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The
'Super Six' forgot their basics No point putting the blame on umpiring. I covered this tour and had a bird's eye view of it on and off the field. But it has nothing to do with umpiring. It was lack of application and commitment that put the game and the country to shame. Was it bad planning for which the tour management must be answerable? Were they not aware of this tour and the conditions the batsmen and bowlers had to undergo? Be it at Wanderers later wandering around under varying conditions, it was no doubt a testing time for them. The selectors must take part of the blame taking ad hoc decisions. It's good in picking a side with a view to give that much needed exposure, but they were made to languish and then sent home without a game. Imaging there were two selectors, travelling in business class and enjoying themselves in five-star hotels and returning home after a pre-paid sojourn. Sri Lanka cricketers failed in every department of the game on this tour. Excuses are not the panacea for the ills. There were some decisions that were debatable where both teams suffered. This is part and parcel of the game. There are good and bad decisions coming your way. Take it in the correct spirit even with the assistance of the third umpire. The batsmen at times profit from bad decisions. Are they going to walk out? Today, cricket is no longer a gentleman's game, but played for material gains. Allan Border, the former Aussie skipper, now a cricketing legend had this to say: 'Don't blame the umpire. Play for the right reasons and develop your skills. They are not cheats. They do make human errors. There was an incident here when there was blatent lapses on the part of an umpire when kept on raising his finger like a railway signal apparently at the behest of outside elements. Sir, we expected you to give one or two but not three or four during the Aussie tour here in 1996. A report was made against the said umpire and he was removed from the International panel. Another umpire suffered the same fate. He is being mentioned in Steve Waugh's book'. Former Sri Lanka Test captain - the 'Moratuwa mauler' Duleep Mendis who is a cricketing legend known for his exploits in the international scene is presently the consultant for the S. Africa tour. He did quite a lot of spadework to put things right, communicating with the players in the language they understood best. He, too was helpless with a squad of 17, who have hardly done their homework before they embarked on this tour. He was questioned about the debacle. What were the causes. It has nothing to do with umpiring, but rank indiscipline batting and wayward bowling. Even the coaches can't do miracles. What was lacking - total commitment by the players despite abundant experience in the international scene. What have got to say about the Aussie tour. It's much harder than the S. African tour. Any comments about Darrel Hare being appointed as an adjudicator. Why split hairs with Hare. Just forget about the past and concentrate on the game. Why be prejudiced. Get your act-together, Mendis said. You have suffered setbacks virtually sacrificing your life in the inaugural World Cup in 1975 in England - against Australia felled by a Thomson 'thunderbolt' at that time there were no rules to curb bouncers, unlike today. There was a hue and cry over, fiery bowling by Lillee and Thomson. Even the then tour management had this to say, 'Why should they bowl bouncers at unrecognised batsmen. How could a batsman be unrecognised when he bats at No. 3 and 4. Despite all these setbacks the Lankan team under Anura Tennakoon, which team included Sunil Wettimuny, Mevan Pieris (the king of swing), Bandula Warnapura fought a relentless battle and did proud for the country. In the process they laid the foundation to gain Test recognition. Mendis' observations should be an ideal antidote for the present generation of young cricketers to emulate. The tour to Australia is no picnic. Let the players apply themselves to overcome the dented image. This writer was afforded an opportunity of covering this tour by Singer Sri Lanka and Ceylinco Life that too to indulge in truthful reporting and give a correct picture. Write what you see at the middle not gossip or scoreboards. This will not help to overcome the prevailing ills. Whilst in S. Africa after Sri Lanka's solitary win (one-day win in Benoni) an official in the tour management had this to say, 'You have written some naughty articles. I was made to look naughty, when the team failed to apply themselves and be more disciplined rather than making excuses for their shortcomings'. The S.A. selectors don't believe in going on past records when selecting teams, unlike the local panel. They do it purely on merit. The likes of Gary Kirsten, Cullinan, Lance Klusenar etc., were put on trial and were picked on merit. Here, it's the old wine in a new bottle. There was tremendous support for the Lankans coming from the likes of Dr. Al Bacher, Goolam Rajah, Pat Symcox, Kepler Wessel etc. Symcox has quite a number of friends here - one of them R.R, a former deputy to late Gamini Dissanayake. Pat says Sri Lanka is his favourite country and even prepared to help them in whatever way in their endeavour to further develop the game here. A fan from Ratnapura has sent me a letter that I am not supporting the players. I am a right royal Sri Lankan until my last breath. But I can't be blind to the truth and truthful reporting. Truth is the greatest religion to me. More about S.A. and legendary Nelson Mandela's endeavour to uplift the image of the less privileged will appear in the Wijeya Group of Newspapers in due course. - BW Dilantha
