New Delhi, Monday: Former captains Rahul Dravid of India and Australia's Ricky Ponting have been inducted in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame together with England women's wicketkeeper-batter Claire Taylor, the world governing body said Monday.

Dravid and Ponting both scored more than 10,000 runs in Tests and one-day internationals for their respective nations. They and Taylor were given the honours at a glittering ceremony in Dublin on Sunday.

"Only the very best players in the world are recognised for their contribution to cricket in this way and I would like to congratulate Rahul, Ricky and Claire who are wonderful additions to the list of cricketing luminaries in the Hall of Fame," International Cricket Council chief executive Dave Richardson said.

Dravid became only the fifth player from India to be included in the list after Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble.

Ponting is the 25th from Australia while Taylor is the seventh woman overall and the third from England to be named in the list.

The 45-year-old Dravid, who amassed 13,288 runs in 164 Tests with 36 centuries, is now mentoring Indian youngsters as coach of India 'A' and the Under-19 side.

Ponting, 43, ended his career in 2012, accumulating 13,378 runs in 168 Tests with 41 centuries and 13,704 runs in 325 ODIs with 30 centuries. AFP

The International Cricket Council (ICC) warned that the  Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) membership status will drop if elections are not held within six months.

The SLC election to appoint new office bearers was postponed to June 14 following the Interim Order issued by the Court of Appeal.

The decision to issue the order was made following a writ petition filed by former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga, which sought to prevent Thilanga Sumathipala to hold the post of SLC President in any manner whatsoever after the SLC election scheduled to be held on May 31, this year.

However, the Court of Appeal dissolved the stay order imposed against SLC elections on June 14 and fresh applications were called.

When iconic cricketers such as Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Muthiah Muralitharan and Roshan Mahanama who have served for over a decade and brought honour and distinction to the country through cricket turned down a formal request made by the national selectors through the Minister of Sports to serve in the capacity of consultants to help resuscitate the country’s dipping fortunes, there has to be a very good reason for it.

The reason these cricketing legends gave was that they had no “trust in the system”.

What that means is that the recent current cricket administration cannot be trusted and as the past two years have proved it has only brought Sri Lanka cricket down to its knees.

Why these players have refused is not that they are turning their backs on the country’s cricket but with a change of administration and with the right people in place they would certainly extend a helping hand. They do not want to tarnish their good name by being tagged with the present set of administrators many of whom have several question marks against their names.

Coming on the heels of that rebut is a letter sent to the Minister of Sport signed by several past presidents of Sri Lanka Cricket urging him to appoint an interim committee to clean up the mess that the country’s cricket has fallen into.

The saddest part of interim committees is that they cannot run for a long period of time as the ICC does not encourage government appointed committees.

Also, when the interim committee has put the administration back on track elections are called for and all the good work done is brought to naught when the elected officials go back and repeat the same mistakes that had led to the appointment of the interim committee itself. This scenario has become part and parcel of the country’s cricket history.

One of the signatories to the letter calling for a change of administration is Rienzie Wijetilleke the first chairman of the interim committee that was appointed in 1999. It has to this day proved to be one of the best that has served Sri Lanka cricket.

But as has been the fate with all interim committees this committee with a wealth of knowledge and experience in cricket and in administration comprising Wijetilleke, Michael Tissera, S Skandakumar, Sidath Wettimuny, Ashantha de Mel and Kushil Gunasekera sadly didn’t see eye to eye with the then Sports Minister SB Dissanayake that led to their resignation.

During their short tenure the Wijetilleke interim committee put forward a proposal that recognised the rights of the stake holders namely the clubs and affiliated associations to elect the office bearers annually. But what was most important was that it recommended in addition the creation of a Board of Governors (BOG) above these office bearers to ensure accountability.

The argument was that it was not prudent to leave it in the hands of honorary office bearers who get elected or rejected annually, the deployment of millions of dollars without sufficient checks and balances.

To be fair by the system it was also recommended that the Board of Governors should comprise partly of men with experience in the management of the game. A minimum of three past Chairmen/Presidents of IC/SLC were recommended to hold office on a rotation basis of say 2 to 3 years. Their familiarity with the affairs of SLC was an obvious advantage. At its end a further three members will be appointed on the same basis while the incumbents step down.

That Board will be further strengthened by a financial head of high standing and a judge of equal repute.

Over a period of time this proportion can be adjusted as required. The honorary office bearers will NOT be permitted to incur any expenditure above a specified limit without the approval of the BOG. All policy decisions will be referred to the Board for concurrence in effect creating a structure of accountability like in the private sector.

The BOG will meet every fortnight with special meetings convened when required and most importantly the decisions of the Board of Governors will be final and the Sports Minister will NOT interfere in their function.

It is doubtful that any radical changes will be forthcoming and quite unlikely that the Sports Minister would give up his hold on the game. What should be considered is a structure for accountability within the current system.

This is food for thought for the present Minister of Sport and one hopes he not only listens but acts meaningfully if he is really serious about uplifting the country’s cricket fortunes that at present is at low ebb.

When I look at what Romelu Lukaku is doing at this World Cup, I am so proud.

Romelu is a player and person I have a special relationship with. I have known him for seven years, since he first came to Chelsea at the age of 18 in 2011, and we are really close.

He is more than my very good friend, he is a kid I love and he is like my younger brother - someone I have always tried to help.

I know things have not always been easy for him but the reason he is doing so well in Russia is down to the character he has shown throughout his career and the hard work he has put in to get here.

Of course, Belgium are creating lots of chances for him - if you have Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Dries Mertens behind you, then as a striker you know they will provide food for you. But the rest is down to him. I had service like that at Chelsea, and I always thought to myself: 'If you don't eat well now, then you are the one responsible.'

What I mean by that is if you have got people delivering good balls to you then if you miss it is your fault - and that is the mentality Romelu has got too.

