| Sports |
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| Marvan
was marvellous It's a pity nothing was seen of John Davison's fastest ever World Cup century against the West Indies. It must have involved some lusty hitting. The Australians can take all the credit for that effort too. Davison, the only fulltime first-class player in the Canadian team, plays for South Australia and there is his home. He qualifies by birth and has spent the past couple of seasons as the Toronto Cricket, skating and Curling Club's professional. Comparing batting performances is never possible but Marvan Atapattu's knock against the South Africans was flawless and had all the ingredients to rank as the best. While he was at it, it was a pleasure to watch, seeing it a second time when all was over, captured its priceless value. The mental responsibility was enormous. He has been the most consistent and in-form batsman in the team for the past six months, with the middle order being very brittle on most occasions. It was a very crucial game for both South Africa and Sri Lanka. He was partly responsible for the run out of his captain Sanath Jayasuriya the other Sri Lankan batsman who has been striking the ball well in this tournament. Mahela Jayawardena came and departed without troubling the scorers. It tested Atapattu's mental strength. He is now seasoned to combat such situations. To face the quickest bowlers in the world, when armed with a hard new cricket ball is no easy task. It takes a whole lot of courage and skill to go out there day in and day out and succeed against the best in the world. Atapattu and Aravinda De Silva mustered all their experience to assault the South African bowlers. Pollock, Nttini, Kluesner, Kallis, Hall and the new boy Zondeki, all tried their utmost. The Sri Lankan pair was unshakable. Both players thrilled with master class cricket strokes, played to perfection all round the wicket. Technique is often sacrificed these days in the quest for runs and success. Marvan Atapattu has worked more and more on improving his technical play. There was a time when many felt he was not scoring quickly enough and slowing down the scoring rate. As his confidence has grown all that has been dismissed. Today, Atapattu must rank as the best off side player in the world. He cuts and drives in the arc from third man to long off with timing and power. The footwork is nimble and precise. On that day he made the leather fly off his willow. If not for the brilliance of the South African fielders he would have collected another dozen runs. That 124 runs outshone the other star performances. Marvan was truly marvellous! Police
SC 'Sara' champs The team did well to enter the Plate ( 9 teams). Police are strongly placed and will qualify to enter the first six who will be eligible to play in year 2003 Premier tournament. Former Nomad S.C. and SSC off-spinner U.S.C. Perera, a national poolist is coaching the team. He took over the coaching last year and has done an excellent job with the squad. A Level II coach earlier he was coaching Isipathana. erera was interviewed by the Sunday Times he said, credit should go to the cricket committee headed by DIG C.K. Gajanayake, the former Police and Vidyartha cricketer and former Rajan, Pujitha Jayasundera, the secretary. The duo gave all the support. There were no glamour players in the side. R. Wimalasiri, the captain and Chaminda Liyanage have been consistent run-getters and they have been among the runs. Liyanage has two 100s to his credit, while Wimalasiri clubbed a 100 against Wattala Antonians. They have pacemen Deepal Gunawardena and Vajira Ranaweera and for spin, it has always been P.K. Serasinghe - the left-arm spinner. Police in the past have made a name in rugby and dominated the local scene. -BW Reids
leave indelible mark in Thomian cricket history onnie, opened batting for Sri Lanka. Claude, Buddy and Barney, too played for the Thomians. Amiable Buddy pursued a professional career and went one further on and off the field. He entered the medical fraternity and played for the University. Buddy captained Sri Lanka. The Reids played with success for BRC. Today Dr. Reid is a consultant surgeon in Melbourne Australia. Claude, too played for the Park Club in the Premier Tournament. But the real sensation was created by 'Tiny' Barney Reid in 1962 as a fresher playing against St. Sebastian's Moratuwa, when Barney and Roger De Silva, bowled them out for 9 runs - repeat of that historic match of 1885 after 77 years. The visitors batting first on a rain-affected pitch were all at sea on a pitch by the sea side. Barney opening the attack with Roger D' Silva' swung the ball in ideal conditions with his left-armers to capture 8 for 2. Roger, picked up 2 for 6. In the process the Moratuwa school was trounced by an innings and 217 runs. (BW) |
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