Sri Lanka News Round-up (14 Jan 1998)

Wednesday 14, January 1998

SRI LANKA SPORTS NEWS AT-A-GLANCE

Compiled by Dinesh Weerawansa.

* Zimbabwe plans to strengthen their bowling attack with an additional seamer at the expense of a spinner for the second Test against Sri Lanka which begins at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds on Wednesday. Zimbabwe skipper Alistair Campbell said they will plan a third pacie as the SSC wicket is likely to help fast bowlers. The third paceman's slot could be given to Guy Whittal, who missed the first Test due to an injury. There are also Henry Olonga Metambanazo who could fit in to the newball attack.

Campbell said Sri Lankans are one of the best sides in playing spin bowling, and their spinners did not bowl well in Kandy, besides Andrew Whittal who was the pick of the bowlers. Campbell also said that their Test match preparations were inadequate.

* The SSC grounds at Maitland Place, which hosts the third and final Test between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from today, has been a happy hunting venue for the home team. Of the 34 Tests played at home, Sri Lanka has played 10 matches at the SSC, considered as the Mecca of cricket here.

The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground's first ever Test was played from March 16-21, 1984 against New Zealand (2nd Test) and the game ended in a draw. Of the ten test matches played here, Sri Lanka has won three, lost three and drawn four. The Test wins at the SSC were against New Zealand (by nine wickets in December, 1992 - 2nd Test), England (by five wickets in Match 1993) and against Zimbabwe (by ten wickets in September, 1996). But Sri Lanka experienced a bitter experience at this venue in 1993 when they suffered their heaviest Test defeat - by an innings and 208 runs at the hands of South Africa.

* Sri Lanka's star batsman Aravinda de Silva is in line for his record fifth successive century at the SSC grounds when the second Test against Zimbabwe begins today at the most favourite cricket venue here.

Vice-captain De Silva last four Test innings at SSC have been 138 n.o., 103 n.o., 146 and 120. In 67 Tests De Silva has scored 4,526 runs with 15 centuries and 16 half centuries with an average of 41.90. Aravinda de Silva has a superb Test average of 63.01 at the SSC grounds. De Silva is also the highest Test scorer ever for Sri Lanka, ahead of skipper Arjuna Ranatunga who has scored 4,127 runs in 75 Tests.

* The inaugural inter plantations six a side cricket tournament organised by the Dimbulla Athletic and Cricket Club and sponsored by Richard Pieris Group of Companies will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Radella grounds, Nanu Oya.

The teams participating in this tournament are Maturata, Kelani Valley, Balangoda, Maskeliya, Agalawatte, Kegalle, Namunukula, Udapussellawa, Kotagala, Agrapatana, Talawakelle, Pussellawa, Madulsima, Hapugastenne, Watawala and Bogawattalawa.

* Pakistan registered a comfortable seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their Under-19 Mini World Cup tournament match played in Johannesburg.

Sri Lankan batsmen failed against the pace of Mohammed Razaak (9-2-23-3) and Waqas Ahmed (7-0-32-3) and were bowled out for 168 in 45 overs. Pradeep Hewage made a fighting 80 n.o but none of the other batsmen supported him. Only opener V.Fernando (20), M.Gajanayake (21) and A.Zoysa (11) entered double figures. Helped by an unbeaten 90 by Test batsman Hussan Raaza, Pakistan reached the target with seven wickets in hand. But they were 53 for 3 at one stage but an unfinished fourth wicket stand of 116 runs by Raaza and Bazid Khan led them to victory. Chief scores: Sri Lanka 16 all out in 45 overs. (Pradeep Hewage 80 n.o, V.Fernando 20, M.Gajanayake 21, A.Zoysa 11, Mohammed Razaak 3 for 23, Waqas Ahmed 3 for 32); Pakistan: 169 for 3 in 46.5 overs. (Humuyuan Farha 16, Hasan Raaza 90 n.o, Bazid Khan 41 n.o, R. Fernando 1 for 39, Zoysa 1 for 28).

