Jeremy Bolling, the eldest of the famous swimming brothers of Royal College, Colombo died on Wednesday after a prolonged illness.

Jeremy and his brothers David and Julian were outstanding swimmers at Royal College setting up several records at local and International swimming meets with the youngest Julian being the most famous winning several gold medals at the South Asian Games. After his swimming career Jeremy took part in sailing in local and international events.

Jeremy was the son of well known swimmer and coach Tara Bolling and the grandson of former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain the legendary Derrick de Saram. His cousin Deepika Chanmugam also was a reputed swimmer who won several gold medals at the 1991 South Asian Games in Colombo.

Another cousin of his Malik Samarasinghe represented Royal College at cricket in 1982 and 1983.

his funeral will take place at the General Cemetery Kanatte today at 4 pm with the cortege leaving his residence ‘The octagon’ 86/4 Kumaragewatte Road, Pelawatte at 3.p.m.

The Junior Cricket Selection Committee were handed their letters of appointment by Sports Minister Harin Fernando at the Ministry of Sports yesterday. From left: Nilantha Ratnayake, Farveez Maharoof, Gamini Wickramasinghe, Ranjith Madurasinghe (chairman), Ranjan Paranavithana, K.H Nandasena, Dilshan de Silva and AS Nishanthan pose with the Sports Minister. Absent: Gajaba Pitigala

St Peter’s College batted themselves into a strong position after dismissing St Benedict’s College for 136 on the opening day of their Singer Trophy Under 19 inter-school cricket match played at Kotahena yesterday.

Kanishka Madhuwantha captured five wickets for the Peterites who ended the day at 108-2.

RESULTS

* At BRC: Match drawn.

Devapathiraja Ratgama: and 84/9 decl. in 40.2 overs (Pethum Madhusanka 20, Madushika Sandaruwan 6/26)

Isipathana: 185 (26/2 o/n) in 52.1 overs (Ravindu Ratnayake 56, Isuru Sandamal 34, Yasiru Kasthuriarachchi 28, Irushka Thimira 4/44, Pethum Madusanka 4/45) and 136/6 in 14 overs (Thevindu Dikwella 48, Yasiru Kasthuriarachchi 36, Ravindu Rathnayake 31, Kalpa Chethiya 2/17, Pethum Madusanka 2/63)

* At Campbell Place: Match drawn.

Nalanda: 324/9 decl. and 176/3 in 33 overs (Avishka Perera 103 n.o., Lakshitha Rasanjana 41)

Mahinda: 196 in 57.2 overs (Hansika Welihinda 85, Navod Paranawithana 37, Maleesha Malliyawadu 21, Lakshitha Rasanjana 4/30, Kaveesh Madhurapperuma 2/33)

* At Kurunegala: Match drawn.

St. Anne’s Kurunegala: 180 and 58/2 in 32.5 overs (Kavindu Ranasinghe 23)

Richmond: 188 (58/0 o/n) in 55 overs (Thaveesha Abhishek 47, Adithya Siriwardane 44, Vinuja Kiriella 43, Dimuth Sandaruwan 21, Pasindu Tennakoon 4/68, Mayaas Muzammil 3/32, Manaan Muzammil 2/32)

* At Police Park Kandy: Vidyartha Kandy won by inns & 12 runs.

Holy Cross: 76 and 150 (11/1 o/n) in 50.2 overs (Nirmala Samal 32, Sasanka Nirmal 25 n.o., Dilaksha Kasun 24, Adithya Kalalpitiya 6/60, Kasun Karunatilaka 3/48)

Vidyartha Kandy: 238 in 58.5 overs (Dumindu Himantha 57, Pabasara Akalanka 47, Chathuranga Dilshan 28, Dilhara Nanayakkara 5/79, Amindu Shavinda 3/12) ‘

* At Ibbagamuwa: Match drawn.

St. Joseph’s Bandarawela: 182 and 133 in 28.1 overs (Malitha Madhawa 68, Avishka Rangana 23, Shehan Karunarathne 4/39, Nisal Nethsiri 3/44)

Ibbagamuwa Central: 112 (87/5 o/n) in 31.5 overs (Prabuddha Premalal 33, Dilanka Premarathne 21, Pasan Hirudika 5/20, Avishka Rangana 3/32, Leshan Diluksha 2/28) and 113/6 in 37 overs (Prabuddha Premalal 35, Ravindu Jayasundara 24, Pasan Hirudika 3/35, Leshan Diluksha 2/17)

* At Hanwella: Rajasinghe Central Hanwella won by 6 wickets.

Madeena Central Madawala Bazar: 115 and 124 (2/1 o/n) in 48.2 overs (Mohommed Tharif 27, Mohamed Ajmal 26, Mohamed Munshif 21, Mohommed Harid 20, Dhanuka Lakshan 5/28, Isuru Udesh 3/32)

Rajasinghe Central Hanwella: 201 and 40/4 in 12.4 overs (Mohamed Yasir 2/12, Mohamed Sahl 2/18)

* At Dalupotha: President’s College Maharagama won by 10 wickets.

C.W.W. Kannangara: 120 and 100 in 31.5 overs (Ashan Wagaarachchi 45, Niroga Sathsara 37, Tharindu Dhananjaya 5/37, Pasindu Lochana 3/23)

President’s: 218 (104/2 o/n) in 69.2 overs (Tharindu Dhananjaya 63, Janith Yomal 49, Chathuranga Devinda 35, Vibhuthi Vishan 4/52, Heshan Shananka 2/32) and 3/0 in 2.2 overs

* At Piliyandala: Match drawn.

Piliyandala Central: 283/9 decl. and 171/3 decl. in 39.3 overs (Chamod Sandaru 63 n.o., Heshan Madusanka 35, Jamith Dilshan 35, Ashen Rodrigo 34)

Sri Jayawardenapura MV Kotte: 149 (55/5 o/n) in 33.5 overs (Janith Akash 43 n.o., Sampath Nissanka 37, Pasindu Akarshana 34, Sanka Lakshan 5/53, Sandun Sathsara 3/33, Malshan Gunathilake 2/17) and 79/7 in 27.4 overs (Janith Akash 38, Heshan Madusanka 5/22)

* At Ruwanwella: Seethawaka Central Avissawella won by 65 runs.

Seethawaka Central:174 and 111 in 34.4 overs (Kalana Madusanka 60, Dinuka Wanniarachchi 8/56, Chamuth Chamupathi 2/44)

Sri Palee Horana: 135 and 85 in 31.2 overs (Anjana Dilshan 31, Buddhi Madushan 6/31, Kalana Madusanka 3/35)

* At Ragama: St. Joseph’s Wattala won by 10 wickets.

Bandaranayake Central Veyangoda: 103 and 121 (107/6 o/n) in 30.3 overs (Movindu Lomitha 42, Kalindu Kaudisha 33, Chamod Dayan 7/55, Isuru Thisera 3/52)

St. Joseph’s Wattala: 205 and 21/0 in 4.2 overs (Hansaja Ihan 21 n.o.)

