Wednesday 9th June, 2010 Tri-series final today Davis Cup Round-2 (Trials) Dineshkanthan Bayliss wants Lankans to be mentally and Rajapakse take lead BY REVATA S. SILVA prepared against Zimbabwe Amresh Jayawickrema beat Guyanga Weerasekera in the for- oach Alan Butcher has admitted and Sri Lanka selected, but I still thought from 122 for none to 236 all out, with no-one deep backward square leg, while Charles mer’s third match on June 8 in this that his Zimbabwe side have exceed- that they would provide good opposition - able to back up Dilshan (78) and Coventry caught Tharanga at long-off. year’s Davis Cup tennis round-2 Ced his expectations during the cur- there’s over a billion people in India, so opening partner Tharanga (69). That “We can play a lot better than we did,” trails, now on at the Sri Lanka rent tri-series with India and Sri Lanka, that’s going to add up to quite a lot of allowed Zimbabwe to take control of the Bayliss continued. “When a lot of your Tennis Association (SLTA) clay in which the hosts have reached the final. cricketers. match and chase down the target with 13 batters get out caught on the fence or courts in Colombo. Zimbabwe have won three of their four “The pleasing thing is that we’ve been balls remaining, and Bayliss felt Sri caught slogging down some deep man’s Yet, Thangarajah matches in the round robin stage, twice much, much more than competitive in the Lanka’s inexperience had been laid bare. throat then you only have yourselves to Dineshkanthan and Rajeev getting the better of a lacklustre Indian three games that we’ve won - we’ve won “Good or bad, that was the decision to blame, so I’d like to think that our deci- Rajapakse have got closer to enter- side before beating Sri Lanka by eight them convincingly. I’ve said to the boys in bring some of our younger players here,” sion making from our batters will be a lot ing the 2nd round trials, with three in Harare on Monday. the dressing room that today we’ve won a he said. “Obviously we’d like to win on better because if we do that then we’ll and two wins respectively, out of Butcher had spoken before the tourna- skirmish and the real battle is on Wednesday, but the overall picture was to make it a lot harder for Zimbabwe to take the three matches they’ve played so ment about his hopes that Zimbabwe Wednesday, and we’ve got to make sure find out whether some of these younger wickets.” far in the 1st round of the trials’ would give a good account of themselves that we’re on top of our game for that, blokes, probably more than anything, had Possible Starting Line-Ups which began on June 2. and “maybe win a few games” as they look because now having got a taste of it we it mentally. Today I think that’s where we Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza, Every member of this five-mem- to turn the corner after a tough few years. want to win some more.” let ourselves down. I mean none for 120 and , Charles Coventry, ber pool appearing in the 1st round Yet two of Zimbabwe’s three victories At the heart of Zimbabwe’s renais- you lose 10 for 114, that’s not what you’re (wicketkeeper), Elton trials has to play four matches each have been won by a comfortable margin - sance has been Brendan Taylor, who tops looking for when you want guys to step up Chigumbura (captain), , (meeting every other once each). last week they chased down India’s total the run-scoring charts in the series having and play against some of the best teams in , Andy Blignaut, Prosper Sri Lanka will meet Hong Kong inside 40 overs to acquire a bonus point, hit two half-centuries and a century. the world. That’s an area that the Utseya, , Chris Mpofu. – China in July at this year’s Davis and on Monday they beat Sri Lanka hand- “My first impression, and I’m sure he younger players on this tour will have to Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (cap- Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group-II somely despite allowing Tillakeratne won’t be too disappointed telling in me you rectify if they want to play international tain), Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal 2nd round hoping to win the best-of- Dilshan and Upul Tharanga to get off to a this, is that he was overweight and he .” five-rubber tie so as to retain her flying start with the bat. needed to get back into shape,” said Most disappointing was the manner (wicketkeeper), Chamara Kapugedera, place in Group-II next year too. Asked whether his young side had sur- Butcher. in which Sri Lanka’s batsmen got out, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka lost to strong New prised him, Butcher replied: “Yes, to be Meanwhile Sri Lanka coach Trevor with the majority being caught in the Jeevan Mendis, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Zealand 2-3 in the Davis Cup Zonal honest. I was aware that the odds were Bayliss admitted his disappointment at a deep at times when big shots were Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan round-1 in Colombo last March and shortened because of the sides that India collapse that saw his side slump uncalled for. Taylor took three catches at Kulasekara. (cricket365.com) therefore a loss in next July’s tie will demote them to Group-III. Sri Lanka is playing in the prestigious Davis Cup Group-II this year after a Girls’ Basketball decade. What a save! Along with Dineshkanthan, Rajapakse, Jayawickrema, and St. Joseph’s Weerasekera, there will be two other players who will vie for a place in the final four-member Sri Nugegoda and Lanka team for the Hong Kong – China encounter. They are Rukmal Cooray and Amrith Rupasinghe. HFC qualify The top four, out of the partici- pating five in the ongoing 1st round trials, will go through to the trials’ for finals round-2 where they will each play against former Sri Lanka men’s sin- BY MANJULA D. PHILLIPS gles champion Rupasinghe in a bid St. Joseph’s to fill the last three available places College, Meanwhile in in the final four-member Sri Lanka Nugegoda, had the second team. Sri Lanka’s top player an easy outing semi final Harshana Godamanna will be an against Asian match, host automatic selection in this four- International HFC member side. Sri Lanka team’s Non- School Colombo Dehiwala playing Captain will be Aasiri when they posted was able to Iddamalgoda. a 55 to 20 victory turn things in the first semi- around Trials’ 1st round results so far: final of the recording a Wed., June 2: Under-17 46 points to T. Dineshkanthan bt. R. Rajapakse 6-4, 40 victory Colombo South 6-4, 6-4 Zonal Girls’ after conced- ing a one Fri., June 4: Basketball T. Dineshkanthan bt. G. Weerasekera Tournament on point lead against 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 Saturday (5) at St.Lawrence’s R. Rajapakse bt A. Jayawickrema 6-4, the Holy Family College 6-4, 7-5 convent Sat., June 5: Basketball T. Dineshkanthan bt. A. Jayawickrema courts, Dehiwala. 