Sports Plus
23rd January 2000

Front Page|
News/Comment|
Editorial/Opinion| Plus| Business|
Sports| Mirror Magazine

The Sunday Times on the Web

Line

Ramesh, a frontline player for Catford

By Bernie Wijesekera

Ramesh de Silva one of the finest all-rounders in school cricket whilst playing for Royal is still a frontline player playing for Catford Cyphers in London.

Now domiciled in England with his family, de Silva has not lost his touch with the willow-wielding sport as an all-rounder. Despite years rolling by, Ramesh the gritty all-rounder has been in the forefront for the success of Catford Cyphers for the past 12 years and was adjudged the 'Man of the Club' year after year.

His consistency with both bat and ball - averaging around 60 runs and his flippers (leg-spin) has earned him four wickets per match - the mainspring for his team's success story.

De Silva, now turning 40, fit and wiry could still turn out for any club in Sri Lanka with his abundant experience.

With his charming ways he is a popular member of the Cyphers' team. Whilst at Royal he stood out as a dandy all-rounder along with Haroon Musafer, Sundath Pasqual, Asantha de Mel, Ranjan Madugalle, Rohan Jayasekera etc. He was also a member of Royal's Centenary match team against S. Thomas' team in 1979. Ramesh, too had to face setbacks in his career, but took it in the correct spirit. As a player he always believed that the success of the team took pride of place than his personal glory. This is what this gentlemen's game is all about. Apparently none of his compatriots be it at his old school or otherwise are involved in any competitive cricket in his age group.

Ramesh always believed in fitness and indulged in squash at the Gymkhana Club. Eventually winning the national title in 1985, he migrated to England, to pursue his studies and eventually settling down.

As a schoolboy Ramesh, too was coached by the Leicestershire professional Stanley Jayasinghe along with the likes of H. Musafer, Roshan Jurangpathy, Gehan Mallawaratchie etc. They made an impact at school and club cricket.

De Silva's elder brother Ray de Silva, too was an outstanding sportsman with a different flavour. Ray, was a wicketkeeper batsman, and a nippy fly-half too. Ray, played circket along with the likes of Bandula Warnapura for the CCC and rugby for the CR & FC in the top division.

Ramesh was here on a short holiday recently. Both are professionals in their own way. Ramesh, is an accountant and Ray is a senior director in the tea trade.


Kalutara Dist. to honour cricketers

The Kalutara District Cricket Asosciation will felicitate ten cricketers who have done their association proud by representing Sri Lanka and schools today (Sunday January 23).

This ceremony will be held at the Kalutara Town Hall at 4.30p.m. under the patronage of Tudor Dayaratne, the Minister of Transport, Highways, Samurdi Youth Affairs, Sports and Women's Affairs of the Western Province.

Following is a brief write-up of the cricketers to be hounoured today:

S.Don Anurasiri. (Left Arm Leg Spinner); Born : 25 February 1966 at Panadrura; Debut: 1985; School Sri Sumangala MV, Panadura; Club : Panadura SC; Tests : 18 (91 runs, 41 wickets); ODI's : 45 (62 runs, 32 wickets).

Duleep Liyanage - (Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler) ; Born : 6 June 1972 at Kalutara; Debut : 1992; School : Kalutara Vidyalaya; Clubs : Kalutara PCC, Colts; Tests : 8 (66 runs, 17 wickets); ODI: 15 (142 runs, 9 wickets).

Ravindra Pushpakumara - (Right Arm Medium Fast Bolwer); Born : 21 July 1976 at Panadura; Debut : 1994; School : St John's College, Panadura ; Clubs : Panadura SC, NCC; Tests : 19 (100 runs, 52 wickets); ODI: 31 (36 runs, 24 wickets).

Jayantha Silva - (Left Arm Leg Spinner) ; Born : 2nd June 1973; Debut : 1995; School : Holy Cross College, Kalutara; Clubs : Kalutara PCC, SSC; Tests : 7 (6 runs, 20 wickets); ODI: 1 (1 run, 0 wickets).

