Navod Paranavithana came up with a superb all-round performance for Sri Lanka to defeat United Arab Emirates by 52 runs in an Asia Cup under 19 Group B match played at Katunayake yesterday.

Paranavithana opening the batting scored 60 off 61 balls (9 fours) to lay the foundation for Sri Lanka’s imposing total of 326-8 and then with his left-arm medium-pace deliveries took 4 for 54 to restrict Afghanistan to 274-9 and claim the Player of the Match award.

Ahan Wickramasinghe (73 off 52 balls, 11 fours) and skipper Nipun Dananjaya (60 off 69 balls, 5 fours) also contributed towards the total. For UAE Arish Tandon’s unbeaten century (100 off 102 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) proved in vain as the rest of the batting apart from Osama Hassan (55) failed to deliver.

In another Group B match played at P Sara Oval yesterday Bangladesh U19 beat Nepal U19 by six wickets with four balls to spare.

An unbroken 130 runs fifth wicket partnership between Akbar Ali (98 not out off 82 balls, 14 fours) and skipper Shamim Hossain (42 not out off 45 balls, 4 fours) saw Bangladesh home after they had lost three wickets for 98 in the run chase for 262.

* At Katunayake: Sri Lanka U19 beat UAE U19 by 52 runs.

Sri Lanka (U19) 326-8 in 50 overs (Navod Paranavithana 61, Ravindu Rasantha 22, Ahan Wickramasinghe 73, Nipun Dananjaya 60, Chamindu Wijesinghe 27, Rohan Sanjaya 36, KP Meiyappan 2/70, R Mukherjee 3/65)

United Arab Emirates (U19) 274-9 in 50 overs (Syed Haider 27, V Aravind 26, Arish Tandon 100 n.o., A Sharafu 36, Osama Hassan 55, Rohan Sanjaya 2/36, Navod Paranavithana 4/54, Nipun Dananjaya 2/41)

* At P Sara Oval: Bangladesh U19 beat Nepal U19 by six wickets.

Nepal (U19) 261-8 in 50 overs (Rit Gautam 32, P Sarraf 81, K Maila 28, S Jhora 56, B Sharki 21, Tanzim Hasan 2/51, Shahin Alam 2/58)

Bangladesh (U19) 262-4 in 49.2 overs (Mahmudul Hasan 40, Towhid Hridoy 60, Akbar Ali 98 n.o., Shamim Hossain 42 n.o., KS Airee 2/59)

Visakha Vidyalaya created history when they ended Mahamaya College’s unbeaten 20-year winning streak by emerging overall girls champions at the 46th Milo all island school swimming championship concluded at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Winners Visakha piled up 509 points to push defending champions Mahamaya College Kandy to second place with 398 points. Srimavo Balika Vidyalaya secured third place with 329 points in the five-day event.

St Joseph’s College Colombo continued their dominance in the boys’ category and registered their 16th consecutive victory with 453 points. St Peter’s College finished runners up with 378.5 points and Ananda College third with 298 points.

Defending champs Bishop College won the overall title in the girls diving team championship with 138 points. Royal College won the boys team overall title bagging 203 points.

St Bridget’s (105) and Visakha (25) were placed second and third in the girls category while S. Thomas’ (51) and Thurstan (37) were similarly placed in the boys team category.

Mahamaya won the senior girls team title with 363 points ahead of defending champions Visakha who were second with 343 points. Srimavo Balika took third place in the senior division.

Joes dominated the senior boys division scoring 329 points. Ananda College were runner up with 252 points and St Peter’s third with 202.5 points.

The championship was held in the Under 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 age groups for boys and girls with 164 events being worked out in the two categories with the participation of over 5000 boys and girls around the island.

Nestle PLC sponsored the event.

Islamabad, Saturday: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday remembered former spinner Abdul Qadir as a “genius” a day after the legendary cricketer died of a heart attack.

Cricket hero-turned-politician Khan and Qadir had a long and eventful association as team-mates.

Qadir, who would have turned 64 on September 15, was a favourite of the former captain.

“Abdul Qadir was a genius, one of the greatest leg spinners of all time,” Khan tweeted, as fans all over Pakistan mourned the player’s death.

“And he was also the life of the dressing room entertaining the team with his wit & humour”.

Qadir made his Test debut against England in Lahore in 1977 and went on to play 67 Tests, taking 236 wickets with a best of 9-56 against the same side in 1987.

Those figures are still the best by a Pakistan bowler in a Test innings.

He also took 132 wickets in 104 one-day internationals, with Imran using him as an attacking weapon in the 1983 World Cup held in England.

“Qadir’s bowling statistics do not do justice to his genius,” said Khan.

“Had he been playing cricket now with the modern DRS system, where batsmen can be given out on the front foot as well, Qadir would have gotten as many wickets as the great Shane Warne”. Legendary Australian leg-spinner Warne -- the second-highest Test wicket-taker with 708 (only behind Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan’s 800) -- was also a big fan of Qadir. AFP

NEW YORK, Sunday - Teenager Bianca Andreescu became Canada’s first Grand Slam singles champion Saturday with a rollercoaster 6-3, 7-5 win over 23-time major champion Serena Williams in the US Open final.

The 19-year-old Andreescu became the youngest Grand Slam winner since Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2004 US Open, handing Williams a fourth consecutive defeat in the final of a major to again deny her a record-equaling 24th Slam title.

“It’s so hard to explain in words but I’m just beyond grateful and truly blessed. I’ve worked really, really hard for this moment,” said Andreescu, who had won just two Grand Slam matches ahead of her US Open main draw debut. - AFP

PALLEKELE, Saturday – At 36 when most fast bowlers are thinking of hanging up their boots Lasith Malinga showed there is still fire left in him by bowling his team to victory over New Zealand in the third and final T20 International with a sensational burst at the Pallekele International Stadium on Friday.

