Premier Super League

Aravinda cracks 194

By M.Shamil Amit

Earlier Moors SC batting first scored 187 with Bhatiya Perera doing the scoring making an unbeaten 111 which had 17 boundaries and 4 sixes. Moors batting the second time with a deficit of 244 runs were 55 for 2 wickets at close.

Moors SC - 187 (M.Shafie Sampan 22, Bhatiya Perera 111 n.o.; Ishra Amarasinghe 5 for 50, Akalanka Ganegama 2 for 23) and 55 for 2 at close (M.Shafie Sampan 27, Charinda Fernando 17 n.o.)

NCC - 431 for 7 declared (Aravinda de Silva 194, Pradeep Hewage 72, Naveed Nawaz 33, Ruwan Kalpage 25; Aruna Bandaranayake 2 for 39, Rangana Herath 2 for 136)
 

Marians thrash Rio SC 

Chilaw Marians - 267 (Janaka Siriwardena 54, Charith Sylvester 54, Ruchira Palliyaguru 39, Saman Tittagala 36, Arosha Perera 30, Amila Gunawardena 20; C.R.Rupasinghe 4 for 63, A.M.Kumara 2 for 40) and 409 for 8 declared (Janaka Siriwardena 112, Praneeth Jayasundara 111, Arosha Perera 55, Lakmalka Fernando 67, Ishan Muthalip 20, Charith Sylvester 15 n.o., Amila Gunawardena 16 n.o.; C.R.Rupasinghe 4 for 137, M.G.Roshan 3 for 65)

Rio SC - 71 (A.M.Kumara 28; Praneeth Jayasundara 3 for 3, Lakmalka Fernando 2 for 14, Ruchira Palliyaguru 2 for 9, Dhammika Perera 2 for 16) and 72 (M.Tharanga 15; Praneeth Jayasundara 4 for 29, Janaka Gunaratne 3 for 16, Dhammika Perera 3 for 20) -MSA
 

Trinity-Antonian drawn

Trinity continuing from 30 for 2 were in a position of strength and promise at 140 for 4. Credit for this revival must go the consistent Clifford Fernando, Avanka Pieris and skipper Gamage. However some irresoibsible batting and running by the middle order saw the Lions slumber to 182 for 9.

St. Anthony's - 208 and 84 for 4 at close (Tyronne de Silva 34 n.o, M. Rikaz 13, P. Ranawaka 10 n.o; Randil Gamage 2 for 16)

Trinity - (30 for 2 contd.) 182 for 9 dec. (Clifford Fernando 42, R. Gamage 37, Avanka Pieris 27, C. Punchihewa 14 n.o; Prasad Ranawaka 5 for 37, Harsha Tillekeratne 2 for 21) - A.K.
 

Mini cager festival ends today

The finale of the event will be the concluding matches of the different age groups followed by an awards ceremony where Mr. Daya Pelpola, Chairman SriLankan Airlines, a main sponsor of the event, will be the chief guest. In excess 500 parents, officials, past sportsmen, well-wishers and participants are expected to attend this event. 

In order to encourage the development of the game in the outstations, ten schools will be presented with basketballs at the final. A comprehensive souvenir will also be published to mark this sports event. 
 

Yohan and Pradeepa winTT titles

Yohan Desahappriya of Royal College and Pradeepa Dilrukshi of St. John's Sport Club Nugegoda carried away the open men's singles and open women's singles championship titles respectively at the Western Province Open Ranking Table Tennis championship conducted by the Colombo Youth Table Tennis Club in collaboration with the Colombo District Table Tennis Association at S.Thomas' Gymnasium.

In the open men's singles Sri Lanka junior national champion Yohan Deshppriya beat former Royalist who is now playing Three Star Sports Club, Kalubowila, Rohan Sirisena in 3 sets to 2. In the Women's open championship Pradeepa beat Mavulee Prajanganee 11-0313-15,11-08,11-07. 

Tharindu Samaraweera of S.Thomas' College Mt Lavinia won the doubles crown, under 15 and under 17 events.

