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Rain wins at Galle on fourth day

Srian Obeyesekere reporting from Galle
The fourth day’s play in the second cricket Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia was called off yesterday at the Galle International Stadium following overnight rain. There was about an hour long shower starting around 3.30 a.m. on Saturday which left the grounds waterlogged. Further drizzle during the day forced umpires Doug Cowie and B. C. Cooray to call off play for the day without a ball being bowled.

The loss of play on the crucial fourth day was a big disappointment for the Sri Lankan camp which was looking to press home the advantage of an overall 112-run lead with ten wickets intact. The Lankans took a first innings lead of 68 runs having dismissed Australia for 228. In the second innings Sri Lanka were 44 for no wickets with skipper Sanath Jayasuriya on 19 and Marvan Atapattu on 21.

Already, one up in the three-Test series, Sri Lanka held the advantage in their quest to make it 2-nil, and an absorbing fourth day’s cricket was on the cards had the ground dried up. On the third day as well, only two hours play was possible following overnight rain. The real bane at the Galle Stadium is more than the rain, its inability to dry fast which has resulted in the ongoing Test match being so badly affected. As it is, there was only about one hour’s rain early morning on Saturday which rendered the ground unfit for play the whole day.

With the fifth and final day today, yet there is a chance of a result in this match considering the fact that the wicket is now assisting spinners. In Australia’s first innings, Lankan spinners Muttiah Muralitheran and Rangana Herath shared 9 wickets between them while Shane Warne had three wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings. The turn was evident on the fourth day despite little play being possible when debutante, Rangana Herath generated much of it to claim four wickets.

Kulawansa pulls out of the100m

Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Nepal
Damayanthi Dharsha the captain of the Sri Lanka SAF team who had a hip injury is now fully recovered to take part in all her five events in the Eighth SAF Games which commenced yesterday at Kathmandu, Nepal.

Brig. Palitha Fernando the Manager of the Sri Lanka athletic team said, Dharsha who was expected to take part in 100m, 200m, 100m relay, 400m and 400m relay will now take part in all her events without any problem. The five events are scheduled to be held within four days with no clash between the events.

The manager further said Sriyani Kulawansa the captain of the athletic team who has a minor hip injury will not participate in the 100m event. She is expected to concentrate in her pet event 100m hurdles and 100m relay. However Kulawansa did her practices without any problem.

Today (Sept. 26) athletic events will commence with the marathon. The men’s marathon will start at 6.30 a.m. while women’s marathon will commence ten minutes after the men’s event. Sarath Gamage and M. Manoharan will compete in men’s marathon while Mallika Chandrakanthi and D. A. Inoka will take part in the Women’s Marathon.

The 100m men’s and women’s heats is scheduled to be held at Dasarath Stadium at 1 p.m. local time while finals will start at 3 p.m. Manager confirmed that Sugath Tillekeratne and Chintaka Soyza will not take part.

Meanwhile, Karate and Swimming is also scheduled to start today. Sri Lankan Swimming Manager Rifdy Fahmy said they expected to get one gold, four silver and 2 bronze medals and Conrad Francis will be the main swimmer who could get a gold medal in the 100m breast stroke. T. Theekshana Ratnasekara and Radeesha Daluwatte will take part in 100m free style while Ghefari Dulapandan and Eranga Fernando will participate in 200m free style.

Meanwhile, Kabaddi games will start on Sept. 27 with the Sri Lankans meeting Nepal in the opening game.

The shooting events will commence on Sept. 29. However, most of the events scheduled are not finalished yet and a few changes are expected.

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Cricket Board on a spending spree?

By Shirajiv Sirimane
Eye brows are raised in the alleged manner in which the Interim Cricket Board is going about spending billions of rupees for tamashas.

The Board has given a massive cash purse of 50,000 US Dollars as a special token of appreciation to the Sri Lanka team that won the Aiwa triangular series between India and Australia last month.

This is in addition to the USD 30,000 that the 15 member team received as prize money. This totals up to nearly Rs. 8 million.

The Board will once again shake their lavish kitty and pull out nearly 15 lakhs of hard earned money to host a banquet for the Australian and Sri Lankan cricketers.

This event is scheduled to take place on October 4, 8 p.m. onwards at the Taj Samudra Ballroom. Over 550 guests including politicians and ambassadors are invited for this event.

Meanwhile, the Cricket Board had printed tickets to the commercial value of Rs. 21 million for hosting this triangular series involving India Sri Lanka and Australia. This amount, would have been much more had the Interim Board not decided to issue a surprise 700 complimentary tickets per match. The Board had earned Rs. 10 million from sale of tickets and a further 10 million is yet to be accounted for in the Cricket Board account books.

