Prasad to Play for Injured Fernando As Sri Lanka Seek History

Tuesday 3rd January, 2012

No team barring Australia have beaten South Africa in Cape Town in 50 years SLC elections Sumathipala faction pulls out Prasad to play for injured Fernando BY REVATA S. SILVA Mohan de Silva, who vied for the post of vice presiden- cy from the Thilanga Sumathipala faction in as Sri Lanka seek history today’s Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) elections, announced last night that they would REX CLEMENTINE authorities expect them to be sold by pull out from the cricket reporting from Cape Town today morning and a full house of board elections. Exciting wicketkeeper batsman 25,000 is expected. As of yesterday, 3000 “The (SLC) elections are Dinesh Chandimal has been ruled fit to tickets still remained unsold for day not held in just and fair man- play the deciding final Test against two while 4500 tickets were available ner. The whole procedure South Africa that starts today here at for day three giving an idea on the prior to the elections violated Newlands in Cape Town, but fast bowler interest here in South Africa on the the cricket board constitu- Dilhara Fernando has been ruled out series. tion. We have made our Mohan de Silva (seated, centre) meeting with Ms. with a knee injury. The Proteas have dropped middle protest. We won’t contest at Ranjani Jayakody, Directress General of Sports, (on Fernando will be replaced by his ex- order batsman Ashwel Prince due to this elections,” said de Silva right) yesterday. (Pic by Saman Abeysiriwardena) school mate Dhammika Prasad, who his poor form and have recalled Alviro last night to The Island. joined the squad after the first Test as Petersen. He will open the innings with “We’re very hurt. Our entire group solely because of the requests made by replacement for the injured Nuwan captain Graeme Smith, while Jacques comprised of qualified individuals who the member clubs who have experi- Pradeep Fernando. Chandimal, who got Rudolph, who opened in the first two could’ve served the game immensely enced a difficult time during the time hit on his right elbow by a Prasad deliv- Tests will move down to number six. had we were elected. We decided to the board was run by interim commit- ery during practices on the New Year Vernon Philander, who was Man of the contest this time in spite of obstacles, tees,” de Silva said. day, was taken to doctors who had Match in Centurion but missed the declared the 22-year-old had not sus- Durban Test due to a knee injury, will tained any fractures. He practiced yes- return to the side in place of Marchant terday with his elbow heavily strapped de Lange, who picked up seven wickets Star all-rounder set to play his 150th Test and after training captain T.M. Dilshan in Durban in the first innings on his declared him fit to play. debut. Sri Lanka are chasing their first South Africa haven’t won a home Kallis a stubborn man and wants series win in more than two years after Test series in three years, with the last squaring the three match series by win- one being against Bangladesh and cap- ning the second Test in Durban by 208 tain Graeme Smith stressed the need to to put things right – Smith runs last week. Away from the sub-con- put that record right. “We have been tinent and Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka haven’t Wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Chandimal reflecting on a few things and had a few REX CLEMENTINE REPORTING has done throughout his career and I am won a Test series since winning 1-0 in has been ruled fit to play. chats on where we had been poor. We FROM CAPE TOWN sure there’s a good fire burning to put New Zealand in 1995. can play a lot tougher cricket things right in this Test Match,” Smith Newlands has been a South than we played in Durban.” What all-rounder Jacques Kallis has added. African fortress with no team achieved in Test cricket is legendary and “It’s going to be his 150th Test Match other than the Australians Sri Lanka: T.M. Dilshan the 36-year-old will add another feather to and it’s an incredible feat and something being able to beat the Proteas (Captain), Tharanga his cap when he will become the first that needs to be acknowledged. As an all- in this ground since their Paranavithana, Kumar South African to play 150 Test Matches in rounder to play 150 Test Matches with the readmission to Test cricket. Sangakkara, Mahela the third Test against Sri