19th November 2000
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Guy's great hope for gals
Women willow wielders go for the World cup
By Jatila Karawita
"Sri Lanka's women cricketers have loads of talent but they do not have sufficient finances to improve their talents to a higher level," coach Guy De Alwis, a former Sri Lanka Test wicket keeper bat told The Sunday Times on the eve of Sri Lanka's women's cricket team's participation in the Cricinfo Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.Sri Lanka squad led by allrounder Rasanjali Silva is due to take wing to the 'Kiwiland' on Tuesday.
They will be away for a month.
"Our ladies have been working very hard at their game in tuning up for the World Cup. During the last World Cup in '97 we reached the quarter finals. This time my goal is to motivate these ladies to reach the semi finals and take them from there on," said De Alwis who spoke highly of the women's team making an impression in the tourney.
He was very outspoken when asked for his views about any sponsors coming forward to help the girls and said if not for the kind sponsorship given by Lanka Tiles Limited they would not have been able to take part in the tournament .
Some of these girls who come from the outstations such as Anuradhapura and Kaduwela do not even have pocket money for their expenses. Such is the current predicament of these young girls.
"Though they are all employed they are yet to play cricket for the sheer love of the sport and with the amount of keenness and enthusiasm displayed by them if any finances come readily to them they will go places,' stated De Alwis who bemoaned the mentality of Sri Lanka's private sector of supporting a certain team only if they bring trophies or medals to the country.
'These people who can support a team financially like ours wait until we bring a trophy home.
Provided, we win the World Cup people will flock in their numbers at the feet of these ladies to shower them with all kinds of gifts and money but until that they will keep mum,' explained former Sri Lanka keeper De Alwis who was confident that Sri Lanka will fare up to expectations in the World Cup.
In De Alwis's view Australia and New Zealand who are two of the best and professional women's cricketing outfits in the arena are fancied to clinch the World Cup but admitted a few upsets are possible by teams such as Sri Lanka, India, and even Ireland and Holland — two of the non Test playing nations.
He said that the Sri Lankan team will be based in Christchurch and will play most of their games at all major Test venues in New Zealand.
Asked to single out any players who have caught his eye De Alwis being the true team man he refused to let down any lady in the team and said everyone has contributed in their own way to bring up the team to what it is today.
He was of the view that bowling and fielding were the two areas his girls are expected to deliver the goods with the coach paying lot of emphasis on batting to reach the desired level internationally.
He lastly thanked Mrs. Gwen Herath on whose initiative it has been possible
to take part in this World Cup and also the curator of SSC Ranil Abeynaike
and the Executive Committee of the SSC for making it possible to utilize
the practice facilities.
Bat, ball and foul mouth
The year was 1990. The Sri Lankan cricket team with Nisal Senaratne as Manager and Arjuna Ranatunga as captain spent several months on a tour of Australia. As new boys on the block they had accepted a horrendous tour itinerary. The official policy was: "we have come here to learn." They were confronted by the relentless will to win among all the sides they faced, including the country sides and their umpires. They were subject to the fullest repertoire of verbal assaults, otherwise known as "sledging", that the Aussie cricketers could muster. This was occasionally interspersed with 'accidental' interference with batsmen as they ran between wickets, notably by Merv Hughes and Greg Campbell.Emulating the Australians who copped it sweet during the infamous Bodyline series the Sri Lankan cricketers "copped it sweet" and rode the intimidation. Several local supporters wanted them to retaliate in kind. I disagreed vehemently. It is in anger that I drafted a protest. Though I had Nisal's support in principle, this was a personal statement and not one that was vetted by the management.
I did not see it as an issue of racism. I was fully aware of the anecdotal
story relating how the black English fast bowler, David Lawrence, had been
in the vanguard of those heaping abuse on young Hashan Tillekeratne as
the latter scored a century for the B Team against England B at Galle a
season or so previously. On that occasion Hashan is said to have approached
Duleep Mendis, addressing him with customary etiquette as "Aiyya" (elder
brother), and inquired why Lawrence and others were humiliating him so
severely. This was a mark of the difference in cultural idiom between the
two cricketing worlds at that point of time. Michael Roberts
Look out for Serasinghe
By Leonard Ratnayake
Sanath Jayasuriya missed the first double century in One-Day International cricket. He got carried away and stepped down the crease and fell victim to a stump off a delivery from Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly in the final of the Sharjah Championship.This gave us the hint that a double century in one day cricket is within his reach and would become reality in the near future.
However unnoticed by cricket fans Sachithra Serasinghe of Nalanada College blasted an unbeaten 209 runs against Thurstan College in an inter-school encounter.
This feat was known only by his parents, some close friends and people who encouraged his cricketing career. Even the school authorities failed to acknowledge the feat. This occurred only a few days before Jayasuriya's exciting innings in Sharjah.
Serasinghe's 209 is important because he carried the bat through the innings. His run spree provided spectators at Nalanda Grounds with several huge sixes and dashing boundaries, all written with the strength and authority of the young lad. There were 11 sixes and 28 boundaries in his innings.
The 13-year-old right handed batsman, who represents Nalanda in Under 13 cricket, did his talking with the bat during the season. He has compiled 660 runs in six innings at an average of 113.5 runs.
His unbeaten innings of 209 in the first match of the season has given him a lot of confidence and went on to make 77 against St. Joseph's, 100 vs Ananda, 135 vs Sri Sumangala, Panadura, 99 vs Lumbini and 50 v Kingswood. He also enjoys his role as a bowler and by rolling his right arm for off spin bowling he has captured 15 wickets in six matches at an average of 9.53 runs during this season.
He had been a much sought after cricketer by various schools and within a space of three years he has changed school thrice.
