Sri Lanka improve in fielding but fail with bat

Most of Sri Lanka's cricket officials including Board President Thilanga Sumathipala are in England to watch the Seventh World Cup, which makes one wonder how things are being run in Sri Lanka.

"All matters will be in the hands of Rajasingham", commented a cricket lover, referring to the Cricket Board's Administrative Secretary D.W. Rajasingham, who has been known to hold the fort before.

The alarm bells should now be ringing regarding Sri Lanka's cricket after South Africa's pace attack rose to the occasion to storm through Sri Lanka's batting line-up to wrap up an 89 run victory at Northampton on Wednesday.

Lack of planning could be attributed to Sri Lanka's dismal showing in the games against England and South Africa. While most teams opted to groom youngsters, Sri Lanka decided to go for the present competition with the same team which won the World Cup in 1996.

Sri Lanka did try out some youngsters such as Suresh Perera and Bandaratilleke but they did not get the necessary backing to last long in the fiercely competitive cricket scene in Sri Lanka. It is strongly felt that the 'A' squad needs more looking after as it is the stepping stone to international cricket and in this context more attention should be given to the Lanka A team's tour of England in July- August this year.

Getting back to Sri Lanka's defeat at the hands of South Africa at Northampton Hansie Cronje's team came back from the depths of 122 for 8 and two highly contentions decisions, to crush Sri Lanka by 88 runs. Along the way the Springboks demonstrated their very special qualities of resilence, batting depth, bowling strike power and a refusal to be fazed by controversy.

It breaks my heart to write this way about South Africa when I should be singing Sri Lanka's praises, but that's the way things are.

In the final 15 overs of the South African innings, Lance Klusener's unbeaten 52 helped South Africa advance from 122 for 8 to 199 for 9. Then Sri Lanka were blown apart to the tune of 14-4 in the opening seven overs of their reply with Jacques Kallis grabbing the first three wickets. In just 22 overs South Africa transformed apparently certain defeat into almost certain victory. Klusener, who bludgeoned 22 runs from the final over of South Africa's innings and then captured three late wickets, was the obvious choice for Man of the Match.

Two decisions by English Third Umpire Ken Palmer were mystifying to say the least. The Springboks were using rather less diplomatic words as they watched the TV monitor in their dressing room. First, Palmer gave Shaun Pollock out caught and bowled after the ball deflected from Arjuna Ranatunga's boot at silly point into Muttiah Muralitharan's hands. The judgement was referred to Palmer, whose job is to study the TV replay. The stump camera clearly showed the ball being driven straight into the ground, so it was perplexing, therefore, when Palmer flashed the red light for 'out'. Next, Daryll Cullinan lofted the ball to long-off. Chaminda Vaas caught it alright but toppled backwards towards the boundary. Vaas threw the ball on to the outfield just before he fell over the line and most people thought Cullinan should have been given not out.

Again, however, Palmer saw a reason to give him out. But from that moment South Africa dominated the match. Klusner, who could become the tournament's most valuable player rescued the South Africans with resourceful aggression. Then Kallis tore through the Sri Lankan top order by bowling at high pace and swinging the ball.

Pollock, Allan Donald and Steve Elworthy all collected wickets before Klusener dispathced the tail. In the end it was barely a contest and Sri Lanka, dismissed for 110, are now struggling to make even a token defence of their trophy. Ranatunga said: "Our batting is not working at the moment and when that happens any side will struggle''. Following is the tour itinerary for the Sri Lanka A tour of England in July - August this year: July 4-6 Sri Lanka A vs ECB XI at Oakham School; July 7 Sri Lanka A vs New Zealand at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes; July 9-12 Sri Lanka A vs Lancashire at Old Trafford; July 15 to 18 Lanka A vs Northamptonshire at Northants; July 19 Lanka A vs Gloucestershire at Cheltenham; July 21-24 vs Essex at Chelmsford; July 26 vs Durham at Durham; July 28 vs FC F/Select XI at Headingly or Leicester; July 30 - August 2 vs Gloucestershire or Surrey at Bristol or Oval.

August 4-8 vs Denmark; August 10-13 vs Worcestershire at Worcester; August 15 vs Somerset or Sussex at Taunton or Hove; August 17 - 20 vs MCC at MCC.

* At Leicester on Wednesday the first upset of the World Cup occurred when Henry Olanga took three wickets in five balls to help Zimbabwe defeat India by three runs. Olanga, the first black cricketer to represent Zimbabwe had a nightmare first spell in which he conceded a succession of wides. But his skipper Alistair Campbell gave him the ball with just two overs left and India on 244/7, nine runs away from victory, and it proved to be a masterstorke.

* South Africa were in for a pleasant surprise when they arrived at their Brighton Hotel after demolishing Sri Lanka. They knew that they were the World Cup favourites but they did not know why 50 mini-skirted teenage girls were waiting outside the hotel. But sadly the girls did not know any of the South Africans. They were waiting for the pop band Boyzone who were staying at the same hotel.

