Nipun saves St Anthony's 

By Shamil Amit

St Joseph's 287

St Anthony's 150 (Nipuna Ratnayake 81; Ranesh Perera 4 for 49, Chandana Aravinda 3 for 15) and 132 for 7 (Nipuna Ratnayake 41, Tyrone de Silva 43; Ranesh Perera 3 for 46, Chandana Aravinda 3 for 53)

Farveez shines for Wesley again

Wesley 237 and 104 (Nuwan Samith 26; Niresh Silva 6 for 31, Sumalka Perera 2 for 9)

St Sebastains 202 (Sumalka Perera 44, Lasith Fernando 31, S.Fernando 33; Farveez Mahroof 5 for 63, Sajith Colombage 3 for 57)

Surappulige grabs 10 for 98

A fine bowling feat by Malinga Surappulige of Nalanda who had a match bag of 10 for 98 was the feature in the Elephant Lemonade Cup interschool cricket match between Nalanda and Mahinda Galle that concluded at Campbell Place yesterday. In reply to Nalanda's score of 179 Mahinda made 155. And Nalanda batting the second time made 157 which left Mahinda to get 182 for a win and ended the day on 101 for 7 giving Nalanda a first innings win.

Nalanda 179 and 157 (Yasa Hewawitharana 34, M.Warnapura 39, S.Wijetunge 29, Gamini Chandrakumara 28; C.Keerthisinghe 4 for 36, L.Malinga 2 for 40)

Mahinda 155 (M.Surappulige 6 for 57) and 101 for 7 (T.Randika 29, M.Surappulige 4 for 41)

Ananda make 327

In the Elephant Lemonade Cup interschool cricket match between Ananda and Dharmaraja which began at the Police grounds in Kandy. Ananda batting first scored 327 with skipper Eshan Abeysinghe (70) and his deputy Yohan Wickramage making 78 and these two put on a partnership of 140 runs for the third wicket. The match will be continued today.

Ananda 327 (Yohan Wikramage 78, Eshan Abeysinghe 70, Nadeeshan Jayakody 38, Thilina Kumarasinghe 25, Kushan Diyagama 25, Dinesh Dantanarayana 38 n.o.; T.Dharmaratne 2 for 32, M.Rajapakse 4 for 97, A.Dolopilla 2 for 38)-MSA

Freshers restore Royal's cricketing pride

By Bernie Wijesekera 

Royal batting first amassed 269. The Cambrians who were 17 for no loss overnight ran into a storm in Kottehewa's seventh over. Taraka in his 5th and 6th deliveries removed S. Wijeratne caught behind by Arumprakash. In the next had Dhananjaya caught at mid on. In his next over first ball had opener Perumpuli caught behind for 20 to complete a hat-trick. Royal in their second innings made 143 for 3 at close thanks to an attractive 3rd wicket stand of 83 between consistent run-getter G. Ratnayake 42 n.o., (6 fours) and Armuprakash 80. 

Royal 269: (Naveen Dias 95; B. Dhananjaya 5/63 and 144 for 3 in 35 overs at close (Velu Arumprakash 80, G. Ratnayake 42 n.o.). 

Prince of Wales (17/0 overnight) 173 in 71.4 overs (S. Gallappathi 43, S. Perumpuli 20, S. Cooray 28; Taraka Kottehewa 5 for 43 including a hat-trick). 

Tail enders save Trinity

By Aubrey Kuruppu

A stylish knock of 75 by skipper Dilshan Gunawardena and a solid contribution of 71 by Williams enabled the Thomians to take a commanding lead of 83. Trinity's skipper Randil Gamage bowled tirelessly and was rewarded with four scalps. 

Trinity struggled for survival second time round and were given a life line by Pieris and the injured Punchihewa. 

Trinity 192 for 9 decl. and 118 for 8 (A. Pieris 37, C. Punchihewa 25 n.o., R. Gamage 19, K. Chandrapala 10 n.o.; P. Rodrigo 3/16, D. Williams 2/10, P. Pieris 2/14). 

St. Thomas' 65 for 1 - Contd. 275 for 8 decl. (D. Gunawardena 75, D. Williams 71, P. Pieris 29 n.o., K. De Silva 20, J. Mendis 12; R. Gamage 4/75, C. Fernando 2/26).

