Sri Lanka News Round-up (4 April 1998)

Saturday 04, April 1998

Sports in brief

Daily News

Cricketers Benefit Advisory Committee formed

by SA'ADI THAWFEEQ

The new president of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, Thilanga Sumathipala wasted no time in getting things moving when on his initiation, a Cricketers' Benefit Advisory Committee was formed with former Sri Lanka captain Michael Tissera as chairman.

It was approved by the executive committee of the new Board which held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday.

Ranjit Fernando, a former Sri Lanka wicket-keeper and cricket critic Harold de Andrado make up the three-member committee whose job it will be to recommend to the Cricket Board's ExCo annually, a list of deserving cricketers who should become beneficiaries.

Their first task will be to name at least 10 to 20 deserving past players (not necessarily Test cricketers) who will be given a benefit purse during Sri Lanka's tri-nation Independence Cup tournament in June this year.

The Cricket Board has set aside initially, Rs. 2.5 million for this purpose. The figure is expected to accumulate over a period of three years.

There has been a crying need for retired cricketers who had served Sri Lanka cricket in the past to be assisted financially. This new scheme will certainly be a deserving one.

"We owe our present standing in world cricket to those who served the game over the years. It was their sweat and toil that has brought us to this position. These deserving cricketers should be recognised in some way," said Sumathipala, who first got involved with the Cricket Board four years ago at the request of senior Sri Lanka players during the height of the physical fitness farce involving vice-captain Aravinda de Silva.

Sylvestrians retain Mediwake Trophy

By S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy south group corr.

St. Sylvester's College completed the double of winning the big match and the limited overs match when they scored a comprehensive four wicket win over Vidyartha College in their 9th limited over match to retain the M. B. W. Mediwake Challenge Trophy at Police grounds, Kandy yesterday.

With this victory St. Sylvester's College go six up in the series against one by Vidyartha with two matches being abandoned due to rain.

The Sylvestrians owe their win to a good allround display by 15-year-old Chanaka Wijesinghe who scored an elegant 68 with 7 fours in 57 balls, captured 2 for 31 and also brought off two good catches and this had a decisive influence on the match. Chanaka Wijesinghe was adjudged Man-of-the-Match.

For Vidyartha skipper Sampath Hewawitharne top-scored with 94 which included 11 fours but in the end his effort proved to be in vain. Sampath Hewawitharne was adjudged the best batsman and best fielder of the match. The best bowler was C. Bandara of St. Sylvester's.

St. Sylvester's vice captain Suranga Daluwatte finished off the match with a straight driven six with nearly 7 overs to spare.

Vidyartha 199 all out in 50 overs (S. S. K. Hewawitharane 94, D. T. Jayakody 33, G. R. Jayakody 16, C. Ratnayake 2 for 20, C. Bandara 2 for 39, C. Wijesinghe 2 for 31).

St. Sylvester's 200 for 6 in 42.5 overs (A. Perera 28, C. Wijesinghe 68, S. Daluwatte 27 n.o., C. Bandara 37, S. Ranaweera 2 for 47, S. Nanayakkara 2 for 32).

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