Friday 12th June, 2009 19 Negombo Youth SC rout India easily beat Ireland Youngsters SC NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) - level boost confidence. I certainly Kyle McCallan, but it was academic in the penultimate over when he had by Manjula D.Phillips Defending champion India defeated gained some confidence. as India reached 113-2. White by Dhoni, but Ireland Ireland by eight in the “It’s really simple. You give it Dhoni won the toss and asked scored 15 from Harbajhan Singh’s Of the eight matches played last World Cup on Wednesday your (best) shot, play good, profes- Ireland to bat. final over to add some respectability weekend in the fourth round of the with both teams having already sional . We want to win all Ireland William to the score. Holcim FA Cup 2009, Negombo Youth qualified for the Super 8 stage. the games, not just two of them.” Porterfield was Khan’s first victim, Ireland will have two key players SC were able to record the biggest win Rohit Sharma hit 52 and Andrew White was Ireland’s top bowled by a yorker. was - bowler and - over Youngsters SC Kandana. Gautan Gambhir 37 as India eclipsed scorer with 29, while Gary Wilson caught by Yusuf Pathan at first keeper-batsman Niall O’Brien - back Negombo Youth routed them 6-2. Ireland’s total of 112-8 with 15 balls and both made 19. and the same combination did for for Thursday’s Super 8 game with The new look, youthful Negombo to spare in a match reduced to 18 The Indian openers made a at the end of the fourth New Zealand. Youth outfit played a well controlled overs per side due to rain at Trent pedestrian start to the chase, taking over. “If push came to shove, Niall game as their former coach and Bridge. the score to 67-0 at the halfway Ojha then bowled Kevin O’Brien could have played,” Porterfield said. national player P. C. Karunaratne India opening bowler Zaheer point. and Wilson had his off stump “But he’ll get an extra 24 hours rest played a leading role with two goals. Khan earlier ripped through the Gambhir, who had earlier been knocked back by Harbhajan Singh, and it’ll do him a world of good. We On the other hand Jupiters SC Irish top order, taking three wickets dropped, was out 10 runs later, to leave the Irish on 48-5 in the 10th didn’t want to risk Trent because it Negombo had no luck when they in seven balls on his way to 4-19, caught by off Regan over. was only four overs, but he could played against Old Bens at Kotahena while Pragyan Ojha claimed 2-18. West in the 11th over. The Ireland batsmen found it have aggravated his shoulder injury. and lost 4-3 in a penalty shoot out. Khan’s figures were even more India captain Mahendra Singh impossible to generate any momen- “We were missing Trent, but he’s Jupiters had the services of a impressive, given he is still recuper- Dhoni joined Sharma at the crease tum. They limped to 72 before going to come back. I think on that Nigerian player and Old Bens custodi- ating from a shoulder injury. and the latter finally decided to hit Mooney was caught by Yuvraj Singh wicket he’d have done really well.” an Dexter Bernard had an excellent “It’s great to be playing after a out in the 13th over, smashing a six trying to reverse sweep Ojha and game. long time,” he said. “It’s only my off Rankin’s final ball. West was run out off the next deliv- Brief scores: India 113 for 2 Meanwhile, Wennappuwa New second game but it’s important to took a tremendous ery after failing to ground his bat. (Rohit 52*, Gambhir 37) Ireland Young SC had to wait till the 84th get some wickets, and wickets at any diving catch to get rid of Dhoni off Khan claimed his fourth wicket 112 for 8 (Zaheer 4-19, Ojha 2-18) minute to break the deadlock against Pelicans, Kurunegala who came up with a spirited display in Prima Under-15 Inter District Cricket Wennappuwa. Hulangamuwa shines on day one Super Beach, Kalutara walked off Colombo South ‘B’ the field protesting the referee’s deci- 18:44:09 seconds on the first sion after 20 minutes of play when day of the 36th Sri Lanka record six wickets win they were down 0-1 against Don Bosco Schools Diving champi- by Reemus in Negombo. onship. He was also able to Fernando ‘A’ , A s h e n The FFSL is to conduct an inquiry beat the previous best of Kariyawasam regarding the incident. 