Basketball in Lanka bounces high

He further said that ABF is in the process of conducting classes to educate the new players the basics on 'How to play and Know to play Basketball' in district level. On completion of the classes ABF will be conducting a Inter district tournament in four different age groups. The first round will be on league basis in the districts and the final round will be in Colombo on knock-out basis. This is done specially to Popularize and Stabilize Basketball in the districts.

Colombo District

He further said that CDBA has nearly twenty two (22) clubs in the Men's vision and ten (10) clubs in the women's division. 

The winner, first and second runner-up's are given cash awards in addition to other awards to encourage other teams to raise their standard and to enter the finals in the future tournaments. 

Vidyartha favoured over St. Sylvester's

However, in the late 80s and the 90s the teams were on a more even keel and the number of decisions declined.Harsha Nanayakkara, a stylish bat and one of the best willow wielders in the schools, leads Vidyartha, who possess an experienced and very strong batting line up. Nanayakkara scored hundreds in successive games against St. Anthony's and Maliyadeva. His form at present is good but a third century has eluded him. Young all-rounder Kosala Kulasekera has gone one better than his skipper, obtaining three figures on three occasions. 

Vidyartha (from): Harsha Nanayakkara (Cap.) Sujith Perera, Prasanna Indrajith, Mohamed Nilam, Kosala Kulasekera, Buddhi Chandrasiri, Duminda Wekadapola, Jagath Dharmasena, Lakshman de Silva, Eranga Gangoda, Mihira Chandrasiri, Lakshita Navaratne, C. Jaykody and S.C. de Silva.

St. Sylvester's (from): Chamila Ratnayake (Capt.) Mohamed Refai, Chaminda Ranawaka, Pradeep Athauda, Kenneth Udawatte, Tharanga Jayatissa, S. Hameed, Dhananjaya Karunaratne, Subash Prematilleka, Tharindu Manchanayake, Derminda Ranaweera, Thusitha Wijesekera, H. Gunaratne, Kosala Abeysinghe and Ravi Karunaratne. - A K

Gilchrist thrashes fastest ever test double century

Gilchrist reached his 200 off 212 balls when he whipped the first ball he faced after tea to the square leg boundary off Jacques Kallis to beat the previous fastest double century in terms of balls faced.

Ian Botham needed 220 balls to reach the mark for England against India at the Oval in 1982, though Don Bradman made a double century in 214 minutes for Australia against England at Leeds in 1930 but the number of balls was not recorded - Gilchrist took 290 minutes to reach 200.

Australia declared at the end of the over, only two short of the all-time highest total made against South Africa.

Gilchrist and Damien Martyn (133) shared a record sixth wicket stand of 317 in 273 minutes as both hit career best test scores.

AFP

Thrilling encounter on cards

The two teams are unbeaten this year with Nalandians having a better record having notched up two outright wins against Royal and Dharmapala from the 14 matches they have played. 

Ananda too have played 14 matches with all ending in draws. The Anandians are led this year by Sri Lankan Under 19 player Eshan Abeysinghe a fourth year player who has not been able to play regularly due to his national commitments nevertheless last week he came back to form with a century against Wesley. 

His deputy Yohan Wickramage a fine allrounder will be the troublemaker for the Nalandians, a top all rounder has many good acheivements to his credit. 

The openers Damindu Kularatne and Mahela Udawatte will have to be got rid of as these two are capable of turning the game in Ananda's favour. Others who are in form are Lahiru Senaratne, Nadeeshan Jayakody and Isuru Dias. The Nalandians is led by another Sri Lankan Under 19 player Mevan Dunusinghe a stylish left handed batsman with a century against Sri Sumangala, an experienced campaigner. Gamini Chandrakumara another Sri Lanka Under 19 player will be the pick of the batsmen in the side. They have one of the best opening pairs in Malinga Gammarachchi and Lasitha Amarasuriya who has scored over 450 runs and allrounder Sanjaya Gangodawila another centurion and a batsman in form who will also open the bowling with Malinga Surappulige who has taken over 60 wickets and will be supported by that useful spinner Ishara Dilshan who too has taken nearly 50 wickets. It will definitely turn out to be one of the best encounters to be played in recent times with both teams on equal terms.

Peterites have the edge

By M.Shamil Amit

The much looked forward encounter is being sponsored by Dialog GSM who have come forward for the first time in sponsoring this event. 

