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Sri Lanka ‘A’ 131/2 needing 411 for victory

From Sujeeva Nivunhella Our London Corr.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ were 131 for 2 at the close of the second day against Northamptonshire needing another 411 runsfor victory. with 8 wickets in hand. With two more days to go the time factor will not be a stumbling block for the Lankans. But no team has scored over 400 runs to win in a first class match.

Earlier Northamptonshire declared their second innings at 313 for 7 at tea. Twenty-year-old Graeme Swann hammered his career best score, an unbeaten 130. He hit two sixes and seventeen fours.

Sri Lanka,whose batting was in tatters in the first innings,were kept on course by a fightiong unbeaten 79-run knock by the boy from Kalutara,T.M.Dilshan after losing the two openers cheaply.

SCOREBOARD

Northampton first innings 314
Sri Lanka first innings 86

Northampton second innings:

WARREN              b Gallage                                                 51
A SWANN            b Boteju                                                  41
SALES                    ct Jayawardane b Herath                      48
RIPLEY                   b Boteju                                                   02
INNES                     run out                                                     05
G. SWANN           not out1                                                   30
LOGAN                  ct Kalavitigoda b Pushpakumara        01
DAVIES                 ct Jayawardane b Gallage                      07
SUTCLIFFE          not out                                                     09
EXTRAS                (12 NB, 7LB)                                            19
TOTAL (for 7 wickets declared, 82 overs)                      313

FALL: 1-110, 2-114, 3-116, 4-138, 5-192, 6-225, 7-267
BOWLING: Pushpakumara 18-1-91-1, S. Perera 5-1-20-0, Herath 21-5-69-1, Gallage 19-2-69-2, Boteju 17-3-49-2, Arnold 2-0-8-0.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ second innings:

ARNOLD                          ct Sales b Innes                          14
GUNAWARDANE        ct A. Swann b Sutcliffe              04
DILSHAN                         not out                                         79
KALAVITIGODA         not out                                          23
EXTRAS                          (1W, 10LB)                                   11
TOTAL (for 2 wickets, 37 overs)                                     131

FALL: 1-4, 2-55
BOWLING: Logan 8-2-27-0, Sutcliffe 10-3-23-1, Innes 7-0-15-1, Swann 4-0-20-0, Sales 3-1-13-0, Davies 5-0-23-0

Sri Lanka’s Cricket Board disowns Ranatunga roundtable

by Amal Jayasinghe
Colombo, July 16 (AFP) — Sri Lanka’s Cricket Board Friday denied involvement in sacked skipper Arjuna Ranatunga’s first public engagement after his World Cup debacle and said the new captain was advised to stay away.

The head of the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCSL), Rienze Wijetilleke, said the board had nothing to do with the Thursday night rountable where Ranatunga and his sacked deputy Aravinda de Silva appeared.

"We had nothing to do with that and although some invitations went under the cricket board letterheads, it was a misunderstanding," Wijetilleke told AFP. "Those letters were retracted.

"We advised (new captain) Sanath Jayasuriya not to attend that meeting and he took our advice".

Jayasuriya’s seat remained empty at what had been billed a "world exclusive" panel discussion with Ranatunga, as well as the suspended president of the board, Thilanga Sumathipala and sacked team manager Duleep Mendis.

An organiser said it was "unfortunate" Jayasuriya could not be at the event shown live by a private television station. Several local media organisations boycotted the meeting.

Ranatunga spoke of a conspiracy led by unidentified people to undermine him as well as cricket in the country. He said he did not have sufficient evidence to back his claim but would later disclose the names of those involved.

He said he was also unsure of being picked to play under Jayasuriya because the final decision lay with the national selectors who had, however, named him in a 30-member panel eligible for selection.

Apart from Jayasuriya, two other seniors — Roshan Mahanama and Hashan Tillekeratne — were also conspicuous by their absence at Thursday’s widely publicised panel discussion.

Neither player was immediately available for comment. Jayasuriya had last week said he looked forward to working closely with Ranatunga and de Silva.

Sri Lanka will play Australia and India at a triangular later next month. Australia will stay on in the island to play a three-test series.

Ranatunga declined to directly react to charges by their former coach Bruce Yardley that senior players treated junior teammates like "servants."

