GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia, Saturday - Chris Gayle said the West Indies will “get a bit of respect” at this year’s World Cup after claiming a 2-2 series draw with tournament hosts and favourites England on Saturday.

Oshane Thomas and Gayle starred as the Windies thrashed England by seven wickets in the fifth and final one-day international in St Lucia.

Thomas claimed five for 21 with the tourists being demolished for 113 off 28.1 overs –- their lowest-ever total in an ODI against the Caribbean side -- just three days after scoring 418 in the fourth match in Grenada.

Gayle signed off on his ODI career in the region with a blistering 77 off just 27 balls to catapult his side to victory with almost 38 overs to spare in reaching 115 for three off 12.1 overs.

The 39-year-old was the obvious choice for the man-of-the-series award given his utter dominance with the bat in every innings of the four matches, scoring 424 runs at an average of 106, with 39 sixes.

“At one stage I thought this is going to be my last (ODI) innings in the Caribbean for the West Indies, so I thought I’d go out on a high,” said Gayle.

“We’ll get a bit of respect going into the World Cup.”

The West Indies have belied their lowly ranking of ninth against top-ranked England and the fact they scraped through World Cup qualifying in Zimbabwe last year.

Jason Holder’s men will kick off their bid for a third World Cup title on May 31 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, the day after England open the tournament against South Africa.

Playing just his ninth ODI, Thomas destroyed the visitors’ vaunted batting line-up with career-best figures despite coming on as the fourth bowler in the line-up.

Carlos Brathwaite and captain Holder took two wickets each in support of the burly fast bowler to fully justify Holder’s decision to bowl first on winning the toss.

In a must-win situation after losing a high-scoring fourth game, the West Indies pace attack exploited a bouncy pitch and exposed the England batsmen’s technical shortcomings in these conditions.

Alex Hales and Jos Buttler were the top-scorers, each scoring only 23.

Captain Eoin Morgan was next best with 18 as the batting folded swiftly in the face of Thomas’ assault.

“We struggled to adapt to the extra bounce, it’s not something that we’re accustomed to,” said Morgan.

“It’s difficult to curb what has been our natural reaction (to batting). We need to find a way to occupy the crease and score runs.”

England lost their last five wickets for only two runs with none of the final four batsmen managing to get off the mark.

Though he picked up just one wicket, Sheldon Cottrell got the wicket-taking feast underway for the West Indies when the left-arm seamer bowled Jonny Bairstow off an inside-edge after an opening partnership of 23 with Hales.

Hales and Morgan featured in the best partnership of the innings -- 39 for the third wicket -- but it was merely a brief respite.

Despite the extent of their dominance, Holder still indulged in four overs of spin via Ashley Nurse, the off-spinner proving the most expensive in conceding 24 runs from four wicketless overs.

With such a small target ahead of them, Gayle made his intentions quickly, and brutally, clear.

Chris Woakes was the first to suffer the weight of his bat but the other opening bowler, Mark Wood, also came under the hammer as the opener heaved nine sixes and five fours in a devastating innings.

On the same ground where his raw pace brought a five-wicket haul and a consolation victory in the final Test of the preceding three-match series, Wood was able to at least terminate the Gayle carnage by dismissing the left-hander having previously accounted for the other opener, John Campbell. - AFP 

A splendid 100 runs by Pasindu Rajapaksha enabled Lyceum international School, Nugegoda to beat Lyceum International School Panadura by 52 runs in their inter-school annual big match played for the Nikitha Grero Challenge Trophy at the Colombo Oval. Now the tally stands at Nugegoda Lyceum Three and Panadura Lyceum one.

Pasindu hit ten fours and two sixes and occupied the crease for 140 mintues and faced 92 balls. Batting first Nugegoda Lyceum Scored 267 runs and in reply Panadura Lyceum were 215 fro 8 with Yesith Kalupahana scoring 63 runs.

The best Batsman, best bowler’s awards were carried away by Pasindu Rajapaksha and Lakindu Sachin of Lyceum Nugegoda respectively. While the best fielders prize was won by Isuru Perera and Man of the Match award was carried away by Pasindu Rajapaksha of Lyceum Nugegoda.

Lyceum Nugegoda 267 Pasindu Rajapaskha 100, Gamith Pawan 49, Senura Fonseka 25, Isuru Perera 3/42, Dulana Perera 3/44, Nimen Rodrigo 2/36. Lyceum Panadura 215/8 Yesith Kalupanaha 63, Shain Guruge 42, Lakindu Sachin 3/30. 

Nikitha Grero Challenge Trophy 2019 was won by Lyceum International School Nugegoda.
Here the captain of Lyceum Nugegoda Senura Fonseka receiving the trophy from the chief Guest Nikitha Grero.
Also in the picture is Mrs. Dulka Mendis, Principal of Lyceum International School Nugegoda. 
Picture by Dilwin Mendis Moratuwa Sports Speical Corresponent.     