Though the BCCSL constitution clearly states that a monthly statement of accounts has to be tabled, this too had not been adhered to according to our sources. In most cases money had been spent and cover approval taken.

Meanwhile, over Rs. 36 million BCCSL deposits from the Union Bank had been withdrawn and redeposited at the Hatton National Bank. The same Bank had the rare previledge of being the Bankers, to be the depositers of the Sonytel TV rights contract money too, which exceeds US Dollars 3 million. When contacted a BCCSL official said this was done since the HNB offered a better interest rate.

Qantas Regatta today

Ceylon Motor Yacht Club CMYC will organize the annual Qantas Sailing Regatta at Bolgoda Lake, this Sunday (26)

The Qantas Sailing Regatta is an annual event and the Challenge Cup was presented to CMYC more than 25 years ago. The regatta is a single fleet race for GP 14, Enterprises, lasers and Water Wags and Boat Handicap and Personal Handicap will apply in this regatta.

A laser is single handed sailed but in this particular regatta single handed sailing is also allowed in other classes where it is permitted in the class rules. More than 20 boats are expected to sail this race which will start at 11.00 a.m.

In the Qantas regatta sailed last year Alan Minson in his laser dinghy crossed the finishing line first and was also declared the winner after boat and personal handicaps were calculated.

The Chief Guest for the day will be Mrs. Michelle Perera - sales Manager of Qantas Airways in Sri Lanka. The Officer of the day to conduct the race will be immediate past Commodore of CMYC and President of Yachting Association of Sri Lanka Joseph Kenny.

Michelle Perera said that they also sponsor golf and the Trans Asia open Tennis tournament, for the past three years. "The liaison with CMYC is now 29 years old and we want to continue it in the future as well," she promised.

It was also disclosed that a optimist event will be held for youngsters for the first time.

Nine member sailing team to Pakistan

By Shirajiv Sirimane
The Yachting Association of Sri Lanka (YASL) has fielded a 9 member team for the 9 Asian Sailing Regatta which will be held from 26 to 30 September in Karachi, Pakistan.

The team is led by Lalin Jirasinghe who will be teaming up with teenager, Devaka Balasuriya in the Enterprise class. The skipper with 25 years of international sailing experience behind him, with W. P. Janaka won a Bronze for the country from the last Bangkok Asian Games.

Jirasinghe is once again expected to bring home at least a silver from this event for the country.

For the first time YASL has decided to field a competitor for the laser class and sailor W. P. Janaka will make his debut. W. P. Gunatilleke will team up with M. Upul (Both of Navy) to compete in enterprise ‘B’ team.

Two 18 year old windsurfers from Bentota too will make it to Karachchi.

History created

However the cynosure of all eyes will be 12 year old Rehan Dias who is the youngest competitor ever to represent Sri Lanka in this sport.

A student of Royal College, he will compete in the optimist class. Rehan is the son of former Olympic Sailor Ranil Dias.

Part of the finances for this tour were made available by the Sports Ministry who is very keen to promote the sport.

Rehan could take part in the 10th annual optimist class race which will commence soon after in Karachchi.

However the manger Thuduwatte has been requested by operational duties and the YASL is looking forward for a sponsor to shoulder the financial burden of a new manager for Rehan, to be flown from Sri Lanka.

The team: Lalin Jirasinha (Captain) and Devaka Balasuriya. (Enterprise class) W. P. Janaka (Laser Class) W. P. Gunatilleke and M. Upul (Enterprise Class — B team).

Windsurfers -T. H. Kosala and Upul Priyantha.

Optimist Class - Rehan Dias (Royal College)

Manager - Comm. N. Thuduwatte (Vice President YASL)

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A match is not won or lost until the last...

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
At the time of writing, having a lead of 112 runs with all 10 wickets in hand on a pitch that is increasingly taking spin, and three days remaining for play - hopefully, without weather intervening - seems an impregnable position for the Sri Lankans to be in. Also, being one-up in the series with only the third Test to be played makes the situation even more gratifying for the Sri Lankan team under new skipper Sanath Jayasuriya.

