Waugh on Nimal, the unsung hero in our framework 

Then there are many unsung heroes within our cricketing framework. The coaches, the umpires, the groundsman, the journalists, the broadcasters, the ardent supporters, the physios, the administrators do not get much recognition, but without their contribution, the game could not keep ticking. Perhaps the least known of the contributors are the dressing room attendants. Every club has one. Looking after valuables, wallets, watches, rings, mobile phones, carrying kit bags, serving meals and drinks, sunning out sweaty clothes are some of his daily duties. P.D. Nimal is the custodian of that position at the Singhalese Sports Club. He also doubles up to assist either the Sri Lankan team or a visiting team.

Steve Waugh's tour diaries have become immensely popular cricket reading around the cricketing globe. He has published seven such editions within a space of twelve years. The last which came out of print in 2000, is titled "Never Satisfied". It covers twelve extraordinary months starting with the Sri Lankan tour in August 1999 and ending with the Indoor One Dayers against South Africa at the Colonial Stadium in Melbourne, in August 2000.

Many thousands would have read and many more will read it in the years to come. Three pages of the book is devoted to one man - P.D Nimal of Sri Lanka, their dressing room attendant on the 1999 tour here.

"Three days into the tour, he (Nimal) had mastered the often delicate art of mixing the players' Powerade drink so they weren't too weak or too strong. By then, we had already taken for granted his handling of our kit bags, two at a time, at the beginning and end of each playing day. Tell him once and it'll get done. Before the coach and support staff are changed and down on the ground ready for warm ups, he has taken down the team kit, as well as an esky full of cold waters. Geoff Marsh and I have joked that we will invite him to take the players for warm ups on the last day of the tour. His energy and enthusiasm are genuine. His attitude and manner has typified the Sri Lankan people since we arrived. They have a spark about them. Look into the eyes of Pakistanis and you will often see a blank hopelessness. The Sri Lankans, in contrast, retain a magic, a zest for living. Grudgingly, our tour party has accepted Tony Greig's simplistic and generalized assessment that they are "always happy, always smiling as being pretty spot on".

That was a paragraph from midway in the article. My eyes welled with tears on reading. I was proud to be a Sri Lankan!

The Australian team physio regularly carries out "skin fold" test which measures the level of body fat. Normally a reading of 60 is considered fair. He tested Nimal one day to record a reading of 32.2 that being equivalent to a top class marathon runner!

The last two paragraphs go like this:

"Before we left we whipped the hat around for PD and also our liaison officer, Premalal Fernando. At an informal presentation after the third Test was abandoned, team manager Steve Bernard presened each man with an envelope containing about USD 1000. Nimal accepted it graciously, thanked us very much and proceeded to hoist two more kit bags onto his shoulders and carry them to the bus. Later, he pulled me aside and said, "Doctor (he called physio Errol Alcott Dr. No. 1 and me Dr. No. 2) no other touring team has done this for me. You have made me and my family very happy".

"We take for granted too often the difference between material happiness and true happiness. There wouldn't have been many other times in his life when P.D. Nimal would have gained happiness from material gain. He exuded a happiness of spirit that westerners - and probably a cricket touring party living five star lives - rarely see. 

Perspective often provides a great reality check".

Worthy words of honour and praise showered on a true servant of the game of cricket.

Who will wear the crown?

By Bernie Wijesekera 

In today's game, though Kandy backed by their frantic fans, is no pushover for them in this battle of attrition against the fitter Army team. The soldiers indulge in skillful rugby unlike in the past. It's not social rugby for them. They have come up the hard way and learnt the fundamentals after joining the Army. According to the former president of the SLRFU, Dr. Maiya Gunasekera, their young coach Asanga Seneviratne, continues to do the good work of his predecessor, Ken Farrington. The soldiers are playing to a plan and it holds good for the future betterment of the sport, he said. 

With the weather taking a turn and in cool conditions prevailing in Nittawela it should turn out to be a rousing forwards battle by the respective forwards. It was Kandy's tactical play that helped them to win last year. 

Kandy SC is being led by dazzling Nalaka Weerakody, the seasoned fullback. His ability to join the line constantly should see an extra man in the line. Kandy may miss that hard-running winger. Ajith Bandara nayake, who wanted to lay off after the Int. 'sevens' due to fatigue said an official of KSC. Basnayake is injured, but they have abundant young talented - schoolboys to harness in N. Ranasinghe, Hettiarachi and Withanage to serve them well. KSC., too have a penetrative three quarter line, who could bemuse the soldiers' defence. The team is coached by C.P.P. Abeygunawardena, a good reader of the game, assisted by Priyantha Ekanayake. The halves combine of Naufer Ibrahim and Sajith Mallikarachchi and dusky hard-running Radhika Hettiarachchi, could make gaping holes in the army defence. 

The experienced lineout artiste, Asoka Jayasena should help Kandy with much good ball in the long throw. But Army has in their fold Nishanta Jayasuriya and Fernando two wiry 'locks' with sheer determination have found their way to the national team. The duo could match their skills, and share the good ball. 