McLarens Mobil and CIC Autocolor sign agreement

By M.Shamil Amit

The racing team comprising captained by Rohan de Silva will comprise his daring daughter Shehara, Harsha de Silva a budding young driver, Romani de Silva who has made a name in all classes of racing, Dan Dissanayake the demon of Katukurunda, Col Ravi Mayadunne the tough commando from the Army and Dinesh Jayawardena the formula specialsit. 

They will be participating in future motor races which will be held in Sri Lanka. Look forward for this daring team who will be a threat to the other competitors.

Rain, Inzamam rescue Pakistan

At close on the fourth day, Pakistan had made 248, adding only 55 to their overnight 193, and now they are adrift by just 46 runs from the massive deficit of the first innings, but more crucially without losing a wicket, to go into the last day hoping for more of the same. 

Rock-solid, Inzamam didn't offer the Lankans a ghost of a chance in his resolute stay on the wicket. 

At the end of the day, the question on many a lip was whether Pakistan can escape. This is now very much a possibility, albeit a remote one. If the duo continues in the same cautious vein, especially Inzamam, Pakistan may have an outside chance of saving this game. But if they do, it would be one of their more famous escapes. 

Pakistan needed this huge slice of luck through weather (323 minutes of play lost) and some application by the batsmen, to survive after a thoroughly inept batting display by the top order in both innings. At stumps on the third day, they had been still 101 shy of the overall deficit of 294. And with six sessions to go, and save only one recognised batsman in Inzamam unbeaten, without weather having mercy at them they really had very little chance of braving the trial by Muttiah Muralitharan and the three seamers, Chaminda Vaas, Buddhika Fernando and Nuwan Zoysa. 

The play was possible in only three brief spells of 11, 35 and 70 minutes in the pre-, post-lunch and after-tea sessions, with a total of 31.5 overs possible out of a regulation 90. On an otherwise grim day, the only bright spot was Inzamam making a workmanlike fifty while Shoaib Malik tried his best not to lose his wicket. In that he was helped by the Lankan fielders, with Mahela Jaywardene dropping a sitter at first slip off Muralitharan when he hadn't added to his overnight 6. 

With that chance spilled, Lankans had further agony in store for them, as immediately afterwards rain started again. Fortunately for Pakistan, this time it came down in buckets. - CricInfo

Battle of attrition, but ends in stalemate

By Bernie Wijesekera

The final day played in sweltering heat proved to be a titanic struggle for supremacy. Though Royal took the field as under dogs, they did not let up to the bitter end. Royal made 183 in the first innings. The Mt. Lavinia School in reply made 217 - thanks to the former Suriyamawardena MV, Borella lad Jeevan Mendis, scored 88 runs. He gave an outstanding all-round performance. The Thomian top order was in tatters losing three wickets for 21. But opener Hashan Pieris a solid 54 (with 6 fours) joined by Jeevan Mendis after a nervous start, settled down to play a stroke-filled 88 (with 12 fours in 142 balls) restored the innings in a 111-run 4th wkt. stand. Fresher Taraka Kottehewa bowling with sustained accuracy broke through the middle batting before they declared at 217 for 9. Taraka returned the best figures of 4/38. 

Royal in their second essay had a deficit of 34. The Reid Avenue school was in full bloom with diminutive Velu Arumprakash, stroking the ball beautifully. He smashed paceman Fernando for 3 successive fours in his third over to be 71 for 1 on Friday, with Suren Mendis out for 22 in a first-wicket stand of 56 with P. Chanaka, continued their assault. Velu, fell for 53 - with 8 fours in 139 balls. But disaster fell when the Royal middle order fell on the wayside due to rank bad batting. The Thomian spinners Mohamed, Jeevan Mendis and Balasubramanian exploited to see them reeling to be 141 for 5 at lunch.

