Six former test players and two international umpires have been appointed by the International Cricket Conference (ICC) to a panel to investigate the growing incidence of "chuckers", the latest controversy to grip the game.
In the panel of eight is former Sri Lanka Captain Ranjan Madugalle. The 37-year-old Madugalle who is the youngest international match referee, was once again honoured by the ICC to be included in this panel. The rest of the panel which will look into alleged "chuckers" would be Javed Burki (Pakistan), Kapil Dev(India), Michael Holding (West Indies), Bob Simpson (Australia), John Reid (New Zealand), Doug Insole (England), and umpires Brian Basson (South Africa) and Nigel Plews (England).
However, the rules clearly state that if a bowler from a particular country is suspected to be throwing or chucking, the representative in the advisory panel from that country will not be permitted to sit in the committee.
According to Madugalle the committee was appointed a few months ago, but have not received any complaints yet on alleged throwing incidences by any bowler. All test playing countries, except Sri Lanka have been involved in tests lately, after the appointment of the committee by the ICC. Sri Lanka, however, were involved in a couple of one-day tournaments and will play New Zealand in 3 tests in March.
Lanka's ace off spinner Muttaiah Muralitharan found himself at the centre of a throwing controversy in Australia when he was no- balled by Australian Umpire Darrel Hair during Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in 1995-96. Muralitharan went through a traumatic period in Australia but later represented his country in the World Cup and tournaments under international umpires without encountering any further problems. Most cricket analysts believe that it was this incidence that prompted the ICC to appoint a panel to weed out the chuckers.
A recent poll conducted by Australia's cricket Magazine "Inside Edge" among the country's leading 115 cricketers, have revealed that 64% of them believe that Muralitharan should be called for throwing. However the response to the poll was only 41 percent.
The proposed system at the international level will work as follows:
* If the umpire or match referee has a problem with and is not certain if the action of a bowler is fair, they must seek video of the suspect bowler from various positions and speeds immediately and then forward it to the ICC.
* The ICC then arranges to either send the tape (or when possible organise a TV conference call) to a quorum of five members of the panel to view the tape. The five will not include a person from the country of the bowler in question.
* If the panel finds a problem with the players action, his country will be required to take immediate steps, including the possibility of withdrawing a player from the team to correct the problem.
* If the player corrects his action, further videotapes may be submitted to the panel for consideration.
Anil Indika Mel of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya scored a quickfire century when he scored a hurricane 161 n.o. in their "CocaCola" under 19 B Division cricket encounter with Ibbagamuwa MMV.
His hundred scored in 55 minutes and 53 balls included seven fours and six sixes.
The entire innings scored in 81 balls included 14 fours and 8 sixes. His magnificent knock aided by a five spell of bowling by I. Dilruk who took six wickets for a mere 10 runs helped Moratu Vidyalaya to beat their opponents by 213 runs.
Moratu MV 158 (D.Wickremanayake 40, R.Aponso 36, J.Wijtunge 5 for 46) and 263 for 9 (Indika Mel 161 not out, N.Suranga 53, I. Gunasinghe 3 for 44).
Ibbagamuwa MMV- 140 (S. Abeysinghe 53, C.Dilruk 4 for 26) and 68 (C. Dilruk 6 for 10)
Kalutara P.C.C. beat Moratuwa S.C. by 4 wickets in a Sara Trophy Segment "B" cricket match played at Kalutara.
Moratuwa S.C. 1st innings - 152 all out: { N. Jayalath 31, K. Kumara 39, R. Prasanna 19 n.o. Ravindra Kottahachchi 2/32 and 2nd innings - 227 all out: { D. Pieris 83 n.o., K. Kumara 31, C. Fernando 47, S. Fernando 23, U. Manoj 99/3, K. Sanjaya 4/26 }.
