• Super Fox Ambrose
• Royle's first love
• Match fixing scandals shock Barry Knight
• Sad plight of our deteriorating batting
• A feast of runs
• Future looks bleak for sports crazy Panadura
• 2000 Sydney Olympic Games
• Confiscate all ill-gotten wealth
• Basil is off to Singapore

Super Fox Ambrose

By Jatila Karawita

He stressed that despite their challenge he had always done well to keep a fair distance between the Jayawardene, Weersooriya duo, from start to finish, which had ultimately enabled him to clinch the race. "Both Pradeep and Nishan made good progress from behind, to narrow the lead and breathed fire from behind when the chequered flag went down. But I managed to stay in front of them throughout and pulled it off in the end in my favour," said Ambrose who was somewhat disappointed that Aravinda Premadasa failed to live up to his reputation and provide Ambrose with the sort of competition the crowds had come to see at the Super Cross. Speaking of Premadasa, Ambrose said "Well, the clutch of Aravinda's Caltex Imprezza malfunctioned very unfortunately on the second lap. He crashed at the Rev-Tex corner and though he came unscathed, that put paid to his chances of giving me a true fight in this race.

But Pradeep and Nishan pushed me to the hilt nevertheless, and somehow or the other I prevailed over all of them", said a happy Ambrose reflecting on the Foxhill Supercross which he conquered this year. Speaking of the competition on the whole the champion driver spoke in glowing terms of the organisation of the Supercross and he believed this trend should be maintained even in the years to come. 

"It was a fantastic meet. The track was widened for the race. There were only a handful of mishaps during the race compared to previous years, and that speak volumes for the organisers. They had very much looked into the welfare and safety of the riders who numbered around 14 in the 2000 cc class, with good highly trained officials" said Shanaka who was very impressed with the high standard of competition maintained by all the riders.

Shanaka Ambrose who has been a household name in motor-cycle racing last competed at the Foxhill Supercross in '99, where he had come a close third in the Jeep event for Petrol and Turbo. Ambrose who began his racing career in two-wheel motor cycles in 1984 has already created records at the Mahagastota, Eliyakade, Radella, Kotmale, St.James and Karandapola races as a champion rider.

Ambrose is highly taken up by the support he received from the crowd at Foxhill and described it as a pleasure, to have performed in front of .such an appreciative gathering.

"I feel the crowd was superb throughout. The crowds have increased considerably from last year and it augurs well for future Foxhill meets. They really cheered, not only me, but all the others as well. I think in the years to come the cars will increase. The standard of competition is bound to be tougher", stated the champion driver.

Ambrose also went on to say thank you to Rizvy Farook, who had given him tyres to compete at the race and his team of friends, his brother Imran, Dushan Dinamithra and all his supporters, as well as to his mechanic Nandasena and his team from Ranga Motors and to Bri Ponnambalam for teaching him the proper lines of Foxhill racing, which had gone a long way for him to scale the zenith of Supercross racing in the new millennium. 

'All winning cars, come out with a sticker of Nandasena'; quipped Ambrose displaying his gratitude to the former mechanic of David Peiris.

He also had a word of appreciation to the entire committee of SLARDAR, as well as to the Sri Lanka Military Academy and to its Colonel Roshan Silva and to the sponsors, Caltex, for the co-operation extended to him to succeed the gruelling Foxhill Supercross for the first time in his record-breaking racing career.

Royle's first love

An old boy of St. Aloysius College, Galle, his first love was cricket. He served Bloomfield in various capacities in the early '70s when the club emerged as a frontline team in the local scene.

He had the knack to get anything done with his charming ways. He looked into the player interest and as an administrator had the patience and understanding to even to get the better of his adversaries. In the end Bloomfield cricket rose to great heights during his stints with the club in the '70s. I was privileged to have him as one of my hardworking members in my committee. There was nothing impossible to him and left no stone unturned. The likes of him are hard to find, and a great loss to the game especially to the youngsters in Raddoluwa. He got the experience at Bloomfield and later on did much for Gampaha district cricket.

He served as an international umpire and acted without fear or favour. There may have been a human error, but no way cheating. As an umpire when he officiates a junior match (Schoolboys) he will assemble both teams before the match. Address them to adhere to the spirit of the game, abide by the laws and maintain a high standard of sportsmanship on and off the field. Put aside cricket, it was fatherly advice to the lads.