According to Army chairman of rugby, Brig. Krishnaratne, whatever the outcome the soldiers will provide entertaining rugby to the avid fans. Most of them are newcomers to the game and have come up the hard way and have given a new face-lift to the sport. Unlike in the past, they show much maturity, whilst mastering the laws of the game They are quite aware what the game is all about and will play a clean and hard game for all fans to enjoy. This has been instilled in them and they will adhere to it, he added. 

Army will be led by prop Jayatilleke. Up front they have hooker Rajapakse, Udaya Kumar Kotalawela, Jayasuriya and Fernando. With a hardy 'eight' - the third-row No. 8 Dharmapala and man-of-steel flanker Karunaratne, Rodrigo Madurasinghe and Samaraweera. They play a terrific game in the loose. This was evident in their last game against Havies. 

Former Isipatana player Ajith Pieris, is the playmaker. Playing at the pivotal position, he is pairing off well with scrumhalf Naufer Rahim. Wingers Anula Weerakody, the former Trinity player and Naushad are both sleek runners. In the last line it will be tiny A.P.Silva - safe and sure. His spot kicks have been a decisive factor for Army's success story. 

If he gives a repeat performance then Army will be concerned in the finish. But KSC will go flat out for a 'rugby double', with Weerak-ody leading them from the front. Nalaka's kicks over the crossbar from varying angles will be most eye-catching . 

Its set for a close contest in this do-or-die battle. The fans should do well to keep the referee alone, rather than blowing from the touch line. 

Referee. Dilroy Fernando. 

Tharindu shines in drawn game 

The feature of the drawn game was the 98 run partnership for the third wicket between Jeevan Mendis (87) and Denham William (78) for S.Thomas and the fine bowling by paceman Tharindu Fernando who took 5 for 37 to rattle the Richmond team for 125 runs in reply to the Thomians score of 270 for 9 dec. 

The match only began at 2.00. p.m due to overnight rain.

S.Thomas - 270 for 9 dec; (Jeevan Mendis 87, Denham William 78, Praveen Peiris 35, Dilshan Gunawardena 23; Suranga Kapuge 3 for 62, Manoj Chaturanga 2 for 3)

Richmond - 125 (Saman Udayakumara 15, Tharindu Ratnayake 42, Kumara Damith 18; Tharindu Fernando 5 for 37, Vijesh Balasubramaniam 4 for 26) and 62 for 2 at close (Mohamed Faizer 35, Aravinda Panditharatne 18 n.o.)-MSA

Late start for Under 23 cricket matches

By M.Shamil Amit

SSC - 210 for 7 at close (Upeka Fernando 51, Tharanga Seneviratne 31, Prasanna Jayawardena 18, Ranil Dammika 30, Manoj Fernando 17, M.Dissanayake 23, Malin Silva 27 n.o.; Upul Indrasiri 5 for 74, Nadish Pannalawithana 2 for 72)

Seeduwa/Raddoluwa - 86 for 7 at close (Naren Seneviratne 42; Amila Ratnayake 3 for 27, Ishan Ratnayake 2 for 6)

Thilina and Deepika bag open TT titles

Th Chief Guest was the President of the TTASL and former Deputy Minister of Health Janaka Bandara Tennekoon. Mrs Tennekoon gave away the awards. Indika Prasad was adjudged the best men's and Kalpani Herath the best women's player while Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda was given a special award for the best schools team. 

Results: 

Men's- Singles Semi Final- Thilina Piyadasa beat K.S.T.Chalitha 10/21, 21/17, 13/21, 21/16, 21/14. Indika Prasad beat Rohan Sirisena 21/16, 21/15, 21/15. Final- Thilina Piyadasa beat Indika Prasad 15/21, 21/18, 22/20, 21/18.

Women's- Singles Semi Final- Deepika Rodrigo beat Rifka Kameer 21/15, 16/21, 21/14,21/18. Dilini Madawala beat Kalpani Herath 21/13, 21/13, 21/12. Final- Deepika Rodrigo beat Dilini Madawala 21/15, 21/13, 21/9.

Zimbabwe let down by poor catching

Herschelle Gibbs and Jonty Rhodes, with 69 and 56 respectively, were the top scorers for the visitors, who won the first of the three limited overs internationals by 153 runs last Sunday.

Gibbs lifted the last ball of the first over, bowled by fast bowler Travis Friend, over the fine leg ropes for six and it seemed Zimbabwe were in for a similar mauling as in Bulawayo, where South Africa totalled 363 for three.

However, in the fifth over Friend produced a delivery that seamed across Gary Kirsten (10), who sent a looping catch off the shoulder of the bat back to the bowler.

Jacques Kallis should have been dismissed for 14 in the ninth over when he sent a delivery from medium-pacer Mluleki Nkala arching to third man, where Hamilton Masakadza dropped the catch as he ran forward.

Eight overs later, Kallis dragged a ball from leg-spinner Paul Strang on to his stumps to be bowled for 26 ending a second wicket stand of 65 with Gibbs.

