Thursday 30th June, 2011 13

trators and the public alike were eagerly waiting for the big occasion. Special postage stamps and coins were issued by the UNP led government SLPL to go ahead as planned under first Executive President J. R. Jayewardene, an ardent fan himself. Aluthgamage still hopeful of Indian There were souvenir caps sold by the BCCSL which was participation headed that time by ever agile Gamini Dissanayake Sri Lanka will go ahead Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, who toiled hard to get ICC with its planned T20 league Ravichandran Ashwin and nine Full Membership for Sri tournament in the same format other Indian players to partici- Lanka, for years. The Test as scheduled, currently with all pate in the tournament sched- status had eventually co me, foreign players except the uled from July 19-August 4. after years of battle, less than Indians, but the the hosts are “We didn’t go,” SLC media a year before, in 1981. still hopeful of India consider- manager Brian Thomas was Having come straight from ing it’s request, Sports quoted as having told Reuters the chilly North India, Minister Mahindananda when asked if Sri Lankan offi- Fletcher’s team, comprising Aluthgamage said on Monday. cials went to India to discuss big names such as Sir Ian “I have written to the Indian the issue with the Indian board. Botham, , Sports Minister, requesting to “We are waiting for further , Mike Gatting, consider to send Indian play- instructions from Singapore Bob Taylor (the -keep- ers,” Mahindananda and from our board. The thing er), , John Lever, Aluthgamage was quoted as is, most of the board members Derek Underwood and John having told Reuters.. are busy with the ICC Emburey, needed to acclima- “But we are going to have (International Cricket Council) Bob Willis delivering the first ball to Bandula Warnapura in tise to the hot and humid the tournament. Other than the meeting. I think they will take SriLanka’s inaugural Test which began two days later at P. Sara Colombo conditions quickly. Indians, all other scheduled a firm decision after that.” after Sri Lanak recorded her first ODI win against England at SSC. A VIP train took them to players are coming. The tour- Singapore-based Somerset (Files) their first game in Kandy, nament will be conducted in a Sports Minister Mahindananda Entertainment Ventures owns same profile as we had planned, Aluthgamage the commercial rights to the “ he added. tournament. West Indian Kieron Pollard, ers, because it suspects the Sports commentators and First win against the Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and involvement of Lalit Modi, the analysts in Sri Lanka have said New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori former Indian Premier League the Indian board’s attitude may are among the foreign recruits commissioner, who was sacked be also due to Sri Lanka, dur- for the Twenty20 tournament on financial irregularity ing the recently concluded IPL, modelled on the successful charges, in the IPL-style tour- recalling its players for the Englishmen, 29 years ago Indian Premier League (IPL). nament. England tour ahead of the Aluthgamage last Friday A Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) agreed date, which was later Date: February 14, 1982 could have won the match in wheretherewasbigcrowdto said the Board of Control for delegation was expected to trav- solved after high-level official Venue: Singhalese Sports the first hour if even half the see that warm-up game which Cricket in India (BCCI) had el to India last week to try and discussions. Club, Colombo balls that beat the bat had ended in a draw. Then came denied permission to its play- convince BCCI officials to allow (Russ) Result: Sri Lanka won by found the edge. However, the two ODIs, both played out 3 runs Sidath Wettimuny, younger in front of a capacity crowdof Man-of-the-Match: Sidath brother of Sunil who played 20,000 people at the SSC. Wettimuny in Kandy (in a warm-up England had won the first on “Sidath Wettimuny (86) match in the same series), thepreviousdaybyfiveruns and debutant Arjuna battled through and went on and were cruising to win in Ranatunga (42) helped Sri to pace the innings with skill thenextmatchtooasthey Lanka put up a total of 215/7 and opportunism. With five had reached 203 for five wick- after being asked to bat first down and needing 46 ets, chasing 216 to win in a by English skipper Keith at nearly 9 an over England 45-over encounter. Fletcher. In reply, Graham looked beaten until Fletcher As Ranjan Madugalle, Gooch (74) and Geoff Cook and Gatting together plun- wearing white as in a Test (32) took their side off to a dered 34 off an over apiece match, took a stunning out- good start with a 109-run from the de Silvas. Then vic- field catch from Willis as partnership before the latter tory was suddenly there for that Sunday’s sun was set- was dismissed by Ajit ting on the SSC, the de Silva. Gooch and entire cricket fraternity, Gower too fell soon, which was either listen- but skipper Fletcher ing to the live radio (38) kept the chase on commentaries from the track. The match how- ones like Palitha Perera ever changed course, and Premasara as England lost four Epasinghe or watching wickets to run-outs. TV —a rare commodity Needing 14 from the in the local villages then last two overs, England came the taking.” after only a couple of years within striking distance, but - Wisden Almanack Report of introduction of the equip- fell short by 3 runs after from 1983 ment to the island on the Ashantha de Mel dismissed This is Sri Lanka’s sev- live coverage telecast by the No.11 Bob Willis for a first- enth One-day International, Rupavahini, was in utmost ball duck.” played 29 years before as the joy. - MSN Sports, ODI second of a series of two “But amid riotous scenes, Classics, England vs. Sri against touring England. England lost their last five Lanka, June 25, 2011 England, led by Keith wickets for nine runs to give Sri Lanka v England 1981- Fletcher, arrived on February the home side a remarkable 82 5, 1982 to play the islander’s three-run victory. The crowd “Another capacity crowd of inaugural Test match which invaded the pitch at the end, 22,000 saw their side avenge wastobeginattheOvaltwo lighting celebratory bonfires the previous day’s defeat day’s after this second ODI, in the stands, and remained when England, needing 14 off held at the SSC on February in front of the pavilion long the last two overs, lost four 14. after the sun had set, cheer- of their remaining five wick- England were straight ing in the dark.” ets to run-outs and the last from a tour of India. - ‘The birth of a nation’ to a skied catch. Having Meanwhile, here in Sri by Martin Williamson, elected to field, England Lanka, the players, adminis- Cricinfo, May 26, 2006

FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying Match Sri Lanka hold Philippines to a draw the turn around, the visitors Lanka to take the lead even BY MANJULA D. PHILLIPS exploded into action, when for- though Mohamed Kaiz and ward Emelio Caligdong directed Nimal Fernando missed out on The first leg of the FIFA the ball with his head into the two scoring opportunities in the World Cup Qualifying match Sri Lankan net to find the latter part of the game. Some between Sri Lanka and equalizer. The visiting team valiant efforts by Sri Lanka’s Philippines ended in a 1 all draw thereon never allowed Sri goal keeper Viraj Asanka pre- at the Sugathadasa vented the visi- Stadium in Colombo tors from scor- yesterday. ing. As it was a The host team first leg match surprised Sri the game did not Lankan soccer fans extend to extra by scoring the first time or penalties. goal in the game. The second This happened leg match when Mid-fielder between the two Chathura countries will be Gunaratne booted played at Rizal the ball to the oppo- Memorial Tratk nent’s net, off a Football Stadium free kick in the 41st in Philippines on minute of play. The July 3. The game spirited Sri Lankan will be a decisive team, especially one as the win- after having scored A Sri Lankan forward strikes the ball while Philippines’ goal keeper ner will qualify the first goal, fin- makes an effort to save a goal during yesterday’s football match for the second ished the first half, between Sri Lanka and Philippines at Sugathadasa Stadium round of the pre- leading 1-0. After Colombo. (Pic by Kamal Wanniarachchi) liminary round.