| Sports
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| What
a glorious game Sri Lanka has
been written-off by all and sundry. Even the most ardent of supporters
were not that focused on this game. The team had surrendered so
tamely to an "A" team on what on reputation, is the best
batting pitch in Australia. So what chance would you give Jayasuriya's
team against an all-conquering team. The Australians who boast of being able to produce two outfits equally strong, able to match most opposition, on home conditions, were let down by their bowlers and poor fielding added to their woes. They missed McGrath and Warne. Add Gillespie to that list and it amounts to about seventy percent of the bowling attack. Yet, for a team that is totally out of depth in confidence it is a tough task to score in excess of three hundred runs in fifty overs. Permitting Sanath Jayasuriya to play in the manner he enjoys, means anything could happen. Bowlers around the world know his strengths and these days rarely give him the freedom to cut loose. It was one of those days and the ball sped to all parts of the MCG. At one stage it looked like the total would exceed 350 or even the highest score in ODI's looked within sight. The departure of Jayasuriya naturally slowed the rate, but the batsman had posted a winning total. Marvan Atapattu continued with his outstanding run of form. Once again, it underlines the value of technique. A technically sound batsman cannot have a lean run for too long. In fact, when in form the runs keep flowing for long periods. Good technique enables quick adjustments to the different surfaces on a variety of grounds around the world. The advent of vast amounts of one-day cricket has resulted in batsman opting to be unorthodox, but in the long run there is no substitute for good technique and Marvan Atapattu has proved that. Muttiah Muralitharan's return was timely and much needed. Still short of match practice the master was able to play a crucial role. In an innings where the opposition scores at a rate over 5.5 runs an over when one bowler sends down his quota of ten overs at four an over, then he has provided a great service. Sri Lanka missed that in South Africa for five games and in the earlier three games in Australia. Muralitharan is outstanding and when he is not in the team, the gaping hole cannot be filled. The victory has provided relief but it does not solve all the problems the team has been faced with. It is hardly that. What it has done is that it has boosted the dented confidence. The batting, which has suffered most of the time in the last few months, finally came good. It is up to the management now to build on the pluses. Their immediate goal is to force a position into finals of this VB series, by edging England out of the competition. Should they be able to do that, then, they would make genuine progress. VIP
Golfers re-visit Ridgeways The irrespressible Ex-Indian High Commissioner Nareshwar Dayal sailed in and out in a falsh, played a couple of rounds of golf, re-kindled old freindships and gave us the pleasure of his company even though briefly. He looked good and well preserved showing no evidence of the slipped disc he carried when he was with us a few years ago. Dutch Ambassador the massive man Bastian Korner was an extremely enthusiastic and highly competitive golfer. Playing off handicap 6 he was very impressive in the several rounds he played. He was delighted to be back and was greatly impressed with the new look Club House and much improved Course. He will be remembered as haivng won several high class events during his last assignment in Sri Lanka. Another tremendous personality to arrive was Rienzie Weeraratne. A golfer with Lever Bros. and quite popular at the Ridgeways he suddently decided to pack his bags and leave for the U.K., seeking greener pastures. A smart top Executive he struck gold very quickly and was soon identified as an excellent prospect for high status and position. He thrived in U.K. and has just returned to Sri Lanka and the Ridgeways flirting with the idea of re-settling in the good old country. He is in excellent shape and knocks down those beverages in the same style as he gracefullly did in the past. Weerratne and Douglas de Silva are his chief mates and I take a smalll slice enjoying his company immensely. Past
umpires to be honoured
Chandra Schaffter, the former Sri Lankan fast bowler and cricket administrator has done a lot to uplift the image of the cricket umpires. Schaffter, through his firm has helped the re-development of the Tamil Union. The gentlemen in the long white coat will be honoured for their services rendered during difficult times unlike the present day fraternity who are afforded with much fringe benefits (financially) than their predecessors. Those who served at international level in the past will be awarded with medals, followed by a get-together. Following are the recipients:- Ignatius Anandappa, C.E. Basil Anthony, Dooland Buultjens, B. Cyril Cooray, Herbert C. Felsinger, Allan Felsinger, K.T. Francis, M.D.D.N. Gunaratne, Ajith C.S. Perera, S. Ponnuthurai, T.M. Samarasinghe, P.W. Vidanagamage, E.K.G.Wijewardena, Udaya Wickramasinghe, Granville Hamer and D.N. Pathirana. - (B.W.) |
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