"I don’t know what he means by ‘servants’, but to say that is to insult the entire team," Ranatunga said.

He also denied there were differences between him and Sri Lanka’s previous World Cup coach Dave Whatmore.

There had been reports Ranatunga had serious difference with Whatmore over moves to bring in young players to groom for the 1999 world cup after the country won the title in 1996 with Ranatunga as the skipper.

The head of the selection panel, Sidath Wettimuni said last week that even if Ranatunga had delivered the latest world cup, he would have been removed as skipper because the country needed a change.

Muralitharan continues to weave magic with 8 wickets

LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) - Scottish World Cup all-rounder Gavin Hamilton guided Yorkshire to a three wicket win over Warwickshire at Edgbaston in the latest round of English county championship matches on Friday. Resuming overnight at 170 for 6, Hamilton made an unbeaten 75, ably assisted by wicket-keeper Richard Blakey (17 not out) as they reached the victory target of 224. It had looked a distant prospect at 103-6 on Thursday and the result boosted Yorkshire’s previously mixed championship form.

At Blackpool, Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan continued to weave his magic, claiming eight wickets as Lancashire forced Glamorgan to follow on.

Muralitharan took 6-104 as the visitors made 282 in reply to Lancashire’s 556 for six declared. He then picked up another two in the second innings as Glamorgan reached the close on 235-6.

Graham Thorpe hit 164 to put leaders Surrey firmly in control against Hampshire at Guildford. His England team mate Mark Butcher struck 95 as the pair put on 118 for the second wicket.

The home side were eventually all out for 482, setting Hampshire a testing target of 332. At the close the visitors were 99 for 4.

Essex completed a 176 run victory over Middlesex inside three days at Southend. Off-spinner Paul Grayson claimed four wickets for just 16 runs as Middlesex were bowled out for 140. The country’s leading wicket-taker Alamgir Sheriyar picked up 6-101 as Worcestershire bowled out Gloucestershire for 231 at Cheltenham, forcing the home side to follow on. By the close they had reached 185-4, still 175 behind.

Results

At Edgbaston: Yorkshire beat Warwickshire by three wickets. Warwickshire 253 (N.Knight 59, D.Hemp 53) and 182 (K.Night 51). Yorkshire 213 (A.McGrath 75) and 224-7 (G.Hamilton 75 not out, M.Vaughan 52). Yorkshire 17 points Warwickshire 6.

Day three: At Southend: Essex beat Middlesex by an innings and 176 runs. Middlesex 113 (R.Anderson 5-36) and 140. Essex 429 (N.Hussain 99, R.Irani 70, S.Law 58). Essex 19 points Middlesex 2.

Day two At Riverside: Durham beat Derbyshire by seven wickets. Derbyshire 241 (K.Krikken 88, D.Cork 53; S.Brown 6-84) and 130. Durham 346 (J.Morris 119, N.Speak 57, M.Gough 53; D.Cork 5-106) and 29-3. Durham 19 points Derbyshire 5.

Day three At Cheltenham: Worcestershire 591-7 declared (V.Solanki 171, P.Weston 139, G.Hick 122). Gloucestershire 231 (T.Hancock 58, K.Barnett 53; A.Shariyar 6-101) and 185-4 (T.Hancock 64, K.Barnett 61 not out).

At Blackpool: Lancashire 556-6 declared (M.Atherton 268 not out, M.Chilton 71, N.Fairbrother 59) v Glamorgan 282 (A.Dale 113,I.Thomas 54; M.Muralitharan 6-104) and 235-6.

At Guilford: Surrey 171 (A.Hollioake 63 not out) and 482 (G.Thorpe 164, M.Butcher 94). Hampshire 322 (D.Kenway 63, N.McLean 70 not out) and 99-4.

At Arundel: Leicestershire 566-8 declared (D.Stevens 130, A.Habib 160 not out, V.Wells 51). Sussex 319 (W.Khan 88) and 49-2.

COMMENT
Lankan cricket in cauldron

by Srian Obeyesekere
Sri Lankan cricket has reached dangerous crossroads. Hitherto, it was dark clouds in the tug-a-war of the administrative arm that threatened its very existence,Now new signs look ominous.The in-fighting about to dilute the colourful ‘rainbow’ of the game as a whole. Threatening signs of faction looking ready to raid the game. It does not need a soothsayer to say that the wrangle at the top is about to spread to the players.

