The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka » Sports http://www.sundaytimes.lk Official website of the Sunday Times Newspaper in Sri Lanka Sat, 23 Jun 2012 22:01:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 The young brigade in one voice said “Yes Sir” http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/the-young-brigade-in-one-voice-said-yes-sir-4347.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/the-young-brigade-in-one-voice-said-yes-sir-4347.html#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:37:07 +0000 ramesh http://192.168.210.154/sundaytimes/?p=4347 Well the mini and the midi stuff is over in Sri Lanka’s bilateral Future Tours Programme series against Pakistan and we have moved into the maxi-five-day stuff.Yet, looking back, especially at the five one-dayers, we must analyse the series and discuss strengths, weaknesses and ways of taking the game into the next world cup, which will take place Down Under in 2015.

The Lankan young brigade celebrating one of their victories against Pakistan in the ODI series.

We must take these as the initial steps of a rather lengthy walk ahead. This is the time where we transform the experiences and lessons of the 2011 World Cup into a new potpourri, so that we once again hit the right balance that mingles youth and experience, and a cupboard full of exposure.

It was a series that took place between two equally balanced sides, though the strengths and weaknesses came from different directions.
The Pakistani camp was spot-on with its bowling talent that had direction and application, but the batting consistency, barring Azar Ali and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, along with the fielding, needs much improvement and Whatmore.

However, it is the local camp that is our topic and the more we put it under the microscope the better it is for the health of Lankan cricket.

It was a closely-fought series, except for the first ODI, which the Lankans surrendered meekly. The second game, the Lankans ruled the roost and the third game was lost to rain. The two final games were on an even keel and only a sudden jolt swerved the game into one camp’s lap which incidentally happened to be the hosts.

The Lankans, who ended up with their heads held high after ending up as World Cup runners-up, hit a bad patch for a while but had a resurgence in Australia. They took on the hosts and India in a triangular and ended up as the losing finalists once again – but we take that as an achievement because the Lankans were playing two of the best ODI teams in the world.

However the Sri Lankan fortunes reversed at the Asia Cup where they lost even to Bangladesh. Taking that as a yardstick this series was a good eye-opener because during this series the younger brood stepped forward and wanted to be counted.

That important fact should be counted as the most noteworthy discovery in this exercise against Pakistan. What transpired there will be spoken of during many a moon to come.

In the first game, young left hander Lahiru Thirimanne held the innings together in spite of the big guns going silent early in the innings and made the visitors score 140+ to win that game with his own knock of 42 not out.

Though in the second game experienced T.M. Dilshan came up with a well-calculated ‘ton’ to prop the Lankan innings, it was the effort of fledgling allrounder Thisara Perera that stunned Pakistan. First he hit a brisk 24 not out in 14 balls and then followed it up with his career best 6 for 44, which now stands as the best effort by a Lankan against their sub-continental neighbour.

The third game was buried in a watery grave and the fourth was left out for contention. While the Lankans were at the crease it was their senior duo of Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara who showed the visitors who the masters were. Yet, the game gradually began to drift towards the opposing camp as Azad Ali once again put up steady resistance, along with his skipper Misbah-ul-Haq. When the Pakistan batting power play was called for, with a manageable number of required runs per over and with all the wickets in the world to follow, the game was all but over.

Then came that jack-in-the-box sliding catch by Nuwan Kulasekera at mid-off as Pakistani skipper Misbah-ul-Haq went for a lofted drive against Lasith Malinga, and young Thisara Perera then took the initiative to turn the game on its head with a hat-trick a four-wicket haul. From a very unlikely position, the Lankans romped home to a memorable 44 run win.

Though there would be only one clear winner in the series, Pakistan had the chance of salvaging their pride if they had won the fifth game. Unlike in the previous game, Pakistan won the toss, elected to bat and put 247 runs on the board.

The game moved like a carbon copy of game number four. With a similar number of runs on the board, the Lankans had two early wickets in the fourth match before Azad Ali and Misbah dug themselves in during the previous game. In the final game it was just the same. Left arm seamer Sohail Tanvir had accounted for both openers T.M. Dilshan and Upul Tharanga with only nineteen runs on the board.

