run, and he didn’t even step on to the field of play! He was Australian Cricket Manager, Alan Crompton.

When Australia batted, having been put in by India, Dean Jones made a modest contribution of 39 to the Australian total of 270/6. But, the alert Australian Manager, Cromption, observed that a hit from Jones, signalled as a boundary, was actually a six. At the break, Crompton brought it to the notice of all concerned. After having studied the video-evidence, the crucial 2 runs were added to the Australian total. Here is the Wisden Almanack (1988) again: Kapil Deve’s sportsmanship proved the deciding factor in a close match. One of Jones’ two sixes, in his 39 from 35 balls, had been signalled as four, but between innings Kapil concurred with the Australians insistence that the ball cleared the boundary.

Of course, the ‘insistence’ was based on the video evidence and the eagle-eye of a Cricket Manager who did not miss a beat. So, Australia not only won this game but went on to become the World Cup champions for the first and only time, up-to-date.

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