In 1999 he was with Ashoka Vidyalaya, Colombo. He scored only 144 runs in four innings averaging 36 runs. In 1998, the time when he stepped into cricket he had a good start by scoring two centuries in two matches for Kolonnawa Olcott MV.
His innings of 121 against De Mazenod College, Kandana is his first great knock and the tournament's first century for the season. He followed this up with 101 against Sri Subuthipura MV, Battaramulla.
His cricketing prowess had not gone unnoticed when he was selected to
tour India with the Kettarama Cricket Academy under 13 XI to play against
Bangalore Cricket Academy under 13 XI. His performance in the tournament
earned him the 'best batsman' and 'best player' awards too. He has scored
103 runs in three matches to average 34.44 runs. He has also taken 25 wickets.
Rover pinpoints
Forget the past
Rover learns that when Susanthika Jayasinghe went to meet the new Minister of Sports he listened to everything that was said, and wanted her to make up with the AAA boss forgetting all differences for the betterment of the sport. One wonders whose pleading it was and pleading on behalf of whom?Told to shut up.
The AAA boss was told in no uncertain terms that he cannot issue any statement to either the print or electronic media, by the Minister. In short he was to told shut-up!Congratulations
Congratulations Susanthika and Dhammika for your long overdue wedding reception for which you had picked 300 as special guests to the occasion from 18 million at the Hilton to be celebrated tomorrow. Your invitations have hurt many including the SOB's and his aides who treated you so badly. Your enemies must be repenting in silence now . Note Sussi, God never fails !Double standards
How come the Cricket Board is treating the electronic and print media in different ways as seen by the ongoing issues. Is it because a top runger from the Board is calling the tune in allowing cricketers and officials to speak to the TV station of his choice since he is employed with them. How low can one stoop.Gone crazy
A Sri Lankan competitor finished 25th out of a field of 25 at a foreign meet, praise was given to this by an official who accompanied the team on this tour as worthwhile and blamed the facilities. Why on earth go on tour then !Where is the SLBF fixed deposit
Sri Lanka Basketball Federation had a fixed deposit for few lakhs with a leading Savings Bank with its Head Office at Colombo 3. The signatories for withdrawal are a former Treasurer, Vice President and a former President. The present President and the member of the Executive Committee are kept in the dark about this fixed deposit. Even the statement of accounts does not show this fixed deposit. Present officials informed Rover that they do not know what has happened to the money?SLBF without Treasurer
Rover is informed by SLBF officials that since the sudden disappearance of the Treasurer elected at the AGM in March, no new appointments have been made to date. Who is opperating the Bank Account of the SLBF? Who has got the Accounts Books and who submits statement of accounts at the monthly EXCO Meetings?Why no Mercantile Basketball rep at Exco? Rover is informed by constitutional experts that any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings loses his right and a new member has to be appointed. Why Mercantile Services Basketball Association has not appointed any representatives to attend the EXCO meetings of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation ? Is it because SLBF has not paid the dues to the Hony Secretary of the MSBA ?
Why money not paid ?
Nearly two years have passed and the money due to the Manager and the FIBA Referee appointed to go to Japan for the ABC Women Tournament has still not been refunded by the SLBF. Rover is made to understand that the collection made for the tour by the two officials was deposited to the SLBF accounts. But the coach had left behind these two officials and taken the team for the Tournament with the collection made by the two officials for their Air tickets. Why is SLBF not refunding the full amount due to the two officials ? Who is the office bearer stopping refunding the money ? Why is this office bearer bringing his personal enmity with the coach to penalize the Manager and the FIBA referee?Well done Veterans
Rover wishes to congratulate the Veteran Cagers for winning the Bronze at the 2nd Asia Pacific Masters game in Australia. This clearly shows the high standard of Basketball played by the Old-Uns and standard when they were young. Can the present players and coaches raise the present standard to the standard of Veterans and bring medals to Sri Lanka?
Captain Sera's award lifted by Ambani
The Captain's Cup at the Royal Colombo Golf Club was inaugurated in the year 1898 and this tremendous event has moved without interruption except for short periods during World War 1 & 11. The good looking trophy will be held by the winner for one year.Additionally the winner will receive a handsome award from the Captain and this year it will be from popular personality Haris Serasinghe who has been extremely successful as the leading Executive of the Club this year.
Sunday was bright, sunny and pretty warm. The fairways looked good and the greens well manicured.
Several players observed that playing conditions were comfortable.
Despite this special luxury and encouragement from the turf stacks fell by the wayside and bigger stacks responded poorly falling prey to the hazards particularly the ponds.
Ambani Unrivalled
J. J. Ambani came pretty good with a quality performance after a period of cheerless play.He was striking the ball well and sensing a good score he got miserly with his strokes and using them judiciously he came through with a good score of nett 69 totally adequate to collect Serasinghe's award and the Captain's Cup. J.J. was an extremely popular winner.
Coming up behind young Ambani was another spritely player who has now come down to a 14 handicap.
He played well but most unfortunately lost concentration which deprived him of a couple of strokes from which he recovered but insufficient to bring him victory.
One stroke behind he was placed 2nd.
Awards
The Award Ceremony preceded by cocktails collected a sizable crowd of players, spouses and invitees which included cricketer, golfer and all round Sportsman Owen Mottau.The centre stage was loaded with a galaxy of past presidents and captains who took their turn to distribute a chain of awards.
Haris Serasinghe took the opportunity to exhibit his speechcraft with a crisp communication thanking those who contributed towards the success of the several tournaments particularly Lionel Almeida.
He has handled all competitions, award ceremonies and socials with meticulous
care and skill.
Closing time was elastic with a great spirit of camaraderie prevailing.
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