Like Azar and Misbah did in the game before, Kumar Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal set up camp at the crease. When the innings was progressive it was nice to see how Sangakkara from the other end was nurturing young Chandimal’s innings. Chandimal, who had never scored more than 32 runs on home soil, went on to post his first half century. Prior to that something similar to the Pakistani innings in the previous game occurred in the Lankan innings too. After posting a self-assuring 78-run stand for the third wicket, Sangakkara was out after making 40 runs. And in the very next ball as Afridi walked back in the previous game, Mahela Jayawardena walked back after scooping a return catch to Afridi, who was operating at that time.

Though the Lankan senior brigade was back in the shack with only 97 runs on the board, this was the end of the similarity of the two innings between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the last two matches. Now it was the turn of the Lankan young brigade to show their maturity and mettle. Building the rest of the innings around vice captain Angelo Mathews they worked sensibly and achieved a feat that looked almost impossible through most parts of the game.

In the overall picture the Lankan bowlers, though not as versatile as the Pakistani composition, kept to the right areas and the fielders backed their bowlers with good catching and fielding – the hallmark of a youthful side. In the present Lankan team, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Thisara Perera, though well set in the side, are yet in their early twenties. Upul Tharanga Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga and Jeewan Mendis are in the latter part of the twenties, with Mendis at 29 being the oldest.

These seven players definitely could form the nucleus of Lankan fortunes during the next four years. To sustain the adrenaline in the setup, the experience of Sangakkara, Jayawardena, Dilshan and Rangana Herath could be harnessed and used with care.
Though the domestic standards are still low and the schools system is rotten, it shows that Sri Lanka still keeps pumping talent into the national grid. Good for now, but what do we have for the future?

]]> http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/the-young-brigade-in-one-voice-said-yes-sir-4347.html/feed 0 I had no problem with the players says Bradby referee Cader http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/i-had-no-problem-with-the-players-says-bradby-referee-cader-4344.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/i-had-no-problem-with-the-players-says-bradby-referee-cader-4344.html#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:35:09 +0000 ramesh http://192.168.210.154/sundaytimes/?p=4344 The ugly incident which nearly had the first leg of the 68th Bradby Shield rugby game between Royal and Trinity at the Royal Complex called off last week after a spectator invasion has cast a pall of gloom on the game itself.According to referee Irshad Cader who handled the game where Royal conceded a 23 point margin, the players, both Royal and Trinity, behaved exceedingly well.

Irshad Cader officiating the first leg of the Royal-Trinity rugby game at the Royal Complex last Saturday which Trinity won 34-11.

Describing the incident that sparked off crowd invasion, Cader, an ex Kingswoodian and Air Force ruggerite said that it was an assistant referee (touch judge) who pointed out a serious infringement to him. He said that a Royal player was hit on the head by a Trinity player which made me show him the ‘yellow card’ and send him off the field. The Trinity player involved accepted his fault. It was then that water bottles were thrown on the ground. A section of the crowd invaded the playing area and there were many ugly incidents.”

He said the Trinity Principal (Brig, Udaya Ariyaratne) also came on to the field and asked me to be fair and said “hariyata blow karanna one” (to be fair and officiate properly). There were many ugly incidents – they should know how to behave at a match,” he added.
Referee Cader is an Asian Rugby Panel referee having officiated in the Asian Five Nations and also blown at the Dubai Sevens. “It was a great honour bestowed on me to officiate at the Bradby,” he said.

According to Cader he has submitted the Referees Report to the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union Referees Society but refused to comment on it.

]]> http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/i-had-no-problem-with-the-players-says-bradby-referee-cader-4344.html/feed 0 Sanga symphony misses one note http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/sanga-symphony-misses-one-note-4339.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/sanga-symphony-misses-one-note-4339.html#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:33:10 +0000 ramesh http://192.168.210.154/sundaytimes/?p=4339

Lankans celebrating a dismissal.

Three hundred runs in the bank on day one, and Sangakkara (111) and Jayawardena (55) the not out batsman, one expected a slight acceleration when play resumed. Sangakkara was the chief offender, striking his first boundary after fifty minutes. He followed up with a similarly swept four in the same over.