Lanka today highest standards he has produced is out- Since 1992, South Africa have Jayawardene, Thilan here in Cape Town, his hometown. Kallis, standing. I know he is extremely motivat- won 15 of the 23 Tests played Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, the sixth Test cricketer to achieve the ed to do well.” here. The last time a team other than Test after ten unsuccessful attempts Dinesh Chandimal (Wicketkeeper), milestone, is the fourth highest run getter Smith added that the Proteas were Australia beat South Africa here was said. Thisara Perera, Rangana Herath, in Test cricket, but what the Tendulkars, disappointed following their defeat in half a century ago when New Zealand South Africa’s scheduled training Dhammika Prasad and Chanaka Pontings and Dravids, the three who have Durban, but were determined to put out a won by 72 runs in 1962. session yesterday morning was can- Welagedara. scored more runs in Tests than him, lack good show in Cape Town. “It’s been a “We know that it’s very difficult to celled due to rain, but the Sri Lankans South Africa: Graeme Smith is the 278 Test wickets he has to his credit. pretty tough time for us. It’s been an beat South Africa in South Africa. But had the fortune of a good net session as (Captain), Alviro Petersen, Hashim The series against Sri Lanka has been embarrassing couple of days after the after what happened in Durban, every- the rain ceased by the time they Amla, Jacques Kallis, A.B. de Villiers, a tough one for Kallis as he was dismissed Test Match. We let ourselves down and let one is excited. Lots of guys have arrived at Newlands in the afternoon. Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher, Dale for a pair in Durban where Sri Lanka lot of people down by not playing to the regained their confidence. Our fast They also practiced at the side wickets Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon recorded their first Test win on South standards we are capable of. As a team bowlers throughout the series have done of the ground with emphasis on field- Philander and Imran Tahir. African soil. So far in the series, Kallis it’s about bouncing back and getting well. We are looking forward for the Test ing, particularly slip catching. Umpires: Richard Kettleborough has not been able to score a half-century things right over the next couple of tomorrow, particularly our fast With the series leveled, just over (Eng) and Rod Tucker (Aus) or take a wicket. days,” he added. bowlers,” Sri Lanka captain 1500 tickets were left unsold by yester- Third Umpire: Steve Davis (Aus) “I suppose that was his first pair in South Africa have not lost a Test in Tillakeratne Dilshan, who won his first day morning for day one. Ground Match Referee: Chris Broad (Eng) his career in all forms of the game. So Cape Town other than to Australia since the guys have jumped on about it and their readmission to international crick- given him a bit of stick. He has given us a et. The Proteas have won 15 of the 23 hard time throughout our careers and we Tests played here since 1991. “I don’t BY REEMUS FERNANDO Royal 290, St. Anthony’s 96/6 Kariyawasam 24, Sachin Jayawardena Sent in to bat first, fine half cen- 15; Amrith Srimahan 3/37, Janishka have made it count,” a smiling South know, I wish I could tell you. Maybe in St. Joseph’s College had the edge over turies scored by Supun Subasinghe and Premasinghe 5/31) African captain Graeme Smith said yes- general guys are happy playing here, St. Sebastian’s College at the end of the Milan Abeysekara powered Royal Trinity 207 for 6 wkts at close in 43 terday. maybe because of the good results we first day’s play of their Under-19 cricket College to 290 runs, while spinner overs (Niroshan Dickwella 68, Janishka “If I know him well, he’s the most have had and the feel good factor. But to encounter, as they restricted their visi- Saranga Rajaguru picked up five wick- Premasinghe 36, Bhagya Palihawadana stubborn man in the world and there’s no give you the scientific formula, I wish I tors to 113 for eight wickets at close ets for St. Anthony’s College, 24, Rajitha Jayatunga 28, Arjuna doubt in my mind that he is really hun- understood a bit more myself,” Smith after posting 261 runs, at Darley Road, Katugastota in their Under-19 match Jayasinghe 23 n.o.; Ashail Kariyawasam gry to put things right in this Test. I don’t said in response to the reason for South Colombo yesterday. which commenced at Reid Avenue