Top post for Lanka's Dilip in Australia

By Bernie Wijesekera

N.S.W. is the oldest Union 'Down Under' with over 60 percent of the country's rugby players playing here in their numbers. 

Incidentally, Kumar is also the Vice-Chairman of the Australian Board. He is overseeing in the promoting and developing of rugby in S.E. Asia, appointed by the IRB. 

According to Brig. 'Jupana' Jayawardena, the former Chairman of the Army rugby section (now retired), Kumar was instrumental in helping to get the services of Ken Farrington to coach the Army team. 

Jupana, a contemporary of Kumar at Trinity used his good offices to get Farrington's services. Last year Army emerged the team of the season when they were runners-up to league champions Kandy SC and lost to CR&FC in the President's trophy K.O. final. 

Jayawardena is the President of the newly formed Kandy Refs. Society. This was initiated by the President of the Kandy Rugby R.U. Maurice Perera. There is a dearth of quality referees and with a view to improve its levels, the Kandy Refs. Society was formed. 

According to Brig. Jayawardena, Kumar has promised to get the services of an international referee from Australia to help coach and train the would-be referees in the district.

In all probability it will be George Ayoub of NSW, who is the referees manager and trainer and an Int. Referee. At present Ayoub is officiating the IRB World 'sevens' in Argentina. Kumar is negotiating with George with his requirements to make it a reality. Probably he will be here in late January. He will do three days of coaching a week. George will coach and train the locals, especially the referees in Kandy district - a boost to local rugby. Quality referees means it will help develop and improve the levels of the game, said Jayawardena. At present there is a dearth of referees. There is quantity, but no quality.

Unique form of TT tourney for handicapped children

This tournament was held on the 9th and 10th of January 2002 at the National Youth Service Centre, and the participants were children from amongst twenty five special schools for the disabled. There were a total of twenty-eight teams participating in this tournament. 

The opening and closing ceremonies of the tournament were attended by the Hon. Ravindra Samaraweera, Minister of Social Welfare, Resident Representative of JICA and officials of the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Department of Social Services.

JOCV Volunteer, Ms. Yoshimura, is solely responsible for introducing this unique form of table tennis specially designed for handicapped children. This was the first time such a game has been introduced to Sri Lanka. Currently, Ms. Yoshimura is in the process of training instructors from 27 rehabilitation centres in Sri Lanka. Her services have helped the Department of Social Services to provide better opportunities for the development of physical and mental abilities in handicapped children.

The JOCV Programme is one of the technical assistance programmes of the Government of Japan, which was implemented through JICA. Since 1981, 527 JOCV volunteers have served in Sri Lanka. These young volunteers have served in 42 different fields including public health nursing, vegetable growing, systems engineering, pre-school education, food processing, handicraft production, rehabilitation of handicapped people, and providing training in many vocational training fields and educational subjects. JOCV volunteers have helped transform the knowledge and skill levels of local communities in many parts of the country.

Darren Gough raring to go 

"I am just glad that I spent time home and rested," England's leading one-day wicket-taker told reporters at Eden Gardens on Saturday.

The Yorkshire bowler opted out of the three-test series which ended last month after complaining that he was exhausted after England's hectic recent schedule, including the 4-1 home Ashes series defeat by Australia.

England arrived back in India on Friday after spending Christmas at home following their 1-0 test series defeat, and the tourists held their first training session on Saturday for the six-match series beginning at Eden Gardens on January 19.

The 31-year-old Gough will be vying for places in the side with all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and Andrew Caddick, who also skipped the tests.

"It is good to have competition. It is a challenge and I enjoy it," he said, adding that his record as England's highest one-day wicket-taker should be in his favour.

"My record speaks for itself. I have just overtaken Ian Botham but if I don't (find a place straightaway) I will try to get back," he said.

Gough, with 147 wickets in 80 matches, went past Botham's haul of 145 wickets in 109 games last year and said he felt confident about his own form after doing well on England's recent successful tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

"India are a top quality side and Sachin (Tendulkar) is the best player in the world," he said. "I did well in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They were good opposition."

Gough admitted, however, that England would have to play better than they did in their last one-day game in India.

Mahela 76 but Sri Lanka over cautious

Bernie Wijesekera reporting from Galle 

English umpire, burly David Shepard, was standing in his 59th Test along with T. Wijewardena. The Lankans were poised to repeat a white-wash against Zimbabwe which they achieved against the Windies recently here at 3-0.

Spin-wizard Muralitharan looks confident of joining the 400-Test club. He needs 5 wickets in this final Test to achieve this milestone. The first spinner to achieve this was Shane Warne (431). With the pitch already taking bite on day one Murali in all probability could make it.

Zimbabwe after the "Asgiriya horror" losing by an innings has to improve their batting skills, with better concentration and application. Otherwise it's "double trouble" and a clean sweep for the Lankans. Their spinners lacked experience to exploit this pitch sans Guy Whittall Paul and Brian Strang.

Despite this setback, left-arm spinner, Grant Flower proved most economical. Against this mediocre bowling, the Lankan batsmen got out for poor strokes.

Sri Lanka made one change, bringing in pencil-slim all rounder, Upul Chandana in place of fast bowler Nuwan de Zoysa. Sri Lanka's best batting came from "Mr. Concentration" Marvan Atapattu, who batted with grim determination to regain his lost touch with a sedate 50. Marvan with Jayasuriya (28) put on 50 runs for the first wicket. Marvan on 7 survived a possible chance. He nicked one through second slip. Gripper failed to hold on against Olonga. Jayasuriya punched anything loose to the fence. But Sanath on 28 (with 3 fours) attempted to cut Friend and played on to the offstump.