Umar Gul was the main spoiler, with a restrictive seven over spell that cost 16 runs. He was accurate with his off stump line, bowled at a brisk pace and got a few to sit up.Mahela had moved to 62 with a reverse sweep for four off Ajmal. But then he got a tad over confident and tried to take the off spinner from outside off, to deep midwicket. It’s a shot he plays with success maybe eight times out of ten. But not today.

Having played a few aggressive shots, Sangakkara reverted to his more solid role. In the mean-time, there had been two strikes of summer lightning. Samaraweera was stretched forward by a perfect Doosra from Ajmal and the nimble Adnan did the trick. Next, the five day-old hero was gone first ball. Ajmal made him reach out to that delivery, which he did, bat far in advance of the pad. This was another five for to Ajmal.

Prasanna Jayawardena and Sangakkara featured in a liaison of 80 runs for the sixth wicket. The stand was dominated by the stumper who made 48. By dint of perseverance and talent, Prasanna now represents solidity and aggression. A vital number seven indeed!
Sangakkara went on and on, only hurrying when he sensed that he maybe left behind. His drives through the covers were well controlled. Occasionally he switched to the other side for a boundary or two. It was only at the far end of his innings that he put the ball in the air. In the 190s he sensed that time was running out and lofted Hafeez straight back. Hafeez back-pedaled and tried to get under it, without avail. In the next over, Pradeep was out and he was left high and dry. It was his second score in the 190s.

A defiant, tentative Pakistan side had a few nightmares in the 24 overs they faced. They lost wickets because of their timing, and at the end of the day, they were 135 runs short of avoiding the follow on.

If they don’t show some well-chosen aggression, it might be an early finish.

]]> http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/sanga-symphony-misses-one-note-4339.html/feed 0 Kingswood conquer Science in close game http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/kingswood-conquer-science-in-close-game-4332.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/kingswood-conquer-science-in-close-game-4332.html#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:29:36 +0000 ramesh http://192.168.210.154/sundaytimes/?p=4332

Tharindu Kaushal

In a bitterly-contested encounter between two teams that were equally matched in offence and defence, Kingswood College was able to eke out a 16 (1 goal, 2 penalties, 1 drop goal)-10 (1 goal, 1 penalty) victory over Science College, during the final game of the school rugby season, at the Bogambara grounds yesterday.

Kingswood took the early initiative with well-measured runs into the Science half and was able to secure good positions from which to attack. Their incursions into enemy territory proved fruitful when Flanker Tharindu Wijesinghe slotted through a penalty and Prop Forward Nisal Perera thumped in a drop goal to make it 6-0 at the half.

Science though found their footing in the second half and stormed back through the boot of Fly Half Chathura Gomez, who put his side on the board with a penalty.� They then snatched the lead through a brilliant sequence of play when No. 8 Kanchana Lakshitha went over the line for a try. Gomez was once again amongst the scoring when he put over the conversion. However, the pendulum swung for the last time when Perera scrambled over the line for a try which was converted by Wijesinghe, to give Kingswood a much deserved win.���� ������������ – DS

]]> http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/kingswood-conquer-science-in-close-game-4332.html/feed 0 Inquiry over age dispute http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/inquiry-over-age-dispute-4330.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/inquiry-over-age-dispute-4330.html#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:29:04 +0000 ramesh http://192.168.210.154/sundaytimes/?p=4330 A complaint lodged by Isipathana College against the Vidyartha College rugby side, alleging that they fielded four over-aged players in a game between the two schools, is due to be examined at an inquiry held by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Assocation (SLSRFA) on Tuesday, the sports body’s Secretary, Susantha Mendis stated.

If Vidyartha is found guilty the match, which ended 19-19, will be awarded to Isipathana, giving them an opportunity to win the league championship. However, Vidyartha College Coach Anil Jayasinghe stressed that the school has nothing to hide.
“They can make any allegation they want but we have the documentation to prove that we have done nothing wrong. How come they are all of a sudden saying this after nearly one and a half months?” Jayasinghe said.

