Ex-Test openers Kaushal Silva (SSC) and Tharanga Paranavitana (Tamil Union) scored double tons against Army CC and CCC respectively in their SLC Major League Tier ‘A’ Inter Club Super 8 cricket matches continued yesterday.

Paranavitana scored an unbeaten 215 for Tamil Union who notched up 405 and had CCC struggling at 218-6 by the close at Katunayake with former Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Rangana Herath capturing three of those wickets for 57 runs.

Silva thumped a career best 273 for SSC who ran up an imposing 582-9 declared against Army CC at CCC grounds.

All matches will be continued today on day three today.

DAY TWO SCORES:

* At Katunayake: Tamil Union CC: 405 (282/6 o/n) in 127.5 overs (Tharanga Paranavitana 215 n.o., Damitha Silva 72, Sachithra Serasinghe 21, Lahiru Madushanka 3/54, Ashan Priyanjan 2/49, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/52)

CCC: 218/6 at close in 52 overs (Wanindu Hasaranga 104 n.o., Rangana Herath 3/57)

* At CCC: SSC: 582/9 decl. (363/2 o/n) in 141.5 overs (Kaushal Silva 273, Kavindu Kulasekara 94, Sandun Weerakkody 52,, Sachithra Senanayake 42, Krishan Arachchige 23, Dushan Vimukthi 4/146)

Army CC: 128/3 at close in 38 overs (Dushan Vimukthi 55 n.o., Tharindu Ratnayake 2/30)

* At NCC: Chilaw Marians CC: 560 (426/5 o/n) in 141 overs (Harsha Cooray 162 n.o., Oshada Fernando 109, Thikshila de Silva 79, Yashodha Lanka 75, Risith Upamal 33, Pulina Tharanga 23, Sangeeth Cooray 4/105)

Colts CC: 158/5 at close in 45 overs (Hashan Dumindu 68, Dananjaya Lakshan 32, Priyamal Perera 22 n.o., Sagar Paresh 4/38)

* At Colts: NCC: 253 in 87.3 overs (Mahela Udawatte 101, Lahiru Udara 47, Saranga Rajaguru 38, Malinga Amarasinghe 20, Chamikara Edirisinghe 4/82, Mohamed Dilshad 2/25)

Saracens SC: 309/3 at close in 91 overs (Pramod Maduwantha 91 n.o., Ashen Bandara 76 n.o., Gamindu Kanishka 81, Andy Solomons 45, Dilesh Gunaratne 2/60)

- (YK)

Colombo District Court yesterday lifted the enjoining order issued preventing the conducting of the SLC’s Major League Tier ‘B’ tournament for the year 2018/19.

The enjoining order was imposed on 13 December, 2018 by the Colombo Magistrate following a petition filed by Nugegoda Sports Club. Accordingly; the tournament will commence on the first week of February, 2019.

The inter-house athletic meet of Lumbini College, Colombo 5 will be held on January 29 at Havelock Park, Colombo at 1.00 pm (today). Minister of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports Harin Fernando will grace the occasion as Chief Guest and renowned old boy of Lumbini Major General L.F. Kasthuriarachchi and many other sportsmen will be present on the occasion. 

Wellington, Monday: Virat Kohli bowed out of the New Zealand tour with India in an unbeatable position after they won the third one-day international by seven wickets in Mount Maunganui on Monday.

With India up 3-0, world player of the year Kohli is to be rested for the remaining two matches and the following Twenty20 series.

Kohli’s 60 off 74 deliveries and a 113-run partnership with Robit Sharma saw India chase down their 244-run target with seven overs to spare.

Ross Taylor bats during the third one day international cricket match against India at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Monday. AFP

It gave the tourists back-to-back series wins against Australia and New Zealand and ensured they will be a force to be reckoned with in the World Cup later this year.

Sharma top-scored with 62 while Ambati Rayudu was unbeaten on 40 and Dinesh Karthik on 38.

New Zealand, batting first, posted their highest score and longest innings in the three matches so far but they still fell short of 50 overs, their last wicket falling with six balls remaining.

Ross Taylor (93) and Tom Latham (51) gave the innings credibility but proved no challenge for the visitors. Sharma’s first wicket partnership of 39 ended when Shikhar Dhawan edged Trent Boult to the lone slip Taylor to be gone for 28.

Kohli then joined Sharma and the pair swatted the attack around the ground in their century stand for the second wicket.

New Zealand, taking a leaf from the India playbook, brought two spinners into the match after the tourists’ spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal took the bulk of the wickets in the first two matches.

Ish Sodhi proved expensive but Mitchell Santner was tight and cleverly deceived Sharma to finish with one for 45.

Santner sensed Sharma was ready to dance down the wicket and served up a slower ball that deceived the opener, who was stumped by Latham.

Kohli, who averages a century every 5.6 innings, was due a big knock in New Zealand after posting 45 and 43 earlier in the series, but his attempt to drive Boult to the cover boundary was well caught by a leaping Henry Nicholls.

Boult proved the most economical of the New Zealand bowlers with two for 40.

Mohammed Shami had earlier taken three for 41 while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya and Yuzvendra Chahal took two wickets apiece as India shared around the bowling honours in the New Zealand innings.