* At Ampara: Maliyadeva Model School Kurunegala won by 97 runs.

Maliyadeva Model School: 169 and 78 in 37.2 overs (Mahesh Jayasinghe 25, Hasantha Madura 5/18, Kavindu Himansa 3/18, Chanidu Sadushka 2/10)

D. S. Senanayake NS Ampara: 80 (66/4 o/n) in 52 overs (Inura Amanda 23, Oshan Munasinghe 3/10, Denuwan Pathirana 2/6) and 70 in 36 overs (Kalpa Adithya 39, Navod Pansilu 26 n.o., Praveen Thennakoon 4/11, Denuvan Pathirana 2/21)

DAY ONE SCORES

Matches will be continued today on day two.

* At Maradana: Zahira: 159 in 40 overs (Mohommed Slaza 63, C. Dilrukshan 28, Mohammed Rishad 22, Ravishka Wijesiri 4/45, Yasiru Jayasinghe 2/22, Sithum Dissanayake 2/23)

Lumbini Colombo: 241/7 at close in 49.3 overs (Sohan Dilshan 95 n.o., Ravishka Wijesiri 60, Vishmitha Wijesri 31, Mohammed Slaza 3/59)

* At Kotahena: St. Benedict’s: 136 in 60 overs (Shehan Fernando 41, Kaveesha Jayathilake 29, Kanishka Madhuwantha 5/29, Ruvin Senavirathne 2/42)

St. Peter’s: 108/2 at close in 27.3 overs (Santhush Gunathilake 34 n.o., Dinith Anjula 33, Bhanuka de Silva 29)

* At Lake View: Ananda: 252 in 57.4 overs (Kamesh Nirmal 77, Janindu Jayawardhane 45, Kalana Wijesiri 44, Moditha Ranathunge 23, Sudeepa Agulugaha 22, Upendra Warnakulasooriya 6/88, Yasith Samararathne 2/44)

Dharmaraja 79/0 at close in 32 overs (Isuru Dayananda 37 n.o., Sachintha Senanayake 31 n.o.)

* At Debarawewa: Debarawewa NS: 129 in 44.5 overs (Hasala Abilasha 34, Ishan Aravinda 29, Prabath Madusanka 5/31, Anuka Jayasinghe 4/23)

Sri Sumangala Panadura: 180 in 47.5 overs (Dineth Gampola 95, Shalana Ishara 27, Lakshitha Nayanajith 5/77, Chathura Jayanath 3/51, Vishwanath Ananda 2/10)

* At Ratgama: P. de S. Kularatne MV Ambalangoda: 177/8 at close in 69.1 overs (Lakila Tehan 59, Ravishan Nethsara 28 n.o., Hirusha Devmika 23, Manusha Theekshana 22, Rusiri Randunu 3/25, Yugeesha Dishan 3/60) vs Sri Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya

* At Poregedara: Methodist High School Moratuwa:215 in 80.2 overs (Sandun Tharanga 58, Rasantha Madushan 38, Seneth Roshen 34, Chamathka Sandagomi 31, Kevin Ranjes 6/47)

St. Thomas’ Kotte: 52/2 at close in 15 overs (Tharin Gimhan 27 n.o., Seneth Roshen 2/16)

- (YK)

TWICKENHAM, Sunday - England wing Jonny May said it was “awesome and very special” scoring three tries at Twickenham as he did in the 44-8 mauling of France in their Six Nations clash on Sunday.

The 28-year-old -- whose three tries came in the first-half of a one-sided contest taking his Test tally to 22 -- said he and his team-mates had wanted to improve on their performance from the 32-20 defeat of champions Ireland last weekend.

“Trying to raise the bar after last week was the challenge, but we came out and definitely played some good rugby today,” he told ITV.

“The brand of rugby we want to play, we want to put teams under pressure.

“I’m just doing my job, we are all working hard and putting some good performances together.

“We have learnt a lot and worked incredibly hard, and it’s paid off in the end.

“To score a hat trick at Twickenham is awesome and very special, I’m very lucky.”

England -- who are bidding for their second Grand Slam under Eddie Jones -- head to a potential title decider with Wales in Cardiff on February 23 with Warren Gatland’s side also having won their opening two games.

- AFP 

MANCHESTER, Monday - When Manchester United were paired with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last-16 draw in December there seemed likely to be only one winner.

United were stuck in a rut under the management of Jose Mourinho, while the French champions topped the toughest section of the group stages.

However, much has changed in the two months since. United go into Tuesday’s first leg at Old Trafford on a run of 10 wins and one draw since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced the sacked Mourinho.

PSG will have to cope without the injured Neymar for both legs of the tie due to injury and Edinson Cavani is also missing.

AFP Sports looks at five things Solskjaer has changed to give United hope of making the quarter-finals for the first time in five years.

“To win games you need to pass it forward and run forward.” The basics under Solskjaer may seem simple but they contrast sharply with Mourinho’s conservative approach that left a host of expensively assembled stars paralysed by fear of making mistakes.

The Norwegian spent more than a decade as a United player learning from Alex Ferguson and is trying to replicate the same aggressive, attacking approach ingrained in him by the Scot, who twice won the Champions League in charge at Old Trafford.

“It’s a winning identity, it’s a confident identity. We want to take risks. We want to go for the second, the third and the fourth goal because that’s just how we do things at Manchester United,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports.

Worryingly for PSG, it is not a naive approach solely based on bombing forward. Wins away at Tottenham and Arsenal in recent weeks exhibited United’s pace and firepower on the counter-attack, which could be the key to winning this tie.

While Mourinho butted heads with and routinely dropped Paul Pogba, Solskjaer has built his side around the French World Cup winner, with stunning results.

Pogba has scored eight goals and provided five assists in his past 10 games.

“Before the coach arrived I was in the shadows, on the bench, and I accepted that,” said Pogba. “It is a pleasure to play again. Now I am always smiling.”

The fact Marcus Rashford was rested at Fulham to keep him fresh for PSG, while Romelu Lukaku was handed a rare start says a lot for the change in his fortunes under Solskjaer.

The 21-year-old was never trusted with a consistent run of games as a central striker under Mourinho. In United’s last European home game against Young Boys, the Portuguese coach did not hide his disgust when he missed an early chance.

No longer fearing the consequences of a missed opportunity, Rashford has scored six goals in eight starts since the change in management and finally looks set to deliver on his abundant potential.

Solskjaer outlined his first task as putting smiles back on the players’ faces but the feel-good factor has galvanised the fans just as much as his squad.

Once a European fortress, United’s three home games in the group stages produced just one goal and Sevilla also secured a rare away win in the Champions League to dump United out at this stage last season.

The decibel level has risen since Solskjaer’s arrival, even for humble opposition in Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Reading, Brighton and Burnley. PSG are the first big ticket of the new era and can be assured they will face a cauldron of noise.

