Wednesday 2nd September, 2009 Wisden writers script Sana as king Say he is the greatest 50-over cricketer Legendary New Zealand cricket and magic in his fingers,” said writer Don Cameron and Scyld Berry, Cameron. Editor of Wisden, believe that Sanath “And when he and Romesh Jayasuriya should be regarded as the Kaluwitharana played their explosive greatest one-day player of all time. opening innings as Sri Lanka won the Cameron, who was the New World Cup in 1995-96 he brought new Zealand Herald Cricket Correspondent life to a one-day game that was stran- Drinking his magic potion –At a time when sportsmen are hooked on factory made energy drinks before practices between 1960 and 1998, believes that gling itself in theory. From a personal Sanath Jayasuriya, who will be part of point of view he is a cricket-writer`s and during matches, Sri Lanka’s legendary batsman, Sanath Jayasuriya, who has been named as the greatest 50- Sri Lanka’s squad at the ICC dream.” over cricketer of all time, tastes a young coconut which Sri Lankans believe contains huge recuperating powers. Champions Trophy 2009, is deserving Meanwhile, Berry agrees that it of this title, as cricket fans across the was the method in which Jayasuriya mind the greatest of 50-over crick- himself in.” “If this is not enough to seal the world discuss who they believe to be played the game which makes him eters,” said Berry. “Romesh Kaluwitharana made deal, Jayasuriya has been - until the world’s leading one-day cricketer. deserving of this crown. “I can still remember how shocked crash-ball 20s and 30s. His partner, Ajantha Mendis came along - Sri “I have chosen Jayasuriya because “In the past, batting was defensive England were by their World Cup Jayasuriya, scored fast and big: over Lanka`s second best spinner after he has led Sri Lanka cricket for close and bowling was attacking. Now, as a quarter-final of 1996 in Faisalabad. In 12,000 ODI runs in his career, and the Muttiah Muralidaran, and taken more on half his 40 years, and whether generalisation, it is the other way their philosophy they had never second most centuries after Sachin than 300 ODI wickets. A brilliant left blasting centuries or fiddling batsmen round. And nobody has done more to dreamed of an opening batsman who Tendulkar, and all scored at almost a handed all rounder, his powerful hit- out with his subtle left-arm slows, bring about this change than Sri hit every ball from the start, admitted- run a ball seizing the initiative for his ting made all formats of cricket more plays cricket with a smile on his face, Lanka`s Sanath Jayasuriya, to my ly on a flat wicket, without playing country.” exciting for us all.” SL Tennis Sangakkara confident Nationals 2009 Pool of 30 picked for of T20 success Godamanna begins Youth World Cup campaign by Reemus Fernando among the probable players for the cap- Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara by Revata S. Silva The junior selection committee has taincy. is confident his team will transfer their picked a strong pool of 30 players for The pool: Banuka Rajapakse (Royal fine Test form against New Zealand into Defending champion and strong the forthcoming ICC Under-19 World College), Udara Jayasundara (Ananda the upcoming two Twenty20 internation- favourite, the only ATP ranked play- Cup including a rookie leg spinner from College), Andry Berenger (St. Peter’s als. er in the country at present, Nugawela Central who is yet to make College), Rumesh Buddhika (Mahinda The hosts secured a 2-0 whitewash in Harshana Godamanna, began his his presence felt in an all island schools College), Nipun Karunaratne (Nalanda campaign in this year’s Sri Lanka the recent Test series against the Black tournament but has high potential College), Denuwan Rajakaruna Tennis Nationals which continued Caps and Sangakkara is convinced Sri according to selectors. (Mahinda College), Gayan Maneeshan at the SL Tennis Association hard (Maliyadeva College), Akshu Fernando Lanka has the quality to compete in any While including Nugawela Central courts on September 1 (Tuesday). (St. Peter’s College), Yasodha Lanka form of the game. spinner Saranga Rajaguru