Kalutara PCC 1st innings - 213 all out: { Dilsan Tilakaratna 72, Ravindra Kottahachchi 39, S.P. de Silva 21, Dilan Wadduwage 17, H. Wijesingha 17, C. Fernando 5/5o, C.S. de Silva 3/51 } 2nd innings - 168 for 6: { Ravindra Kottahachchi 43 n.o., S.P. de Silva 33, K. Sanjaya 19, D. Tilakaratna 14, C. Fernando 3/99 }.
The Mercantile Netball League tournament played for the Ronak Trophy will get underway today at the Police Park, Bambalapitiya.
The tournament will be continued on January 18 and 19 at the same venue.
Twenty four teams will clash in the A, B and C Divisions and the Mixed Divisions.
Defending champions and runners up, Hatton National Bank and Arthur Andersons will be again in the fray in the A Division while Reckit & Coleman and Textwood Industries will battle it out in the B. Division.
Fourteen teams in two groups will clash for the C Division title, the teams are Caravan Bakery & Pastry Shop (making their debut), Hemas Group, Polytex Garments, Metropolitan Group, Sampath Bank, Development Finance Corporation, Singer, Trans Asia Hotel, CTC Eagle, ABN Amro Bank, Hongkong Bank, Hatton National Bank, Hilton Hotel, Union Assurance.
Mixed Division - Hatton National Bank, Hayleys Group, Sampath Bank, Union Assurance, Hongkong Bank, CTC Eagle. Seylan Bank last year's runners-up will not be participating this year.
Last year's winners in the respective divisions are:
A Division, Hatton National Bank, Arthur Andersons,
B Division - AirLanka, Textwood Industries.
C Division - Seylan Bank, Reckit & Coleman.
Mixed Division - Hatton National Bank, Seylan Bank.
In addition to the Ronak challenge trophies offered by the sponsors to the A Division champions, they have also agreed to make special awards to the Netball Queen, best defender, best centre court player, best shooter, best male player and the team spirit trophy.
The winners of these respective awards last year were.
Best defender - Somitha Kumari - HNB.
Best centre court player - Shenika Herman - HNB.
Best shooter - Deepthi Rupasinghe - HNB.
Best male player - Janith Wickremasinghe - Seylan Bank.
Team spirit - Polytex Garments.
Netball Queen for the Anula Udulagama Memorial Trophy - Somitha Kumari - HNB.
The respective finals have been scheduled for,
C Division on Court 2 at 4.40 p.m.
B Division on Court 3 at 4.40 p.m.
A Division on Court 1 at 4.45 p.m.
Mixed Division on Court 2 at 5.30 p.m., followed by the prize distribution at 6 p.m. with the Minister of Transport, Highways and Womens Affairs, Mrs Srimani Athulathmudali as chief guest and Mr. and Mrs. Siri Fernando as guests of honour.
Trials to select Sri Lanka's netball team to take part in the 4th Asian Netball Championships is to be broadbased by the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka.
The first trial will be held on January 18 and 19th at St. Joseph's Convent, Kegalle.
Players from the District Associations of Kurunegala, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Gampaha, Polonnaruwa, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Mahaweli, Ampara, Kandy and Matale, could participate in the trial.
The second trial will be held on January 24, 25 and 26 at the National Youth Services Council grounds at Maharagama.
The players from Western Province, Colombo, Government Services, Nationalised Services, Schools, Free Trade Zones, Mercantile, Badulla, Monaragala, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Kalutara, Anuradhapura and Nuwara-Eliya will be eligible to participate in the second trial.
The final trial will be held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on February 8,9 and 10.
Players who wish to attend these trials are requested to contact the President, Tamara Dharmakeerthi Herath on 231077 or National Coach, Miss Yasa Ramachandra on 632596, indicating the centre they wish to participate in the trials.
Galle CC were 151/8 in reply o Panadura SC's total of 294 al out at Panadura yesterday. Sham Liyanage (77) and Surendra Kumara (74) batted well for Panadura while former Sri Lanka cap Don Arunasiri claimed 5/32.