Malinga’s exceptional figures of five wickets for six runs off four overs included a hat-trick and four wickets off four balls a performance that completely derailed the Black Caps’ batting reducing them to 23-5 and eventually 88 all out in pursuit of a moderate Sri Lankan total of 125-8.

At the end of his heroics that won him the Player of the Match award Malinga said, “I am really happy that I could take four wickets in four balls in the T20I as well because I am playing in the latter part of my career. All the younger players who played with me could see that with their own eyes. I hope they would take it as an inspiration and possibly may think of performing something like this in the future.”

Malinga is the only bowler in international cricket to take four wickets in four balls in ODI and T20I cricket. He performed the feat in ODI cricket against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup.

When he took his first wicket that of Colin Munro, Malinga established another record by becoming the first bowler to capture a century of wickets in T20 Internationals.

Malinga was modest with his achievement at the Pallekele Stadium and said, “It’s just another achievement for me. It happened today and its history now. If I was hit (badly) tomorrow, all these four wickets and the achievements are forgotten. Therefore I consider that as just another achievement. My aim is to give my best as long as I play. I cannot be successful every day. On the day I am successful, I am willing to finish off the game. Some days it may go right and other days it may go wrong.”

Malinga said that he always approached a match with the thought of turning the game around in his team’s favour.

“The skill that I have in taking wickets, considering my experience, is more than any other player. It is something that I believe in. I want to control the game as soon as I get the ball to my hand,” said Malinga.

Explaining how he got his name into the record books with four for four Malinga said, “After taking the first wicket, the newcomer (Hamish Rutherford) was an inexperienced left hander. I thought of getting him out with the first ball. My best weapon is the inswinging yorker. So I thought of using that and he was out.

“Then came Colin de Grandhomme and Ross Taylor. These two guys have been a real headache for us throughout the series. Other bowlers had failed to get them, when we needed their wickets in other matches. I was thinking of how to get these two guys and I knew we could win the game if we get them. I was thinking that ‘if I could bowl two yorkers, then why not the third. So I got back my mental preparations before I bowled the yorker and walked back to my run up.

“Timing and accuracy was there and I got the third wicket. When I got the third, I was thinking again why not the fourth. It was all the same preparation again and I did it. I know what I should to take a wicket. If the team needs a wicket, no matter how many runs are hit off me I try to take the wicket. That’s the risk I take. Risk has been part and parcel of my life on and off the field. I like taking risks. Young cricketers should also have the courage to take risks then only you can win a game,” Malinga said.

Malinga is of the view that despite the 1-2 series loss the team was gradually settling into a unit.

“If you take the results of the first two matches they are losses. But how we played the game is the real question. We managed to drag the game to the last over in both matches. Everyone knows that there are a number of players in this team with less T20 experience. Playing with such inexperienced players, especially against a seasoned set of players like New Zealand I am happy because we matched them equally,” said Malinga.

“I think we can create a good T20 team by 2020. No matter who is captain what I want to do is to bring the good players and show them the way forward. I have no more desires or big targets to achieve. The more you win, the more you want to win. We’ll have to create that habit among the younger players. There are about 17 T20I matches to be played in the next one year before the T20I World Cup. As we go along, these players will learn,” he said.

New Zealand skipper Tim Southee said that they were only one good partnership away from turning the ground in their favour, but for Malinga.

“We realised pretty early on when we were bowling that it wasn’t going to be a big-scoring wicket compared to the two surfaces we played on for the first two games. It was a used wicket. We knew that if we restricted them to around 120 - which in hindsight we could have kept them to a little less - that we could win,” said Southee.

“At the halfway stage we were probably one big partnership away from breaking the back of the chase. But we were outdone by a piece of brilliance from Malinga.

He’s been a world class bowler for a long time now. He’s shown his class tonight. When his team needed him to stand up, to produce something like that was amazing. An amazing spell of bowling.

“I remember Herath running through us a few years ago in a T20I game in Bangladesh. That’s the nature of the game I guess.

He bowled exceptionally well. When you’re defending a score like that, early wickets is vital. When you get four in an over, it really breaks the back of a run-chase,” he said.

Manchester, Sunday: Pat Cummins led the way before Josh Hazlewood struck as Australia retained the Ashes with a 185-run win over England in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Sunday.

England, set a huge target of 383 to win, were bowled out for 197 following some spirited lower-order defiance.

Cummins, the world's top-ranked Test bowler, took 4-43 in 24 overs.

The match ended when Craig Overton, who faced 105 balls, was lbw to Hazlewood for 21 after the tailender's review failed to overturn umpire Kumar Dharmasena's decision.

Victory ensured Australia kept hold of the Ashes at 2-1 up with one to play in the five-Test campaign.

If Australia avoid defeat at the Oval next week they will have won their first Test series in England for 18 years.

Jos Buttler, England's last recognised batsman, faced 111 balls either side of tea making 34 when crease occupation was the order of the day.

But his patient vigil ended with a misjudgement that saw Buttler bowled playing no shot to a Hazlewood ball that cut back to hit off stump.

England's 172-7 soon became 173-8 when Jofra Archer was plumb lbw to off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Yet more than an hour later, Australia had still to separate Overton and Somerset teammate Jack Leach, promoted to No 10 after his last-man heroics helped England to a remarkable one-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley.

But part-time leg-spinner Marnus Labuschagne succeeded where Australia's frontline bowlers had failed by ending Leach's 51-ball innings when he turned one out of the rough to have him caught at short leg by Matthew Wade for 12, with England now 196-9.

This match was a triumph for Australia's Steve Smith, the world's leading Test batsman, who scored 211 and 82.

That took his tally for the series to 671 runs at 134.2 including three hundreds, despite Smith missing the third Test with concussion.

England, resuming on their overnight 18-2, got through the first hour of the last day without losing a wicket.