As we have seen, he is not missing now - he has scored four goals from five shots in the two games he has played so far - and I would put that down to the fact that, as a player, he is a perfectionist. If you have a desire to always improve like he does, then in the end it pays off.

'AT THE START HE WAS RAW - HE HAD TO WORK ON EVERYTHING'

The first time I spoke to Romelu, he was a young boy and still at Anderlecht.

My friend Vincent Kompany put him on the phone and Romelu told me he was a big Chelsea fan and I was his idol - he had my name on the back of his shirt, and a poster of me on his wall.

A few years later, the boy was with us, sitting next to me in the Chelsea dressing room.

I got him that space, because he was supposed to be the next Chelsea striker, so I wanted him to feel comfortable, to learn and understand the spirit of the team from me.

I wanted to pass on to him my advice and experience of the club - that is why he was there.

Right from the start, he had to work hard. I remember when he first came to the club he was not doing the full training sessions sometimes - they would take him to one side and make him work on his first touch, his passing - everything. When he was young he was very raw. Powerful and physical, yes - always.

I always challenged him and told him that he needed to get leaner and he would be a different player - faster, and more agile at moving and turning.

He has done that. When I look at the player he is now and the one he was seven years ago, there is a big difference. If you go through the different parts of his game, there is quality everywhere.

'HE DOES NOT LACK CONFIDENCE, HE JUST WANTS TO IMPROVE'

It did not work out for Romelu at Chelsea but we have stayed in touch all this time, and we still speak a lot. I'm pleased that he says I was able to help him.

He would always call me for advice, or to ask how to do things differently, but that was never down to a lack of confidence - just his desire to improve.

As I said in my TV analysis after he scored twice against Tunisia, we have talked a lot about the runs he makes, the angles he takes and his footwork when he is through on goal.

The short steps he took before he scored his first goal in that game were just like the ones a tennis player takes just before they hit the ball, and they give you more accuracy.

That was great to see but, when I talked to him after Belgium had played Panama, we spoke about one of the chances he had and I told him what he could have done better in that situation than the touch he took with his left foot.

Romelu explained he was trying to beat the defender but I said you need to focus on your first touch so it would have been better to control with your right and then get in front of the defender that way.

He watched it again and said: "Oh yeah, yeah, yeah - you were right."

There is an example of how much he wants to learn. When you hear that, you can tell he is going to reach the top. He is not there yet, but he is almost there.

'MOURINHO UNDERSTOOD THE BOY HAS BECOME A MAN'

I have heard Romelu say his determination to win is the most important thing he has learned from me, and I think it is a big part of him as a player.

Like I always say, you can be at 70% of your potential but you still have to give 100% of that because it can be enough to win a game.

Part of that is your attitude. For me there was always a difference between being in the dressing room and being around the lads - joking and having fun - and the moment I stepped out on the field.

I changed, and I think he noticed that when he watched me when he was young. He respected that and I can see he is the same now too. He showed that at Manchester United last season.

I also know United manager Jose Mourinho well, of course, from our time at Chelsea and I can see why he got the best out of Romelu at Old Trafford.

I think Jose understood when he signed him for United last year that the boy has become a man. He was mature and ready for a challenge like playing for a club like United.

Romelu did so well because he has got the confidence of the manager, but also because he is at the age where he knows how to pay that confidence back.

'WITH LUKAKU IN FORM, BELGIUM HAVE A CHANCE'

I am still challenging him, for example to get more goals for United next season than the 27 he got last season, and to get the Golden Boot at this World Cup too.

We do not always talk about work, though. I have been to see him at Belgium's training camp in Moscow and we did not speak seriously then.

I know his team-mates Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini and their assistant coach Thierry Henry as well, and it was nice to speak to them all about everything and nothing.

It was just normal chat between friends, making jokes about players and watching Croatia's win over Argentina at the same time.

We were just having fun and it was clear that Romelu and the Belgium squad are in a good place, not just playing well and winning games.

That is one of the reasons I am backing them to do so well at this tournament, and with Romelu in this sort of form, they definitely have a chance. - BBC

The MCA 'G' division 25 –Over League Tournament, the last of the main tournaments in the MCA 2018 calendar, sponsored by Stafford Motor Co. Ltd, for the eighth successive year will face the starter on July 1.

A record number of teams amounting to 53 will via for the glittering Honda Trophy, including two new comers to Mercantile Cricket namely, Alaris Lanka and Durdans Hospital.

The 53 teams were pooled in 08 Groups as per draw held at the captain’s and Secretary’s briefing on May 16 at the MCA, as follows.

Group 'A' (07 teams): JAT Holdings, Laugfs Holdings, J-Lanka, Cargills Bank, Alaris Lanka, Moody’s Analytics and Asiri Hospital.

Group 'B' (07 teams): Wurth Lanka, Union Assurance, Singer Sri Lanka 'B', Deutsche Bank, Kelani Cables, MAS Linea Aqua and Interpid Group

Group 'C'(07 teams): Ceyline Holdings, Hayleys 'B', Nor Lanka, ShipExpress, Aitken Spence Group, Fairfirst Insurance and MAS Active 'D'

Group 'D'(07 teams): Jetwing Travels, Expolanka 'B', ICBT Campus, Glaxo SmithKline, Mobitel 'B', Bimputh Finance and VS Information

Group 'E' (06 teams): CIC Holdings, Ceat Kelani, Interpharm (Pvt.) Ltd, Group M Media, Millennium IT and Access International.

Group 'F'(06 teams): RR Donnelley, Coca Cola Beverages, HNB Assurance, Pearson Lanka, MD Gunasena and Sri Lankan Airlines.

Group 'G'(06 teams): Durdans Hospital, Coats Thread Lanka, The Finance, Waters Edge, HNB Grameen 'B' and DPMC 'B'

Group 'H'(07 teams) : A Baur & Co., ACL Cables, Commercial Credit 'C', Butani Capital, Amana Takaful, Sri Lanka Telecom and Alliance Finance.