Only Taylor, and for a time Latham, offered any real resistance after another disastrous start by the top order. Both openers were gone and New Zealand were two for 26 when Taylor went to the middle and Latham arrived at three for 59 with the dismissal of Kane Williamson (28). Taylor and Latham mounted a rescue mission with a 119-run stand for the fourth wicket.

But after Latham was dismissed for 51, his 13th half-century, it ignited a collapse in which the last six wickets fell for only 52 runs. Hamilton hosts the fourth game in the series on Thursday. AFP 

The National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) released its event calendar for 2019, with the inclusion of 13 local and 11 international events. The NSSF calendar will flag off with the International Shooting Grand Prix scheduled for February 8 to 15 in Kuwait while locally it will be heralded with the Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo (CTSC) Open Skeet Championship in mid February.

However the NSSF will have a tough start to begin the year 2019, as its officials are heftily working on with the preparations of the CTSC Open Skeet Championship, scheduled from February 14 to 17 at the CTSC Shotgun Range in Payagala while doing the groundwork to pick shooters for the International Shooting Grand Prix in Kuwait, followed by the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup, from February 20 to 28 in New Delhi, India.

The NSSF is highly keen shaping up its shooters, in particularly the youngsters for the upcoming events both locally and internationally, to come out with fine performances and target for medals at global competitions.

“We are keen to see the local events taking place as planned with good turnouts and comprehensive outcomes. If all plans work out as drawn out, we will surely be able to produce some good talents from the local events, to produce for international events with medal hopes. While the events take place, there are also development projects taking place with more other activities happening,” Pradeep Edirisighe, the Secretary of NSSF, stated.

The earmarked local events will be the NSSF Open, National and Youth competitions, which will be held under Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun categories on designated dates. The busiest location will be the CTSC Shotgun Range in Payagala, the country’s one of its kind. It will be the venue for eight Skeet and Trap meets. Sri Lanka Navy’s Gemunu Range in Welisara, will be the venue for six rifle and pistol events.

NSSF Local Events

February 14-17: CTSC Open Skeet Championship at CTSC Shotgun Range, Payagala

February 21-24: CTSC Open Trap Championship at CTSC Shooting Range, Payagala

March 1st week: Open Air Gun Championship at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara

April 4th week: SSC Open Youth and Junior Air Gun Championship at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara

June 1st Week: NSSF Open Rifle/Pistol Championship at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara

July 4-7: NSSF Open Skeet Championship at CTSC Shooting Range, Payagala

July 25-28: NSSF Open Trap Championship at CTSC Shooting Range, Payagala

August 1st Week: NSSF Youth and Junior Air Gun Championship at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara

August 29-Sept 1: Wayaba and Magnum Open Trap Championship at CTSC Shotgun Range, Payagala

September 10-20: Navy Open Meet at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara

October 3-6: NSSF National Skeet Championship at CTSC Shotgun Range, Payagala

October 24-27: NSSF National Trap Championship at CTSC Shotgun Range, Payagala

November 1st week: NSSF National Rifle and Pistol Championship at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara

International Events

February 8-15: International Shooting Grand Prix in Kuwait

February 20-28: ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup in New Delhi, India

February 21-March 3: Qatar Open Shotgun Championship, Doha

March 25-April 2: 12th Asian 10m Championship in Chinese Taipei

April 5-16: ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Al Ain, UAE

April 21-29: ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Beijing, China

May 7-18: ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Changwon, Korea

May 24-31: ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Munich, Germany

July 12-20: ISSF Junior World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Suhl, Germany

September 20-30: 9th Asian Shotgun Championship in Kazakhstan

November 3-11: 14th Asian Championship in Doha, Qatar

Girona, Sunday: Gareth Bale needed just two minutes to mark his return from injury with a goal as 10-man Real Madrid held on for a 4-2 victory over Espanyol on Sunday.

Bale had been out since January 3 with a calf strain but made an instant impact off the bench at the RCDE Stadium, where Karim Benzema continued his own rich vein of form by scoring twice.

Sergio Ramos was also on target with a brilliant header before Leo Baptistao kept Espanyol in sight. Bale and Benzema seemed to have wrapped things up but Raphael Varane was sent off with 18 minutes left and substitute Roberto Rosales drove in to set up a nervy finish.

Madrid, however, survived for their fifth win in sixth matches, even if it was only enough to restore the 10-point difference behind Barcelona, who had earlier seen off Girona 2-0, with Lionel Messi scoring a sublime chip.

Barca, five points ahead of Atletico Madrid, keep winning but Real are gaining momentum, with the resumption of the Champions League just around the corner.

Bale’s return will be particularly welcome for coach Santiago Solari.

“Gareth is happy,” Solari said. “He came on and scored straight away, which is great for him and his confidence.

“Little by little he has to regain the form of before, like during the Club World Cup when he scored three goals. This is the Gareth we want to see, with that hunger to score goals.”

Benzema now has 15 goals this season and his first was a simple finish in the third minute, as he pounced on a rebound from Luka Modric’s shot.

Ramos is their second top scorer with 10, his excellent header looping into the far corner, before Baptistao gave Espanyol a lifeline with an emphatic shot from the edge of the area.

But Benzema added a third on the stroke of half-time and when Bale, after replacing Vinicius Junior, made it four, it looked like the game was up.