Nuzry Khalid-Black Belt in Fei Quan Do

The Fei Quan Do International held a 5-hour long gruelling grading test for Orange, Green, Blue, Grey and Black Belt last week under the stewardship of its founder Chief Instructor Grand Master M. Hassen Khalid, the internationally popular martial arts expert at the MICH, 115, Dematagoda Road, Colombo 9.

A large number of members participated for the grading test which was personally conducted under the strict supervision of Grand Master M. Hassen Khalid. The members were tested for their proficiency in exercises, punches, kicks, basics, stances, katas, combination punches and kicks and free fighting.

The results are as follows:

Black Belt: M. Nuzry Khalid (Zahira College);

Grey Belts: M. Nuzky Khalid (Zahira College),

N.A. Ariyawansa and Moshan Pieries (Seylan Bank);

Blue Belts: M. Nihamatulla (Hameed Al-Hussania), A.SA. Shihan (Zahira College);

Green Belts: M. Arafath Ameen (Zahira College), A.J. Thufail Ahamed, M. Imtiaz, S. Muthu and Shafraz Anees (Iqra Int. School);

Orange Belts: Miss. Tanzy Ranasinghe and Ronchard Ranasinghe (Leighton Park Int. School), Shafer Ahamed (Royal College), M. Usama Naufel, M.R. Rahamatullah Fahad, M.R.C.M. Riffagerth, M. Mudassir Zahir, M. Mazeen Au (Zahira College) and Edward Romalson, M.R.M. Rizard.

The annual awards ceremony and get-together of the Fei Quan Do International will be held very shortly for the members, families and well wishers.

What ails Rugby in Sri Lanka?

By Bernie Wijesekera

Former Sri Lanka, Air Force and CR and FC and Trinity's granite hard hooker, Mohan Balasuriya, in an exclusive interview with The Sunday Times gave his candid personal opinion about what this beautiful sport in Sri Lanka from reaching greater heights. Mohan, has played the game at the highest level and also played dynamic role as an administrator (President of the CR and FC in their 75th anniversary, when the club organised an international club tournament with his committee)

Today as immediate past president he still plays a key role for the red shirts for its further development. "At the outset I must inform you that what I say is my personal opinion," Mr. Balasuriya said at the start.

Q. What are the impediments to progress of Rugby in Sri Lanka?

A. Rugby in Sri Lanka lacks a proper structure. What I mean is no organisational pattern and well defined functions laterally and vertically.

Q. What do you mean?

A. Firstly there is no clear objective or ultimate aim specifically targeted. Secondly, interaction between teaching, coaching, administration, tournaments, tours, sponsorship, development, etc. are disjointed.

Thirdly, due to a lack of a proper system individual personality comes into play. If there is a strong personality with rugby as a priority matters will progress, if not it will be a disaster.

Finally, professionalism has not been understood and no effort has been made to change.

Q. What would you suggest to improve on the present system?

A. A lot of work needs to be done. This is not easy as it is a "Chicken or Egg" situation, given that funds are needed to put a system in place and funds will not or cannot be attracted without a system, which comes first, and how is the question.

Addressing the four points I made before would be a start.

Q. Is that all...

A. Legal implications also inhibit implementation of a sustained plan. For example a two year period for a president is not enough. And interference in the running of a sports body also retards progress.

Q. You spoke about professionalism, what do you mean?

A. Well, the game is professional and that is a fact of life.

Players receive money for their services, it should be the case for coaches, administrators referees and all those involved in the game. Rugby should be a choice of career and the system should be tuned accordingly.

Q. What about foreign players?

A. I have always maintained that there should be no protectionism, which only isolates standard and style. In a small country we cannot afford to be isolated. We can dispense with foreign players if our players are playing in an international circuit. This is not happening. The reasons for not having foreign players were mainly financial. This is mismanagement.

Q. So do you think there is no hope?

A. There is always hope, there are many dedicated persons at all levels they should be recognised and paid for their time and effort. The system should be so designed, he added.

Q. What about the sponsorship problem between the SLRFU and the CH and FC?

A. The Union is asking the CH and FC to advertise a product for which they do not receive any payment. Therein lies the problem.

Q. Any comments about the schools rugby administration and pitching schools like Royal Panadura and St. John's Nugegoda, who have just taken up to the game to play in the top league in the schools championship. Don't you think it's a massacre of the innocents?

A. You are right. It's run by the Education Department. Education personnel can't run rugby unless they have the know-how. This is not developing and promoting the game.

Briefly

Royal win TT title

Royal and Girls' High School, Mount Lavinia emerged champions in the Western Provice inter-school table tennis championships at the . S.Thomas' Indoor Stadium at Mount Lavinia.

This tournament was organised by Girls' High School, Mount Lavinia to celebrate their 75th anniversary.

