![[Image]](sp1.jpg) Sri Lankan batsman Lanka De Silva falls after being hit in the face by a ball from Indian bowler Javagal Srinath as fielder Ajay Jadeja calls for assistance on the fourth day of the third Test between India and Sri Lanka in Bombay, yesterday. De Silva received eight stitches on his lips as Sri Lanka were all out for 361 in their first innings. REUTERS |
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MUMBAI, Saturday (AFP) - India threw open the decisive final Test against Sri Lanka here today after a bold effort to break the deadlock in the three-match series.
Having taken a first innings lead of 151, the Indians declared their second knock at 181 for nine after a mad scramble for runs in the final session of the fourth day.
That left Sri Lanka a victory target of 333 in a minimum of 94 overs and the tourists knocked up six without loss in four overs by close of an entertaining day's play.
Sri Lanka need a further 327 runs and India 10 wickets on a wearing Wankhede stadium pitch in what promises to be an exciting fifth and final day on Sunday.
Sri Lanka, the current one-day world champions, have never won a Test match chasing more than 200 runs.
"It is a very competitive target," Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad said.
"The wicket will take more turn tomorrow and that will work to our advantage. Our seamers and spinners are both confident that victory can be achieved.
"The plan was to get a lead of around 350, but I feel 333 on this wicket is sufficient," Gaekwad said.
There was no sign of the drama to come as Sri Lanka, resuming at their overnight score of 286 for five in reply to India's 512, moved to 351 for six shortly after lunch.
But India grabbed three wickets in the space of 10 runs and with Lanka De Silva retired hurt after receiving eight stitches on his lips from a bouncer by Javagal Srinath, Sri Lanka were restricted to 361.
India lost its last five wickets for 32 runs during the hectic run chase, but Rahul Dravid shared the innings with a strokeful 85 before giving Aravinda De Silva one of his four catches.
"We had set ourselves a target and went about it properly," said Dravid. "We had to step up the pace, so I don't think getting a century was that important."
Scoreboard
India first innings 512 Sri Lanka first innings 361 India second innings S.Ganguly c Tillekeratne b W'singhe 1 N.Sidhu c P'kumara b Jayasuriya 43 R.Dravid c A de Silva b Dharmasena 85 S.Tendulkar c A de Silva b Jayasuriya 13 M.Azharuddin c A de Silva b D'sena 4 N.Mongia not out 9 A.Kumble c Mahanama b Dharmasena 1 J.Srinath c sub b Dharmasena 5 R.Chauhan run out 0 A.Kuruvilla c A de Silva b Dharmasena 0 Extras (b-3 lb-6 nb-1) 0 Total (for nine wickets declared) 181 Fall of wickets: 1-15 2-103 3-136 4-149 5-173 6-175 7-181 8-181 9-181 Did not bat: V.Prasad Bowling: Vaas 5-1-19-0 Wickremasinghe 5-0-20-1 (1nb) Pushpakumara 5-0-28-0 Jayasuriya 15-1-48-2 Dharmasena 12.4-0-57-5 Sri Lanka second innings S.Jayasuriya not out 1 M.Atapattu not out 5 Extras 0 Total (for no wicket) 6 Bowling (to date) : Srinath 2-0-2-0 Prasad 2-1-4-0
The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, on the instructions of lawyers, have been given permission to conduct an extraordinary general meeting called by 43 affiliates to be held on December 18 at the Board Headquarters at Maitland Place.
This meeting has been called by the 43 signatories in terms of Article 20 of the Constitution of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) to discuss the crisis created by the 'WorldTel Affair' which has received adverse publicity worldwide. Meanwhile Upali Dharmadasa, President of the Board confirmed that the meeting will take place on December18.
Earlier the Exco turned down the request made by affiliates stating that it was not proper to discuss this since the Bribery Commission was holding an inquiry into the 'WorldTel Affair'.
Those who have signed this request for the extraordinary meeting include: Rio SC, Ampara DCA, Ratnapura DCA, Galle DCA, Singha SC, United Southern Matara SC, Hambantota DCA, Galle CC, Piliyandala Town SC, Puttalam DCA, Chilaw Marians, Kegalle DCA, NSCA, Wennappuwa SC, Leo Stadium SC, Kurunegala SC, Polonnaruwa DCA, Matale DCA, Kurunegala DCA, State Services DCA.