in a strong Not allowing at least a single (Richmond College), Adeesha “The batting of Tillekeratne Dilshan game to his teenage rival Sharmal spin department that has players who have picked up over 100 wickets last sea- Nanayakkara (Nalanda College), and Mahela Jayawardene was extraordi- Dissanayake in Men’s Singles, son, the selectors also have brought in Chathura Peiris (St. Peter’s College), nary in the Tests and everyone else played Godamanna cruised to win on Tuesday and will meet the winner of Andry Berenger and Maduka Lahiru Jayaratne (St. Peter’s College, their part,” said Sangakkara. the 2nd Round match between Liyanapathirana who despite perform- previously Christ Church- Matale play- “Everyone chipped in and it just goes Thuruna Eshwarage and Guyanga ing well, were surprisingly overlooked er), Charith Jayampathi (DS to show that if everyone is willing to fight, Weerasekera, seeded 6, in his quar- for Sri Lanka Under-19 tours early. Senanayake College ), Chathuranga show character and put in the hard work ter-final encounter. The Junior National Selection Kumara (St. Joseph’s College), Kasun as a team, results will follow. Meanwhile, last year’s SL team Committee chairman Sunil Madusanka (St. Servatius’ College), With the form shown by Dilshan and member for Davis Cup, Artha Wickramanayake told ‘The Island’ yes- Sanitha de Mel (St. Sebastian’s College), Hewacottege, gave a walk over to Jayawardene and with several talented terday that the Sri Lanka Under-19 team Shehan Jayasuriya (Prince of Wales Amith Weerasinghe in his match youngsters pressing for inclusion, College), Danushka Gunathilaka scheduled on Tuesday afternoon as for the forthcoming ICC World Cup will Kumar Sangakkara (Mahanama College), Rushan Jaleel Sangakkara admitted selecting the final he was reportedly ill. be selected from this pool of 30 players. line-up would be difficult. Jayawardena, Chamara Kapugedara, Results on Tuesday.– The pool is a mix of talented players (Trinity College), Matheesha Perera Muttiah Muralitharan, meanwhile has Gihan Rupasinghe, Angelo Mathews, H. Godamana bt S. Dissanayake from both Colombo and outstation (Ananada College), Akila Jayasundara been ruled out from both T-20 games due Isuru Udana, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 schools and has several players who (Trinity College), Adil Riyal (St. to a groin strain that he sustained during Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha A. Weerasinghe w/o from A. meet the eligibility criteria regarding Anthony’s College, Kandy), Hiran Wickramasinghe (St. Anthony’s College the second Test against New Zealand. Leg- Mendis, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Mahela Hewacottege age to play in one more world cup. Amresh Jayawickrema bt Kandy), Angelo Jayasinghe (Maris spinner Malinga Bandara has been Udawatta and Malinga Bandara. Among the players selected, St. Neshan Gunasekera 6-1, 6-0, 6-2 Stella College), Kithruwan Withanage brought into the side in his place. New Zealand (From) Peter’s College paceman Chathura Eshan Jayamanne vs Ashan Peiris is the most experienced player (Royal College), Saranga Rajaguru New Zealand, meanwhile, are boosted Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Dep* having played in the last World Cup and (Nugawela Central), Dinuk Jayasinghe by the return of fast bowler Shane Bond Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Michael Siyaguna vs Shehan featuring in almost all Sri Lanka Under- (Nalanda College), Amila Aponsu (St. to the side. Neil Broom, Grant Elliott, Peter Gomesz* Sebastian’s College), Maduka Robin Ungrome vs Meshal 19 tours since 2007. Sri Lanka (From) McGlashan, Daniel Vettori (Captain), Wickramanayake said that Chathura Liyanapathirana (Lumbini College- pre- Kumar Sangakkara (Captain), Sanath Nathan McCullum, Shane Bond, Kyle Sinnen* * These matches were still on at Peiris, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Rumesh viously President’s College), Shihan Jayasuriya, T.M. Dilshan, Mahela Mills and Ian Butler. the time of going to press. Buddhika and Andry Berenger are Kamaleen (Thurstan College), Wednesday 2nd September, 2009.