Murali strikes twice as India fall apart

By Marlon Fernandopulle

Trailing by 376 runs India needed to put up a solid batting performance to save the test and level the three match test series. Their openers Shiv Sunder Das(68) and Sandagopan Ramesh (55) did just that putting on 107 runs for the first wicket. But the rest of the Indian batsman failed to provide any support as they lost four wickets for 25 runs and slipped to a dangerous 217 for 6 wickets by the close after being 186 for two wickets at one stage.

For Sri Lanka once again it was their ace off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who paved the way. With Das and Ramesh scoring freely and threatening to take the game away from the hosts, Muralithran struck a crucial blow minutes before lunch when he snapped up Das, brilliantly caught by Hashan Tilakaratne at silly mid off. The short, compact right hander scored his second half century of the game, 68 off 161 balls and nine boundaries.

Soon after lunch Muralitharan sent back Ramesh with a peach of a delivery that bounced and spun sharply to bowl the left hander. The two wickets helped Murali to get his 6th ten wicket haul in tests.

The exit of both openers brought together the two most senior Indian batsman Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly. The pair needed to bat with purpose and string a sizable partnership to take India to safety. However after adding just 39 runs Dravid was run out to a fine direct hit by Marvan Atapattu from mid on. Soon after new boy Mohamed Kaif needlessly ran himself out as India lost their fourth wicket at 196.

Sri Lanka then struck a crucial blow when Thilan Samaraweera claimed his first test wicket, Ganguly caught in the slips. Surprisingly Samaraweera who is playing as an all rounder and better known for his bowling skills was brought in rather late in the innings. However he responded immediately with the wicket of the Indian captain which has left the visitors staring at defeat. Night watchman Bahutule did not last long as he was bowled by Jayasuriya to leave the Indians at 217 for 6 wickets by the close, poised to lose the three match test series.

Scoreboard

S. Das c Tilakaratne b Muralitharan 68
(Playing forward bat/pad catch to silly mid-off)
S. Ramesh b Muralitharan 55
(Played from his crease,ball turned sharply from leg stump)
R. Dravid run out 36
(beaten by a throw from Atapattu(mid on) at non strikers end)
S. Ganguly c Jayawardene b Samaraweera 30
(playing forward,outside edge to 1 st slip)
M. Kaif run out 05
(beaten by a throw from Sangakkara at the non strikers end)
H. Badani not out 08
S. Bahutule b Jayasuriya 00
(left the ball,off the pad/hand to the stumps)
S. Dighe not out 04

Extras (LB-01,NB-08,W-02) 11

Total (for 6 wkts in 109 overs) 217

Fall of wickets:1-107,2-147,3-186,4-196,5-210,6-211

Bowling: C. Vaas 19-7-41-0, D. Fernando 17-3-59-0, M. Muralitharan 39-15-60-2, S. Jayasuriya 21-10-34-1, D. Liyanage 5-0-12-0, T. Samaraweera 8-4-10-1.

Kandy SC play like champions

By Bernie Wijesekera

This defeat by the CH is the worst they have suffered at the hands of Kandy SC in recent times and that too happened in their own backyard!

Nalaka Weerakkody, who showd a touch of class for Kandy, is tackled by a CH player with Kandy and CH players moving in support. Kandy beat CH 46-8 to win the Caltex League title. Pictures by M.A. Pushpakumara.
 

Kandy who were assured of the title had an axe to grind. In the first match they were able to win 12-10 at Nittawela when the match ended abruptly for alleged stone throwing. But yesterday the entire Kandy back division showed abundant fire-power and stamina to run the ball. They put up a delightful exhibition to run in six tries. They ran the ball beautifully and made gaping holes in the CH defence as the host team lacked fitness to counter the moves of their opponents.

The CH forwards played in patches and looked a spent force. Kandy played with a lot of authority. Locks Asoka Jayasena and Basnayake played intelligently and skillfully to bemuse the CH defence which was in tatters.

For CH skipper Ajith Upawansa and flanker Kokum Seneviratne caught the eye. Nalin Dissanayake had three spot kicks from kicking range but managed to fire over only one. Weerakkody in the last line of defence showed a touch of class. He accounted for 13 points with his kicking. His kicks to touch under pressure reminded one of the Havelocks legendary Glen Vanlangenberg's booming kicks to touch in the 60s and 70s.

Kandy winger Radhika Hettiarachchi was the showpiece. The dusky winger with sheer speed foxed the defence to score a hat-trick of tries. He could have got the fourth when he went over the line in the second half, but sportingly passed the ball to centre Vidya Bandara who touched down. Bandara earlier scored his first try too off a lovely move. The first Kandy try was scored by workhorse Asoka Jayasena with the kick off, to start the scoring spree.

Kishu Gomes, Director-General Manager Caltex was the chief guest while Shilby Latiff, Deputy General Manager was the guest of honour and gave away the main awards. The SLRFU were represented by President Harsha Mayadunne, Vice President Ibrahim Hamid and Secretary Shane Dullewa. Plate winners: Navy.

Havelocks trap Police 

By M.Shamil Amit

Police had the game in their hand for most of the time but due to some robust playing by the Havies forward the Police were made to eat humble pie. Police opened scoring through a try from second row Upul Peiris and again through flanker Aruna Silva. Both tries were converted by fly half Susil Dissanayake who also put over two penalties. 

