| Sports |
||||
| Edirimuni,
Ratnayake in record sixth wkt. stand Resuming their innings in gloom overcast skies yesterday, fresher, Tharanga Edirimuni batting at number three slot, displayed abundant skills to bat under pressure. Along with leading bowling all rounder in the schools, Ganganath Ratnayake continued to keep the batting together in a flourishing sixth wicket stand. The pair had no problems in dissecting the Thomian attack. Both batsmen played intelligently. The Thomian close-in fielding was found wanting in this innings. Ratnayake on 42 was let off the book, when Fernando dropped him at gully off Rodrigo, who bowled menacingly to probe the batsmen's defence. Rodrigo is a lad who shows much aggression to bemuse the batsmen. Finally he had to hobble out with an injury. Royal at lunch
were 221 for six with Edirimuni scoring a chanceless 81 in 223 balls
and 10 fours. It was a workmanlike knock by the lad on debut in
288 minutes - typical Jackie McGlew knock the legendary S African
batsman. It served the team's cause. Ratnayake who made a stroke filled 75 in the first essay went on to make 111 not out in the second. It was a stubborn knock made in 200 balls inclusive of 11 fours and a six in 295 minutes. He joins a select band of scoring a ton and a half century. In 2001 Thotawilage made 95 and 108 for Royal in the 'Big Match'. But the best was made by Jagath 'Jaguar' Fernando in 1971 in a two-day game by scoring 160 n.o. and 43. Fernando would have played for Sri Lanka as an opening batsman, but opted for rugby and played as a penetrative centre for Sri Lanka. It was a belated declaration by Royal. They should have opened out the game by declaring much earlier than plodding on to total 300 for 7 at 2.35 p.m. which lost all spark and fire for an exciting finish. The Thomians were left with 269 to make in 51 overs. The Mt. Lavinia lads totalled 212 for 3 off 28.3 overs when a thin drizzle called off play at 5.15 p.m. Play was suspended before being called off. Left hander Isuru Warnakulasuriya and attacking opener made 46 n.o. with five fours in 76 balls, while Kaushal made a breezy 25 off 28 balls with three fours. In the Thomian first innings they were in trouble with 3 for 28, but skipper Arjuna Rajawasam (67) and a gritty 69 by middle-order bat Sanjeev Mendis off 146 balls with 7 fours brought respectability to the total before they declared. Sri
Lanka ride rough seas This has also sent the emotions of their fans to a similar fashion, very cheerful and full of praise during victory and very vitriolic and critical during defeat. No one can blame the fans for this kind of behaviour considering the display by the players. The victories achieved by Sri Lanka have been highly praised for their champion-like performances. The reactions and feelings by the fans have been the same. But in defeat the reactions have been so extremely bitter because of the pathetic display by the cricketers. Now the fans ask many questions after these heavy defeats. Some have not lived upto world class standards. Their selection into the team is also questionable. Even toddlers between the ages of 8 to 14 years are clever enough to question the continued selection of certain players who are not performing well. The selectors have played cricket for the national team in the past and should know very well that only the best players should be selected. Take for example, the Australian team. The likes of Mark Waugh, Greg Blewett and Stuart Law who had exceptional records in the past are dropped for poor performances during the local season. They have selected players who are at their peak form and this is the main reason why they keep winning matches. World Cup arena is not the place and time to give our out-of-form players a chance to get back to form. It has proved very disastrous and would kill the chances for the Sri Lanka team to enter the semi-finals. The victories achieved by Sri Lanka are mainly due to the superb performances by a few individuals. Chaminda Vaas has been in the spotlight with his on-the-spot bowling display. He has become the most feared bowler to face by opponents. Besides, the hat-trick he claimed in Lanka's match against Bangladesh has created a unique World Cup record. His achievement should put him in the race for the 'player of the WC' title. Marvan Atapattu and Muralidharan too have proved to be match winning players. They have glittered in their respective departments and carried Sri Lanka to victory against most strong opponents. Let this WC be an eye opener to the selectors and in the future pick the best squad to represent the national team. On the other
hand India has reached their peak form. Their run-machine Sachin
Tendulkar has proved the way for other players like Yuvraj Singh,
Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid to make their presence felt. They
too come up with useful contributions. With such a good all-round side, who are performing in excellent form India are likely to lift the World Cup. Australia are the favourites to win the WC this year. They are continuing with their winning ways, but sadly their contributions with the bat has fallen drastically in the latter games. Yet their fighting qualities has helped their bowlers to crash their way past the opposing batsmen to win their matches. Nevertheless, they are bound to face their waterloo in the hands of India in the final. |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