The tournament consisting 165 half day matches including the final will be conducted in two stages – the 'league' and the 'Knock –out'. The League Stage consisting 150 matches will be from July 1 to August 12. The 'Knock-out' stage consisting 15 matches will be on August 18 (PQF), August 26 (QF), September 8 (SF) and September 15 (Final).

Special Awards : Best Batsman, Best Bowler, Man of the Series and Man of the Final.

Flash Back to 2017: In the previous tournament Maliban’s lifted the Honda trophy, beating Sri Lanka Telecom by 08 wickets in the final played on 12/08/2017 at the MCA Grounds.

The sponsorship handing over ceremony and the Media Conference was held recently at the MCA Fine dining Restaurant. Associated with the event were Charaka Perera – Director/Chief Operations Officer from Stafford Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd., who handed over the sponsorship package to the President of the MCA, Roshan Iddamalgoda.

Rorz Cricket Perth opened their third Sri Lanka tour with a five wicket win over St Servatius College at the Uyanwatta Stadium on Monday (2nd).

“The touring party comprises cricketers from all over Australia who responded to an advertisement posted on social media”, said Sally Hezlot who has been organizing the Sri Lanka tour. Sally is a teacher at Old Scotch College Perth and has been bringing cricket teams to Sri Lanka for the past three years.

This year the touring team comprises of youth and vetrans between the ages of 16 to 55. “The elder players rplay A grade Club cricket in Austalia” she added.

Electing to bowl first in a match reduced to 30 overs per side due to damp ground conditions at the Uyanwatta Stadium the visitors dismissed the Servatian’s for 100 runs with a dozen balls to spare. Dinura Dilmith, Kavishka Harshamal ans Hirun Anjana were the only three batsmen to enter double figures while veteran Matt Gross captured

three wickets for no runs in three overs. Jacob Alexander captured two wickets and Jack Baxter, Jack Pickering and Jacob Aaraatoon captured a wicket each.

Opener Mark Griffins scored 27 off 42 balls while Jacob Aaraatoon scored 20 off 21 balls to take the visitors within reach of a win in their tour opener.

Jack Pickering (16 not out) and Matt Grose (12 not out) finished the game with five wickets in hand 29 balls to spare. Shanaka Didulantha and Ravishka Rukshan captured two wickets each.

St Servatius 100 in 28 overs (Dinura Dilmith 19, Kavishka Harshamal 14, Hirun Anjana 13, Matt Grose 3/00, Jacob Alexander 2/13)

Rorz Cricket 101/5 in 25.1 overs (Mark Griffiths 27, Jacob Aaraatoon 20, Ozack 16 not out, Matt Grose 12 not out Shanaka Didulantha 2/30, Ravishka Rukshan 2/19)

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, Tuesday: West Indies and Bangladesh commence a two-Test series on Wednesday with the hosts expected to continue the trend of greener, bouncier pitches and a pace attack seeking to put the visitors on the back foot from the outset.

Having dropped below the Bangladeshis in the Test rankings to number nine, there is additional incentive for Jason Holder’s team to win the series which begins in Antigua and move back up to number eight at the expense of their Asian opponents.

With the second Test to follow at Sabina Park in Jamaica a week later, the tourists would have noted carefully the quality of the playing surfaces for the just-concluded three-Test series against Sri Lanka, which ended on a bowler-friendly pitch at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

The Sri Lankans fought back to achieve a series-levelling four-wicket win, the first time a day/night Test was played in the Caribbean and the first time that a team from Asia had ever won a Test match at that famed venue.

Without ace seamer Mustafizur Rahman, who is still recovering from a toe injury, Bangladesh lack the firepower to match what the West Indies are expected to unleash over the two matches.

Shannon Gabriel, who topped all bowlers in the Sri Lanka series with 20 wickets, including a record-breaking 13 in the second match in St Lucia, will spearhead a pace line-up that will also include Holder, who took nine wickets in the defeat at Bridgetown, and the experienced Kemar Roach.

While Devendra Bishoo will again fill the role of specialist spinner, it is felt that all-rounder Keemo Paul will get the nod over the incumbent Miguel Cummins for the fourth and final seamer’s spot.

In contrast, Bangladesh are relying on the experience of Rubel Hossain to challenge what has proven to be a very vulnerable West Indies top-order batting. It remains to be seen if the uncapped Abu Jayed is given the opportunity to share the new ball in conditions which may actually be encouraging for the 24-year-old.

There is no doubt though that the Bangladeshis’ main bowling strength at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium will rest in the spin department in the shape of captain and all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, off-break bowler Mehidy Hasan and off-spinning all-rounder Mahmudullah.

Shakib and Mahmudullah are among six players of the present Bangladesh squad with happy memories of their first visit to this part of the cricketing world in 2009 when they dominated the Tests and One-Day Internationals against a West Indies team severely depleted by a standoff between the premier players and the regional administrators.

Their last visit to the Caribbean though, in 2014, was a huge disappointment as the team led by Mushfiqur Rahim was no match for a full-strength home side.

This tour, which also incorporates three ODI’s and three T20’s, therefore represents an opportunity to show on foreign fields if they have really made meaningful progress after what has generally been a long and trying apprenticeship at the top level of international cricket.

Former captain Rahim, now relieved of wicketkeeping responsibilities, and opener Tamim Iqbal represent the fulcrum of the Bangladesh batting along with Shakib and Mahmudullah.

For the West Indies, the recall of opening batsman Devon Smith after three years off the international scene for the Sri Lanka series proved a failure and he is expected to make way in the final eleven for the first Test for Shimron Hetmyer to return at the number three spot. Kieran Powell is likely to move back up to open the batting with vice-captain Kraigg Brathwaite.

