What went wrong in Sharjah?

By Bernie Wijesekera 

In the recent contest in Sharjah against Pakistan and Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka did well to come to the final against Pakistan. But in this contest met their Waterloo. Pakistan outplayed them with a superb all round team effort. Pakistan were at their best with a mixture of youth and experience. In the end their youth policy paid dividends. Beaten by Sri Lanka 3-0 in the one-dayers and the Tests 2-1 at home the President of the PCB Tauqir Zia did not make excuses but commended the Lankans. They richly deserved to win. We are planning for the future. If you don't lose then you don't know how to win. That was his line of thinking. These defeats laid the platform for better planning by the administrators. Now without doubt Pakistan has a balanced attack - as the best in the world. Pacemen Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Azhar Mahamood, Abdul Razzaq.

Four bowling all rounders barring Waqar. But he, too, could wield the willow. For spin Afridi, Mustaq Ahamed (leg-spin) and Saqlain Mustaq (off-spin). What is happening here? Its the same old wine in a new bottle. 

Excuses are not the panacea for our shortcomings. There are number of chinks in the bowling armour - barring Muralitharan. What have we got to offer, be it in the tests or in the one-day game. Unwarranted praise after a series win lead to swollen heads. 

Fresh air should be there to breathe. To achieve this, Sri Lanka's administration and the selectors must plan out for a long -term future. Our cricketers must get their act together. They must be shrewd and courageous. 

Where are the all rounders in the Lankan team to make an impact at the next World Cup to be staged in S. Africa in 2003. Sri Lanka won the World Cup final against Australia in 1996. Defence of the title in 1999, in England proved disastrous when we failed to enter the final round. 

For the 2003 World Cup in S.A. Sri Lanka will be minus the little dynamo Aravinda de Silva still the best batsman in the country. His record will speak for itself, for his exploits in the interntional scene. He is still good to play for the country and has much to offer. He is still tagged as one of the best in the world and could display his skills even under pressure. 

Put aside our bowling, our batting too is found wanting when it comes up against a hostile and varied attack. This was evident whilst playing against Pakistan in Sharjah and the test series against them at home lost 2-0 and lost to England 2-1 in our own backyard, but did well to beat India 2-1 at home after a long drought. It was a good series to win, India sans key players sidelined due to injuries. 

Then Indians were fielding a team dogged with injuries. But no way going to take the credit from the Lankan victory. Jayasuriya with all humility agree what he achieved against Australia in 1999 to win a series on debut as Captain was his best effort at home. 

As for our batting much will depend on the two 'Mr. Dependables' - Marvan Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardena, who could bat under pressure. Others like Sanath Jayasuriya, Arnold, Kumar Sangakkara, the young wicket-keeper batsman are there. There are youngsters, but they should be afforded with continuity. Just playing them in an odd match here and there is not the answer. Sri Lanka at least need two other batsmen of class of Atapattu and Jayawardena who could weigh in. The duo have performed the rescue act regularly. 

Our opponents are aware about our shortcomings. Steve Waugh and S.Ganguly showered praise when Sri Lanka beat them here. The local selectors must take a positive approach, by infusing young blood. Otherwise, whoever the opponent, they are sure to exploit to the maximum. It's time to take stock and give that much-needed exposure to the youngsters as done in other countries. Otherwise it's going to be a repeat of 1999 World Cup in England. Sri Lanka will make an all important tour of Australia in 2002 before the World Cup This tour will be a crucial one for Sri Lanka's aspirations and an ideal barometer to test our strength, whilst playing on those hard and fast pitches, Down Under. 

Sri Lanka made a similar tour to Australia in 1996, plagued by controversies before beating Australia in the World Cup final in Lahore. 

This tour proved a tough one and they worked hard in the end to climb the Everest by winning the World Cup. 

Jayasinghe, world class 7s player 

This was revealed to The Sunday Times by Sri Lanka 7s coach, Asanga Seneviratne. He said the Lankans gave a spirited performance in Dubai and did proud for the country. For the first time, with a fine team effort did well to beat Kenya 20-14 and lost to the strong Welsh team, 24-12. 

At one stage Wales were leading 19-12. At this stage Sri Lanka touched down, but the Referee thought otherwise. It surprised everyone. In the end the Lankans lost in a rousing contest, but was able to walk with their heads high and won rounds of applause from the crowd. 

For this effort the entire team contributed. Even the Welsh coach commended them, said Seneviratne. If Sri Lanka could maintain this rhythxm, then the Lankans could be a force to be reckoned with, in the Asian "seven" rugby scene. The team was managed by Chaminda Rupasinghe, the former Sri Lanka lock forward. 

B.W.

Lyceum junior cricket champs 

They were awarded the H.C. Peiris Challenge Trophy presented by the organisers Belvoir College International. G.T. Bandara, Principal of the Royal Institute was the Chief Guest. 