Mendis too asserted that Vidyartha officials were in possession of all the relevant documents required to disprove any allegation against the team. – DS

]]> http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/inquiry-over-age-dispute-4330.html/feed 0 Trinity smash DSS http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/trinity-smash-dss-4327.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/trinity-smash-dss-4327.html#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:28:32 +0000 ramesh http://192.168.210.154/sundaytimes/?p=4327 Trinity put up a dominant performance against D.S. Senanayake to record a smashing 76-5 win and emerge champions of the Under-20 Schools League Division I A rugby tournament at Pallekele yesterday. The unstoppable Trinity achieved their title winning feat off 14 tries and three conversions while D.S. Senanayake was restricted to a first half try. Knowing of their only opportunity in many years for a league title shot Trinity were adamant to score as much as possible aiming at bonus points in addition to a comprehensive win which they achieved in style against a hapless opponent. Of the try tally, skipper and centre Kaneel Seneviratne shone out with four tries while their Bradby first leg hero Dharshana Udulagama and deputy skipper Thisila Karunatilake made hat-tricks. Overall the Trinitians put a memorable end to their league campaign this season by coming out from their only defeat at the hands of St. Peter’s.

The game kicked off giving Trinity the early lead when centre Karunatilake went over to open the try spree. Centre and skipper Seneviratne followed next with a brilliant punt as Karunatilake made his second successful attempt with another try. Then came winger Udulagama into action with a dazzling three-quarter move. Udulagama completed his hat-trick by scoring twice successively soon after. By this phase the D.S. Senanayake lads were torn apart but in a sudden change of events they managed to score their solitary try off winger Rashmika Ranasinghe who scored far left. Trinity No.8 Randika Alwis acted swiftly to add their seventh try before Karunatilake completed his hat-trick followed by a try off fly half Tharinda Ratwatte before the short whistle. With the three conversions made by Ratwatte Trinity took a inaccessible lead by 51-5.

After the turnaround Trinity went on to add 25 more points through five unconverted tries. The first two of the tries were landed by skipper Seneviratne while replacement flanker Aaquif Zarooj took the opportunity to score a peach of a try. Seneviratne then scored his fourth try of the game, completing a memorable season while winger Dureka Aluvihare made the finishing touches. Against Trinity, D.S. Senanayake experienced their ninth consecutive defeat as they are destined to walk back to the lower group next season.

]]> http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/trinity-smash-dss-4327.html/feed 0 Player contracts still a subject of debate http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/player-contracts-still-a-subject-of-debate-4322.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/player-contracts-still-a-subject-of-debate-4322.html#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:27:47 +0000 ramesh http://192.168.210.154/sundaytimes/?p=4322

Now Dilshan wants to quit Test cricket.

Although the Minister of Sports expressed his dissatisfaction over the delay by Sri Lanka Cricket authorities in getting national cricketers to sign their central contracts, SLC has still not been able to do so.Initially it was said that the cricketers would sign their contracts after the five ODIs, but now it seems that the authorities have hit a new song.

When asked about the delay, a SLC high ranker said, “In all probability the cricketers will sign their contracts after the series against Pakistan. As they have already signed the tour contract and the cricketers are bound by us, we cannot sign another contract over it.”
However it is interesting to see if former skipper T.M. Dilshan, who has gone on record saying that he intends to retire from Test cricket probably after Sri Lanka’s Test against New Zealand in November, would also be placed on a partial contract like Lasith Malinga.
Though the cricketers are placed on a certain pedestal they would be paid only a certain percentage of their contract fee if they retire from a certain segment of the game. For instance, Lasith Malinga (if he signs this year’s contract) would be paid only 40% of his contact fee as he has retired from Test cricket.

It is understood that Dilshan has already had a verbal discussion with the selectors about his impending retirement. An SLC spokesman said, “Anyway cricketers have to give three months notice if they are to change their status in the contract, but so far Dilshan has not intimated anything officially to Sri Lanka Cricket.

“The last central contract expired in March and from that point onwards the Cricketers Association and the senior players are in negotiation,” the spokesman said in conclusion.