After they were routed for just 93 in the second innings in Barbados – their lowest-ever Test innings total at Kensington – the West Indies batting remains a source of major concern and could be exposed yet again by a varied Bangladesh attack that comes into this series confident that they have the quality to curb the Caribbean batsmen.

Whether their own batsmen can cope effectively with the West Indies pace battery is likely to be the critical factor over the two matches.

Teams: WEST INDIES (probable) – Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (wicketkeeper), Keemo Paul, Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel.

BANGLADESH (probable) – Shakib al Hasan (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Liton Das (wicketkeeper), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Abu Jayed. - AFP

LONDON, Monday: Eight-time champion Roger Federer and seven-time winner Serena Williams shrugged off 30-degree heat to breeze into the Wimbledon second round Monday.

Federer, the defending champion and seeking a 21st major, marked the start of his 20th successive Wimbledon with a new look and a comfortable 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 win over Serbia's Dusan Lajovic.

Williams, like Federer, 36-years-old but chasing a 24th Slam title, enjoyed a hard-fought 7-5, 6-3 victory over Holland's Arantxa Rus.

It was the American's first match at the All England Club since lifting the 2016 title.

She missed the 2017 edition as she prepared for the birth of her first child.

Top seed Federer marched out on Centre Court dressed for the first time in gear designed by Japanese giant Uniqlo in a deal reported to be worth $300 million after a two-decade association with Nike.

But everything else was familiar for the Swiss star who cruised past world number 57 Lajovic in just 79 minutes.

It was the second successive year that Federer had knocked out the Serb at Wimbledon. "I'm very happy, I felt good from the start too which was nice and that was not the case last year against him. I remember I struggled early on a lot," said Federer.

After just 20 minutes to complete the first set, Federer went on to fire 35 winners past Lajovic, breaking serve five times, setting up a second round encounter against Lukas Lacko of Slovakia.

Out on Court One, Serena, seeded 25 this year despite a ranking of 181, had too much power for Rus, the world 107.

Williams, looking to move within one title of Martina Navratilova's Open era record of nine Wimbledon titles, fired 23 winners past Rus.

Victory was sealed on a fifth match point and next faces Bulgarian qualifier Viktoriya Tomova.

"I don't know if I'm relieved, more motivated, but I am happy to get through that," said Williams, whose return to Slam tennis after pregnancy at Roland Garros last month ended in a fourth round injury withdrawal.

US Open champion and fourth seed Sloane Stephens became the tournament's first big name casualty when she slumped to a 6-1, 6-3 loss to Croatia's world 55 Donna Vekic.For Stephens, fresh from making the French Open final last month, it was her second successive first round loss at the tournament.

"There isn't too much I can do -- I'm not going to go and cry. Life goes on," said Stephens, who was followed out of the tournament by Bulgarian sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov.

The 2014 semi-finalist was stunned by three-time Slam winner Stan Wawrinka 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.

Wawrinka, whose ranking has slumped to 225 after knee surgery, had lost his last four matches against Dimitrov.

But at the same tournament where he played what proved to be his last match of 2017, the 33-year-old was rejuvenated.

"It's a great feeling to win like this on Centre Court," said Wawrinka, twice a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon.

Also making a first round exit was Ukraine fifth seed Elina Svitolina, beaten 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-1 by Germany's Tatjana Maria, the Mallorca grasscourt champion last week.

Third seed and 2017 runner-up Marin Cilic enjoyed a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka.

Second seed Caroline Wozniacki, who has never got to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, built on her Eastbourne title at the weekend with a 59-minute, 6-0, 6-3 win over Varvara Lepchenko.

Venus Williams, a five-time champion and runner-up last year, made the next round with a 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-1 win against Johanna Larsson of Sweden.

Serena's fellow tennis-playing mother, Victoria Azarenka, a former world number one and two-time semi-finalist, defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.

Ivo Karlovic, 39 and the oldest man in the draw, made the second round by seeing off Mikhail Youzhny, just three years younger, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3.

But Karlovic's Croatian compatriot Borna Coric, who defeated Federer for the Halle title last week, was a first round loser against Russia's Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (8/6), 6-2, 6-2.

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska, the 2012 runner-up, then supplied the late night drama, saving six match points to beat Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. – AFP

Ladies College and Royal College emerged National Schools ( under 17 ) tennis Champions at the SLTA courts yesterday beating Visakha Vidiyalaya 2/1 and Ananda College 2/0 in the finals respectively.

Ladies, the defending Champions, defeated Ave Maria 2/1 in the semifinals and Visakha beat Holy Family Convent 2/1. Earlier Ave Maria had beaten last year’s runners up Bishops College to enter the semifinals.

Sister’s Anika and Alana Seneviratne led the way for Ladies by winning all their matches and and successfully defended the title they won last year. Alana partnered Aindree Vairavanaden in the semifinals and Michela in the finals and they won the crucial 3rd ties in both matches to give Ladies College the Championships. For Visahka sisters Senuri and Tharini Alexander played well to help them to reach the finals.

Royal won the Nationals after a long lapse and beat St Thomas’ College 2/0 in the semifinals and Ananda 2/0 in the finals. In fact it was a clean sweep by them and the team comprised of Kavisha Ratnayaka, Tehan Wijemanne, Dilvan Herath,Manish De Silva , Anul Deerasingh and janith Munasinghe. 

St. Johns College, Nugegoda beat De La Salle College Colombo by 7 wickets in their inter school under 17 division one tournament cricket match played at Muthuwella. Batting first De La Salle were all out for 80 runs with Thanushka Moses capturing 3 for 6 and in reply Nugegoda Johnians scored 81 for 3.