The International Cricket Council concluded six days of meetings in Dubai today with a number of key decisions taken.

ICC MEN’S CRICKET WORLD CUP 2019

The Board moved to reassure Members around security ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in light of recent communication from BCCI and confirmed that as is normal practice this will continue to be monitored through to the end of the event.

ICC CEO David Richardson said: “As you would expect for a global sporting event, the ICC, in partnership with the ECB has a robust security plan in place for the Men’s Cricket World Cup. We work closely with the authorities in our host countries to ensure that the safety of players, officials and fans is a priority.

“Should those authorities raise the threat level of the event based on intelligence, we will of course uplift our security commitment as appropriate. We will continue to work with the ECB and our Members throughout the build up to and during the tournament to keep everyone abreast of the situation.”

CRICKET

The UAE and Scotland were selected as the hosts of the respective ICC Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier events later this year. Scotland will host the women’s event from 31 August to 7 September 2019 whilst UAE will host the men’s event from 11 October to 3 November 2019.

As part of the ICC’s ongoing commitment to accelerating the growth of the women’s game, there were two significant decisions taken. The first, from the Chief Executives’ Committee, is around the introduction of an age group Cricket World Cup for girls to create more opportunities for young women around the globe to play the game. The ICC will develop a plan for the introduction of this event during the current commercial cycle.

Additionally, the Board agreed a new composition of the Women’s Committee that provides for a greater strategic focus for the group.

The remit of the new Women’s Committee will cover the following:

* Driving the growth in participation of women and girls;

* Overseeing plans to grow the female fan-base and fans of women’s cricket;

* Promoting opportunities for women involved in the administration and leadership of the sport around the world;

* Creating cricket competitions, pathways and events which foster competitive women’s cricket that has clear context and meaning; and

* Playing of international cricket, including playing conditions, regulations, guidelines, rankings, Future Tours Programme and technology.

The new composition of the Women’s Committee will be as follows, with posts to be filled in due course. Clare Connor was confirmed by the Board as the Chair:

* Chair

* 2 x Full Member representatives

* 1 x Associate Member representative

* 2 x CEC representatives

* 1 x Independent representative

* 1 x Media representative

* 2 x elected player representatives

* ODI coach representative

Anil Kumble has also been reappointed as Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee to serve for a final three year term.

GOVERNANCE

The ICC Board were updated on WADA’s concerns in relation to the domestic anti-doping programme in India.

The Board unanimously acknowledged its desire to remain WADA compliant and committed to working in partnership with the BCCI, WADA and the India NADA to resolve the outstanding issues as a matter of urgency.

In July 2018, the ICC Board was advised that the Court of Appeal in Sri Lanka had stayed the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) elections for office bearers and appointed a Competent Authority for cricket in Sri Lanka. In light of this apparent government interference, the ICC set a deadline for elections for Sri Lanka Cricket and imposed funding restrictions on the organization with their continuing membership of the ICC under consideration if the organization did not comply.

The ICC Board concluded that SLC have complied with the directions and welcomed Mr Shammi Silva to the Board following his election as SLC President and all restrictions have been lifted. The Board approved a new set of Safeguarding Regulations to better protect children, adults at risk and participants involved in ICC events.

The strengthened regulatory framework will apply at all ICC events and as the first step in a series of safeguarding reforms to ensure cricket remains a safe and happy environment for all participants. A Safeguarding Chairperson with specific expertise in these matters will now be appointed along with a Safeguarding Tribunal. 

The Annual Inter-House Athletic Meet of Wadduwa Central (Primary school) was held at the College premiss under the instructions of its principal Ranasinghe Indrasena recently.

Thilak De Silva, the Divisional Director of Education in Panadura was the chief guest and the guest of honour was the former Health Minister of Western Province and the Current WP councillor Jagath Angage Several school principals from neighbouring schools in the Panadura Division were in attendance at the event. Vijaya House collected 880 points and were the overall sports champions and the runner-up cup was won by Tissa House with 700 points. Gemunu House with 625 points was placed third.

Maharoo Pramuditha of Tissa House and M.A. Rochana Diwyanjali of Vijaya House were adjudged the best athlete(Boys) and best athlete (Girls)

Cups, medals, certificates and prizes for winners and victorious houses were given away by the guest of honour Jagath Angage, and the WP Councillor Nandana Pathmakumara, with the participation of the principal Ranasinghe Indrasena and Panadura Divisional Director of Education Thilak de Silva, at the awards ceremony. 

A good all round performance by the captain of Sri Sumangala College, Panadura Janidu Inuwara (An unbeaten 89 runs and a match bag of 6 for 73 guided his alma-mater to beat Kalutara Vidyalya by five wickets after conceding a first innings lead of 66 runs played at Panadura.