]]> http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/player-contracts-still-a-subject-of-debate-4322.html/feed 0 Let us gratefully remember those referees http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/let-us-gratefully-remember-those-referees-4312.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/let-us-gratefully-remember-those-referees-4312.html#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:24:49 +0000 ramesh http://192.168.210.154/sundaytimes/?p=4312 Football referees the world over, perform a thankless task. Ours is no exception, for many have shed their flesh and blood to keep the game in all its splendour. These law enforcement officers have steadfastly upheld the ideals of sportsmanship, and timeand again performed their duty without fear or favour.

Winning has become a habit off lately for Thangaraja.

Football in this country would never have survived leave alone development or been promoted, if not for the extremely vital role played by the referees. Amidst the most volatile situations and trying conditions, these men in the black garb have had to face the several odds, which none else in the game had ever encountered. Undismayed and undaunted, they have at all times placed the sport above their physical and personal interests.

To recognise when a player is feigning injury, or is trying to exaggerate the gravity of an injury, or still, trying to grab an undue advantage through unfair means, the referee necessarily must possess a degree of alertness, observance, vigilance, promptness and above all prudence and tact, which calls for a great deal of personal discipline.

We in this country have been fortunate to possess a good number of quality referees down the years, and as a result, the sports has been kept comparatively clean and healthy, to what we see and hear in European and or Latin American football.

We had referees who were not only knowledgeable of the laws of the game but unquestionable men of integrity, independence and un-attachment, they command a high degree of faith and respect in the public eye. They realise that they are a sort of judges in the field who import justice without fear and favour. A few such referees to mention are L. Prestonjee, K. Abeysinghe, B.M. Mantara, B.H.M. Preena and T.B. Bongso.

I am proud to mention some reputed and smart referees in the calibre of T. Perimpanayam, C.S. Fernando, M.T. Fernando, E.S. Chellathamby, Basil Jayawardena, M.T.A. Ossen, A. Ganeshalingam, M.A. Sheriff, B. Ariyanayagam, Henly Perera, P. Rajaratnam, M. Buhary, Melder and H.K. Gnanasena followed by M.T. Ousman, A.H.S.M. Uvais, Mushin Ariff, Sunil Senaweera, N. Wickamatunga, R.A. Mahatun, A.M. Yapa, Deshapriya and to name a few who in their days gave their best for the glory of the sport.

Selfless services rendered by these referees under great stress and strain it is indeed praiseworthy. A grateful nation will always remember their contribution towards the game to maintain discipline, law and order in the field.

]]> http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/let-us-gratefully-remember-those-referees-4312.html/feed 0 Bradby 1st leg incident through a referee’s eye http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/bradby-1st-leg-incident-through-a-referees-eye-4306.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/bradby-1st-leg-incident-through-a-referees-eye-4306.html#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:22:19 +0000 ramesh http://192.168.210.154/sundaytimes/?p=4306 The Royal-Trinity rugby game known as the “Bradby” boasts of a rich history that brags of great tradition.� This year the “blue ribbon” of school rugby was garlanded with unruly behaviour as spectators walked into the field of play and behaved intimidatingly.� The ugly protest was because the referee sent off a player for kicking a man on the ground.� Stamping a player is a red card offence as specified in the guidelines of the IRB and explained using a video clip. The match was stopped due to the invasion and recommenced after the Principal of Trinity came onto the field and spoke to the referee and� the trespassers.

Referee Irshad Cader being escorted out of the Royal College Sports Complex field by Police personnel after the Bradby first leg last weekend. - Pic by Mangala Weerasekara

Going on air on a popular local radio channel, Nigel Footie the Trinity Coach did not grumble about the penalties and said that he accepted the decisions. The characteristics of a good coach are to guide his athletes to better performance without shielding them and blaming others. The pressure that was brought on was such that the game ultimately suffered.�� In an environment where people will resort to any means to achieve their ends it is not uncommon to see behaviour that is distasteful. Pressurizing a referee before a match has been a tactic that has been adopted by many and it is not something that came in recently. Many are guilty today of going overboard in their attempts. The most disgusting incident occured when a parent of a player� twice visited the parents of a referee in the company of a local goon.

