Colts upstage Leading Lights- Sri Lanka report from the Cricketer International (16 January 1999)

16 January 1999

Colts upstage Leading Lights- Sri Lanka report from the Cricketer International

Cricketer International

Colombo Colts, ably led by the Sri Lankan fast-medium bowler Chaminda Vaas, who was adjudged Man of the Match, defeated a star-studded Singhalese Sports Club led by national captain Arjuna Ranatunga and comprising no fewer than eight members on the Australian tour squad, in the final of the premier limited-overs tournament, which was played under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium on December 27.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Colts were kick-started by Romesh Kaluwitharana and Dulip Samaraweera, who put on an explosive 123 in 20 overs, against three of Sri Lanka's pace attack in Australia, Pramodya Wickremasinghe, Nuwan Zoysa and Ruchira Perera, though the latter took 3 for 56. Vaas (41) and Eric Upashantha (27) added salt to the SSC wounds by adding a quickfire 63 for the seventh wicket, propelling the Colts to an imposing 276 for 6 in the allotted 50 overs.

Then the left-arm of spin of Dinuk Hettiarachchi bamboozled the SSC. Though Marvan Atapattu (42), Upekha Fernando (42) and tour discard Mahela Jayawardena (40) did offer resistance, the task was too much and they caved in with six overs to spare, thus giving Colts their first ever limited-overs trophy in their 125th year of existence.

R. Premadasa Stadium, December 27: Colombo Colts 276 for 6 (50 overs: R.S. Kaluwitharana 70, D.P. Samaraweera 57) beat Singhalese SC 216 (44 overs: D. Hettiarachchi 6-43) by 60 runs.

Abu Fuard, one of two vice presidents of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board, has complained to the police that he has received death threats.

The controversial former off-spinner, who represented Ceylon in the 1960s and subsequently served as the Chairman of Selectors and national team manager for almost two decades, has been involved in confrontation with the Board over planned changes to the constitution and payment for coaching the national Under-15 squad.