Remember Allan Border’s visit in 1992-93

However, one can never be complacent in cricket, especially against the Australians. They will fight to the last run/ball/wicket. Remember Allan Border’s visit in 1992-93? A match which both Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga would rather forget. Sri Lanka scored 547/8 declared and enjoyed a first innings lead of 291 runs. Eventually, Sri Lanka needed the formality of scoring 181 runs for a famous victory on the last day after having completely dominated the game. The bands were playing, the crowds were cheering themselves hoarse. A Sri Lankan victory was seemingly a matter of time. Mahanama and Hathurusinghe began the victory-chase by putting on a comfortable 76 runs for the first wicket. Cruising would be the word to describe, as the Sri Lankans were going for the target. Sri Lanka were 127/2, needing just 54 runs with 25 overs remaining and Aravinda de Silva who had scored 37 runs in 32 balls with 7 fours at the wicket. As the Wisden Almanack described the scenario:

"The carelessness of Aravinda de Silva cost Sri Lanka what would have been their third and most famous victory since entering the Test arena in February 1982ÉÉde Silva attempted to strike McDermott for the second time over Border at mid-on. Border, at full stretch, ran 25 metres with the flight of the ball and held a magnificent catch over his shoulder. From that moment Sri Lanka collapsed utterly, losing their last 8 wickets for 37 runs."

Ranatunga too perished to the same combination for a ‘duck’ and Sri Lanka lost the game by 16 runs. A certain bowler by the name of Shane Warne grabbed 3 wickets in 13 balls without conceding a run and a magnificent career was born.

One of the best catches ever

Even when the Sri Lankans were seemingly cruising, the Australians were still battling it out, and they were rewarded for their persistence. That effort by Border to dismiss Aravinda was one of the most well-judged catches, it was my privilege to have witnessed. He ran around 25 to 30 meters at least from wide mid-on, flipped his headgear a way and keeping his eyes on the ball that was going away from him whilst running sideways, took the catch over his shoulder. The art of fielding displayed at its brilliant best, and which probably won the match.

Another catch, I was privileged to witness, which also contributed mightily to the ultimate and unlikely win by the underdog happened at Lord’s during the World Cup final of 1983. In reply to the mediocre Indian total of 183, West Indian maestro, Vivian Richards, was blasting his way with a flurry of boundaries and as the Wisden described: "ÉÉswept the total swiftly and effortlessly to 50. Then, when 33, he mistimed a hook and Kapil Dev took a fine catch over his shoulder, running back towards the mid-wicket boundary." The next 8 wickets fell for the addition of 90 runs and India became the first Asian nation to win the World Cup.

Aravinda’s idol Viv did the same

Of course, Aravinda can take some consolation from the fact that even Viv Richards, whom he idolises, has made a similar mistake! Judging the manner he has batted in the current series so far, all that is behind him. Toppling Aravinda from his batting perch now is no easy task. He does not give it away that easy now. If only, he was like that when he was fleeter on his feet. Compared to his salad days, though Aravinda is indeed trying very hard to run between the wickets and chase the ball when on the field, he is struggling. Wonder why he was not on the field for sometime on the second day. True, Arjuna accepted three catches in the slips but he is no Mark Taylor in that position, and his batting, so far, did not reflect the experience he possesses. Trying to hit Shane Warne out of the ground before settling in, is not the way a man who has been in the business more than anyone else in the international cricket scene should be indulging in.

Jayasuriya’s inspiring leadership

Russell Arnold continues to show his prowess and proves that quite a few youngsters were lounging around in the cold for too long - as the ‘A’ tour to England also showed. Rangana Herath made a memorable debut and bowled admirably on the second day. He is not yet an Ajit de Silva or a Sahabandu but there are signs that he could well make the grade. Let us hope that he will prove to be the foil for Murali. Meanwhile, Murali keeps spinning his magic. Yet, it is time another off-spinner is groomed. Nuwan Zoysa is another who slows the fielding down and unless he keeps getting wickets, just bowling a handful of overs and lazing on the field is a luxury Sri Lanka cannot afford. Romesh Kaluwitharana also does not inspire confidence behind the stumps though he did show some improvement in his glove-work recently. Maybe, with Prasanna Jayawardena now breathing down his neck something will give. Jayasuriya’s field-placing and his general leadership has been inspiring and the Selectors should be congratulated on their choice. After all, Selectors are not always wrong!