Instead, Varane was sent off for bringing down Pablo Piatti as the last man and Rosales set Madrid’s nerves jangling by chesting and volleying past Thibaut Courtois with nine minutes left.

Messi’s brilliant chip

Benzema’s surge, and Bale’s fitness, could yet prove key to their second half of the season, particularly in Europe, in La Liga it is Messi, and Barca who lead the way.

Messi’s brilliant chip, his ninth goal in as many games, came after Nelson Semedo had given them an early lead, before Bernardo Espinosa’s red card consigned Girona to 39 minutes with 10 men.

The home fans were left incensed by that decision, as well as Messi’s reaction they believed caused it, but the Argentinian’s goal offered the perfect riposte.

“We struggled in the first half a bit but after the red card we had to dominate the game,” Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said. “It was a tough match, they pushed us a lot.”

Outside the stadium before kick-off, propped up on a railing, was a sign with an ironic message scrawled: “Miami, here we come”.

La Liga had hoped to drag this game across the Atlantic to promote Spanish football and the two clubs had supported the idea, with various perks dangled in front of fans, including free flights and tickets, not to mention the chance to be part of something “historic”.

The setting probably would have made little difference to the result - just the integrity of the competition - given Girona, now 14th, are without a win in 10 matches while Barca have managed eight league victories in a row.

Semedo’s goal was soft as Girona failed to clear three times before he swept the ball home and Philippe Coutinho could have made it two, only to hit the goalkeeper. It was one of a handful of underwhelming moments from the Brazilian.

Girona grew into the game but any momentum was checked shortly after half-time as Espinosa caught Suarez from behind and, after protests from Messi, was shown a second yellow card.

Messi was jeered and for a while the fury spurred Girona on.

But he had the final say as Luis Suarez threaded through Jordi Alba, who squared to him.

Out rushed Yassine Bounou but Messi’s scoop was so good, even the diving Porro was powerless to keep it out. Some of Girona’s fans, previously enraged, now stood up to applaud. AFP 

Milan, Sunday: Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty to seal a hard-fought 2-1 win for Juventus against Lazio in Rome on Sunday to pull 11 points clear in Serie A. Juventus had trailed after an Emre Can own-goal after an hour before substitute Joao Cancelo pulled the champions level and then earned the penalty which Ronaldo slotted in with two minutes to go.

An eighth straight Serie A title beckons for Massimiliano Allegri’s side who soar clear of second-placed Napoli who were held to a goalless draw at AC Milan on Saturday. Inter Milan are 19 points behind the leaders after losing 1-0 at Torino earlier on Sunday.

Lazio drop to eighth place -- three points off the Champions League spots -- after their second defeat in a row after losing to Napoli by the same score last weekend.

“It must have been the kitman’s fault, giving us ten shirts of different colours because we couldn’t pass the ball to each other,” said Allegri. “For sixty minutes it was the worst Juventus of the year,” continued captain Giorgio Chiellini.

“Paradoxically after the goal disadvantage we found the motivation to win it.

“We’ve got players who make the difference. (Goalkeeper Wojciech) Szczesny kept us on our feet, we were lethal in the end.”

The champions had struggled for the first hour in the Stadio Olimpico as Lazio piled on the pressure. Daniele Rugani pulled off a goal-line clearance, after Joaquin Correa dribbled past Can and Leonardo Bonucci, with Szczesny denying Luis Alberto and Marco Parolo.

German midfielder Can’s woes were compounded just before the hour mark when he ducked down and instead deflected the ball into his own net off a corner.

But Allegri’s side could count on the depth of their bench with second half substitutes Cancelo and Federico Bernardeschi proving pivotal.

A solo run by Bernardeschi down the left set up the equaliser which Cancelo fired in off a rebound after Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha had initially cleared a Paulo Dybala shot.

Ronaldo -- whose penalty was saved last week against Chievo -- finished off to score in his eighth consecutive away match to bring his league tally to 15 goals. AFP

Melbourne, Monday: Rafael Nadal said he took a lot of positives out of the Australian Open on his return from injury, despite being thrashed in the final Sunday by Novak Djokovic.

The Spanish second seed had played an outstanding level of tennis at the tournament without dropping a set until he met his arch-rival on Rod Laver Arena.

And he had no answer to the world number one’s booming groundstrokes and precision serve to limp out of Melbourne Park 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

Nadal said he still wasn’t at his best after his injury-plagued 2018.

“Was unbelievable the way that he played, no doubt about that. But at the same time it is true that probably physically I was not able (to compete at that level),” said Nadal.

“Five months without competing, having that big challenge in front of me, I needed something else. That something else probably today, I don’t have it yet.

“That’s my feeling, to compete at this super high level.”

Despite the rout, Nadal said he was content with being able to reach the final given the injury problems that prevented him playing any matches after the US Open until he got to Melbourne. AFP

Kalana Madhusanka skipper of Seethawaka Central College Avissawella passed 1500 runs and 50 wickets in this season of the ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 inter Schools Cricket tournament at Karandeniya yesterday.

Thirty one wickets fallen on day one between Thustan College Colombo and St. Thomas College Matara at Matara. Ayesh Harshana spinner of Thurstan Colombo took 8 wickets for 19 runs in second inning against St. Thomas College to capture 11-wicket match bag.