Batting first Kalutara lads scored 244 runs with Vishara Fernando scoring 78 runs and Anuka Jayasinghe claimed 5 for 80 and in reply Sumangalaians declared at 178 for 9 with Mihiranda Fernando scoring 52 runs and Kavindu Jayawickrama Captained 5 for 17 and in their second essay Kalutara Vidyalya were all out for 128 runs and set to make 195 runs for an outright victory Sumangalians made 197 for 5 with Imesh Gampola scoring 52 runs.

Kalutara Vidyalya 244 in 46.4 overs (Vishara Fernando 78, Prabod Wanasinghe 49, Ashen Manthaka 32 n/o, Gihan Sanjana 29, Avishka Lakshan 26, Anuka Jayaisnghe 5/70, Mihiranga Fernando 2/33, Janidu Inuwara 2/38 and 128 (Prabod Wanigasinghe 30, Hiruna Madushan 20, Janidu Inuwara 5/35, Anuka Jayasinghe 4/59).

Sri Sumangala 178/9 dec Mihiranga Fernando 52, Sanjitha Fernando 26, Kavindu Jayawickrama 5/7, Avishka Lakshan 3/68 and 197/5 Janidu Inuwara 89 n/o, Imesh Gampola 52, Shanjith Fernando 22 n/o, Avishka Lakshan 3/108, Kavindu Jayawickrama 2/66. 

HAMILTON, Sunday - Defiant centuries from Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah were in vain as Trent Boult’s five-wicket haul gave New Zealand a crushing victory over Bangladesh in the first Test by an innings and 52 runs in Hamilton on Sunday.

After the stubborn double-century partnership took Bangladesh 361 for four in their second innings, Boult opened the final chapter of the Test when he bowled Soumya for 149. It ended a 235-run stand with Mahmudullah for the fifth wicket and the Test was all over 68 runs later, just after tea on day four.

Soumya made 149, his maiden century, in a heroic partnership with Mahmudullah who was the second to last batsman removed for 146, his fifth and highest century.

The pair put on 235 for the fifth wicket only to be trumped by Boult’s lethal spell after the second new ball was taken. The match had belonged to New Zealand long before they declared their first innings at a colossal 715 for six -- a first innings lead of 481 -- but Soumya and Mahmudullah were determined to make crossing the finish line as difficult as possible for the hosts.

They batted together for more than 54 overs and produced the sixth best partnership by a Bangladesh pair.

When Boult finally bowled Soumya, the 26-year-old left-hander stood motionless for several seconds as he realised the significance of his wicket before departing the ground. - AFP 

Kingswood pulled off a creditable 17 points (3 tries, 1 conversion) to 12 (4 penalties) win over Wesley in their Singer Schools rugby league match played at Nittawela yesterday to retain the LE Blaze trophy.

Wesley College dominated the first half of the game to lead 9-5 at half time.

Two Peterites Hirusha Hashain and Ramesh Tharanga have been selected for the third Asian Youth Athletic Championships which is scheduled to be held from 15th to 17th March in Hong Kong. The Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) will send a 13 member youth athletic team (under18) for this championships after trials at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

St Peter’s College Bambalapitiya athlete Hirusha Hashain will take part in the long jump and medley relay while his college mate Ramesh Tharanga will compete in the two throwing events discus throw and Javelin.

Meanwhile Shemal Malinda of St Mary’s College Chilaw has been selected for the 100m, 200m and medley relay events while his college mate Roshain Dulmith will compete in the high jump event.

Sadeepa Henderson of Gateway International school Rajagiriya will compete in three events 100m, 200m and medley relay. Neville Rodrigo will accompanythe team as Manager cum coach. The Asian Youth Athletic Championships is conducted by the Asian Athletic Association in which over 35 countries will compete.

During the last 2nd Asian Youth athletic championships held in Thailand Sri Lanka won one silver from Harsha Dissanayake 800m while Navod Sankapala won the bronze medal from 400m hurdles. However this time Sri Lanka team which is packed with talented youngsters is expected to get more medals.

Sri Lanka Team for the Youth Athletic Championships

Boys: Shemal Malinda Perera (St. Mary’s College Chilaw- 100m, 200m, Medley Relay) Isuru Kaushalya (Ananda Sastralaya Matugama- 400m, Medley Relay) Naveeshka Sandesh (St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa- 400m, Medley Relay) Hirusha Hashain (St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya- Long Jump, Medley Relay) Ramesh Tharanga (St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya- Discus, Javelin) G.D.L.A Gurusinghe (Senanayake MMV Madampe- 2,000m Steeplechase) Roshain Dulmith (St. Mary’s College Chilaw- High Jump)

Girls: Kavindi Sanjana Edirisinghe (Janadhipathy Balika Nawala- 400m, Medley Relay) Chanika Wathsani (Holy Cross College Gampaha- 800m, 1500m) H.A.A.T. Hettiarachchi (Vihara Maha Devi Balika Kandy- 400m Hurdles, Medley Relay) T.T.I.M. Pallegama (Ibbagamuwa MMV- High Jump) Anusha Dahanayake (Lyceum Wattala- Medley Relay) Sadeepa Henderson (Gateway College Rajagiriya- 100m, 200m, Medley Relay) 

Wadduwa Balika Vidyalaya for the very first time, won a volleyball championship and a runner-up position at the recently conducted Panadura Divisional Inter-School volleyball competition organized by the Sports Unit of the Kalutara Zonal Education Office.