Aubrey Kuruppu stands alone

Now about the commentators and their comments. Less said about the Sinhala commentators the better. They simply keep blabbing along. Not for them to keep the principles of giving commentary either on TV or on Radio. Can’t they simply let the listeners know what is happening on the field and cut the rest out? Aubrey Kuruppu giving English commentary stands out. In fact, he is in my opinion, as good or better than most of the foreign commentators. The choice of words and the information he gives could be emulated by his Sinhala counterparts. Please, please, all you commentators do not pass judgment on the decision made by umpires. They are the men on the field and the camera can be deceptive at times. It was pathetic listening to a former Australian Test batsmen ranting and swearing that Jayasuriya was out when the Australians were trying to claim wickets in the evening on Day 2 by hook or by crook. Ponting’s conduct of throwing the ball whilst mouthing expletives when the appeal was disallowed, and the elbowing incident by Fleming, shouldn’t the Match Referee act?

Cricket can be played clean but hard, and it is time the current Australians - especially their pacemen - are taught that their predecessors who donned the baggy green cap did just that. They did not have to resort to uncouth behaviour to win matches. In this regard the Sri Lankans’ conduct was exemplary.

The Kangaroo is hurt and squeals

Too bad chums about the bad luck - a highly professional outfit failing to call for a catch - an elementary lesson every schoolboy learns and knows! But, I suppose the sceptre of defeat staring in the face, no doubt resulted in the panic and the resulting collision of limbs and bodies with deadly effect.

Now, shouldn’t our highly professional visitors be well aware that bad decisions have been part and parcel of the game over the years and wherever the game is played? Are the Darrel Hairs and the Emmersons supermen? Oh no, we have seen them make mistakes. And, I am not referring to Murali being called either. More on that later.

The bad decision being carped on is that of the caught and bowled chance of Mahela Jayawardene in Sri Lanka’s second innings with the score at 39 for three wickets with his personal score at 09 runs - so, the bad decision, if any, was certainly not costly. But,, our worthy visitors seem to conveniently forget those that went against Sri Lanka,

— When Marvan Atapattu was wrongly given out - a bat/pad catch in the very first ball he received on the second morning in Sri Lanka’s first innings with the score at 69 for two wickets and his personal score at 25 runs.

— the consecutive caught behind chances off Greg Blewett in the very second over from Chaminda Vaas in Australia’s second innings with a 46 runs deficit in the first innings, surprising even the foreign commentators. And Blewett continued to live a charmed life wit even the third umpire almost unfairly ruling against the fielding side in a very close run-out decision.

So, our very professional battle hardened visitors must know that bad decisions are a part of the game and that they generally even out. And surely, blatant unfairness is guarded against with an ICC match referee hanging around. So, why gripe without taking defeat graciously and without trying to take away anything from a brilliant Sri Lankan performance.

Some remarks about Aussie umpires and Murali is also in order. Murali, probably the best off-spinner in the world has been hounded Down Under. Scores of umpires around the world including the likes of David Shepherd have had no problems with his action. Surely unorthodoxy is not necessarily consonant with illegality in any sphere of human effort. And, Murali’s unorthodoxy - the result of a congenital bent arm with a double wristed action. Aren’t our friends Down Under also aware that often the handicapped of God’s children are doubly blessed. Wasn’t it Mozart who is believed to have produced some of his best compositions when he was turning deaf?

But, coming back to Murali and his alleged throwing hasn’t he being cleared both by the ICC and some top Bio-genetic academics from Down Under itself? So, why do the Aussies continue to squeal on this account when their own cricketing history has had a Jack Iverson (if my memory serves me right) who in his one Test history was almost unplayable as a spinner and one with also a natural impediment. This was probably in the 1950s/1960s when he practically ran through an English side in an Ashes series Down Under. And, his impediment - a naturally bent finger in his bowling hand! !

And, it was also very recently that I learnt of the Indian spin wizard Chandrasekera whose wizardry is attributed to have been the outcome of a polio-affected bowling arm. And, it is said that he always bowled in long-sleeved shirts to hide his impediment. So Murali, why not don long-sleeved shirts if you ever perform again Down Under? Or, have you decided against performing your magic hereafter in that area?

So finally, a little bit of ancient for your erudition - when the Great Scorer comes to record the scores - He records not whether you won or lost, but how you played the game.- A cricket fan Dehiwala

Trinity expected to do well

by Hafiz Marikar
Sri Lanka under 19 poolist Kaushalya Weerarathne, is being selected to lead the Trinity College cricket side for the second time. This is a very rare opportunity a schoolboy gets a chance to lead a team twice at any sport at Trinity. Last at cricket was M. T. M. Zarook who led in 1964 and 65.

P. B. A. Ratwatte had led the side on three occasions, 1897 to 99, C. B. Aluwihare had led on three seasons in 1903 to 1905, A. P. Maralande thrice from 1920 to 1922.

