Sports

Sports

Resolving player contracts gives boost to Premier Div.
By Bernie Wijesekera

We can win the World Cup
"We can win the World Cup. Supporting my prediction is a reminder that we convincingly defeated the No 1 ranked side Australia twice, once in Colombo and once in Sydney during the past four months. No other team was able to achieve this level of success against the World champions in recent times", said Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya, Chauirman Interim Committee of the BCCSL.

"We also beat the No 2 ranked side South Africa recently, thrice in a row in a competition in Morocco and also once in their home territory. Overthe past few months we have defeated fourth ranked Pakistan 4-2 in diverse playing conditions. Though we are ranked third we are the most feared team in the World Cup because on our day we are unbeatable. Recently, however those great days have not been as frequent as we would wish to". Mr. Amarasuriya concluded by saying that the team is in high spirits and asked everyone concerned to wish them luck at the forthcoming World Cup in SA. - BW

Don't forget from where you started life and those who helped you to climb the cricketing ladder. Play the game for the right reasons and put the country before self. Money is not the thing in life, nor could it bring permanent happiness. It's whilst playing for the country that our cricketers have made a name for themselves and in the process lead comfortable lives.

The arrogant players demanding more money were brought down to earth by the ICC who told the local Cricket Board that if they do not sign the players contracts, the ICC were willing to even put up with a second string team at the forthcoming World Cup in South Africa.

In reality what have the cricketers contributed to uplift the standards of the less privileged youth who are trying to uplift their image, asked an ardent cricket fan who has followed the game for over three decades.

Anyway it is heartening to note that even Premier Division cricketers are to benefit after the burning issue of player contracts was settled by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka after negotiations with the cricketers concerned.

What have our national cricketers contributed towards the development of the sport?. Have they shown consistency with the willow in the recent tours in S. Africa and the just concluded VB triangular staged Down Under ?

Thrashed by S. Africa, they lost the test series 2-0 and the one-dayers 4-1. What contributions did the "Super Six" make for the sake of the game which helped them to go places?

The Wanderers test was over under three days. The performances here put them to shame despite several world records tucked in their caps.

Tolerated
They were playing like minnows Bangladesh. Of course they were lucky to have been tolerated by the tour management and the selectors, who were made to look like pawns on the chess board. The panel had no planning. Only enjoying themselves with a 'Safari' at CB expense. Imagine players of the calibre of Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener despite their stupendous records, were dropped due to poor form and had to fight their way back to gain recognition.

Even consultant Duleep Mendis, the former Sri Lanka Captain who enjoyed a trail-blazing career the most successful Captain barring Arjuna Ranatunga said, some of the players on the tour party haven't done their homework. Don't you think some of them are lucky to get international Sri Lanka caps unlike in the past some of them must pay to play and lucky to get a regular contract despite not contributing much for the game.

Players have to abide by the contract even if it ends in mid- February said a senior official of the C.B. Contracts couldn't be renewed during an ongoing tour. How could they say, that they were not aware of the contents of the letter before they signed. Didn't they read the letter ? Were they blind?

Sportsmen must adhere to three things before craving for money - Commitment, loyalty and integrity. Jayasuriya- a Buddhist always practise AHIMSA and always strive to lead a simple life. This was mentioned in one of the columns in the Aussie Cricket magazine Inside Edge 1998-99. He must lead by example.

Even the trishaw man and the street vendor is quite aware of the money that our cricketers earn. They are more knowledgeable about the game and supports the sport to the hilt. The local cricketers are lucky that they are born here, otherwise if it was in the sub-continent (India or Pakistan) a hostile reception will await them on their arrival home.

No one will deny that individual brilliance won them much admiration from the fans and financial bargaining via sponsorships. Have they focused their attention on the under-privileged as done in other nations by their national cricketers.

Untouchable they are
Home pitch advantage has been evident in ample proportions in the past few months. South Africa disposed of Sri Lanka and Pakistan. New Zealand made minced meat of India. Australia has had little difficulty in coping with both Sri Lanka and England.
Acclimatization used to be part of a tour in the days gone by. There is hardly any time for that function these days. Most of the time in-between tours are taken-up resting and spending time with families. The warm up games are also reduced to a
and it is a case of sink or swim.

Those who have the benefit of earlier tours can draw on the experience. Of course, the brain can send the messages but the body needs practice, needs the fuel, to react as necessary. The Englishmen have spent nearly three months in Australia but yet they are nowhere near mastering the conditions. The Sri Lankans were better. In the short period (in terms of fixtures) they were exposed, they were better, but inconsistent.

The Australians have developed their game to be intimidating and mean. They have always been the toughest competitors in world cricket. Now they are striving for excellence in all quarters.

All the quick bowlers are constantly bowling an off stump line, a probing length and genuine pace. Most often when they pitch short its on a spot where the ball rears up to around chest or throat height. They are where its difficult to execute a pull or hook shot.

We have watched McGrath, Gillespie, Lee, Williams, Bichel, Bracken and Watson at brisk medium pace perform. They have been highly impressive. Bret Lee is a classic example of a cricketer hungry for success, making every effort to improve with every outing. He is extremely fit and strong. Rarely does he bowl a no ball or a wide even though he is delivering at over 90 mph almost every delivery. He regularly moves the ball off the seam, bowls a lethal bouncer and Yorker. A role model, for any youngster to follow.

The Aussie batting is based around sound technique. Correct foot movement and perfect balance at the moment the stroke is executed, from the foundation. Attack whenever possible is always the policy. The running in-between wickets, is exemplary. The short single is never missed. They always turn quickly and facing the correct direction. Even the big men, Hayden, Gilchrist and Lehman do not falter. Ponting and Bevan are the best in the world.

On the field, the commitment is one hundred percent. The brilliance in catching, ground fielding, chasing and throwing is the result of hours of practice. They enjoy the hard work.

To all this, add a fit Shane Warne and that completes the awesome team. On his return from injury he demonstrated that he had not lost any of the skills. A bit rusty naturally, but still the master of the art. Above all, they play for each other and the team and country. There is a tremendous sense of pride in achievements. At present they are untouchable

Boost for deaf schools Netball tournament
The Deaf School Past Pupils' Association, The School for the Deaf, Ratmalana is organizing the Deaf Schools Netball Tournament which is to be held on Sunday 23rd February 2003, commencing at 9.15 a.m. and the final will be held on the same day evening followed by the awards ceremony.

It is sponsored by Caltex Lubricants Lanka Limited. It is under the guidance of the distinguished past pupil, former sports star, Mr. Shivantha Vivekanandan who is vice President of the Past Pupils' Association and Chairman, organizing committee. The champions will receive the Caltex Trophy with

individual awards to nine players while the runners-up will be presented the Caltex Trophy with individual awards to nine players. There will in addition be special trophies for the Best Shooter and Best Player. Gifts will also be awarded to all the players.

Mr. Shivantha Vivekanandan said that it is his aim to organize the sports activities for the Deaf Schools and thanked the management of Caltex Lubricants Lanka Limited for their support and encouragement and also to the wellwishers for their assistance. Applications are welcomed from Deaf Schools to Mr. N.K.D. Ariyaratne, Hony. Secretary, Deaf School Past Pupils' Association, The School for the Deaf Ratmalana or Telephone 636351 to the Principal, The School for the Deaf Ratmalana during school hours. Application forms close on 7th February 2003.

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