Wadduwa Balika Vidyalaya’s Sports teacher, Mrs Shyamali Jayawardena said that their school’s Under 16 (Girls) Volleyball Team won the championship and under 18 volleyball team won the Panadura Division runner up position.

The noteworthy fact is that Hemal Fonseka one of the minor staff members at Panadura Mahanama College, coached these two victorious teams as Wadduwa Balika Vidyalaya has no coach. 

St. Sebastians College Moratuwa under 15 Division one All Island Joint Champions Cricket pool – 2018. Seated L/R – Samith Fernando (Assistant Coach), Kanishka Perera (Master in Charge/Coach), Rev. Fr. Indunil Sampath (Prefect of Games), Sandeesh Fernando (Captain), Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi Rector), Dishen Weerasinghe, (Vice Captain), Rev. Fr. Anthony Lakshman, Rev. Fr. Priyan Tissera (Primary Principal), Kalum Perera (trainer). Middle Row standing L/R – Shevon Perera, Shenith Fernando, Bishen Perera, Induwara de Alwis, Sanesh Fernando, Kushan Herath, Eric Perera, Chitru Fernando, Vashan Avishka, Akalanka Fernando, Dineth Fernando, Malindu Medis. Third Row Standing L/R – Sithara Cooray, Crishen Perera, Mahen Silva, Kesara Madusanka. Picture by Dilwin Mendis, Moratuwa Sports Special Corr

A heavy downpour hampered the finals of the All Island Under 15 Division One cricket Tournament final conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association between Royal College Colombo and St. Sebastians College Moratuwa which was to be worked off at Thurstan College grounds for the Singer Trophy.

Not a ball was bowled and the umpires decided to call off the match and the officials of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association declared both Royalists and Sebs as joint Champions.

Sebs were captained by Sandeesh Fernando and his deputy was Dishen Weerasinghe and they were coached by Kanishka Perera with Samith Fernando as his Assistant.

The assistance and guidance given by the Rector Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi carried a long way in their success. 

A fine all-round performance by Hirusha Mendis (115 runs and a match bag of 8 for 81) of St. Johns College Nugegoda was of no avail as their inter-school first eleven cricket match ended in a draw with Bandaranayake Maha Vidyalaya worked off at Veyangoda.

St John’s– 339/9 dec – (Hirusha Mendis 115, Dewmina Ekanayake 63, Sanjaya Selva Kumara 38, Thanusha Sandaruwan 39, Tharusha Malintha 3/55, Aruna Dabare 3/99, Prashan Mayantha 2/80).

Bandaranayake Vidyalaya– 85 – (Hirusha Mendis 6/32 and 267/7 Prashan Mayantha 41, Hirusha Mendis 2/49). 

Safa House (Green) with 313 points won the overall athletic championship at the annual Inter- house sports festival of the Al-Hamra Maha Vidyalaya, Oluvil which was held at the school play grounds recently.

Arafa House (Blue) with 288 points and Marwa House (Yellow) with 255 points were placed second and third respectively.

Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine State Minister Faizal Cassim was the chief guest and Parliamentarian A.L.M.Nazeer participated as guest of honour at the sports festival.

The Addalaichenai Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman A.L.Amanullah, Akkaraipattu Zonal Education Office Deputy Education Director A.G.Fasmil, Oluvil Grand Jummah Mosque President Engineer I.L.Hyther Ali, Lucky Pack Proprietor A.l.Saheed, Addalaichenai Pradeshiya Sabha Members M.S.Ameen, A.L.Hamze, T.Abdeen and Principals were present as guests at prize giving ceremony and distribution prizes and certificates to the winners.

Los Angeles, Monday: The United States steamrolled Samoa 27-0 in the Cup final to win the Las Vegas Sevens Sunday, seizing the World Rugby Sevens Series lead ahead of their semi-final victims New Zealand.

Tied with New Zealand atop the standings coming into the week, the Eagles beat the Kiwis 24-19 in the semi-finals to reach their fifth final in five events so far this season -- then finally broke through for a win to launch ecstatic scenes at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"If we were going to win one of them, the one at home is the one we always wanted," said a beaming US captain Madison Hughes.