The guys who have led twice are C. E. W. Aluwihare 1900 and in 1901. Half way H. Ratwatte took over and he led the following year too. C. E. Simitharachchi led in 1912 and 13, V. C. Schokman in 1923 and 24, H. Daluwita 1925 and 26, J. W. Aiyadurai 1928 and 29, E. W. A. Buultjens 1932 and 33, T. B. Werapitiya 1943 and 1944, C. N. Schokman 1946 and 47, L. V. Wadsworth 1948 and 49, A Nimal Maralande 1958 and 59, and the last was M. T. M. Zarook.

Trinity College, is one of the oldest cricket playing schools in the country. They started this game in 1893. Before the second World War Trinity not only produced several top class cricketers but also produced several invincible teams.

Trinitians are still to produce a top all round side, like the 1966 team which was coached by the then famous man in cricket coaching T. B. Marambe, who was a cricket coach par excellence, That 1966 team was led by all rounder Harindra Dunuwille, the present Mayor of Kandy, who is a well known figure in the cricketing field. They had players like Himandra Ranaweera, Glen Vanlangenburg Chandra Amunugama, Nihal Marambe who is the record holder in Trinity batting. He is one who scored 202 against Kingswood, Ajith Abeyarathne the man who scored the fastest century for Trinity in 1967, A Herath, L. D. Abeyaratne to name a few.

When Trinity cricket is spoken, they still speak about the famous Trinity openers of 1946. Frank Sirimane and Senarath Pilapitiya, . Coming to Trinity this year’s team, Kaushalya Weerarathne a stylish all round cricketer, is all out to give a good show together with his team mates. Kaushalya who did extremely well as captain last year, should lead the side from the front.

He also should give a good account with his bat, for which he is capable. A knowledgeble player who should get the best out of his team. A. Anushka Imbuldeniya a stylish opening batsman, who should continue from where he left last season, is the vice captain.

The other senior players are Selvadurai a good bowler who should be among the wickets this season, Dilshan Rodrigo a good middle order batsman should give more time for his batting. Tivanka M. N. Rajaratne a player who got into the side half way last season and gave a good display with the ball. Then there is Randil Gamage a good stroke maker.

These seniors should do well once again. The Trinitians are coached by former Antonian and Sri Lanka cricketer Bernard Perera, who is all out to present results. D. B. Gunarathne is the master-in-charge and S. Ariyasingam the Prefect of Games. Trinity’s principal Prof. W. Breckenridge a keen follower of cricket is all out to give the side the best backing.

Lankan athletes have to go a long way in the World scene

A special report by Shirajiv Sirimane from Spain
The Sri Lanka athlete have ventured to take part in the 8 edition of the SAF games amides a huge media splash and are expected to be back bringing home at least 10 gold medals from this regional competition competed by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

The Government will spend over RS. 20 million for this tour and in addition over 15 million spent prior to the games. The Gold medallists upon arrival will be given a red carpet welcome and a cash prize too awaits them.

Though the games never produces an Asian mark is a good training ground for youngsters who knocking at the door for national honors. A few with the SAF experience go up to the Asian level and get stagnated there.

The President of the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) speaking to this correspondence in Seville, Spain said that Sri Lankan athletics has to go a long way in the World podium. " We are kings in SAF and Asia, but when it comes to the rest of the World we have to accept the fact that we are far behind. To go beyond it we need technology and advanced coaches to bring our athletes to World level" he added. "I am not undermining our coaches but then there are certain things in reality we have to face" he added.

Head Coach Sunil Gunawardane too addmitted that though there are qualified Sri Lankan coaches they all needed the knowledge on Sports Science. "This void will be filled when the Australians come to Sri Lanka. In addtion the Sports medicne unit too will be upgraded." He said. Gunawardane who is also the coordination secretay to the Sports Minister siad that Sports Medicine is the key to Australain world success. "You see if you take the population of Sri Lanka and Australaia it is the same and it is this science that makes tham the champions." He pointed out.

"The absence of Susanthika Jayasinghe, from the 7 IAAF world Championships in Athletics and the SAF Games was a big loss for the team. I think she should have run for the 200m. Any way like in Asian Games, for reasons best known for her she pulled out. We can’t go inside her and see what her injury is and we have to accept what the others say. " he added.

Defending World Games 200m Silver medallist, Susanthika Jayasinghe, pulled out of the 100 m sprint in the eleventh hour, after qualifying form the second round on the first day’s competition at the IAAF World Athletic Championships. She returned a time of 11 42 seconds and was placed third in her heat.

