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SSC and Colts looked well set for outright victories against their respective opponents BRC and Kurunegala YCC in their Division One P.Sara Trophy games at Havelock Park yesterday.
Lanky teenager Nuwan Soyza (4/61) and Jayantha Silva ( 3/49) combined effectively to bowl out BRC for 204 in reply to SSC' 394 all out.Sidath Tennekoon (44) Indika Galagoda (41) and Wendell Labroy (32) were the only batsmen who made useful contributions and saved the home side from further humilation.
Forced to follow on 190 runs behind BRC were in a spot of trouble at 64/3 by the close.
Former Sri Lanka medium pacer Dulip Liyanage claimed five wickets to send Kurunegala YCC tumbling to 197 all out .Liyanage who returned after injury proved to be lethal for the visitors Chaminda Handunhettige top scored for Kurunegala with an impressive 82.Following on the visitors were again rocked by Liyanage (2/14) to be 61/4 by the close still needing 155 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Left handers Ruwin Pieris(58 n o ) and Sanjeewa Ranatunge (77 n o )were involved in an unbroken 141 run stand for the second wicket as NCC made a bold reply to Galle CC's first innings total of 326 all out.Ranatunge finally found his lost touch as he struck 7 boundaries and a six and completed his first half century for the season.Pieris who played second fiddle to his partner stroked 4 hits to the ropes and a six on his way to a well compiled half century.
Earlier in the day Galle CC's Duminda Wickremasinghe scored his first hundred to help the visitors to score a challenging first innings total.
Varuna Waragoda continued his good form as he guided Tamil Union to a hard fought first innings victory over Police.Waragoda scored a fluent 86 and held the Tamil Union innings together as the cops threatened to take control. Tamils were finally bowled out for 236 to enjoy a slender 39 run lead on the first innings.
SSC - 394 BRC - 204 (Indika Galagoda 41 Dhammika Rajapakse 20 Sidath Tennekoon 44 Wendell Labrooy 32 Nuwan Zoysa 4/61 Jayantha Silva 3/49) & 64/3 (Indika Galagoda 21 Dhammika Rajapakse 22 n o )
Colts - 413/6 decl
Kurunegala YCC - 197 - (Chaminda Handunhettige 82 Lanka Silva 27 Hiran Liyanage 50 Chaminda Vaas 2/50 Dulip Liyanage 5/42Dinuka Hettiarachchi 2/40) & 61/4 (Roshan Jaymon 20 Dulip Liyanage 2/14)
Galle CC - 326 (Anil Riddegammanagedara 100 Duminda Wickremasighe 103 n o Hasitha Rajapakse 30 Sajeewa Silva 2/77 Dinesh Samarasinghe 4/47 Russel Arnold 2/19)
NCC - 146/1 (Ruwin Pieris 58 n o Sanjeewa Ranatunge 77 n o )
At the Oval:Tamil Union vs Police
Police 197 & 135/4(A Priyantha 56 C Liyanage 51 )Tamil Union -236 (Varuna Waragoda 86 Nilan de Silva 38 V Ranaweera 4/67)
Exchanges were even in the Division One game between Panadura SC and Antonian SC at the end of the second day yesterday.In reply to the home sides first innings total of 384 ,Antonians were 148/4 at stumps.
Panadura SC 384 ( S Kumar 142 B Perera 67 I Amilakeerthi 41 R Galapathi 31 S Jayawardene 3/66 K Dhrmasena 2/44 P Wanasinghe 2/80)
Antonians SC - 148/4 (Y Tilekaratne 53 n o U Fernando 27 n o S Jayawardene 28 V Sittamge 23 D Anurasiri 3/46)
Twenty-one-year
old Susanthika Jayasinghe was picked as the 1996 Duncan White Award winner on
Thursday by the Board of Directors of the Duncan White Sports Foundation at the
Eighty Club at Torrington Square.
Susanthika pipped Sugath Tillekaratne the metric quarter-miler who took the limelight by defeating Michael Johnson in the heats, at the recently concluded Olympics and Sriyani Kulawansa, the champion woman hurdler.
The sprint queen, Susanthika won the Duncan White Award last year too, and consolidated her claim for the title this year again by being ranked 7th in the Olympics with her timing 11.18 seconds which was only . 24 seconds behind the winner of the gold medal Gwen Torrance of the USA.
Jayasinghe's timing of 11.18 seconds betters the Asian Games record held by Cui Danfeng of China who is currently ranked 33rd in the world list of women sprinters.
The qualifying standard for the 100 metres in the Olympic Games is 11.44 seconds.
Sriyani Kulawansa is currently ranked 14th in the world, and Sugath Tillekaratne 15th.
Top international and local rally drivers and riders will be seen in action in Sri Lanka at the Monaro night speed rally 97 organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR) together with the Kandy Motor Sports Club on February 21 and 22.
This rally which is open for motor cars, motor cycles and four- wheel drive vehicles is sponsored by the Monaro Group of Companies.
Rally drivers from Singapore, Malaysia and Germany will battle it out at the rally which starts, from Colombo on February 21 evening and finish in Kandy around noon on February 22.
