Vice
captain Aravinda De Silva stroked his fifth successive century on home
soil and remained unbeaten on 144 as Sri Lanka compiled 316 for 7 at the
end of the first day of the Second Test against India at the SSC grounds
yesterday.
On a day when almost all the Lankan batsmen got off to good starts but failed to exploit a good batting track, De Silva dazzled with a delightful array of strokes to hold the innings together and helped his side to a challenging first innings total.
Sri Lanka left out Jayantha Silva and brought in Sajeewa Silva while India replaced spinners Rajesh Chauhan and Kulkarni with all-rounder Ajay Jadeja and medium pacer Debasis Mohanty.
Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar won the toss and had no hesitation in asking Sri Lanka to bat first on a deck that had some grass on it and promised a lot for the medium pacers.Opener Sanath Jayasuriya batted in his own inimitable style tearing into the Indian bowlers with a flood of boundaries.He made 32 from 8 boundaries before debutant Debasis Mohanty found an outside edge for Tendulkar to take a regulation catch at slip. Atapattu followed in simillar fashion as Lanka slipped from 53 for no loss to 59 for 2.
Mahanama joined De Silva and saw through the morning session as Sri Lanka went into lunch at 97 for 2.Soon after the interval Mahanama was dismissed caught in the slips while attempting to drive Mohanty.
Meanwhile De Silva who was playing in his 63rd Test passed the 4000 run mark as he unleashed some immaculate strokes. Adapting a slight change to his usual stance, De Silva showed great restraint and selected his shots to pierce the field with fluent strokes, timed to perfection. Together with Ranatunge he added 71 runs for the fourth wicket before the skipper departed.
Aravinda completed his 13th test century in 118 balls which was a follow up to his 126 in the first Test and three centuries against Pakistan on home soil earlier this year. He grew in confidence and plundered 20 boundaries as he took the Indian attack to task.
Kaluwitharana's poor form with the bat continued as he failed to enter double figures .Chaminda Vaas followed soon as Lanka appeared to be losing their grip and De Silva running short of partners.
But Muttaiah Muralitharan showed a marked improvement with the willow to give good support to De Silva and figured in an unfinished 42 runs for the eighth wicket (stand) and helped Sri Lanka to 316 for 7 before bad light halted play with two overs remaining. Muralitharan was unbeaten on 25 while De Silva was on 144.
SCOREBOARD
Sri Lanka first innings S.Jayasuriya c Tendulkar b Mohanty 32 (Attempted off drive to a full length ball. Ct at 1st slip) M.Atapattu c Azharuddin b Prasad 19 (Attempted to drive a ball that was pitched outside off stump. Ct. at 2nd slip) R.Mahanama c Azharuddin b Mohanty 37 (Attempted off drive. Ct. at 2nd slip) A.de Silva not out 144 A.Ranatunga c Mongia b Ganguly 14 (Attempted off drive, thin outside edge ct. by wk) M.Jayawardena c Mongia b Prasad 16 (Playing forward to a ball outside off stump, ct. By wk.) R. Kaluwitharana b Kuruwila 7 (Attempted off drive, inside edge to the wicket) C.Vaas b Kuruwila 10 (Attempted to glance ball that was pitched on middle leg) M.Muralitharan not out 25 Extras: (B-4; LB-4; NB-4) 12 Total (for 7 wkts in 88 overs) 316 Fall of Wickets: 1-53; 2-59; 3-121; 4-192; 5-230; 6-249; 7-274. Bowling: V.Prasad 23-4-97-2; A.Kuruvilla 20-5-68-2; D.Mohanty 17-4-69-2; S.Ganguly 4-0-23-1; A.Kumble 24-7-51-0.
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Sri Lanka's 100 and 200 meters record holder, Susanthika Jayasinghe who won a Silver medal in the IAAF World Championships in Athens beaten in a close finish by Zhanna Pintussevich (Ukraine). Susanthika beat World Champion, Merlene Ottey of Jamaica with an Asian record time of 22.39 seconds in winning the Silver medal in a photo finish, the first medal in world athletics to be awarded to South Asian athlete. This was Sri Lanka's first medal in world athletes in the 200 meters. Tributes to Susanthika Jayasinghe, the village lass from Kagalle came from the former World Champions - Dave Moorcroft and Linford Christie. BBC television marvelled at the "Woman from Sri Lanka" who set the track alight in Athens. This Trophy will be handed over to Susanthika Jayasinghe in Colombo in due course. Pix by Reuters.