Neil McKenzie, on 13 with the total 123 for two, drove a delivery from Guy Whittall straight back to the medium pacer in the 24th over. Whittall managed to get his right hand to the ball but failed to hold the catch.

Gibbs went for 69 off 77 balls with nine fours and a six when he was brilliantly caught by Whittall diving to his right at short midwicket off Strang in the 27th over.

Five overs later, Zimbabwe dropped their third catch of the innings. Alistair Campbell, fielding on the long-on boundary, scooped a chance offered by Rhodes, who was 17 with the total 158 for three, over the ropes for six. Whittall was the aggrieved bowler.

In brief

Ranjith staves off strong TT challenge from Rajiva Wijethunga

Alethea on song

By Bruce Maurice 

They registered two easy wins over Ikram International and The British School in Colombo. Wycherly International too had an easy win over The British School and Overseas Children's School defeated Lyceum. 

Results. Alethea 38 (S. Ramanadan 10) beat Ikram 16. Alethea 63 (G. De Silva 18, M. Dissanayaka 15, A. SIlva 10) beat B.S.I.C. 30 (A. Bogalagama 11, U. Fernando 12). Wycherly 64 (L. Jaleel 27, P. Navaratnam 15) beat B.S.I.C. 18 (U. Fernando 12). OCS 48 (A. Hollingworth 38) beat Lyceum 34 (M. Wille 32). 

Nugegoda 215, but hit back 

After being dismissed for 215 runs, NS &WC hit back to dismiss five Matale C C batsmen for a paltry 49 runs at the end of the first day's play in their BCCSL quarter final under 23 segment 'B' match at Maitland Place. 

The features of the day's play was two fine half centuries by S.K. Udawatte (89) and S. I. Tilakaratne (54). 

NS&WC 215 (S.S.K. Udawatte 89, S. Tilakaratne 54, P. Chandraratne 4 for 28, J. Abeyratne 2 for 43)

Matale CC 49 for 5 (D.N. Kulasekara 2 for 22, A. Senaratne 3 for 20). (BM) 

Nalaka 106 puts Aruna SC in box seat 

A whirlwind 106 by Prasad Nalaka gave Aruna SC the upper hand against Rio SC at the end of the second day's play in their BCCSL under 23 segment 'B' quarter final match at the Moors Ground yesterday. 

Winning the toss, Rio SC were put into bat and routed for 101. In reply, Aruna SC were sitting pretty having declared at 338 for nine wickets and capturing two Rio SC wickets for 72 runs. Dammika Niroshan came up with an useful allround performance. He captured five for 38 and then made 60 when Aruna SC batted. 

Rio SC 101in 38.5 (R. Lankage 51, D. Nirosahn 5 for 38, G. Sirisoma 2 for 9, S. Sanjeewa 2 for 8). And 72 for 2 (M. Nevinda 33 no.). 

Aruna SC 338 for 9 dec (P. Nalaka 106, D. Niroshan 60, S. Sanjeewa 41, C. Deshapriya

22, I. Niroshan 59, G. Pradeep 2 for 63, A. Pradeep 4 for 104, R.S. Lankage 4 for 84). BM

International under 15 at Shalika today

The International Schools under 15 cricket final between Lyceum and Royal Institute will be played today at Shalika grounds. Play starting at 9.30 A.M. The tournamnet was conducted by Belvoir International. 

The two semi final matches were washed out by rain and according to the rules the finalists were decided on the net run rate. 

In last yearís final, Asian International defeated C.I.S. 

The Chief Guest for this year's final will be the Warden of Belvoir International P. Samaranayaka. (BM)

Seylan Bank duo fail to show

The top seeds Mahela Jayawardena and Chaminda Vaas failed to show up for the Mercantile Double Wicket tournament sponsored by Access that started at the BRC grounds yesterday. They were due to play Bartleets who have now moved into the quarter finals. 

Due to heavy rain the matches got off to a late start and the overs were reduced from eight to six per bowler. 

Sampath Bank registered the highest score for the day.

The tournament will be continued at the same venue today. 

R. Arnold and K. Dharmasena (HNB) (+69) 

Beat C. Perera and S. Kelum (East West Marketing) (+49). N. Bandaratileka and J. Kulatunge (Access) (+46) beat B. Fernando and M. Fernando (Uni Chella) (+39). P.K. Siriwardena and S. Dissanayaka (Sanken Lanka) (+49) beat P. Salgado and S. Silva (David Peiris Motor Co) (+15). Janashakthi Group (+68) beat J.l. Morrison (+29). R. Karunasena and A. Wickramatileka (Arpico ) (+36) beat T. Cramer and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara (John Keells) (+33). C. Hathurusinghe and C. Fernando (Sampath) (+98) beat K. Rodrigo and J. Wannakuwatte (Merchant Bank) (+16). BCCSL (+55) beat Trico Maritime (+54). 

Todayís quarter final line will be, Bartleets versus Sanken, Janashakthi versus Access, BCCSL versus Sampath Bank and Arpico (BM)

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