Mourinho spent most of his final season complaining that he had not been furnished with the experienced centre-back he demanded in pre-season, while chopping and changing his defence. – AFP

The under 19 Sri Lanka poolist and the gloveman of Mahanama College Colombo Pawan Ratnayake notched up his second century in the ongoing cricket season when he scored a splendid 106 runs against formidable Moratu Vidyalaya in their inter school first eleven cricket match worked off at Irrigation Ground Ratmalana. His innings enabled Mahanama College to gain a first innings win by 109 runs.

Pawan’s innings was studded with six hits to the ropes and five over and occupied the crease for 287 minutes and faced 174 balls.

Moratu Vidyalaya– 190 in 65.2 overs – Nishan Madushka 90, Hashan Adithya 22, Rashan Kavishka 23, Awantha dulakshana 20, Pathum Boteju 2/28, Danuka Nimmana 2/9, Sonal Gamage 4/71.

Mahanama College – 299/6 in 93 overs – (Pawan Ratnayake 106, Shonal Gamage 78 n/o, Vimika Rubasinghe 57, Bishan Mendis 38, Eran Hansamal 4/108). 

GROS-ISLET, Saint Lucia, Sunday: Mark Wood answered West Indian pace with fearsome heat of his own as the fast bowler claimed his first five-wicket innings haul in Tests and put England in control on the second day of the third and final Test in St Lucia on Sunday.

Playing his first match of the series, Wood tore through the heart of the home side’s batting to finish with five for 41 as the West Indies, replying to England’s first innings total of 277, crashed from 57 without loss in mid-afternoon to 154 all out an hour before the close of play.

A day which saw 16 wickets tumble ended with the tourists’ opening pair of Rory Burns and Keaton Jennings safely navigating ten overs to be 19 without loss at stumps, an overall lead of 142 going into day three as they seek the consolation of victory following heavy defeats in the first two matches.

Wood’s raw speed unsettled the West Indies middle-order batsmen after Moeen Ali ended another half-century opening partnership by accounting for stand-in captain Kraigg Brathwaite and partner John Campbell off consecutive deliveries.

Ali supported Wood’s hostility at the other end with subtle variations to finish with figures of four for 36.

However it was the introduction of Wood, who came on as the fourth bowler in the England armoury, which had the greatest impact on an eventful day.

He dismissed Shai Hope and Roston Chase off successive deliveries, both taken at gully, in his opening over and added the scalp of Shimron Hetmyer, caught at the second attempt by England captain Joe Root at first slip, off the final delivery of the afternoon session.

Darren Bravo perished shortly after the resumption to another Root slip catch and the delighted fast bowler returned after some resistance from Shane Dowrich (38) to polish off the innings and complete the five-wicket haul when he yorked last man Shannon Gabriel.

“It feels fantastic. All the hard times I’ve had with injury, and the self-doubt, today I feel like an England,” said Wood.

“I feel great with this new run-up. When you get a wicket in your first over the adrenaline starts pumping.”

At the start of the day England’s batsmen collapsed to the West Indian fast bowlers yet again, this time operating effectively with the second new ball, as the visitors lost six wickets for 45 runs to be dismissed just before lunch. - AFP 

It was deep in the interior of residential Nawalakoswatta that I had to delve into to interview the diminutive pleasant looking Shantha Kalavitigoda. I found him to be modest to a fault. He admitted that he still held the record for batting at the Ananda-Nalanda Big Match with a score of 149. This he achieved by beating Roshan Mahanama’s 144. He was also the 101st Sri Lanka Test cap; he played a solitary Test against New Zealand in New Zealand.

Shantha also came up the ranks of junior cricket under 13 to under 15, he paid a big tribute to Leslie Narangoda (represented Nalanda from ’68/71) who was a committed coach, stated Shantha. Leslie was at the Campbell Place grounds devoting himself to his charges from 1 to 6 pm, 5 days a week, that was star class commitment.

KUPPIYAWATTA BOYS

Shantha was a run machine at Nalanda notching 900 runs consecutively for four seasons. His heroics at Nalanda were overshadowed only by that Nalanda great Mahela Jayawardene.

Incidentally the environs of Kuppiyawatta has produced many great cricketers both from Ananda and Nalanda, they all are well versed in cricket leave alone soccer or swimming for that matter. What more can be said about these boys, the first Test cricket captain Bandula Warnapura came from Nalanda and of course the World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga was an Anandian.

After blazing a trail at Nalanda, SSC was waiting to grab Shantha. Mahela’s influence also mattered noted Shantha. He captained the under 24 Sri Lanka team and players of the calibre of Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando and Suresh Perera played under him. He represented Sri Lanka A from 1996-2006. There again Shantha proved to be a patient accumulator of runs which is a dire need in Sri Lankan cricket at the moment. Whilst playing for Colts under the guidance of Roy Dias in 2003 and 2004 he became the Best Batsman in the Premier League.

PLAYERS MIGRATING TO AUSTRALIA

Shantha had no qualms about the money that the present players got, in spite of the fact for the single tour which he took part in New Zealand and the single Test Match he played the breakdown of the payments were as follows:

The Test Match fee - 3 to 4 lakhs

Tour money - Rs 5000/= per day for 30 days.

Total is approx. Rs. 5 lakhs.

After playing club and provincial cricket day in day out Shantha and Co. found no reward and hence the likes of Suresh Perera, Jehan Daniel have migrated to play cricket in Australia looking for greener pastures.

Shantha had good results in the commerce stream getting 4 C’s in one go and could have entered University but opted for a banking career at Sampath Bank. At present he is the Duty Manager Kiribathgoda branch where he is happily employed for the last 20 odd years. Shantha stated that he worked with Don Anurasiri who was then at the Bank and they were given leave after 3.00 pm to attend practices. He noted that other banks such as Hatton National Bank and Seylan Bank also employed national players and at that time the number was about 20.

Reverting back to the present fiasco, Shantha was of the opinion that there were too many changes in the national set up including the captains. “We were far too archaic in our cricket structure lamented,” Shantha. He observed that whilst the other countries have rapidly got accustomed to the modern trends in the tournament structure we are still sticking to the old system that he played in the 90’s.

He was of the opinion that IPL was a good thing that happened to India.

The main ingredient of a top class coach is to get to know the individual player and to motivate them and fine tune them. A coach cannot be responsible for the structure of a tournament, Shantha insisted and went on to state that a good structure could be put in place with the help of ex stalwarts with foreign exposure such as Chandika Hathurusingha, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Roshan Mahanama etc.

He was of the view that ex club cricketers opinions will not be of great value.

Those days school cricket was the feeder for the national side, now times have changed expressed, Shantha.

There should be a worthwhile tournament to accommodate players of ages 26-29yrs so that once they get tempered there, they are ready for national duty, ready to cope with any opposition, come what may explained, Shantha.

Before ’96 there was talent but to no avail, they never had confidence in them and they were just playing second fiddle to “Suddhas”. Arjuna came and broke the ice and that was it.

The present stance was that they must build pacer friendly wickets However Shantha was of the opinion that this is not a bad idea but the better option was to build the confidence of the players at this late stage.