Ben Pinkelman scored two tries and there were tries from Matai Leuta, Hughes and Maceo Brown along with a stifling defensive performance from the hosts against Samoa, who beat Argentina 33-19 in the other semi-final to reach their first Cup final since Paris in 2016. It was a closer affair in the semi-finals, as Carlin Isles scored his third try of the match after the siren to give the United States a 24-19 triumph over the All Blacks Sevens.

First-half tries from Sione Molia and Kurt Baker gave New Zealand an early 12-0 lead, but the Americans had pulled ahead 14-12 at the break.

Folau Niua, however, fooled his defenders with a rare race away try up the middle to put the teams on the board and the Americans finished the first half with Isles striking off the breakdown for a converted try.

Another Isles try stretched the lead before a try from Kiwi captain Tim Mikkelson knotted the score at 19-19. But Isles came through again to give the United States a chance to defend their Vegas title. "We went down 12-0 real quick and that's tough to play yourself out of against a team like that," said the United States' Ben Pinkelman of a New Zealand team that beat the Americans in the finals at Dubai and Sydney.

"We had to play pretty scrappy. It wasn't wide open for us but we stuck to our plan and we were able to get the job done." The United States is now top the standings at the halfway stage with 98 points. New Zealand -- who had come through pool play unbeaten and downed Fiji in the quarter-finals -- kept it close at the top of the standings with a victory over Argentina in the third-place playoff.

New Zealand scored three late tries to beat the South Americans and are five back on 93 points heading into next weekend's Vancouver Sevens. AFP

Ben Pinkelman of the US diving in for a score while being tackled by Melani Matavao of Samoa during their Cup final on Sunday. AFP

Liverpool, Sunday: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left to rue a number of missed chances from his side in a 0-0 draw at Everton on Sunday that allowed Manchester City to maintain top spot in the Premier League.

Mohamed Salah passed up two glaring opportunities either side of half-time, while Fabinho was also wasteful as Liverpool failed to score for the third time in four games.

"It's OK, it's a very difficult game for a lot of reasons," said Klopp. "In a game that was difficult to control we had three or four really big chances.

"It's a 0-0 in a derby, we kept our unbeaten run against Everton.

It is not what we wanted, but something easy to accept because it is a difficult game."

Klopp is still to taste defeat in a Merseyside derby as Liverpool's unbeaten run against Everton stretches back to 2010.

However, the Reds have now dropped points in four of their last six league games to put the title race in City's hands just over a month since Liverpool had the chance to open up a seven-point lead at the top.

"It was clear it could happen as long as City wins," added Klopp. "We didn't think about City when they were a point behind us, now we are a point behind.

They have to win, we have to win, we will see who wins more often."

Liverpool's upcoming fixtures at least appear more winnable after a difficult run that saw them also travel to Manchester United last weekend before a short trip to Goodison Park. "Manchester United away and Everton away are tough games, you are not going to win 3-0, 4-0 or 5-0 every week," said Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

"We have to take the positives and keep going. We are still in the race.

"We want to win away at Manchester United and Everton, but we've got a point at both games. There is a lot of football to be played, a long way to go. I have got a lot of belief in this team."

AFP

Los Angeles, Monday: James Harden continues to be the Houston Rockets' driving force, delivering his 24th 40-point performance on Sunday while the Boston Celtics fell back into their bad habits.

Harden finished with 42 points, including six three-pointers, as the Rockets overcame a Celtics rally for a 115-104 victory in front of 18,600 at the Boston Garden.

The Rockets watched their 28-point lead dwindle to single digits. But they did what they usually do by turning to Harden -- the main offensive weapon behind their quest for a favorable seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

"It feels really, really good to kind of have a full roster and catch a rhythm," Harden said. "This is a perfect time for it.

"We haven't had an opportunity to push, push, push. This is a perfect time to push, push, push and catch a groove going into the postseason."

The Rockets have now won five straight, their longest winning streak since starting a six game win streak in late December.

Houston are in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, a game behind the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

With 1:44 left in the fourth and Houston leading 112-104, Harden fouled out of the contest -- but by then the damage had been done. Harden shot 14-of-31 from the floor and went eight-of-nine from the free throw line.

Eric Gordon added 32 points and had eight three-pointers for the Rockets, who have been trying to maintain consistency despite a constant roster flux because of injuries.

"We're catching a rhythm," said Harden. "Throughout the course of the year, we've been having a lot of injuries, a lot of ups and downs, but we're finally catching a rhythm on both ends of the floor, and it feels great.

"We're finally healthy, and it feels good. We're winning. Guys know their roles. We're executing defensively. We're helping each other out. We're talking. That's what it's all about." The Celtics fell behind by 28 points before going on a 17-6 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 106-96.

Kyrie Irving tallied 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists and Al Horford finished with 19 points for the Celtics, who have lost five of their last six games.

The struggling Celtics were coming off their first win since the all-star game break on Friday over the Washington Wizards.

