Access to defend Indoor Cricket title
By M.Shamil Amit
The Men's Open League Indoor Cricket tournament 2001/2002 which was scheduled
to be held on December 17 will now be held on January 7, 2002 starting
at 6.00 p.m. at the Austasia Indoor Stadium in Talawathugoda.
The tournament will be played in four divisions: The National League,
Division One, Division Two and Division Three, where 40 teams are expected
to participate. Each division will consist of ten teams.
Access Group who are the defending champions of the National League
will go all out to defend the title this year. Access Group defeated Lanka
Yalta Lions in a tight final. The Division One title went to Mabrock Tea
defeating East West Systems with Lion Brewery winning the Division Two
title beating Suntel while Harlequins won the Division Three title defeating
Sri Lankan Airlines.
There are provisions for a few more teams to participate at the above
tournament. Those interested could please contact Sachi, Thamal or Naushad
on Telephone No's 871616 or 774406.
The tournament and selection committee will be there personally right
throughout the tournament which is scheduled to end in late February to
select a national pool for the forthcoming World Cup which is to be held
in New Zealand in October 2002.
The ten teams that will fight it out in the National League are defending
champs Access Group, East West, Lion Brewery, Lanka Yalta Lions, Suntel,
E-Wis, Coats Thread Lanka, Metropolitan, Abans and LOLC.
Confirmed teams in the other three divisions are:
Division One - Lion Brewery II, S.A.G.T., Ceylinco, Lanka Bell, Nawaloka,
Mabrock Tea.
Division Two - Mobitel, Ceylon Tours, Lanka Yalta Lions II, Sri Lankan
Airlines, Expeditors, PCC Lanka, Habib Bank and Hemas.-Division Three -
Ranfer Tea, Jetwings, Akbar Bros, Phantoms, Paradigm Clothing, Airport
Aviation, Hirdramani, Bartleet, Dialog GSM and Silicon Power.
Saman, Dilshan steer Bloomfield
By Bernie Wijesekera
An unbeaten, aggressive third-wicket stand of 169 runs in 96 balls between
consistent run-getter Saman Jayatilleke (100 n.o in 96 balls, with 8 fours)
steered Bloomfield to an an emphatic 8 wickets win over Chilaw Marians
in their Premier Division limited over game at Reid Avenue yesterday.
The visitors batting first lost two wickets for 56. But a stubborn third-wicket
stand of 67 from J. Siriwardena (47 with three fours and two sixes) and
C. Sylvester (39) helped the Reid Avenue Club to beat Chilaw Marians by
six wickets.
Chilaw Marians - 201 in 49.2 overs (A. Perera 22, L. Fernando 14, J.
Siriwardena 47, C. Sylvester 39, I. Muthalif 16, R. Palliyaguru 18; K.
Lokuarachchi 3 for 33, S. Dissanayake 2 for 50).
Bloomfield - 205 for 2 in 35.5 overs (Saman Jayantha 100 n.o, T.M. Dilshan
69 n.o, Ian Daniel 11; D. Perera 2 for35)
BRC trounce Ragama
By Bruce Maurice
Helped by an unbeaten 43 from D. Hunukumbura, BRC trounced Ragama CC by
five wickets in a Premier Division Limited Over match at Havelock Park
yesterday.
Having bundled Ragama CC out for 110 in 32.2 overs, the home side reached
their target in 32.5 overs with five wickets in hand.
Ragama CC - 110 in 32.2 overs (M. Mallawaarachi 18, R. Priyadharshana
24 n.o.,I. Gallage 4 for 23, S. De Silva 2 for 12, S. Silva 2 for 25).
BRC - 111 for 5 in 32.5 overs (D. Hunukumbura 43 n.o
Samaraweera blasts 66 n.o
A whirlwind knock by Duleep Samaraweera, who smashed an unbeaten 65 off
only 85 deliveries, was the highlight of Colts CC seven wicket win over
Tamil Union at their home grounds yesterday.
Batting first, Tamil Union were dismissed for 202 in the 50th over and
Colts reached the target in 44.3 overs seven wickets in hand.
Tamil Union - 202 in 49.5 overs (I. Galagoda 21, N, Shiroman 25, A.
Riddeegammana 47, M. Gajanayaka 26, A. Pathirana 35, D. Liyanage 4 for
34, D. Hettiarachi 3 for 39, K. Weeraratne 3 for 24)
Colts CC - 204 for 3 in 44.3 overs (D. Samaraweera 65 n.o)- BM.