Jayasinghe also pulled out of the last years Asian Games in Bangkok after being`placed second in the first round. She sighted injury to her knee after that pull out. Jayasinghe yesterday said that she withdrew since she wanted to concentrate on the 200m event. "That is my pet event." She said. The 200m, heats are scheduled for 24 August at 10 45 a.m.

Jayasinghe, won the 1997 Athens, World Games 200m dash in 22 39 seconds and a prize plaque of 30 000 Us dollars. She also calmed nearly 3 million worth of other benefits in Sri Lanka after her ascendancy, which was Sri Lanka’s first ever-international athletic accomplishment by any female to date. Soon after her victory controversy surrounded her as she accused a top and powerful personality of victimizing her. She was later proved positive after an off season drug test for which an IAAF inquiry is still pending. Jayasinghe subsequently took wing to USA for advanced training and is still based there.

Not informed

The manager of Susanthika Campbell also added that now it is impossible for Susan to compete in the on going SAF games in Nepal. "We plan our calendar well in advance and the Sri Lankan authorities never informed me or Susan about the SAF games. Up to date we have not received any invitation from the local AAA in this regard. Therefore the chances of us making to the SAF games are remote’’ he added.

Asian Games 200m and 400m Gold medallist Damayanthi Dharsha failed to qualify for the 200m quarter finals while Sugath Tilakaratne too did not make it to the 400m semi finals on after the after the fourth day morning sessions events at the 7th IAAF World Athletic championships.

Sugath Tilakaratne too moved out of the 400m quarterfinals with an unimpressive run of 46.40 and being placed 7 in the second semi final. Michael Johnson (USA.) three times World Champion and current Olympic champion used the minimal effort tactic on his way to his fourth consecutive title by winning this heat with a 45.10 run ahead of Pole Tomasz (45.27) and Ibrahim Wade from Senegal. (45.53.) Former indoor champion Nigerian Sunday Bada failed to make it to the next round.

Both Sugath and his coach Anura Bandara said that the competition was too tough for them to handle. " I think that we should have rested Sugath’s injury." Said hie Coach. "I was in bed for two weeks, before this championships" said Sugath.

Sriyani Kulawansa Fonseka, skipper of the 7 member Sri Lankan team, competing in the 7 World Championships failed to reach the illusive mark of making it to the last eight, finishing last in her 100m Hurdle quarter final. Drawn up in the outer lane she returned home with a time of 12 98 which incidentally was her slowest timing in the World Cup. Her defeat has wiped away the singular fortuitous to see a Sri Lankan in a World Cup semi final and also had ended the nation performance of their athletes in the competition.

I’ll be there in 2004

Sriyani Kulawansa said that though some top officials are trying to write her off she said that she would be running for Sri Lanka even at the 2004 Olympics. " Some want’s me to give up after Sydney. But I know I have the age, strength and courage to continue" said the 30 year old skipper.

"If you take the World Cup 100m Hurdles final almost all the participants were over the age of 33 and there was a medallist at 35. So I have more time before I give up. Please write I told you this," She said.

Kulawansa has been made the athletic skipper for the SAF Games while Dharsha had been given the surprise honor of leading the contingent

The world Games meeting proved too tough for the 21 year old Ashok Jayasundara of Sri Lanka who failed qualify for the second round from the 400m men’s hurdles event. Drawn up in heat number two of seven heats he returned a time of 51 70 and was placed last in his heat which was won by Samuel Matete of Zambia with a time of 48.90. Jayasundara was finally placed 43 after the heats before Ivan Wakit of Papua New Guinea (52.55.") and Asha Ram of Nepal. (53.87.)

Chinthaka Soysa too bowed out from the short sprint from the first round itself.

After the 8 day world championship contest United States with 13 golds 6 silvers and 7 bronze medlas topped the medalls tally while germany 11, 5, 6 and Russia 9,4,5 followed. China the Asian giants ties with France for the 15 place (two Golds and Two silvers each.) while none of the South Asian countries could nt field a single competitor for even a semi final!

The curtain of the 7th IAAF World Championship in Athletcis, last world event of the milennium, which saw a record number of 204 countries taking part, came down last Sunday night after an ordinary closing ceremony. The only notable feature in this closing ceremony was the fact that there was a very loud fire works display. It was also announced that the 2001 Games would be held in Edmonton, Canada.

In addition to Susanthika, Sugath and Soyza too would not be competing in the SAF Games that will reduce at least 3 certain Gold’s for Sri Lanka from athletics.