After retirement from active umpiring, he took upto coaching and Raddoluwa M.V. benefited from his knowhow. It was a dedicated effort by him after a humble beginning, that he was able to play in the top Div. I. Soft-spoken Royle served the Gampaha District C.A. for five consecutive years. He also served the district as its coach and unearthed hidden talent.

His demise will be felt by all and sundry - especially the young schoolboys in the area and his numerous friends where he was held in high esteem for his integrity and honesty. He even went out of the way to find cricketing gear for the needy schools through his old schoolmate Harry Solomons, who is the director of the Kingsgrove Sports Centre in Sydney.

Put aside his services for the promotion of the game, his community service for the havenots will linger in the hearts for a long time. He has left an indelible mark be it at Bloomfield or at Raddoluwa.

There was a big gathering at the General Cemetery, Borella, to give a fitting farewell to the "Patron Saint" of Raddoluwa Cricket. 

"In the midst of life, we live in death."

Being a Christian, who lived a life of simplicity serving others in the name of God. May the Good Lord grant him eternal life and salvation!

(Shelley Wickremasinghe, President of Bloomfield C and A.C.)

Match fixing scandals shock Barry Knight

By Bernie Wijesekera

Knight is the tour organiser of the Fellowship and Cricket Development tour comprising former Australian stars Doug Walters, Peter Philpott, Geoff Lawson, and former Somerset and famed sports journalist Peter Roebuck. They are here along with youth players in the age group of 15 to 17 years to develop their skills playing under varying conditions, on a short cricket-cum educational sojourn.

This tour was made possible due to a generous sponsorship made by the Sri Lankan Airlines to help develop cricket in Sri Lanka.

Knight stated it was a crying shame that this gentleman's game is being polluted by betting and match fixing scandals. During our times the players got a measly sum of Rs 1,000/- per day for representing the country, unlike at present where the players are handsomely paid. Despite all this some players have resorted to this dirty game with a view to make black money. 

Do you agree that money has ruined this game? "My Leicestershire colleague Jayasinghe sacrificed his benefit to play for the County."

Is this your first tour to Sri Lanka? "This is my fourth tour to your beautiful country. In 1962 toured with the MCC team led by Ted Dexter. The Lankan team was captained by C.I. Gunasekera. In 1966 was on tour with the England team skippered by Mike Smith. Initially on a long tour to India and made a short one to Sri Lanka.

Last November '99 was here to organise the on-going tour to Sri Lanka. Initially played for Essex. From there shifted to Leicestershire and played along with Sri Lankans, namely Stanley Jayasinghe and Clive Inman. The Grace Road team was led by England skipper Ray Illingworth until 1969." 

Anything special about the two Lankan players? "Yes, Stanley was an improviser of the bat. He use to dance down the wicket. Generally plays a straight bat. Once he hit Fred Trueman, the late England fast bowler straight over his head for a six. Then in the next delivery whipped him over for another six over mid wicket. Clive hooks and pulls to the leg with precision. These were his main scoring strokes." 

What is your contribution to the game at present? "Well, I have 40 years of coaching experience. Started the first coaching school in Australia along with Richie Benaud and Brian Taber (former Aussie 'keeper, 1974.) At present Taber is the Aussie national coach. Started the first indoor coaching nets in Sydney. Level three coach - highest in Australia. Also holds the MCC 'A' certificate.

"Allan Border, the Waugh twins - Steve and Mark the speedy fast bowler Brett Lee and Shane Lee came under my tutelege at junior level."

What have you got to say about the juniors indulging in limited over cricket. Any comments? "I am totally against it. Kids should not be encouraged to play in the cowboy game. To this effect Peter Philpott too agreed. 

At the embryo state they should be taught the correct skills, be it batting or bowling," Knight added. 

The local Cricket Board and the Sri Lanka Schools C.A. hierarchy please take note of. It's happening here? Then they must curb it for the future betterment of the game.

Doug Walters, Peter Philpott - wily leg spinner at present is being assigned by England to teach them how to play leg spin bowling especially Shane Warne. Philpott said during the two-hour session he had at the CCC grounds on April 17 he saw more promising spinners than what he has seen in Australia for the past two years. Phil is rated as the world's number one leg spin coach. 

The visiting coaches of repute have offered their services free for the junior coaching clinic here drawn from the ages of 15, 16 and 17. Barry Knight said the local and visiting young squad could improve their skills on this tour.

He called upon the Lankans to make similar reciprocal tours to Australia, especially to Melbourne and Sydney.