This year the Peterites are brewing with confidence having a successful season remaining unbeaten with three outright wins in their bag against Wesley, President's Rajagiriya and De Mazenod which was their last game. The Josephians have played 16 matches winning one outright against Prince of Wales and losing one to St Sebastians. 

The Josephians possess a young outfit with capable players like skipper Thivanka de S. Wijeratne who has done the bulk of the scoring with over 550 runs to his credit and 106 against St Aloysius being his best and comes in the middle order. 

He has a dependable deputy in Joel Sabreen though coming down in the batting line scored 106 against Royal and put on a record partnership of 107 runs for the last wicket against Royal where they posted a score of over 300 runs in the second innings. Joel will open the attack with Shiraz Illiyas who has been a very promising bowler. Much will depend on the openers Shenon Gunawardena and Nuwan Hewage for the Josephians to post a good score. 

To bolster the score and coming in at number three will be Hashan Goonetileke who has scored over 450 runs following him is allrounder Chandana Aravinda who has played the anchor role in many matches has scored over 600 runs. 

Ranesh Perera will also be a batsman the Peterites will find hard to dislodge. The Peterites possess a strong batting line up led by fourth year coloursman Jehan Jayasuriya who will open the batting a stylish left handed batsman with over 750 runs and an experienced player having captained the national Under 17 team. 

To partner him will be Denver Faux an attacking left handed batsman with over 600 runs. To open the attack and give the Peterites an early breakthrough will be Nadhula de S. Wijeratne who toured with the Under 19 national team to Pakistan a potential match winner with over 35 wickets this season and Ruchira Fernando a fine allrounder with over 800 runs to his name with a best of 139 against Kalutara MV. 

To support them will be Gihan de Siva who has scored over 500 runs with 164 against S.Thomas as his best and Niroshan Cooray who is their makeshift bowler with over 50 wickets with 7 for 69 against St Sebastians as his best.

Rover Pinpoints

Sly return

get nowhere and will have to throw the towel again.

Hoodwinking 

This cricketer who is objected on in playing for the big match states that he has obtained written permission from the Ministry of Education to play in the game. Rover learns that last year too he was deprived of playing in the big match because of the A Level Ruling. 

Annual Sports Meet of Wycherley International

Dambulla Stadium has all facilities for bright cricket

By Bernie Wijesekera

This 61-acre picturesque venue overlooking the Ibbankaduwa Lake has all the facilities to stage any international game. It was my first visit to this venue to cover the final unofficial Test between Sri Lanka 'A' and Kenya, played in ideal conditions. The Kenyans gave their best performance. The Kenyans were amazed at the venue. The pitch, too with even bounce was monitored to last four days where both batsmen and bowlers enjoyed to the hilt. 

Controversy raged over this venue even ending in courts. 

Its well mapped out and planned by qualified architects, but not contractors. 

The seating accommodation in the open stand could be compared to Lord's or Kensington Oval. Even the fans had to watch the game in humid conditions, they need not carry a parasol, but the gentle breeze blowing across the venue coming from the Lake is a temporary air-conditioner to them. Only thing it lacks is a long room like at Lord's.

To watch this game, there was a better crowd including some foreign tourists, than in other venues. Some of the children were there with their elders. 

Petty power-hungry politics has been the bane in this once peace loving island - a gem in the blue Indian ocean. 

It has raised its ugly head even in sport bodies, too not with the idea of promoting the discipline concerned, but apparently for personal and material gains. Once the late Gamini Dissanayake had this to say: "Doing politics is much easier than running the affairs of the Cricket Board, during my tenure. 

It was plagued with problems." President of the BCCCSL Dissanayake had the charisma and the strength to put it on course - with no nonsense from whatever quarter. 

A vegetable vendor had this to say: "This venue must be used regularly for international games. It has all the facilities. There may have been problems with regard to its building despite controversies it was built. No point harping about the past. It's forgotten, but now utilise this venue which is now made available rather than embarking on grandiose projects."

Some may say what about the distance? Play an exciting one-day game between two well-matched teams. You can assure the fans will make a trek to watch the game and even spend the weekend in historic Dambulla. Cricket crazy fans will travel a distance to watch a keen contest in other countries. Sri Lanka too is not short of them. In India people go from one city to another to watch a game. 

From Kurunegala to Dambulla it's just a 90-minute relaxed drive. Today sports is in the districts - including cricket. Why not develop it in the Dambulla district when a venue is available.