Sajeewa De Silva - (Left Arm Medium Fast Bowler); Born : 11 January 1971 at Kalutara; Debut: 1996; Schools : St. John's College, Panadura, St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa; Clubs : Navy, Sebastianites, NCC, BRC; Tests : 8 (65 runs, 16 wickets); ODI's : 37 (38 runs, 50 wickets).

Malinga Bandara - (Right Arm Leg Spinner) ; Born: 31 December 1979 at Kalutara; Debut : 1998; School: Kalutara Vidyalaya; Clubs : Kalutara TC, NCC; Tests : 1 (0 run, 0 wickets).

Chamara Silva - (Right Hand Bastman) ; Born : 14 December 1979 at Panadura; Debut : 1999; School : Royal MV., Panadura; Clubs : Panadura SC; ODI's : 7 (85 runs).

Indika Gallage - (Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler); Born : 22 November 1975 at at Panadura; Debut : 1999; School : Sri Sumangala MV, Panadura; Clubs: Panadura SC, CCC; Tests:1 (3 runs 0 Wicket) ODI's : 1 (14 runs 0 Wickets).

T.M. Dilshan - (Right Hand Bastman / Wicket Keeper); Born : 14 October 1976 at Kalutara; Debut : 1999; School : Kalutara Vidyalaya; Clubs : Kalutara PCC, Kalutara TC, Panadura SC; Singha SC, Sebastianites C & AC; Test : 3 (209 runs); ODI's : 5 (141 runs).

Gamini Wickramasinghe - (Right Hand Bastman / Wicket Keeper); Born : 27 December 1965 at Kalutara; Debut : 1992; Schools: St. John's College, Panadura, Nananda College, Colombo; Clubs : Bloomfield, C & AC, NCC; Tests : 3 (17 runs); ODI's : 4 (2 runs).


Montjeu and Daylami ranked world's best

Champions Montjeu and Daylami share the title of the world's top flat racehorsess in the 1999 International Classifications announced on Tuesday.

A nine-country panel of experts could not separate dual Derby winner Montjeu and the brilliant globetrotting grey Daylami, ranking them both at 135.

Only Generous and Suave Dancer (137 and 136 respectively in 1991) and Peintre Celebre (137 in 1997) have been rated finer European champions over the last decade.

Daylami plundered midsummer wins in Epsom's Coronation Cup, Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and Leopardstown's Irish Champion Stakes before closing his career with a glorious Breeders' Cup triumph in Florida.

"His remarkable consistency and durability have been a feature of the season as has the courageous way in which he has been campaigned," said chief handicapper Geoffrey Gibbs.

The five-year-old Godolphin star was foiled only by heavy ground in Longchamp's Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe - the race where Montjeu clinched his lofty rating by dramatically hauling back Japan's El Condor Pasa in the dying strides.

El Condor Pasa was given a 134 rating, easily the highest rated Japanese thoroughbred.

Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Artax was named champion U.S. horse on 130, ahead of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Charismatic who was denied the chance to improve on a 125 rating by a career-ending injury in the Belmont Stakes.

Montjeu, who will stay in training this year, had already stamped himself as a champion three-year-old with sparkling wins in the French and Irish Derbies. Defeat in the Japan Cup where he finished fourth was put down by trainer John Hammond to the long trip from France. Montjeu was well clear of Europe's next best three-year-olds - Godolphin's Dubai Millennium and France's Sendawar, top milers on 127, the same rating as Aidan O'Brien's champion European sprinter Stravinsky.

English classic winners fared badly. Oath was given just 123 as he failed to score again after his Epsom Derby success, while Oaks heroine Ramruma scored only 119.

O'Brien also trained Europe's top-ranking two year-old, unbeaten Phoenix Stakes and Prix Morny winner Fasliyev (125) but a pastern fracture means racing fans will not have the chance to watch the colt go for this year's classics.

Following are the leading 1999 International classifications (country where trained in brackets, *signifies rating achieved on dirt):


RATINGS

Four-year-olds and upwards

135 Daylami (Britain)

134 El Condor Pasa (Japan)

132 Royal Anthem (Britain/U.S.)

130 Artax* (U.S.)

127 Victory Gallop* (U.S.)

126 Behrens* (U.S.) Croco Rouge (France)

Three-year-olds

135 Montjeu (France)

127 Dubai Millennium (Britain)

Sendawar (France)

Stravinsky (Ireland)

125 Charismatic* (U.S.)

124 Cat Thief* (U.S.)

Lemon Drop Kid* (U.S.)