An absurd state of affairs was that Dinesh Chandimal the current captain after having a Test average of around 40 being left out of the proceedings and Shantha lashed out stating that how on earth can subordinates have confidence in keeping their places when the top man’s head gets chopped off.

Shantha was also critical of the ‘A’ team having 40 players instead being pruned down to 20, he noted that this will lead to confusion which in fact is basic common-sense.

At present the major tournament is flooded with runs, 100’s and 200’s were the order of the day and Shantha was of the opinion that low quality bowling has emerged due to net bowlers coming into the scene.

He also stressed the fact that we need many players who could bowl at 145+, and since there is a dearth of such bowlers locally, it’s far better to bring down pacies from India, Pakistan and the West Indies and spend on them rather than spending on 200 odd coaches who are attached to SLC. Shantha had a strong point to prove!

Shantha’s wife is a Legal Officer at the Petroleum Corporation and his two daughters attend Musaeus College.

Nuwinu Perera of St Joseph’s College, Colombo and Seneshi Herath of Visakka College, Colombo emerged champions at the Amabalangoda two mile sea swim conducted on Sunday . This is the 49th time this annual event was held organized by Dharmasoka College sports body with the participation of 440 male swimmers and 65 female swimmers.

Josephian Nuwinu Perera won this race in 40 minutes and three seconds while Ambalangoda Devananda swimmer Dinesh Ranaweera finished in second place in a time of 40 minutes and 9 seconds, Josephian Rashen Dilshan finished the race in40 minutes and 12 seconds to end up in third place.

Visakhian Seneshi Herath won the women’s first race in 43 minutes and 48 seconds while Sajini Nawodya of Devananda College Ambalangoda in 44 minutes 16 seconds and St Bridgets Convents Minagi Rupasinghe in 44 minutes and 58 seconds finished in second and third places respectively.

Meanwhile St Joseph’s Colombo’s Sehvin Ranaweera and Visakhian Kevini Mudalige were adjudged best young swimmers in this race. There were many swimmers from the three forces in this annual event. Sri Lanka Army won the overall championship with 101 points while St Joseph’s College with 66 points was the runners up .. St Bridget Convent with 59 points won the overall championship of the women’s section while Visahka College was the runners up with 51 points.

Sri Lanka Navy Lt Commander Bhanuka Abeygunawardena a distinguished old boy of Dharmasoka College was the chief Guest at the awards ceremony while former Dharmasoka swimming captain Buddhika Sampath and Dharmasoka Principal Hasitha Kersara Wettimuny graced this occasion, 

Shaheed Hilmy and Chalani Liyanage clinched the men’s and women’s titles at the 51st National Carrom Championships concluded at the Carrom Federation, Kohuwala on Sunday

This was the first time both Shaheed and Chalani won the National titles after going through a tough time through out the tournament. Shaheed defeated former runner up and experienced player Nishantha Fernando of Sri Lanka Navy to take the men’s title while Chalani Liyanage from Air Force beat Rebecca Dilareen to bag the women’s title . In fact last year men’s champion Chamil Cooray did not take part this time as he went abroad after Sri Lanka won the world team championships last year. The number two player Nishantha Fernando was the favourite to take the title with his experience

.. However young Shaheed the former Royal College player won the title for the first time.

At the women’s section there was a major upset with last year’s champion Joseph Roshita (Army) being beaten by Maduka Ranaweera (Army)in the quarter finals. Roshita finished in fifth place while Maduka ended up fourth.

Final results

Men’s – 1)Shaheed Hilmy (Royal SC)(Champion, 2) Nishantha Fernado (Navy ), 3) K.I. Shashika(Army), 4) Anans Ahamad(Army), 5) Suraj Fernando(Army), 6) W. Muish (Army), 7)Sheifdeen(Army), 8) Dinesh Sulakshana( Air Force )

Women’s - 1) Chalani Liyanage( Air Force )Champion, 2) Rebecca Dilareen (Army), 3) Chitra Devi (Army), 4) Maduka Rnaweera (Army), 5)Joseph Roshita (Army), 6) Maduwanthi Gunadasa , 7) Shashika Sandamali (Army), 8) Thasmila Kavindi (Mahamaya Balika Nugegoda)

Vijaya House collected a total of 539 points and bagged the overall athletic championship trophy at the Annual Inter-House Sports meet organized by the sports unit of Wadduwa Central College held at the College playground recently. Tissa House with 385 points won the runner up trophy Gemunu House 378 points and Parakrama House with 329 points were placed third and fourth respectively.

The chief guest at the event was reputed South Asian Athletic Gold medials and Athletic Champion Mrs. Jayamini Illepurma. Trophies medal, Certificates and prizes for winners were distributed by the guest of Honour, a reputed old boy of Wadduwa Central College and Kalutara District Parliamentarian Jayantha Samaraweera with the participation of Principal S.D.N. Gunarathna.

Ten championship cups were also awarded to 10 most outstanding athletics by the principal at the awards ceremony. They were under 12 most outstanding boy Athlete M.D. Pubudu Oshada Mendis (Thissa House) girl. P. Maleesha Sasindi Thisera (Tissa House).

Under 14 best athlete boys Nethsara Adithya (Parakrama House) girls Pryumi Nisansala (Vijaya House)

Under 16 best boys athlete K. Pasindu Dilshan (Parakrama) under 16 Best girls Athlete. S.M. Nethimi Poorna Senarathna (Gemunu House)

Under 18 best boys athlete M.W. Kithmina Sahan (Vijaya) under 18 Best girls athlete. L. Surandi Sangeethika (Prakrama).

Under 20 best boys athlete. M. Udara Abhishak (Gemunu)

Under 20 best girls athlete . Ishini Sewwandi (Tissa). 

DURBAN, Monday - The odds appear to be stacked against Sri Lanka in a two-Test series against South Africa, which starts at Kingsmead on Wednesday, but the tourists can take heart from their previous record in Durban.

The away team head into the series following heavy defeats in New Zealand and Australia, and having unceremoniously dumped captain Dinesh Chandimal.

Sri Lanka have lost 11 of 13 Test matches in South Africa. The exceptions occurred at Kingsmead in the only two Tests Sri Lanka have played at the ground.

In 2000/01 a rain-hit match was drawn –- with South Africa in a strong position –- and in 2011/12 Rangana Herath spun Sri Lanka to their only win in South Africa.

The hosts have been beaten in six of their eight Test matches at Kingsmead since the start of the 2008/09 season, against a single win. By contrast, at other home venues they have won 32 of their 44 Tests, with only six defeats.

Pitches in Durban have tended to negate outright pace, while offering help to spin bowlers. Herath took nine wickets in the 2011/12 match, while Muttiah Muralitharan had a ten-wicket haul in the drawn match 11 seasons earlier.

Even so, South Africa’s battery of fast bowlers are likely to test their largely inexperienced opponents with a barrage of short-pitched deliveries, a formula which has helped South Africa win their most recent six Test matches at home.