But when Ben Stokes, whose superb 135 not out had sealed a stunning win at Headingley, fell for just one shortly before lunch, England were floundering at 74-4.

They had started the day with makeshift opener Joe Denly 10 not out and Jason Roy eight not out after Cummins had taken two wickets in two balls on Saturday, including Joe Root for a golden duck, the England captain's third nought in five innings.

The most England had made in the fourth innings to win a Test was the 362-9 they posted at Headingley.

But their immediate goal was to bat out the fifth day for a draw -- something they had not done since defying New Zealand at Auckland in 2013.

World Cup-winner Roy, who has struggled to transfer his one-day form into the Test arena, defended solidly until fast bowler Cummins's fine-off cutter found a gap between bat and pad to bowl him for 31.

Stokes, who walked out to a huge ovation, had made just one when Cummins cut one back to the left-handed batsman, with Paine holding a good diving catch off the inside edge.

Stokes did not even wait for umpire Marais Erasmus to raise his finger before leaving the crease.

Denly, 48 not out at lunch, completed a 112-ball fifty when he drove Mitchell Starc down the ground for four.

But he was out for 53 when he gloved a Lyon ball that turned and bounced to Labuschagne at short leg.

The normally attack-minded Jonny Bairstow took 61 balls to make a 25 that ended when he was lbw to Starc. AFP

Chittagong, Sunday: Spinners Rashid Khan and Zahir Khan shared five wickets between them as Afghanistan came within four wickets of a historic win over Bangladesh in the one-off Test in Chittagong on Sunday.

The visitors -- playing only their third Test ever -- reduced Bangladesh to 136-6 before rain forced an early stump on the fourth day, with the hosts who were set a record target of 398 runs still needing 262 runs.

The highest successful run chase in Bangladesh is 317-7 by New Zealand at the same ground in 2008.

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan remained unbeaten on 39 runs, giving a little hope to Bangladesh amid the gloom at the Zahur Ahmed Stadium, where rain interrupted play in all three sessions much to Afghanistan’s frustration.

Shakib will resume the fifth day’s play along with Soumya Sarkar, the last recognised batsman for Bangladesh, who was yet to open his account.

Rashid, who made his debut as youngest ever Test captain, led Afghanistan from the front, finishing the day with 3-46 while left-arm chinaman Zahir claimed 2-36 runs.

Retiring all-rounder Mohammad Nabi claimed the other wicket.

Zahir started the victory push when he dismissed opener Liton Das, who was trapped leg before for nine two balls after a caught-behind decision against him was overturned by the TV umpire on review.

One-down Mosaddek Hossain chased a ball from him wide outside the off-stump to give a catch to Asghar Afghan at long off after making 12 runs.

Rashid trapped Mushfiqur Rahim plumb in front after the former Bangladesh skipper started in a confident manner to make 23 off 25 balls.

Rashid delivered another blow in his next over to dismiss Mominul Haque out lbw for three.

Nabi removed Shadman Islam, who made the highest 41 runs for Bangladesh so far in the second innings.

Rashid then snapped the wicket of Mahmudullah Riyad for seven before rain provided the home side some respite.

Earlier, resuming at 237-8 after more than two hours’ delay due to drizzle, Afghanistan added 23 runs to their overnight score before they were all out for 260, which took their lead close to the 400-run mark.

Yamin Ahmadzai was run out for nine and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan removed last man Zahir, leaving Afsar Zazai stranded on 48.

AFP

Trinitian Hamdan Faizal, Nalandian G.K.P. Mihiran and Mahanama’s Dimash Sankalpa de Seram sparkled on the opening day of the Selection Trial Boxing Meet for Junior Boys and Girls worked off at the Jayatilleke Sports Complex in Nawalapitiya on Saturday.

This meet held concurrently with the Youth Boys and Girls Boxing Championship for the Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya Trophy, serves as a trial to select boxers to participate in next month’s Asian Junior Boxing Championship to be held in Fujairah, UAE.

“We have got about 150 entries for both tournaments. We hope to send four boys and four girls for the Asian Junior Boxing Championship,” said K.K. Sunil, secretary of the Schools Boxing Association of Sri Lanka.

Faizal was by far the most impressive displaying beautiful technique and ringcraft to outclass his rival from St. Joseph’s Lakidu Kodituwakku in the first round of the Light Bantam weight preliminary. A winner of the L.V. Jayaweera and T.B. Jayah boxing meets, Hamdan exhibition sublime skills and quick silver footwork to knock down rival with crisp combinations forcing a stoppage.

Results

Preliminaries

Selections Trials Meet Junior Boys and Girls for Asian Junior Boxing Championship

* Pin weight(44-46kg): D.P.R.S. Marasingha (Dheerananda MV) bt J.J. Ilangarathna (Bandaranayake MMV, Veyangoda) on points 3-0, A.G.D.N. Kumarathunga (Vidyartha) bt P.A.C. Prasanna (Gamini Central College) 5-0,

M.S. Thishantha (Vidyaratena UC) bt M.N.M. Alli (Sri Sumangala, Kandy) 3-2;

Light Fly weight (46-48kg): J.I.D. Rathnayake (Pallebowela) bt R.I.A. Silva (Vidyaratena UC) 5-0, Y.M. Hossen (Sri Sumangala, Kandy) bt Attaab Manzil (Trinity College) 5-0, E.M.D.S. de Seram (Mahanama) bt D.M.T.R.B. Dissanayake (Vidyartha) 5-0;

* Fly weight(48-50kg) M.C. Minalka Silva (Mahanama) bt L.H. Pradeep Nikshan (Narandeniya MV) 3-2, G.K.P.U. Mihiran (Nalanda) bt John Shain Garnier (St. Joseph’s) Referee Stopped Contest round one;