* In the other matches of the Under-19 Mini World Cup, Kenya beat Scotland by eight wickets and Australia beat Zimbabwe by 103 runs. England beat New Zealand by five wickets in Pretoria and Bangladesh beat Namibia by four wickets in Laudium.

* South Africa will play their first five-Test series away from home since 1960 against England this year, the United Cricket Board of South Africa confirmed in Durban.

The South Africans, during a four-month tour starting on May 14, will also play three one-day internationals, two one-day matches in Ireland and one in Holland and a triangular tournament involving Sri Lanka. Bacher said that England will have a five-Test series in South Africa during the 1999-2000 season. South Africa will open their summer tour of England with a three-day game against Worcestershire at Worcester from May 14-16. After the five-Test series between the two countries, England will play their traditional one-off Test against Sri Lanka at the Oval.

Gwen Heart continues

All nominees were uncontested at the annual general meeting of the Puttalam District Cricket Association held on Sunday at the Indoor Stadium, Wennappuwa, Many new and young faces were introduced. C. W. Jayakody was elected secretary while Gwen Herat continues as President.

Earlier, she announced her decision to step down due to pressure of work that was involved in the Women's Cricket Association of Sri Lanka but a strong pleas from all the members for her to stay on made her decide otherwise.

Apart from the sub committees, yet another committee headed by Wilfred Fernando was named to uncover hidden school talent beside the member schools of the PDCA and invite the heads and sports officers of such schools to meet and discuss with the committee to promote such talent and help with coaching under the auspices of the PDCA. This will be an ongoing process.

Ms. Herat's proposal to have permanent under-13, 15 an 17 pools will also come into effect in the near future. She also suggested an under-17 inter-district tournament in collaboration with the BCCSL.

These and many other proposals were proposed and seconded under 'the Action Plan for 1998.'

Atapattu to lead Lanka 'A'

Sri Lanka Test opener Marvan Atapattu has been picked to lead Sri Lanka 'A' in the first four-day unofficial cricket Test against England 'A' starting at the Welagedera Stadium, Kurunegala on January 30.

Atapattu, who is currently playing in the Test series against Zimbabwe, scored a monumental double century to set up Sri Lanka's eight-wicket win in the first Test at Kandy. He also led Sri Lanka 'A' in the series against West Indies 'A' in 1996-97.

The national selectors will review the situation from thereon before appointing a captain for the rest of the series.

England 'A' who arrived on Monday, are scheduled to play two other 4-day unofficial Tests at Kandy (from February 6-9) and Matara (February 19-22) in addition to three unofficial one-day internationals and five other warm-up matches.

England 'A' led by Nick Knight, open their 53-day tour with a one-day warm-up match at the Police grounds, Bambalapitiya on January 17.

TU will miss 3 key players

Tamil Union will miss the services of three of their key players when they take on NCC in the division I limited overs cricket final at the NCC grounds today.

Fast-medium bowler Champaka Ramanayake and left-arm spinner Niroshan Bandaratilleke are out due to injuries, while fast bowler Mario Villavarayan has been put on standby for the second Test against Zimbabwe starting today at the SSC.

Tamil Union are expected to bank heavily on the run-scoring ability of their in-form batsman left-hander Varuna Waragoda, who is in line to lift the Best Batsman's prize with a series of consistent performances.

Sanjaya, Hiran maul Bens

Dharmapala went on a run-spree against St. Benedict's to hit up an imposing 382 for 5 declared with centuries from skipper Sanjaya Devapura (124 with 13 fours, 3 sixes) and Hiran Gunawardena (128 with 13 fours, 3 sixes) at Pannipitiya yesterday.

The pair added 186 for the third wicket. St. Benedict's by the close were 90 for 4. The match continues today at 9.45 a.m.

Dharmapala 382 for 5 decl. in 64 overs (S. Devapura 124, H. Gunawardena 128, J. Segera 73 n.o., T. Seneviratne 17, C. Jayasinghe 12, C. Nayanaranjith 10 n.o., A. Gunatileke 2 for 77, R. Tissera 2 for 100)

St. Benedict's 90 for 4 at close in 20 overs (Dinesh Silva 50 n.o., Ashley Fernando 13, C. Jayasinghe 2 for 13)

Fernando 108

By Dilwin Mendis, our Moratuwa sports corr.

