• Whatever critics say, Murali gets wickets
• Royal ruggerites take wing to Britain
• Kandy win
• Lanka to face China
• St. Michael's in tennis
• ROVER PINPOINTS...
• Royal's dream becomes a reality
• T. Perera 6 for 4 with a hat-trick
• Seminarians surprise lay schools
• Air Force beat BRC in quarter final
• Mahanama put through his paces
• Muralitharan leaps into No. 1 spot
• Aravinda surpasses all of them
• Two A Grade Lankan diving judges to officiate
• Bad weather hampers Singer cricket tour of KL
• Ashan Dias helps Maris Stella victory
• Harasgama, hockey and Sri Lanka

Whatever critics say, Murali gets wickets

Marlon Fernandopulle

When a genius appears in any sport, he makes a mockery of tactics, planning and all the other pre-match preparations that are so important and considered essential by his opponents.

So it was at The Oval last week when a sheer genius was at work, unleashing as many as 114 overs. Sri Lanka's smiling wrecker, Muttiah Muralitharan captured the sixth best bowling berth in Tests to give his country a historic victory that left the Englishmen shell shocked, unable to believe the fate that befell their team which incidentally was on the rise after a triumphant beginning this summer.

Hailed by their journalists as the dream team, and born-again team, the champagne was still flowing when Sri Lanka confronted the Englishmen at the Fosters Oval. But all too soon the froth and fizz of England's cricketing summer went flat as the 26 year old Lankan spinner weaved a magic spell that brought England down to earth.

"Murali is a genius. He is somewhat like a machine. You give him the ball and he will give you the wickets. He is hungry for wickets and always wants to take more and more", said Arjuna Ranatunga the Lankan skipper who used his off spinner intelligently.

"He is our match winning bowler. We have to use him sparingly if we are to get the maximum out of him and so I kept changing ends, giving him a breather to recharge his batteries and come back stronger. And it worked very well for us", Arjuna said.

England skipper Alec Stewart who plays alongside Pakistan off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq for Surrey was impressed with the performance of the Lankan spinner. "Saqlain is a magnificient bowler, but Murali is in a different league. He keeps the batsmen guessing all the time with his deceptive flight and exceptional turn that makes batting difficult."

Journalists in England branded the spinner as freakish, controversial, chucker, thrower, circus contortionist, Mutt etc. paying anything but respect to the world class bowler. But the spinner was the least concerned with the scribes and had the last laugh by coming up with a phenomenal performance and then answered his critics by saying "I am not worried what anyone has to say. They are open to say anything. But why all this talk only when I take wickets. I was cleared by the ICC after a big hue and cry was made in Australia. And I know that my deliveries are fair". The statement made by Murali underlined his growing confidence in facing the media who hounded the spinner soon after the Test match.

Former, England opening batsman Geof Boycott dismissed the allegations levelled at Murali. I have no problem with his action and it is sad that a losing side has complained". When asked why batsmen find it difficult to counter the spinner, the BBC commentator replied saying: "His deceptive flight and enormous turn makes it difficult for batsmen to come up to him and so find it hard to go through with the strokes."

South African Barry Richards also held the same view on Murali's action and praised the bowler for his spectacular performance in the Test match said: "I dont think there is anything illegal in his delivery. He turns the ball more than any off spinner and has a bent arm action that was scientifically proven and cleared by the ICC. He is a super bowler." When asked what made England coach David Lloyd make unwarranted statements, Barry replied promptly, nothing but disappointment, as Salisbury managed just a solitary wicket while Murali went on to take sixteen".

Barry Richards who had a short stint in Colombo with the world champs earlier this year is expected in the Island later to sharpen the skills of our batsmen.

Murali's record breaking feat also came in for high praise from the English commentary team comprising Ian Botham, Bob Willis, Michael Holding, Paul Allot, Jonathan Agnew, Colin Croft and Mark Nicholas.

Royal ruggerites take wing to Britain

By Saif Izzadeen

The Royal College rugger team will tour the United Kingdom, where they will play against teams from England, Scotland and Wales.

The team is expected to take wing to England in the first week of October. Whilst in England the team will take part in a tournament from October 3 to 14.

Royal College had a fine season this year winning the Bradby Shield against Trinity, after having lost the first leg in Colombo. They also won the Major Milroy Fernando Memorial Trophy against Isipatana and the Michael Gunaratne trophy against S. Thomas' Mt Lavinia. They were also unbeaten in the league tournament.

The team is led by Shanaka Perera and was supported to the hilt by vice captain Gemunu Dissanayake.

The Royal ruggerites were a class of their own this year. They had dazzling players such as Ravindu Atukorale, Rananjaya Gonaduwa, Pavithra Fernando, Dinesh Rahim and Kishan Samarasinghe Shanaka Perera. Ravindra Atukorale and Pavithra Fernando were selected to the Sri Lanka national rugby pool.

Speaking to The Sunday Times skipper Shanaka Perera said, "I was over the moon when I heard that our team has been invited. This is the reward for our hard work. We will do our best to bring fame and glory to the school as well as the country".

Kandy win

Kandy Sports Club (KSC) entered the semi finals of the Under 24 Inter-Club rugby tournament in grand fashion when they scored a massive 57 points (six goals and three tries) to 5 (one try) win over Old Zahirians in the last quarter final at Havelock Park yesterday. At the short whistle the winners led 36-0.

The entire game was dominated by the Hill Capital Club. The lads from Maradana were swept aside by an avalanche of tries by KSC.in the first half Kandy scored their first try through winger Sammera Silva in the seventh minute and the conversion was fluffed by Nilufer Ibrahin to give Kandy a 5-0 lead. The second try was scored by Kandy in the 10th minute through winger Radhika Hettiarachchi. The conversion was put over by Nilufer Ibrahim to give Kandy a 12-0 lead.

Referee - Shamrath Fernando. The semi final line up: CR vs CH on Tuesday (Sept. 8) and Havelocks vs Kandy on Wednesday (Sept. 9). Final on Sunday (Sept. 13). All matches will be played at Londgen Place. -SI

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