The recent developments that have dragged to a big legal wrangle as to who should run the affairs of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) seems to be the core issue. And it also does not need a soothsayer to say that there is a big power struggle towards that end. What really smells bad like stinking canals is the ganging up which is now beginning to affect the cricketers. Of course the shake up in the captaincy in the Sri Lankan team has begun to ferment the whole scenario into a cauldron; vested interests too, and a section of the media too trying to cash in on the situation.

When this writer did highlight certain areas last year that required urgent addressing concerning discipline as to late nights out affecting players following Sri Lanka’s disastrous tour of South Africa, many including majority of the media shouted themselves hoarse denouncing this exposure. But today, most of them have changed their stripes.

It has never been the policy of ‘The Island’ to use the pen to bring down players. Our newspaper has always forged towards the greater good of the country’s cricket and it is not our intention that players should be penalised when it comes to selecting a captain and vice captain.

In the growing heat of the whole issue starting from the ongoing wrangle as to who should run the BCCSL, last week’s television debate by deposed captain Arjuna Ranatunga must indeed have also added new spark. Ranatunga made out that the occasion had been necessitated to clear the air following Sri Lanka’s early exit from the World Cup.

To a question on the captaincy,Ranatunga did wex that ‘it would have been nice to see Aravinda de Silva captain for at least a year before making his exit’in recognition of his enormous services to the country.That it was his personal opinion,but that the selectors knew best.

Of course,for the connosieurs it would be difficult to forget de Silva walking to the middle with Sri Lanka 2 down for 14 in that now memorable 1995-’96 World Cup final and battle Sri Lanka to victory over Australia with a heroic century.

But then sporting heroism has a clearly defined place in the hearts of the public. A chewing gum form of one-day cricket that keeps both players and spectators occupied before being largely spat out and forgotten.

The ultimate should be that the game goes on. The factions must cease. With both Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva pledging their hundred percent support for new skipper, Sanath Jayasuriya the team should rally together. Of course, the selectors priority should be to ensure the best represent the country with due recognition to young blood as well.

Army stretched by Navy

Army SC smarting from their hiding last week suffered at the hands of rampaging CR were stretched to the hilt, before managing to pull-off a unimpressive 20 points to 13 win over a fighting Navy XV in their SLRFU A division return leg match at Longden Place yesterday. In a game where the now-resurgent soldiers were expected to run-away with the game the sailors came up with a superb display to ultimately lose by a margin of only seven points. The Army who had to put behind them that psychologically setback behind them of having lost the previous week’s match to the table leaders, failed to get going in this game as the final score line would predict.

The Navy SC who are yet lying in the bottom of the league standing, impressed their followers for the second successive week running, after a similar spirited showing against Havelocks SC at Havelock Park last week. The mere fact that they were able to nullify the effect of the heavy artillery bombardment of the soldiers, puts the sailors on a more favourable light though they had to end up on the losing side rather unfortunately.

But the more mobile forwards of Army SC controlled the game well enough as their backs though being unconvincing did well to rally behind skipper and Centre Kapila Knowlton to eventually prevail over their gutsy rivals from the sea. For the winners Vajira Jayathilake and Jayasuriya scored a try each with fly half Nimal Wijesiri converting both tries while Nalin Hettihewa put over the two penalties. For Navy SC who trailed the Army by 12-8 at half time, M. R. Saldeen scored their try while Navantha De Soyza converted it apart from putting over two penalties.

Army Sports Club at the completion of this game have accounted for 8 wins in 12 matches, while the wooden spoonists Navy have ended up on the losing side on no less than 11 times whilst winning a solitary encounter. (J.K.)

Indrajith does Kandy proud

by Hafiz Marikar
Indrajith Bandaranayake, the fast running wing-three-quarter has been appointed skipper of the Sri Lanka rugby squad in view of Sri Lanka’s forthcoming home Test series against the Chinese and the Australian Northern Territories and also for the Malaysian tour.

