Sri Lankans On Forward Gear (16 Apr 1996)

Lankans On Forward Gear

16 April 1996

The Sri Lankan cricketers who were forced onto the reverse gear in Singapore are once again on the forward gear with skipper Arjuna Ranatunga firmly in the driving seat as they proved in the two games played in the Caribbean.

After being beaten by India and Pakistan in the Singer trophy it looked as though our cricketing fortunes were on the skids after emerging world champions in Pakistan.

The glorious uncertainties is never better exemplified than in this wonderful game of cricket. One day you can be on top of the world and the next down in the dumps. That is why it is said that sport is the great leveller.

RIGHTFUL CHAMPIONS

In the two games in the Caribbean, the Lankans proved a point. They proved that had they confronted the Windies in their World Cup encounter in Sri Lanka they would have won that game. In first beating an over the hill team and then annihilating the might of the West Indies, the Lankans have proved that they are the rightful champions of the world in limited over cricket.

Batting volcano Sanath Jayasuriya underlined his batting blasts with another innings that would have sent the Caribbean cricket fans into raptures. He smacked the Windies pace of Walsh and Bishop along with his batting buddy Kaluwitharne and then Gurusinha and others who followed rubbed salt to their wounds.

CONVINCING

After a scare by Brian Lara and Phil Simmons who put on 116 for the third wicket in 123 balls the Lankans displayed the qualities that had made them world champions as they sliced through the remaining Windies batting to chalk up a convincing victory.

Kumara Dharmasena again showed his allround ability and it was nice to see `spider` Muralitharan spinning his famous web to trap the might of the Windies batting.

From the Caribbean the Lankans move on to Los Angeles where a roistering welcome awaits them arranged and put together by `THE LANKA TRIBUNE` and a committee of efficient and honest men.

LA AWAITS `EM

Reports reaching us have it that the whole of LA is all agog waiting to see the world champions doing their thing. From the Sri Lankans to the Indians, Pakistanis and whatever community they are all supporting this move by Cosmas Mahagama and his committee for affording them this rare opportunity of watching these world beaters in action.

This is the first time that a Sri Lankan cricket team is playing in LA and that too a world champion team and although there are a few spoil sports trying to belittle the good work that is being done, the organisers have laid out the best and nothing but the best for the Lankan cricketers.

REASONABLE

Every item from the tickets to the match, the tents, the dance tickets the souvenirs and whatever have been reasonably priced say the cricket fans who are contributing ungrudgingly to make the tour a resounding success.

Tents by the Thomians, Royalists, Trinitians, Anandians, Nalandians, Josphians and all other schools will dot the ground and it will be one helluva cricket carnival when the Lankans put on show their cricketing prowess at Woodley Park, LA on May 20 and 21.

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