City Sports Roundup

Shanki and Chavi win singles

By Bruce Maurice 

Nawchali De SIlva pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament when she defeated top seed Mahesha Seneviratne in an under 16 semi final round and then went onto to clinch the title by defeating Jancy Paramanathan 6/3, 6/3. 

Top seeds Mahesha Seneviratne and Dushinka Subramaniam won the girls' under 18 doubles by defeating Nawchali De Silva and Jancy Paramanathan6/2, 6/4. While N.S. Nishendran reached the boy's under 14 singles final when he inflicted a 6/1, 6/1 defeat on Dinusha Wijesuriya and is now billed to play the top seed Franklyin Emmanual in the final. 

Results 

Girls' under 18 doubles final- Mahesha Seneviratne and Dushinka Subramaniam beat Nawchali De Silva and Jancy Paramanathan 6/2, 6/4. 

Girls' under 16 final - Nawchali De Silva beat Jancy Paramanathan 6/3, 6/3. 

Boys' under 14 Singles: semi final - N. S. Nishendran beat D. Wijesuriya 6/1, 6/1. 

Boys under 12 singles final - Chavi Talagala beat R. Kohulan 7/5, 5/7, 6/3. 

Girls under 12 singles final - Shanki Dandeniya beat Amitha Arudprakasam 7/5, 7/5. 

Girls' under 14 semi final - Jancy Paramanathan beat Thiyumi Abeysinghe 6/2, 7/6. 

Boys' under 16 semi final - O. Wijemanne beat N. Nishendran 6/4, 7/5. 

Boys' under 16 quarter final - S. Sabanathan beat S. Wickramasinghe.

Junior cricket pool picked

This pool was selected after conducting ten trial matches worked off from July 31 to August 30.

The pool comprises: C. Sylvester, U. Tharanga, S. Perera, M. Bandara, O. Wijesiriwardena, D. Niroshan, Y. Diluk, D. Prasad, U. Warna, J. Mendis, S. Wijeratne, M. Dunusinghe, D.Indika, E. Abeysinghe, L. Muthalip, A. Wettasinghe, K. Gunawardena, F. Mahroof, G. Chandrakumar, N. Wickremarathne, L. Fernando, D. Goonetilleke, C. Kumasaroo, P. Ranawake.

The selected players are requested to be present at the NCC Grounds on Tuesday, September 4 at 12.30 p.m. and meet Own Mottau, the national coach of the BCCSL.

Kandy Youth in k.o. round

Pathirana told the Sunday Times that there was no truth whatsoever of them pulling out of the knock-out tournament. He said that the Minister of Sports Lakshman Kiriella's vision is to help develop rural rugby and he has assured of funds for Kandy Youth. He said that before the end of the season Kandy Youth will produce at least one player to the national squad. He also stated that there would be a facelift to the Bogambara Stadium, including changing rooms for the players and a new Media Box before the International Rugby Sevens to be held on September 14, 15 and 16 (BW)

Chilaw Marians pile up a massive 412

Janaka Guneratne cracked a century which comprised 16 hits to the ropes while Lakmalka Fernando 93 (11 fours and 3 sixes) up and coming batsmen Ishan Muthaliph 80 (8 fours and 2 sixes) and Charith Sylvester 44 doing the bulk of the scoring. There were three good partnerships one for the fourth wicket of 78 between Janaka and Charith, fifth wicket partnership of 93 between Janaka and Ishan and 112 for the seventh wicket between Ishan and Lakmalka.

Chilaw Marians - 412 ( Janaka Guneratne 106, Lakmalka Fernando 93, Ishan Muthaliph 80, Charith Sylvester 44, Amila Gunewardena 16, Arosha Perera 38; Omesh Wijesiriwardena 3 for 61, Anura Bandaranayake 3 for 63, Nilantha Cooray 3 for 83) - MSA 

Rally and Jehan lead run spree

The NCC closed their innings at 330 for the loss of four wickets and then snapped up 2 Navy wickets for 78 by the close. 

NCC - 330 for 4 declared in 84.3 (R. Tissera 159, J. Jayasuriya 76, S. Gamage 46 n.o., D. Ramanayaka 17, S. I. Nanayakkara 2 for 93). 

Navy - 78 for 2 in 12.3 (I.N. Perera 43, S.I. Nanayakkara 24 n.o). MSA

Waidyatilaka to conduct Course

In July 2000 the first ever Level 1 course was held, organized by the AAA of Sri Lanka. The entire course was conducted by IAAF accredited Lecturer Mr. P.H.D. Waidyatilaka. On that occasion 26 Senior Athletic Technical Officials sat the final examination at the end of the course and 23 candidates passed with 7 participants qualifying to proceed to Level 2. This year too the five day course and examination will be conducted by Mr. P.H.D. Waidyatilaka. 

Technical Officials who have passed the local examination on or before 1991 are eligible to apply for the course.

Only 30 applicants will be selected to follow the course.

Those interested in following the course may apply with documentary proof of passing the local Technical Officials Examination to Brig. R.P.Liyanage, Hony Secretary, Athlctic Technical Officials' Assoication, 33, Torrington Avenue, Colombo -07 Fax 682329, to reach him before 15th Sept 2001. No late applications will be accepted. 

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