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Mahela back with a bang
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Mahela Jayawardene shrugged off his 'World Cup Nightmare' to stroke a majestic hundred as the Sri Lanka Board Eleven were all out for 258 on the first day of the two day game against the touring New Zealand team at the NCC grounds yesterday.

The stylish right hander who was under pressure after a miserable World Cup came into the wicket with the Board Eleven on 31 for two wickets with Russell Arnold (4) and T. M Dilshan (4) dismissed in quick succession. Despite the situation, Jayawardene rose to the occasion in style as he plundered the Kiwi bowling attack to all corners of the ground with an array of crisp drives on both sides of the wicket.

With precision timing and perfect placement Jayawardene simply proved that class is permanent and form is temporary. Showing glimpses of his true potential the right hander rolled out boundary after boundary from his bat in a chanceless innings that was long overdue. He reached his hundred in 125 balls with the help of 14 boundaries and two sixes and breathed a sigh of relief as he acknowledged the cheers of his team mates and a few spectators.

Although the Board Eleven slipped to 35 for three Jayawardene with skipper Romesh Kaluwitharana (56) added 131 runs for the fourth wicket as the Kiwis toiled in the scorching Colombo heat without much success. Kaluwitharana who is also on a comeback made full use of the opportunity to justify his inclusion in the team and prove that he has still some cricket left in him.

However after reaching a well compiled half century Kaluwitharana attempted a cross batted stroke off paceman Daryl Tuffy and was adjudged lbw. Kaluwitharana's dismissal triggered a mini collapse as the Board Eleven slipped from a commanding 166 for 3 to 182 for 7 wickets. Chamara Silva (4),M Pushpakumara (2) and Sahan Wijeratne (0) fell in quick succession.

Later Hasantha Fernando (22) added 48 runs for the eight wicket with Jayawardene before Jayawardene cut a Shane Bond delivery to the waiting hands of Jones at the Third man boundary. Daryl Tuffy was the pick of the Kiwi Bowlers claiming 5 for 56 while his partner Shane Bond picked up 3 for 55.

Kiwi openers M Horne (38 n. o ) and M. Richardson (27 n. o) found no terrors with a wayward and mediocre Board Eleven bowling attack as they put on 74 runs without being parted at close of play.

Japan could run circles around Arabian Gulf today
By Shamseer Jaleel
The International Rugby Board's Asian qualifier match between mighty Japan and the Arabian Gulf team will take place today at Londgon Place. Kick off will be at 4.45 PM. Japan who has a proud record of Asian rugby is the only side to qualify for the 2003 World Cup to be staged later this year in Australia. If past form is anything to go by, the powerful Japan XV could run run rings around the Arabian Gulf in today's encounter.

Japan's rugby team's manager Hideyuke Sato spoke to the Sunday Time at the Trans Asia Hotel.

ST: How long is your local rugby season?
A: The season starts in September and goes until February.

ST: When did Japan start playing rugby?
A: We started rugby way back in 1901 when one Dr. Clerk came to the Pamouse KIO University and introduced the game.

ST: Are there any foreigners playing for the club? Are there any restrictions for foreigners to play in Japan?

A: Yes there are foreigners taking part in Division I rugby. The maximum a club can field is only 2 foreign players at a given time. A majority of these players come from Fiji, Tonga, Australia and New Zealand.

ST: What are the major sports in Japan?
A: Our main sports are soccer, baseball and sumo wrestling. These are professional sports. Rugby has turned from amateur to professional very recently.

ST: When did your 1st XV Side start preparing for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia?
A: We selected a pool of 35 players and have been training from February this year.

ST: With whom are you grouped with in the World Cup?
A: We have France, Fiji, Scotland and USA/Spain. The USA and Spain match on April 29 will decide who will come for the World Cup 2003.

ST: Will any of these players who are touring Sri Lanka get a chance to be in the World Cup squad to Australia?
A: Maybe one or two, if they perform really well.

ST: After Sri Lanka lost to Arabian Gulf on Friday how do you rate the Sri Lankan side? Did any player in the Sri Lanka side impress you?
A: Though Sri Lanka lost they played well in patches and they have a very young side. They should do well at the 2004 Asiad in Hong Kong. Sri Lankan skipper Pradeep Basnayake was outstanding.

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