 |
 24th January 1999 |
Front Page| |
 |
||
      
|
Contents
|
|
 |
'We won it for Murali'Sri Lanka snatch heart-stopping thrillerAdelaide Oval, Saturday. Despite a controversial decision by umpire Ross Emerson in calling Muralitharan "NO' in the bowler's fourth delivery in his second over, drama was enacted at the picturesque Adelaide Oval, overlooking the historic Cathedral Church, when Sri Lanka helped by a superb 126 by Mahela Jayawardena posted a heart-stopping win in the last over chasing a tall England target of 303, to win by one wicket with two balls to spare here today. Immediately after the match the Sri Lanka team said in unision: 'We won it for Murali'. It was a determined team-effort by the Lankans. With a never-say-die approach they stormed their way to gain their second successive win to keep them in the running in the competition. Every team-member contributed towards this victory. Jayawardena gave a lion-hearted display to keep the batting together and was adjudged Man-of-the Match. Fittingly 'Murali' scored the winning run to mete out poetic justice. Today (Sunday) the Lankans take on Australia at the same venue. England still heads the table with four wins in six matches, while Australia and Sri Lanka are second placed with two wins in five matches. Sri Lanka took up the run-chase despite losing two early wickets - that of Kaluwitharne run out for a duck and stylish Marvan Atapattu caught by Fairbrother for 3. With the scoreboard reading 3 runs for two wickets things looked gloomy for the Lankans but for an aggressive and attractive 51 in 36 balls by Sanath Jayasuriya, who smashed the English bowlers to wrest the initiative despite losing two early wickets. Sanath's mercurial knock came to an end when he was caught of Gough. He had six fours and two sixes in his breezy knock. Tillekeratne joined by young Mahela Jayawardena kept the tempo up. The 100 came in 14.3 overs with both batsmen stroking the ball fluently. But Tillekeratne was bowled by a crafty delivery by Croft for 28 after the fourth wicket realized 69. Jayawardena joined by Ranatunga batted with charm and aggression and completed his 50 in 43 balls with four fours. At 32 overs the Lankans were 185 for 4. Arjuna the batsman who scored 76 and 45 not out in the last two innings, batted intelligently with cheeky singles and added 50 runs for the fifth wicket in 56 balls. Sri Lanka had to get 113 runs at this stage and both batsmen were in control. Mahela was on 79, his highest in one-dayers. At this point Sri Lanka had to get 94 runs in 84 balls with six wickets in hand and the match was poised for an interesting finish after the Lankans broke the eight-match hoodoo against Australia in Hobart. With the score at 223 for 4, Arjuna holed out to Gough caught by Wells for 41 invaluable runs. The fifth wicket stand realized 86 runs. Vaas, who came in next, was brilliantly run out for 5. Jayawardena batting with authority completed his first one-day 100 (with six fours in 100 balls) kept Lanka's hopes alive with Chandana at the wicket. Chandana pulled Gough for a great six. At this point there was a willful obstruction by Gough, when Mahanama was going for a run. The umpires warned Gough. Chandana got out to a brilliant catch taken by Fairbrother off Wells for 25 with a six and a four. Sri Lanka needed 13 runs to win in 12 balls. Mahanama flicked Hollioake off his toes for two successive fours,but was run out for 13 with 5 runs to be made in 7 balls! Three runs came in four balls then came a wide and 'Murali' got the winning run with two balls to spare.
Call to check rugby referees indisciplineBy Callistus DavyA top official of the rugby Referees Society has proposed that stern measures be taken to check incidents of indiscipline among match officials following allegations of misconduct by active members during the 1998 season. Nimal Lewke, one of two vice presidents in the Society, has told the newly elected president, Brigadier Jupana Jayawardena, that all referees both junior and senior be taken to task should they back out of domestic club games without valid reasons. Lewke has told Jayawardena that all referees be made to clarify within a week, and not 24 hours before a match, their availability with regard to monthly assignments. The Sunday Times understands that Lewke's call for uniformity comes amid concerns that sudden pull-outs by referees from blowing in matches could lead to speculations of "match-fixing". Cases of referees contemplating to "skip" or withdrawing from matches at short notice are alleged to have occured during the last season. Meanwhile senior rugby referees who are on a collision course with the Society's hierarchy have called for the appointment of Tony Amit (Vice President) to head the important Assignment Committee. Their request is likely to be debated at an emergency meeting.