A fine century from H. Fernando (108) was the highlight in the drawn inter-school cricket encounter between Thurstan and Prince of Wales at Moratuwa yesterday.

Thurstan 191: and 168 for 6 at close (S. Wedage 38, D. Premadasa 28, S. Perera 23 n.o. S. Peiris 3 for 46, T. Silva 2 for 32).

Prince of Wales 137 for 3 contd: 239 for 7 dec. (H. Fernando 108 K. Fernando 50, G. de Silva 2 for 29.

Peterites hold the edge

By Richard Dwight

St. Peters were 167 for 5 in reply to Wesley's 155 in their cricket encounter which began at Bambalapitiya yesterday.

Wesley electing to bat were given a good start by their openers Dharshika Jayakoddy and Warren Helsham, who put on 56 runs together.

But with their dismissal, Wesley slumped to be 125 for 7 and eventually got up to 155 through useful contributions from Prasad Ameresekera and Indika Ranasinghe.

Skipper Malinda Warnapura, with his medium pace cutters and left arm spinner Chrishantha Peiris with 4/59 and 3/14 respectively, bowled well for St. Peters.

St. Peters in reply began well to lose their first wicket at 57 and were under constant pressure brought about by the three pronged spin attack of skipper Brian Senadeera, younger brother Rienzie and Thusal Peiris which had the Peterites in chek, but the pressure was relieved by lack of support from whe Wesley fielders, that saw the Peterites making 167 for 5 with Jerome Fernando & Mahesh Perera notching half centuries.

Wesley 155: (W. Helsham 35, D. Jayakoddy 27, I. Ranasinghe 32, P> P. Amerasekera 24, M. M. Warnapura 4 for 39, C. Peiris 3 for 14).

St. Peters 167 for 5

(J. Fernando 54, M. Perera 54 n.o., M. Warnapura 17, A. Fonseka 19, R. Senadeera 2 for 45)

Debarawewa 57 for 2

By Mahil Liyanage

Debarawewa were 57 for 2 in reply to S. Thomas 257 for 8 declared in their inter-school match which began at Debarawewa, yesterday. S. Thomas Matara 257 for 8 dec. (R. B. Weerapala 68, P. Rangana 57, H. S. Jayawardena 43, F. Farook 28, K. Rohana 21; S. Gamage 4 for 65, B. H. Chatura 2 for 4, R. Ishara 2 for 62). Debarawewa 57 for 2 (P. Buddhika 32 n.o., S. Rameela 16 n.o., P. Nissanka 2 for 10).

Jayasanka 107

(By S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South group corr.)

A belligerent knock of 107 not out with 17 fours and 1 six off 80 deliveries by skipper Chrith Jayasanka helped Presidents College, Rajagiriya to declare at 255 for 8 in their Coca Cola Bottlers Trophy cricket tournament match against St. Sylvester's College which began at Police Grounds, Kandy yesterday. The match will be continued today at 9.30 a.m.

President's College, Rajagiriya: 255 for 8 decl. in 72 overs (C. Chandradasa 19, A. Gunawardena 16, S. Kumara 19, P. Kumara 32, P. Munasinghe 20, Charith Jayasanka 107 not out, S. Witharne 19, R. Dissanayake 2 for 42, A. Perera 2 for 33, H. Wimalawickrema 2 for 19).

St. Sylvesters College: 99 for 3 in 19.5 overs (D. Ranaweera 10, Zahran Hajireen 69 no out, P. Munasinghe 2 for 21).

Concrete wickets

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka constructed concrete wickets at Xavierites' CC grounds, Marawila and Albert Pieris Stadium, Wennappuwa will be officially opened on February 14, 1998. This was decided at the AGM of the Puttalam DCA.

These concerte wickets come at a time when PDCA has effected a programme to uncover juvenile talent in the rural schools for which a special committee was appointed. In the meantime, it was also proposed to have a turf wicket and a nursery at Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa.

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