Friday 2nd March, 2012

regardless of their seven- defeat to M. S. Dhoni’s men in Hobart on Tuesday. “From where we started on this tour, I think we’ve improved as a team and maintained a consistency,” he added. “That’s very important for us going Mahela welcomes forward. Whatever happens tomorrow we will definitely get a lot of positives out of this. Our challenge will be to try and keep this consistency going, because if we play the way we’re play- ing now. We’ll win more matches than we lose. We’re quite happy with that.” final hurdle Jayawardene added that looked at the Australia tour as a rebuilding phase in order to gauge the ri Lanka Mahela perfect make-up of their ODI side and, Jayawardene is confident his side with experienced batsmen performing Scan progress to the final of the Clarke in doubt well at the top of the order, ODI Tri-Series despite their recent Jayawardene expressed pride in the thrashing at the hands of India earlier lower-order’s contribution of late. this week. for today’s ODI “Going forward we’ve always want- The Sri Lankans need to avoid ed to have two or three all-rounders in defeat to Australia in Melbourne on a team,” he said. Friday in order to beat India to a place against Sri Lanka “These guys are taking responsibili- in the best-of-three final against their ty. Angelo Mathews in the long run will hosts. India, meanwhile are relying on probably be more of a batting all- a defeat for the Sri Lankans to see tion’s best-of-three final already Michael Clarke secured on the back of four wins rounder than a bowling all-rounder. them through, with Jayawardene from seven round-robin matches, the We’d like to be more of happy not to be in their position. Australia named Michael Clarke hosts are likely to rest Clarke, if not a bowling all-rounder so it fits in well. “Going in to the last game it’s in in their squad for today’s ODI clash 100 percent fit, and again afford “Plus Farveez Maharoof is a guy against Sri Lanka, but the captain’s Shane Watson the captaincy on a our control, what we need to do,” said who can bat as well and he’s bowling Jayawardene. place in the final XI remains in stand-in basis. doubt as he continues to nurse an “One of the uncertainties at the pretty well, he just needs to have a bit “It’s a good position for us to be, injury. moment is still Michael Clarke’s fit- more confidence in his batting. All rather than depending on someone else Ruled out of the opening matches ness,” said chairman of selectors, these three guys will be good options to do some favours for us.” of the tri-series due to hamstring John Inverarity. for us going forward. We just need a Sri Lanka came into the series with problems, the right-handed batsman “We think he’s going to be okay couple of spinning all-rounders to In this file photo, Sri Lanka captain Mahela has since endured a back ailment for Friday, but we’re certainly going a new captain and coach following an come through and we’ll have a really Jayawardene gestures during a team training ODI and Test series defeat in South that kept him out of last week’s fix- to have a low-risk strategy. If he’s ture against India. ‘just about right’, I don’t think we’ll good balanced team.” session in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 16, Africa. Jayawardene insisted the side With their berth in the competi- play him. But I think he’ll be okay.” (cricket365.com) 2012. (Photo/Rob Griffith) has improved throughout the tour