roars on to take second spot Dilantha based in Japan and the only Sri Lankan to possess an international racing licence qualified himself into Japan's Formula 3000 circuit which is considered the gateway to to Formula racing. Prior to participating in this event Dilantha came over to Sri Lanka in search of sponsors to raise some of the $ 30,000 he needed but was disappointed when he got no backing either from the private sector or from the Government. Nevertheless he found a part sponsor in Rama DBK in Japan and put in some of his funds to raise the necessary funds. In the end all his efforts bore fruit when he was placed second representing the British based Rollcentre Racing team. He did not forget to prominently display the words "Visit Sri Lanka" in front of the magnificent car, the Mosler MT900R, giving a tremendous boost to the country's image as a tourist destination. The Rollcentre racing team headed by by driver Martin Short with Charles Lamb and Mark Pashley being the other two drivers, competed against other top class cars in the likes of Ferrari and Porsche. The Mosler MT900R manufactured in the USA is described by the manufacturer as a speedy one rated as faster than the Ferrari. Holden's new 7.0 litre Monaro took the race winning the 3181 km run. With two time Bathurst 1000 winner Steve Richards at the wheel and steered by co-drivers Garth Tander, Nathan Pretty and Cameron McConville finished the race with a 23 lap advantage over Dilantha's team. In third place was the standard BMW MS of Austria's Duller Motorsport driven by Howard Redhouse, Peter Hannen and Dominic Beninca. The race was competed by many of the world's best racing drivers including the prestigious Le Mans 24 race winner Stephan Ortelli who represented the British Cirtek Porsche team. Ortelli won the 1998 Le Mans 24 hours for Porsche and was recently crowned 2002 champion in the international FIA N-GT sports car class and Porsche Supercup series. Dilantha at last has made half his dream come true and with his experience at this meet is sure to bring more honour to Sri Lanka at next years Bathurst 24 hour race. Though denied sponsorhip in his own country with his true Sri Lankan quality added with dedication and determination he gave off his best for the country. Nandasena
stabbed In a flash the neighbourhood came round and carried him into a Bajaj Three Wheeler and rushed him to Hospital. Placed in Intensive care he received prompt medical attention. Prof.A.H. Sherriffdeen a golfer himself heard of the incident and rushed to give him his personal care and attention. Nandasena is not out of the woods. Prompt action by the Police and the thugs were arrested and they are now under Police tender care. I have met at least a dozen bodies who individually claim they saw the blood oozing some from near and some from far but unfortunately one version contradicts the other badly. The version I quote is confirmed by Lionel Almeida the Secretary of the R.C.G.C. and I have no reason to doubt his accurate knowledge of what transpired. Brillliant golfer Nandasena Perera was born in the neighbourhood and as a kid he picked balls and handled a pond for a while. He then graduated to a fore Caddie, then a Caddie and an attractive golfer. Pin Fernando gave him much attention and very soon he was found in amateur company. He won the Open National Title and then moved to India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Singapore and won their Titles too and finally when the Asian Games came along in Beijing he won the Silver Medal beaten by 1 stroke by the famous Japanese Maruyuma who today is a star on the American circuit and popularly referred to as the "Smiling Japanese". Dr.
Karu's visit He very soon settled to a very rewarding practice and quite naturally moved into the golf scene where he promptly picked up a wide circle of friends. Later he was identified as a good prospect to hold office in the Club and he was invited to serve in the Committee of the Golf Club of Filton in Bristol. A few years later Dr. Karu was elected Vice Captain and then Captain of Filton to gain a unique honour of being the first Sri Lankan ever to be elected Captain of a Golf Club outside Sri Lanka particularly in U.K. where traditions are strong and life is so competitive. Dr. Karu a regular at Filton in Bristol is here again on a vacation and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him at the Maharaja Classic Radio 92.6 Golf Reception at the Royal Colombo Golf Club where we were invitees. A tremendous personality I thoroughly enjoyed my brief chat with him over a drink and I hope I'll see him again before he returns to U.K. and I move Down Under for the X'mas Season. - Tita Nathanielsz |
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