* Light Bantam weight (50-52kg): T.M.C. Bandara (Peradeniya MMV) bt D.S. Samarasekera (S. Thomas’) 5-0, Hamdan Faizal (Trinity College) bt L. Kodituwakku (St. Joseph’s) RSC round one, R.G.K. Vishwa (Kamburubitiya NS) bt S. Ajai (Hartley College);

Youth Boys & Girls Championship

* Light Fly weight (49kg): A.G.H.D. Premasiri (Pilimathalawa MMV) bt T.H.G.S.S. Thalewela (Peradeniya MMV) 5-0, R.G.T.W.K. Rajapaksha (Kingswood) bt M.G.U. Kumara (Peradeniya MMV) 5-0, P. Gopithan (Hartley College) bt J.A.K.S. Jayasinghe (Bandaranayake MMV, Veyangoda) RSC round 3, P.R.P. Nandasiri (Vidyaratena UC) bt M. Sanujan (Vipulananda) 5-0, W.A. Asanka Sampath (Sri Sumangala, Kandy) bt G.D.I.S. Hansaja (Vidyartha) 5-0, L.M.V.D. Kularatne (Dharmaraja) bt D.R.D.S. Madawala (Pilimathalawa MMV) 4-1;

* Fly weight (52kg): J.K.N. Tharinda Nethmina (Narandeniya MV) bt G.S.C. Gunathilake (Vidyartha) 4-1, J.K.R.P. Jayakody (Kingswood) bt W.M.E.M.B. Weerakoon (Dharmaraja) RSC round 2, A.H. Maduranga (Vidyaratena UC) bt Sithija Manosh Perera (Mahanama), S.P.G.C.V. Rathnasiri (Peradeniya MMV) bt M.R.S.N. Weraka (St. Joseph’s) 3-2, H.P. Walpola (Rajasinghe) bt P.G.D. Dilshan (Sri Sumangala, Kandy) RSC round 2, P. Rupan (Mutiyankattu) bt S.N.

Dharmawanshan (St. Sylvester’s) 5-0;

* Bantam weight (56kg): N.R.P. Rayer (St. Joseph’s) bt L.R.G.G. Pahasara (Dheerananda MV) walk over, P.K. Savi Vidushan (Mahanama) bt R. Kalaichselvan (Mutiyankattu) Abandoned round 2, R.M.U. L. Rathnayaka (Sri Sumangala, Kandy) bt G.M.S. Madushanka (Bandaranayake MMV, Veyangoda) Abd round 1, D.J. Carnie (St. John’s) bt W.M.S.C. Wijesooriya (Vidyartha) 3-2, J.K.D.T. Rashmika (Vidyaratena UC) bt M.D.M.D. Jayasuriya (Sivali) knock

out round 2;

* Light Welter weight (64kg): S.M. Nipun Madushanka (Anuruddha) bt Mineth Laknuka (Mahanama) 3-2, A.M.A.G.R.S.B. Abeykoon (Kingswood) bt L.Y.G.L.P. Maduwantha (Peradeniya MMV) 4-1;

* Welter weight (69kg): D.V.K. Thenabadu (St. Sylvester’s) bt S.H.W..T.N. Dilshan (Peradeniya MMV) 5-0;

* Middle weight (75kg): M.Z. Mohamed (Pilimathalawa MMV) bt David Madawala (St. Joseph’s) 5-0;

* Light Heavy weight (81kg):Zerik Zakeer (Trinity) bt R.D.N.J.P. Raigama (St. John’s) RSC round 1;

* Heavy weight (91kg): V. Shanusan (Hartley College) bt R.A.S.C. Ranasinghe (Vidyartha) ABD round 1.

SYDNEY: Australia’s cricketers have restored national pride by retaining the coveted Ashes trophy following a reputation-shattering cheating scandal, according to the country’s media who bragged: “We urned it.” Eighteen months ago, Australian cricket hit rock bottom when then-captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and opener Cameron Bancroft were involved in a brazen attempt to alter the ball with sandpaper in a Cape Town Test.

It rattled the game, sparking a clean-out of executive ranks at Cricket Australia, long bans for the three guilty players and the resignation of then-coach Darren Lehmann.

Justin Langer was appointed to help restore faith in Australian cricket and bring cultural change to a team that was infamous for its abrasive attitude.

The team struggled to adjust, but under the leadership of “accidental captain” Tim Paine and with greats Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh recruited as mentors, they have come out the other side. “With coach Justin Langer, and the planning of team staff that stretches back two years, the Australian team under Paine has gone beyond just restoring that pride,” said the Sydney Daily Telegraph. “They have become winners in their own right, and everyone loves a winner.”

The Australian newspaper said the team were “almost purified by their victory”.

“After the sorrows and setbacks of the last 18 months, the country’s cricket has something to celebrate at last,” it added.

After Sunday’s 185-run victory at Old Trafford on Sunday to retain the Ashes urn, an emotional Paine praised the character of his players.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the way our group have handled everything thrown at them,” he said.

“We haven’t had a lot of success and not a lot of happy times. But we are beginning to get them and that is awesome.” Fox Sports screamed “We urned it” in its main headline, while broadcaster Channel Nine said the “ghosts of Leeds” had been buried, referring to their agonising third Test loss at Headingley. 

Manchester, Saturday: Stuart Broad dismissed David Warner for a third duck in as many Test innings at Old Trafford on Saturday as the England paceman continued to torment the Australia opener in the Ashes series.

Broad, bowling from around the wicket, had left-hander Warner lbw sixth ball to leave Australia none for one in their second innings of the fourth Test.

Broad also had Warner caught behind for nought in Australia’s first innings 497-8 declared, having had him lbw for nought in the second innings of England’s dramatic one-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley.

This is Warner’s first Test series since a 12-month ban for his role in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

But this Ashes has seen the 32-year-old Warner, now playing in his 78th Test, become Broad’s ‘bunny’.

Saturday’s dismissal meant 33-year-old fast-medium bowler Broad had now taken Warner’s wicket six times this series for a cost of 32 runs in 93 balls.