But any positive feeling was blunted by Sunday's loss to Houston as the Celtics fell back into their old ways, shooting just 29 percent (eight-of-28) from three-point range.

It doesn't get much easier for the Celtics, who play their next four games on the road, opening against the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. AFP

Addalaichenai Ashraff Sports Club won the Addalaichenai DS division kabaddi championship beating Sober Sports Club, Addalaichenai by 34 points to 32 in the final at the Addalaichenai Government Teachers’ College Play Grounds recently. This tournament was organized by the Addalaichenai Divisional Secretariat Sports Officer M.H.M.Aswath under the guidance and supervision of Addalaichenai Divisional Secretary J.Liyakath Ali.

The Kabaddi tournament was held as part of the Addalaichenai inter division sports meet and altogether nine registered teams from Addalaichenai DS division took part.The Addalaichenai Ashraff SC team beat Addalaichenai Supersonic SC team in the semi final, while Addalaichenai Sober SC team beat Addalaichenai Marksmen SC team in the second semi final.

ROYAL COLLEGE CRICKET TEAM 2019: Standing (from left ) – Dimal Wijesekera, Kavindu Pathiratne, Bhagya Dissanayake, Ahan Sanchitha, Kavindu Madarasinghe(Capt), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Manula Perera, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Madushanka Squatting – (from left) Dasis Manchanayake, Gishan Balasuriya, Shehan Herath, Kaushan Kulasooriya, Tharusha Rukshan, Isivara Dissanayake, Tithira Weerasuriya. picture by – herbert perera     

Royal College, Colombo are determined to do well when they take on traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia in the 140th Battle of the Blues three-day cricket encounter that will be played at the SSC grounds from March 7, to 9.

The Reid Avenue boys are famous for their fighting qualities as they proved in the 137th encounter. Trailing heavily on the first innings, they came back strongly on the third day to pull off a stunning four-wicket win by beating the Thomians in 2016.

The Royalists will once again go in as the underdogs, but they are determined to fight back and turn the game in their favour.

Leading Royal this year will be top order batsman cum last years big match saviour left hander Kavindu Madarasinghe, who is also the wicket keeper of the side.He has scored 425 runs this season inclusive of one century and one half century.

Last years skipper and Sri Lanka under 19 national player right hander Pasindu Sooriyabandara has let his willow to do the talking with 850 runs this season with two centuries and 6 fifties being the top run getter for the school including a double century.

Besides Sooriyabandara, the other Royalists who have scored heavily this season are Ahan Wickramasinghe (two hundreds and four fifties) and Isiwara Dissanayake (two hundreds and three fifties). Both have scored over 700 runs. another Sri Lanka national under 19 player left hander Kamil Mishara has scored over 500 runs including an exceptional knock of 251 against Ananda College Colombo.

Mean while right hander Bhagya Dissanayake also has chipped in with nearly 400 runs with one century and a fifty.

Royal could boast of many bowlers who have performed really well this season, with left-arm spinner Gishan Balasuriya heading the honours list with almost 50 wickets. Both right-arm off spinner Kawshan Kulasooriya 35 wickets and left arm spinner Manula Perera with close to 30 wickets too have been enjoying a good time with the ball.

There is also plenty of variety in the Royal spin department with Kamil Mishara the off-spinner capturing nearly 20 wickets. Hence they could keep their options open when it comes to their bowling department.

Royal has emerged victorious on five occasions this season being unbeaten as well, where they beat Sri Sumangala College, Debaraweva Maha Vidyalaya, Henegama Central College, St.Marys College Chilaw and Bandaranayake College Gampaha.

The Battle of the Blues encounter started way back in 1880 with Ashley Walker leading the Royal College outfit in the first encounter and winning the game by 56 runs.

So far out of the 139 encounters that have been played, Royal have won on 35 occasions. Jagath Pattiarachchi (100 not out in 1974), Sumithra Warnakulasuriya (197 in 1980) and Pasindu Sooriyabandara, a member of the Royal College team this year (123 in 2016) remain as the only Royalists to score centuries on debut.

The honour of making the highest opening partnership goes to Sukitha Senaratne and Malinga Maligaspe who added 218 runs for Royal in 2006 while the highest partnership for any wicket is shared by Anushka Polonowita and Yasaswin Dharmaratne who added 254 runs for the 3rd wicket in 1996. Neil Joseph ( 113 in 1925 and 133 in 1926) has the rare distinction of scoring more than one century during his Royal-Thomian career for Royal. Only two Royalists, Malinda Thotuwilage (95 & 108) and Ganganath Ratnayake (75 & 111 not out) have achieved a rare batting double (a century and a fifty) in the same game for the Royalists in 2001 and 2003 respectively. Royal made the highest team total in the series 432/7 at SSC in 2006. The lowest Royal team score is 9 all out at Galle Face in 1885.