In all, 136 teams participated in the three age groups of under 10, 14 and 18 - boys and girls.

The champions and runners-up were:-

Girls' under 10 - Girls' High School, St. Joseph's Nugegoda.
Under 14 - Visakha, St. Joseph's BMV.
Under 18 - St. Joseph's BMV., Devi Balika BMV.
Boys' under 10 - Royal B, Royal A.
Under 14 - Visakha, St. Joseph's BMV.
Under 18 - St. Joseph's BMV., Devi Balika BMV.
Boys under 10 - Royal B, Royal A.
Under 14 - Royal, Aluthgama MV.
Under 18 - Royal, Isipatana.
Under 18 - Royal, Isipatana.

Mixed Pair winner

Mrs. Cera Fernando and T. Shamugalingam won the Mixed Pairs bridge event conducted by the Bridge Federation of Sri Lanka and sponsored by Mrs. Cera Fernando held at the Bridge Federation Headquarters at the Race Course at Reid Avenue.

Mrs. Podi Singham and Fritsz Perera finished as runners-up followed by Mrs. Anthea de Alwis, H.A Weerasuriya, Mr. and Mrs. Paul de Niese, Srihari Saranavapavan and M. Chelliah, Dr. Rose Peiris and Anton Selvanayagam.

In all, thirteen pairs participated in this event.

An open pairs event conducted by the Contract Bridge Association of Sri Lanka will be held on Sunday, May 23 at the Headquarters from 9.15 a.m to 7.30 p.m.

Sri Lanka in Pre-Olympic

Sri Lanka will participate in the under-23 Pre-Olympic football tournament Asian Zone to be held in Seoul, South Korea from May 24th.

Sri Lanka will play in Group B along with South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Indonesia. On May 25, Sri Lanka will play South Korea, on May 27 vs. Indonesia and on May 29th against Chinese Taipei.

The Sri Lanka team will comprise:-

Goal keepers - Sugath Tillakaratne, Upali Seneviratne.

Defence - Prabhath Wickrematilleka, M.J.A. Rauff, T. Agalawatta, M Rahim, K. M. Fuard, Anura Sampath, Nalin Nada Kumar.

Midfielders - Rasika Perera. M.M. Asmeer, F. Mohideen, Imran Mohammed.

Forwards - Dushantha Dhammika, Niroshan Abeysekera, Nalaka Gunasekera, M Fausan, Kasun Jayasuriya, Chatura Maduranga, E.B Channa.

Officials - G. A. K. Abeysekera - Manager, M. Premadasa (Team Manager), Subhani Hassimdeen - Coach, Sampath Perera - Physical trainer, Priyantha Wickremasinghe - Physio.

Supercross at Anuradhapura

The Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders will be conducting a Supercross at the Saliyapura Camp in Anuradhapura for the Gajaba Regiment on August 22.

This event is being organised to collect funds to meet the urgent need for welfare funds for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Soldiers.

The Slardar Executive Committee members together with its President Pubudu Wickrema is guided by the Gajaba Regiment Organising Committee headed by General Gamini Gunasekera.

SLARDAR the team that pioneered and created the now famous Fox Hill Supercross will conduct the Gajaba Supercross.

The Supercross will comprise Moto Cross Bikes, Street Trial Bikes, Racing Cars, Jeeps and Trucks with an additional event conducted for Novices.

Trinity, Mahamaya champs

Trinity and Mahamaya emerged overall champions for boys and girls at the zonal inter-school athletic meet in the Kandy District conducted by the Central Province Department of Education held for three days at the Bogambara Stadium.

Trinity with an aggregate of 221 points emerged overall champions with St. Anthony's runners-up with 157 points followed by Dharmaraja 148 points, Vidyartha 82 points, Sri Sumangala and Kingswood 69 points each.

Mahamaya with an aggregate of 223 points emerged overall champions with Girls' High School runners-up with 146 points followed by Swarnamali BMV 144 points, St. Anthony's Girls School 115 points and Ampitiya College 113 points.

Junior championships

Boys Under-11-13 : Trinity 60 points, St. Anthony's 44 points, Sri Sumangala 41 points.

Girls' Under-11-13: Mahamaya 69 points, St. Anthony's Girls School 37 points and Good Shepherd Convent 30 points.

Relay champions

Boys: Trinity 51 points, St. Anthony's 44 points, Kingswood 36 points.

Girls: Girls' High School 32 points, Mahamaya 28 points, Swarnamali BMV 24 points.

Sydney Olympic Media Centre

Media members wishing to attend the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games should know that a major facility will be established in the Sydney central business district for non-accredited media and non-rights holders.

Those media members who are unable to gain accreditation through their National Olympic Committee should contact Tourism New South Wales for information and registration for the Sydney Olympic Media Centre.

Fully accredited media members and rights holders are also welcome to attend.

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