Daily News round-up, (20 May 1997)

Tuesday 20, May 1997

SRI LANKA SPORTS NEWS AT-A-GLANCE

Compiled by Dinesh Weerawansa.

* Sri Lanka will retain the same team for their crucial last preliminary round match against New Zealand in the Pepsi Independence Cup tournament to be played in Hyderabad under lights tomorrow. With both teams having an identical record of two points each, this match will serve as a virtual first semi final and the winner will book a place in the best-of-the-three finals beginning in Chandigarh on Saturday.

There could be a slight change in the batting order unless they happen to chase an imposing target. Out-of-form opener Romesh Kaluwitharana could bat low down promoting Test opener Roshan Mahanama as Sanath Jayasuriya's partner.

Sri Lanka could make it to the finals in case of a tie or a no decision due to rain as the world champions enjoy the best net run rate of + 0.23. New Zealand has the worst net run rate of - 0.18 among the four participating teams.

* The organisers of the Pepsi Independence Cup four-nation tournament in India said they have beefed up security to the two remaining league games following a considerable number of anonymous telephone calls threatening to create trouble.

But callers could well be fans of former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin who was dropped from the team after a dismal recent record with the bat. Sri Lankan paceman Chaminda Vaas was hit on the chest by a water pack while fielding near the boundary line at their last match against India in Mumbai but was not seriously injured.

Additional police troops have been called for Wednesday's big'un between arch rivals India and Pakistan at Chennai. The winner of this match will qualify for the finals with either Sri Lanka or New Zealand. (Home):

* Two good performances by wicket keeper batsman Lanka de Silva (103 n.o) and Janaka Bandara (4 for 41) helped Seylan Bank to beat John Keells by 50 runs in a Mercantile `A' division cricket match at the P.Sara Stadium.

In reply to Seylan Bank's 209 for 4 off 30 overs, John Keells scored 159 for 9 off 30 overs. In another game defending champions Hatton National Bank continued their winning streak trouncing Singer by 155 runs to mark their fourth successive win at the NCC grounds. In reply to HNB's 229 for 8 off 32 overs Singer managed only 74.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)