Panadura SC 294 ( S L iyanage 77 S Kumara 74 D Ruwan 36 C Galapaahi 22 J C Gamage 4/34 S M F aumy 3/54 H Raapakse 3/77)
Galle CC -151/8 ( H Raapakse 32 n o S Withanage 26 D Arunasiri 5/32)
The 9th annual Colombo Hilton International Tennis Coaching classes with Peter Smith will be held on January 13,14,15,16,17,18,20,21,22 and 23rd at the Hilton Hotel Courts.
Smith will be assisted by Jayendra Wijeyesekera Sri Lanka's No. 1 player and Davis Cup captain.
The most important sports event of the year in Sri Lanka, the Robbialac Colours Nite organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and sponsored by Lankem will be held on April 6 at the Sugathdasa Indoor Stadium.
The objective is to recognise those involved in sports, appreciate their abilities and reward them for their valuable contribution towards their respective sports.
The awards will be presented in six categories by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The selection of the "Outstanding sportsmen and sportswomen" awards will be from 31 recognised sports in Sri Lanka. The relevant National Governing Bodies for these sports will nominate 51 individuals to receive these awards. They will receive the "Robbialac Kreeda Soora" award for the year 1996, along with each award each recipient will receive Rs. 7,500.00 and a certificate.
There will be 51 nominees out of the 31 sports due to the fact that some sports are for the both sexes, whereas others are for men only. From the 51 outstanding sportsmen and women, a special technical committee appointed by the Minister of Sports will select the King and Queen of Sports, who will be recognised as the Most Outstanding Sportsman and Most Outstanding Sportswoman of the year 1996. They will receive the Kreeda Shanka Award and Rs. 25,000.00.
Yachting which won a silver medal at the Asian Games is a notable absentee from the recognised sports.
Selection Criteria for Most Outstanding and Outstanding Sportsmen and Sportswomen
* Should be a citizen of Sri Lanka
* Only the achievements within the period 01. 01. 1996 to 31. 12. 1996 will be taken into consideration for the relevant sportsman and sportswoman
His or her achievements at both National and International contests will be considered only within the relevant period.
No disciplinary action should have taken place against the nominee.
Up and Coming Sportsman and Sportswoman
In addition to the above criteria, the Up and Coming Sportsman and Sportswoman will have to be below 20 years.
Notwithstanding the above criteria, the Selection Committees depending on their agreement on certain standards can take into consideration other achievements of the Sportsmen and Sportswomen.
The Sportsmen and Sportswomen selected under the above criteria will be required to provide proof of their achievements to the Main Selection Committee.
Selection Committees
Selection Committeees to select the 51 outstanding sportsmen and sportswomen from the 31 recognised sports.
* The relevant National Selection Committee
* The President and Secretary of the Associtaion
* The National Coach
* Sports Ministry Representative
Main Selection Committee to select the Most Outstanding Sportsman and Sportwoman
* Mr. P. A. Senaratne - Additional Secretary to the Mnister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Rural Development
* Mr. A. H. M. P. Abeyasinghe, Director of Sports
* Mr. Torry Jayawardana - Chairman, National Sports Council
* Mr. Sunil Gunewardena - Coordinating Secretary to Minister
* Mr. Dervin Perera, Assistant Director of Sports
* Mr. Tony Ranasinghe - General Manager, Lankem Paints Ltd.
* Mr. Anil Ratnayake, Director/GM, Lankem Consumer Products Ltd.
Nominations are to reach the Director of Sports before 31.01.1997.
Ananda played a negative role against S.Thomas and the game ended in a draw at Mt. Lavinia yesterday.
Ananda who were 102 for 1 overnight were all out for 260. This was in reply to the Thomians first innings score of 215 for 7 in 107 overs.
Ananda skipper Indika Konara batted for more than three hours to score 94 with 11 fours.. Rajith Basnayake (68) and Lahiru Chaturanga (43) put on 85 for the first wicket while Indika Konara and Basnayake put on 65 runs for the third wicket.
For the Thomians Upeka Fernando hit an unbeaten quickfire 55 and Roshan Weeraratne made an unbeaten 41.
