Wednesday 30th September, 2009 Arjuna’s legend New Zealand get closer lives on Rex Clementine reporting from Johannesburg Arjuna Ranatunga’s tumul- to semi-final berth tuous reign as Sri Lankan cap- tain for a period of ten long years will gain a unique place in coun- Rex Clementine between Ryan Sidebottom and James try’s cricket history. Leaving the reporting from Johannesburg Anderson revived some hopes as England World Cup win under his cap- pushed their total to 146 as the last pair added taincy in 1996 aside, he was responsible for turning country’s ri Lanka only had a mathematical 29 runs, Sidebottom went onto make 20, cricket team from whipping boys chance of a semi-final berth in the becoming only the fourth Englishmen to get of world cricket to die hard fight- Champions Trophy after their loss to to double figures. Pace bowler Shane Bond S ers. New Zealand in their last group game on was deadly with the new ball claiming three Many believe that he moulded Ranatunga Sunday and even those chances looked over for 21 in his ten overs, but his efforts were the national team in his image: after New Zealand bowled out England for overshadowed by all-rounder Grant Elliott tough, positive and fearless. Of 146 runs 43.1 overs on a green top in overcast claiming career best figures of four for 31. his numerous requests to get a Whenever the conditions here at the Wanderers in Kyle Mills, Daniel Vettori and Ian Butler runner while batting only some Johannesburg. picked up a wicket each. England have been were allowed by the opposition opposition disal- Even if New Zealand lose, a total of 139 the in form team in the competition having captains and whenever the oppo- lowed a request for runs is sufficient for them to get ahead of Sri beaten hosts South Africa and Sri Lanka. sition disallowed a request for a a runner, Lanka in Net Run Rate and a semi-final berth New Zealand, meanwhile were beaten by runner, Ranatunga would walk is certain and Sri Lanka will head home South Africa, but bounced back against Sri those singles prompting fielders Ranatunga would early. If the Kiwis reach the victory target in Lanka, whom they beat by 38 runs. The to hurl the ball towards his end walk those singles 44.3 overs, they will top Group ‘B’ ahead of Kiwis are without the services of Jesse resulting in numerous occasions prompting fielders England. Pakistan head Group ‘A’having won Ryder, who was injured during the game of overthrows. both their games - against India and West against Sri Lanka. Gareth Hopkins replaced During South Africa’s recent to hurl the ball Indies. him in the playing eleven. must win clash against England towards his end Daniel Vettori won a crucial toss and put in the Champions Trophy at Centurion, Protea captain resulting in the opposition in and the seam bowlers gave Graeme Smith was denied a run- many overthrows. them an excellent start reducing England to FLASH ner by his opposite number 13 for three. Later they were 50 for four and At the time of going to press, New Andrew Strauss. Smith scored a there was a moment of controversy when New Zealand bowler Shane Bond bowls to ment when he stood for Mark Zealand , chasing a victory target of career best 141 in a losing cause. Paul Collingwood left a Kyle Mills delivery England batsman Owais Shah, during their Taylor as captain during the con- 147 to win, were 39 for no loss in 6 During the post match media alone, left the crease and wicketkeeper Champions Trophy cricket match at troversial Benson & Hedges tri- overs. conference, Smith despite the dis- Brendon McCullum threw down the stumps. Wanderers in Johannesburg, South Africa, appointment in defeat, found nation series in 1995 automatical- Collingwood had walked down after umpire Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. (AP) time to smile when he was ly comes to mind. The Australian Darrel Harper had called ‘over’ and although reminded of Ranatunga’s habit wicket-keeper was picked up by the third umpire ruled the batsman out, New Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, New Zealand SCOERBOARD to frequently asking for runners. Channel 9 microphones when Ranatunga called for a runner on Zealand withdrew the appeal and didn’t withdraw the appeal on that instance. England “I don’t know if I want to be a particularly hot night in Collingwood was reinstated. Collingwood went onto top score with 40 runs A. Strauss c McCullum b Mills 0 likened to Arjuna,” he said. “I Sydney as saying, “you don’t get The incident reminded of another simi- before falling to an