Tuesday 14th June, 2011 15

Junior National Athletics Championship India can dominate world for Coincidences galore years, says Fletcher When Duncan Fletcher stepped in to take over as India coach from Gary Kirsten, he said it was “promising young as Amanthi shatters talent” which had lured him to Indian cricket. Now, having seen some stellar displays of character as a second-string, virtual India A squad romped to a ODI series win against the West Indies - 30-year-old record Suresh Raina’s men lead 3-0 in the five- match series - Fletcher believes the world BY REEMUS FERNANDO has a born talent to do well in that the athlete had to receive champions have sufficient bench- this discipline,” said veteran her medal and certificate for strength to dominate world cricket for Coincidences were galore coach Rodrigo who has been this event from her coach. The the next five to 10 years. when Amanthi Silva cleared a the coach of many national Athletics “It is due to the amount of talent distance of 37.12 metres in the throwers including Olympian Association had picked India have,” Fletcher explained. “Indian Under-18 Girls’ Discus Throw Nadeeka Lakmali. Rodrigo, a former national cricket is in a very, very healthy state to shatter a record which stood “She did this without much champion to present the award. presently. I know five years in interna- unchanged for 30 years at training as she is concentrat- The two throwing records tional cricket is a long time but unless ing more on her studies these established by Deepika Junior National Athletics some international teams suddenly come days,” said Rodrigo about the Rodrigo in 1979 and 1980 were Championships. up big, I don’t see it happening (India los- The athlete of St. Bridget’s Bridgetian, who is under his the oldest records at the Junior ing its grip).” Convent erased the record held supervision for one and half National Athletics It’s a provocative statement from the by former champion A. years now. Championships. low-key, soft-spoken veteran coach who Deepika Rodrigo, whose per- “She was doing somewhere Incidentally, both records formance of 34.82 metres stood close to 27-28 metres when she were shattered at this year’s has mastered the art of working behind unchanged for more than three came to me. Now you have seen edition with Zeenath Imtiaz of the scenes, but a clear indication that decades. what she is capable of,” Buddhist Ladies College, Indian cricket’s transition from the era of Incidentally, Amanthi is explained Rodrigo who is opti- Colombo erasing the Under-16 Tendulkars and Laxmans to the Virat coached by A.J. Rodrigo (jun- mistic of a bright future for the Shot Putt record, which was Kohlis and Rohit Sharmas might not be athlete. established in the year 1979. as bumpy as ’s. Veteran throwing coach A.J. Rodrigo (junior) shakes hands with ior), whose niece’s record she broke at the Mahinda He said that throwers of Imtiaz cleared a distance of The scoreline has not reflected the Amanthi Silva at the medal presentation. Amanthi broke a 30 Rajapaksa International her caliber were rare and she 10.26 metres to become the first fact that this young Team India, with an year-old record established by A. Deepika Rodrigo at the Junior Stadium at Diyagama last has the ability to shine at inter- athlete of her age to clear the average age of 24 and entrusted with the National Athletics Championship at Mahinda Rajapaksa week. national level in the future. 10 metre barrier at a Junior task of living up to the ‘world champions’ International Stadium, Diyagama last week. “She is a quick learner and It was quite a coincidence National Championship. tag, has had to tide over some tough moments, like Rohit Sharma pulling the team out of a hole in Saturday’s chase with a match-winning unbeaten 86, with dogged support from the tail. Sharma Australia’s tour Diesel Defender wins again and Raina had steadied India in the first ODI too, and on the bowling front, the Itinerary announced likes of Munaf Patel, Amit Mishra and Praveen Kumar have played responsible at Cavalry Supercross roles. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka from Aug. 10 to 22 and the (AP) — Sri Lanka Cricket said three Tests starting Aug. 31 at “It shows the depth of talent India Monday Australia will tour Galle, Sept. 8 at Pallekele and has,” Fletcher said on Rohit’s innings in the country in August and Sept. 16 in Colombo. the third ODI. “You don’t often find a September, playing three player like that who can finish a game in Australia’s tour itinerary: Test matches, five one- style. It was a difficult chase and with the day games and two calmness that Rohit played, his innings Aug. 6 — 1st , Pallekele. Twenty20 internationals. shows a lot of character.” Aug. 8 — 2nd Twenty20, Pallekele. It will be Australia’s (Times of India) Aug. 10 — 1st ODI, Pallekele. first tour of Sri Lanka Aug. 14 — 2nd ODI, Hambantota. for seven years, having Aug. 16 — 3rd ODI, Hambantota. won a Test series there 3- Aug. 20 — 4th ODI, Colombo. 0 in 2004. Aug. 22 — 5th ODI, Colombo. The tour will start Scotland–Sri Lanka Aug. 25 — Three-day match, Colombo. with the Twenty20 Aug. 31 — 1st Test, Galle. matches on Aug. 6 and 8, Netball Test Series Sept. 8 — 2nd Test, Pallekele. followed by the five ODIs Sept.16 — 3rd Test, Colombo. Sri Lanka Murray beats Tsonga in suffer 3-0 Queen’s final defeat! LONDON (AP) — Andy Frenchman to reach the Murray claimed his first title of Queen’s final in the Open era. by Manjula D. Phillips the season by beating fifth-seed- Guy Forget lost to Pete Sampras ed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of in 1995, Sebastien Grosjean lost The ‘racing’ Land Rover Defender was driven by Sheran at the Foxhill Supercross, at The Sri Lanka national netball team, Defender of Frontier Fernando. Besides its victory Diyathalawa. France 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 Monday in to Andy Roddick in 2003 and which played a three match series the final at Queen’s Club. 2004 and Nicolas Mahut was Automotive won the event for in the diesel vehicles category, Since Frontier Automotive against Scotland, arrived in Sri Lanka The match was played a day beaten by Murray in 2009. diesel off-roaders at the the racing