BY REVATA S. SILVA Kazakhstan, Philippines and Malinga in line to play T20 Sri Lanka failed to Sri Lanka fails to qualify in Singapore were the quali- qualify for ‘the Asia- fying countries for ‘the for Middlesex Oceania Zone World World Junior Girls’ Final Junior Boys’ Final Junior Fed Cup and World Qualifying Round,’ to be Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith tournament is against Surrey on Qualifying Round’ and played, following the Malinga has been targeted as a June 14. ‘the Junior Fed Cup Final World Junior Boys Final likely recruit by Middlesex to Other international stars who Qualifying Round’ at last Qualifiers, at the same play in the Friends Life T20, The have already committed them- week’s First Pre-qualify- Junior Boys Tennis in Malaysia Malaysian venue in April Island learns. selves for the T20 tournament are ing Round of the above Cup Pre-qualifiers’ earn- along with Sri Lanka. and May. Sri Lanka did The bowler last year quit Test Saeed Ajmal (Worcestershire) and two ITF-organised annual ing qualification to ‘the SL Team for Junior not take part in the World cricket to concentrate on shorter Shahid Afridi (Hampshire). There junior competitions, held Asia-Oceania Zone Junior Davis Cup (U-16 Boys): Juniors Girls event this formats of the game. was speculation that Chris Gayle in Kuching, Malaysia. Davis Cup Final Sharmal Dissanayake, time in Kuching. Middlesex has a history of would join Middlesex, but the There was a creditable Qualifying Round,’ to be Nishangan Nadaraja, With three progressing being linked with star performers West Indies star batsman ended performance recorded by staged in Bendigo, Dhanushka Abeywardena nations from each event in cricket, one of them being up with Somerset. the Sri Lankans in this Australia from April 24-29. and Eroo Samarasinghe returning to Kuching Adam Gilchrist, and if Malinga Middlesex has a successful Kuching event when Sri Kazakhstan and Singapore (Reserve). Dinith later this year for a signs for Middlesex, he’ll be seen County Championship campaign Lanka finished first out of are the other countries Pathiraja (Non-playing chance to reach the World in action in the tournament last year, when they won Division ten participating coun- that qualified to play in Capt./Coach) Finals, where four boys’ which commences on June 12. Two to secure a promotion. tries, in ‘the Junior Davis these Final Qualifiers World Junior Boys – and four girls’ teams from Middlesex’s first game in the Last week in Kuching Asia-Oceania will have saw the Asia-Oceania Pre- the chance to represent qualifying Round of the the region. Junior Fed Cup, Junior SL Team for World Davis Cup and World Sharmal Dissanayake Junior Boys: Junior Girls and Boys Joshua Jayaratne, Viranka Fernando, events unfolding. before losing against 3rd Philippines, Aadavan Pushparaj and seed Singapore (0-3) and Nadir Nazar (Reserve). Kazakhstan and Syria UAE (1-2) in the 4th to 6th qualified for the Asia- Sankha Atukorale (Non- Places Playoffs. playing Capt./Coach). Oceania Zone ‘World World Junior Tennis Junior Boys’ Final Junior Fed Cup – Competition is the annual The same rules of pro- Qualifying Round,’ which junior team event for 14- will also take place in gression apply to the &-under boys and girls. Its Junior Davis Cup and Kuching from April 30 to final round will be May 5. Junior Fed Cup, which worked off from Aug. 13- are open to the 16-&- Sri Lanka got only the 18 in Czech Republic. In 6th place in this tourna- Under age group. Their order for a nation to reach Final Qualifying Round of ment. Sri Lanka lost to the finals, they must first Kazakhstan 0-3 after beat- these two tourneys will compete in regional quali- take place in Bendigo, ing Vietnam 2-1 in their fiers. 1st Round-robin matches Australia. Arjuna century powers Bens BY REEMUS FERNANDO Scores: Jason Perera top scored with a centu- Revata 225 all out in 61 overs and 111 ry to power St. Benedict’s College to 250 for 9 at close for five declared against St. Aloysius’ 79 for 2 overnight 179 Lumbini College as they earned first all out in 84.2 overs innings points in their final Under-19 two-day tournament match which ended Richmond take command at Kotahena yesterday. In their second essay, Lumbini were Richmond College took command of 69 for six wickets at their match against St. close. Thomas’ College, Matara Scores: Under-19 Cricket as Pabasara Waduge Lumbini 140 for 7 cracked 131 runs in 121 overnight 163 all out in 53.5 overs and 69 balls (20x4s) on day one of their tradi- for 6 at close in 27.3 overs tional Under-19 fixture at Uyanwatta St. Benedict’s 250 for 5 decl in 63 Ground yesterday. overs Scores: St. Thomas’ 126 all out in 46.1 overs Buddhika impresses for Revata (Ishan Maduranga 33, Jayanga Nirmal Buddhika Madusanka impressed 27; Charith Asalanka 4/14, A.K. Tyron with a five wicket haul and a half centu- 4/24) ry as Revata College earned first Richmond 247 for 5 in 47 overs innings points in their Under-19 match (Pabasara Waduge 131, Kelum against St. Aloysius’ College at Ratgama Nanayakkara 28, Hasitha Madushan 35; yesterday. Ashan Dinura 2/59)

Friday 2nd March, 2012