• Indian actor detained in match-fixing probe
• Durham record first tour win
• Saranga may opt out of Fed. Cup
• Drieberg is no more
• Avishka to lead

• CR&FC has perfected the art of winning the ball
• Seetha Devi, Wennappuwa grab 7s hockey titles
• Kandy SC too hot to handle
• Cricket tour by former Australian Test stars
• Union Assurance sponsors Mercantile Open Sixes
• The science of reverse swing
• The need for under-17 District squads
• The First Test
• Rover pinpoints.....

Indian actor detained in match-fixing probe

NEW DELHI, April 15 (Reuters) - Film actor Kishen Kumar was remanded in custody for 14 days on Saturday after his arrest in connection with India's cricket match-fixing scandal that has already engulfed four South African international players.

"Film star Kishen Kumar was taken into custody late on Friday night for questioning on his role in the case particularly relating to foreign exchange violations," Subhas Bansal, special prosecutor for the quasi-judicial Enforcement Directorate (ED), said.

Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency said Metropolitan Magistrate Swaran Kanta Mehra served a custody order on Kumar in a New Delhi hospital where he was admitted shortly after the scandal erupted, complaining of high blood pressure and chest pain.

South African captain Hansie Cronje, Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Strydom have been charged by India with fixing matches during a limited overs series in India last month.

Cronje was sacked as South African captain on Tuesday for taking between $10,000 and $15,000 from a bookmaker for information and forecasting one-day matches, but has denied involvement in match-fixing.

Earlier, a Delhi Court extended by another day the remand of businessman Rajesh Kalra, who was arrested on match fixing charges on April 7.

The ED counsel Subhas, Bansal had sought three days remand for Kalra, saying the department had to confront him with fresh details on the case.

However, Metropolitan Magistrate Mehra extended Kalra's remand for a day only and said he must be produced in court again on Sunday.

Durham record first tour win

By Bruce Maurice

Durham University recorded their first win on their current tour of Sri Lanka when they beat Hotel Ceylon Inter-Continental by 75 runs in a limited overs match at the Bloomfield Grounds, Reid Avenue yesterday.

Batting first the University team, helped by a classic 43 by R. Johnson totalled 150 for 9 in their 40 overs, and bundled out the Hoteliers for 75 with Gauri capturing 5 wickets for 31.

In reply Durham University made 150 for 9.

Durham University - 150 for 9 in 40 overs (R. Johnson 43, C. Corlett 21, Fitzgerald O' Connor 20; S. de. Silva 2 for 17, A. Perera 2 for 11)

Hotel Ceylon Inter-Continental - 75 in 26.3 overs (N. Lakmalie 15, S. Perera 14, U. Tillekeratne 11; Gauri 5 for 31)

Saranga may opt out of Fed. Cup

Sri Lanka's slim chance of glory seem to be fading away as Saranga Sangakkara, the undisputed No. 1 player may opt out of the Fed. Cup. Sangakkara is currently residing in the United States and has a number of outstanding victories over high ranked players in University tournaments abroad.

Sri Lanka's chances of success lies with the participation of Sangakkara, who has notified the SLTA that she may not participate in the Fed. Cup due to a shoulder injury.

As an observer commented, since this injury is a long standing problem, surely Sangakkara who agreed to play and was included into the team, should have known that she would not be able to play at least 2 to 3 weeks ago. Having attended practice sessions in Sri Lanka for just one day, it seems Sangakkara decided that she was not in a position to play.

If this is the case was it necessary for her to come to Sri Lanka to realise that she is unable to play! If the injury occurred recently, then it is okay, but since the injury has been presented for the quite sometime, it is surprising how she arrived at such a decision.

With just over one week to go before the event, Sri Lanka seems to be in a dilemma. Sri Lanka may now have to field only two players, i.e. Vajira Premaratna and Sobhni De Silva. The other player Manisha Abeywardene was dropped by the Sports Ministry due to a complaint by another player.

Abeywardene is currently participating at the Bandarawela Ranking Tennis Tournament. The SLTA may now have to decide on whether to play with just two players, down from the four selected by the selection committee or not participate at all.

However, non-participation will lead to a penalty payment or suspension.

The Federation Cup Group 11 qualifying event will begin on April 24 in Oska, Japan.

Drieberg is no more

Allen Drieberg passed away in Perth, Australia yesterday (14/4) aged 73 years. He was a fine product of Royal College where he excelled as a student and rugby player. He graduated from the Ceylon University and joined the Inland Revenue Dept where he rose to be Senior Assessor.

In the field of rugby Allen was a member of Larry Foenander's Royal team which beat Trinity for the first time at Bogambara. A member of the excellent Havelocks team of the late 40s/early 50s which won the Clifford Cup when it was first played between clubs.

He was a member of the All Ceylon team under Howard Campbell which won the All India trophy in 1951.

Avishka to lead

Avishka Gunawardena will lead the Sri Lanka Board President's XI against the Zimbabwe 'A' team in their three day practice game at the P. Sara Stadium.

The Board President's XI will be picked from the following:

Avishka Gunawardena, Pradeep Hewage, Shantha Kalawitagoda, Kumar Sangakkara, Upeka Fernando, Chamara Silva, M. Pushpakumara, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Prabath Nissanka, Suresh Perera (subject to fitness) or Dinusha Fernando, Niroshan Bandaratilleke, Jehan Mubarak and Dinuka Hettiarachchi.

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