Nishan Madhushka of Moratu Vidyalaya made 5th century in this season. Dinusha Mendis of St. John’s Nugegoda scored 115 runs. Thurstan Colombo, St. Benedict’s Kotahena, Gurukula Kelaniya, Vidyartha Kandy, Sri Devananda Ambalangoda, Loyola Negombo and Wayamba Royal Kurunegala recorded first inning leads.

* At Kotahena. St. Sylvester’s Kandy: 97 in 40.1 overs (Avindu Herath 29, Malinda Perera 5/13, Imesh Fernando 2/22)

St. Benedict’s Kotahena: 160/9 in 56.3 overs (Brian Johnpille 41, Kaviru Perera 30, Hasindu Kavirathne 27, Manoharan Pavithran 5/33, Pasan Hettiarachchi 2/22)

* At Moratuwa. Dharmaraja Kandy:178 in 88.3 overs (Dulaj Bandara 79, Mithila Gayashan 42, Kasun Gunawardane 23, Kalana Sandeep 2/21, Vinuja Ranasunghe 2/26, Nadeera Fernando 2/29)

St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa: 31/1 in 13 overs (Dunith Jayathunge 19 n.o.)

* At Asgiriya. St. Anthony’s Wattala: 170 in 71.5 overs (Avishka Tharindu 85, Joel Pinto 26, Kanishka Senadeera 6/46, Uvindu Wimaladharma 2/31)

Trinity Kandy: 114/0 in 26 overs (Shane Gunathilake 66 n.o., Pubudu Bandara 31 n.o.)

* At Aaron’s Country Club grounds Bulathsinhala. Richmond Galle: 120 in 42 overs (Sandun Mendis 42, Vinuja Kiriella 22, Vihanga Iranjana 2/0, Likshan Sasanga 2/14)

Gurukula Kelaniya: 168/3 in 53 overs (Kemira Nayanatharu 60 n.o., Nuwan Chanaka 43 n.o.)

* At Matara. St.Thomas Matara: 60 in 25 overs (Bhawantha Jayasinghe 4/10, Ayesh Harshana 3/10, Sandaru Dias 2/11) and 70 in 35.3 overs (Mihisal Amoda 35, Ayesh Harshana 8/19)

Thurstan Colombo: 61 in 25.2 overs (Jahavihan Mahavithana 24, Seneth Sithara 5/13, Sachira Rashmika 3/8) and 16/1 in 4 overs

* At Kurunegala. Moratu Vidyalaya: 226 in 51 overs (Nishan Madushka 114, Ashen Adithya 22, Ishan Weerasuriya 3/65, Akalanka Petiyagoda 2/22, Maleesha Senanayake 2/36, Jeewan Abeywardhane 2/39)

St. Mary’s Kegalle: 101/8 in 42 overs (Dishan Karunarathne 31, Nadith Mishendra 4/33, Eran Hansamal 2/24)

* At Rathgama. Sri Devananda Ambalangoda: 211 in 58 overs (Pasindu Dhananjaya 65, Sheron Shehan 47, Anton Saraj 4/37, Praiven Kiran Dinoshan 4/43) and 5/0 in 1 overs

St. John’s Jaffna: 159 in 33.2 overs (Anthonypillai Sukethan 45, Vinothen Abinash 35, Savindu Anushka 3/36, Chamara Perera 3/44, Sharon Shehan 2/25)

* At Police park Kandy. Sri Jayawardanapura MV. Kotte: 138 in 41.4 overs (Kanishka Maduranga 59, Buddhika Chaminda 33, Ishan Sangeeth 4/16, Medunaka Wijethilaka 2/22, Dumindu Ediriweera 2/37)

Vidyartha Kandy: 219/8 in 50 overs (Kavishka Thennakoon 61, Dilshan Rathnayke 61 n.o., Jayasundara Senevirathne 3/31, Pasindu Akarshana 3/34)

* At Veyangoda. St. John’s Nugegoda: 339/9 decl. in 83 overs (Dinusha Mendis 115, Dewmina Ekanayake 64, Sandaruwan Costha 39, Sanjaya Selvakumara 38, Osanda Warawita 25 n.o., Tharusha Malintha 3/55, Arana Dabare 3/99, Prashen Mayantha 2/80)

Bandaranayake Central Veyangoda: 51/7 in 20.3 overs (Dinusha Mendis 4/16)

* At Godigamuwa. Loyola Negombo: 166 in 38 overs (Hansaja Hiruna 58, Ashen Nalinda 45 n.o., Praveen Sasantha 3/36, Pethum Priyasad 2/12, Nisala Akash 2/22) and 54/4 in 21 overs (Duvindu Jayawardhane 2/9)

Gonsalves Pamunugama: 117 in 37.4 overs (Pethum Priyasad 30, Sahan Kosala 27, Ulara Jayawardane 21, Samindu Shahen 5/38, Ashen Lalindra 3/3)

* At Dickwella. Vijitha Central Dickwella: 229 in 55.2 overs (Rochana Wickramasinghe 67, Sarodh Ransara 46, Kushan Malinda 37, Saumya Niwarthaka 4/69, Induwara Wijethilake 3/69)

Sandalanka Central: 78/5 in 32 overs (Nimesh Tharuka 33 n.o., Saumya Niwarthaka 31 n.o., Menusha Sachintha 3/11, Kushan Malinda 2/13)

