Sri
Lanka ‘A’ go in with confidence
by Dhammika RatnaweeraAfter their resounding victory over
Zimbabwe ‘A’, in the second unofficial Test, Sri Lanka ‘A’, are
brimming with cofidence as they take the field today (May 11), at Uyanwatte Stadium,
Matara, for the third and final unofficial Test.
The Sri Lankans are not expected to make any changes to the side that won in Galle. Led
by Tilan Samaraweera, Sri Lanka ‘A’ is a well balanced side and their pacemen
who did an excellent job in Galle could repeat their winning performance in this game.
Kaushalya Weeraratne, the Trinity College skipper, bowled well in the first two Tests,
while the two Fernando’s, Dilhara and Dinusha, excelled in the second Test.
Avishka Gunawardene, the hard hitting SSC left hand opener was among the runs scoring
two consecutive centuries, 129 at Kurunegala and 140 at Galle. He can be counted on to
give a good start to the Sri Lanka innings along with Pradeep Hewage who also scored a
century in the first Test at Kurunegala.
Skipper Tilan Samaraweera is back in form. He scored a brilliant century in the last
Test. Chamara Silva and Kumar Sangakkara will also bear watching. So would Indika de
Saram, a product of St. Thomas’ Matara, who scored a fine 61 at Galle.
The Sri Lankan fielders were a much improved outfit in the second Test. Wicket keeper
Prasanna Jayawardane displayed great agility behind the stumps.
Zimbabwe ‘A’ come to this final game under tremendous pressure after the
innings defeat.
Openers Gavin Rennie and Neil Ferreira were unable to make a good start and that was a
big problem. Mark Veermuelen, the century maker in the first warm up three day game, was
not among the runs in the two Tests. Craig Wishart who made a fighting century at Galle
and Andy Blignaut who scored a fine 92 at Kurunegala show much promise and can be of
immence assistance in helping Zimbabwe to square the series.
Zimbabwe’s pace attack of skipper Angas Mackey and David Mutendera were not up to
expectations. The injured Matambanadzo is expected to be back for the last Test and will
be of advantage to them. However, Zimbabwe will depend on their off spinner Daniel Peacock
and leg spinner Raymond Price.
The teams:
Sri Lanka ‘A’ from: Tilan Samaraweera (Capt), Avishka Gunawardane,
Pradeep Hewage, Kumara Sangakkara, Indika de Saram, Chamara Silva, Kaushalya Weeraratne,
Prasanna Jayawardane, Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath, Dinusha Fernando, Malinga Bandara.
Zimbabwe ‘A’ from: Angus Mackay (Capt), Gavin Rennie, Neil Ferreira, Mark
Veermeulen, Dion Ebrahim, Craig Wishart, Daniel Peacock, Andy Blignaut, Donald Campbell,
Raymond Price, Everton Matambanadzo, David Mutendera, Dauglas Marillier.
Umpires: Asoka de Silva, Lalith Jayasundara, Stand-by: T. M. Samarasinghe, Match
Referee — Rumesh Ratnayake.
An unfinished odyssey...
by Rohan Wijeyaratna
The throw is flat and fast as it spears in to the left hand of Dav Whatmore. A huge
shout renders the air, a shout of genuine, unmitigated delight from all the players. The
desperate batsman is reaching out, valiantly stretching to reach the crease but this time
the throw is far too good. The fielding side scores a point as Chappell prepares to throw
the next ball to the next batsman. And Whatmore, bare bodied and standing over the stumps,
prepares to field the next scorching return in his mitt covered left hand.
A THINKER
If that sounded more like a part of a game of cricket, it isn’t. It is part
of the preparation of our cricketers as they key themselves up for the Asia Cup and
beyond. Invariably the presence of Whatmore, Contouri and Chappell lend a very
professional ring to the entire proceedings. The cricketers are seriously at work, and
they are egged on by these three men. In between serious work there is a lot of gaiety and
laughter, but no nonsense. From the captain downwards, they are all participating. There
are no seniors who act as observers and consultants anymore. Everybody remains focused and
involved in the action.
It is obvious that Whatmore is a thinker. With this little drill he is sharpening up
our throwing skills from half way down positions and also those of the batsmen who are
streaking for a single that is hardly there. All very suggestive that our squad is in very
good hands and are being fine tuned to milk the last ounce. The coaches are all
professional men who are friendly, but firm. They will also control things, on level
terms, not from pedestals. Contouri will run as hard as the squad and will drop down
behind those seen flagging to egg them on from behind. He builds endurance and strength
and will oversee everything from their diet to their treatment. The respect the lads have
for this man must be heard to be believed. It surpasses all what even Presidential honours
can bring, but which despite their rather cavalier distribution have so far eluded Alex
Contouri. Maybe they haven’t heard of him yet!
The curse of this country if we wish to see, is there right in front of our eyes. There
are many who serve in capacities that are far beyond them; many who should go but
won’t many who know too little yet trying to do too much. In all such instances, the
damage they cause through ignorance is beyond measure, and the damage in most instances is
quite permanent. Sadly, no one seems to care anymore. And I am not limiting the above
comments to cricket alone. In truth it applies to most facets of life in this country.