De La Salle College - 80 in 24.5 overs - Santhish Soysa 23, Rivin Guwajith 3/13, Charuka Guruge 2/18, Thanushka Moses 3/6

St. John's College - 81/3 in 16.4 overs - Nadeeshan Nethmina 21 n/o, Devmina Prabashara 20 n/o, Servinda Gimhana 2/26

Petes beat Bens by 10 wickets

St. Peter's College, beat St. Benedict's College by 10 wickets in their inter school under 17 division one tournament cricket match played at Colombo. Batting first Bens were all out for 102 runs and Peterites noched up the required score with ease with Banuka de Silva and Richika Santhush putting on 103 runs for the first wicket.

St. Benedict's - 102 in 38.1 overs - Sanaoj Perera 21, Monil Silva 2/31, Banuka de Silva 2/5

St. Peter's - 103/0 in 23.1 overs - Banuka de Silva 44 n/o, Richika Santhush 40 n/o

St. John's draw with Wesley

In another game in the under 15 difvision one St. John's drew with Wesley College at Colombo. Batting first Johnians scored 147 runs and Javad Abdeen captured 6 for 48 and at stumps Weslyites were 107 for 8 with Chamuditha Kaushalya claiming 4 for 33 runs.

St. John's - 147 in 52.4 overs - Gayanthan Abinash 23, Seneth Akmika 26, Chamuditha Kaushalya 37, Sadeesha Nethmina 20, Javad Abdeen 6/48, Tony Marshall 2/11

Wesley College - 107/8 in 50 overs - Tony Marshall 20, Vindev Jayasinghe 30, Seneth Akmika 2/21, Ayeth Dilmika 2/31, Chamuditha Kaushalya 4/33

Football Federation of Sri Lanka is gearing to showcase ‘Football Extravaganza on our home soil after a long gap when Sri Lanka National Team plays against Europeans Lithuania on the 8th July 2018 at 6.30 PM at Race Course.

A Couple of weeks ago, FFSL arranged a media conference in a different style to promote this event under the theme of “International Football is Back” which was staged quite successfully. The management convened a special press conference yesterday to announce the final squad of 23 players who will take part in the match against Lithuania on the 8th of July 2018

The players are relatively young, however looks solid in terms of fitness and commitment. Although the new team is short of International match experience, many positive approaches are expected from the new Coach Nizam Packeer Ali. Sri Lanka is looking forward to see some success story from this young team and it is certain that whatever result it could be, Sri Lanka fans will support this young team and cheer them until they play the SAFF Championship in September 2018.

FFSL is inviting all fans and public to visit the Race Course grounds on Sunday 8th July at 6.30 PM to show the solidarity with the young National Team.

****

The squad picked for the Lithuania Game

Kaveesh Lakpriya Fernando, Mohamed Rasik Rishad, Udaya Keerthi Kumara, Yogendran Duckson Puslas, Asikur Rahuman, Afeel Mohamed, Sasanga Dilhara, Chameera Sajith Kumara, Mohamed Fasal, Mohamed Hasmeer, Mohamed Rifnas, Johar Mohamed Zarwan , Mohamed Shabeer, Asela Madushan, Jude Suman,Santhiya Mariyathai Nitharshan, Subash Madushan(Captain), Samitha Subashana Fernando, Charitha Bandara Ratnayake, Dhanushka Rajapakshe, Mohamed Musthaq, Chathura Lakshan Dananjaya, Chathuranga Perera, Sujan Perera 

The Proteas were warmly welcomed by Sri Lanka’s leading business hotel, Mövenpick Hotel Colombo on July 2. The South African cricket team will be residing in the bustling city of Colombo and this will be their home away from home during the “South Africa tour of Sri Lanka 2018”. The first test is due to kick off on July 12 at the Galle International stadium.

Mövenpick Hotel Colombo is currently The venue for the FIFA 2018 games at the Vistas Rooftop bar and is also introducing Cricket themed snack menus at their panoramic rooftop bar during the cricket tournaments.

DUBLIN, Ireland, Monday: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday unveiled tougher sanctions for ball tampering and sledging in a bid to improve on-field behaviour in the sport.

The changes come in the wake of a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March that saw Steve Smith stripped of the Australian captaincy and suspended from international and domestic cricket for a year. Teammates David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were also banned.

“It is vital that there is a strong deterrent to both players and administrators to ensure we have high standards of conduct in our game. We have more than a billion fans and we must not give any of them any reason to doubt the high levels of integrity within our sport,” said ICC chairman Shashank Manohar.

Changes to the ICC’s code of conduct included the introduction of a raft of tougher sanctions, to be introduced later this year, for cheating (other than ball-tampering), personal abuse, audible obscenity, disobeying an umpire’s instructions, and changing the condition of the ball, the Dubai-based governing body said. Ball tampering will now be considered a level-three offence, for which the maximum sanction is 12 suspension points, the equivalent to six Test matches or 12 one-day internationals.

“The board also agreed to consider how member boards can be held liable for its players’ behaviour with appropriate sanctions to be imposed on boards when the accumulated number of offences by its players exceed certain thresholds,” the ICC said in a statement.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson added: “There is a clear desire here to reclaim cricket’s unique proposition as a game that people can trust in and for us all to live the spirit of cricket in a way that is relevant in the 21st century.

“With regard to building a culture of respect, the board agreed that members should treat each other with respect as well as ensuring that their teams respect each other, the game and the match officials.”

After its five-day annual conference in Dublin, the ICC also agreed a plan for stabilising the financial, cricket and management structures at Zimbabwe Cricket.

ZIMBABWE CRICKET

The ICC Board agreed a package of measures to enable Zimbabwe Cricket to stabilize its business and allow cricket to flourish in the country. Zimbabwe Cricket have now complied with a number of conditions recently set by the ICC Board in relation to their financial situation.