Pulling out would be fatal, says Foreign MinisterForeign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar yesterday called upon Sri Lankan cricketers to stand up for the country's position and fight back. "I am not in favour of them withdrawing from the ongoing one-day series and returning to Colombo," he told The Sunday Times when we called him last night for a comment. "There is no danger to life and limb of our players. Yesterday's victory only shows their spirit and guts," Mr Kadirgamar said. Mr. Kadirgamar was reacting to yesterday's one day international with England where umpire Ross Emerson called Muttiah Muralitharan for 'throwing.' The action led to Captain Arjuna Ranatunga leading the Sri Lankan players off the field in protest. However, they later returned. Mr. Kadirgamar himself was in Australia until last Thursday. During talks with his Australian counterpart, Alexander Downer, he is learnt to have discussed informally the resurrection of a fresh campaign in Australia against Muralitharan. Mr. Downer is learnt to have expressed the view that there should not have been "rough handling" and hoped the controversy would fade away. After his return to Colombo, Mr. Kadirgamar was watching yesterday's match on television when he noted the new issues raised by Umpire Emerson. Mr Kadirgamar said yesterday's victory over England "speaks volumes for our players and their character. That is sure to bring them a great deal of sympathy and appreciation in the cricketing world." He said he was of the view that it would be fatal to walk out of the tournament.
Stunning upset by St. Anne'sBy S.M.D.SirisenaSt. Anne's College Kurunegala created one of the biggest upsets in the on going inter-school cricket season when they scored an exciting four wickets win over the much fancied St.Sebastian's at Moratuwa yesterday. This win by St.Anne's was achieved after 14 years. Annites resuming from their overnight score of 107 for 5 lost their last five wickets for 46 runs were bundled out for 153. S.Rohana (14), Shirantha Mendis (38) made good contributions. For St.Sebastian's Jumal Perera(2 for 35), S.Fernando (3 for 36) and D. Fernando(2 for 19) bowled well. St.Sebastian's batting a second time around with a lead of 17 runs were skittled out for 75. Malshan Fernando 13, Suranga Silva 13 and Rayan Mendis 15 made good scores. For St. Anne's, S. Mendis (2 for 19) and S. Tissera (2 for 9) bowled well. This left St.Annes with a victory target of 98 runs which they achieved for the loss six wickets. S Mendis with a cracking unbeaten 51 helped the Kurunegala school to achieve victory. K.Dassanayake (13) gave ample support for Mendis. H.Peiris (2 for 16) and S.Fernando(2 for17) did their best to contain St.Anne's. St.Sebastian's - 170 and 75 in 53.1 overs( M. Fernando 13, S. Silva 13, R. Mendis 15; Mendis 2 for 19; S. Tissera 2 for 9) St.Anne's - (107 for 5 overnight) 153 ( S.Rohana 14, S. Mendis 38; J. Perera 2 for 35, S. Fernando 3 for 36, D. Fernando 2 for 19) and 98 for 6 (S.Mendis 51 n.o, K.Dassanayake 13; H.Peiris 2 for 16, S. Fernando 2 for 17)
Seneviratne is Josephian heroBy Saif IzzadeenJosephian pacie Ishan Seneviratne who had a match haul of 10 for 73 was the hero in the drawn Inter-School cricket match against Royal which ended at Reid Avenue yesterday. St. Joseph's continuing from their overnight score of 123 for 3 went on to pile up 234 for 9 dec. in 54.5 overs. The Darly Road school was helped by a captain's knock of 94 by Roshan de Silva. De Silva's innings had nine fours and two sixes. De Silva received good support by Ian Daniel (24), Johanns Jayasuriya (22), Dilanka Perera (34) and Danuka Pathirana (11). For Royal, leg-spinner Danushka Perera took 5 for 45. Royal batting a second time with 86 runs behind were 147 for 7 when stumps were drawn. Ravi Pieris (12), Malinda Thotuwilage (44), Tushan Amarasuriya (11), Ruchira Jayasuriya (19), Danushka Perera (11) and Andrew Perera (21 n.o) beefed up the score. For St. Joseph's Ishan Seneviratne (3 for 34) and Anuk Wijeratne (2 for 23) bowled well. Royal - 147 and 147 for 7 in 57.1 overs (R.Pieris 12, M. Thotuwilage 44, T.Amarasuriya 11, R.Jayasuriya 19, D.Perera 11, A.Perera 21 n.o; I.Seneviratne 3 for 34, A.Wijeratne 2 for 23) St.Joseph's - 234 for 9 dec (R.de.Silva 94, I.Daniel 24, J.Jayasuriya 22, D.Perera 34, D. Pathirana 11; D.Perera 5 for 45)
Kurunegala amass 400/9Three sparkling knocks from R.Jayson (92), Nishantha Munasinghe (84) and S.Malmawala (79) helped Kurunegala YCC to pile up 400 for 9 dec in the Premier Inter-Club cricket match against Sebastianites at Moratuwa yesterday. In reply the Sebastianites were 35 for 2 at the end of the second day's play. Kurunegala YCC - (175 for no loss overnight) 400 for 9 dec (N. Munasinghe 84, R.Jayson 92, S.Malmawala 79, R.Madurusinghe 20, A.Bandaranayake 28, R.Amunugama 29 n.o; L.Francis 2 for 35, D.Fernando 3 for 109) Sebastianites - 35 for 2