Entries will close on February 12 with the Secretary, SLARDAR, Pubudu Wickrema, Park & Shop Supermarket, No 128, High Level Road, Nugegoda.
Hill Climb
The famous Karandapona Hill Climb which was an annual event in the Racing calendar of Sri Lanka will be revived this year after a two year lapse.
The Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR) has made arrangements to hold this event on March 1 and 2.
This event is jointly organised by the Lions Club of Kegalle with SLARDAR.
Entries will close on February 20th with the Secretary Pubudu Wickrema SLARDAR, Park & Shop Supermarket at No 128, High Level Road, Nugegoda. (AF).
The Mercantile Amateur Athletics Federation has decided to revive its activities by conducting an Athletic Meet on February 22 and 23 at the Sports Ministry grounds at Reid Avenue.
The meet will commence at 8 a.m. each day.
The meet will be for men's championships and novices and women's championships.
Union Assurance does it again, by sponsoring a new Sports Programme on the English Service of the SLBC's Commercial Service between 5.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The programme presented by Eric Gauder commenced last evening.
This programme would provide updated results of sports events at home and overseas. In addition interesting interviews with leading personalities in the sports field would be carried live on this programme.
This programme would be the only one of its kind on any radio station in Sri Lanka, which would provide updates on sports which would give sports fans in Sri Lanka the best in sports. (AF).
PERTH, Australia, Feb 1 (Reuter) -
Fast bowler Curtly Ambrose underlined his importance to West Indies with a five-wicket haul as Australia were dismissed for 243 on the opening day of the fifth and final test on Saturday.
Ambrose made an immediate impact on his return from injury as West Indies overcame injuries and searing heat at the WACA Ground to produce a spirited performance in the field.
Openers Sherwin Campbell and Robert Samuels survived eight overs against the new ball to reach 25 without loss at close of play on a day when temperatures soared to 46 degrees centigrade (115 degrees Fahrenheit) in the middle.
Campbell, who remained 20 not out, had an escape in the last over of the day when Mark Waugh took a fine catch at second slip after fast bowler Andy Bichel was no-balled by umpire Peter Willey. Samuels was nought not out at the finish.
Australia, who took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series by crushing West Indies by an innings in the fourth test in Adelaide, were saved from total collapse by half-centuries from middle order pair Michael Bevan and Mark Waugh.
But it was Ambrose who had the greatest influence on proceedings to finish with figures five for 43 in 18 overs.
Ambrose's form and availability have directly affected West Indies' fortunes during the series.
After poor performances in the first two tests, he collected a match haul of nine for 72 to lift West Indies to victory in the third test in Melbourne before his absence in Adelaide deprived the tourists of their main strike bowler.
Ambrose removed opener Matthew Hayden with the third ball of the day and followed that success by dismissing Mark Waugh for 79, Steve Waugh for one, wicketkeeper Ian Healy for one and Paul Reiffel for nought.
But the giant Antiguan could not get rid of all-rounder Bevan, who remained unbeaten on 87 after hitting 12 fours in an innings lasting five minutes short of four hours.
The left-hander once again added to his reputation after taking 10 wickets with his left-arm wrist spin and scoring a half-century in the fourth test.
Ambrose and fellow fast bowler Ian Bishop, who claimed three wickets to wrap up Australia's innings after tea, appeared troubled by the heat at various times during the day.
Ambrose left the field briefly after lunch and he was followed by his captain and fellow quick bowler Courtney Walsh, who suffered a hamstring strain.
Walsh did not return for the remainder of the Australian innings, reducing the options for acting captain Brian Lara.
Lara led the side imaginatively in Walsh's absence, giving Ambrose and Bishop alternate overs from the Members' End to save their strength in the trying conditions.
Waugh and Bevan batted through the afternoon session in adding 120 runs for the fifth wicket after Australia were reduced to 49 for four before lunch.
MTV's popular cricket show will reach new dimensions with the teaming up with Dulux. The weekly 50 minutes programme which takes a closer look at cricket in Sri Lanka and abroad will be known as the Dulux Cricket Show.
CIC paints in association with MTV launched the Dulux Cricket Show at a press briefing held at the CIC head office on Friday. "The Dulux Cricket Show will be a show for the whole family," said the Managing Director of CIC Paints Mr. Lal de Mel. Former Sri Lanka cricketers Ranjith Fernando and Saliya Ahangama, both co-hosts of the programme, and Brian Thomas were present at the press briefing.
Louise Herbert of England bagged two titles, winning the girls under 18 singles, and the girls under 18 doubles at the 14th Junior ITF world ranking international tennis championships concluded at the National Tennis Courts at Greenpath.
In the girls' singles final, unseeded Herbert beat the number 3 seed Orawin Wongkamalasai of Thailand in two straight sets 6-4, 6-3.
Earlier, Herbert with her team mate Julie White, won the women's doubles defeating the top seeds Marianne Steurer of Austria and Witoonpanch Pirada of Thailand 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Seventh seed Danai Udamchoke of Thailand toppled the fifth seed Manoj Mahadevan of India 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 to win the boys' under - 18 single title.