People talk of a request that was addressed to Royal to agree to bring in a referee from overseas. This match to my knowledge was a schools tournament fixture and the Schools Rugby Football Association is the match organizer and referees are appointed at their request. The request should have been discussed by their tournament committee according to whose rules the tournament is run. Royal happens to be the host and it so happens that this match is also the�� Bradby.� School tournaments involve around 250 matches and there are 45 matches in Division 1. What about the other schools who may make similar requests?

The match itself has taken second place in this scenario and the competition was hindered as Royal seemed broken following the fracas.� The story built by some is that this action was planned to exert pressure. This brings us to the issue of an ugly precedence that may be followed by others. The situation is even worse� because people well known in society, and from a school that is expected to lead by example and not through force and intimidation, were involved.

Royal seemed pale as Trinity got off the blocks 13 points to 8 in the first half which included a chase that may have been from an offside position. It was a well coached move to get the better of the referee taking the charge from around the base. When Royal got into gear it was around thirty minutes into the first half and the pressure in their half made Trinity make mistakes.� These included being caught offside, not staying on their feet and collapsing. These are the results of increased anxiety which in turn causes a physiological response. The common area of response that was negative was around the tackle ruck and maul.�� Research strongly indicates that instances of frustration during competition will inhibit the “decision-making process” of the players which is also a critical factor in refereeing.� The arousal of anxiety leads players to make mistakes which may even lead to physical abuse, such as what happened when the player on the ground was kicked. Secondly, players may react to spectator jeering at decisions being made against one side and conclude from the spectator dissatisfaction that the referee is inconsistent. The behaviour of the so called elite was not the best example for players or rugby in general.

Going back to the match, I could not understand why Royal did not ram into the Trinity back division without continuing to hit close to the base. The match did have a lot of ball in play despite the breakdown and would have been better, if the adults allowed the boys to play rugby than acting like the Grand Protectors of Decency.

The match had 77 breakdowns of which 28 were scrums (8 in first half) and 23 line outs, 24 penalties and free kicks and included 17 at the tackle, ruck and maul. At the last Junior World Cup the average number of penalties were 21 and 47 % were at the tackle, ruck and maul and the scrums were 23 and 22 line outs. What was wrong besides a false perception leading to incorrect conclusions.
The cry that referees are incompetent requires positive action of joining the breed and contributing with the ample knowledge people boast of possessing. Can you count the numbers of the all knowledgeable who have taken to the whistle compared to the era most like to talk about?

Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB

]]> http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/bradby-1st-leg-incident-through-a-referees-eye-4306.html/feed 0 Pubudu slams career best knock of 166 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/pubudu-slams-career-best-knock-of-166-4289.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/sports/pubudu-slams-career-best-knock-of-166-4289.html#comments Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:18:36 +0000 ramesh http://192.168.210.154/sundaytimes/?p=4289 Right arm spinner Shehan Jayasuriya in action against Bloomfield at Braybrooke Place.-Picture by Ranjith Perera.Leo CC skipper Pubudu Asanka slammed a career best 166 which helped Leo CC to come on top against Chilaw Marians at the end of the second day’s play in their Under 23 inter-club cricket encounter at the Panadura Esplanade.Pubudu’s knock comprised 16 boundaries and three sixes as he along with Janishka Premasinghe who made a knock of 78 with nine boundaries put on a valuable 106 runs stand for the fifth wicket enabling Leo CC resuming from their overnight score of 126 for 4 make a formidable score of 409.

The opening days play saw right arm pacie Krishan Dinidu and left arm spinner Thenuka Dhananjaya wrecking the Chilaw Marians batting. The duo shared nine wickets between them to bundle them out for 116. Chilaw Marians batting the second time with a deficit of 293 runs were 84 for no loss when bad light stopped play.

Right arm spinner Shehan Jayasuriya continued his all round performance when he grabbed four wickets to help Moors come out on top against Bloomfield in the match played at Braybrooke Place.Bloomfield who were in a strong position of 95 for 1 on day one was in a spot of bother as Shehan who ended up with figures of 4 for 42 restricted them to a score of 189.

This was in reply to Moors score of 273 and Moors batting the second time ended the day on 187 for 4.A stand of 76 runs stand for the third wicket between Angelo Emmanuel and Prabodha Arthavidu could not prevent from Air Force go conceding a first inning lead to Colts at the Colts ground.