Indrajith Bandaranayake is a product of Dharmaraja College, where he excelled in all sports the school had, and soon after school he joined the Kandy S.C. and has been a regular member, he also led the side to win the Clifford cup. He has given his best for Kandy SC and Sri Lanka rugger.

He also led the Sri Lanka Sevens team to Singapore and Hong Kong. He is undisputedly the best Sri Lanka Wing-three-quarter and deserves the captaincy, and becomes the first Rajan to lead the Sri Lanka Rugger team. All rugby lovers are happy and proud of this player. The selectors have picked a pool of 54 members, in that They are all players from Kandy Sports Club.

But sad to say the most senior and knowledgeable forward Asoka Jayasena is a surprise omission. Asoka Jayasena one of the finest forwards to come out of Ananda College, has given his best for the country at rugby. This puts most of the rugby lovers in a mess. He deserves a chance in the squad. There are two other omissions, of Lasantha Wijesuriya a crack centre, who has played for the country on several occasions, but he knows how he was out and chopped when he was there in the squad. The other player is Manjula Pathirane.

But the finest part is Kandy SC hooker Ranmal Weerasekara a good player in the squad. He has played only two games, and it was only a couple of minutes, he didn’t play the full time. How did this player get in but the regular player who hooked for Kandy SC is A. Buksh.

They should re-think about Asoka Jayasena, and get him back to the squad, together with Lasantha and Manjula.

The players from Kandy S.C. who are in the squad, prop forward Dunstan de Silva has been playing for some time. Hooker Ranmal Weerasekara, Second Rows Suranga Amarasinghe and Pradeep Basnayake, No. 8 Haris Omar. Scrum Half Nilufer Ibrahim, fly half Sajith Mallikarachchi, Center Ameer Sahajan, Wingers Indrajith Bandaranayake, fullback Radika Hettiarachchi and Nalaka Weerakkody.

There is a school boy too in the squad, that is Trinity skipper Ravindra Wickramasiri.

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‘Hall of Fame’ award for Lankan martial artist

From Sujeeva Nivunhella — Our London Corr
Sri Lanka’s President of the World United Martial Arts Association (WUMA), Oliver Madurapperuma was awarded the ‘Hall of Fame’ award recently for the services he has rendered for martial Arts at a ceremony held at the College of Martial Arts, Cheltenham in England.

In pervious, Martial Arts competitions Oliver won 3rd place at the Open Martial Arts competition in 1996, 2nd place at the Euro Cup in 1997 and 4th place at the World Cup in 1998 in the Martial Arts Instructors category.

A former Sub Inspector of Police, Oliver is currently attached to the Department of Prisons as a Jailor. He is also the wrestling coach at the Department of Prisons.

Richard Hopkins WUMA International body’s President talking to ‘The Sunday Island’ said that Oliver is doing a good job promoting Martial Arts in Sri Lanka and he is quite happy with Oliver’s Martial Arts skills.

For this year’s Europe Cup Martial Arts tournament, Sri Lanka was represented by K. U. J. Perera of the Sri Lanka Navy who is also the senior instructor of Super Bodys Gym.

Kandy SC should take blame over crowd issue

by Hafiz Marikar
Why is Kandy Sports Club taking the crowd behaviour as a big issue?It is not so. Last year after the deciding key game between Kandy SC and CR and FC there was an attack even the SLRFU boss was attacked, that was due to the mis-management of the last year’s committee, they failed to look after their host. Now the same officials of Kandy SC have made this a big issue than the sport.

Even in Colombo there had been bad crowd behaviour, but these clubs, did not make a big issue. They corrected themselves by doing a good job.

Today in Kandy this has become the biggest sport, than the game one played in the center.

What one feels is that the committee of this club at Nittawela is more worried about welfare than the players. That shows most of them who are in the committees have never touched the oval shaped ball.

One should understand, the crowd of Kandy are well in versed of the sport, and they know what rugby is. They can be seen in every school and club match, at any venue, they spend a lot on entrance to the venue and if they don’t get a good game, they get upset and sometimes cheer against, that is part of the cheering.

Kandy SC committee should see about the players and take steps to put the team in order to play good rugger.

Some officials, like Malik Samarawickrema the man who put Kandy SC in the rugby map, the present President Chandra Wijenayake, Vice President Dudley Gunatilake, Sarath Perera, Deva Amunugama are doing there best to promote the game. Others too should follow.