It is unlikely, though, that South Africa will pick an all-seam attack, with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj set for a return on his home ground –- where he bowled 24 of the 76 overs delivered on the first day of a losing Test against Australia last season.

With spinners having played a key role for Sri Lanka in Durban, it seems surprising that off-spinner Dilruwan Perera was not selected for the current tour. Perera took 16 wickets at an average of 13.00 when Sri Lanka won both home Tests against South Africa as recently as last July.

Only six of the 12 players who beat South Africa comprehensively at home are in Sri Lanka’s 17-man squad, while only eight have toured South Africa previously.

Some of the selection changes are due to injuries, with three leading fast bowlers ruled out, while some of the discards, such as former skipper Chandimal, struggled during series in New Zealand and Australia in what has been a gruelling southern hemisphere summer.

Sri Lanka will be led by opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne, who scored 356 runs at an average of 118.66 in the home series win against South Africa. He made one of only three half-centuries for Sri Lanka when they were beaten in all three Tests in South Africa in 2016/17.

SQUADS

SOUTH AFRICA: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn

SRI LANKA: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Niroshan Dickwella (vice-captain, wkt), Dhananjaya de Silva, Lasith Embuldeniya, Oshada Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Perera, Kusal Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Mohamed Shiraz, Kaushal Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Lahiru Thirimanne

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Richard Kettleborough (ENG)

TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG)

Match referee: Richie Richardson (WIN)

Candidates for the forthcoming elections of Sri Lanka Cricket Mohan de Silva and Ravin Wickremaratne are planning to seek legal action after their nominations for the post of president and assistant secretary respectively were rejected by the Appeal Advisory Committee appointed by the Sports Minister.

“We believe the judicial system in our country and we believe seeking justice from the court is the only way to prove ourselves from the allegations brought against us,” said Mohan De Silva at a press conference held at the CCC pavilion yesterday.

”I have not been officially informed by the respective committee of this new development. I have never been found at fault or accused of any wrong doings either in the field of cricket or outside it and hence I value the very reputation I have built through hard work. Besides I am someone who has fulfilled the stipulated requirements to be eligible to contest the presidency of Sri Lanka Cricket,” he said.

The appeal committee’s decision is based on the 2005 dissolution of the then SLC administration Involving Mohan de Silva. As per the SLC constitution, and the country’s Sports Law and regulations, no person from a dissolving administration can contest for a cricket board election.

“In 2015 the then Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake appointed an Interim Committee and a three-member committee to investigate corruption at SLC when Jayantha Dharmadasa and Nishantha Ranatunga were holding office as president and secretary.

The Ministry of Sports should treat everyone in the same way. This decision taken by the appeals committee seems a personnel attack on us,” said de Silva.

“If we are found of any allegation they should investigate us and they need to send a charge sheet but nothing has been sent us officially yet. This is violating human rights,” he said.

On February 6, the Chairman of the Appeal Advisory Committee Nimal Dissanayake (former Supreme Court judge), Devika Tennekoon (former Supreme Court of Appeal Judge) and the former Additional Director General of Customs Dharmasena Kahadawa handed over their report to Sports Minister Harin Fernando.

The much awaited SLC election are scheduled for February 21.

Madhushika Sandaruwan of Isipathana College Colombo took 10 wicket match bag against President’s College Kotte in their ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 inter Schools Cricket tournament match played at Colts yesterday.

Pasan Heetiarachchi of St. Sylevester’s College Kandy took 7 wickets for 48 runs against Devapathiraja College Rathgama at Pallekele International Cricket stadium, Kandy.

Both matches were drawn.

* At Thurstan. Match drawn.

Maliyadeva Kurunegala:175 in 50.4 overs and 162 in 63.1 overs (Muditha Premadasa 54, Supun Sumanarathne 41, Kaveen Bandara 23, Ayesh Harshana 4/79, Shalaka Bandara 3/21)

Thurstan Colombo: 189 (123/7 o/n) in 48.4 overs (Yohan Liyanage 68, Ranesh Silva 34, Bhawantha Jayasinghe 22, Madhuranga Naveen 4/65,. Chaluka Athapaththu 2/19) and 109/5 in 17 overs (Jayavihan Mahavithana 52, Yohan Liyanage 27, Vidath Batepola 2/26, Madhuranga Naveen 2/35)

* At Pallekele. Match drawn.

St. Sylvester’s Kandy: 323/9 decl. in 91.1 overs

Devapathiraja Rathgama: 90 (12/0 o/n) in 58.5 overs (Pasan Hettiarachchi 7/48) and 92/4 in 48 overs (Pethum Madhusanka 38, Jeewaka Sasheen 21, Husindu Nissanka 3/19)

On Day One

Sri Lanka youth cap Chamindu Wijesinghe of Nalanda Colombo took 6 wickets for 21 runs against Lumbini Colombo.

Tharusha Dulanjana of Loyola College Bopitiya scored unbeaten 174 runs against St. Joseph’s College Bandarawela and Medunaka Wijethilaka of Vidyartha Kandy scored 115 runs against Revatha Balapitiya

* At Ananda Mawatha. St. Thomas Matara: 205/5 in 95 overs (Nipun Ruchira 62, Mihisal Amoda 52, Harindu Jayasekara 43, Gisanthika Jayaweera 24 n.o, Janindu Jayawardane 2/60) vs Ananda Colombo

* At Campbel Place. Lumbini Colombo: 44 in 19.1 overs (Chamindu Wijesinghe 6/21, Dineth Samaraweera 3/21) and 51/2 in 20 overs (Mahima Weerakon 2/2)

Nalanda Colombo: 185/9 decl. in 51 overs (Avishka Perera 34, Moksha Sankalpa 30, Chamindu Wijesinghe 21, Mahima Weerakon 20, Ravishka Wijesiri 4/82, Ravindu Rashanka 2/26, Yasiru Jayasinghe 2/36)

* At Colts. President’s Kotte: 119 in 28.2 overs (Thashika Nirmal 38, Chiranga Heshan 34, Vikum Kalhara 26, Madushika Sandaruwan 7/30, Thevindu Dickwella 2/31) and 92/4 in 27 overs (Akila Roshan 44 n.o., Vikum Kalhara 24 n.o.)