In the run up to the finals, Mahadevan beat the dark horse Andras Fasching of Austria 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 and Danai Udamchoke beat Shiranga Sudhar of India 6-3, 6-1.
In the boys under -18 doubles semi-finals, Aisan UI-Haq Quershi and Nazir Ali Shirazi of Pakistan the top seeds beat Lu Hen Jui and Yen Hi You of Chinese Taipei 6-3, 6-3 while Arun Avinash and Shiranga Sudhar of India downed Andras Fasching and Christa in Magg of Austria 6-3, 6-3.
London (Reuter) - British athletics, the envy of the world four years ago, has plunged deep in to crisis with the unexpected resignation of executive chairman Peter Radford. Radford, who spoke confidentially of the sport's bright future, has become the fourth chief executive in 15 years to quit after a nightmare two years at the helm.
The Inter Association Netball Championships conducted by the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka and sponsored by Hatton National Bank will be held on February 22 and 23 at Nuwara-Eliya.
The Federation will conduct mixed championships and also, for the first time, an Inter Association Family team competition.
Each association could enter only 1 team for the Inter Association and mixed tourney while, three teams could enter for the Inter Family championships.
Entries will close on February 7, with Mrs Sunimal Kurumbalapitiya the Tournament Secretary. (AF)
KINGSTON, Jamaica - (Reuter) An 18 year old Pakistani cricketer who claimed that he was a virgin until seduced by his accuser was acquitted of rape charges.
A seven member jury deliberated for five minutes on Monday before delivering the verdict in a Kingston court.
Colombo Cricket Club's (CCC) chairman Deshabandu Surath Wickremasinghe has written to the President of the Cricket Board Upali Dharmadasa requesting him to conduct an independent inquiry into the matter related to the suspension of the club from the current Division 1 tournament.
In the letter, CCC has stated that if the club's request is not granted, or it is decided not to review the decision, the club will deem it necessary to seek redress in the court of law.
A copy of the letter has been sent to President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Sports.
The club expects a reply from the Cricket Board President within a week
The entire Sri Lanka team to participate at the 8th SAF games in Kathmandu, Nepal in September will be sponsored by Horlicks.
The entire cost of sponsoring the Sri Lanka team will be Rs. 15 lakhs.
The sponsorship package will be signed by the Managing Director of Horlicks Ltd. and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, S. B. Dissanayake tomorrow at Hotel Taj Samudra at 6 p.m.
LONDON, (AFP) -
Chinese teenager Han Xue sliced 0.1 seconds off her own world short course record in the 50 metres breaststroke at the World Cup meeting here on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old Han beat the record she set in Beijing last January by registering a time of 30.88 seconds.
It was also a successful day for Australia's Michael Klim who won his fourth race of the meet with a time of 52.09 in the 100m butterfly, just 2/100ths of a seond off the world record set by Canadian Marcel Gery in 1990.
Han an impressive winner over 100m breastroke on Tuesday, won by well over a second from Britain's Jaime King, who clocked 32.11.
With the opposition over two metres adrift. she touched home in record time to earn some of the loudest cheers of the night.
"Han's goal has been to swim best times," said coach Zhao Ge. "She held the mark and so I'm not surprised. She has a lot of power."
Her compatriot, Olympic 100m silver medalist Limin Liu, added 200m butterfly success to her win over the shorter distance on Tuesday when she finished just outside the world best mark of Misty Hyman (USA).
She looked in superb form going through 100m in a remarkable 61.25s and went on to finish at least eight metres clear of the chasing pack with 2.06. 85 seconds on the clock - a time that ranks her first in the world this year.
But there was disappointment for China's former world individual medley champion Lu Bin who is making a comeback from a two year drug suspension.
In the 100m backstroke Lu Bin, who won the 50m backstroke, went out for a win from the start leading by two metres at the half way mark in 29.36s.
She flagged on the final length when she was chased home by Britain's Zoe Cray but appeared to hold on to win in 61.03s only to be disqualified by the lane judge who noticed a faulty turn and Lu was disqualified.
She gained some consolation in the 100m individual medley in which she led at the half way mark before falling away badly. But she fought back to finish third beating Britain's Susan Rolf and Germany's Sabine Herbst.
But it was Australian Klim, making up for Olympic disappointment in Atlanta, who set the competition alight with victory in the 100m and 200m butterfly to add to the 100 freestyle and 50m butterfly he won on Tuesday.
With Britain's European silver medalist Andy Clayton willing to supply the opposition in the 200m buterfly, the Melbourne swimmer went through 100m in 51.48s and with Clayton still at his shoulder he took the touch in 1m 46.62s.
Klim said later he always had the race under control and was merely saving himself for a fast time in the 100m butterfly in which he led British teenage prodigy James Hickman from the start - but only just.
Klim went through 100m on world record schedule of 28.78s. "Down that last length I knew Hickman was chasing and I went all out for the wall," said Klim.
The effort gave him victory by just quarter of a second but he had stopped the clock at 52.09s - his second national record of the meet, a Commonwealth record into the bargain, and just missing out on the Marcel Gery world best by 0.02s.
"I was really disappointed to miss that record," said Klim. "But it has let me see I can do it. "
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