Interim board must raise the bar and the goal posts

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
Recently. the battle lines were drawn up on TV. The ‘accused’, with a few prudently keeping away, and the ‘accusers’ squared up. A few big names of Sri Lanka cricket, stage-managed by three members of the media, were pitted against a section of the fourth estate. The more belligerent members of their ilk had, reportedly, boycotted the occasion. Many expected a lot of blood-letting. There was hardly any. Fielding questions posed by the depleted members of the media with the aplomb of seasoned politicians, Arjuna Ranatunga, Duleep Mendis and Thilanga Sumathipala, parried most of the questions deftly. Some answers raised further questions. For instance, Ranatunga’s charge that there is an underground movement attempting to destroy Sri Lankan cricket, and that he along with a few senior cricketers are endeavouring to expose conspirators, had a hollow ring about it. Criticism meant to be constructive should not be construed as a conspiracy. A letter purportedly written by Ranatunga, complaining about the Selectors, also surfaced most opportunely during this occasion to repudiate the generally-held belief that Arjuna selected his own men. Summing it all up, what was conveyed to the public in a nutshell was: "We did certain things in 1996 and everything went right but in 1999 nothing went right." Naturally, three years later players have a tendency to grow older. Luck is a useful component no doubt. As Richie Benaud once said: ’Success in cricket is 90% skill and 10% luck but don’t think you can ever succeed if you do not have the former". How true.

Whilst the appointment of Sanath Jayasuriya as the captain of the Sri Lanka team has been accepted by most cricket fans, the selection of his deputy, Mahela Jayawardena, seems to have caused a few eyebrows to be raised. True, he is young. True, that he was not even picked in the original squad to tour Australia. True again, that he was subsequently not picked for the first World Cup game, against England. Then, why did the selectors still pick him? Are the current selectors too "moving in mysterious ways for their blunders to perform?" Let us see.

Why did the chairman of selectors....???

To begin with, and under normal circumstances - because Sri Lankan selectors could be the only exception - do not have to divulge the reasons for their actions to the outside world. In fact, it was rather confusing why the Chairman of Selectors decided to speak to the former captain before appointing Jayasuriya. The meeting between the Chairman and the former skipper, was described as cordial and had, reportedly, gone on for a considerable length of time. For simple minds this can be construed in many different ways. As far as I am aware, Arjuna Ranatunga was appointed as skipper only until the World Cup. So, a skipper had to be appointed thereafter. It should have been the duty of the newly appointed selectors to do just that within the confines of the members of the Selection Committee. Co-opting the skipper to pick the team thereafter is then par for the course. Resorting to such ad-hoc measures of speaking to the former skipper - was it to placate him or to get his permission or to show the errors of his ways? - not only creates an unhealthy precedent but also establishes an unprofessional atmosphere. This is something the Interim Board must definitely try to avoid in future. They must raise the bar and move the goal-posts towards a more efficient and a professional administration in keeping with established international practices. Within the existing framework of the Sports Law, I wonder how much they can achieve.

The confidentiality normally enjoyed by a Selection Committee has always been respected whether it be when picking a Test XI or a junior school team. In Sri Lanka however, there is the situation unheard of in any other Test-playing nation, at least. According to the current Sports Law, the appointment of selectors and the selected team have to be ratified by the Ministry of Sports. It makes one wonder how much of independence Sri Lankan Selectors enjoy. Another instance of politics entering the fabric of life of the Sri Lankan. But, that is another story.

What is the problem about Mahela?

Reverting to the appointment of Jayawardena. It is my view that in not picking him for the Australian tour, a gross error of judgement was committed by the previous Selection Committee. The hundred he made at Adelaide was not something that came out of a hat. That showed the class in the man, and the paucity of vision of the selectors who did not pick him originally. Unfortunately, that effort described by internationally respected observers as one of the best-ever innings played in a one day international, took a back seat due to the pyrotechnics that erupted during this game due to the Muralitharan/Emerson/Ranatunga brouhaha. This error was again committed by the tour selectors when Mahela was not picked for the first World Cup match.

Possibly, and not definitely.......