Isipathana Colombo:130 in 36.4 overs (Ravindu Rathnayake 48, Shashika Nirmal 4/34, Suwen Sewmika 2/09, Eran Kesara 2/11, Madushika Sandaruwan 3/38)

* At Pannipitiya. Wesley Colombo: 207 in 67 overs (Shenal Dangalle 68, Moveen Subasinghe 29, Rahul Gunaskera 23, Shahim Dias 21, Buddima Wijesundara 20, Dulaj Egodage 3/34, Vihanga Gunarathne 3/44, Shashika Dilshan 2/36)

Dharmapala Pannipitiya: 84/5 in 28 overs (Sanchana Lanka 27 n.o., Sidath Dharmasiriwardane 2/11, Shenal Dangalle 2/25)

* At Lake View Kandy. St. Mary’s Kegalle: 150 in 47.1 overs (Pasan Walisinghe 53, Gajitha Kotuwegoda 31, Gihan Abeywardane 24, Upendra Warnakulasooriya 6/55, Mithila Gayashan 2/15)

Dharmaraja Kandy: 203/5 in 44.4 overs (Kasun Gunawardane 50, Isuru Dayananda 48, Sachintha Senanayake 41, Dulaj Bandara 24, Mithila Gayashan 21 n.o., Gihan Abeywardane 4/56)

* At Moratuwa. St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa: 149 in 45 overs (Nisitha Abilash 41, Vinuja Ranasinghe 21, Janishka Perera 21, Eran Hansamal 3/35, Pawantha Sulakshana 2/11, Vishwa Didulanga 2/31, Nadith Mishendra 2/44)

Moratu Vidyalaya: 173/9 in 47.2 overs (Nishan Madushka 84, Nadith Mishendra 57, Nadeera Fernando 3/12, Janishka Perera 2/18, Vinuja Ranasinghe 2/56)

* At Asgiriya. Trinity Kandy: 264 in 65.2 overs (Pubudu Bandara 57, Chanuka Kumarasinghe 53, Dinitha Siriwardane 39, Jeff Weerasinghe 27, Umel Raizan 23, Devinda Damshika 3/42, Lakmal de Silva 3/102, Dumindu Damshika 2/30)

Kingswood Kandy: 64/5 in 31 overs (Harshana Wickramasinghe 19 n.o., Kavishka Senadeera 3/24, Avishka Senadeera 2/14)

* At Panadura. Royal Panadura: 79 in 30.3 overs (Sachith Chamuditha 26, Lushika Dinasara 3/10, Sampath Nissanka 3/17, Ishara Shamindika 2/00) and 102/4 in 30 overs (Akila Senesh 41 n.o., Dinesh Rashmika 22, Gishantha Madusanka 20)

Sri Jayawardanapura MV Kotte: 129 in 32 overs (Chamod Supun 59 n.o., Dananja Prasad 3/10, Dushan Madushanka 3/30, Akila Senesh 2/28)

* At Kalutara. Siri Piyarathana Padukka: 198 in 69.2 overs (Kithmin Colambage 82, Ashan Jayasinghe 63, Kosala Ravindu 3/34, Rohan Sanjaya 3/70)

Tissa Central Kalutara: 135/7 in 36 overs (Ramesh Madushanka 31, Kosala Ravindu 31, Kavinda Ishwara 3/46)

* At Balapitiya. Revatha Balapitiya: 99 in 26.1 overs (Gimhan de Silva 40, Kasun Karunathilake 4/35, Adithya Kalalpitiya 3/13, Ishan Sangeeth 2/2)

Vidyartha Kandy: 266/7 in 67 overs (Medunaka Wijethilaka 115, Kasun Karunathilaka 36, Dumindu Imantha 33 n.o., Shamal Priyadarshana 22 n.o., Sudesh Kumara 4/64)

* At Railway grounds Colombo. President’s Maharagama: 266 in 86 overs (Tharindu Dilan 60, Yomal Chathuranga 38, Tharindu Dhananjaya 34, Supun Deshantha 30, Chandeepa Tharin 22, Janitha Lakshitha 4/45, Dinura Wanigasekara 3/39)

Carey Colombo: 40/1 in 9 overs

* At Dalupotha. C.W.W. Kannangara MV Colombo: 72 in 35.5 overs (Jevan David 3/14, Sachintha Williams 3/15, Malindu Perera 2/25) and & 48/4 in 17 overs (Jevan David 3/9)

St. Thomas Kotte: 96 in 31.3 overs (Sachintha Williams 31, Viboothi Ushan 5/23, Damith Kavinda 2/13)

* At Mathugama. Ananda Sastralaya Mathugama: 218 in 59 overs (Vithanage Sahan 63, Shehan Heldiya 60, Madura Malshan 35, Lasindu Shehan 6/79, Nishad Chamuditha 2/56)

C.W.W. Kannangara Central Mathugama: 111/3 in 37 overs (Kavindu Dewmina 36 n.o., Ushan Maheepala 22 n.o., Vishma Nayanathara 25)

* At Nugawela. Nugawela Central: 201 in 57.3 overs (Ravindu Batagoda 80, Janith Jayawardane 36, Viraj Ekanayake 28, Praveen Tennakon 2/21, Mahesh Jayasinghe 2/32)

Maliyadeva Model School Kurunegala: 194/6 in 43 overs (Praveen Tennakon 70, Lahiru Wijerathne 31, Chathurya Sooriyabandara 34 n.o., Kavishka Kapugoda 2/33, Rasika Chathuranga 2/39)

* At Madampagama. Madampa Central: 114 in 33.2 overs (Kavindu De Zoysa 22, Prashan Mayantha 4/17, Chathushka Kalunayake 2/35) and 71/6 in 23 overs (Sasindu de Silva 27, Kavindu de Zoysa 22 n.o., Movindu Lomitha 3/16, Chathushka Kalunayake 3/23)

Bandaranayake Central Veyangoda: 195 in 38 overs (Movindu Lomitha 53, Salinda Hapuarachchi 32, Thathsara Vidura 29, Arana Dabare 21, Malsha Tharupathi 4/69, Sasindu De Silva 3/43, Kavindu De Zoysa 2/5)

* At Sandalankawa. Sandalanka Central: 147 in 49.2 overs (Saumya Niwarthaka 34, Nimesh Tharuka 33, Tharanga Premarathne 5/60, Yasiru Induruwan 2/23)

Ibbagamuwa Central: 143/8 in 48 overs (Prabudda Premalal 41, Nisal Thiwanka 22, Prasad Herath 20, Induwara Wijethilake 5/51, Saumya Niwarthaka 2/45)

* At Diyathalawa. Loyola Bopitiya: 345/5 in 68 overs (Tharusha Dulanjana 174 n.o., Vinulaka Pasadul 89, Shenal Charuka 45, Pasan Hirudika 2/74, Leshan Diluksha 2/94) vs St. Joseph’s College Bandarawela. YK 

MELBOURNE, Monday - Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins won the Allan Border Medal on Monday, the country’s highest cricketing honour, after a tumultuous year for the sport that was rocked by the ball-tampering scandal.

The award, presented in Melbourne, has been won by Steve Smith and David Warner two times each over the previous four years.

The two batsmen received a one year ban for their roles in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa and will be eligible for international selection again at the end of March.

Cummins, 25, narrowly won the medal with 156 votes, beating Nathan Lyon with 150 and Aaron Finch with 146.

Fellow players, the media and umpires vote for player of the year.

Born in Sydney, Cummins is the third bowler, after Glenn McGrath and Mitchell Johnson, to win the award in the past two decades.