18:45:00 seconds set by R. Colombo and T. Results in brief: Madigasekara in 2001. South ‘B’ cap- Karunaratne Old Bens SC beat Jupiters SC (4-3), The four day champi- tained by Amila were the only Kalutara Park SC beat Red Sun SC(3- onship which began yester- Aponsu scored a batsmen to top 25 1), Negombo YSC beat Youngsters SC day, is conducted by Sri four wicket victo- runs. (6-2), Renown SC beat Serendib SC( 1- Lanka Aquatic Sports ry over Colombo 0), New Young SC beat Pelicans SC (2- Association. The champi- North ‘A’ as H. Scores: 0), Navy SC beat Cooray SC (2-0). onship is scheduled to finish Hewanayake with Colombo on Sunday with the final. 40 runs and N. North ‘A’ 164 all by Roshen Steelman Over 1000 swimmers from over Nissanka with a out in 42.5 overs 100 schools will represnt at the meet. half century top (Ushan S.K.A. Hulangamuwa of Trinity Minister of Sports and Udari Cumaratunga of Visakha Vidyalaya, scored for them Gunathilaka 21, Under-15 Division I Cricket College, Kandy, established a new Recreation Gamini Lokuge along Colombo, in action during the Under-17 in their Inter T. meet record in the Under-19 Boy’s with Bandula Egodage are expected Girl’s 200 meters Backstroke event yester- District Under-15 Paranamannege Lakshitha turns 1500 meters free style event clocking at the closing ceremony on Sunday. day. (Pic by Nishan S. Piyantha) Prima Cup match 21, Ashen played at Ananda Kariyawasam 26, Gurukula spearhead Sastralaya T. Karunaratne by Reemus Fernando Ground, Kotte 25; C. Senaratne yesterday. 3/22, Amila Paceman Shehan Lakshitha Maxwell, elected uncontested Colombo Aponsu 3/43, A. impressed with a five wicket haul to North A Perera 2/32) help Gurukula College cruise to a six first were wicket victory over C. W. W. as SLTA President restricted to 154 Colombo Kannangara College in their Inter runs with skipper South ‘B’ 165 for School Under-15 match played at by Revata S. Silva who was President during Asst. Treasurer – Ashoka Amila Aponsu, 6 in 31.8 overs (H. Mahara Prison Ground, on Tuesday. 2000-02, has been elected one of Abeywardena (SLTA –PS) and C. Senaratne Hewanayake 40, Scores: At this year’s AGM of the the six Vice Presidents. Ground Secretary – V. T. sharing three N. Nissanka 51, C. W. W. Kannangara 87 all out in SL Tennis Association (SLTA) Former SLTA CEO Boshan Sundaralingam (SLTA – PS) wickets each Sachin Peiris 21; 34.3 overs (K. V. P. Ramitha 19, V. held at Independence Avenue, Dayaratne will be the new Committee (20) – Joseph while A. Perera Ushan Hansaka 15; Shehan Lakshitha 5/20, Colombo, on Thursday (11), a Gen. Secretary representing Perera (Govt. Services TC), Dr. picked up two Gunathilaka Namal Pathum 3/19) 35-member General Bandarawela Tennis Club. Anura Dantanarayana (Kandy wickets. For 2/22) Gurukula 89 for 4 in 21 overs Following infighting Committee was elected uncon- Garden Club), Anura Colombo North (Dulaj Shaminda 51 n.o; P.Walakuluge between two camps, led by tested for the ensuing year to Fernando (Panadura 3/12. run the sport in the island. Bogollagama and former five- Recreation Club), Gayan time President Suresh Maxwell de Silva, former Gen. Peiris (Panadura Recreation Subramanaim, Sports and Inter District Under-19 Cricket Secretary and one of the Vice Club), Thusitha Wimalaratne Dulanjan dazzles Presidents, was elected new Public Recreation Minister (SL Air Force TC), Janaka head of the SLTA for the first Gamini Lokuge intervened to Galle rout Bogollagama (Kurunegala in Wesley win time. postpone the SLTA AGM in Maxwell de Silva was elected De Silva thus becomes the March, 2008, and appointed a uncontested as President, SLTA, on