Chandimal will miss the first ODI today
Lankans will be sans the services of one of their top order batsmen – Dinesh Chandimal for their first One-day International against the West Indies which is scheduled to begin today at the R. Premadasa International Stadium. Chandimal, who faced a one match-ban along with Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma after admitting to charges of [...]
Sameera ‘ton’ guides Zahira to huge win
Sajith Sameera, Mohamed Ahnaf and Ishan Samsudeen shone as Zahira crushed President’s College Kotte by an innings and 115 runs in their Under-19 Inter-School cricket encounter concluded at Maradana yesterday. The morning session of play on day two saw left arm spinner Ishan Samsudeen ending with impressive figures of 5 for 31 and was supported [...]
Madurasinghe appointed to the SLC Interim Committee
Former National cricketer and national cricket selector Ranjith Madurasinghe who is also Secretary Kurunegala DCA has been appointed member of the SLC Interim committee by the Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekera. According to insiders the appointee is to fill the void created by the resignation of Jayananda Warnaweera from the Interim Committee. However after the [...]
When the Kiwis peck it hurts
It was August last year; though Sri Lanka’s two stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena at the tail end of their careers, the Lankan team did have that ramrod power in batting. In Galle it was easier; in spite a huge hundred by Younis Khan. A double hundred by Sangakkara, a half century by Jayawardena and [...]
Looming ‘catch 22’ of Tennis Player development
The International Tennis Federation [IFT] events are for juniors under the age of 18 and it has the reputation of being the show case of early player development in a country. The players of both genders coming through this phase have not shown the potenial to reach the top 100 of the world rankings to [...]
Northern hemisphere shows what rugby is made of
The World Cup is over and by the time you read this the Cup would have been annexed. What is important to note is that this was a World Cup where minnows have come of age. The matches were keenly contested. It was physical, bloody and brutal at times. The stands were either full or [...]
Confrontation or not, challenge China in South seas
LONDON – The sailing of a US warship within 12 miles of one of China’s new artificial islands in the South China Sea represents the most daring American military intervention in years. Not since President Bill Clinton sent a naval group through the Taiwan Strait in 1996 as a supportive gesture to the then-beleaguered Taiwanese [...]
Madushika establishes new record
Sampath Niroshan Appuhamy and E Thilina Chathuranga won the Over-20 and Under-20 ten kilometer walk of the 27th National Youth Festival held in Matara. Sandaruwan Dunukara and U.N.M. Deshapriya were runners-up. Kalhari Madushika won the Over-20 five-kilometre walk for women establishing a new games record of 25 minutes and 25.05 seconds while Thilini Madushani won [...]
Bilal Asif cleared
Pakistan’s Bilal Asif cleared of suspect bowling action DUBAI, Oct 31, 2015 (AFP) – Pakistani newcomer Bilal Asif’s bowling action has been cleared after it was found to be within the legal limits, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Friday. The bowling action of the 30-year-old spinner was reported as suspect during the third [...]
Springboks flash past Pumas in playoff
South African winger Bryan Habana and flyhalf Handre Pollard fell just short in their bids for individual records despite helping the Springboks to a 24-13 win over Argentina in the bronze medal playoff at the Olympic Stadium on Friday. Habana, who needed one touchdown to set a new outright record for the most tries by [...]
Pumas leave World Cup after clawing big powers
LONDON, Oct 31, 2015 (AFP) – Argentina left the World Cup happy having shocked the rugby powers with the idea that they will have to make room for a new kid on the block. Even in Friday’s third-place playoff, the Pumas scored a last minute try through replacement Juan Pablo Orlandi to restrict South Africa’s [...]
Rahula and Sujatha dominate Matara district short course age group swimming championship
Rahula College with 426 points and Sujatha College with 623 points dominated the boys and girls events at the 4th Matara District short course Age Group Swimming Championship organised by the Aquatic Sports Association of St Servatius College. Brilliant Star International with 226 points and St Mary’s Convent with 125 points were distant second while [...]
Devapathiraja Rathgama win first innings
Devapathiraja College Rathgama scored a first innings win over Sri Devananda College Ambalangoda in the first round match of ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 13 inter schools cricket tournament recently at Hikkaduwa. Shehan Anushka right arm paceman of Devapathiraja took 7 wickets for 14 runs and Pawan Sandesh right hand batsman of Devapathiraja scored 120 runs with [...]
Kumara Dharmasena a strict disciplinarian
I interviewed Kumar Dharmasena at his residence in Wijerama Junction, Nugegoda and the first thing he wanted me to take down was that he owed his Alma Mater, Nalanda College, for what he is today. He has played in the 1996 World Cup winning team and also umpired in the finals of the 2015 World [...]
The Mighty West Indians of the past
West Indians dominated the world cricket arena for over 25 years from 1960 to 1985. Going back they had three great captains in Frank Worrell, Garfield Sobers and Clive Lloyd. Sobers was a genuine allrounder while Worrell and Lloyd were also allrounders rising up to demanding occasions. Sobers was easily the best allrounder in the [...]
TSD Rally on Nov 7 and 8
The 400kilometre Time, Speed and Distance (TSD) Rally conducted by the Motor Racing Association (MRA) will be held on November 7 and 8 in Sevanagala. Entries will be open until November 4 at Prime Auto Care in Buthgamuwa Road, Rajagiriya.
Niluka prevails over younger sibling
The 63rd National Badminton Nationals came to a close at the Anuradhapura Urban Council Courts last weekend with Olympic quarter-finalist Niluka Karunaratne winning the Men’s National Singles crown. Tilini Hendahewa emerged champion in the Women’s segment defeating Kavindi Sirimannage in the finals. When Niluka overcame his younger brother Dinuka 2-0 in the Men’s Singles finals [...]
One can lose wealth but not knowledge gained from education – Prof. Bandara Dissanayake
Most professionals in their respective fields come from poor families, said the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya Prof. Upul Bandara Dissanayake, the chief guest at the annual prize giving of Mahamaya Girls College, Kandy at the school auditorium recently. He reiterated that Abdul Kalam, Sir Ivor Jennings, Gunapala Malalasekera were some of the [...]
Sandakan and Karunaratne restrict Kanrich
The fickle weather once again played spoil sport on the ongoing 3rd ‘Emerald Ceylon Tea’ Cup, MCA ‘B’ division 50 over league tournament 2016. Textured Jersey and John Keells ‘B’ advanced to the semi-finals along with DIMO and Mobitel defeating Kanrich Finance ‘A’ and LB Finance ‘A’ respectively in the bottom half quarter-final matches played [...]
MAS Active to meet Commercial Credit in k.o final
League winner, MAS Active Trading and League No. 7 Commercial Credit & Finance PLC will meet each other in the knock-out final of the 23rd Singer MCA Premier League 2016. MAS Active Trading had already pocketed the prestigious “League’ title dethroning the 2015 winner, MAS Intimate Unichela. The semi-finals, MAS Active Trading (the defender) vs. Sampath [...]
Too many turfs at Uyanwatte Stadium
Many hours of play have been lost in the under 19 school cricket fixtures being played at the Uyanwatte, the reason being insufficient covers at the stadium. When it rains there are insufficient covers to close all twelve center wickets and the few covers available have not been cared for by the players themselves! The [...]