The Island, Wednesday 8th March, 2006 Number one Murali set for another big haul BOGRA, , claim more than 1,000 lightly in the second Test talent. They also have March 7, 2006 (AFP) - Sri international . His despite the rivals’ poor some spirit. They are Lanka’s Muttiah tally of 1004 included 593 record. improving all the time. Muralitharan hopes to cel- Test and 411 one-day wick- “We know that They just need to focus on ebrate his elevation as the ets. Bangladesh will come at the mental side and their world’s top-ranked bowler “I am always positive us hard again and we must attitude and they can with a bagful of wickets in about taking wickets in focus completely on our become a competitive Wednesday’s second Test every game I play,” the 33- gameplan,” he said. international team.” against Bangladesh. year-old said. “I hope I can “We all know what we Bangladesh folded The off-spinner do the same again here.” have to do and we know inside four days in replaced Australian Glenn ’s stand-in that we can’t take despite being McGrath in the Mahela Bangladesh lightly. There 319-9 on the first day after International Jayawardena, who took are plenty of areas where a fighting 136 from Council’s latest rankings from the rested we can improve and it is released on Monday after for the essential that we do so. , the his nine- haul in the short tour, paid rich trib- “They have some youngster’s third Test cen- first Test in Chittagong ute to his main strike young guys with lots of tury. last week. bowler. Muralitharan’s devas- “The key is that TEAMS (FROM): tating sent Murali is such a deep- BANGLADESH: Bangladesh crashing to an thinking bowler and some- (CAPT), , , , JAVED OMAR, NAFEES IQBAL, MOHAMMAD ASHRAFUL, eight-wicket defeat, their one who can adjust his AFTAB AHMED, , MOHAMMAD RAFIQUE, ENAMUL HAQUE, sixth loss in as many game brilliantly to the , , TAPASH BAISYA, SHAHADAT matches against Sri Lanka conditions,” said HOSSAIN. and the 36th defeat in 41 Jayawardena. Tests so far. “I feel he is bowling SRI LANKA: Of the remaining five really well at present. (CAPT), , UPUL Tests, four ended in draws During the next year we THARANGA, MICHAEL VANDORT, , THILAN while their lone success could see him at the peak SAMARAWEERA, , , came against . of his powers.” , , , Muralitharan is the Jayawardena warned DAMMIKA PRASAD, , , SAJEEWA only bowler in history to against taking Bangladesh WEERAKOON.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka Ranaweera guides Bens to victory decide to dump Supersub by Reemus Fernando St. Benedict’s coasted to a fine The Pakistan and Sri Lankan intention of seven-wicket victory over Sri cricket boards have reached an and the panel of former players Jayawardenapura College as Rajeew agreement not to use the on the ICC Cricket Committee, Ranaweera compiled a solid half cen- Supersub rule during their which recommended the trial of tury in their inter-schools limited upcoming three-match one-day this playing condition, was to overs match played at Sri series from March 17. The bilat- encourage teams to make Jayawardenapura yesterday. BANGLADESH: Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan (L) delivers a ball as teammate Lasith Malinga looks on during a practice ses- eral decision has been made greater use of allrounders in Sri Jayawardenapura MV Kotte sion at the Shahid Chadu Stadium in Bogra, 6 March 2006. Sri Lanka scored a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the after a recommendation made the ODI game,” he said. first Test to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The second Test match commences today. (AFP) by the International Cricket “In practice, teams have 127 in 41 overs (P.M.Wickramasinghe Council (ICC) chief executives elected to nominate a specialist 31, J. Pushpakumara 29; Dilank last month in Dubai that the player as the substitute and this Auwardt 3/14, Kasun Madusanka trial of the Supersub playing is placing undue importance on 3/20) Australia recalls dropped Ashes condition should be discontin- winning the toss. There is no St. Benedict’s 128 for 3 in 27 overs ued. desire to create a situation (Rajeew Ranaweera 56, Shelan “Pakistan and Sri Lanka where 12 players are used to do Sirimanna 18, Kasun Madusanka 16 trio but no joy for Gillespie believe that as the Supersub the job of 11 so we did not sup- n.o, Tharindu Heshan 16 n.o) , March 7, 2006 (AFP) Glenn McGrath, who is staying in ered with our selection.” experimental rule is going to be port the alternate view of Australia on Tuesday recalled three Australia as his wife undergoes can- Gillespie’s omission will be a bitter discontinued from later this allowing substitutes to be nom- Perera’s 77 in vain as Ashes casualties in , cer treatment, the selection panel blow for the 30-year-old paceman, month, there is no purpose inated after the toss. The pro- Michael Clarke and Michael opted for a mixture of Tait’s promise who has taken 34 first class wickets at using