Royal College Colombo will hold their 'Colours Nite' today at the Navarangahala commencing from 4pm onwards. Coloursmen from 17 major sports events from 1995 to 1997 will be felicitated. Minister of the Youth Affairs and Sports Mr. S. B. Dissanayake will be the chief guest.
It's going to be a hectic season for the year 1998 for local ruggerites and their fans. It starts off with a bang on January 17, when Sri Lanka take on Chinese Taipei in a World Cup qualifying game in Bangkok.
This tie is an important contest for the National squad to further uplift their image in the Asian region. With a programme drawn out by the Rugby Union to be in contention, the players are determined to give of their best against the strong Taiwan team as they will be training for this much looked forward contest, under the indefatigable duo in 'Ana' Saranapala and Ajith Abeyratne.
Both the national and development squads will have international matches aplenty upto December which will wind up with the Asian Championships in Bangkok and the Under - 24 tour of Hong Kong.
Carlsberg, who are in the scrum with their continuous sponsorship package to help develop this popular sport which has a tremendous following will kick off with the club 'Sevens' tournament for the Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa Memorial Trophy. - BW
KARACHI, Pakistan, Saturday (AFP) - Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq grabbed five wickets as West Indies were dismissed for 216 on the first day of the third and final cricket Test here Saturday.
West Indies lost nine wickets for 107 runs after being well placed at 94-1 at lunch. Saqlain took 5-54, his best bowling figures and third five-wicket haul.
Sherwin Campbell top scored with 50. Brian Lara made 36 and Stuart Williams 33. Pakistan in reply for West Indies total of 216 were 34 for no loss at close of play with Aamir Sohil (20) and Ijaz Ahamed on 11 at the crease.
ADELAIDE, Australia, Saturday (Reuters) - New Zealand recorded their first win on tour today when they beat South Africa by 47 runs in the first one-day international under floodlights at Adelaide Oval.
After scoring 224 for six in their 50 overs, the New Zealanders restricted their opponents to 177 all out in 47.5 overs in a day-night World Series match.
It was New Zealand's first victory in nine tour matches since arriving in Australia in October and just reward for a disciplined and committed performance.
Beaten by Australia 2-0 in a three-test series, New Zealand turned to a trio of gentle medium pace bowlers to strangle the life out of South Africa.
All-rounder Chris Harris played a key role with both bat and ball.
MENTA senior official of a leading sports body, which will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on a grand scale soon, is trying to use his influence to gain recognition from the world body.
In the process he is trying to oust others who have done much for the sport.
It is also learnt that he is trying to obtain the help of a 'big shot' to achieve his ambition. The latest news is that he is planning to gate crash a general council meeting of this body, in order to press his claims.
The award for the most outstanding sports star for girls 1997 at a recently concluded event seems to have gone the wrong way. A little girl who bagged a bronze and silver at the Asia Pacific Diving meet in Chinese Taipei, who later represented the country at the world championships, has apparently been overlooked when the award was made.
Defending champions Bloomfield C&AC, sent in to bat in a Div.I limited over match, restricted to 28 overs helped by an aggressive and attractive opening stand of 79 runs between openers Pubudu Dassanayake (34) and allrounder Sajeeka Abeynaike (41, with three fours) scored 73 run win over Kalutara PCC at the Sara Stadium yesterday. Play was possible at 1.30 pm due to the wet outfield. Bloomfield made 153 for 6. Kalutara PCC in reply made 80 for 6.
Today Bloomfield will take on Matara SC at the Matara Esplanade.
Sudath Sampath has been included in the national rugby pool in preparation for their play-off against Taiwan in Bangkok on January 17.
All rugby poolists have been requested to be present for training on December 9 (Tuesday) at the CR&FC Grounds, Longden Place at 5 pm.
Arthur Andersons recorded a fine 47-43 win over defending champions Hatton National Bank in their Mercantile A Division league netball championships, sponsored by Masons Mixture, at the BRC Grounds, Havelock Park, yesterday.
In a B Division game favourites Caravan Bakery scored comfortable wins over AirLanka 36-16 and Texwoods 28-22.
SSC scored the highest total of 69 for 4 against Annilators SC in the Malay CC 125th anniversary six-a-side cricket tournament match played at the 'Padang', Slave Island yesterday. The tournament will be continued today.