For Royal the leading batsmen are Sumithra Warnakulasuriya (1980-82) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (2007-11) - both having scored 386 runs in their Royal-Thomian careers. Rajapaksa has also taken 14 wickets for 306 runs, establishing himself as one of the most successful all-rounders at the Royal-Thomian. J.R. Jayewardene, who became the first President of Sri Lanka, donned the Royal cap in 1925.

Notable Royalists who have played in the Royal-Thomian cricket match are J.R. Jayewardene, Sir John Lionel Kotalawela, Sir Forester Obeysekera, Neil Joseph, Robert de Krester, former Army Commander . Russel. Heyn, Churchill Hector Gunasekara, B. W. Bawa, L.B. Bulankulame Eran Wickramaratne, Ranjan Madugalle, Gamini Goonesena, Fredrick C. de Saram, Donald Rutnam, ex Navy commander Basil Gunasekara, Muhammad Ajward Macan Markar, Fritzroy Crozier, Nihal Kodituwakku, Daya Sahabandu, Asantha ce Mel, Sudath Pasqual, Jayantha Amerasinghe, Rohan Jayasekera, Roshan Jurangpathy, Jehan Mubarak, Pradeep Jayaprakash Kithuruwan Vithanage, Kusal Perera, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

This year the Royal team is coached by experienced former Royal College, Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Sri Lanka national cricketer Jehan Mubarak.

Royal last emerged victorious in 2016 under Geeshath Panditharatne. Last year the game ended in an exciting draw.

Royal College First XI Cricket Squad: Kavindu Madarasinghe (Captain), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Isiwara Dissanayake, Kawshan Kulasooriya, Thevindu Senaratne Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sehan Herath, Dimal Wijesekara, Gishan Balasooriya, Bhagya Dissanayake, Thimira Weeraainghe, Manula Perera, Tharusha Rukshan, Lahiru Madushanka, Dasis Manchanayake, Kavindu Pathiratne, Kamil Mishara. 

Sri Lanka Junior Davis Cup team commenced their Asia Oceania pre-qualifiers campaign in a dominating manner beating Oman 3-0 yesterday at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts. Sri Lanka left no room to their opponents and sealed their victory with ease. Thehan Wijemanne won the first singles beating his Omanian opponent Muneer Tufail Al Rawahi in easy straight sets 6/1, 6/3 while Chathurya Nilaweera followed Thehan in same fashioned second singles match defeating Marwan Faiz Khanjari 6/1, 6/0. Lankan doubles pair Dhilvan Herath and Chathurya Nilaweera convincingly beat their Omanian counterparts Azzan Mrwan Amur Al Hajri and Marwan Faiz Al Khanjari in a clean sweep victory 6/0, 6/0. Sri Lanka is lined up in Group ‘D’ and will battle against Bahrain today commencing at 9.00 a.m. Altogether 13 boys teams lined up for Junior Davis Cup Asia Oceania pre-qualifiers.

The ITF team championships for boys under 16 has 17 countries including Sri Lanka vying for honors where only 2 countries make it to the next stage. The countries include Pacific Oceania, Singapore, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Vietnam.

Sri Lanka booked their place in the World Team Cup Wheelchair Tennis Championship when they beat Pool 2 champion, host Malaysia 2-0 in Asian Qualifiers yesterday in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia. Sri Lanka was lined up for qualifiers in Pool 1 and earlier beat China 2-1 and Australia 2-1 to emerge pool 1 champions.

Lankan team comprised D.M. Gamini, R.A.L.S. Ranaweera, D.S. R. Dharmasena and coached by Jagath Welikala.

Dineth Thimodya of Ragama CC and Ayana Siriwadhane of Moors SC made centuries in the day one of the SLC Major T20 Inter Clubs Cricket tournament yesterday.

Dineth Thimodya (Ragama CC) scored 127 runs against Negombo CC and Ayana Siriwadhane (Moors SC) scored unbeaten 105 runs against Navy SC.

SSC, Moors SC, NCC, BRC, Panadura SC, Saracens CC, CCC, Baduraliya CC, Chilaw Marians CC, Ragama CC and Army SC won the matches on day one.

* At Bloomfield. Panadura SC won by 3 wickets.

Bloomfield: 270/7 in 50 overs (Sanoj Darshika 57, Madushan Ravichandrakumar 50, Asantha Singappuli 46, Kasun Abeyrathne 37, Asel Sigera 27, Navin Kavikara 2/39, Vinodh Perera 2/43)

Panadura SC: 275/7 in 47.5 overs (Ajith Kumara 58, Mishen Silva 35, Thimira Jayasinghe 33, Tharusha Fernando 33, Vishva Chathuranga 30, Shahzad Ali 25, Sanoj Darshika 3/42, Aravinda Premaratne 2/22, Asantha Singappuli 2/41)

* At Colts. Baduraliya CC won by 3 wickets.

