Sports

Sports

Why Australia must put their house in order
By Peter Roebuck
Cricket must not tolerate the sort of insults heard from players and supporters in Brisbane. Apart from anything else it is rude. As if the world does not have enough troubles of its own. Nor can the calls of the crowd or the passing remarks of a disappointed player be dismissed as idle chatter.

Only those born and raised in minority groups can speak with any authority about the impact of such comments. These matters must be confronted to avoid bad blood between nations and teams. The game was obliged to state its position. All men are to be treated equally regardless of colour or creed. Alas authorities can discipline players but cannot force spectators to give visiting players a fair go.Cricket is a broad church or it is nothing. It embraces black, white, brown, Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Buddhist and surely knows there is nothing to fear.

If harmony cannot be found at the highest levels then there is not much hope because these fellows have travelled around.Darren Lehmann is fondly referred to as "lemon" by subcontinental followers impressed with his skills. These Sri Lankans are an especially mixed bunch. Sanath Jayasuriya and his boys may look more or less the same but their backgrounds are diverse, and include wealth and poverty, education and illiteracy, north and south, country and city, not to mention a range of languages, faiths and nationalities.Considering all the bombings and so forth it is wonderful that Sri Lanka can field a team that plays with its heart and commands widespread support. Sport is supposed to build bridges between nations.

When it does so the spirit soars and in some small way the world becomes a better place. Only the worst among us cannot appreciate Tiger Woods. Hurricane Carter's fight against oppression was turned into a movie. Cathy Freeman has touched hearts and Sachin Tendulkar is appreciated.Now and then sportsmen overstep the mark. For years Vivian Richards nursed a grievance with a fast bowler who had called him a black something or other. West Indians reacted strongly to Tony Greig's announcement that he intended to make them grovel, an uncharacteristic slip from a fair man.Not that the West Indians are immune from criticism. Indeed their "A" team that visited England last year was regarded as the most unpleasant to set foot in that country.

These things cut both ways. Reporters exposing corruption in Pakistan cricket were called racist and replied that they were showing faith in Pakistan by helping to root out its criminal elements. No country or player can be wrapped in cotton wool merely because of colour or creed. Consistency is the vital ingredient.Australia must put their house in order. It is not enough to point out that the Australian Cricket Board assists subcontinental countries, that the captain supports a charity in Calcutta or that its greatest fast bowler coaches pace bowlers in India.

More is needed. Captains, umpires and leading players must play their parts in stamping out any hint of vilification, no matter how harmless it might sound.Not long ago Anurag Singh, a batsman of Indian extraction nowadays living in England, spent a season playing cricket in Sydney. Furious about the abuse hurled at him, Singh complained to the authorities. He wanted to draw attention to the problem. As a graduate from Oxford University and a trained lawyer, he could take care of himself.

Others are less able to defend themselves and simply put up with it, or go away.
Sport is not supposed to be conducted along these lines.Doubtless Lehmann's outburst was out of character but his remarks were overheard and hurtful. They could not be ignored. Of course dismissed batsmen routinely growl about umpires, pitches and opponents. Disappointment can lead to extreme reactions. But there are limits and Lehmann ignored them. In the heat of the moment a dark part of his soul was revealed. By and large Lehmann is a good natured fellow and his reputation will ensure that this outburst is soon forgotten.

Nonetheless the authorities were right to intervene. Cricket is trying to make its way in a world full of conflict.At various times war has raged between Tamils and Sinhalese, Shonas and Ndebeles, Afrikaners and Zulus, Hindus and Muslims. The surprise is not that cricket has been damaged by these disputes. The miracle is that the game has survived them. Fortunately it is a fine game and played to a set of rules that do not mention faith or tribe, rules that allow the game to proceed in all sorts of conditions. Cricket can be entertaining and dull, frustrating and inspiring, mathematical and poetical. It ought not to be cheap.

Things are improving. England are captained by a man born in Madras and raised in an Indian family. Sri Lanka's leader has broken the mould in his country by emerging from a humble background. He is a practising Buddhist who sent the bookies packing.
Australia's Test skipper enjoys himself in India and Sri Lanka and provides some relief for the disadvantaged. Doubtless these fellows also have their faults. Cricket has come a long way, and clearly has further to travel.

