By Annesley Ferreira
Sri Lanka's junior cricket is in safe hands thanks to the BCCSL with the former Thomian cricketer the experienced Jerome Jayaratne at the helm.
Jerome is supported with many stalwarts in the promotion serving in many committees. Jerome, before he joined the cricket board, served as the co-ordinator at S.Thomas College, Mt Lavinia.
Under Jerome the respective district cricket coaching has been streamlined with the coaches handling a video which helps them to study the faults of a batsman or bowler.
Clinics are conducted for those Under 13, 15, 17, and 19 being helped by Terry Oliver, a well qualified Australian coach who specialises in fast bowling.
It will no doubt prove beneficial to the youngsters in coaching clinics in Kandy, Galle, Ratnapura, Matara, Kalutara, Badulla, Moneragala, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Hambantota and Batticaloa. Jerome is a qualified ACB Level 2 and 3 coach and last year he was sent to England by the BCCSL for a coaching stint where he succeeded as a qualified coach. Jerome is the present manager/coach development of cricket at the BCCSL.
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Sri Lanka is expected to name their second Umpire to the ICC International Panel shortly after the conclusion of the current Test Match. Although the International Umpires Panel is made up of two umpires from each test playing country (with the exception of England who have four and Bangladesh none),Sri Lanka has only Asoka De Silva in the current panel.
Three local Umpires Peter Manuel,T H Wijeyawardene and Gamini Silva are in the running for the ICC Umpires position.Wijewardene made his debut during the Sri Lanka-India test series in August this year while Silva made his debut during the Sri Lanka South Africa series last year.Manuel is the most experienced of the trio having been in the ICC Panel during the last two years.The Umpires Committeee headed by Amal Silva will have the final say in the selection of the Umpire to the Test Panel.
It is understood that Sri Lanka had requested for more time to nominate their second umpire at the time of nominations earlier this year.Last year B C Cooray and Peter Manuel were in the ICC Panel of Umpires.However following the retirement of B C Cooray, only former Sri Lanka leg Spinner Asoka de De Silva was appointed to the Panel.
Asoka is also expected to officiate in the India-England test series in India next month.In addition Asoka has officiated in a number of home tests and will stand in the Sri Lanka-West Indies 3 rd test this week.
The 45 year old former test cricketer is also strongly tipped to be one of the eight umpires to be selected by the ICC in April next year.The ICC will select the best eight umpires from the current panel of 20 to form an elite panel who will officiate in all test matches together with a home umpire.
Madugalle-Match Referee
Already the ICC has appointed Sri Lanka's Ranjan Madugalle as their Cheif Match Refree.Madugalle's first task would be to travel the world and identify four more candidates to form the ICC Match Refrees panel.
The former Sri Lanka Captain who is highly respected in the International Cricket arena today has also been appointed match refree for the Australia-South Africa test series next month.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in the 3rd One dayer by 15 runs at Sheikupura yesterday.
Sri Lanka were all out for 185 runs in reply to Pakistan's 200/9 in 45 overs. Charith Fernando scord 63 runs for Sri Lanka. Pakistan now leads 3-0 in 5 match series.
Pakistan: 200/9 - 45 overs (K. Sajid 61, s. Wijeratne 3/46, Niroshana 2/16)
Sri Lanka: 185 all out (C Fernando 63, P. Ranawaka 36, Y. Shah 3/38)
By Bernie Wijesekera
The calypso singing West Indian cricket team is here again for a three Test series and for a one-day triangular contest.
In the past the Caribbean willow wielders have dished out entertaining cricket to the avid fans worldwide. After the second World War, they started the revival of the sport in the meadows of England in 1949 under John Goddard winning the Test series.
This stint was followed by a tour to the sub-continent - India, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was part of the tour itinerary.
The Windies had the three Ws - Worrell, Weeks and Walcott. But Frank Worrell the 'Patron Saint' of Windies cricket was not in this tour party. The 1949 Windies team played two unofficial Tests against Ceylon. The tour party led by John Goddard besides Weeks and Walcott (Towering wicketkeeper-batsman) had Alan Rae, Jeff Stollmeyer, Gerry Gomes, Robert Christiani, Alf Ferguson, Keigh Atkinson, Jones and Trim (fast bowlers) etc.