Nalanda will cross swords with Royal in a quarter-final match of the Under 17 Inter School Milo rugby sevens competition at Longden Place today.
The quarter finalists were picked after the conclusion of the first round matches yesterday.
This tournament is conducted by the Schools Rugby Football Association. Vidyartha beat Royal 14-10 and Sri Rahula Katugastota gave a hard time to Thurstan before going down 5-7. These were some of the matches which held spectators spellbound.
Mrs Olivia Gamage Director of Sports (Education) will be the chief guest and Mr Dominic Locker, Brand Manager of Milo will be the guest of honour today which will be the final day of the tournament.
The Tournament will commence at 8.00 am and the finals are scheduled for 5.0 pm.
The highlight of the competition was the performance of Vidyaloka Galle who entered the quarter finals of the Bowls event. The Galle side, caught the eye with their fighting play.
In a lack-lustre game CH and FC made amends for their first round defeat to register a convincing 30-13 win over Police SC in the Carlsberg Trophy A Division second leg game at Police Park yesterday. At half time CH led 15-5.
The Police, sans three of their regulars, including their granite hard pack-leader Norman Silva were outplayed by the CH 'eight' who played to a pattern and capitalised on the Police mistakes to run over three tries - the first by Fijian flanker Vale Buto Buto who scored off a push-over in the fifth minute of play.
Dimitri Jude added the extra points. Minutes later CH scored again through Sunder Niranjan, also close to the line.
This was unconverted. The CH went further ahead through a penalty put over by Dimitri Jude. In this half Police would have scored two tries in quick succession with the line just staring at them but butter fingers cost them dearly. Police scored an unconverted try next through prop Fernando.
TODAY: CR vs Havelocks (2nd leg) at Havelock Park. Kick-off at 5 pm.
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The
Sri Lankan, Bangladesh, Pakistani and Indian cricket teams were staying
at the Hotel Taj Samudra during the Pepsi Asia Cup and Charu Sharma, hero
of our feature today was in and out of the hotel. Believe me. I saw it
- the autograph hunters mobbed Charu more than the cricketers. The genial
and modest Charu had no choice but to oblige and oblige. He reached out
to the Sri Lankans with his charm and made viewing and listening to cricket
more interesting and lively and I prefer to call this Sharma Charm(a).
We all love the music dished out by the Papara Bands, be it at the Royal-Thomian, Trinity-St. Anthony's, Richmond-Mahinda or when Percy and Lionel lead the way when Sri Lanka thrashes the willow. Charu realised it and spent time with our Papares during the Asia Cup matches and Papara music enlivened the hearts of many around the world.
Sunday Times met Charu at the SSC grounds on a rainy day. Thirty eight year old Charu Chandra Sharma who is married with two lovely boys aged 9 and 6 years went to MIER College, Kashmir and St. Stephen's College, New Delhi which he considers as two sporty institutions. He was a brilliant swimmer and a diver. Charu was the Junior National Champion of India for many years and was awarded a rare scholarship to USA. He spent most of his time in the water and took part in all the sports.
He got involved with the world of sports media in 1981. Just before the 1982 New Delhi Asiad which was a big event for India and Television. Colour television was just being introduced to India and TV had become a very popular media at that time.
Doodarshan was looking for new talent and after much persuasion from his friends Charu sent in his application. Like millions of Indians. Charu did not even own a TV at that time.
This sporty man was selected as an anchor and a commentator for the Doordarshan coverage of the New Delhi Asiad. He received his training from the BBC staff and other senior people. "That was the beginning and everything was wonderful and I will never forget those memorable moments", he said. Charu has covered everything under the sun from motor rallies, volley-ball, basket-ball, golf, hockey, football to marathons. He was able to learn from many people during a short period when they opened out to him. He pumped that knowledge back, both sides enjoying It.