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 St. Joseph’s College, Nugegoda led Zimbabwean batsman Brendon Taylor, left, hits the ball as Sri Lankan fielder Chamara Kapugedera, right, makes a save R. Rajapakse bt. R. Cooray 6-4, 6-1, 6- 38-9 at half time. during their tri-series match at Harare Sports Club in Harare, Monday, June 7, 2010. Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by eight 1 Imesha Thathsarani (23) and wickets. The two teams feature in the final today. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) Sunday, June 6: Sanjana Madushi (11) were the lead- G. Weerasekera vs. R. Cooray (match ing scorers for the winning team postponed due to rain) while Amani Perera top scored with Mon., June 7: 07 points for the losing side. With the Symonds blasts SLC hires computer illiterate female for Rs. 120,000 a month G. Weerasekera bt. R. Cooray 3-6, 3-6, victory, St.Joseph’s College booked 6-4, 6-2, 3-0 (retired) their berth in the final which will be anti-booze contract Tue., June 8: played on June 18 at the HFC The grind of international cricket Dandeniyas have a field day while A. Jayawickrema bt. G. Weerasekera Basketball courts, Dehiwala. made Andrew Symonds feel "caged" 6-0, 6-2, 3-0 (retired) Meanwhile in the second semi and the temperamental Australian government turns blind eye Matches left to be played: final match, host HFC Dehiwala was all-rounder says his only regret is R. Rajapakse vs G. Weerasekera able to turn things around recording signing a contract that had a 'keep Following the government’s amazing bookings to other important logistics R. Cooray vs A. Jayawickrema a 46 points to 40 victory after conced- off drinking' clause in it. turn around in reappointing under him. With the latest devel- R. Cooray vs T. Dineshkanthan. ing a one point lead against Looking back at his tumultuous Cricket Interim Committee big- opment, the work of the Tour St.Lawrence’s College at ‘lemons’ in career, Symonds said he had wigs Chairman D.S. de Silva and Organizing Committee has been an exciting game of basketball. stopped enjoying the game and was Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga carried out by the nephews of St. Lawrence’s College led 20-19 at in fact relieved when Cricket after accusing the board of being the Chairman of the Cricket Mandela likely to half time. Australia tore up his contract. the third most corrupt institu- Interim Committee. Iresha Fernando (23) and Vidushi "Losing my contract didn't hurt tion in the country, some cricket A former Member of the appear at WCup Dissanayake (8) were the top scorers me, because of what playing for officials seem to be thriving in Cricket Interim Committee for the winning team while Sheron Australia had become. I wasn't hav- questionable activities knowing Pramodaya Wickramasinghe opening ceremony Wickramaratne top scored with 13 ing fun anymore. all too well that they are since being relieved of duties at I wasn't enjoying it. I felt like I untouchables. the body has come up with some JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Nelson points for the losing team. Suraj Dandeniya The final match between was in a cage. Always under the Having got to know that cer- damning revelation, some of Mandela will likely greet fans and players St.Joseph’s College Nugegoda and microscope. Once I had got home tain politicians are firmly behind them which directly seem to be directed at for 10 to 15 minutes at the World Cup HFC Dehiwala which was scheduled from England, and everything had and wouldn’t question their work, the Suraj Dandeniya. opening ceremony before watching the for last Monday was postponed and settled down, it was a relief," he nephews of chairman, D.S. de Silva, The latest of the Dandeniya duos hap- rest of the game from home, his grandson will be held on June 18 at the HFC said. Suraj and Kapila Dandeniya, two of the hazard actions is the employing of a said Tuesday. Basketball courts in Dehiwala. Here to play for Surrey, the burly highest paid employees at SLC are said to female. Although computer literacy is a “We believe that maybe before the The tournament is organised and all-rounder with a recurring alcohol be running cricket administration must for any job in the corporate sector, game we could bring him to the game just problem said he doesn't regret any- conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools according to their whims and fancies. . the Dandeniyas who hired this individual to greet the players and greet the fans,” thing other than signing a contract Basketball Association. The Island learns that for the prepara- without any interviews seem to have Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela said. that barred him from drinking. The participating schools:St. tion of the Asia Cup tournament, Suraj thought that computer literacy is not a There have been doubts Mandela "If I had my time again I would would make an appearance because of Lawrence’s College, Wellawatte, St. have said, 'You know what? There is Dandeniya, whose jurisdiction in cricket must. This person has been employed in Joseph’s Girls’ School, Nugegoda, administration doesn’t go beyond the the capacity of Media Consultant, but his advanced age. He was a key factor in no way I'm signing that.' No one South Africa’s winning bid, but has made Holy Family Convent, Dehiwala, Our else had to do it. And let's be hon- World Cup Secretariat, has made all vital her previous experience in such roles is Lady of Victories, Moratuwa, Asian bodies of SLC in organizing the tourna- little known. Insiders say that this indi- few public appearances in recent years. est, under that sort of scrutiny I was Mandela has a reputation for inspiring International School and the Lyceum always going to bust at some ment redundant and brought all func- vidual has been hired for a salary of Rs. International School, Nugegoda. tions relating to the series from hotel 120,000. teams to victory with his presence, known stage," he said. as the “Madiba magic.”

Wednesday 9th June, 2010