Warner, who did not even bother to review umpire Marais Erasmus’s decision when given out on Saturday, is only the third Australia opening batsman to make three successive noughts in Test cricket after Victor Trumper in 1908 and Graeme Wood in 1980.

Despite Warner’s latest early exit -- which prompted the now customary mixture of cheers and boos from the home crowd -- Australia were still then 196 runs ahead after bowling England out for 301 in their first innings.

While Warner is struggling, star batsman Steve Smith made 211 in Australia’s first innings at Old Trafford.

It was the former Australia captain’s third century of this Ashes in what is also his first series since he too completed a 12-month ball-tampering ban for his role in the same incident in Cape Town that led to the suspension of Warner, his then deputy.

Holders Australia will retain the Ashes at 2-1 up with one to play in a five-Test series if they win at Old Trafford. AFP

Ten players including several seniors have pulled out of the tour to Pakistan starting later this month.

Among the ten are Sri Lanka’s one-day captain Dimuth Karunaratne and T20I skipper Lasith Malinga.

Others include  former captain Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella,  Kusal Perera,  Dhananjaya de Silva,  Thisara Perera,  Akila Dhananjaya,  Suranga Lakmal and Dinesh Chandimal.

The tour will begin with the ODI games starting from 27 September. All three ODI matches will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi. SLC president Shammi Silva said Karunaratne would be replaced by 30-year-old Lahiru Thirimanne as ODI skipper, while the T20 team is expected to be guided by Dasun Shanaka.

Lasith Malinga may not be everyone’s darling or cup of tea, but he delivers.

Even at 36 when most fast bowlers have dropped in pace and lost their effectiveness and had thoughts of retirement in mind, Malinga seems to roll back the years and come up with some outstanding bowling spells that defies his age.

How many times have people simply tried to write him off and bring his career to an end, but each time he has bounced back and proved everyone wrong.

Malinga it can be stated is the last of a genre of legendary cricketers Sri Lanka has and once he goes out of the game the country will struggle for a match winning bowler as they are now with the batting when players in the calibre of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan quit.

Legends are not born but over a period of time earn that name by their deeds on the playing field that makes an impact on the spectators and brings forth results that project the image of the country as a competitive nation placing it amongst the best of the best.

But over the last three years the country has struggled to be competitive on the playing field in all three formats and whatever success they have had in white ball cricket has come largely due to the efforts of Malinga.

There is no doubt that Malinga falls into the category of great fast bowlers in one-day cricket. He quit Test cricket early because of a recurring knee injury so that he could extend his international career playing only fifty-over and twenty-over cricket. It was a wise decision to make at the time or international cricket would not be hearing his name today.

Fast bowlers are not the gentlemanly type for they are a rare breed and come from various stocks. They are no doubt temperamental and that is what helps them to produce match winning spells as Malinga proved that Friday night at Pallekele.

There are days when they will be thrashed around the park and people tend to write them off, but the bowler himself knows of what his capabilities are.

“I always come to every match thinking that I can turn things around in my favour. The skill that I have in taking wickets, considering the experience, is more than any other player. I don’t care who believes or not about it but I believe in what I can do. I want to control the game as soon as I get the ball in my hand,” was how Malinga assessed himself as a bowler after his match-winning five for six bowling performance against New Zealand.

Those figures don’t tell the entire story for it does not reveal that Malinga performed a hat-trick by taking three wickets off consecutive balls and added a fourth out of four to make his performance more unique because no bowler in cricket history has taken four wickets in four balls twice and in two different formats. His first performance came in the 2007 World Cup match against South Africa at Guyana in the fifty-over format where he prized out Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini. Last Friday his victims were Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Colin de Grandhomme and Ross Taylor. All eight were victims of his yorker delivered at searing pace with pinpoint accuracy at the batsmen’s toes.

If anyone thought Malinga at 36 had lost his pace they were in for a real surprise for he was firing in his lethal deliveries at around 140 plus and when a bowler is in his element as Malinga there is not much the opposition can do to stop him. Sri Lanka were looking down the barrel of defeat and facing a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand when they could muster only 125-8 off their 20 overs. But Malinga as captain had other ideas and brought forth his entire arsenal on display to route the Black Caps for 88 and give his young team a 37-run victory.

It was a victory Sri Lanka would savour because these days they seldom come. In fact it came after seven consecutive defeats over a 12-month period.

“When you are playing with a set of youngsters even one win counts a lot because you learn how to win and, then you can build your mentality for winning. For a young cricketer when you win a match only he understands the value of a win, the admiration they receive from the spectators, the media publicity all play a big role in their career. We have another 17 T20I to go before the World Cup, the youngsters will learn how to handle different situations at different times and come up winners. In that aspect I think this win for the youngsters is of great importance in T20 cricket,” Malinga said.

Entrusted with the T20I captaincy Malinga is hell-bent on forming a balanced combination by the time the next World T20 comes (it’s in October 2020 in Australia) regardless of whether he will be the captain. He’s already led his country to win the World T20 in 2014 in Bangladesh and with his accomplishments with the ball on the field Malinga does not have many goals to achieve.

“What I want to do is to bring the better players to the fore and show them the way forward. I have no more desires or big targets to achieve,” he said.

Sri Lanka Cricket should make use of a bowler in the calibre of Malinga to nurture future fast bowlers. Malinga has already shown what he can do with his knowledge and experience by helping Mumbai Indians and India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah become the no. 1 ranked in ODI cricket and not so long ago in Tests also.

“On any day, if Sri Lanka Cricket wants to get something back from me, I am prepared give it. There are specified people for relevant areas therefore I cannot poke my finger into those areas. That's not upto me. If any player comes to me and asks for advice, I will help him 100 percent,” Malinga said.