After lunch Royal's 6th wicket fell - D. Abeygunawardena, foolishly run out for 4 - 146/6. At this stage Rochana Wijeratne, after surviving a difficult chance in the deep, batted with authority. Rochana, who scored a perky 41 in the first essay in a dour 7th wicket stand of 47 with Menaka Keenawinna restored the innings. Wijeratne on the backfoot played a glorious shot off Fernando for 4 through backward point. Royal tended to play, too defensive after posting the 200 against an attack that looked mediocre on a docile pitch. They plodded on after the dismissal of Wijeratne for a well struck 46 (with 7 fours in 105 balls) at tea 207 for 7 with Menaka Keenawinna on 14. Keenawinna hit a straight six to add some fire and spark to the run crawl off Williams. But trying to repeat, was stranded to be stumped for 28 (with two fours and a six). Royal declared at 227 for 8 leaving the Thomians a victory target of 194 to be made in 28 overs.

Royal scored 24 runs in 40 balls a delayed declaration even forfeiting the singles that came their way. 

Scoreboard

S.Thomas' 1st innings 217/9 dec. (B.M.A.J. Mendis 88, 

H.S. Peiris 54, Kottehewa 4/39, Vidanapathirana 3/68)

Royal 2nd innings 

Suren Mendis c Mendis b Mohamed 22

(Miscued a lofted drive) 

Velu Arunaprakash c Mendis b Balasubramaniam 53

(Attempted to pull caught at short-mid wicket)

Pasindu Chamikara c & b Balasubramaniam 30

(Attempted to straight drive)

Naveen Dias c Gunawardene b Mohamed 0

(Tried to force, caught at mid on)

*R.W.M.G.A. Ratnayake c Rajawasan b Mendis 12

(Tried to pull)

RCP Wijeratne c Mendis b Fernando 42 

(Played a loose shot to a rising ball)

D Abeyagunawardene run out (Silva)

(Played to square-leg and attempted a suicide run)

K.A.M.M. Keenawinna st Silva b Williams 29 

(Attempted a big-hit) 

S.M. Perera not out 17 

Extras (b 6, lb 7, w 1, nb 4) 18

Total (8 wickets declared, 98.5 overs) 227

DNB: D.T. Kottehewa, C.W. Vidanapathirana.

Fall: 1-56 (Mendis), 2-111 (Arunaprakash), 3-112 (Dias),4-118 (Chamikara), 5-137 (Ratnayake), 6-146 (Abeyagunawardene), 7-193 (Wijeratne), 8-227 (Keenawinna).

Bowling: Fernando 10-2-38-1, T.P.J.S. Peiris 11-1-40-0 (4nb, 1w), Rodrigo 1-1-0-0, Mohamed 29-11-46-2, Mendis 11-3-21-1,

Balasubramaniam 23-8-48-2, Williams 13.5-6-20-1

S.Thomas' 2nd innings (target: 194 runs) 

A.G Rajawasan c Dias b Vidanapathirana 30

(Attempted to hook caught at square-leg)

H.S. Peiris c Arunaprakash b Vidanapathirana 10

(Tried to nick through vacant cordon caught behind) 

B.M.A.J. Mendis run out (Ratnayake) 15

(Going for a short single at point direct throw to wicket-keeper) 

T.P.J.S. Peiris c Vianapathirana b Ratnayake 17

(Attempted to cut caught in the slips out side edge)

D.H.L. Williams run out (Chamikara) 1

(Direct hit from the bowlers end)

Dilshan Gunawardena not out 5

Kaushal Silva not out 14 

Extras (w 3) 3

Total (5 wickets, 28 overs) 103

To Bat: MTD Fernando, RD Mohamed, MPA Rodrigo, VA Balasubramaniam.

Fall: 1-33 (Rajawasan), 2-45 (HS Peiris), 3-58 (Mendis), 4-84(Williams), 5-84(P.Peiris)

Bowling : Vidanapathirana 9-1-33-2, Kottehewa 5-0-35-0, Chamikara 6-2-18-0, Ratnayake 6-3-11-1, Abeygunawardena 2-0-6-0

Hockey

Domke goal clinches World Cup for Germany

Domke slid the ball home from a Sascha Reinelt pass in the 64th minute to seal victory for the pre-tournament favourites and hand Australia their first defeat in the tournament.

