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 9th May 1999 |
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Interim Board to look after SLAMSSports Minister S.B.Dissanayake has dissolved the Sri Lanka Association of Motor Sports (SLAMS) with effect from April 22 and has appointed an interim board to look after its affairs. Those appointed to serve on this board are: Dilantha Malagamuwa (President), Priya Munasinghe (Secretary) and Upali Dassanayake (Treasurer). The others serving on this board are: Suranjith Premadasa, Mahesh Perera, Gamini Dassanayake, Ajantha de Zoysa.
Arjuna sends warning to EnglandArjuna Ranatunga has warned England that Sri Lanka will be on top of their game by the time the two sides meet in the World Cup's opening game on Friday. Ranatunga's men played their first warm-up match against Northamptonshire on Friday looking to prove critics wrong and show their free-hitting batsmen can flourish on English wickets. But the match was ruined by rain after Northants collapsed for 199 opting to bat first. Despite their 1996 success, Sri Lanka are not among the favourites to lift this year's crown but captain Ranatunga said: ''We came here early to get used to the pitches. By the time we get to Lord's we'll be on peak form. ''We've got a few tricks up our sleeve. We don't really want to experiment but we have some players who may surprise you. ''There are eight or nine teams who can win the tournament and I think we have an excellent chance of retaining the title.'' Sussex skipper Chris Adams wants his team to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the experience of facing South Africa at Hove. Hansie Cronje's side are being tipped by many to win the World Cup and they face a Sussex team without vice-captain Tony Cottey and all-rounder Robin Martin-Jenkins through injury. Adams said: ''We'll be working very hard to play our cricket but it's important for the lads to savour the moment because opportunities to play South Africa on your home ground don't come along too often. ''We've got the ground looking great, there's bound to be an electric atmosphere and we'll be going flat out to give a good account of ourselves.'' Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell feels his side are capable of proving they are among the best half-a-dozen line-ups in the world. They have beaten Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India in the last few months and Campbell, who leads his men against Worcestershire, said: ''There's a huge expectation back home because of our recent form. We've had a tremendous season to date and I hope we'll stay in winning ways over here. ''We're realistic - we have no ambitions to win - but for the first time we're here as participants. We want to win more than one game and are targeting a place in the Super Six.'' Kenya hope to use their game with Somerset as the first part of a crash course in how to win in England. Outsiders Kenya are at Taunton and then face Gloucestershire and Glamorgan before their first World Cup game against Zimbabwe on May 15. Kenya captain Asif Karim admitted: ''We don't know the best way to approach games here yet as we're not sure of the English conditions. ''Eight of the squad have never been to England before, so we need to learn quickly. ''We have some warm-up games to play and from them we hope to learn how to play in the conditions.'' Today's other friendlies see England play Kent, who could have Dean Headley in their side, and India face Leicestershire - who give David Millns his first senior appearance of the year. — Courtesy Press Association London
Akthar reported for throwingBy Marlon FernandopullePakistan's new bowling sensation Shohaib Akthar who took to the game by storm has been reported to the International Cricket Council(ICC) for a suspect bowling action The Sunday Times learns from reliable sources that the Pakistani speedster was reported by an ICC National Grid Umpire following the recently concluded Sharjah Championship and the Asian Test and one day Triangular Tournament. The 24 year old opening bowler who hails from Rawalpindi made his Test debut in the 1997/98 season and has already played 10 Tests and 11 One dayers. He shot to fame immediately and was the most talked about fast bowler in the International circuit after he sent Indian batting star Sachin Tendulkar's middle stump cartwheeling in the very first ball in front of a capacity crowd at Eden Gardens in the Asian Test Championship.He continued to succeed with the ball in both Tests and oneday games and hit the headlines very often . His 35 meter run up to the wicket resulted in his deliveries recording speeds of over 150 kilometers per hour that not only instilled fear in batsmen but also inflicted some injuries as well.. With the World Cup only a few days away Pakistan will be in two minds whether to include Akthar in their final line up.The ICC does not have a written rule to this effect. However most countries refrain from including bowlers who have been reported for suspect actions , untill the ICC bowling Committee reviews the bowlers action and gives a clear verdict. India's Harbajahn Singh and Sri Lanka's Kumar Dharmasena were not included in their respective teams after the bowlers were reported for suspect actions. However in Pakistan's case they would prefer to go in with Akhtar as he together with colleagues Wasim Akram,Waqar Younis and Azhar Mahamood form the battery of lethal pace bowlers that play a vital role in the team's success.
Royal win 5 out of six titlesRoyal College won five out of the six titles at the Sri Lanka Boy's schools tennis championships worked off at the National Tennis Centre courts at Greenpth. In the under-10 final Royal beat Ananda by 26 points to 9, in the under- 2 final, Royal beat Ananda 18 nil, in the under-14 final Royal beat St. Peter's 18 nil. Royal won the under- 6 final defeating St. Michael's Batticaloa by 18 points to nil and lost the boys under-18 final to Ananda by 21 points to 14. The under-20 final was bagged by Royal who beat St. Joseph's by 18 points to nil.
Contract Bridge championsDr. Rose Peiris, Mrs Karmini de Silva, Mrs Srihari Saravanapavan and T.Thillainadarajah won the Contract Bridge Drawn teams event conducted by the Bridge Federation at its Headquarters at the Race Course. This event was sponsored by Y.R. Karunaratne and Mrs Indu Mody. Dr. Dilanjan Soysa, Anton Selvanayagam, Niranthara Kumar and Asanka Amarasinghe finished as first runners up. Finishing in third place were, T. Shamugalingam, Fritsz Perera, Kiran Mody, Gajan Thillainathan. Eight teams participated in the championships. The mixed pairs tournament sponsored by Mrs Cera Fernando will be held on Sunday May 16 at the Headquarters at 9.15 p.m.
European champ Walker banned for two yearsEuropean 200 metres champion Dougie Walker was banned for two years after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone last December. Traces of the steroid was found in an urine sample taken during an out-of-competition test. A committee convened by the British governing body UK Athletics concluded Walker had a case to answer. "The Committee is of the opinion that a doping offence has taken place," UK Athletics said in a statement released today. "On the basis of this decision UK Athletics recognises its responsibility to follow its own rules. "Doug Walker is therefore suspended from athletic competition pending a disciplinary hearing."
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