The current selectors, in my view, have merely confirmed their confidence in Mahela as a batsman - which is eminently justifiable - with the possibility of being captain in the future. Mind you, it is only a possibility. There is no firm assurance. None can turn round later if hopes are not fulfilled and tell the selectors, "you promised me this or that, now where is it?" Also, remember selectors are privy to many things which most of us are unaware of, and base their decisions accordingly. True, there were more ‘senior’ players in the team. Seniority, unlike at school levels for instance, is not the sole criterion in making such appointments. It must also be mentioned that Jayawardena appears a level- headed youngster and a thinking cricketer. Whilst this appointment does not ensure his place in the team, this certainly gives the torch-bearer of Sri Lanka’s future in batting, oodles of confidence. Best of luck Mahela.

What about clearing questions on the TV deal?

There seems to be still a fly in the ointment regarding the controversial multi-million dollar TV deal signed by the previous Cricket Board. A disappointed bidder who has had over 15 years in the world of international sports marketing and broadcasting, in a letter to the Interim Board President described the entire process having been "conducted with a complete lack of transparency and professionalism." Even the Ministry of Sports is, reportedly, still querying the deal which was allegedly signed hours before the court issued a restraining order at a posh hotel in Colombo. If that be the case, why was such a deal not signed at the registered office of the Cricket Board, and what prompted such urgency to seal the deal - hours before the restraining order was issued? The interim Board President, at a press conference, did confirm that the deal appeared in the best interests of the Cricket Board. Shouldn’t he also clear the air with the Ministry once and for all?

Kumara and Kalpage - the forgotten men?

Another bloomer by the previous Selectors which is sticking out like a sore thumb is the fate of Kumara Dharmasena. Currently in the international wilderness, Dharmasena is unbowed and performing superably both at club and Mercantile ‘A’ division levels like a Trojan. Having been an important member of the one-day squad, he has been simply cast into the scrap-heap. His bowling action was considered ‘suspect’. He was first put under the tutelage of and then flown to England with the bowling coach, D. S. de Silva. Were all these moves costing a lot of money, fruitless? The cricketing public has a right to know. Also, it is a great pity that Ruwan Kalpage has been ignored yet again. Not picked and nurtured at the right time, here is a cricketer who should have been given the confidence and pursued with. I believe, it is still not too late. There is still a spark left in the man. A brilliant fielder, a more than useful middle-order batsman who can bowl a few overs of off-spin, that should be the order of his credentials - if Kalpage is to be looked at fairly.

Finally, well done the ‘A’ team in England. That last wicket partnership of 134 runs, when beating Lancashire inside 3 days in a 4-day game - thus completing a hat-trick of wins on the tour - and successfully employing a left-arm spinner, who captured 6 wickets, to open the bowling, shows the guts and the planning our second stringers are capable of. The performances of the ‘A’ team boys must have warmed the hearts of all Sri Lankan cricket fans and the seats of the national players who have so far had a comparatively ‘cool’ stay.

Kandy on the rampage in the hills,drub Havelocks 62-10

by Hafiz Marikar from Nittawela
Kandy Sports Club had very little to worry against a lacklustre Havelocks Sports Club side as they ran down three goals, one penalty goal, five tries and three penalties piling up 62 points to 10 a goal and a penalty victory, in the second round inter club rugby game played at the Nittawela grounds.

In this game the second placed Nittawela lads made a remarkable domination of their opponents in every department of the game, in the line outs, and loose mauls as they raked in the bulk of possession to humiliate the Park Club boys, who are having a fresh laden side.

Even before the game Kandy SC supporters both young and old knew for sure that their favourite club was in the winning net, having the advantage of playing on their home grounds.

Skipper Harish Omar led the side well and he was well backed by Second rowers Asoka Jayasena who played a intelligent game, Pradeep Basnayake, Dunstan de Silva, Suranga Amarasinghe, M. Burah gave off their best.

While in the back division there was Nilufer Ibrahim from the base of the scrum, Sajith Mallikarachchi, Lasantha Wijesuriya, Indrajith Bandarnayake, Sameera Silva and Ameer Shajan gave off a talented display.

Fullback Nalaka Weerakkody’s goal kicking and touch kicking was exceptionally good and it helped the K