Air Force resuming on their overnight score of 66 for 2 were bowled out for 208 in reply to Colts score of 231. Colts were 68 for 3 in their second innings.Ragama CC has already secured a first inning lead over Navy in the match played at Welisara. Ragama CC after making a score of 213 fought back to restrict Navy who resumed from their overnight score of 64 for 4 to a score of 151 with Lahiru Jayaratne doing the damage.

The highlight of the match was the twin half tons scored by Rumesh Buddika who made 83 and 82 in Ragama CC’s second innings score of 231 for 4. BRC too managed to obtain a close first innings lead over Tamil Union when played stopped for lunch in the match played at the P. Sara Stadium. BRC resuming from their overnight score of 117 for 4 went on to make 184 in reply to home sides score of 173.
At Panadura

Chilaw Marians 116 (Prasansana Jayamanne 31, Ramindu Lakshan 24: Krishan Dinidu 5 for 38, Thenuka Dhananjaya 4 for 16) and 84 for no loss (Waqas Barkath 46 n.o., Shihan Jainudeen 32 n.o.)

Leo CC (126/4 overnight) 409 (Pubudu Asanka 166, Janishka Premasinghe 78, Mohamed Fazil 39, Kavindu Ashan 28, Malin Kumara 18, Ruchira Tharindra 16, Thenuka Dhananjaya 32 n.o.: Prasansana Jayamanne 3 for 77, Lahiru Sangeeth 3 for 112)
At Braybrooke Place.

Moors 273 (Lasith Abeyratne 51, Shehan Jayasuriya 34, Imras Rafi 31: Koshan Dhanushka 4 for 81, Ruvindu Shamen 2 for 16, Asantha Singappuli 2 for 31) and 187 for 4 (Shehan Jayasuriya 45, Ashan Priyanjan 88 n.o.: Ramith Rambukwella 3 for 63)
Bloomfield (95/1 overnight) 189 (Koshan Dhanushka 59, Nipun Karunanayake 40: Shehan Jayasuriya 4 for 42, Maduka Liyanapathirana 3 for 31)

At Colts
Colts 231 (Chathuranga Kumara 69, Shihan Kamileen 58, Hasitha Wickramasinghe 48: T. Nadeera 3 for 24, Sohan Rangika 2 for 24, Buddika Sandaruwan 2 for 43) and 68 for 3 (Shihan Kamileen 25 n.o.)

Air Force (66/2 overnight) 208 (Angelo Emmanuel 57, Prabodha Arthavidu 44, Shanaka Salinda 44, Wishwa Kanchuka 18: Akila Dhananjaya 5 for 52, Dilanka Auwardt 3 for 59)

At Welisara
Ragama CC 213 (Rumesh Buddika 83, Charith Fernando 30: Dulanjana Mendis 3 for 56, Chanaka Ruwansiri 2 for 27, Sujeewa Liyanage 2 for 39) and 231 for 4 (Rumesh Buddika 82, Shivanga Ranasuriya 68, Kaushalya Gajasinghe 21 n.o., Lahiru Milantha 19 n.o.: Dulajana Mendis 2 for 37)

Navy (64/4 overnight) 151 (Chanaka Ruwansiri 24, Dilan Chandima 20, Dulanjana Mendis 19, Yoshan Kumara 49 n.o.: Lahiru Jayaratne 6 for 63, Kaushalya Gajasinghe 4 for 38)

At P. Sara Stadium
Tamil Union 173 (Denuwan Rajakaruna 48, Chathuranga de Silva 18, Sunimal Dissanayake 37 n.o.: Daniel Bartholemeusz 5 for 38, Yasitha Abeykoon 2 for 17, Nalin Priyadarshana 2 for 27) and 127 for 4 (Kithruwan Withanage 39, Ashen Silva 32, Denuwan Rajakaruna 20, Ramesh Lakshitha 27 n.o.)

BRC (117/4 overnight) 184 (Madushan Ravichandrakumar 59, Yasitha Abeykoon 33, Hasitha Lakshan 22, Pranama Sri Vimukthi 19: Chathuranga de Silva 4 for 42, Ashen Silva 2 for 21)

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