Peter Roebuck said the game is on the up here unlike in the past. The fellowship was fantastic. Geoff Lawson stated the fast bowlers clinic was on the right track under Rumesh Ratnayake and the future holds good for the young 'uns.

Ranjit Fernando, the Chairman coaching (BCCSL), said that the Lankans were grateful for the advice and the support afforded to the young prospects by the past greats namely Barry Knight, Philpott, Geoff Lawson, Doug Walters for further development of the game. It augurs well for the future, especially for the youngsters most of them, coming from the outstations. Fernando commended the SriLankan Airlines for making this tour a reality. He stressed that they should continue with it. The National Airline represented by G. T. Jayseelan (Head of Commercial), Victor Abeysekera (Acting Manager Promotions) and Ravi Subramaniam Director/Gen. Manager, Ace Travels and Conventions (Pvt) Ltd., attended the confab. Former Josephian and NCC cricketer, Dhusan Soza is co-ordinating with the tourists. The briefing was held at the CCC.

Sad plight of our deteriorating batting

By Kasturiarachchi Warnakulasuriya

Even in the past, Sri Lanka could not produce world class bowlers, but a host of middle level bowlers like C.T.C. Edwards, P.I. Peiris, Neil Chanmugam, Sahabandu, Tony Opatha etc. Only D.S. Jayasundara who played during maestro Sathasivam's era, came into world prominence as a bowler.

But our track record as powerful stroke players in the batting department has been very impressive starting from M. Sathasivam upto the present stalwarts like Sanath, Aravinda, Arjuna, Marvan, Romesh and Mahela. Aravinda had been rated as world's No. 2 or 3 upto 1998. And Sanath Jayasuriya who started his cricket career as a bowler from Southern province, emerged as a world class batsman as a master blaster and a fireworks player with various records of fastest century, half century and blaster of sixers. 

There was a time Aussies or Kiwis inquiring about "Little Kalu" whether his two wrists are made of steel and his name was the "talk of the town" in every public transport when he hammered a power packed century against them. Our's was the world's most senior captain for more than 10 years with only 4 centuries to his credit.

What has happened to their batting speciality during the past two years? The man who was placed first in Ceat batting ratings is now placed 24th in Princewaterhouse Cooper odi ratings: Aravinda, another master blaster of world repute has gone down to 29th position.

Not so prominent batsmen like Kiwi Nathan Astle, Zim-Neil Johnson have emerged into 4th and 7th places, respectively. Sri Lanka is a cricketing nation which has produced world class batsmen like M. Satha, Serams, Gunasekaras, Gamini Goonesena, Stanley Jayasinghe, Michael Tissera, Anura Tennakoon, Douglas Jayasinghe, Wettamuni.

It is a pity that none of our powerful batsmen, who have been in the past records are unable to occupy a berth within the top ten in these latest ratings.

Up and coming batsman Marvan Atapattu is the highest ranked Sri Lankan, but that's a poor 20th place. Anyway our heartiest congratulations for this young man, for having come up, after successive failures during the period 1990-1995.

All these show that our prominent batsmen's scoring rate during the recent past has been deteriorating overall. Going for rash, careless shots, throwing away the wicket without grit determination to stay at the crease, poor mentality have contributed to this downfall. Yet they have the ability, potential, talent and prowess to go for big scores. Aravinda's double tons, Mahela's double tons, Jayasuriya's 340 and Sri Lanka's record total in that innings, Kalu's iron wrists, Wettamuni's 190 at Lords, injury stricken Arjuna's determination to win a match single-handed can speak volumes for our batting ability and speciality to date. It is a pity that they have failed to produce such identities in the recent past. They have the ability to defeat others not merely but with distinction.

The latest lessons for our batting prodigies from Aravinda to Dilshan is the grit determination of Michael Bevan, who carried the bat single handed to the last ball of the day against such a mighty Asia XI who comprised 8 bowlers out of a possible 10 the other day, where our blaster Sanath threw away a fine chance that came his way. That is the type of carelessness and indifference, our able batsmen should determine to avoid. Our batsmen should be courageous too, how to get rid of pitfalls of team mates in consolidated games, like the Asia XI vs the rest of the world.

It is high time for them to have a self-restraint determination for a come- back in the coming cricket fiesta from May to July to make amends. Make use of April and May to the fullest, with best possible homework to get ready for a fine come-back. Good luck!

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