Thrilling win for SSC
By M.Shamil Amit
A fine knock of 71 by T.Asiri helped SSC to pull off a thrilling two wicket
win over CCC in their Premier Division 50 over League Championship cricket
match played at the CCC grounds yesterday. CCC helped by two half centuries
by Bradman Ediriweera and A. Polonowita scored a formidable 234 made in
49.2 overs. SSC in reply made 235 for 8 in 48.2 overs with T.Asiri and
Suresh Perera being the main contributors.
CCC - 234 in 49.2 overs (Bradman Ediriweera 63, A.Polonowita 71, Prasanna
Jayawardena 36; Upeka Fernando 4 for 22, Ruchira Perera 2 for 30)
SSC - 235 for 8 in 48.2 overs (T.Asiri 71, Suresh Perera 45, Tharanga
Paranavithana 28; A.Polonowita 2 for 28, S.Mudalige 2 for 55)
NCC rout Kurunegala YCC
NCC routed Kurunegala YCC by eight wickets in the Premier Division 50 over
League championship cricket match played at the NCC grounds yesterday.
Kurunegala YCC taking first lease of the wicket only managed to score
119 in 39 overs and NCC in reply made 120 for 2 in 28.2 overs with Prasad
Hewage scoring 50.
Kurunegala YCC - 119 in 39 overs (S. Madanayake 31; A.Ganegama 4 for
26, R.Pushpakumara 2 for 25)
NCC - 120 for 2 in 28.2 overs (P. Hewage 50, K.Fernando 23, N.Nawaz
42 n.o.; D.Rupasinghe 2 for 18) -MSA
Six wicket win for Panadura SC
Panadura SC registered an easy six wicket win over Air Force in their Premier
Division 50 over cricket encounter played at Katunayake yesterday. Air
Force batting first 126 in 45.4 overs and Panadura SC scored the required
runs in 32.3 overs.
Air Force - 126 in 45.4 overs (Chatu Madura 26, Ranga Dissanayake 20,
Lesley Fernando 22, A.Rizan 19; Amila Perera 4 for 29, Kapila Silva 2 for
22, Sarath Jayawardena 2 for 26)
Panadura SC - 127 for 4 in 32.3 overs (Dilruwan Perera 42, Anjula Perera
23, Roshan Wimalasena 18 n.o., Sunendra Kumara 17) -MSA
Farewell Neville Abeygunewardena
The remains of Neville Abeygunewardena, outstanding football coach, critic
and writer took place amongst a large gathering at the General Cemetery,
Borella yesterday.
I could not but think back of the deeds he has done to uplift the standard
of football. I was associated with him for a considerable period... firstly
as a player then as football reporter.
He fought with an illness for a considerable period with great determination.
It reminded me of the days when he fought tooth and nail for soccer, the
game he loved most and the game which brought him fame.
The last words I had with him rang through my mind as he was laid to
rest. "If soccer is to be redeemed in the island bring back Edward Wickremasuriya"
I am not trying to hold a candle to Wickremasuriya but the game here
needs a terrific boost. The youth are willing enough but they should be
properly guided and there will never be a coach to match Neville. Farewell
my friend. - Annesley Ferreira
Batcho all the way
Randy Batcho stamped his supremacy in real style by winning the International
Class Award in the Colombo Prokarts All Island Go Kart championship 2001.
The championship which was held over six rounds at the challenging Empire
circuit saw two other winners in Romani de Silva in the national class
and Dhanuka Nadeera in the Yamaha class.
In the international class Romani de Silva after two superb wins had
to be satisfied with the second place while 16-year-old Thomian schoolboy
Dejan de Zoysa who was driving a brand new Swiss Hutless Evolution Go Kart
could not get his Kart settings in order to match the hectic pace set by
Randy Batcho and Romani de Silva in the first four rounds. Dejan had to
be content with third place in the championship.
In the national class Niroshan Pereira improved steadily to secure second
place ahead of Randy Batcho who had persistent bad luck with his National
Kart throughout the season.
The most popular event of the championship the Yamaha class, Sampath
Karunaratne was placed second and last year's winner Zackie Ismail was
pushed back to third place.
Sashika Dias a new comer will be the driver to watch in future events.
He gave a spectacular display of kart driving in the latter part of
the championship. He is a driver who should hit the top grade very soon.
Randy Batcho driving for Colombo Prokarts with this prestigious championship
under his belt is billed to take Sri Lanka Karting to international standings
together with the dazzling and gritty driving of Romani de Silva and the
raw balance of Dejan de Zoysa and also one of the masters of karting in
Sri Lanka - Yoga Perera - who will also contribute to bring honours for
Sri Lanka in the international motor sports scene.
The Motor Racing Association (MRA) organised this championship for the
third year in succession and it was sponsored by Colombo Prokarts who are
making strong headway to promote ten new drivers for the next All Island
Go Kart championship. -MSA
Rover pinpoints...