S.Thomas - 215 for 7 (Bathiya Karunaratne 75; N.Jayawardena 5 for 76) and 113 for 1 (Upeka Fernando 55, Rohan Weeraratne 41 n.o)
Ananda (102 for 1 overnight) - 260 in 107 overs (Lahiru Galappathy 43, Rajith Basnayake 68, Indika Konara 94).
A fine 62 by Mahes Perera highlighted the drawn Inter-School cricket match between St. PeterÕs and St. Sebastians at Bambalapitiya yesterday.
St. Peters - 170 in 62 overs (Jerome Fernando 52; Nimesh Perera 4 for 60) and 178 (Jerome Fernando 34, Nilantha Herath 23, Mahesh Perera 62, Nimesh Perera 5 for 57).
The Prince of Wales and Dharmasoka Inter-School game ended in a draw at Moratuwa yesterday. The match started at 2.30 pm due to overnight rain.
Prince of Wales - 209 for 8 dec (G.Soysa 4 for 62).
Dharmasoka - 62 (Sanjeewa Perera 6 for 14) and 90 for 5 (Sanjeewa Perera 3 for 17)
Two good knocks by Antonian skipper Taraka Gunaratne (78 and 51) and a well compiled 52 by Royalist R.Jayasooriya highlighted the drawn Inter-School cricket match between St. Anthony's and Royal at Katugostota yesterday.
Royal who were 97 for 3 overnight, in reply to the Antonians first innings score of 187 for 7 declared made 175 for 7 declared.
Antonians, in their second essay, were 180 for 7 declared.
St. Anthony's - 187 for 7 dec 9n 54 overs (Tharaka Gunaratne 78, Amila Kulatunga 38 n.o; Anuka Samarakkody 5 for 52) and 180 for 7 in 49.4 overs (Dilshan Vitharna 45, T.Gunaratne 51, M.I.Palihakkara 26, A.S.Pinnaduwa 20)
Royal (97 for 3 overnight contd) - 175 for 7 in 55.4 overs (T.Amarasuriya 22, R.Jayasuriya 52, K.Nanayakkara 30, N.Liyanage 27; T.Gunaratne 5 for 58, K.Weerakkody 3 for 36) and 83 for 4 in 28 overs).
The Trinity-Dharmaraja Inter-School cricket match ended in a listless draw at the Asgiriya International Stadium yesterday.
Trinity - 229 for 8 dec in 77. 1 overs (Rodney de Reffeyal 65, Gamage 61, S.Fernando 31 n.o; C.Kadiruwa 3 for 38) and 77 for 4 (U.Sangakkara 22, Rohan de Reffeyal 65, Gamage 61, S.Fernando 31 n.o) and 77 for 4 (K.Sangakkara 22, Rohan de Reffeyal 20 n.o; W.Herath 4 for 26)
Dharmaraja (30 for no loss overnight) - 186 for 9 in 87,4 overs (R.Pieris 66, S.Werale 37; S.Fernando 3 for 41, K.Weeraratne 2 for 16)
Sri Lanka's newly crowned National Snooker Champion Susantha Boteju and runner up Abdul Sattar of the Otters will represent Lanka at the Asian Snooker Championships in Dubai in April.
The Sri Lankan duo will be among participants from 20 other countries. In the national snooker final Boteju beat Sattar by 8 frames to 2 in the best of 15 frame play-off.
In the play-off for the third place, M. J. Chutti Mansoor beat A. A. Kareem of the Autobmobile Association by 4 frames to 1.
In the final, Boteju had a break of 123, which equalled the break of M. S. M. Nauffer last year.
Major General Thurairaja who is the President of the Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association was elected by Asian Member countries to the Ex-Co of the Asian Federation of Sports Medicine.
The President of AFSM is Prof. M. Chan of Hongkong. The three Vice Presidents are from Korea, Japan and China.
Dr. N. Mallick of Pakistan is the Secretary General of AFSM.
Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei and Sri Lanka are in the Ex-Co.