As such, the Board confirmed a rearrangement of ZC’s funding that will assist with the service of its existing debts, whilst the remainder of the funding will only be released on a controlled basis. ICC management will work with Zimbabwe Cricket to develop a plan for managing its cricketing, management and financial structures which will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The ICC Board fully supported the Chief Executives’ Committee and Cricket Committee recommended changes to the Code of Conduct. This includes the introduction of the following new offences and the change in level of some existing offences.

The maximum sanction for a Level 3 offence has been increased from 8 suspension points to 12 suspension points (equivalent to 6 Test matches or 12 ODIs).

Match referees will now hear Level 1, 2 and 3 charges with a Judicial Commissioner only hearing Level 4 charges and appeals.

Players or support staff wanting to appeal a decision will now be required to lodge an appeal fee in advance which will be fully refundable if the appeal is successful.

Stump microphone guidelines will also be changed to allow the stump microphone audio to be broadcast at any time, including when the ball is dead.

The Board also agreed to consider how Member Boards can be held liable for its players’ behavior with appropriate sanctions to be imposed on boards when the accumulated number of offences by its players exceed certain thresholds. All of the above will be incorporated into the Code of Conduct for adoption later this year.

CEC also agreed to make changes to the way tours are conducted as part of a collective effort to build a culture of respect in the game. This includes the philosophy that the touring team should be treated as guests in the country with the standard of accommodation, travel and catering equal to that which the home team receives.

The visiting team should also be provided with an opportunity to prepare for upcoming international matches under similar conditions to those they will play in during the series including the same standard and variety of net bowlers and training pitches. Teams should also be provided with the opportunity to mix socially.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “I’d like to thank the Cricket Committee and the Chief Executives for their commitment to improving player behaviour in the game and supporting the introduction of new offences and greater sanctions.

“There is a clear desire here to reclaim cricket’s unique proposition as a game that people can trust in and for us all to live the spirit of cricket in a way that is relevant in the 21st century.

With regard to building a culture of respect, the Board agreed that Members should treat each other with respect as well as ensuring that their teams respect each other, the game and the match officials.

“There was strong reaffirmation from all Members of the need to give support to our match officials around their decision making.”

VICE-CHAIRMAN

Imran Khwaja, Chairman of the Associate Members, was unanimously voted by the Board to continue in his post as ICC Vice-Chairman following his re-election as associate representative earlier this week.

WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP

The playing conditions for the World Test Championship were approved by the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC). This includes the points structure which was recommended by the ICC Cricket Committee and the provision of a reserve day to enable any time lost through bad weather to be made up for the final.

The full playing conditions will be drafted over the coming weeks and published in due course. The CEC also confirmed that whilst all World Test Championship games must be 5-day Test matches, four day Tests can continue to be played by Members.

2018 WOMEN’S T20 ASIA CUP

It was agreed, in light of the recent decision to award international status to all women’s T20 matches played between ICC Members after 1 July 2018, to retrospectively grant all matches at the recent Women’s T20 Asia Cup T20I status.

All Member men’s senior teams will be awarded T20I status on 1 January 2019following the cut-off point for qualification to the ICC World T20 2020.

Rankings for women and men will be introduced in October 2018 and May 2019 respectively as part of the ICC’s commitment to growing the game through its shortest format.

SAINT PETERSBURG: Sweden reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years after Emil Forsberg’s deflected shot earned a scrappy 1-0 win over Switzerland on Tuesday.

This was far from a classic at the Saint Petersburg Stadium and if Colombia or England’s players were watching on from Moscow, they could be forgiven for feeling bullish about their prospects in the last eight.

Switzerland’s Michael Lang was sent off in injury-time for a last-ditch push on Martin Olsson and referee Damir Skomina downgraded his penalty to a free-kick on the edge of the area. But the game was already up.

Forsberg’s second-half strike, which deflected off the unfortunate Manuel Akanji, means Sweden are through to the World Cup last eight for the first time since 1994 in the United States.

Their route to the quarters has not been easy and, what they have lost in the individual brilliance of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they appear to have gained in grit, determination and collective spirit.

Their next opponents would be foolish to take them lightly.

The one blemish on the victory was a yellow card for defender Mikael Lustig, who will now be suspended for the quarter-final in Samara on Saturday.

Both sides had been hampered by suspensions here too, with Switzerland more badly affected. They were without both Fabian Schaer and captain Stephan Lichtsteiner at the back, prompting Johan Djourou and Lang to come in.

For Sweden, Gustav Svensson replaced Sebastian Larsson in midfield.

After back-to-back penalty shoot-outs, Brazil versus Mexico and Belgium’s pulsating comeback against Japan, there was always a danger this last-16 tie would struggle to deliver, even on low expectations.

It was a contest that lacked quality, particularly in the final third, where both teams were often painfully imprecise.

Victor Lindelof slipped on the ball in the first 10 seconds and that set the tone for the first half, which was largely a collection of mishit passes, heavy touches and skewed shots.

There were chances and Sweden had most of them. Marcus Berg blasted over when set free early on and then saw his finish blocked following a poor clearance by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

After a slow start, and Lustig’s foul on Josip Drmic, Switzerland grew in confidence and should have scored when Blerim Dzemaili snatched at Steven Zuber’s pull-back.

At the other end, Albin Ekdal was even closer, and completely free, when he sidefooted Lustig’s cross over.

Rather than let loose, both teams tightened after the interval, and Forsberg’s goal came out of the blue. With space on the edge of the box, his dummy did for Granit Xhaka before the shot was helped in by the outstretched foot of Akanji.

Switzerland twice went close to grabbing an equaliser, as Djourou’s header dribbled agonisingly across the goal-line and substitute Haris Seferovic drew a late save from close range. AFP

London, Tuesday: World number one Rafael Nadal breezed into the Wimbledon second round Tuesday with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win over Israel’s Dudi Sela as the Spaniard returned to action for the first time since claiming his 11th French Open title.