An Aussie paceman who proved cricket was for gentlemen

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
Most modern Australian fast bowlers, by their on-field conduct, have contributed to the concept of the ugly Australian. Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson were great exponents of pace bowling. But, some of their actions, such as the occasion when Lillee kicked Pakistani batsman Javed Miandad during a Test match, and the much-discussed statement by Thomson that he likes to see blood on the pitch, did not endear him to the purists. Sadly, McGrath and Fleming appear to take after them. Breathing fire with the ball is what fast bowling is all about. Hurling abusive words and gesticulating in an obscene manner when a batsman hits a boundary is simply 'not cricket'. Or, to put it in a manner the modern cricketer understands, that type of conduct should be restricted to when drunkards play the drug-addicts.

However, the pioneering and the most famous of the Australian pair of fastmen were Gregory and McDonald who operated in tandem in the 1920's. The next pace duo was Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall. They were the spearhead of Don Bradman's invincible team of 1948. The two of them helped mow down the Englishmen, not by using abusive words, but by their bowling skill alone. As Sam Loxton, one of the 1948 Australian tourists said: ìI never heard Lindwall swear on a cricket field. If someone hit him, Miller or Bill Johnston for four, the bowler would say, 'good shot'. 

However, there is no question who the most flamboyant of all the fast bowlers, in fact, of all cricketers were. If not the most, certainly he would be one of the favourites for that palm. His name? Keith Ross Miller. So named by his parents since he was born during the time when Keith and Ross Smith were near the end of their record-breaking England-Australia flight. Standing over 6 feet, this handsome athlete was described by John Arlott as ìthe most exciting figure in world cricket for a decade after World War extrovert, generous, spectacular, unpredictable all-rounder, he was a giant of his time.   Don Bradman, who played a different brand of cricket, conceded in his autobiography that Miller was ìone of the most volatile cricketers of any age.and a crowd-pleasing personality. 

As a batsman he was spectacular as a bowler unpredictable. He enjoyed playing the game and gave the spectator even more to savour. Once, he was having the Englishmen on the ropes during a Test match at the Sydney Cricket grounds. Three quick wickets had fallen to the pace barrage of miller and Lindwall and the crowd was watching the proceedings with bated breath. In walks Freddie Brown, the man with a heart as big as a cabbage. As Brown passes Miller, the latter whispers to the batsman: ìFreddie I'll send you three half-volleys, you know what to do with them.  Obviously, Miller wanted to give the crowd a different type of entertainment. Falling wickets they have seen, now let us give them some runs, seem to be Miller's thinking. Miller bowled the three half-volleys as promised which Brown crashed dutifully to the fence amidst frenzied cheering. After all, a few boundaries after a lapse is a welcome change of scenario. The fourth delivery from Miller however nearly decapitated Brown and he fell to the ground in order to avoid the screaming red sphere. To the much surprised Brown, Miller declared: ìFreddie, I said three half-volleys not four! 

Then there was also the incident during the Australian tour of 1948 when they played Essex at Southend. The tourists put together a world record score of 721 runs in a day! In this carnage Miller was out first ball. The story was that he did not relish scoring runs during a bloodbath of this nature and let the ball through to hit the stumps, and instead, went for a game of tennis! Again, it was during the second Test at Lord's, during the same tour, that he had apparently refused to open the bowling even when Bradman tossed the ball to him. Most reckoned that these were the reasons why Miller was not originally selected for the 1949-50 tour of South Africa - and, why Ian Johnson was elected to captain Australia in 1956 over him.

Keith Miller was a genuine all-rounder. A man who can hold his place either as a batsman or a bowler. In 55 Tests he aggregated 2958 runs at an average of 36.9 and hit 7 hundreds. As an opening partner in the deadly fast bowling combination with Ray Lindwall, he captured 170 wickets at an average of 22.9. But, figures hardly tell the quality and the panache with which Miller played his cricket. He could win a match with acrobatic fielding at slip, or his big-hitting or an inspired spell of fast bowling. He was dashing and debonair both on and off the field. His memorable innings of 185 runs scored in 165 minutes for the Dominions XI at Lord's to celebrate the end of World War II is what legends are made of. Miller hit seven sixes, two of them with ìbackhand tennis shots . Once he began the proceedings of a Test match with a six.

During the War he was a fighter pilot who flew with the RAF. Once he had to bring his plane into a Norfolk airfield with his starboard engine on fire and crash-landed it with no more damage than the loss of its tail. If somebody were to say that he then and went and played in a cricket match none would have disbelieved. Such was his charisma. Born in 1919, Miller first played for Victoria and then moved to New South Wales. At forty years of age, he was invited to play for Nottinghamshire in the English county circuit and scored a hundred on his first appearance.