TC), Nalin Ranatunga Wesley College recorded a run- Hambanthota 31st President of the SLTA nine-member Interim Thursday (11) (Bandarawela TC), Edward away 50 points to 5 win against Zahira since the time it was estab- Committee under Thanjaratnam (SL Army TC), College in an A Division segment 2 Galle District, skippered by lished in 1915, 94 years ago Bogollagama the following Playing Section), Lalith Tissa Wijegunawardene inter-school league rugby tournament Rumesh Buddhika recorded a massive Withana (SLTA – PS), Aasiri under the British colonial August. (Orient Club), Senaka de Silva fixture played at CR&FC Grounds yes- 10 wicket victory over Hambanthota Iddamalgoda (SSC), P.S. rulers. Following persons were (Galle TC), Shehan Meegama terday. District, after restricting their oppo- Kumara (Queens SC) Out of those 35 names pro- elected uncontested for the (Panadura SC), Mohammed The winners scored eight tries nents to a paltry 66 run in an Inter Gen. Secretary – Boshan posed for the Gen. Committee, General Committee of the Ansar (Matale DTC), Arjuna from which five were scored by District Under-19 tournament match SLTA for the period of June, Dayaratne (Bandarawela TC) two have reportedly been Herath (SSC), Nandi Hewage Dulanjan Wijesinghe. Jaya Umar, played at Uyanwatte last Saturday. 2009, to June, 2010. Assistant Secretaries (4) rejected. (Colombo University) and Omar and Pasindu were the other try Scores: Meanwhile, former two- President – Maxwell de – Ishard Othman Lalaka Peiris (Carlton TC). scorers for the lads from Campbell Hambanthota 66 all out in 33.4 time (one year in an Interim Silva (representing Colombo (Cosmopolitan Club), Names Rejected: Park. Dulaj Perera slotted in two con- overs (C. Tharanga 18, D. Madushan Committee) and outgoing Swimming Club) Samantha Weerasekara (SL Narmakularajah Bahirathan President Janaka Vice Presidents (6) – Lt. Air Force TC), Bernard versions and two penalties for the 18 n.o; Yasoda Lanka 3/13, Janith of Lake View TC (a late entry), Bogollagama of Kurunegala Col. Shiran Abeysekera (SL Jesudasan (SL Schools TA), Wesleyites. Chathuranga 2/07) Seevali Wickramarachchi of Tennis Club will remain as Army TC), Dinesh Vipul Perera (Matale DTC) Zahira earned their points from a Galle 67 for no lose in 10.1 overs one of the 20 Committee Weerakkody (Colombo Treasurer – Kumar Ratnapura TC (for being pro- solitary try. Wesley led 25-5 at half (Chalitha Madushan 32 n.o, Nilusha Members. Lalith Withana, Swimming Club), Maj. Gen. Gunawardane (Kalutara Lawn posed and seconded by the time. (RN) Uththamadasa 25 n.o) Jayantha Ranaweera (SLTA – TC) same club, Ratnapura TC).

by Richard Browne The late Malcolm Marshall would get the new ball ahead of It is of course futile to compare Lillee and Lindwall, his skidding cricketers of different eras, but in bouncer would I imagine be nigh an indulgent moment as Twenty- Yesterday’s heroes take on Twenty-20 upon impossible to slog with any 20 cricket sweeps and swamps all certainty or consistently, which that comes into its whirlwind, who opener beguiled English county In most XIs of this sort, his proven genius at orchestrating status as a cricketer and third backed up with his complete com- from yesteryears’ masters would audiences with his feline power Bradman is a shoe in for first drop, run chases, would be perfect for class status as a man.” He would mand of swing, seam and change have the skill to take on the mod- and seeming ability to hit the ball but for our purposes his batting the tight chase. act as a lesson in humility to of pace, makes him just as com- ern day giants with their massive wherever he wished, irrespective was too one paced and would lack Six has to be Sir Garfield some of the more pampered and plete a 20/20 player as he was in bats, ice baths and energy drinks. of the bowler or conditions. It was the dynamism needed should the Sobers, the complete cricketer, as spoiled current players as they all other forms