Silverbulletday* (U.S.)

Two-year-olds

125 Fasliyev (Ireland)

120 Distant Music (Britain)

120 Giant's Causeway (Ireland)

119 City On A Hill (France)

118 Primo Valentino (Britain)

118 Rossini (Ireland)


No Sports Officers in Kalutara

By H.P.P. Perera

The Sports activities of Kalutara District have been disrupted in the year 2000, as there were shortage of sports officers of the six secretariat divisions among eleven divisions. It was revealed at the sports committee conference held at Kalutara Secretariat, that, there are no sports officers at Beruwala, Agalawatta, Madurawale, Iodangoda divisional secretariat divisions. Millaniya and Palinda Nuwara divisional secretariat divisions were set up recently but no sports officers have been appointed for the two divisions. It is high time that the authorities concerned take action as sports is vital for the youth in the area specially at a time when a sport such as cricket has brought honour to the country.


Marshall, the great fast bowler

Malcolm Marshall one of Test cricket's greatest pace bowlers, was the scourge of the colon at Bridgetown on November 4. Several former mates, including Desmond Haynes, were by Macco's bedside when the end came. He was 41.

Ironically, Marshall would not have got his chance in the West Indies team had Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Colin Croft, Joel Garner and Wayne Daniel not been signed by Kerry Packer.

For two or three years he was the sixth or seventh choice, along with Sylvester Clarke, since his debut series against India in 1978-79 yielded only three for 265 runs.

But when the 'big boys' returned, Marshall took only two years to join the inner circle. He was predatory by nature and wanted to replace Holding as the grand master of all West Indian fast bowlers.

He was short and was in competition with taller, stronger and more experienced men than him. He strove so hard to rival Holding that he strained stomach muscles in the Kingston Test against England in 1981. And in the end he got what he wanted when he wrecked India in Kanpur in October 1983, knocking Sunil Gavaskar's bat out of his hands. Viv Richards rated this as the most ferocious spell he had ever seen from Marshall.

When Marshall went round the wicket, it was the return of 'Bodyline' tactics. The consequence was nasty injuries to batsmen. England's Andy Lloyd took his eyes off the ball and had to be carried off to the hospital, hit on the head; Mike Gatting misjudged a hook and had his nose broken. And there were countless others who suffered smashed noses, broken teeth and cracked heads.

He once told Aussie batsman David Boon, 'Are you going to get out, or do I have to come around the wicket and kill you.' In Bridgetown in April 1983, Mohinder Amarnath missed a hook against Marshall and had to retire with a cut lip.

About Ian Smith, Marshall said he never saw a batsman more scared of him than the former Kiwi wicketkeeper, during New Zealand's 1985 tour of the Caribbean. Allan Border said he was apprehensive about facing Marshall.

Marshall was surprisingly small for a fast bowler. Ian Botham referred to him as the "skinny wimp". There seemed hardly anything threatening about his fast pedalling run up or fluid delivery. But for a batsman his arm action was so fast, it was difficult to sight the ball and then it came skidding through. Subtle pace variations added extra punch.

Little wonder Andy Lloyd spent nine days in hospital and reckoned he never recovered 30 per cent of his right eye vision. Dean Jones once likened him to a shark that has smelt blood. Umpire Dickie Bird once cautioned him for intimidation during the Edgbaston Test of the 1984 series.

During India's tough back-to-back Test series in South Africa and the West Indies in 1996-97, Marshall was somehow ever present, be it in person or in conversation.

- Ramesh Joseph


Briefly


Brig. Jayawardena, Director of Sports....

Brig. Jupana Jayawardena, who was Director of the Ordnance Corps, is back in the Army Sports Board which position he served from 1995-97. He assumed office on Jan 19.

During this period, he did much for the re-development of the pavilion and built the gymnasium for training which proved a big boost for the rank and file.

