• Lankan ‘Lions’ tumble in the hills!
• Rugby Preview
  Two crackers on the card

A pathetic batting performance by the top order batsmen saw Sri Lanka succumb to a narrow 7 run defeat by South Africa in the second cricket test at the Asgiriya Stadium on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 177 runs for victory, the hosts were skittled out for 169 in the 51st over.

Despite a superb 109 run fifth wicket partnership between Arjuna Ranatunga (88) and Russel Arnold (40), the remaining five wickets fell for the addition of 39 runs, to make the three match series one all. Resuming from their overnight 192 for 8 the Proteas were dismissed for 231. Niki Boje and Paul Adams added 39 runs before Boje on 37, was well caught at short leg by substitute fielder T. Dilshan off leg spinner Upul Chandana with the total on 231. Last man Hayward was trapped leg before wicket for a duck in the fifth ball of the 94th over.

Muralitharan took three wickets while Upul Chandana and Jayasuriya shared two wickets each.

Sri Lanka, in their victory chase lost both openers without a run on the board. Marvan Atapattu, the century maker in the first innings was the first to go, leg before wicket to Pollock in the very first ball of the second innings. In the first ball of the second over, Jayasuriya parted in similar fashion caught in front off a ball which kept low.

Arnold was then joined by Mahela Jayawardena in the second over, but he too failed as in the first innings as he struggled against the African’s pace.

He was well caught by keeper Boucher off Hayward for one with the Sri Lankan total on 9.

Kumar Sangakkara, who joined Arnold didn’t last long and was the fourth batsman out with the score on 21. He attempted to on drive Kallis and only succeeded in giving Hayward a simple catch at mid off. He scored 5.

Arnold, who was running short of partners, then joined veteran Arjuna Ranatunga in an invaluable fifth wicket stand of 109. Ranatunga took the attack to the bowlers. He hit spinner Paul Adams for 14 runs in an over after lunch.

At one stage, it looked as if the hosts would reach the target without any hazzle. But there was drama in the 35th over when Arnold on 40, was ruled out lbw. Arnold’s innings consisted of five boundaries and was scored off 98 balls in 154 minutes.

Ranatunga then had a lonely battle on his hands as wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Ranatunga registered his 38th half century of his career with 10 fours which came off 36 balls.

Dharmasena departed for one run in the 38th over. He was caught by Jonty Rhodes at short leg, off Klusener.

Upul Chandana, the last of the reputed batsmen then joined Ranatunga and was involved in a 28 runs alliance for the seventh wicket.

The tired Ranatunga then went after scoring a well compiled 88. He was brilliantly caught by Rhodes off Boje after occupying the crease for 140 minutes and facing 103 balls. His innings contained 16 fours.

Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the target was further shattered when Vaas was run out for 5, when attempting to take a cheeky single.

Nuwan Zoysa who was injured and had the services of a runner, remained not out. Muralitharan was out in the second ball that he faced, caught by Boucher off Boje for a duck.

Klusener, the century maker in the first innings claimed two valuable wickets to share the "Man of the Match" award with Arjuna Ranatunga.

Nike Boje finished with figures of 3 for 24.

Scoreboard
South Africa first innings 253 (L.Klusener 118 not out, M.Boucher 60)
Sri Lanka first innings 308 (M.Atapattu 120, A.Ranatunga 54)
South Africa second innings (overnight 192 for eight)
G.Kirsten b Dharmasena 13
N.McKenzie b Zoysa 1
J.Kallis b Muralitharan 87
D.Cullinan b Muralitharan 6
J.Rhodes c Sangakkara b Jayasuriya 33
L.Klusener c Sangakkara b Jayasuriya 4
M.Boucher c Atapattu b Muralitharan 15
S.Pollock c Sangakkara b Vaas 20
N.Boje c sub (Dilshan) b Chandana 27
P.Adams not out 14
M.Hayward lbw b Chandana 0
Extras (b-7 lb-1 nb-3) 11
Total 231
Fall of wickets: 1-10 2-37 3-50 4-121 5-128 6-153 7-186 8-186 9-231
Bowling:Vaas 14-5-17-1, Zoysa 5-0-17-1, Dharmasena 16-2-47-1, Muralitharan 36-8-76-3 (3nb), Chandana 9.5-0-21-2, Jayasuriya 13-1-45-2

Sri Lanka second innings
M.Atapattu lbw b Pollock 0
S.Jayasuriya lbw b Hayward 0
R.Arnold lbw b Boje 40
M.Jayewardene c Boucher b Hayward 1
K.Sangakkara c Hayward b Kallis 5
A.Ranatunga c Rhodes b Boje 88
K.Dharmasena c Rhodes b Klusener 1
U.Chandana b Klusener 16
C.Vaas run out 5
N.Zoysa not out 2
M.Muralitharan c Boucher b Boje 0
Extras (b-1 lb-6 w-2 nb-2) 11
Total 169
Fall of wickets: 1-0 2-5 3-9 4-21 5-130 6-133 7-161 8-161 9-169
Bowling: Pollock 11-4-38-1 (1w, 2nb), Hayward 5-1-15-2, Kallis 8-1-25-1 (1w), Adams 3-1-26-0, Klusener 13-3-34-2, Boje 10.1-4-24-3.

Rugby Preview
Two crackers on the card
by Mike Andree

It’s the fifth weekend, in the second round of the ‘Caltex’ League Rugby championship and two crackerjack fixtures are down for decision on the four match card for this weekend.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Longden Place will be the scene of battle between traditional rivals Havelocks and hosts CR&FC.

Last year’s league runners up CR&FC have all that is needed to form a match winning outfit. They have the power up front and plenty of pace amongst their backs to blaze through and this should set a poser to the Havies defence.

On the other hand, Havelocks have shown a tendency to play in fits and starts, but the sight of the CR jerseys always brings on a transformation in them and they produce their very best on such an occasion. Their speedy three quarter line if fed regularly can blow holes in the CR defence which tends to be suspect under pressure.

All in all this should be a close affair giving rugby fans value for money.

On Sunday, present table leaders CH&FC will be in the hills as guests of defending champions Kandy SC at Nitawella.

This has become a much looked forward to affair over the years and one in which anything can happen. Kandy are hard to beat when playing at home, but against CH they will have to watch their step as the latter will in no way want to release their grip on the League title.

There is little to choose between the two teams as they are well matched in all departments and the only edge Kandy will have is playing at home before their own fans.

This is bound to be a real rib bruising high tension affair, the outcome of which will be a pointer to the fate of the League title.

On the same day, Navy host Police at Welisara and this should prove to be an interesting affair.

Police have been rather luckless at times and at others somewhat lethargic. There have been those instances when Police have given the big uns a fright but luck has deserted them at the last moment. On other occasions they seemed to have been playing just for the sake of doing so with no care for the result.

This game is well within their grasp provided they produce their best. They cannot afford to take chances against a Navy side that can capitalize on any mistake made by the opposition. The Navy back division could be a threat provided they have got over their tendency to hesitate and fumble.

Today, Friday, Army play host to wooden spoonists Air Force at Galle Face and should find no serious threat.