Colts CC: 220 in 47.3 overs (Vishadh Randika 65, Sadeera Samarawickrama 51, Sachith Pathirana 5/37, Buddhika Sanjeewa 3/43)

Badureliya CC: 224/7 in 43 overs (Kosala Kulasekara 74 n.o., Sachith Pathirana 37, Pramud Hettiwatte 27 n.o., Nadeera Nawela 20, Jehan Daniel 3/43, Nipun Ransika 2/22)

* At CCC. CCC won by 8 runs.

CCC: 234 in 49.3 overs (Madhawa Warnapura 67, Dilshan Munaweera 66, Lasith Abeyratne 33, Ron Chandraguptha 23, Lahiru Madushanka 20 n.o., Eranga Rathnayake 4/27, Pasindu Madushan 3/49, Matheesha Perera 2/37)

Kalutara TC: 226/9 in 50 overs (Eranga Rathnayake 73, Nipuna Gamage 49, Matheesha Perera 32, Vishal Amugoda 25, Wanindu Hasaranga 4/64, Malinda Pushpakumara 3/44)

* At Welisara. Moors SC won by 12 runs.

Moors SC: 319/7 in 50 overs (Ayana Siriwadhane 105 n.o., Chamara Silva 63, Nimanda Madushanka 33, Adeesha Thilanchana 27, Irosh Samarasooriya 23, Charith Kumarasinghe 21, Dilan Chandima 2/35)

Navy SC: 307/9 in 50 overs (Dushan Hemantha 87, Tharushan Iddamalgoda 61, Dilan Chandima 53, Salitha Fernando 50, Adeesha Thilanchana 2/38, Tharindu Kaushal 2/45, Ramesh Mendis 2/47)

* At Maggona. Saracens SC won by 25 runs.

Saracens SC: 181 in 47 overs (Milinda Siriwardana 59, Andy Solomons 20, Chanaka Devinda 4/26, Dulanjana Mendis 3/26)

Lankan CC: 156 in 48.2 overs (Shifran Muthaliph 39, Sahan Kankanange 32, Ayantha de Silva 23, Andy Solomons 3/24, Chamikara Edirisinghe 2/29, Sachithra Perera 2/33)

* At BRC. BRC won by 3 wickets.

Police SC: 188 in 44 overs (Gitansh Khera 42, Sanath Ranjan 33, Ajantha Mendis 28, Mohamed Shiraz 5/40)

BRC: 189/7 in 36.1 overs (Deshan Dias 74, Rumesh Buddika 34, Hashen Ramanayake 30 n.o., Manjula Jayawardene 3/30, Dinuka Hettiarachchi 2/35)

* At Panagoda. Army CC won by 33 runs.

Army CC: 310/9 in 50 overs (Dushan Vimukthi 79, Seekkuge Prasanna 62, Asela Gunaratne 59, Sanjika Ridma 40 n.o., Sampath Perera 3/50, Umega Chaturanga 3/64)

Air Force SC: 277 in 48 overs (Suminda Lakshan 45, Roscoe Thattil 44, Ravindu Sembukuttige 35, Chanaka Wijesinghe 30, Chamikara Hewage 30, Kaushalya Gajasinghe 25, Asela Gunaratne 3/38, Sanjika Ridma 2/15, Dushan Vimukth 2/40)

* At Thurstan. Ragama CC won by 194 runs.

Ragama CC: 332/3 in 50 overs (Dineth Thimodya 127, Roshen Silva 63 n.o., Sameera de Zoysa 63, Janith Liyanage 51 n.o.)

Negombo CC: 138 in 35.2 overs (Sahan Arachchige 63 n.o., Prasansana Jayamanne 24, Nishan Peiris 2/20, Amila Aponso 2/22, Roshen Silva 2/35)

* At Dombagoda. SSC won by 8 wickets.

Kurunegala YCC: 78 in 34.5 overs (Sachithra Senanayake 4/9, Dammika Prasad 2/12)

SSC: 79/2 in 11.3 overs (Kaushal Silva 39 n.o.)

* At Katunayake. Chilaw Marians CC won by 8 wickets.

Kandy Customs SC: 76 in 33.5 overs (Sumeda Dissanayake 30, Nimesh Vimukthi 3/12, Thikshila de Silva 2/14, Dilshan Sanjeewa 2/15, Chathura Randunu 2/19)

Chilaw Marians CC: 79/2 in 9.2 overs (Yashodha Lanka 42, Sumeda Dissanayake 2/14)

* At NCC. NCC won by 9 wickets.

Galle CC: 82 in 25.2 overs (Akalanka Ganegama 23, Asitha Fernando 5/32, Dilesh Gunaratne 2/14, Sachinda Colombage 2/24)

NCC: 86/1 in 17.4 overs (Hasitha Boyagoda 42 n.o., Pathum Nissanka 33 n.o.). YK