Vidyaratane University College, Horana (VUC) pugilists grabbed the spotlight on the second day of the Selection Trial Boxing Meet for Junior Boys and Girls worked off at the Jayathilaka Sports Complex in Nawalapitiya on Monday.

This meet was held concurrently with the Youth Boys and Girls Boxing Championship for the General Jagath Jayasuriya Trophy, serves as a trial to select boxers to participate in next month’s Asian Junior Boxing Championship to be held in Fujairah, UAE.

VUC boxers coached by Amila Aravinda produced three winners out of the seven ‘trial’ weight classes, Narandeniya Central College, Kamburupitiya (two), and one each from Don Pedrick College - Horana, Sri Sumangala - Kandy, and Nalanda.

Hanshma Kawumini Sewwandi of Don Pedrick was by far the best boxer in the girl’s category, with last year’s Cadet winner displaying good technique to outlclass her rival from Narandeniya CC forcing a stoppage in the second round.

Yazmin Mohamed Usaith of Sri Sumangala, a southpaw who displayed elasticity to sway back and forth, unleashed powerful left jabs to upset his more fancied rival from Mahanama Dimash de Seram, earning a split decision after a thrilling Light Fly contest.

Trinity’s Waruna Bandara won the first round against Fly weight favourite Mihiran of Nalanda who bounced back to outscore his opponent in the second and seal victory in another close contest.

Kamburupitiya MV’s Vishwa who upset Light Bantam weight favourite Hamdan Faizal in the semifinals, ran out of steam against VUC’s Ashen Shihara Karunanayaka who overwhelmed him with powerful combinations forcing a stoppage in the last round.

The Youth Championships produced some high quality contests amid a high percentage of stoppages and abandonments, while at least 10 decisions on the card being split to the consternation of observers.

Southern Province champion Tharinda Nethmina of Narandeniya CC gave yet another accomplished performance to emerge as the best Fly weight, earning a unanimous decision against a tough rival from Bandaranayaka MMV, Veyangoda Bandara.

Vidyartha’s Hansaja won a split decision against VUC’s Nandasiri in a classic Light Fly contest where both had almost identical fighting styles.

St. John’s Carnie fighting with a bloodied nose against VUC’s Rashmika bounced back strongly in the final round of the Bantam weight contest and with the lights going off with a minute remaining, could only rue what might have been after being adjudged the loser.

Mahanama’s Dinith Chirathma should be given a medal for bravery battling with a bleeding nose for much of the Light weight contest against Jayasingha of St. Sylvester’s, giving as much as he got in a thriller but being on the wrong end of a 3-2 points decision.

Thomian southpaw Nishad and Trinitian Subasinghe, a winner by a unanimous decision, featured in a quality Welter weight contest battling toe-to-toe throughout the bout.

Pilimathalawa BC’s Mohamed jumped for joy after overpowering a tough rival from VUC Hemachandra to win the Middle weight contest by unanimous decision.

Results

Selection Trial Meet Junior Boys and Girls for Asian Junior Boxing Championship

Finals (Girls)

Pin weight (44-46kg): P. Hashini Anupama (Narandeniya Central College) bt L. Wasundara Jayasingha (Sri Piyaratne MMV, Padukka) Referee Stopped Contest round 1;

Light Fly weight (46-48kg): B.H.K. Sewwandi (Don Pedrick College, Horana) bt H.H. Roshini Himasha (Naradeniya CC) RSC round 2;

Light Bantam weight (50-52kg): J.K. Wishmi Nethara (Narandeniya CC) bt P.K.A. Pamodha (Dheerananda MV) RSC round 1;

Finals (Boys)

Pin weight (44-46kg): M.S. Thishantha (Vidyaratana UC) bt P.P. Widana Pathirana (Sri Piyaratne MMV, Padukka) 4-1;

Light Fly weight (46-48kg): Y.M. Usaith (Sri Sumangala, Kandy) bt E.M.D.S. de Seram (Mahanama) 3-2;

Fly weight (48-50kg): G.K.P.U. Mihiran (Nalanda) bt Waruna Bandara (Trinity) 4-1;

Light Bantam weight (50-52kg): H.M.A.S. Karunanayake (Vidyaratana UC) bt R.G.K. Wishwa (Kamburupitiya MV) RSC round 3;

Youth Boys & Girls Championship

Semifinals (Girls);

Light Fly weight (48kg): R.G.S.T. Kavindiya (Peradeniya BC) bt M. Vithursana (Vidiyal MV) 5-0, A.G.H.D. Premasiri (Pilimatalawa BC) bt J. Thanusiya (Thirinyana Sambandan MV) RSC round 2;

Fly weight (51kg): S. Sudarnila (Mutiyankattu MV) bt K.A.Y. Nawodhi (Don Pedrick College, Horana) Abandoned round 1, N.A.T. Sandunika (Gamini CC BC) bt D.O. Jayaweera (Seetha Devi BMV) 4-1;

Bantam weight (54kg): N. Sansala Bodipakasha (Seetha Devi BMV) bt A.D. Sadali Thathsara (Sri Piyaratne MMV) RSC round 1;

Feather weight (57kg): T. Jathursika (Vidyananda) bt L.M. Uthpala (Prajapathi MV) RSC round 1

Semifinal (Boys)

Light Fly weight (49kg): R.G.T.W.K. Rajapaksha (Kingswood) bt A.A.C.H. Abeysinghe (Sivali) 5-0, G.D.I.S. Hansaja (Vidyartha) bt P.R.P. Nandasiri (Vidyaratena UC) 4-1;

Fly weight (52kg): J.K.N. Tharinda Nethmina (Narandeniya MV) bt M.G.J.D. Bandara (Bandaranayake MMV, Veyangoda) 5-0, H.P. Walpola (Rajasinghe MV, Hanwella) bt A.H. Maduranga (Vidyaratana UC) 4-1;