Lyceum had won the U-17 championship for two successive years. For the first time Lyceum won the Under-15 championship which was a well earned victory for their juniors. They were led by Mark Wille, the wicket keeper batsman, who scored the only century in the tournament (104 with two sixers and fourteen fours), against Overseas International School. Others, who did well were vice captain Vasanth Yathwaraj, opening batsman Sriyan Miftas and right arm off-spinner Fahami Halaldeen. B.W. 

Caribbeans crumble in Galle

Murali again spins Sri Lanka to remarkable victory

Marlon Fernandopulle reporting from Galle

The victory was Sri Lanka's first win against the West Indies in four Tests and also the fifth win in the Southern venue where seven tests have been played.

Trailing by 142 runs the Windies began the day at 9 for 1 wicket and progressed steadily to 70 without any further loss. However the exit of Darren Ganga (33) at that stage capitulated a sensational batting collapse that saw the Windies loose their last nine wickets for 74 runs.

Ganga was smartly caught by Tillakaratne at short leg off the bowling of Niroshan Bandaratilake who followed it up with the important wicket of skipper Carl Hooper who offered a regulation catch to Sanath Jayasuriya at extra cover.

West Indies went into lunch at 92 for 4 wickets and relied on Brian Lara who was unbeaten on 11 to take them to safety. However, soon after lunch Lara lost his partner Marlon Samuels lbw to Muralitharan for two.

Lara continued to defy the Lankan bowlers before the Lankan skipper introduced Thilan Samaraweera to the attack. Samaraweera obliged his skipper instantly when he picked up the prize wicket to drive the final nail into the coffin for the West Indies.

Muralitharan who like in the first innings had to toil hard for success bowled in long spells and throttled the middle order before running through the tail enders to finish with figures of 5 for 44, the 30th time he claimed five wickets or more in an innings.

The off-spinner who took his tally of wickets to 361 received good support from Chaminda Vaas (3/20) who once again bowled a tidy length and kept the batsmen in check. Despite the West Indies getting 448 in the first innings, man of the match Muttiah Muralitharan was confident of victory. "I thought if our batsmen can get 600 odd runs we will have a good chance of pushing for a victory. Our batsmen did the job and the bowlers completed the formalities", said a happy Muralitharan soon after the game.

The champion off-spinner who finished with a match bag of 11/169 was of the view that the Galle wicket was different to what it was earlier. "There was not much turn and the wicket was also a bit slow. However we had our plan for each batsman, especially Lara, Hooper and Sarwan and so it was easy for us".

Murali also Acknowledged the fact that Chaminda Vaas did a splendid job. "I thought he bowled extremely well to tighten up one end and keep the pressure on". Vaas who picket up 4 wickets in the first innings went on to take three more in the second innings. 

With the next test scheduled in Kandy, where the Lankans have lost more often than not, Muralitharan hoped for better luck this time around. "It's my home town and I would like to win there always. However it has not been happening in the past. I hope we will be able to change it this time and win in Kandy."

Scoreboard

West Indies 1st innings: 448 (B. Lara 178, R. Sarwan 88, C. Hooper 69, D. Ganga 47; M. Muralitharan 6-126, C. Vaas 4-95)

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 590-9 decl (K. Sangakkara 140, H. Tillakaratne 105 not out, M. Jayawardene 99, T. Samaraweera 77, M. Atapattu 61; D. Ramnarine 3-158)

D. Ganga c Tillakaratne b Bandaratilleke 33
(swept uppishly to short square leg)
C. Gayle c Muralitharan b Vaas 1
( on the back foot, straight to shotrs extra cover)
R. Sarwan c Arnold b Muralitharan 30
(pushed forward,ct at silly mid-off)
B. Lara c Muralitharan b Samaraweera 40
(drove uppishly to short mid wicket)
C. Hooper c Jayasuriya b Bandaratilleke 6
(front foot drive to extra cover)
M. Samuels lbw b Muralitharan 2
( playing forward ,hit on the front foot)
R. Jacobs b Muralitharan 9
(attempted sweep,bowled off bat/pad)
N. McGarrell not out 10
M. Dillon lbw b Muralitharan 0
(playing from the crease,hit on the back foot)
D. Ramnarine b Vaas 0
(playing from the crease,beaten through bat/pad)
C. Stuart c Vaas b Muralitharan 2
(leading edge to extra cover)
Extras (b2, lb2, nb7) 11
Total 144

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-70, 3-70, 4-83, 5-93, 6-131, 7-135, 8-138, 9-139

Bowling: Vaas 17-8-20-2, Bandaratilleke 19-6-46-2, Muralitharan 31.3-10-44-5, Buddika 2-0-10-0, Jayasuriya 5-0-13-0, Samaraweera 4-1-7-1.

Overs: 78.3

Sri Lanka 2nd innings

S. Jayasuriya not out 6
M. Atapattu not out 0
Total (for no loss) 6
Bowling: Stuart 0.4-0-6-0

Kandy Youth 96 for 3

Under 19 poolist Harsha Nanayakkara batted stylishly to remain unbeaten on 31. Opener Bandra top-scored with 38 which included 2 massive sixes. Kandy CC skipper Daminda Kolugala bowled impressively to pick up the first two wickets.