At lunch the Lankans were 76 for 1 with Marvan 29 and Sangakkara 14. Marvan played two copy book strokes to the pickets off Streak and Olonga.

Atapattu finding the gaps, completed a workman-like 50 (in 112 balls with 5 fours). At the same score, he pulled Grant Flower, but to his dismay it hit Rennies' chest at forward short-leg, who held on to the ball.

Mahela Jayawardena joined Sangakkara. Mahela timing the ball with precision was batting freely. Sangakkara was not in his own self. Finally he had his fence shattered for 29 (with 3 fours in 74 balls).

The best batting came from Mahela and Arnold. The pair put 97 for the 4th wicket in 129 balls. Mahela drove the ball on either side. Finally he was out for 76 in 129 balls. It was the best batting for the day with 9 fours. Meanwhile Tillekeratne fell for a poor stroke to be caught behind for 3 to give "offie" Marillier his second wicket.

The second new ball was taken after 85 overs.

Arnold batting stubbornly for 165 hits, finally got out at 40 when Heath Streak had one moving away, Arnold attempting to drive offered Andy Flower a simple catch behind. 236 for 6 and Samarawira and Vaas in fading light held on till the close. Zimbabwe's ground fielding was sharp, but their catching had much to be desired, spilling couple of half chances when their limited attack was trying to contain the batsmen.

Six-a-side at Panadura today

St. John's Panadura was one of the first schools to have played school cricket way back in 1898. The chief organiser of this tournament H.S.Pieris said that the main purpose of this tournament is to renew ties with schools which St. John's played with in the early 20th century.

The Guests of Honour will be Brig. P.D. Ramanayake, a distinguished old boy of the school, Neil Perera, the former SriLanka cricketmanager, D.K. Subasinghe, Chairman Asiri Hospitals Ltd., and Ajith Devasundare, Managing Director of First Capital Treasuries Ltd., a former SriLanka cricketer himself.(MSA)

Squash court for D.S. Senanayake

Built in the indoor sports complex and constructed according the standards set out by the World Squash Federation, the court will be a boost to the present boys of D.S. 

Major General Sooriyabandara, the President of the Squash Federation of Sri Lanka and the founder President of squash in Sri Lanka, Wing Commander Noel Fernando will be the Chief Guests. 

NCC, Tamil Union to meet in final

By Marlon Fernandopulle

Half centuries from Pradeep Hewage (53 off 57 balls) and Naweed Nawaz (66 n.o off 82 balls) helped NCC to defeat Colts SC at the P Sara Stadium.

NCC medium pacers Ravindra Pushpakumara (3/45) and Ishara Amarasinghe (3/48) restricted Colts to 247 all out in 49.5 overs. Most of the Colts batsmen got off to good starts but failed to convert their scores to match winning knocks. Romesh Kaluwithrana who opened the batting hit a whirlwind 33 with seven boundaries while middle order batsmen Jeevantha Kulatunge struck 36 as the rest of the Colts batsmen struggled against the NCC attack.

NCC were given a flying start with Rally Tissera (34) and Hewage putting on 80 runs in 15.3 overs and setting the tempo. However with the departure of both openers and Aravinda de Silva (run out for 29) NCC were in a spot at 139 for 3 wickets. But a 76 run partnership for the 4th wicket between Naweed Nawaz and Carman Mapatuna (37) ensured that the Maitland Place Club booked a place in Saturday's final. Mapatuna struck a couple of boundaries and a six while acting captain Nawaz struck four boundaries and a six in his 82 ball knock that anchored the NCC innings.

Colts SC-247 all out in 49.5 overs (Romesh Kaluwitharana 33, Shantha Kalawitigoda 27, Dulip Samaraweera 20, Jeevantha Kulatunge 36, Eric Upashantha 28; Ravindra Pushpakumara 3/45, Ishara Amarasinghe 3/48)

NCC-248 for 4 in 48 overs (Rally Tissera 34, Pradeep Hewage 53, Aravinda de Silva 29, Naweed Nawaz 66 n.o, Carman Mapatuna 37; Dinuk Hettiarachchi 2/49)

Shiroman props Tamil Union

Batting first BRC laboured to score 220/7 in their 50 overs. Chinthaka Jayasinghe top scored for the Havelock Park Club with an unbeaten 72 while Sampath Perera chipped in with 64.

Tamil Union were given a solid start by their openers Nuwan Shiroman and Indika Galagoda who put on 63 for the first wicket. Shiroman was also associated in a 78 run third wicket stand with Indika de Saram (37) that sealed the fate for the Park Club. Shiroman struck seven boundaries in his 112 ball knock that carried Tamil Union to the final.

BRC-220/7 in 50 overs (Damitha Hunukkumbura 42, Sampath Perera 64, Chinthaka Jayasinghe 72 n.o; Saman Jayaratne 2/34, Gayan Wijeyakoon 1/31, Niroshan Bandarathilake 1/48)

Tamil Union-224/5 in 46.2 overs (Indika Galagoda 25, Nuwan Shiroman 84, Indika de Saram 37, Malintha Gajanayake 32 n.o; (Sajeewa Weerakoon 2/44, Suranjith de Silva 2/35)

The final will be played next Saturday (Jan. 19) at the SSC grounds.