Bloomfield ready for the kill
By M. Shamil Amit
Bloomfield were in a commanding position at the end of the second day's play in their Premier Super League cricket encounter against CCC being played at Maitland Place. They have put themselves of pulling off an early win when play resumes today. CCC - 130 and 95 for 7 at close (D. Hunukumbara 24, Mario Villawarayan 24 n.o.; N. Alles 3 for 26, K. Weeraratne 2 for 21)

Bloomfield 314 (Saman Jayantha 49, T.M. Dilshan 78, D. Perera 42, Kumar Dharmasena 79; Mario Villawarayan 4 for 74)

Exciting game The Premier Super Legue cricket between Colts and Moors being played at the Colts grounds is poised for an exciting finish today. Colts - 219 and 87 (Chaminda Mendis 12, M. Pushpakumara 20, Dulip Liyanage 14, N. Bandaratileke 14; Nandika Ranjith 4 for 22, C. Welagedera 3 for 26)Moors - 151 (M. Faizer 37, N. Cooray 25, C. Hathursinghe 34; E. Upashantha 3 for 29, S. Fernando 2 for 13) and 68 for 3 at close (M. Fernando 18 n.o., B. Perera 21 n.o.; N. Bandaratileke 2 for 23)-MSA

Even exchanges
Exchanges were even in the Premier Super League cricket encounter between Panadura SC and Tamil Union being played at the Panadura Esplanade.

Panadura SC - 135 (P.Fernando 34, C. Silva 21, S. Peiris 24, A. Perera 21; G. Ramyakumara 2 for 27, R. Dias 2 for 49) and 170 for 9 at close (A. Perera 50, N. Nawela 35, S. Abeywardena 23; L. Dias 7 for 37)

Tamil Union - 164 (M. Withanage 41, G. Ramyakumara 22, M. Gajanayake 32; D. Perera 2 for 59, N. Nawela 3 for 22, S. Gayan 2 for 44)-MSA

NCC 298, BRC 230
NCC have already obtained a first innings lead over BRC in their Premier Super League cricket match being played at the BRC grounds. NCC - 298 and 44 for 3 (S. Pradeep 23 n.o.; P. Silva 3 for 21)

BRC - 230 (C. Handunnettige 45, M. Warnapura 27, V. Waragoda 29, C. Jayasinghe 56; I. Amarasinghe 3 for 37, R. Kalpage 3 for 36) -MSA

Tharanga 115
A fine 115 by Tharanga Paranavithana for SSC against Galle CC was the feature of the second days play.

SSC - 287 and 240 for 2 at close (Tharanga Paranavithana 115, Hemantha Wickramaratne 59)

Galle CC - 137 (B. Kularatne 25, D. Wickramasinghe 17, N. Kulasekera 17; R. Perera 4 for 38, T. Samaraweera 2 for 20) -MSA

Two Police teams in Cup 7s quarter finals
By Bernie Wijesekera
The curtain raiser tournament for the Sri Lanka Rugby Union's 2003 season commenced at Longden Place yesterday with the Inter-Club Sevens competition.
Thirty two teams scrummed down for the first happening for the season. There was quantity but little quality in the rugby which was dished out by the participants on the first day.

Defending champions Kandy SC playing without much sweat in Group A came out on top. They take on CH 'A' in the first quarter-final today which should be keenly contested. Police 'A' and 'B' teams gave notice of their flair for Sevens rugby and found their way to the last eight in the 'Cup'.

Police 'A' and 'B' teams gave notice of their flair for sevens rugby and found their way to the last eight in the 'Cup'. Police 'A' take on gutty Army 'A' while CR&FC 'A' take on Police 'B'.

The best match in the evening played under floodlights was the tie between Havelocks 'A' and Navy 'B' in Group 'H'. Navy were leading 12-0, but the Park Club came from behind to win 19-12 in a keenly contested encounter. The biggest margin of victory was registered by CH 'A' over Colombo University Campus at 63-10.

Reigning champions Kandy 'A' had a close call over the rugged Army 'B' winning 10-5.
The tournament will be continued at 8 a.m.. The Cup Championship is played for the late legendary Lt. Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa memorial trophy. Mrs. Lali Kobbekaduwa will be the chief guest today at the finals.

Today's line up of matches: (Quarters) Cup - Kandy 'A' vs CH&FC 'A'; CR&FC 'A' vs Police 'B'; Army 'A' vs Police 'A'; CH&FC 'B' vs Havelocks 'A'. Plate - Army 'B' vs Havelocks 'B'; Air Force 'B' vs Navy 'A'; Air Force 'A' vs CR&FC 'B'.
Bowl - Navy Trincomalee vs Army Diyatalawa; Ruhunu Devi vs KV; Kandy 'B' vs Peterson; Kurunegala RFU vs Matale.

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