Presently he is the Chairman of Army rugby, which sport he excelled at the highest level after leaving the portals of Trinity College.He played for the Havelocks SC., Army and for the country. Despite exigencies of duty the soldiers came back to limelight with sheer determination last season to be placed fourth in the table, with a set of green horns - thanks to his personal guidance. He was instrumental in getting the services of the All Blacks coach Ken Farrington to coach the soldiers.

Jupana has served in various fields in the Army. A mild-mannered sportsman, he has the knack of getting the best out of his charges and for the development of the skills of those who have taken to it after joining the Services.

Jayawardena, when contacted by The Sunday Times confirmed to its effect that he has been moved to the Sports Board by the Army Commander Srilal Weerasuriya.

"In whatever capacity I am prepared to serve the Army" he added. "If I have made an impact it was due to my sporting background, especially rugby which is my first love."

With Brig. Jayawardena back in the driving seat, the Army sport in general is sure to make an impact. He has the administrative capacity and knowhow for further development of its infrastructure.

He has served in the Rugby Union. At present he is the president of the Rugby Refs. Society.

- Bernie Wijesekera

5 schools get materials

Five schools from the Kalutara District will be awarded cricket materials worth Rs. 50,000/- each as a gesture of the appreciation of the Kalutara District Cricket Association at the felicitation ceremony scheduled to be held on Sunday, January 23 at the Kalutara Town Hall at 4.30 p.m.

The five schools to receive these awards are, Sri Sumangala Pandura, Kalutara Vidyalaya, Holy Cross College, St. Johns Panadura and Royal College Panadura. Other than the chief guest, former Sri Lanka captains, Arjuna Ranatunga, Duleep Mendis and Ranjan Madugalle have been invited as special guests for this ceremony.


Food rations

A decision to issue food rations to the value of Rs. 500/- to 50 sportsmen and women has been taken by the NCP Food & Co-op Ministry with the support of NYSCO Co-op Movement of the National Youth Service.

This decision was taken to improve the health condition of the sportsmen of the North Central Province. This dole will be paid for seven months and the organisers hope that these men and women will rise up to national standards in due course, said M.B. Gunasena the GM of the National Youth Council. Already 23 sportsmen and women have been selected for this scheme.

The opening ceremony of this scheme took place last Sunday at the A'pura Youth Council presided by Ms. P. Karunaratne, Secretary Prov. Food & Co-op Ministry. - S. Samarasinghe.


Elle and football

A men's elle match was played at the Nochchiyagama Mahaweli Sports Complex, organised by the A'pura Chief Ministry's Sports Department.

Also on the same day a football match took place at the Vilachchiya Sri Siddhartha MMV grounds organised by the Maha Villachchiya Sports Club.


Memorable win for S. Thomas'

Letter

In the Triangular series being played in Australia Pakistan stole a run in the last ball of the match before the ball got to the keeper, to beat India by one run and thereby hangs a tale.

In 1952 S. Thomas' was in a similar dilemma when they had one run to win in the last ball of the match vs St. Joseph's. Speedster, Kenneth Serpanchy was with the red cherry, waiting to deliver.

The batsmen at the crease were Denzil 'Dido' Keerthiratne and Zakhroff Cader. A pow-wow between the batsmen before the last ball was to be delivered, much in the manner of the Pakistan batsmen's pow-wow and Kenneth Serpanchy sent in a snorter which beat the batsman all ends up and the ball was on its way to the Josephian keeper.

In the meanwhile the batsmen stole a single to clinch a memorable win for S. Thomas'.

Sharm de Alwis, 82/2, Kandy Road, Kiribathgoda.

Index Page
Front Page
News/Comments
Editorial/Opinion
Plus
Business
Sports
Mirrror Magazine
Line

Return to Sports Plus Contents

Line

Front Page| News/Comment| Editorial/Opinion| Plus| Business| Sports| Sports Plus| Mirror Magazine

Please send your comments and suggestions on this web site to

The Sunday Times or to Information Laboratories (Pvt.) Ltd.

Presented on the World Wide Web by Infomation Laboratories (Pvt.) Ltd.

Hosted By LAcNet