It was Germany's first World Cup triumph. They finished third in the 1998 competition and had not appeared in a final since losing to Pakistan 20 years ago.

Two well-matched teams created chances at both ends with Germany's Christian Wein and Australia's Bevan George going close in the first half.

Australia then went ahead 31 minutes into the half following their second penalty corner when a slip move caught out the German defence for Troy Elder to put his side ahead.

The lead lasted only four minutes, though, as German captain Florian Kunz rattled in the equaliser from his side's first penalty corner on the stroke of halftime.

The second half was just as evenly matched until the last 10 minutes when Germany, having survived three successive penalty corners, took the upper hand.

Hands off Murali please

By Marlon Fernandopulle

First it was former Indian Captain Bishen Singh Bedi who went on record saying that Murali would have made a good Javelin thrower at the Asian Games in Wisden Cricket Asia.And now echoing the same sentiments in the same magazine is former West Indian fast bowler Micheal Holding.Following closely on the heels of Holding is former England opener and South African Coach Bob Woolmer.

As Individuals and former test cricketers Bedi and Holding are entitled to give their own opinions.But what is puzzling is why have they come out with their personal opinions six years after the initial controversy erupted..Where was the Bearded sikh during this time.Couldn't he have raised this issue at the time the ICC Advisory Panel on Illegal deliveries officially cleared the bowler in 1999.

It's well known that Bedi was sidelined by respective Indian Cricket Boards.Unlike other past Indian Captains Bedi's services are not sought after.In fact he has been lost not only to World Cricket but even to Indian Cricket soon after he hung his boots despite ending up as one of the leading spin bowlers for that country.No wonder the guy comes up with some ridiculous remarks to grab some cheap publicity.

Michael Holding (Who was a member of the ICC Panel that cleared Murali is reported to have said that he is 110% in agreement with the former Indian spinner.Holding has been a commentator in several Tests and One dayers where Sri Lanka have been involved.But strangely he has not mentioned a single word relating to any doubts on Murali's action.Infact he has heaped praises on the bowler during his commentary.Why the sudden change of opinion What is it that he sees now as doubtful?

During Last April's Sharjah Triangular Michael Holding expressed his willingness to a member of the Interim Committee to assist the Lankan bolwers.The Interim Committee Member assured Holding that his proposal would receive a favourable response from the Lankan Cricket Board.However for some reason or another this proposal did not come to light.Is this why the former West Indian has suddenly thought of criticizing Murali's action?

Whatever the Bedi's, ,Holdings and Woolmers say will be of no use as the sole judges of a bowlers action will be in the hands of the Standing ICC Umpires and the Match Refrees.Having played in matches officiated by the 20 odd ICC Umpires and Match Refrees Muttiah Muralitharan has had no problem since the initial controversy in 1995.Thus Bedi, Holding and Woolmer should take a lesson from former Australin spinner Bruce Yardley who stated that Muralitharan is a freak who bowls with a generous wrist action.Bowlers like him should be SAVED and not DESTROYED.

Lanka protests against Holdings attack

The Chief Executive of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka(BCCSL) Anura Tennekoon has written to the CEO of the ICC Malcolm Speed calling to take suitable action on Michael Holding's detrimental comments on Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Holding's comments that Muralitharan's bowling Action is illegal are in direct confrontation with the ICC who cleared the bowler in 1999.Strangely Holding himself was a member of the ICC panel that cleared the bowler and is currently an Advisor to the ICC on bowling.Thus it's nothing but fair that the ICC takes action against Holding.

Meanwhile Bob Woolmer ,ICC's high performance Manager has also been critical on Murali's action.Can a paid employer of ICC publicly criticise a test cricketer?ICC has a strict Code of Conducts for Players and officials but nothing for it's own employees.