The battle for first innings points should be interesting in a battle where no quarter is asked and none given.

Kandy Youth 96-3 in 43 overs D. D. Bandara 38, H. Nanayakkara 32 not out, M. Refai 13 n.o., D. Kolugala 2/24, P. Wijetunga 1/20. A.K. 

Second outright win for Bloomfield

By Bernie Wijesekera

KYCC in their second innings fared better to get 129 leaving the homesters to get 34 to win the match. Which they reached without losing a wicket.

KYCC 87 (Prabath Nissanka 6 for 20, Kaushalya Lokuarachchi 4 for 34) and 129 (M.Maduwantha 37 n.o., R.Amunugama 34; K.Lokuarachchi 2 for 24, S.Dissanayake 3 for 41, D.Gamage 2 for 10, K.Dharmasena 2 for 40)

NCC sitting pretty 

NCC continuing from their overnight score of 216 for 6 went on to score 252. Then had the strong BRC batting in tatters bowling them out for a mere 65 helped by some hostile bowling from R.Pushpakumara and A.Ganegama. The last seven wickets fell for just 49 runs.Made to follow on BRC were 54 for 2 at close.

NCC 252 (N.Nawaz 49, A.Weerappuli 35, R.Kalpage 38, K.Mapatuna 25, A.Ganegama 24 n.o.; Sanjeewa de Silva 2 for 35, Indika Gallage 4 for 53, S.Silva 2 for 50)

BRC 65 (N.Bopage 14, Sampath Perera 21, S.Silva 12; R.Pushapakumara 2 for 28, A.Ganegama 4 for 14, R.Kalpage 2 for 19) and 54 for 2 at close.

Galle CC on top

CCC in their second essay were well placed on 140 for 1 helped by an attractive second wicket stand of 138 runs between Bradman Ediriweera (63) and Pubudu Seneviratne (67) but slid to 194 for 9 at close giving them a lead of 89 runs. The match is poised for an excitement finish when play begins today at 10.00. a.m.

CCC 94 and 194 for 9 at close (B.Ediriweera 63, P.Seneviratne 67; V.Perera 4 for 60, L.Malinga 3 for 30)

Galle CC (o'night 175/8) 183 (D.Lokuhetti 44; N.Rupasinghe 3 for 62, D.Mudalige 2 for 51)

Gunaratne smashes 143 as Chilaw Marians score mammoth 375

By M.Shamil Amit

Chilaw Marians taking first lease of the wicket were in a strong position hiting up a massive 375 with Janaka Gunaratne scoring a fluent 143 and Ishan Muthalip making 48. 

For Moors left arm spinner Rangana Herath had figures of 6 for 94.

At Moratuwa Ragama CC batting first scored 260 with Upul Fernando hiting a breezy 134 and Niranjan Kumar bowled best for Sebastianites taking 6 for 37. Sebastianites were bowled out for 184. Tamil Union in reply to the Antonians score of 171 scored 272 after being 37 for 3 at one stage with Upul Chandana making 77. At Katunayake Panadura were in a commanding position against the Air Force. Panadura made 216 in reply to the Air Force score of 91. Air Force batting a second time were 77 for 4 at close.

At Moratuwa: Ragama CC 260 (Upul Fernando 134, Rasika Priyadharshana 17; Niranjan Kumar 6 for 37, Hasantha Fernando 3 for 40) 

Sebastianites 184 (Hasantha Fernando 34, S.Silva 50, N.Perera 21; Rasika Priyadharshana 3 for 39, Sanjeewa Arangala 3 for 30, Sajith Rupasinghe 3 for 58)

At P.Sara Stadium: Antonians 171 (Amal Dalugoda 44, P.Gunaratne 34, Charles Silva 32; Upul Chandana 3 for 47, Anil Ridigamagedera 4 for 27, Lassana Dias 2 for 26) and 8 for no loss.

Tamil Union 272 (Ruwin Peiris 52, Upul Chandana 77, Gayan Wijekoon 57, Malinda Gajanayake 20, Pramoda Wickramasinghe 17, Indika Galagoda 15; Pulasthi Gunaratne 4 for 51, Nadun Nanayakkara 4 for 53)

At Katunayake: Air Force 91 and 77 for 4 at close (Dilip Fernando 31, Chaminda Galappathi 18; Amila Perera 3 for 29, Pubudu Wickrama 1 for 0)

Panadura 216 (Chamara Silva 58, Amila Perera 31, Kapila Silva 13, Anjula Perera 25, Sunendra Kumar 16, Tharanga Priyadharshana 17, Pubudu Wickrama 26; Sagara Dananjaya 6 for 56, Ranga Dissanayake 3 for 82)

At Braybrook Place: Chilaw Marians (O'night 225 for 4) 375 (Janaka Gunaratne 143, Praneeth Jayasundara 38, Janaka Siriwardena 21, Ruchira Palliyaguru 20; Rangana Herath 6 for 94, Nandika Ranjith 3 for 54)

Moors 14 for no loss