The Island, Thursday 4th May, 2006 Sri Lanka climbs up Sri Lanka braced for final warm-up in rugby rankings Sri Lanka’s preparations for next thanks to the counties for enabling us to son conditions is sure to prove invalu- Following Sri Lanka’s 30-0 win over China week’s first Test at Lord’s take a signifi- name the next best XI,” said England’s able as his squad fine-tune their game- in their Asian Zone Rugby World Cup qualify- cant step-up in tempo at New Road today, chairman of selectors, David Graveney. plans. ing match on Saturday, the country has when they take on an England A side “It’s the first time that has happened. Sri Lanka won their last warm-up climbed up in the world rankings, a Rugby brimful of talent and players with sever- “The game against the A team is a key game, against Derbyshire on Monday, by Union communiqué stated yesterday. al points to prove. game,” added Graveney. “Everyone has wicketkeeper, is another man who has six wickets and Moody described the Accordingly, Sri Lanka is placed The fixture represents a radical seen how opposition counties put our designs on an international recall, while experience as “invaluable practice”, 40th as at May 1. With the latest win, the departure from the pattern of recent team under pressure leading up to Test a good showing from Durham’s Liam after his team overcame chilly condi- country has overtaken Asian countries such years, in which touring sides were pre- matches so I would be expecting these Plunkett should guarantee him a place in tions and a sporting pitch. as Arabian Gulf, Chinese Taipei, China, sented with below-strength county oppo- guys to impress in terms of making it the Lord’s XI and a first home Test Moody added that Sri Lanka’s Test sition. But not before time, the ECB have extremely difficult for the Sri Lankans to Kazakhstan etc in rankings. appearance. side is far from finalised, although at taken the view that practice against have pressure-free practice.” All credit should go to the National team For Sri Lanka’s coach, Tom Moody,the international opposition is an opportuni- England A will be led by the Kent bats- least seven of the Derbyshire side are management, coaching staff and the players New Road match is a return to his home- ty not to be squandered, and the four-day man Robert Key, who would almost cer- expected to feature at Lord’s. Among who have done Sri Lanka proud by winning from-home. He was a fixture at fixture is sure to be keenly contested. tainly have been recalled to the Test side them is the slingy pace bowler, Lasith five games in a row in the Asian Zone RWC Worcestershire throughout the 1990s, “These are guys who are not contract- last winter, had it not been for an untime- Malinga, whom Moody described as Qualifiers, the media release further said. and his knowledge of English early-sea- ed players and I want to repeat the ly shoulder operation. Chris Read, the “unique”. For their next engagement Sri Lanka will travel to Hong Kong. The match is scheduled for May 1. EurAsia Cricket Series MCA Premier League cricket Pakistan ‘A’ pulverise Easy for E-WIS Sri Lanka ‘A’ E-WIS coasted to a seven-wicket win over Opener Mohammad Hafeez scored a Nawaloka Group in their Singer-MCA Premier swashbuckling unbeaten century (105) League cricket tournament match played at and captain Hasan Raza an undefeated Bloomfield ground yesterday. half century (62) as Pakistan ‘A’ compre- Having bowled out their opponents for 134 in hensively beat Sri Lanka ‘A’ by eight 40.2 overs, E-WIS raced to the target for the loss of wickets in a ‘winner takes it all’ EurAsia only three wickets in 20.3 overs. Indika Senaratne Cricket Series match at the Zayed top scored for the winners with 59. Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Nawaloka Group 134 in 40.2 overs (U. Pakistan ‘A’ will now meet India ‘A’ in Weerasinghe 24, P. Jayawardena 21, R. Fernando the final on Friday. 21 n.o.; Udara Varuna 3/25) Chasing 210 to win the Pakistanis E-WIS 135 for 5 in 20.3 overs ((Indika achieved the target with 4.4 overs to Senaratne 59, P. Seneviratne 27) spare. Earlier, Sri Lanka ‘A’ failed to capi- Seylan by 33 runs talise on a fine 89-run third wicket stand between Malintha Warnapura (49) and Seyaln Bank registered a 33-run victory over Kaushal Silva (41) and were bowled out Janashakti Insuarnce at Colts ground yesterday. for 209 in 41 overs. On the back of two half centuries by Chanaka Sri Lanka ‘A’ captain Avishka Wijesinghe (51) and Damith Indiak (58), the Gunawardene won the toss and chose to bankers posted 200 in 44.5 overs. Then they shot bat first. But, the Sri Lankans soon found out the opponents for 167 in 35.2 overs as themselves in trouble having lost the Ganganath Ratnayake captured 3 for 15. Dilhara wickets of Gunawardene (1) and the fel- Fernando and Thilina Thushara accounted for two low opener Ian Daniel (14). Warnapura wickets apiece. and Silva came together when the score- Seylan 200 in 44.5 overs (G. Ratnayake 25, board read 31-2 and the pair began the Chanaka Wijesinghe 51, Damith Indiak 58, Thilina Thushara 35; Nandika Ranjith 2/40, R. Dias 2/45, repair work. Although both the players PORTUGAL: Nicolas Massu of Chile plays a backhand against Raemon Sluiter of the Netherlands during their Estoril Open match in Estoril, on the outskirts of had their share of luck, they put Sri M. Madusanka 2/25, S. Rajapakse 2/35) Lisbon on Tuesday. - (AFP) Lanka in a strong position. When Silva Janashakti 167 in 35.2 overs (D. Ranaweera fell for 41 (55 balls, 5x4) in