excellent catch by Ross J. Denly b Bond 5 think I’ve worked quite hard in lar controversial moment where McCullum Taylor off the bowling of Grant Elliott. O. Shah c McCullum b Bond 3 the winter [laughs].” a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat f***ing c*nt!” ran out Muttiah Muralitharan during a Test He hit two boundaries and three sixes P. Collingwood c Taylor b Elliott 40 Ian Healy’s legendry com- Match in Christchurch in 2006 when the bats- during his 58 ball knock. England were down E. Morgan c Taylor b Butler 9 man left his crease to congratulate Kumar and out when they reached117 for nine, but a R. Bopara lbw b Bond 30 Sangakkara who had reached his century. record partnership for the last wicket L. Wright c McCullum b Elliott 4 S. Broad c & b Elliott 1 Sri Lanka plans big G. Swann c McCullum b Elliott 11 R. Sidebottom c Taylor b Vettori 20 for Asian Rugby Sevens Series J Anderson not out 4 Extras: (b 4, lb 4, w 9, nb 2) 19 by Ravi Nagahawatte Philippines and Iran. Total: (all out) 146 Guneratne went on to add Overs: 43.1. Sri Lanka’s rugby adminis- that the deadline for Asian rugby Fall of wickets:1-0, 2-10, 3-13, 4-50, 5-80, 6- trators hope to form a pool by playing countries to confirm par- 90, 7-95, 8-109, 9-117, 10-146 October 1 to prepare for the ticipation for the Carlton Sevens Bowling: Mills 10-2-19-1, Bond 10-2-21-3, upcoming Borneo Sevens in was September 30 (Wednesday). Franklin 6-0-31-0 (1w), Butler 8-1-34-1 (2nb, Malaysia and the Carlton Sevens Sri Lanka will host the Carlton 3w), Elliott 8-0-31-4 (5w), Vettori 1.1-0-2-1. which the island will host in Sevens on November 28 and 29 at Toss: New Zealand, who chose to field November. the Sugathadasa Stadium. Umpires: A. Rauf (Pak) and D. Harper (Aus) The Rugby Interim SLRFU has extended invita- Third umpire: A. Dar (Pak) Committee which runs the tions to all 26 member Asian Match referee: R. Mahanama (SL) affairs of the Sri Lanka Rugby nations affiliated to the Asian Football Union (SLRFU) believe Rugby Football Union to contest the country’s player reserve runs the Sri Lankan leg of the Asian deep and has enough replace- Sevens Series. ments for some of the top players Guneratne also said that SA media slam Proteas who are serving a ban and plans were afoot to conduct a Hosts South Africa ranked number one in the The Star did not spare to come out swinging in Africa and showpiece unavailable for selection. tournament featuring teams out- received a media hammer- world once again flopped the batsmen either apart the hope of landing a tournaments do not mix Lasitha Guneratne CEO side Asia as part of the Carlton ing on Monday after a in a major competition. from captain courageous knockout punch early on. despite a magnificent Rugby Interim Committee told Sevens. “Invitations have been shock early exit from the “The home team lost Graeme Smith, whose “That South Africa innings from Smith at The Island that the rugby author- extended to teams from Fiji and ICC Champions Trophy this match with the ball career-best 141 kept the bowled poorly is not in SuperSport Park 40 kilo- ities had a good rapport with the South Africa. We are optimistic tournament, through one of the poorer Proteas in with a chance dispute. What they need to metres north of players and would be informing in having a separate tournament cricket365.com reported bowling displays produced until his departure trig- address is why. Were they Johannesburg. them when training commences for teams outside Asia but all will on its web site on Monday. by them in recent years,” gered a closing-overs col- due a bad day anyway or “As with the 2003 again. depend on getting the adequate The Proteas fell by 22 said the Johannesburg lapse. was there a problem with World Cup, the South According to Guneratne, two number of teams,” said runs Sunday to surprise Star under the headline “Where England made preparation? African public will have to prominent Sri Lanka sevens play- Guneratne. packets England, their sec- “England break SA judicious use of the short “If they stumbled and stomach the fact that they The Carlton Sevens will also ond loss in three Group B hearts”. boundary on the eastern lost their collective have to support the tour- ers, Saliya Kumara and Pradeep have a separate segment for matches at the second “It was good wicket for side of the ground, only rhythm because they were nament without their Liyanage, who missed the most important national batting certainly, and win- once did a South African distracted by the fearless favourite team now.