of the game. Taking Sri Lanka’s win in the 1996 said there was no shot of which he hit and miss Jessop fall early. This priceless and princely in 20/20 as eased into the ice bath. The lumbering West Indian World Cup as the watershed in the was not the master of. leaves only one man, the ‘Master in any other form of the game. Benaud, the renaissance man giant, Joel Garner will complete evolution of limited over’s cricket, To partner Richards a trip back Blaster’ himself Sir Vivian The second all rounder proves of cricket, would skipper the side, the team, his toe crush- I feel it appropriate to not consider to the Golden Age and Gilbert Richards, most destructive of mod- trickier. For all his mighty hit- unleash big hits and bowl accu- ing yorkers at the death, some- any player who donned the paja- Jessop is required. Following the ern batsmen, inspirational fielder ting, Botham was a swing bowler rate leg spin. An attacking spin- thing no other bowler has done mas after that tournament. modern trend that average first and with the increasing promi- who bought wickets at a high ner has proven to be crucial - per- with more consistency and dead- Opening batsmen were of class statistics make no difference nence of loopy spin an all-rounder economy rate; Kapil Dev likewise. haps the wizened Aussie leggie, ly results. course traditionally there to take to 20/20 greatness, the diminutive with his off-breaks. Imran Khan was not dynamic Clarie Grimmett would be too When dear old Gilbert Jessop the shine off the new ball and bat ‘Croucher’ as he was known, was At four and five we need impro- enough with the bat, Hadlee not slow through the air, Tiger is bought back to life for this con- all day, so I fear that the old perhaps the greatest hitter of them visers and artisans - step forward good enough. O’Reilly to quick. Abdul Qadir test, one can only imagine his English masters, Sir jack Hobbs all. Legendary feats abound no Denis Compton, the greatest sport- Sir Leary, later Baron would most certainly be a match utter confusion at what awaits and Sir Len Hutton would be of lit- more so than winning a 1902 Ashes ing hero the UK has known and the Constantine, gets the nod. Like winner, but Benaud’s astute brain him. tle use. Raw power and a blatant Test by hitting 102 out of 135 in just marketing man’s dream with his Jessop, not consistent in the and calming personality is too I have no doubt that this sub- disregard for the MCC coaching over hour, including five sixes, in dashing good looks and easy longer form of the game, his hit- vital to be overlooked. lime collection of cricketers manual are the order of the day the days when the ball had to leave charm. The purveyor of five differ- ting on his day was immense, his Behind the timbers, the imp- would be diving around the out- now and we need to look no further the arena, not merely cross the ent sweep shots, once his famously bowling electric and he lays claim ish genius of Alan Knott, an field with the best of the current than the blonde South African boundary, for the umpire to raise abysmal running between the to being the greatest fielder of improviser with the bat well batch. Would the batsmen men- Barry Richards. his arms. A wicket taking fast wickets is sorted, the perfect man them all. A politician and civil ahead of his time, and keeper of tioned above need to bring such Sadly exiled from internation- bowler and greatest cover point of to build an innings around. Javed rights reformer, CLR James said undoubted greatness, be it stand- shots as the reverse slog to there al cricket for the hideous actions of his day, makes him an ideal man Miandad’s legendary street fight- of him; “he revolted against the ing back to the quicks or up to the armory? I doubt it as talent of men he never met, the laconic for the shorter format. ing qualities would follow, where revolting, between his first class spinners, would get the gloves. this magnitude bows to no fad.