Nadal, the Wimbledon champion in 2008 and 2010, also managed to avoid falling victim to a player ranked outside the world top 100 for what would have been the fifth time in his last six visits to the All England Club.“It’s great always to play here in Wimbledon, especially on Centre Court,” said Nadal after seeing off world number 127 Sela.

“I’m just happy to be through of course and yes, this match gives me positive feelings. There’s still room to improve but after a while without playing on grass, of course it’s very important to start with a straight sets victory.”

Nadal, the 17-time major winner, has not got past the fourth round since finishing runner-up to Novak Djokovic in 2011.

Argentine fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro made it nine first round wins in nine appearances at the tournament, breezing past Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

Del Potro, who made the semi-finals in 2013, next faces Feliciano Lopez of Spain who on Tuesday set a record of playing 66 consecutive Grand Slams when he eased past Federico Delbonis of Argentina 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

Left-handed Lopez made his debut at the majors at the 2001 French Open.

On Tuesday, the 36-year-old broke the record for straight Slams which was previously held by Roger Federer.

“When I was about to break the record, I thought, wow, I’m going to beat Federer at something!” joked the 70th-ranked Lopez who has lost all 13 matches he has played against Federer in his career.

German fourth seed Alexander Zverev eased past world number 748 James Duckworth of Australia 7-5, 6-2, 6-0.

Zverev, who made the last 16 in 2017, goes on to face Taylor Fritz of the United States.

Spain’s Garbine Muguruza opened her title defence with a 6-2, 7-5 win over British wild card Naomi Broady.

Muguruza is bidding to reach her third Wimbledon final after winning last year’s title match against Venus Williams and losing the 2015 showpiece against Serena Williams.

The two-time Grand Slam champion needed 88 minutes to see off world number 138 Broady on Centre Court.

“I’m back, it’s always good, I’m thinking to win and actually enjoy this time more,” Muguruza said.

Third seed Muguruza, 24, next faces Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck.

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, who famously stunned Nadal at the tournament in 2014, marked his 50th match at the majors with a 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.

Kyrgios, seeded 15, hammered down 42 aces and unleashed 78 winners.

Eugenie Bouchard, the runner-up in 2014 before her career went into a tailspin, reached the second round with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 victory over British wild card Gabriella Taylor.

Bouchard, now ranked 188 in the world, will face fellow former Wimbledon junior champion Ashleigh Barty for a spot in the last 32.

Belgium’s David Goffin, the 10th seed, slumped to a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Australia’s Matthew Ebden, playing the tournament for the first time in three years. Later Tuesday, former champions Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova begin their Wimbledon campaigns. AFP

HARARE:Australia captain Aaron Finch revelled in his record-breaking innings against Zimbabwe, saying it was “up there” as one of the best innings he has ever played.

Finch powered his way to 172, beating his own world record high score in Twenty20 Internationals.

Finch and fellow opener D’Arcy Short put on 223, another world record.

Australia reached 229 for two, the highest total ever scored against Zimbabwe in a T20 international as a slew of records were broken during Australia’s 100-run victory.

“It’s nice to break my own record,” said Finch. “Satisfying. It’s something that I’ll look back on when I’ve finished playing and be really proud of.” Finch cracked his first six in the fourth over of the morning, and with his third he brought up a 22-ball half century - his fastest in Twenty20 internationals.

Australia took 75 from the Powerplay, with Finch doing the bulk of the scoring while fellow opener D’Arcy Short was content to turn the strike over to his big-hitting partner.

Finch brought up his second T20I hundred at the end of the 14th over, taking just 50 deliveries. AFP

The Most Popular Observer – Mobitel Schoolboy cricketer of the year Sachin Silva of St Peters College, Bambalapitiya receiving the trophy from ANCL Director Uma Rajamanthri at the 40th Observer Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the year awards ceremony held at Colombo Hilton yesterday. Picture by Rukmal Gamage

St. Sylvesters’ College, Kandy came out with sterling performances to win the Stubbs Shield Boxing Championship after a lapse of 10 years at the Royal College Boxing Ring as the tournament worked off from June 29 to July 2. The victorious Boxing team was Coached by Bandula Gamage, the popular boxing coach assisted by M.M.D. Paris. The team was taken in a procession from the Kandy Clock Tower up to the school main hall.

The felicitation was held under the patronage of school Principal V.G.S. Bandara. It was organized by the Prefect Of Games an old boy of the School, G.T.B. Pallekumbura. St Sylvesters’College is famous for producing ‘boxers’ such as Olympic boxer Malcolm Bulner, Empire Games boxer G.A.S. Gunasinghe and other reputed boxers like, A.C.R.Herathge, Derrick Gunasinghe, P.Edmond, Elsworth Perera and D.C.Weerasinghe to name a few.

The following boxers were in the victorious team.

D.Thenabadu (Gold Medal in the 64 kg Weight Class), R.Kularatne (Gold Medal in 69 kg Weight Class), B.Kapukotuwa (Gold Medal in 75 kg Weight Class), M. Manatunge (Silver Medal in 52 kg Weight Class).

Other team members: C.Kapukotuwa (52 kg), R.Rathnayake (60 kg), R.Wickremasinghe (64 kg), A.Jayasinghe( 49 kg), C.Sanjeewa (60 kg), W.Wimalaweera (49 kg)

MOSCOW, Wednesday - England became the last team to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout as favourites Brazil and fancied France trained their sights on their last-eight opponents.

England’s victory against Colombia takes Gareth Southgate’s team into what looks like a winnable match against Sweden, who edged out Switzerland 1-0 earlier on Tuesday.

Both teams are in the bottom half of the draw in Russia, along with the host nation and Croatia, with England the only former winners of the four teams.

The top half contains more heavyweights, with 1998 champions France taking on two-time winners Uruguay and Brazil set to face Belgium.