A foreigner based in Colombo wants to promote a certain sport by spending
his own money. But there are moves by interested parties to block this
move. This gesture stands in the way of promoting this sport, which could
go a long way.
Nothing but the truth
A coach of a certain sport has been dropped to a lower position. The talk
in sporting circles is that he had been dumped because he has been talking
about the misuse of money by a higher official whilst on tour who had been
angered by this action. This official is now going all out to tarnish the
name of the coach.
On the war path
A senior cricketer with a suspect bowling action who has been sidelined
is now on the war path against his club officials for not preparing wickets
to suit his type of bowling. The bowler concerned has stated at a council
meeting that he has no coach and had walked out. The selectors should take
note of this specially since the World Cup is not so far away.
Zimbabwe crumbling
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Sri Lanka's bowlers led by their spin maestro Muttiah Muralitharan had
Zimbabwe down on their knees facing the prospect of a heavy defeat at the
end of the third day's play in the first Janashakthi National Test at the
SSC Grounds yesterday.
Facing Sri Lanka's mammoth first innings total of 586 for 6 declared,
Zimbabwe were sent crashing to 184 all out. Following on, 402 runs behind,
the tourists were 64 for 2 wickets....still needing a further 338 runs
to avoid an innings defeat.
Resuming on 14 for 1 wicket Zimbabwe needed a couple of their batsmen
to get big scores and forge productive partnerships if they were to take
the fight to the Lankans. However, sadly for the tourists, none of their
batsmen managed a sizeable scores although a few of them got off to a good
start but failed to get going.
Skipper Stuart Carlisle (10) opened the floodgates for Zimbabwe when
he edged a delivery from Vaas to be brilliantly caught by Sanath Jayasuriya
at first slip.
Opener Trevor Gripper(30), Gavin Rennie(35) and Andy Flower(42) threatened
to dominate the Lankan bowling but perished to the Lankan spinners. Gripper
and Rennine were snared up by Muralitharan while all rounder Thilan Samaraweera,
who replaced Muralitharan for a couple of overs, saw the back of Andy Flower
when the left-hander looked set to pull the tourists out of trouble. Flower
who is averaging over 50 in his 57 Tests lost his concentration suddenly
as he charged down the track to a Samaraweera delivery only to be beaten
and bowled.
Jayasuriya persisted as usual with Muralitharan from one end and switched
his medium pacers Vaas, Zoysa and Buddhika at regular intervals to rattle
the Zimbabwe batsmen. There will be no play today on account of the Poya
Holiday. Play will resume tomorrow.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka first innings 586-6 decl. (S. Jayasuriya 92, K.Sangakkara
128, H. Tillakaratne 96, T. Samaraweera 123 not out)
Zimbabwe first innings (overnight 14-1)
H.Masakadza c Tillakaratne b Zoysa 3
T.Gripper c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 30
(Attempted flick to a ball that straightened, edge to first slip)
S.Carlisle c Jayasuriya b Vaas 10
(Playing forward, outside edge to first slip)
G.Rennie lbw b Muralitharan 35
(Attempted sweep, wrapped on the back leg)
A.Flower b Samaraweera 42
(Stepped out of the crease tp drive, missed completely)
G.Flower c Tillakaratne b Muralitharan 0
(Pushing forward wrapped on bat/pad ct. at silly mid-off)
C.Wishart c Tillakaratne b Zoysa 21
(Playing back to a short pitched ball, ct. at third slip)
H.Streak not out 26
T.Friend lbw b Vaas 6
(Attempted flick on the leg side, wrapped on the pads)
G.Brent b Muralitharan 0
(Attempted drive, missed completely)
H.Olonga lbw b Fernando 4
(Playing from the crease wrapped on the pads)
Extras (lb-1, nb-6) 7
Total (all out, 79.5 overs) 184
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-29, 3-60, 4-89, 5-105, 6-146, 7-146,8-166, 9-167
Bowling: Vaas 24-6-63-2 (2nb), Zoysa 14-6-24-2 (1nb),
Muralitharan 26-8-53-4, Jayasuriya 1-0-4-0, Fernando 9.5-0-32-1(3nb),
Samaraweera 5-1-7-1.
Zimbabwe second innings (following on)
T.Gripper c Sangakkara b Muralitharan 10
(Playing back to a delivery that straightened)
H.Mazawadza c Atapattu b Muralitheran 28
(Skied the ball to mid-wicket)
S.Carlisle not out 22
T.Friend not out 00
Extras (lb-2, nb-2) 04
Total for 2 wickets in 25 overs 64
Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-58
Bowling: Vaas 7-2-29-0, Zoysa 4-1-10-0, Fernando 4-1-12-0, Muralitheran
8-7-1-2, Jayasuriya 2-1-10-0 |