* At Ruwanwella. Ananda Shastralaya Kotte: 239 in 59.4 overs (Chamindu Sathmina 80 n.o., Hasith Dilwan 40, Dhananjaya Sandanidu 20, Kalana Madusanka 5/55, Buddhi Madushan 3/62)

Seethawaka Central Avissawella: 139/6 in 33 overs (Kalana Madusanka 59, Thisara Dananjaya 21, Abilash Dinakara 4/43)

* At Ampara. Wayamba Royal Kurunegala: 214 in 53.3 overs (Harsha Devasinghe 55, Pathum Adikarinayake 49, Hasanka Jayawardane 27, Vinuka Ometh 26, Vinura Amanda 3/26, Kalpana Adithya 3/44)

D. S. Senanayake NS Ampara: 56 in 37.1 overs (Hansaka Jayawardhane 5/11, Pahan Bandara 2/1, Chamindu Adhkiari 2/9). - YK

CANBERRA, Monday - Man of the moment Pat Cummins hopes Australia’s first Test thrashing of Sri Lanka has left some mental scars on the visitors as the teams head south for the second Test in Canberra.

The Aussies completely outclassed the Lankans on a lively Gabba pitch in the series opener, claiming victory by an innings and 40 runs inside two-and-a-half days.

Cummins was the standout performer, taking 10-62 – his first 10-wicket haul in Tests and the first at home by an Australian quick in more than a decade.

Both sides now turn their attention to Manuka Oval in the national capital, which will be hosting a Test match for the first time from Thursday.

“I hope so,” Cummins replied when asked if the Australians had secured a mental edge over their opponents in Brisbane.

“A two-and-a-half day win is brilliant when there’s a tight turnaround, for sure.

“I know at Manuka we’re going to have really different conditions – we played a Shield game down there earlier in the season and it was a pretty good wicket, but probably more reverse swing than traditional swing.

“It’s good that not too many of their batsmen got going and I feel like our batters got a good hit-out there and obviously we bowled well. So it was a pretty complete game.”

Recalled opener Lahiru Thirimanne (32) and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella (64) were the only two Sri Lankan batsmen to pass 30 as Cummins and debutant Jhye Richardson (5-45 from 27 overs) produced clinical performances with the ball.

“I thought he was brilliant, Jhye,” said Cummins. “He’s quite shy at times but he’s got a real inner-confidence and we saw that out there – he looks like a veteran.

“He loves bowling, he’s got all the tricks, and the thing that pleased me most was he was quite restrained; he didn’t try the big inswingers or the big bouncers or anything, he just did his job and I’m glad to see he got some rewards.”

Head coach Justin Langer said he would be sleeping easier after the first Test win and said a victory over the Sri Lankans – which would ensure a clean sweep and a first Test series win during his tenure – was important not just for the outcome itself, but in a psychological sense for a team largely new to Test cricket.

“You’ve got to build confidence,” Langer said. “Winning is really important … I kept thinking before the (first Test), imagine if we get beaten by Sri Lanka at the Gabba. That’s why I haven’t slept much the past week.

“Every time you play a Test match you want to play your best cricket and we obviously go straight into World Cup preparation (afterward).

“We’ve got India, we’ve got UAE (tours), a few weeks off and then into the World Cup. They’re all important games. Every game you play is an important game for different reasons.”

Cummins’ outstanding form this summer (he has 24 wickets at 18.79 in five Tests) hit new heights at the Gabba, a fact that was reflected by his rise to number three in the ICC Test bowling rankings.

Australia captain Tim Paine said the 25-year-old had attained a “perfect” seam position at times during the first Test, and Cummins revealed his improvements had come about as the product of simple hard work.

“I felt like I was in control of the seam pretty well,” he said. “I didn’t overly try and swing it, I just felt like I was in the game trying to nip the ball, especially around the wicket to the lefties – just trying to sit the seam up, kind of a wobble seam, and hope that it would take every now and then, and it seemed to.

“I did a bit of work the last couple of weeks, just trying to work on seam position and always trying to improve it.”

Cummins took three wickets when New South Wales played at Manuka Oval against Queensland in last month’s JLT Sheffield Shield clash, including that of Test teammate Marnus Labuschagne, but it was off-spinner Nathan Lyon who stole the show, bowling the Blues to victory and returning match figures of 9-177.

Uncapped right-arm pacer Chamika Karunaratne has been called up to the Sri Lanka Test squad in Australia, with two fast bowlers, Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara, ruled out of the second and final Test through injury.

Karunaratne, 22, has 59 first-class wickets at an average of 34.16 and best figures of 5/63, and is capable with the bat as well. He has recorded seven half-centuries and one century in 29 games.

Sri Lanka’s new fast-bowling recruit has already represented a Sri Lankan Board President’s XI, Sri Lankan Emerging Players (under-23) and Sri Lanka A. He is considered to be a bright prospect for the near and distant future of Sri Lankan cricket.

Sri Lanka lost the first Test in Brisbane by an innings and 40 runs. They have a chance of drawing the two-test series in the final game at Canberra, which begins on 1 February. 

Kandy Sports Club’s ardent rugby supporter for the last two decades and lovable entertainer on the rugby pitch 65-year-old Aliyar M. ‘Kandy Faa’ Farook passed away while on Umrah pilgrimage in Madena yesterday (Monday). His Janaza took place in Madena the same day.