Alyssa Healy claimed the Belinda Clark Award ahead of Megan Schutt and Ashleigh Gardner, after an outstanding year for the wicketkeeper-batter. – AFP

LONDON, Monday - Afghan spin-bowling teenage sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman will play for English county Middlesex in their T20 campaign next season, the club announced on Monday.

The 17-year-old -- who has taken 54 international wickets in all formats since making his debut aged 16 -- will hope to make the same impact his compatriot Rashid Khan did at Sussex last year.

Khan took 17 wickets at an average of 14.35 to play a major role in Sussex reaching the knockout stages for the first time since 2015 -- although he was unable to play in the latter rounds due to international duty.

Rahman has enjoyed a successful Big Bash campaign with Brisbane Heat, picking up 12 wickets and returning best figures of three for 16.

“Middlesex Cricket is today delighted to announce the signing of Mujeeb Ur Rahman for this season’s Blast campaign,” the county said in a statement.

“The 17-year-old spinner becomes head coach Stuart Law’s first signing of the summer and will be available for the entire Blast campaign.

“He will join up with the Middlesex squad in early July to prepare for the tournament ahead.”

Law said Rahman, who played for Hampshire in the competition last year, would add a unique style to the bowling attack.

“It is with great pleasure to say that Mujeeb has agreed to play for Middlesex in the Blast,” said Law.

“His unique style of spin has proven to be difficult to play against and his record is outstanding in this format.”

“I’m sure the staff and players at Middlesex are looking forward to working with him this season,” added the 50-year-old Australian, who stepped down from his role as West Indies coach last year. – AFP

Sri Lanka Women put up an excellent performance before going down to South Africa Women by seven runs in the first women’s ODI played at Potchefstroom on Monday.

South Africa Women’s match winner was their captain Dane van Niekerk who scored a century (102) and captured two wickets with her leg breaks.

Scores:

South Africa Women 225-7 in 48 overs (Andrie Steyn 75, Dane van Niekerk 102, Udeshika Prabodhani 2/39, Oshadie Ranasinghe 3/40)

Sri Lanka Women 218-9 in 48 overs (Prasadani Weerakkody 47, Shashikala Siriwardene 49, Nilakshi de Silva 39 n.o., Masabata Klaas 3/46, Temi Sukhukhune 2/33, Dane van Niekerk 2/26) 

Vidyaloka College Galle will meet S. Thomas’ Preporatory School Colombo in the final of the ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 13 division II inter schools cricket tournament at Sri Sumangala College grounds Hikkaduwa today.

Lian Thirimanne will lead S. Thomas’ Preporatory School Colombo and Rashmika Prabath will lead Vidyaloka College Galle.

S. Thomas’ Prep won first inning against Royal College ‘B’ Colombo in the semi final and Vidyaloka College won on points against St. Peter’s College ‘B’ Bambalapitiya in the other semi final. YK

Last weekend was a momentous occasion for the Colombo Gymkhana Club under whose ageis is the Colombo Cricket Club (CCC), the Colombo and Hockey Football Club (CH&FC) and the Queen’s Club. The CCC won the plum of Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket when they finished on top of the Premier League Super Eight standings to win the title for the sixth time in their history. It was after a lapse of 12 years that they have won the country’s major domestic crown. The last occasion they won was in 2006-07 under the captaincy of slow left-arm bowler Nishitha Rupasinghe.

The other previous occasions were in 1995/96 under the captaincy of Jerome Jayaratne, 1987/88 under Owen Mottau, 1984/85 under Roger Wijesuriya and 1979/80 the first time they laid their hands on the country’s cricket coveted title under the inspired leadership of former Sri Lanka captain Michael Tissera.

To top up an eventful weekend for the Maitland Crescent club their rugby XV CH&FC pulled off a stunning 40-33 points win over ‘A’ division league table leaders Havelock SC. It was the CH&FC’s eighth successive win in the league. Their golden run started from their 34-26 defeat of the Air Force in the first round. They are currently no. 3 in the league standings behind Havelock SC and Kandy SC, a position they have held since beating CR&FC 33/5 in the second round. With only one weekend of matches left in the league and ten points separating them from the leaders the highest position CH&FC can attain is third even if they win their final league match of the season against Army SC. However with a new system operative from this season CH&FC who are led by Yoshitha Rajapaksa by finishing third will qualify for the Cup Super Round where the top four ranked clubs compete. Having beaten both Kandy and Havelocks in the second round CH&FC could be in contention to win the league this year if they can take their current form into the Cup Super Round. Overall when you look at it, it’s one helluva achievement for a club that finished fourth last season (2017/18) and had gone through two entire seasons (2016/17 and 2015/16) without a single win. They have also been deprived of home advantage as the ground is being used for cricket and they play all their matches at the Racecourse Stadium.

Coming back to the cricket CCC this season had a star studded side with no less than eight national caps in their ranks – Lakshan Sandakan, Malinda Pushpakumara, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage, Dilshan Munaweera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Madushanka and skipper Ashan Priyanjan. Left-arm spinner Pushpakumara finished as the leading wicket-taker of the season with 63 wickets (avg. 20.98) and this haul included a unique bowling performance where he captured all ten Saracens SC wickets in the second innings to become only the second Sri Lankan bowler to achieve the feat in first-class cricket after former Sri Lanka and SSC fast bowler Pramodya Wickremasinghe. Apart from Pushpakumara’s heroics CCC owe their success to an all-round contribution from the rest of the team with Priyanjan proving to be a capable leader having captained his country in the 2008 Youth World Cup and also Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Board team’s against visiting sides. Picked regularly in the ODI team Priyanjan has to compete for a middle order place with several others. He holds the record for the highest ever score made by a Lankan in an ODI debut by scoring 74 against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi on Christmas Day in 2013.

Shammi Silva the chairman of Colombo Gymkhana Club who was also chairman when CCC last won the title in 2006-07 said: “In previous years also we came quite close to winning but we lost vital matches. We have worked hard and planned that’s how we have won it this time. It’s not easy to win the championship because the competition amongst clubs is very high. The team has improved since Nalin Aponso (formerly of Sri Lanka Ports Authority) joined as our cricket convener. Last year we won the fifty overs tournament and somebody went to courts and they played a district tournament and the Colombo district side that took part was our team.”

On the rugby front Silva said: “We are any way a multi sports club unlike other clubs even at rugby we are doing really well. We were down but we are coming up. Thanks to the Rajapaksa boys Namal, Rohitha and Yositha it is very well organized. They are the ones who are handling rugby with the club secretary Major Tanesh Dias.”

“Our chances of winning the title is very good. We would have been on top of the table if we didn’t lose by one point to Havelocks and to CR&FC in the first round. We were unlucky in the first round but they have got over that disappointment and are playing really well in the second round.”

However playing rugby during the cricket season has deprived the players of home advantage and also loss of revenue from the gates.

“We are the only club playing rugby and cricket in this country at top level. The foreigners who ran sports in the early days had a reason for separating the seasons. They had done it with a purpose but SLR has brought cricket and rugby together which is depriving many sportsmen from playing both sports. In those days people like Ashantha de Mel, Jagath Fernando and Chandrishan Perera played cricket as well as rugby for the club sides. Now they can’t play even for the school because the seasons are the same. We can’t play rugby at home because it affects our cricket pitches,” said Silva.