Bantam weight (56kg): L.R.G.G. Pahasara (Dheerananda MV) bt M.M.S.S. Samarasekera (Dharmaraja) 5-0, J.K.D.T. Rashmika (Vidyaratena UC) bt D.J. Carnie (St. John’s) 5-0;

Light weight (60kg): D.D. Jayasinghe (St. Sylvester’s) bt Dinith Chirathma (Mahanama) 3-2, R.A.D.B.H. Ranathunga (Dharmaraja) bt A. Abiyanthan (Nelliadi) RSC round 3;

Light Welter weight (64kg): R.A.H.L.S. Somasiri (Vidyartha) bt M.A.M. Amjad (Kingswood College BC) RSC round 1, A.M.A.G.R.S.B. Abeykoon (Kingswood) bt K.G.S.S.C.B. Kapukotuwa (St. Sylvester’s) 3-2;

Welter weight (69kg): Miranga Subasinghe (Trinity) bt A.F.A. Nishad (S. Thomas’) 5-0, D.V.K. Thenabadu (St. Sylvester’s) bt E.P.G.G.D.C. Ilandara (Dheerananda MV) bt S. Thevakulan (Hartley College) RSC round 3;

Middle weight (75kg): K.M.S. Christians (St. John’s) bt Y.K.M.R.K.B. Yodagama (Peradeniya BC) 4-0, M.Z. Mohamed (Pilimitalawa BC) bt M.R.P. Hemachandra (Vidyaratana UC) 5-0;

Light Heavy weight (81kg): K.G.B.S.B. Kapukotuwa (St. Sylvester’s) bt A.M.N.O. Weerasingha (Dharmaraja) RSC round 2 injury, Zerik Zakeer (Trinity) bt D.M.M.M.B. Dissanayaka (Vidyartha) 4-1;

Heavy weight (91kg): A.H.P. Samarasinghe (St. John’s) bt H.A.T.S.M. Jayawardhana (Bandaranayake MV, Veyangoda) Abandoned round 1, V. Shanusan (Hartley College) bt Nathan John (Trinity) ABD round 1;

Dhaka, Tuesday: Bangladesh dropped off-spinner Mehidy Hasan and pace bowler Rubel Hossain in a new-look Twenty20 squad named Tuesday for the first two matches of the tri-nations series against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.

All-rounder Ariful Haque, pace bowler Abu Hider, spinner Nazmul Islam and batsman Mohammad Mithun were also left out from Bangladesh’s last Twenty20 squad that played the West Indies in December 2018.

Opening batter Tamim Iqbal was not included after asking for a break from international cricket.

“We want to see some players for the next Twenty20 World Cup. This is why we changed the squad,” said chief selector Minhajul Abedin.

Young pace bowler Yeasin Arafat and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam received their first Twenty20 call-ups while Afif Hossain and Mahedi Hasan return after playing just one Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka in 2018.

Batsmen Sabbir Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain also received a call-up as Bangladesh prepare to begin the series against Zimbabwe in Dhaka’s Sher-e Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

Bangladesh squad:

Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Taijul Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman and Yeasin Arafat.

Annual General Meeting of the Veteran’s Table Tennis Association (VTTA) was held recently at Otter Aquatic Club, Colombo M. M. M. Laffeer elected as a President for the 19th consecutive year. Ira Ruwanapthirana elected as the Secretary.

Remaining office bearers:

Vice Presidents:

Daya Smaraweera, Dr. G.N. Lucas, Rajiva Wijetunga, Deepak Narindas, S.S. De Silva.

Treasurer: Leel Wijesinghe,

Asst Secretary: Mohamed Ilmi

Assistant Treasure: Athula Hettiarachchi

Committee Members: Sarath Wijesuriya, Dr. Priyangani Jayasundara, Captain Anil Bowasttee, Kalum Wijerathna, H. Gamage, Athul Rathnaweera, N.H. Piyadasa, Ama Suraweera, Pushpa Colombathanthri

Internal Auditor: Sanjeewa Sanayaka

Londres, Monday: England cricket greats Geoffrey Boycott and Andrew Strauss have been given knighthoods by Theresa May in her resignation honours list.

Boycott and Strauss both received the honour for their services to sport after outstanding careers for England.

“We couldn’t be more delighted that Sir Andrew Strauss joins other giants within the sport who have been knighted for their achievements,” England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison said in a statement.

“Aside from his achievements on and off the pitch, Andrew is widely regarded as an exceptional person in our game and this wonderful accolade will be celebrated around the cricketing world.

“Our heartfelt congratulations also go to Sir Geoffrey Boycott, honoured for his long career and passionate dedication to the sport.”

Boycott was one of May’s sporting heroes and the former British Prime Minister spoke of her admiration for his bloody-minded style of play on several occasions.

During the painfully slow Brexit negotiations last year, May defended her stance by saying: “Can I just say that you might recall from previous comments I have made about cricket that one of my cricket heroes was always Geoffrey Boycott.

“And what did you know about Geoffrey Boycott? Geoffrey Boycott stuck to it and he got the runs in the end.”

May, who stepped down as Prime Minister earlier this year, once said she had baked Boycott a batch of chocolate brownies and joked that the former Yorkshire batsman still had the Tupperware box she delivered them in.

Boycott, 78, was a polarising figure for his conservative batting and acerbic personality, but that didn’t stop him amassing 8,114 Test runs at an average of 47.72 in an England career that ran between 1964 and 1982.

He was forced to apologise in 2017 after joking that he would have to “black up” to receive a knighthood, pointing out that the honour had been bestowed on West Indian cricketers including Viv Richards, Garfield Sobers and Curtly Ambrose.

Boycott was also given a three-month suspended prison sentence in 1998 after being convicted of assault against former girlfriend Margaret Moore.

Former England and Middlesex batsman Strauss hit 7,037 runs in 100 Tests from 2004 to 2012.