Diminutive Mahes Rodrigo, who captained Royal at cricket and rugby in 1946 - represented the country in both sports - "Double International" and did proud for the country and for his old school.
Playing in the first Test, Mahes opening the innings gave a gritty performance against the awesome Windies attack batted to the end, 138 n.o., when he ran short of partners. Rodrigo, left an indelible mark in the annals of Sri Lanka cricket. He achieved at the age of 20 years and six months.
C.I. Gunasekera 72 runs yet another versatile sportsman to hail from the Reid Avenue School who partnered Rodrigo had this to say when contacted by The Sunday Times. I was fortunate to have batted with him. It was not only a famous innings, but a gallant effort I've seen from an All Ceylon player at that time. Playing under pressure, the pair matched the carefree Windies batsmen the likes of Weeks, Walcott, Rae and Stollmeyer, who dazzled the fans with their stroke play. But Rodrigo, displayed abundant batting skills with an impregnable defense. C.I. with an effective backhand (tennis stroke) caned them. C.I. made 72 and 71.
He was a gentleman and a cricketer on and off the field and possessed a sense of humour, too. Be it cricket or rugby he always maintained the spirit of the game.
Mahes Rodrigo was the first Sri Lankan to captain a national rugby team in 1952 for the All India tournament. Earlier rugby was dominated by the expatriates. A nippy scrumhalf, he could still contribute much for both sports if his services is required.
Mahes coached Royal in cricket and rugby and produced some outstanding future prospects. He instilled in them be it cricket or rugby - let it be a sport, not a fracas and play in the correct spirit with its true traditions. But sad to mention its on the wane in some quarters today, due to greed and to win at all cost. Rodrigo was contacted by The Sunday Times for his opinion about the present Windies team. With all humility he said, "I am saddened with the performances of the present Windies team compared to the past teams who contributed much for the uplift of the game. Clive Lloyd, Gordon Greenidge, Des. Haynes, Viv Richard, Gary Sobers, Wes Hall, Joel Garner, Lance Gibbs etc., were a treat to watch. My fervent hope the youngsters in the present team who are groomed before long will make the grade with experience. They must be assisted if necessary to come back to their own.
Otherwise the game is the loser said, Rodrigo.
The Mobil Cup Sailing Regatta will be held today at the Bolgoda Lake from 10.00. a.m. to 2.00.p.m. The Mobil Cup was first offered way back in 1934 and it was an annual event in the sailing calendar of the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club (CMYC). Last year the Mobil business in Sri Lanka recommended under the new company called McLarens Mobil (Pvt) Ltd to sponsor the annual Mobil Cup Regatta.
This year the Regatta has attracted over 27 entries and the novel feature is the inclusion of a junior event which will see 7 young sailors bathing the winds and sea. There will be three races for the adults and two races for the kids. Ace sailor Anil Gunawardena and the Navy are expected to participate in this years' event. The winner last year was Jeremy Bolling who is now the convenor of the CMYC.-MSA
By Bernie Wijesekera
After four trials which was held at Longden Place to pick the team for the forthcoming Kings Cup International rugby sevens to be staged in Thailand on December 7 and 8. The national selectors picked the twelve member squad.
There was one change from the team that went to Dubai. Army's N.Jayasuriya was replaced by CR and FC's number eight Savantha de Saram.
The team will be skippered by Sanjeewa Jayasinghe.
The Squad: S.Jayasinghe (Capt), N.Weerakody, R.Hettiarachchi, S.Mallikaratchi, M.Jayasinghe, L.Rodrigo, M.Fernando, V.Jayatileke, S.de. Saram, R.Ruwantileke, R.Jayasuriya and I.Bandaranayake.
CENTURION, South Africa, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Gary Kirsten scored a solid 90 to guide South Africa to a lead of 29 at the close of the second day of the unofficial test against India on Saturday.
South Africa were 261 for four at stumps in reply to India's first innings of 232. Jacques Kallis was alone at the crease on 41 not out.
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