The AFSM elections were held in Manila Philippines in January 1996, at its International Sports Medicine Congress.
The AFSM Ex-Co meeting is scheduled to be held in Hongkong from January 10-12 along with the FIMS - WHO Symposium on "Sports and Children" which is the 1st International Sports Medicine Congress for 1997 in this region.
The Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association is invited to the Ex-Co meeting. SLSMA is being represented by the Ex-Co members. Dr. C. Thurairaja, Dr. B. J. C. Perera, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Willatgamuwa of AirLanka and Dr. Lalith Wijeratne of the Ragama Rehabilitation Unit.
Dr. B. J. C. Fernando has had the distinction of being invited to present two papers at this Congress on Sports and Children. Dr. B. J. C. Perera is a Paediatric Physician at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. Colombo and is actively involved in Tennis.
Dr. C. Thurairaja who was also the first Sri Lankan Chairman of the South Asian Federation (SAF) of Sports Medicine in 1989, is also in the Council of Delegates of FIMS. The AFSM and FIMS are the International Organisations for Sports Medicine, in the world, and all Sports Medicine Organisations must be affiliated to them for recognition internationally. The Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association, (SLSMA) was affiliated to the AFSM in 1992 and accepted for affiliation to FIMS in 1993, in recognition of the work done by SLSMA in Sri Lanka and the region. The SLSMA had conducted a Sports Medicine Seminar in Maldives in 1995, on the invitation of its Sports Ministry.
The medical services provided at the 5th, Rugby Asiad, Colombo and the SAF Games Colombo in 1989, where Dope Testing and Gender verification were introduced for the first time in Sri Lanka earned SLSMA its International recognition.
SSC and Tamil Union thrashed their opponents Kalutara TC and SinghaSC to register outright victories inside two days in the Division one P Sara trophy tournament games played yesterday.
On a lively wicket that contained a fair amount of grass SSC opening bowlers Nuwan Soyza (4/16) and Samantha Dodanwala (4/49) ripped through the Kalutara TC second innings to bowl the visitors out for just 74 runs. T.M.Dilshan(11) and R. Kottachchi (24) were the only batsmen to reach double figures for the visitors.
Earlier in the day SSC hit up 350 in their firs innings to pave the way for their 3 rd outright victory for the season.The table leaders were boosted by half centuries from Mahela Jayawardene(51),Malintha Perera(50), Rochana Jayawardene(89) and Hemantha Wickremaratne(52).Jayawardene playing in his first game this season struck ten boundaries and one six in his 122 ball knock.
Tamil union spin twins Muttaiha Muralitharan and upul Chandana acconuted for 15 wickets to send Singha SC crashing to an innings defeat at the Sara Stadium yeserday.
Tamils hit up an imposing 448/9 declared and then bowled their opponents for 133 and 121 respectively. Muralitharan had a match bag of 6 for 30 while allrounder Chandana who scored a century completed a grand double to have a match bag of 9 for 55.
At Maitland place BRC replied boldly to be 207 for 5 chasing NCCÕ S first innings total of 412 for 8 declared.Skipper Hashan Tilekaratne top scored for the home side with an enterprising 143 which inclued 16 hits to the ropes.
BRC were inspired by a productive 71 run stand for the 5 th wicket between Dhammika Rajapakse (67) and Duncan Arnolda(40 n. o.) Rajapakse struck ten boundaries as he played the sheet anchor role o help BRC be in contention for a firs innings victory.
A superb spell of right arm off spin bowling by Tilan Samara-weera helped Colts to skittle out Police for a paltry 57 runs ,the seasons lowest score. Enjoying a lead of 238 runs Colts batted for the second time to be 302/8 by the close.
Kalutara TC - 109 & 74 all out. ( R Kottachchi 24 Nuwan Zoysa 4/16 Samantha Dodanwela4/49 Mahela Jayawardene2/0)
SSC - 350 all out - ( Hemantha Wickrema-ratne 52 Rochana Jayawardene 89 Promodya Wickrema-singhe 32 Samantha Dodanwela 21 n. o Pathmanath Perera 5/70 Ruwan Chandana 3/41)
At the P Sara Stadium: Tamil Union beat Singha SC by an innings and 194 runs.
