• Rain delays historic test
• Sriyani bags bronze
• Fresh cricket AGM, elections

Sri Lanka’s centenery Test match against Pakistan was put off by two tours, due to a wet outfield, at the SSC grounds, last morning.

Pakistan captain Moin Khan said that the outfield was too wet and opted to go in for an inspection at 12.30 p.m. The visitors also decided to name their final XI after the inspection.

Former DeMazenod player, twenty two year old Ranga Dilhara Fernando was named in Sri Lanka’s final XI, while spinner, Rangana Herath was named 12th man. In addition to the right arm medium pacemen, Sri Lanka opted for two other pacemen, Vass and Zoysa.

The hosts decided to open with Jayasuriya and Atapattu and retained former vice captain Mahela Jayawardane. The batting was strengthened with the inclusion of Arjuna Ranatunga, who will create history by being the only player in the game to play in the inaugural and the centenary Test match, and Aravinda de Silva.

A simple ceremony, sans any politicians was held prior to the match, at 9.00 a.m. A host of past Sri Lankan Test cricketers including past captains attended this ceremony, and received special mementos. Ranatunga too, received a special plaque.

Two minutes silence was observed, as a mark of respect for Sri Lanka’s war heroes.

Sri Lanka team - Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt.), Marvan Atapattu, (Vice-Capt.), Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardane, Russel Arnold, Romesh Kaluwitharane, Chaminda Vaas, M. Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando and Nuwan Zoysa - 12th man, Rangana Herath.

Sriyani bags bronze
by Shirajiv Sirimane

Sriyani Kulawansa Fonseka won a 100 m hurdles, bronze medal at Estonial Tartu Grand Prix championships last Monday night.

Kulawansa clocked a time of 13.37 seconds while Nadini Saustin of USA (13.00 seconds) and Julia Graudin of Russia (13.03 seconds) was placed first and second respectively. Kulawansa is speculated to have won between US dollars 1000 to 1,500 (Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 115,000) as prize money.

Kulawansa who made a personal best - of 12.91 seconds dash at the last World Games in Spain last August is being contracted to Andy Norman Agency of Germany and has to pay 15% of her prize money to them.

She will compete in the St. Petersburg Grand Prix on June 28.

Fresh cricket AGM, elections
by Shirajiv Srimane

The Sports Ministry has decided to conduct a fresh Annual General Meeting for the Softball Cricket Federation, which was defunct for the past 9 months. The AGM and the elections will be held at 10.00 a.m. on June 24 (Saturday) at the Sports Ministry Auditorium, Colombo 7.

M. T. J. Mendis will contest H. S. Upuvith for the post of president while former secretary, Peter Silva takes on B. A. S. J. Mendis for the post of secretary. Stuwart Fernando and Sarath Samara-singhe will vie for the treasurer’s post.

Ten nominations have been received for the five vice president posts. They are Ranadeva Kuma-ranayake, L. P. Priyankara Silva, T. A. Mohammed Akram, Nilendra Mahawithana, Chand-ralatha Mudalige, Palitha K. Wijesinghe, Shantha R. Wijes-inghe, W. D. L Mahilal, Sumith L. Mendis and Kumara Deerasinghe.

All other posts too will be contested.

There will be a total of 84 clubs which will have two votes each, while six District Associations, (Gampaha, Colombo South, Colombo North, Kalutara, Galle) has three votes each.

The Softball Cricket Federation was suspended last August on a District Court order. The issue being voting rights. Last week, Colombo District Court issued an order clarifing the voting rights of eligible clubs and District Associations.