Farook who has been having problems with his health wished to make the pilgrim to Mecca before his demise and his children made it possible for him. He was accompanied by his two sons Safan and Shafraz. He is the father of seven children.

Farook a sportsman was a great inspiration to Kandy SC rugby. He rarely missed a match and was present to cheer his favourite team.

He was educated at Vidyarhta College where he excelled in boxing, athletics, hockey and rugger. He learnt to play sports on the Mahiyawa Cemetery Road, where vehicles hardly passed unlike today where a public bus park is situated. He used to play cricket, football, rugger with plastic balls. In the mid 1970’s he attended Kandy SC practices and was included in the pool and played a few games for Kandy SC Lions. From the mid-1990’s he was seen at every Kandy SC rugby match. He was a businessman who made his fortune in the footwear trade.

Kandy Faa as he was popularly known will not be forgotten by the sports loving public of Kandy. He leaves behind his wife Dane, four sons Shifan, Sadam, Shafraz, Inzamam, three daughters Shihara, Sandsrina and Shifnaz and four grand children. May Almighty Allah grant him Jennathul Firdous. 

CCC leading the points table after second weekend of the ongoing Super 8 round of the SLC Major League Tier ‘A’ Inter Clubs Cricket tournament.

CCC earned 64.545 points and Tamil Union earned 59.755 points so far.

Oshada Fernando of Chilaw Marians CC is the leading batsman and scored 1121 runs in 8 matches in 14 innings with a double century, 5 centuries and 3 half centuries in this season.

Malinda Pushpakumara of CCC is the leading wicket taker in this season with 54 wickets.

Baduraliya CC leading the Plate points table and Ports Authority CC placed last in the Plate championship.

Paris, Monday: Novak Djokovic strengthened his grip at the top of the men’s ATP tennis ranking Monday following his destruction of Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.

An outclassed Nadal, beaten in straight sets in just over two hours, held on to second spot in the rankings while Roger Federer slipped from third to six place.

Federer, the defending champion, was eliminated in the round of 16 by Greek giant-killer Stefanos Tsitsipas

Alexander Zverev replaces Federer in third position ahead of Juan Martin Del Potro, fourth, who missed the Australian Open.

Despite his early elimination in Melbourne, South African Kevin Anderson, a Wimbledon finalist last year, moved up a spot into fifth.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori, meanwhile, rises two places to seventh after reaching the quarter-finals in Melbourne.

Tsitsipas, eliminated by Nadal in the semi-finals, jumped three places and is knocking on the door of the top 10 in 12th place.

Latest ATP ranking:

1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts, 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320, 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 (+1), 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 (+1), 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 (+1), 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3), 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 (+2), 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960, 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 (+1), 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3), 11. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 2,880, 12. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 2,805 (+3), 13. Borna Coric (CRO) 2,605 (-1), 14. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2,250 (+3), 15. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,225 (-2), 16. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 2,000 (+3), 17. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 1,955 (+14), 18. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 1,955 (+6), 19. Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 1,870 (-1), 20. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 1,835 (-4)

The International Cricket Council yesterday announced that Ambati Rayudu has been suspended from bowling in international cricket.

The player elected not to submit to a test of his bowling action within the stipulated period of 14 days of being reported for a suspect action, and therefore he has been suspended with immediate effect in accordance with clause 4.2 of the ICC regulations.

The suspension will remain in place until he is tested, and can demonstrate he is able to bowl with a legal action.

The 33-year-old India player was reported on 13 January for a suspect action during the first one-day international of their series against Australia in Sydney.

However, according to Article 11.5 of the Regulations and with the consent of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Rayudu may be allowed to bowl in domestic cricket events played under the auspices of the BCCI.

LONDON, Sunday - Tottenham Hotspur went out of their second domestic cup competition in four days as Crystal Palace’s Connor Wickham and Andros Townsend struck first-half goals to secure a 2-0 FA Cup victory in a lively fourth-round clash on Sunday.

Spurs, beaten by Chelsea in a League Cup semi-final penalty shootout on Thursday, had their woes compounded in a dismal opening period when Kieran Trippier shot wide from the penalty spot after Patrick van Aanholt brought down Juan Foyth.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, already missing striker Harry Kane and midfielder Dele Alli through injury and with South Korea forward Son Heung-min on his way back from the Asian Cup, rested Christian Eriksen among a raft of changes from last weekend’s Premier League win at Fulham.

The hosts took the lead against the run of play in the ninth minute as Wickham, whose Palace career had stalled due to a serious knee injury suffered in 2016, tapped in from close range on his first start for the club in 792 days.

The 25-year-old forward was in the right place to capitalise after Jeffrey Schlupp glided past the Spurs defence only to have his shot from the right parried away by keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

Palace doubled their lead with a penalty in the 34th minute through Townsend, who sent Gazzaniga the wrong way, after defender Kyle Walker-Peters inexplicably handled a high ball.

Julian Speroni, who had made a fine double save to deny Tottenham winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, was also solid after the break as he helped Roy Hodgson’s team to victory. – Agencies

Paris, Monday: Naomi Osaka, winner of the Australian Open, has jumped to the top of women’s tennis with her beaten opponent Petra Kvitova rising to second in Monday’s WTA rankings.

Osaka climbed three places after beating the Czech in Melbourne on Saturday. Kvitova moved up four places.