Galle in commandBy Marcus JosephGalle CC, with a lead of 153 runs, were in a strong position at the end of the second day's play in their Premier Inter-Club match against Panadura SC at Panadura yesterday. Galle CC - 233 (R.Peiris 57, P.Wanasinghe 52, V. Waragoda 45, C.Fernando 21, D.Wickremasinghe 15; K.Silva 3 for 65, S.Jayawardena 3 for 85) and 78 for no loss. Panadura SC - 158 (P.Perera 34, S.Jayawardena 33, K.Silva 19, M. Silva 16; G.Perera 5 for 38, C.Ranasinghe 2 for 26)
Bandara 5 for 8Leg spinner Dinesh Bandara of Mahanama captured 5 wickets for 8 runs inclusive of a hat-trick. This was the highlight in the drawn inter-school cricket match against Mahinda at Galle yesterday. Mahinda - 113 (B.Suneth 24, C.Wickremasinghe 23; D.Bandara 5 for 8, P.Sathyapala 4 for 15) and 12 for no loss Mahanama - 101 for 9 dec (L.Sumeda 28, P.Jinasena 23,D.Perera 21)
Fernando, Gunaratne shine for CambriansA swashbuckling unbeaten 127 by Prince of Wales skipper Hasantha Fernando and a wily bowling spell of 6 for 46 by Janaka Gunaratne were the highlights in their drawn Inter-School cricket match against S. Thomas' at Moratuwa yesterday. S.Thomas' - 242 for 8 dec and 171 (D.Gunawardena 12, Z. Kanake 42, L.Fernando 31, M.Peiris 50; J. Gunaratne 6 for 46, P.Ranaweera 2 for 65) Prince of Wales - (102 for 3 overnight) 241 for 7 dec (H. Fernando 127 n.o, S.Wijeratne 18, R.Peiris 39; N. Ratwatte 3 for 20) and 7 for 1v (SMD)
Negombo championsNegombo Cricket Club who remained unbeaten in the Preliminary round defeating Peterson SC, Old Andanians, Ragama CC and Ambalangoda Rio SC in the semi-final and a handsome win over Wennappuwa SC in the final saw them emerge champions in under 23 segment B of the Division I tournament. Nuwan Priyankara led from the front with his allround display. He scored two fifties and captured 16 wickets. Rover PinpointsBelieve it or not? Many leading officials from the sports controlling bodies in Sri Lanka are seen supporting their sporting boss in house-to-house canvassing in the Anamaduwa electorate for the North Western Province elections. Rover learns these supporting roles are played with a hope of getting the nod for their second terms and some extensions with their respective sports body elevations due before the end of March. Big mouth presenter The big mouth presenter on a popular TV channel was heard blaming the print media for Sri Lanka's poor showing and Muttiah Muralitharan's throwing action in Australia. However, he goes behind the local media presenting his own programmes which are very biased as well as highlighting his bosses. Track suits Sri Lanka's athletes were let down badly as their track suits arrived at the athletes' village in Bangkok only on the evening of Dec 15 from Colombo and their events started on Monday December 13. What went wrong? Rover learns that the track suits which were given to the athletes at NOC office were too baggy and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports ordered a new set of track suits which cost a tidy sum. Wrong Information A person living on a footboard in Bangkok has been heard to tell senior sports officials at the main stadium that the Sri Lanka's duo of Lalil Jeerasinghe and W.P. Janaka were nearly drowned and that they had swum to safety after their costly Enterprise capsized. This had prompted another to say that in reality the duo had won a bronze and that the story spread by him was nothing but a malicious lie! Another lie by this footboarder is that Sri Lanka has won a medal in pistol shooting which again was contested by the official saying that the shooters were in fact already on their way to Colombo! Enough is enough, and the 'footboarder' slunk away. Mission unsuccessful An ex-coach of a rugby club who is now a member of the Rugby Union's Council was cut down to size at a recent meeting when he attempted to block the appointment of Nimal Lewke as the country's national coach. In attempting to subvert Lewke's appointment, this Council Member told the other members that Lewke will find it difficult to train national players from a certain club, who he said, are opposed to him (Lewke). The man did not succeed in his mission. Rover learns that the man was holding the torch on behalf of an official in return for 'services rendered'. Rover understands that Lewke, a no-nonsense strict disciplinarian, is to receive his appointment next week. Heard this ? A former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka is seeking re-election for the same post at the next AGM. He has been told that he will be given permission to contest by the Sports Minister only if he divulges the 20 affiliates who had promised to vote for him.
Front Page| News/Comment| Editorial/Opinion| Business| Plus | Mirror Magazine |
|
 |
Please send your comments and suggestions on this web site to |
|