A lover of classical music and an incorrigible punter, he would be seen wearing a silk topper at the races or a dinner jacket at a symphony concert ìas easily as he mixes with the racecourse toughs.  Once he led the New South Wales team off the field to listen to the broadcast of the Melbourne Cup!

Miller played in Sri Lanka and thrilled local crowds when he and his local equivalent, C.I.Gunasekera, rattled up centuries at the Oval. Until Gary Sobers came along there wasn't any cricketer whom one could nominate to win a match with the last ball of the game whether with bat or ball other than Keith Ross Miller. And, win it without causing any rancour to the opposition. Maybe, modern fast bowlers, Australian or otherwise, could take a leaf from Miller's book.

Malagamuwa, Deheragoda and Jinasena take major honours

by Shirajiv Sirimane reporting from Mihintale
Dilantha Malagamuwa, Dinesh Deheragoda and Naradha Jinasena, emerged as major forces at the inaugural Singer-Akai Motor Races was concluded last week-end around the Rajarata University grounds here last week end.

Malagamuwa, who is being comprehensively sponsored by Latec, participated in four events and emerged victorious in two of them. He had to pull off his bike in one event, while in the formula event he was placed second after a close battle for supremacy with Romani De Silva.

Dinesh Deheragoda won the most glamourous Super Cars event which was worked off for the Singer-Akai Trophy on his Caltex Evolution pushing Rizwi Farouk to second place.

The 20-year old school boy from Veluwana Mv, who started his career by driving borrowed cars, came off in flying colors by stamping his mark. Jinasena won two events and was placed third in one. He said that he is finding it hard to compete due to lack of sponsors. "I had to spend nearly Rs 50,000 for this race’’ he said. He said that his next aim would be to win a higher class event.

The former champion Sumanapala Mannapperuma although failing to win a title, entertained the crowds by some superior driving skills. He was placed second in two events, the Group A Motor Cars 6.0 to 8.8 BHP event and the 8.0 to 10.kg/BHP event.

He said that he was under prepared for the races and did not expect improved and such speeding vehicles in the fray. " In the second race I did some adjustments and I came better than the first." He said

The firmer champion vowed that he would bounce back as a winner in the next race to come. Meanwhile his wife Manel, who to is a major force in the racing field, was seen racing along with the men since there was no event for the Ladies in the Group A motor cars 12.0 to 14.0kg/BHP event. Their publicity shy son, Madushan, competed in three events.

The village hero, Ajith Perera, competing in the motor cycle event came off good to be placed second in both the Racing and modified cycles over 125 cc events.

We are sorry!

The former Gam Udawa site in 1993 was claimed by many as the fastest and longest track in Sri Lanka with 8 good bends. One lap consisted of 1.6 k.m. How eve the last minute preparations of the tack restrained the speed of the events and one could witness parts of tar coming out. According to Ajith Perera, chairman Technical, Anuradhapura District Motor Racing Association, (ADMRA) said that though orders were given to tar the track well in advance, the Road Development Authority did the job only 5 days ago. He also said that he was the first person to use this track for training. "I am glad that this track that was discovered by me. It is now a recognized track for racing!" he said.

The President of the ADMRA and Deputy Minister Shantha K. Premaratne said that he was overjoyed with the success of the race and added that hey would conduct another race this year. On a suggestion made by ‘The Island’ he promised to have an event for the ladies as well and said would explore the possibility of awarding a few cash prizes for the winners.

When pointed out that the Press was not given a place to sit or even the official results were not released to them, he apologized for this shortcoming. "This is the first time we are organizing this event. But next time I will assure you that aspect will be looked after.’’ He promised.

International track

Meanwhile the Sports Minister S. B. Dissanayake who was the Chief Guest and spent the entire day at the races said that he would make this track an international one. "We will give a separate road for the University students and keep this track exclusively for racing" he said.

The Minister also said that he had allocated money from the Ministry to buy equipment for the sport. He also said that there were so many shortcomings and that was why he dissolved the governing body and appointed an interim board. "They will iron out these problems and hold elections soon," he said.

Ignored

The principal sponsors Singer Sri Lanka were seen left high and low in this event. The Singer Company who were the key figures getting this race off the ground found them completely ignored during the races. Part time sponsors covered some of their advertising banners, the previous day.

The awards ceremony did not have a single Singer Akai representative and they were not even called up to give a sponsor speech or even an award. The prize giving ceremony was a 100% politician’s affaire.

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