Defender came third started competing in local over the weekend, subsequent to a 3-0 late because rain postponed Both players were evenly Cavalry Supercross organized in the Open Event for trucks gravel track racing events, this play on Sunday. matched and showed great ath- by the Sri Lanka Armoured and jeeps, beating many high- genre of the sport has devel- thrashing by the Scottish. Murray earned the only leticism, with Murray’s speed Corps and the Sri Lanka powered petrol engine vehicles. oped significantly. At the As the Netball Federation has been break in the third set, taking a matched by Tsonga’s greater Association of Racing Drivers The racing Defender was Cavalry Supercross, the Truck dissolved by the Sports Minister, an 3-2 lead when Tsonga sent a willingness to come to the net. and Riders (SLARDAR), its built in association with and Jeep event was the main interim committee is handling netball in forehand wide. Tsonga held off a break third victory in less than two Twisted Performance, UK. event for the day and was also the country now. Murray,who also won the point at 1-1 when a dropshot months. In April this year, the rac- one of the most hotly contested Sri Lanka’s tour of Scotland was a title in 2009, is the first Briton clipped the net and fell in his Modified and prepared for ing Defender won the events event. controversial one from the beginning. to win the Wimbledon warmup favor. He then broke at love to racing by Frontier Automotive, for Diesel Trucks and Jeeps up Frontier Automotive is This was because some past administra- at least twice since Francis lead 4-2 and fought off two the sole agents for Land Rover to 5500cc turbo category, and committed to developing this tors were not agreeable to sending the Gordon Lowe won in 1913-14 more break points as he served in Sri Lanka, the racing Jeeps and Trucks Open class, genre of motor sport. team to Scotland, due to the fact that and ‘25. Tsonga was the fifth out the set. Scotland was ranked below Sri Lanka and on account of the weather conditions in Scotland. As the World Netball Championship Cuban player will be held from July 3, their thinking was that the tour would be a risky one Life is a ball for slam bang defects during The believed that the Sri Lanka team should have toured toured a country like Australia which is ranked higher than Gold Cup Sri Lanka. Andre Russell tournament “I got it done in Saturday, landed on the road outside the Jamaica,” Russell was Sir Vivian Richards cricket stadium. CHICAGO (AP) — A Cuban quoted as having said “Yeah, that went a long way and I was player has defected during the and that’s for the first connecting the ball well,” he said, adding Gold Cup tournament, leaving the Ranaviru Sevana time you see him smile that it was his “best innings.” team hotel in Charlotte, North in the evening, Russell needn’t have been a cricketer. Carolina. crush Combined restrained of course Talking to him, you feel, he could’ve In an interview aired Sunday because his 64-ball 92 played any sport and excelled. He says on Univision, Yosniel Mesa says Universities wasn’t enough to see he’s got a positive mind, which helps, if he decided before the tournament West Indies through. you’re a sportsman. “I believe in The current blind cricket champions of to defect. The 30-year-old Mesa The energy and enthusi- myself,” Andre Russell added. Sri Lanka, Ranaviru Sevana, crushed says the decision was difficult, asm that went into get- Before Saturday’s 92, the only time he Combined Universities by 133 runs in their but he wanted to play profession- ting those runs on board stretched himself that far was when he match which was played at the Sri ally and that’s not possible in is suddenly missing. hit a whirlwind century against Ireland Jayawardenepura Campus grounds on Cuba. Russell’s led quite an at home, Sabina Park, Kingston. But it is June 8. interesting life in the the knock against India which he says he Cuba played Mexico in Taking first lease of the , country where Bob enjoyed most. Charlotte on Thursday night, los- Ranaviru scored 212 for eight in Marley’s been king for “Once I get a good start and start ing 5-0. After the game, Mesa says their allotted 30 overs (reduced due to decades. He’s been an sweating, I can see the bowlers and hit he climbed down a fire escape lad- rain) with Senaratna top scoring with 48 Andre Russell (L) with West Indies coach, Ottis Gibson. athlete, a football goal- the ball well,” he explained. He’s happy der and ran to a car where family keeper and finally a that he could do that “against a top team (one boundary). (AP Photo) members were waiting. Mesa was cricketer now who can like India.” Upul Chandana captured 2 wickets for listed as “injured” on Cuba’s team Andre Russell has a ‘cool’ haircut bat, bowl and field very Russell’s knock has helped him gain 9 runs. In reply, the campus players were sheet for Sunday’s 6-1 loss to El which he and teammate Nikita Miller well. History of the game in the the selectors confidence ahead of the bowled out for a mere 79 runs in 17 overs. Salvador in Chicago. The team went to the saloon and got it done togeth- Caribbean and the great names who Test series. Medium pacer Ravi Rampaul Abeyratne and Ravindra captured 2 wick- left Soldier Field immediately er. A mop of hair running from front to brought glory to the islands is something and fast bowler Kemar Roach, both, will ets each for Ranaviru Sevana. after the game, with coach Raul back, a little shorter than the typical mil- that fascinates Russell, but he’s certainly be in contention when the team is picked The match was sponsored by not the one to delve into the past all the for the Tests and Russell - who is a pace Gonzalez skipping the customary itary crop cut but just enough to make it MicroMax, Leonard Cheshire Disability time. He says he prefers to focus on the bowler himself - has done well with postgame news conference. look ‘funky’, writes K. Shriniwas Rao of Centre, Servens Travels and the Sri ‘The Times of India’ in a story datelined present. Saturday’s innings. CONCACAF spokesman Ben Jayawardenepura Visually Handicapped June 13, 2011, filed from Antigua. One of Russell’s five sixes on (Russ) Spencer declined comment. Welfare society.