it in the coming series. posal that the playing condition St. Peter’s beat President’s Kasprowicz but snubbed fellow dis- and Kasprowicz’s experience in 21.85 for this year as he fights to Many other countries have also should be discontinued has A well compiled 77 runs including card ’s push for a Test attack. prove he retains the zip that earned taken such bilateral decisions been endorsed by the CEC and 10 boundaries by President’s College return in South Africa. “The decision on the make-up of him 69 Test caps. in their matches,” said an offi- will now go to the Board for rat- skipper Lakmal Perera went in vain Selectors instead named two-Test the quartet was not an (captain), Adam cial of the Pakistan Cricket ification.” as St. Peter’s recorded a five-wicket novice and uncapped easy one, given that we are without Gilchrist (vice-captain), , Board (PCB). If the board accepts this rec- victory over them in their limited seamer Stuart Clark in a 14-man Glenn McGrath for this series,” selec- Michael Clarke, , David Richardson, ICC’s gen- ommendation, the Supersub overs match played at Bambalapitiya squad that had no room for batsman tion chairman said. , , eral manager, said that the playing condition will no yesterday. and “We wanted a blend of pace, , , Stuart Supersub rule had not achieved longer apply to series that start President’s 165 in 49.1 overs (S. quick . youth, experience and line and length, MacGill, Damien Martyn, Andrew what it set out to deliver. “The after 21 March 2006. Lakmal Perera 77, T. Perera 16, A. In a team missing pace spearhead and believe we have all of these cov- Symonds, Shaun Tait, . Kariyawasam 17; D. Udugamasuriya 3/39, L. Rodrigo 3/31, S. Ranasuriya 2/16) Radcliffe out of C’wealth St. Peter’s 169 for 5 in 37.1 overs (Hans Fernando 53, D. Randika 45, L. FORMER ROYAL - THOMIAN Peiris 23 n.o, A. Silva 20, V.R. Sheron Games with foot injury 2/40, R. Chathuranga 2/42) LONDON (Reuters) - problems on the track, CRICKETERS DINNER Runner Paula Radcliffe constantly flaring up Sri Rahula beat has pulled out of this and she cannot do prop- Former Royal and Thomian cricketers will be gathering at a formal dinner on 8th Marth at St. Anthony’s the Royal Golf Club from 7.30 p.m. onwards. month’s Commonwealth er flat out training ses- Games in sions. by Rukshan Razak, corr. This annual gathering by the old stalwarts, that too before the battle of the Blues, is a much looked A fine all-round performance lifted forward event among the past cricketers of the two institutions. because of a foot injury, “It has reared up her husband and manager again and we feel it Sri Rahula College, Katugastota to a This traditional dinner will bring back nostalgic memories of the “Good Old Days”. The likes of Gary Lough said on would be too much of an 31-run victory over hometown rivals Bertie Wijesinghe, brothers Ronnie and Bradman Weerakoon, C. I. Gunasekera, Channa Tuesday. unnecessary risk, to St. Anthony’s College in their limited Gunasekera, Mahes Rodrigo, Gamini Salgado, P. I. Peiris, Anura Tennakoon, Neil Chanmugam, overs cricket match played at St. Michael Tissera, , Vijaya Malalasekera, Ranjan Madugalle, Asantha De Mel, Sumitra The 32-year-old, who compete in Melbourne. Anthony’s ground yesterday. Warnakulasuriya, Sudath Pasqual, Manoj Mendis, Aruna Gunawardena, Rochana Jayawardena, won gold for England in The problem is not Naren Ratwatte, Malinda Thotiwilage, , Mahinda Halangoda to name a few who the 5,000 metres at the affecting her marathon In reply to Sri Rahula’s 183 St. are expected to attend this inspirational gathering of Blue & Gold and Blue and Black stalwarts. Manchester Games four preparations.” Anthony’s managed only 152. Those, who are interested to attend this dinner should contact: years ago, has not fully The world marathon Sri Rahula 183 in 47.2 overs (R. recovered after bruising champion and record Samaranayake 25, Mangala Trevor Rajaratnam Neil Chanmugam Malinda Thotiwilage her right foot in January. holder, who finally won Jayawardena 30, R. Karunaratne 24; E. Tel. No. 0777 300024 Tel. No. 0777 878785 Tel. No. 2421547 “Paula hit a rock when an elusive global title Hewapathrana 2/23, S. Palihakkara Ajita Pasqual Anushka Polonnowita Aruna Gunawardena Tel. No. 2456771 Tel. No. 2695527 Tel. No. 077 3187257 out training in January last year at the Helsinki 2/28, N. Ranasinghe 3/37, S. Sasi Ganeshan H. N. De Silva and developed a bruised foot and it is tak- championships, had been entered for Hettiarchchi 2/31) Tel. No. 2300754 Tel. No. 2683101 ing a long time to settle down,” Lough both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres. St. Anthony’s 152 in 46.2 overs (G. said in a statement. Radcliffe will attempt a fourth victory Dissanayake 42, S. Palihakkara 20, E. Tickets will also be available at the dinner. “In particular it has been causing in the London marathon on April 23. Hewapathirana 20)

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