“We also lose revenue on good rugby matches by playing at Racecourse. It is an open area and we can sell tickets only for the pavilion. We lose about Rs. 2-3 million each season easily. If we play our matches at Maitland Crescent we can make a profit with our ticket and bar sales. At Racecourse the people watch the match and go home. When you are playing at home your loyalty will be there towards the club and the players will be very comfortable.”

Silva proudly stated that the club was on a sound financial footing and that’s why they have been able to spend a lot of money towards sports. “Sometime back our financial situation was not good but now we have improved because of that we are able to pump a lot of money to sports, our hockey is also doing very well. Rugby we spend about Rs. 40 million for a season and for cricket around Rs. 20 million. Most of the clubs today are struggling to do well financially but we saw this ahead of time and took appropriate steps and put plans in place and we are okay.”

The cricketers have done their part and now its upto the rugby players to bring the coveted Dialog league title to Maitland Crescent after 2000 when they became the first winners of the Caltex Rugby League under the captaincy of Nazim Mohammed with 12 wins out of 14 matches.

In the 1996 World Cup winning era and some years before that, Sri Lanaka team was strengthened with every spot is the batting order as well as variety in the bowling line-up.

Dashing openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana used to give the sparkling start that any team would dream to have. But the much needed anchor role thereafter was often given by Asanka Gurusinha who was a reliable No.3 batsman.

Gurusinha is one of those cherished cricketers who have shown his might and achieved that distinction. He is only the second Nalandian to be adjudged ‘Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year’ after Roshan Mahanama.

Mahanama became the first Nalandian to win the ‘Observer Schoolboy Cricketer’ in 1983. He also became the first ever schoolboy cricketer to win the Mega title on successive year when he also won it in 1984. In the very next year after Mahanama’s dominance, yet another Nalandian won the title in 1985 in Gurusinha.

Gurusinha, the former Sri Lanka cricketer and ex-Sri Lanka coach, said that the ‘Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year’ title he won in 1985 was the turning point in his cricket career.

In a recent interview, the 52-year-old ex-Sri Lanka World Cup winning star said the year 1985 turned out to be a memorable year for him after winning the most sought-after title in school cricket. “When Roshan (Mahanama) won this award twice in 1983 and 1984, I realized how prestigious it is to win the ‘Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year’ award. It is a rare honour and an award that not every schoolboy cricketer had the fortune to win. One has to be outstanding and be consistent right throughout a season to win that – work really hard to reach the pinnacle of school career,” he said.

The reliable one drop batsman, popularly known as ‘Gura’ in cricketing circles, said he was eager to win that title after watching the proud moment when Mahanama won the award which was also an honour for his alma mater Nalanda College, Colombo. “I knew hard work and dedication with exceptional performance could take a schoolboy cricketer towards that goal. My dream as a schoolboy became a reality in the following year,” recalled Gurusinha.

Following an outstanding 1984/85 season for Nalanda, with a rich harvest of over 1000 runs with the willow, young Gurusinha was adjudged the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer in 1985.

“It was a great moment in my school cricket career, to receive the highest award in school cricket before a packed house of wildly cheering cricket fans at the BMICH. The title gave me confidence. I started believing in myself more. In less than five months after that I made my Test debut for Sri Lanka,” he added.

Gurusinha was called up at 19 as a wicket-keeper, a role he performed in a further two ODIs and one Test. He gradually established himself as a one drop batsman in the national team with many responsible innings that was taken notice by the selectors.

Gurusinha paid a glowing tribute to Lake House and the ‘Sunday Observer’ for conducting the show for almost four decades since 1979. “I am glad that Lake House is hosting the awards show uninterrupted and encouraging the budding schoolboy cricketers. During my time, this was the only school cricket awards show and we were eagerly looking forward to it,” he said.

The technically sound left-handed top order bat, who eventually turned out to be one of the most dependable one drop batsmen ever produced by Sri Lanka, made his ODI debut on November 3, 1985 in Sri Lanka’s fourth ODI against Pakistan in Hyderabad.

Representing Sri Lanka in 147 ODIs, Gurusinha has aggregated 3902 runs inclusive of two centuries and 22 fifties to average 28.27. Just four days after making his ODI debut, Gurusinha won his Test cap on November 7, 1985 to play for Sri Lank in the third Test against Pakistan in Karachi. The reliable left-handed batsman has represented Sri Lanka in 41 Tests to aggregate 2453 with seven centuries and eight half tons, including a fluent 88 in his farewell Test innings. He has a Test average of 38.92 with a career best score of 143.

He stressed the importance of paying enough attention to school cricket. “It is the feeding ground for the national pool. Aggregating 1000 runs or capturing over 100 wickets was not an easy task in our era with a school playing a limited number of traditional fixtures.

In my final year, there was only one other batsman who had scored over 1000 runs. Players like Ranjan (Madugalle), Arjuna (Ranatunga) and Roshan (Mahanama) marched directly into the national level just after their school careers. I would like to experience the same again to enrich the national team,” he added.

He was concerned about the dying spectator interest in school cricket, which had been at its best during his era. “One reason for that is that there is too much of cricket being played now. Live television coverage also discourages fans from going to grounds. I could remember the Royal-Nalanda match in 1983. We were after five wins and Royal after seven wins. The Reid Avenue ground was packed,” he said.

Gurusinha said outstanding performances by star schoolboy cricketers too prompted cricket fans to come in their numbers, irrespective of their school affiliations. “When Aravinda (De Silva) was playing for D.S. Senanayake College, most fans who had nothing to do with DSS, came purely to witness Aravinda in action,” he pointed out.

Sri Lanka Cricket Manager feels that there is a vast gap between present day school cricket standard and that of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ or national team.

“There is a big gap now and you need to come out with an exceptional performance to make it to the national team. Fitness and sharp fielding play an important role and these aspects should be looked into from school level,” he said.

Nevertheless, Gurusinha sees a bright future for Sri Lanka cricket. “We must set one goal and work towards that at all levels. High performance culture should work from school level with intense training and high fitness levels,” he said.

SLC Director Gurusinha said physical fitness is a key area that makes a complete cricketer.

“Fitness is very important, not only to play school cricket but even in studies with a sound mind. They must work hard with dedication. Just because one takes 50 wickets, he should not expect a direct place in the national team. Instead, he should keep on performing and maintain consistency,” he said.

Gurusinha is an architect of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup triumph, aggregating 307 runs – the sixth highest among all teams, with three half centuries in six matches to average 51.16.

Even at the last match of his Test career, he made a patient 88 off 239 balls against Zimbabwe at SSC ground in September 1996. “The Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year show has not only produced top cricketers but some international level umpires such as Kumar Dharmasena who serves in the ICC elite panel.

“We should also thank school coaches and masters-in-charge who render yeoman service,” Gurusinha concluded.