the 23rd over 32, C. Fernando 57, N. Ranjith 20; D. Fernando Sri Lanaka had reached 120. In the very 2/25, T. Thushara 2/57, G. Ratnayake 3/15) next ball Sri Lanka ‘A’ lost Chamara Silva for nought as Umar Gul yoked him. Indian marathon child’s guardian denies abuse Thereafter, Sri Lanka ‘A’ lost wickets at regular intervals. Gayan Wijekoon (17), The guardian of a five-year-old Others said strenuous running at back after five hours, I was stunned to Lara lays down law Jeewantha Kulatunga (2) and Upul Indian boy who runs 50 kilometres (31 such a young age could damage bones find him still running.” ST.JOHN’S- Brian Lara has warned his teammates Chandana (6) fell in quick succession miles) a day denied media accusations permanently,causing stunting and even Budhia has already taken part in the that performance and not names will get them select- and Sri Lanka ‘A’ soon slumped to 184-8. Wednesday he was flogging him for per- deformity. Delhi half-marathon and other distance ed during his third term as West Indies captain. Only some brave hitting from number sonal gain. Human rights activist Suhas Chakma races across India but Tuesday’s outing Lara, who celebrated his 37th birthday on nine batsman, Dilhara Lokuhettige (33 Biranchi Das said he was more wor- said Budhia’s life was being endangered was much longer than the official Tuesday, has been laying down the law to his team- runs in 30 balls, 2x4, 3x6) enabled Sri ried about the health of his pupil, and urged the National Human Rights marathon distance of 42 kilometres (26 mates since last Wednesday, when he was con- Lanka ‘A’ to go past 200 run mark. Budhia Singh, and was seeking medical Commission of India (NHRC) to inter- miles). firmed in the position. Warnapura’s 71-ball knock included six advice to study the phenomenon that vene. Das wants to make Budhia an “We are not going to play names anymore,” boundaries. has created a stir across India. “We urge the NHRC to act against all Olympic star - 20 years down the line. Lara said, after West Indies won back-to-back limit- Sri Lanka ‘A’ 209 in 41 overs “We all know there is something those concerned and constitute a team “He will be at his best at 25 and that is ed-overs internationals by five wickets and 98 runs (Malintha Warnapura 49, Koushal Silva wrong,” Das told reporters a day after of medical experts to examine the possi- a long way off. First he needs to grow up 41, Dilhara Lokuhettige 33; Umar Gul the tiny Budhia overcame heat and ble damage done to the health and on Saturday and Sunday respectively at the like a normal child.” Antigua Recreation Ground. 2/45, Samiullah Khan 2/22, Yasir Arafat humidity to run a distance of 65 km growth of Budhia,” Chakma said in a There has been nothing ordinary (40.3 miles) in seven hours from Puri to statement. “We are going to play to a plan. We are going to 2/54, Mansoor Amjad 2/84) about Budhia’s life so far. Bhubaneswar in the eastern state of Das said he could not understand have positions. We going to have requirements to Pakistan ‘A’ 211 for 2 in 45.2 overs When his father died two years ago, Orissa. what the fuss was all about. those positions, and it doesn’t matter who it is - Tom (Mohammad Hafeez 105 n.o, Hassan Raza his mother, a dish washer in “I consider myself a sportsman and “If Budhia does not run, he won’t Browne, Chris Gayle, Runako Morton, or 62 n.o) n.o Bhubaneswar, was unable to provide for even I can’t run 10 km at a stretch. That know what to do,” Das said. Shivnarine Chanderpaul - it doesn’t matter. is why I am looking for specialists to “All he does is eat, run and sleep. her four children and sold Budhia to a “If these positions are being fulfilled in the way conduct tests on Budhia to see why this Budhia is edgy if he does not run long man for 800 rupees (20 dollars). that we like these players are going to have the is happening. I want to consult as many distance every day. I make him do it in His new father enrolled him in a judo opportunity to continue within the team. doctors as I can,” he said. two sessions, half in the morning and class run by Das. “Right now, we are unsettled in terms of the Newspapers on Wednesday splashed the rest in the evening.” The Orissa state government says it order, but in our minds we have settled on what the pictures of the youngster on their front Das said he discovered Budhia’s is keeping a close watch on Budhia and exact positions they need to be, and we are working pages but headlines like “65 km at 5 - amazing talent by chance while con- his coach and will step in if anyone mis- our way to find the right players in the right position.” isn’t this child abuse?” indicated not ducting a judo class in Bhubaneswar, uses the boy. “To say Brian Lara is the premier batsman is everyone was excited by the feat. the state capital of Orissa, two years The state’s sports minister, Debashis something we have to get away from our squad or “This is pushing the physiological ago. Nayak, has already ruled that Budhia this guy is indispensable. That’s no longer part of limits,” said paediatrician Anupam “Once, after he had done some mis- cannot take part in long distance races this team. This team is going to be played on posi- Sibal. “A growing body is not meant for chief, I asked him to keep running till I without clearance from a team of doc- tions and everybody is going to have an opportuni- so much wear and tear.” came back,” said Das. “When I came tors. ty to fulfil those positions.” - AFP

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