Through the appointment of the Interim Committee, the Minister of Sport did very well
for cricket in this country. In fact it was a master stroke. In a matter of months our
sagging image the world over was restored, bridges were built and fences mended. Above
all, through the personal standards that they set for themselves, these gentlemen let the
message dribble down to the players that it was performance and ability and nothing else
that mattered in the end. In an atmosphere of freedom and fair play, the players sans some
of the bigger names most of the time, responded beyond all expectations. Some have equated
the resurgence in our fortunes to the work done by the coaches. This is simplifying things
to an extreme and therefore must rank as the thinking of simple minds. The contribution by
the coaches and our physio have been enormous; there is no denying that. But most of all
it must be conceded that the performances upped themselves due to the climate of freedom
and fairness that was introduced by the administration and which prevalied till the end of
its days.
A TRIBUTE
The human mind is a wonderful thing. It must be at peace with itself to stay
focused and allow the body to perform at its best. To my mind it is through the settling
of the minds of our players, and our coaches than most else, that we achieved the greatest
success of all. And for doing just that, it would be totally in order to lay tribute right
at the doorstep of all those gallant men of the Interim Committee who are now packing
their bags to go.
To borrow the famous cliche of Peter Hain, that ace agitator for the sporting boycott
of South Africa in the late sixties: There can be no normal sport in an abnormal society.
Sure enough, the Interim Board may have got some things wrong, but they certainly got an
awful lot right, and at the end of the day they have emerged having put may parts of the
house in order and won the country much goodwill internationally. They have through their
collective skills and standards that they set for themselves, also succeeded in inducing a
climate which helped produce the most sensational string of successes seen on our cricket
fields as long as one can remember. Whilst full credit is due to the Minister for having
brought together wittingly or otherwise, such a fine mix that jelled so brilliantly into
forming the Interim Committee, he now has the unenviable task of ensuring that their
successors are equal to the mammoth task that lies ahead of them. Of much importance is to
ensure the continuance of the good work already done with all international governing
bodies and the goodwill that has been sown and reaped in return. Through such a campaign,
the country can achieve much, particularly in terms of respect and influence within the
lofty portals of the ICC. Much has been achieved, yet there is a lot more to be done. The
odyssey, is far from over!
The history of this country can best be described by equating it to a sinusoidal curve.
Many ups, and many downs. So has been our cricket. We have reached great heights no doubt,
only to watch it all slip by as we slide back once again to a customary trough. We should
by now have learnt that the first step towards true professionalism is not to lose ones
footing and thereby slide down, but to clutch hard and keep climbing up. One can only hope
that the powers that be in Sport, will remind themselves of that essential need, as we
gear up to welcome our next set of men who will guide our cricket’s destiny.
Rugby review
Scores didn’t tell the tale
by Mike Andree
Last weekend’s League rugby first round matches saw the favourites home safely but
not before having to sweat it out against their respective opponents. The final scores
gave no indication of the anxiety the ultimate winners had to go through, especially in
the first half of their respective fixtures.
At Police Park on Sunday, last year’s league runners up CR&FC overcame some
anxious opening minutes before capitalizing on their opponent’s weaknesses to defeat
Police SC 23 - 3.
The manner in which the Police started the game made one feel that an upset was the
cards. They completely rattled the favourites and forced them into error upon error. They
could not however keep up the pace and soon got carried away by their own over enthusiasm.
CR were quick to take advantage and after using almost the entire first half to study
their opponent’s mode of play, began to unleash all they had in the second half to
run out clear winners.
CR produced one of the best moves seen in a long time. It began in their ‘25’
and ended in a try under the posts.
Police have only themselves to blame for this defeat. The passing amongst their backs
left much to be desired. They at times tried to make quick short passes without drawing
the defence. When this failed, they tried their hand at long passes but most of them
lacked direction or fell far short of the intended recipient. They also failed to back up
the ball carrier at the essential moment. This cost them valuable scoring chances.
On the same day Nittawella was the scene of a hectic battle according to reports
received. Defending Champions Kandy SC were given a good fight by Havelocks though the
final score told a different tale.
On Saturday at Maitland Place CH&FC were given a hard time by Navy. The sailors
lost true enough, but they did not let up and made their hosts fight all the way to the
end. CH&FC will have to do a little more polishing up if they are to pose a serious
threat to the reigning champions Kandy SC and CR&FC
On Friday it was a showdown between two of the forces at Katunayake. Army won this
match but not before being put through a torrid time by the Air Force. It was a robust
game all the way and only the former’s better knowledge saw them through.
Bentota Club Open Squash
Fancied Hirantha Goonasena and Navin Samarasinghe beaten in series
Fourth Seed Jayantha Marambe and third Seed Kavinda Cooray scored surprise wins at the
Bentota Club Inter Sports Squash Open Tournament now on at the Hotel Ceylon
Intercontinental courts, when they beat the fancied Hirantha Goonasena and Navin
Samaratunge respectively in the Under 19 group on May 6, to enter the finals.
Both Goonasena and Samarasinghe were taken to fire setters by their respective
opponents.
Goonasena got the better of P. Ganeshan in the quarter finals (9/3, 9/3, 9/5) while
Marambe won his quarterfinal match with Iranga Amunugama in a four setter (9/1, 4/9, 9/7,
9/3).
Both semi-finals lasted over one hour.
In the Intermediate Over 35 matches for men, SLSF Secretary Tissa Jayasuriya brushed
aside former national player Shammi Silva in straight sets (9/5, 9/3, and 9/1), while
Manoj Pieris beat K. Padmakumara also in straight sets.
The tournament is continuing. |