yes- 3/46, Sachin Jayawardena 2/27) Deciding to bat first, a century by think he has produced the standards he Africa to do well here. skipper Vidusha Jayasinghe propelled Waduge, Tyron guide Richmond the home team to 261 runs. Jayasinghe Under-19 Cricket Half centuries by Pabasara Waduge scored 18 fours and a six in his knock (51 in 46 balls; 9x4s 1x6s) and A. K. Tyron which came in 120 balls. helped Richmond College post 218 runs Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship Scores: against Isipatana College on the first day St. Joseph’s 261 all out in 57 overs Joes on of their match at BRC Ground yesterday. (Vidusha Jayasinghe 107, Sadeera In reply Isipatana were 28 for two Indika, Sanjeewa, Harrison Samarawickrama 35, Supeshala wickets at close. Jayathilaka 26, Priyamal Perera 41 n.o., Scores: Fabian Fernando 25; Sanitha de Mel top Richmond 218 all out in 72.4 overs share honours 2/42, Amila Aponso 4/67, Sachinda (Pabasara Waduge 51, Hasitha Madushan Gunawardena 3/41) 40, Raveen Kelum 27, A.K. Tyron 58; J. M.D. Indika, B. A. Sanjeewa and G. St. Sebastian’s 113 for 8 wkts at close terday. St. Anthony’s were 96 for six Charith Rajapaksha 3/32, Kaminda Harrison shared honours on day one of in 39 overs (Avishka Fernando 38, Anuk wickets at close. Dananjaya 4/62, Sidath Mallawarachchi the qualifying rounds of the Sri Lanka Scores: Fernando 26; Yashan Samarasinghe 2/58) 2/29) Royal 290 all out in 65.4 (Ronaka Open Golf Championship, worked off at Isipatana 28 for 2 wkts at close in 22 Ahangamage 35, Supun Subasinghe 64, Royal Colombo Golf Club in Colombo overs (Deshan Jaykumar 16; A.K. Tyron Lumbini shot out for 118 runs Imal Liyanage 32, Heshan Kumarasiri yesterday. 2/09) Deciding to bowl first, Ananda 21, Milan Abeysekara 59, Chamika The qualifying round attracted a College skittled out Lumbini College for Karunaratne 34; Saranga Rajaguru 5/83, huge number of golfers with 98 compet- 118 runs as Tiran Wijesuriya and 21 wickets fall on day one Sachin Bulathsinhala 2/82, Charles ing for 37 slots in the major tournament. Pasindu Madushan shared seven wick- Praveen 2/47) Twenty one wickets fell on day one of ets between them in their match which St. Anthony’s 96 for 6 wkts at close the Under-19 Division II tournament The championship will conclude on commenced at Colts Ground yesterday. in 29 overs (Sachin Bulathsinhala 36 encounter between Siri Piyaratana Friday. In reply, Ananda were 113 for four n.o., Kanishka Ranarajah 23, Manoj College, Padukka and Bandaranaike Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship wickets at close. Sarathchandra 21; Chamika College, Gampaha at Padukka yesterday. 2011 can be considered as one of the Scores: Karunaratne 2/46, Anupa Thilakaratne The two teams were tied on first innings toughest tournaments with 27 golfers Perera and N. Thangarajah also have Lumbini 118 all out in 44.3 overs 2/20) scores. been professionals and many past win- shaped up well for this tournament. (Jammika Dharana 43, Shehan Scores: ners taking part. B. G. Lalith Kumara, twice All India Shashika 19; Tiran Wijesuriya 3/30, Trinity in box seat Siri Piyaratana 187 all out in 43.3 Pasindu Madushan 4/43) Trinity College were in the box seat overs (Lakmal Jayaratne 44, K.S. While seven time Open Champion K. Amateur Champion, and Toranshahi Ananda 113 for 4 wkts at close in 42.3 posting 207 for six wickets at close after Sampath 44; Ravindu Munasinghe 3/23, Nandasena Perera takes part again this from Nepal, who is a professional golfer, overs (Geshan Wimaladharma 24, restricting Wesley College to 129 runs on Rathsara Withana 3/59, Esala Adikari time, former champions M. are also expected to show their class Danuka Madushan 20, Pasindu day one of their Under-19 encounter 2/31) and 15 for 1 wkt at close in 4.1 overs Amarapadma and Anura Rohana are during this Championship. Madushan 24, Sisuru Samarasinghe 28 which commenced at Asgiriya yesterday. Bandaranaike 187 all out in 34.2 some of the other likely candidates for The event is sponsored by n.o.; Pradeep Wasantha 2/42, Tharushan Scores: overs (Wageesha Wanniarachchi 77, the title. Sri Lanka National Amateur Caterpillar Earth Moving Equipment Iddamalgoda 2/28) Wesley 129 all out in 52.4 overs Dinidu Samodana 39; Lakmal Jayaratne Champions K. Nandasena Perera, D. J. agents UTE, while Coca-Cola is a co- (Sadeem Thawfeeq 33, Ashail 3/69, A.R. Abeykoon 5/40). D. Perera, K. Prabagaran, Mithun sponsor. (RS)

Tuesday 3rd January, 2012