Manoj Dabare of Woodlands SC scored 36 runs, which was the highest individual score with four sixes while Pujitha Perera of Piliyandala Town Club had the best bowling figures of 4 for 47.
Results: Brighton SC bt Malays; United SC bt NCC; Bloomfield bt Liberty SC; Phoenix SC bt Colts; Tri Star bt BRC; Egodauyana bt Piliyandala TC; CCC bt Piliyandala PSC; Muthuwela PSC lost to Lancashire SC; Woodlands SC bt Malays.
A second wicket stand of 80 runs between Sajith Fernando (82 n.o) and Chaminda Mendis (34) helped Colts CC to score a seven wickets win over Sebastinites in a Division I Inter Club limited-over cricket tournament match at Havelock Park yesterday.
Sebastianites batting first made 170 in 45 overs. Chamara Liyanage 30 n.o, Manoj Perera( 17 n.o), Marlon Pieris (19 ) and P.Salgado (24) helped them to reach 170. S. Alexander (3 for 20) and Bathiya Perera ( 2 for 34) bowled best for the Colts.
Colts chasing the Sebastinites score of 170, lost the wicket of Romesh Kaluwitharana for 8 when the score was on 22 but the second wicket stand of 80 runs between Sajith Fernando (82 n.o) which included six sixers and as many fours and Chaminda Mendis (34) saw Colts coasting home for an easy win
Sebastinites - 170 for 8 in 45 overs ( C. Liyange 30 n.o, M. Perera 17 n.o, M. Pieris 19, P. Salgado 24; S. Alexander 3 for 20, B.Perera 2 for 34)
Colts - 172 for 3 in 29.5 ( S. Fernando 82 n.o, C. Mendis 34, D. Samaraweera 11; N. Perera 2 for 40) .
The National Chess Association of the Visually Handicapped, will conduc the first ever tournament for visually handicapped chess players.
The preliminary matches are scheduled to be held today, at the Vocational Training Centre of the Department of Social Services at Seeduwa at 1 p.m.
These matches (preliminaries) will be held under the patronage of U. R. Rodrigo, the Superintendent of Social Services of the centre.
The finals of the tournament will be held at Hotel Golden Topaz Colombo 3 on December 21.
About 25 participants are expected to compete for attractive cash awards.
The AIDEX 97 Sports Day for Disabled conducted by the Colombo Friend in Need Society will be held at the Police Park, Bambalapitiya from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on December 14. The Colombo Friend in Need Society is the oldest charitable organisation in Sri Lanka which provides artificial limbs for the amputees throughout the country. Over 300 limb-users are expected to participate in the Sports Meet.
THE Ladies Golf Section of the Royal Colombo Golf Club will be conducting a Golf Gymkhana today (December 7) for members and their children.
The skills to be tested today are: Longest Drive and Precision Drive down the 15th fairway; Target pitching to the 14th Green; Nine hole putting on Putting Green; Ladder putting and Crazy Putting on the 8th Green.The event is organised by Mrs. Pam Fernando.
Other contests include Chipping into a bucket and Splat - striking a moving plastic ball.
A variety of golfing prizes for men, women and children are on offer. In addition, vouchers for two to Kentucky Fry, Pizza Hut, Flower Drum, gift packs of Kandos chocolates and a weekend for two at Ranweli Beach Resort are also on offer.
In the 1950s, '60s and '70s the Gymkhana was a popular annual event. The last Gymkhana was held in the 1980s in aid of the Defence Services.
The Sampath Bank basketball team, who had been promoted to "B" Division this year, after winning all the "C" Division tournaments in 1996, once again proved that they are unbeatable in the game.
The Sampath cagers led by former Royal skipper Anshal Ambawatte have not lost a single match for the last two years.
Their performance for the last two years were quite outstanding where they won all the trophies on offer, namely - The Mercantile five-a-side tournament, the league tournament, The knockout tournament in '96 and The Mercantile five-a-side and the League tournament in '97.
They beat the strong Hatton National Bank side with a huge margin of 28 points (86-58) in this years League finals. In addition to this, they beat the former champs on three more occasions during the '97 tournament. The champion side was coached by Panduka Wickra–msinghe.
Team spirit was the key to their success where each and every member of the team contributed towards this excellent performance. National star Rasika Prabath, Duminda De Silva, skipper Ambawatte, Anjula Kumarage and Kosala Gamage were outstanding throughout the tournament.
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