Strauss captained England to Ashes triumphs against Australia in 2009 and 2010/2011, the latter campaign making him the first English skipper to win a Test series on Australian soil since Mike Gatting in 1986-87.

South Africa-born Strauss served as England’s director of cricket between 2015 and 2018 before resigning when his wife suffered the lung cancer that would eventually lead to her death.

The 42-year-old’s time in the England hierarchy was credited with laying the foundations for the team’s first 50-over World Cup victory earlier this year. AFP

Sports Minister Harin Fernando has suspended former Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala from holding his position as immediate past president until a final judgment on his eligibility following an inquiry is delivered.

Further, a 3-member inquiry panel, chaired by director general Dhammika Muthugala, has been appointed under the Sports Law to investigate all the charges against Sumathipala and submit the report within one month.

The following is the letter issued by the Sports Minister to president of Sri Lanka Cricket:

To President, Secretary and officers of Sri Lanka Cricket

Special directive to Sri Lanka Cricket under Section 39 (1) of the Sports Law Act No. 25 of 1973 and its amendments

You are hereby directed to prevent and/or exclude Hon. Thilanga Sumathipala from participating, sitting or voting in any meeting of any committee, exercise discharge and perform of any powers, functions and duties as an Office-Bearer or Immediate Past President or from participating as or representing Sri Lanka Cricket pending further and final pursuant to a report to be received by me in terms of Section 39 (3) of the Sports Law.

Order under section 39 (3) of the Sports Law

Pursuant to the complaint received by Piliyandala Town Sports Club dated 30th August 2019, I hereby appoint

1. Director General - Department of Sports Development Mr Dhammika Muthugala – Chairman of Investigation Panel

2. Legal Officer Ministry of Sports Mrs Shiromi Ranawaka Member/Secretary Investigation Panel

3. Retired Senior SLAS Officer, Attorney-at-Law Mr SD Piyadasa – Member of Investigation Panel

to investigate and report to me within a period of one month from today on whether Hon Thilanga Sumathipala, Immediate Past President of Sri Lanka Cricket is disqualified from functioning as an office-bearer, Past President of Sri Lanka Cricket in terms of Regulation 5 (4) (n) of the National Association of Sports Regulations 1 of 2016 as amended by Gazette extraordinary No. 2137/85 dated August 23, 2019.

Sgd Harin Fernando

Minister of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports

Four new meet records were established on the opening day of the 89th Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championship at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. The records were established in the boys and girls events.

In the Under 18 200m boys event, Chalitha Piyuma of Lumbini College shattered the record when he clocked 21.88 seconds.

Vinod Ariyanwansa from St Aloysius College Ratnapura produced the best performance and registered a new meet record in the Under 16 400m hurdles with a time of 55.32 seconds. In the same age group the girls’ event also saw a new meet record established when Dilshi Kumarasinghe of Walala Ratnayake CC clocked 1:06.67 seconds.

The last record of the day was established by Heshani Maheshika from Sebastian Balika Kandana in the Under 18 discus throw. She threw a distance of 38.16 metres.

Currently standing as the oldest celebrated athletic championship in Sri Lanka, the Sir John Tarbat Championship has produced numerous national and international level athletes. As a strong supporter of sports in Sri Lanka, Ritzbury – the sole sponsor of this year’s championship will power both Senior and Junior Meets which will encompass over 17,000 athletes.

The 24-hour, 600km ultra-endurance cycling challenge which is being conducted for the second time in Sri Lanka, ‘Race the Pearl’ will proceed from Dondra to Point Pedro on September 13, 2019 at 6.00 a.m. Cyclists take on the challenge of riding a bicycle in 24 hours as individuals or relay teams while riders will push all known mental and physical limits to endurance, rain, wind and ups and downs in the quest to achieve this extraordinary milestone.

From 12 riders in its first edition in 2018, participation has increased to 30 riders this year. The youngest rider is 17 years and oldest is 71 years and the first female rider will take part in this year’s edition. The two cycling legends Boniface Perera and M.A. Sumanaweera who showed their talents in ‘Tour de Sri Lanka’(Lanka Savaariya) will participate in the relay event. Boniface Perera will ride from starting point to Wellawaya with a distance of 150km while Sumanaweera will take the lead from Wellawaya to Dambulla covering 200km. The event will conclude with a cycling event for children in Jaffna on September 15 to celebrate the completion of ‘Race the Pearl.’

The race is scheduled to start from Dondra, near the historic Devinuwara Temple and take the message of ‘Unity in Diversity’ through a significant number of towns such as Suriyawewa, Wellawaya,Buttala, Moneragala, Mahiyangana, Dambulla,Mihintale, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Point Pedro in Jaffna, the city of the Nallur Kovil and a heaven of Hindu culture.

The aim of the ‘Race the Pearl’ is three-fold: To put Sri Lanka on the world map of ultra-endurance cycling events among the likes of ‘Race Across America’ and build its reputation as a world-class cycling event in the Indian Ocean; to encourage all Sri Lankans, from the south to the north, to engage with the race and be inspired to get active, healthy and competitive; and to contribute funds to donate wheelchairs for children suffering from Cerebral Palsy.

Over 2,300 wheelchairs are donated to children who suffer from Cerebral Palsy from 2014 through Wheels for Wheels Foundation.

The inaugural race took place on February 4, 2019, coinciding with the 71st National Independence Day, with Yasas Hewage and Rajan Thananayagam setting a record cycling 600km in 26 hours 38 minutes and 51 seconds while the riders from second edition will look to break this record.

The race is organized by Spinner-Cycling Lifestyle Centre as a continuation of the work done over the last 10 years to promote cycling among Sri Lankans, including organizing Around The Pearl in 10 days and playing a pivotal role in the success of IronMan 70.3 Colombo International Triathlon. Jetwing Hotels, Stafford Motors (Honda distributor), Red Bull, Capital Alliance and WrooM Cycling Club will join hands as sponsors.