The 21-year-old Japanese player has only won three career titles, but those include the last two majors, after she won the US Open in September.

Romanian former number one Simona Halep, knocked out by Serena Williams in the round of 16 in Melbourne, fell two spots to third. Dane Caroline Wozniacki, whose defence of her Australian Open title ended in the third round, fell six places to ninth.

The biggest rise of the week was by the 25-year-old American Danielle Collins who leaped 12 places to 23rd after her run to the semi-finals.

The other semi-finalist, Czech Karolina Pliskova, who saved four match points against Williams in their quarterfinal, also advanced, gaining three places to fifth in the world.

Williams, who fell to 491 after her maternity break last year, continued her rise, gaining five places to 11th.

WTA rankings:

1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts (+3), 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 (+4), 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2), 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 (+1), 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 (+3), 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4), 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940, 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 (+1), 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6), 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 (+1), 11. Serena Williams (USA) 3,406 (+5), 12. Darya Kasatkina (RUS) 3,355 (-2), 13. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3,330 (-1), 14. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 3,285 (+1), 15. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 3,035 (+3), 16. Julia Goerges (GER) 2,995 (-3), 17. Madison Keys (USA) 2,786, 18. Wang Kiang (CHN) 2,605 (+3), 19. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 2,550, 20. Anett Kontaveit (EST) 2,355 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) released the fixtures for its the T20 World Cup Australia 2020 in Sydney on Tuesday morning. For the first time, the women’s and men’s T20 World Cups will be held as standalone events in the same year and in the same country.

Both women’s and men’s finals will be held at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the biggest cricket stadium in the world.

The 10 top women’s teams will contest 23 matches from February 21 to March 8, 2020, culminating in the final at the MCG on 8 March 2020, International Women’s Day. While the 16 best men’s teams will play 45 matches from October 18 to November 15, 2020.

 

Pathetic is how if one was to summarise in one word, the performance of our cricket team in the first Test against Australia at Brisbane. Losing is part and parcel of the game but to lose in the manner the way our cricketers did with a spineless display of batting in both innings calls for a complete overhaul of the team and its management.

The downward trend of the side has to be seriously viewed and steps taken to halt its decline, the rapidity at which it is sinking is rather alarming. It was only in Test cricket that Sri Lanka were somewhat performing to some extent. But since November there has been a rapid regression in that format too being thrashed 3-0 at home by England and now an innings and 40 runs beating at the hands of a virtual second string Australian side inside three days.

We talk so much about the decline of West Indies cricket, but while their cricket is showing some signs of rising our cricket seems to be sinking to the depths that is unthinkable. It is the same England side that whitewashed us 3-0 that West Indies beat hollow in the first Test at Barbados by a record margin of 381 runs.

There is a famous saying that it is easier said than done. That was what happened to Sri Lanka in the first cricket Test against Australia at the Gabba where they were outplayed by a virtual ‘new look’ Australian side.

Pre-Test talks centred around Sri Lanka trying to take a leaf out of Virat Kohli’s Indians who beat the same Australian team by a 2-1 margin in the three-Test series to record their first ever series win on Australian soil.

To quote former Test fast bowler turned Sri Lanka fast bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake: “We have been studying India’s tactics closely. It’s one of the major things we looked at, the areas which they had bowled. It’s just making the bowlers believe that whatever their bowlers can do and the other teams can do, we also can do. That belief is something we are trying to work on. In batting and bowling, and even in the fielding, the Indians showed the world every place they go to is a home-from-home. I believe we can take that from the Indians. We came here with the motto to win a Test match - we are going to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa so we would love to win a Test match in a country and Australia is one of them.”

Skipper Dinesh Chandimal also spoke of taking a cue off India’s success. “India played some outstanding cricket throughout their series – between 40-80 overs they didn’t give any runs in that period they kept (Australia) to under three runs an over. That’s the area (where) I think they won the series. We watched the game (while touring) in New Zealand and we have an idea (from that) when we are playing in these conditions what we have to do. As a team we just want to do that.”

From a batting perspective Chandimal hoped that one of the top order batters would emulate the batting of India’s Cheteswar Pujara who occupied the crease for sustained periods, sapping Australian fast bowlers of energy in challenging conditions.

However sad to say none of the expectations materialized as Sri Lanka were well and truly outplayed in the Test. The batsmen were unable to handle the short-pitched balls as they had shown at Christchurch against New Zealand and succumbed to disappointing totals of 144 and 139. The longest innings a Lankan batsmen played in the entire Test was for 98 balls by Lahiru Thirimanne for 32 in the second innings and, Sri Lanka’s two innings lasted just 107.3 overs – figures that hardly raised a sweat on the Australian bowlers, let alone talk about wearing them down.

Sri Lanka are a far cry away from trying to emulate India, the no. 1 ranked Test team which is an all-round unit that hardly has any chinks in their armour and a bench strength that other teams can only envy. We don’t have a settled opening pair, a confirmed no. 3, a middle order in the absence of injured Angelo Mathews (the most experienced batter in the line-up) lacking the experience and stability, and a long tail where the bowlers hardly make a contribution to the total as some of the Indians do.