Singha SC - 133 - ( A Wewalwala 38 Gayan Wieykoon 3/22 Muttaiha Muralitharan 4/26 Upul Chandana 3/30) & 121 (Saman Jayantha 39 Upul Chandana 6/25 Muttaiha Muralitharan 2/30 Chaminda Halurusinghe 2/18)
NCC 412/8 eclared - Hashan Tilekaratne 143 Chamara Dunusinghe 50 D Ekanayake 2/77 L Sagara 2/69)
BRC - 207/5 - (Chetaka Perera 46 Dhammika Raapakse 67 Dunan Arnolda 40 n o D Samarasinghe 2/33)
Colts SC - 295 & 302 /8 (Dulip Samaraweera 47 Sajith Fernando 44 Tilan Samaraweera 68 Jeevantha Kulatunge 89 D Nanayakkara 2/45 P K S erasinghe 2/83)
Police SC - 57 (Tilan Samaraweera 5/8 Eric Upashanha 3/18) - MF
Malcolm Wright, a great name in local rugby during the forties and fifties passed away in Melbourne Australia recently. He was 72 years old at the time of his death.
Malcolm who was one of the best full backs in his time was an absolute gentleman on and off the field.
He began his rugby career at Trinity College, Kandy and captained the team in 1944 and won his Rugby Lion the same year. In his team he had some outstanding rugby players like S.B. Pilapitiya, Dr Robert Soorajah, Michael Kagua, from Uganda, A.P. Fernando and M. Naganathan to name a few.
Malcolm also represented Trinity College at cricket in 1943 and 1944 and won his colours.
He then represented the University of Peradeniya where he read for his BSc. Thereafter he went to the Oxford University where he got a first class honours in forestry.
He joined the CR&FC and represented the club for more than a decade. He captained CR&FC which won the Clifford Cup Championship in 1956.
Malcolm also had a stint in the up country playing for Dimbulla Club and represented the Up-Country against the Low Country in the traditional Capper Cup encounter which was always played at the Colombo Race Course where it was customory for the Governer General to be the chief guest.
Malcolm played for Ceylon for several years in the All India Rugby Tournament which was the only foreign tournament we participated in and went onto captain Ceylon.
Malcolm was a competent rugby coach who handled the CR&FC for several years. Even after his migrating to Australia he was invited by CR&FC in 1994 to coach their team. In Australia too he contributed his share to rugby by being the chairman of the committee for development of junior rugby in Victoria.
To honour Malcolm Trinity College invited him as the chief guest at the first leg of the Bradby Shield in Kandy in 1993 and the same year Ashey Cader was invited by Royal College to be their chief guest at the second leg of the Bradby Shield in Colombo.
May Malcolm rest in peace.
The Technical Committee meeting of the Technical evaluation of the 1996 Duncan White trophy nominations will be held on January 15 at the Eighty Club at 6 p.m.
Already three nominations have been received all athletes.
The Technical Committee comprises C. Vijitha Fernando, Neville Abeygunawardena, Annesley Ferreira, Wing Commander, Nalin de Silva, Dervin Perera, Shirajiv Sirimanne and Namal Pathirage.
Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, won a six wicket victory over Sri Jayawardenapura MV, Kotte, in their inter-school cricket match played at the Panadura esplanade.
Sri Jayawardenapura MV - 127 (P.L. Baduvithana 23, N. Gunawardena 22, R. Wimalasena 2 for 6, Manjula Silva 5 for 36, A. Perera 2 for 25) and 139 (V. Silva 28, R. Wimalasena 3 for 38, A. Perera 3 for 28, M. Liyanage 2 for 17) and 75 for 4 (R. Wimalasena 31 not out, N. Jayanath 18, A. Gunawardena 2 for 18).
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