Things never remain the same and Sharma fell-out with people in Delhi when they went out of mind and out of sight. For a good 5-6 years he was going around various cities in India and few good people in Doordarshan who knew his abilities, capabilities and his background hired him to handle a fair number of events. However, the satellite revolution took place in India and Charu bid farewell to his firm British Tobacco to work for private TV producers who aired their programmes on star TV and Doordarshan. One fine day he received a call from the Executive Director ot Star TV requesting Charu to meet him. Charu was a delighted man as Star TV had traced him from Hyderabad to Bangalore. Few meetings were held and Star TV being very accommodating to his needs took him to their fold and sportsman and sports person Charu was re-born.
Star hired him mainly to cover Indian football and field hockey but cricket being so important to Indians Star wanted Charu to take over cricket as the face of the channel, but he is not completely lost or immersed in cricket. He values it and follows it.
Charu loves Sri Lanka, the not so big and not so crowded country with smiling and friendly people. His favourite place is Kandy,the wonderful little town which boasts of the famous lake, botanical gardens, the Temple of the Tooth and the little antique shops. Star TV tries in a small way to promote the host country during their live coverage and Charu feels that Lanka has all the necessary ingredients to be a great tourist attraction with lovely beaches, mountains and hospitable and warm people. Charu the man spectators loved had this to say about them.
"Cricket is such a big sport today because of the followers and spectators. They are the flavour of any match. I love to take their side. Music makes such a big difference and also the shouting and cheering. I am free to speak to anyone and the spectators come out with original statements and continue what they are doing. Sri Lankan spectators are very spirited, very disciplined. They come in,have a good time whatever the outcome of the match is. They are great. It is nice to see the females out there making a sizeable population of the spectators. As for them, TV coverage which is thrust upon them for more than 6 - 7 hours a day and some characters of the sports has created the excitements."
Charu Chandra Sharma will be back soon to move with the Lankans to take the game of cricket to the streets, pubs, drawing rooms, bedrooms, army camps and hospitals. He is the Star - No, he is the Star Plus!
The National Federation of Sports for the Disabled which is the controlling body for sports in Sri Lanka is appealing to all establishments promoting sports and all sports loving citizens, to secure the favour of sponsorship.
The sponsorship is needed to enable them to participate in the World Blind Cricket Council in South Africa and the Asia Cup in India.
The Conference will be held on September 6 and 7 and the Asia Cup will take place in December this year in New Delhi.
The sponsorship is sought by the Federation mainly to cover Air Travel expences.
The World Blind Cricket Conference is sponsored by the United Cricket Board of South Africa with Dr. Ali Bacher taking a personal interest while the West Indian opening batsman Conrad Hunte, who is also an executive of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), will inaugurate the conference.
Four officials have been invited for this conference, with local transportation, accommodation and food being provided in Cape Town by the organisers.
The Coca-Cola India-Asia Cup for Blind will be held in Gwalior from December 13 to 20. The participating countries are: India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The competition will be worked off on a round-robin basis. Each country will be represented by 17 players and four officials.
Those wishing to sponsor the blind cricketers are requested to contact Sqd. Ldr. Cyril Siriwardena, President, National Federation of Sports for the Disabled, 11/3 Courts Road, Homagama. Tel: 855188.
Bridge, which is a popular worldwide intellectual sport, has reached its pinnacle by gaining recognition as an Olympic sport by the International Olympic Council (IOC).
Falling in line in this recognition the Bridge Federation of Sri Lanka has been entrusted with the hosting of the Zonal Championships of Zone 4, of Africa, Asia and the Middle East in November this year.
The Inaugural South Asian Bridge Championships will be held in November this year in India followed by the Zonal Championships in Sri Lanka.
In preparation of these two championships the Otter Aquatic Club, annual open pairs bridge championships will be held on Monday, August 18th at the club premises at Bullers Road from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., followed by the prize distribution at 7 p.m.
The winner of the Otter Club Championships will be awarded the Bakshani Trophy and a cash award while awards will be made to the next best Otters Pair, next best mixed pair, next best ladies pair and the next best non-ranked pair. Over 40 pairs are expected to play in the Otters Open.
Meanwhile, 20 countries are expected to battle it out for supremacy in the World Championships in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is also expected to field a under-25 team for the Youth Championships. With hopes of tapping the talent the Bridge Federation is to take this sport to the provinces.
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