There are so many grey areas in our side that needs to be put right before we start trying to compete with other nations whether we play at home or abroad. There was a time that we were unbeatable at home, but no longer, as India and quite recently England have shown by making a clean sweeps of the Test series. Until such time we are able to put our house in order it is foolhardy to even dream of trying to emulate India.

Former Sri Lanka Cricketer turned International cricket umpire, Kumara Dharmasena has achieved many rare things in life.

He is the first-ever Cricketer to appear in ICC World Cup tournament finals both as a player and an umpire.

He has not only made Sri Lanka proud once again, but has also made his school Nalanda College and the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest proud, by winning the David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year for the second time.

Dharmasena was voted last week as the ICC Umpire of the Year by international cricket captains and ICC Match Referees. The 47-year-old said that he hoped the award would inspire other Sri Lanka officials as well to go places.

“This comes six years after I was first named for the award. It will definitely inspire me to keep doing the job I love so much. It has been a very satisfying year for me and this award from the ICC is a great honour as well as a privilege,” he was quoted as saying.

“This comes six years after I was first named for the award. It will definitely inspire me to keep doing the job I love so much. It has been a very satisfying year for me and this award from the ICC is a great honour,” he said.

The former Sri Lanka cricketer said he has always been passionate about cricket, both as a player and an umpire. Dharmasena said he looks forward to keep working hard and challenging himself in order to meet the demands of this great game.

He thanked his wife Dushanthi for being the strength behind his achievements. “I also thank my children for their support and understanding. I would like to thank Peter Manuel, my coach, for his guidance from the start of my umpiring career, together with all the other coaches from the ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket,” he said.

Dharmasena said the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title he won in 1989 inspired him to excel in the international arena.“It was one of the greatest moments in my career as a cricketer. Winning the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title was a big inspiration. That helped and encouraged me to play for Sri Lanka,” he said.

In a recent interview, Dharmasena said winning such a mega award gives a large image and lots of confidence for a schoolboy cricketer to go places.

We were determined to reach the top of the ladder and did so with dedication,” he said.

He feels that outstanding cricketers with exceptional performances and milestones are less today, compared to his era, and added that could be the reason that hardly any schoolboy cricketers have directly stepped into the Sri Lanka team in recent times, compared to his playing days.

Dharmasena is better known as a member of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Champion team, led by Arjuna Ranatunga, another proud recipient of the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title.

He retired from competitive cricket in November 2006 and pursued a career in umpiring. Having faced all umpiring examinations well, Dharmasena went on to make his international debut as an umpire in 2009.

Two years later, he was included in an 18-member panel for the 2011 World Cup in India. In the same year (2011), he was elevated to the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires. He went on to win the coveted Umpire of the Year title at the ICC awards ceremony.

He is of the view that the present day challenge for schoolboy cricketers is greater in their future careers and as a result, only a few outstanding cricketers would remain in the game once they leave school.

“Luckily, when I left Nalanda, Hatton National Bank (HNB) offered me employment and gave all the support to pursue my career as a club cricketer and then as an international cricketer. But present day schoolboy cricketers hardly get that sort of support,” he added. Born on April 24, 1971 in Colombo, he was one of the best all-rounders produced by Nalanda College. He had three memorable school seasons for the Campbell Place school.

He narrowly missed the chance of becoming the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer in 1988 when he emerged runner up to Sanjeewa Ranatunga of Ananda. However, he continued to perform equally well in the very next season and was the unanimous choice for the coveted title in 1989. In the following year too, he finished runner up when Marvan Atapattu won the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer title.

Since then, Dharmasena became a permanent member of Bloomfield in the domestic inter-club premier league season, performing regularly with both the bat and ball.

In less than three years after winning the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title, young Dharmasena made his Test debut in Sri Lanka’s second Test against South Africa at SSC ground in September, 1993.

Dharmasena made his Sri Lanka ODI debut on August 24, 1994 in the fifth ODI against Pakistan at the Premadasa Stadium capturing 2 for 34 off nine overs.

He aggregated 868 runs in 31 Tests with three half centuries and captured 69 wickets with 6 for 72 as his best innings analysis. Dharmasena represented Sri Lanka in 141 ODIs, aggregating 1222 runs with four half centuries.

He has captured 138 wickets in ODIs. Dhamasena’s off breaks, delivered with a slightly unorthodox action, has been a blessing to the Sri Lankan team in many ODIs.

He is better known for his inspiring acts as a team man, motivating his fellow players even in difficult times. Hence, he was nicknamed ‘Unanduwa’(a person who shows plenty of interest in whatever he does) by his teammates.

“If you don’t enjoy the game and dedicate yourself towards it, you won’t be successful. Believe in yourself, work hard with dedication and you will find success,” was his advice to the emerging schoolboy cricketers who keep dreaming of the Sri Lanka cap.

By officiating at the 2015 ICC World Cup tournament, including the final, Dharmasena became the first to play and umpire in an ICC World Cup final.

As a player, Dharmasena played a notable role in Sri Lanka’s World Cup victory in 1996.

Meanwhile, the much looked forward to key first term matches of the 2018/19 inter-school season are being played in the first term. Hence, there is more excitement to vote for your favourite cricketer in the Observer-Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contests.

Voting coupons are being published in the Lake House national newspapers - Sunday Observer, Daily News, Dinamina and Thinakaran. The ‘Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer’ of the Year Mega Show is sponsored by SLT Mobitel.