Eric Dier’s spot-kick gave England their first-ever win on penalties at a World Cup at the fourth attempt -- ending the jinx that has dogged them for so long. But Southgate said he was already looking forward to Saturday’s quarter-final against Sweden in Samara, with a last-four clash against either Croatia or Russia up for grabs.

“This was special but I want us to go on,” Southgate, whose penalty miss saw England lose to Germany in the Euro 96 semi-finals at Wembley, said.

“Sweden is another team we have a poor record against. We have underestimated them for years. They have created their own story and made history. I don’t want to go home yet.”

Janne Andersson’s Sweden have recovered well from a heartbreaking group-stage defeat by Germany, seeing off Mexico before edging out Switzerland 1-0 in the last 16.

RB Leipzig midfielder Emil Forsberg grabbed the only goal of a tight encounter midway through the second half to send his country into the quarters for the first time since the 1994 side who finished third in the United States.

NEYMAR IN THE SPOTLIGHT

For all the drama around England, the winner of the tournament is more likely to come from the top half of the draw, where the teams can boast a combined eight tournament wins.

Favourites Brazil will come up against Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ in Kazan on Friday while an exciting young France side spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe take on a shrewd Uruguay outfit in Nizhny Novgorod.

Much of the focus surrounding Brazil’s bid for a record-extending sixth world title has inevitably been on Neymar.

But the world’s most expensive player has hit the headlines as much for his perceived play-acting as for the on-pitch performances that have helped his side ease into the last eight without ever being seriously troubled.

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said the stoppages caused by Neymar’s antics stalled his team during their 2-0 last-16 loss to Brazil, claiming the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s reaction to Miguel Layun stepping on his leg was a “shame for football”.

Belgium were on the brink of another major tournament failure when trailing 2-0 with 21 minutes to play, only for a magnificent breakway goal by Nacer Chadli in the fourth minute of injury-time to cap a stunning fightback. Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Kevin De Bruyne are likely to give Brazil’s defence the biggest test of their campaign so far, although the South Americans have only conceded once in four matches.

“This is the sort of game you dream about as a little boy and we can enjoy it from the first second,” said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez.

France never got out of first gear in easing through the group stage, but turned on the style as Mbappe dazzled in a classic 4-3 victory over Argentina to set up the clash with Uruguay.

“We have been preparing for months, for weeks to play matches like that,” said France coach Didier Deschamps.

Uruguay’s success has been built on a solid defence led by Atletico Madrid pair Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin, with the old-fashioned strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani doing the damage at the other end with five goals between them.

No South American side have won on European soil since a Pele-inspired Brazil 60 years ago, but in a World Cup of shocks and surprises, nothing can be taken for granted. – AFP

SOCHI, Tuesday - While some of their biggest rivals have already fallen by the wayside in Russia, Brazil have been making serene progress towards the latter stages of the World Cup.

After watching holders Germany, Spain and Argentina all exit the competition in the last week in various states of disarray, the Selecao eased into the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory against Mexico on Monday.

As they aim to lift the World Cup for a record sixth time in Moscow on July 15, their next opponents are Belgium in Kazan on Friday, in what will be something of a clash of styles -- the best defence up against the best attack.

This Brazil team is not just about Neymar, even if his theatrics and intermittent magic, like his opener against Mexico, are what immediately catch the eye and dominate the headlines.

Look a little more closely and it becomes clear what is really making them tick -- coach Tite has instilled an admirable collective discipline and his team are built on solid foundations.

They have conceded just one goal so far at this World Cup, and Steven Zuber’s effort for Switzerland in a 1-1 draw in Rostov-on-Don could have been disallowed for a foul on Joao Miranda.

Since then, goalkeeper Alisson Becker has kept three straight clean sheets, with Brazil winning 2-0 against Costa Rica, Serbia and Mexico. They have conceded just four shots on target in four matches.

ITALIAN-INSPIRED

It is the kind of record that the Italians, the old defensive masters who are conspicuous by their absence in Russia, would have been proud of. Brazil are looking to Italy for inspiration.

“Juventus have been champions for the last seven years, and only once without having the best defence,” said Tite’s assistant Sylvinho, the former Arsenal and Barcelona left-back, after the Mexico game.

“In such a short tournament, we want balance to be what characterises us, and that does not make us a defensive team.”

History shows that the team with the best defence tends to win the trophy. And while Brazil have always possessed brilliant individuals, they have also long since been pragmatists above all else.

There will be moments of magic from Neymar, who is gradually coming to the boil following foot surgery in March -- as long as they go with defensive discipline.

On Monday in Samara, Tite switched to a 4-4-2 formation after Mexico caused Brazil early problems, and they had a foundation to go on and win the game in the second half.

Fagner might be a weak link at right-back, but there is strength in depth throughout the squad -- Casemiro, Paulinho and Philippe Coutinho provide different qualities in midfield, while Willian came up with his best performance of the tournament against Mexico.

Gabriel Jesus has yet to find the net, but Roberto Firmino came off the bench to score on Monday and is pushing for a start.

Brazil defend from the front, with captain Thiago Silva admitting the aim is to concede no more goals.

“That is our objective,” he said. “But always emphasising that the defensive part begins with the attackers. When the ball does come into our area, it is much easier to cut it out. Our attackers play a big part in that.”

CHINK IN THE ARMOUR?

And so to Friday when Brazil, who have the joint-best defence at the tournament along with Uruguay, face a Belgium outfit who have been the most prolific with 12 goals scored.

For now they are living up to their billing, although it remains to be seen how they will cope in the absence of Casemiro, the Real Madrid powerhouse who screens the defence from deep in midfield.

He is suspended, meaning Fernandinho is likely to come in.

The 33-year-old does not offer the same degree of protection, although his inside knowledge of Manchester City club colleague Kevin De Bruyne could be invaluable as Brazil look to keep their challenge for a sixth title going. – AFP