Central Finance (2019 runners up) snatched a dramatic last ball win, by one wicket, over Ansell Lanka, in the ongoing ‘CBL –Munchee’ Trophy, MCA ‘D’ Division 40 Over League Tournament 2020, which continued last weekend.

The brave Central Finance last pair, C. Jayanetti (16 not out) and J. Tishan (40 not out) held on grimly with an unbroken 61 runs stand. Thus the remarkable double by Ansell Lanka’s Chathura Sanjeewa (46 not out and 08/02/15/06) went in vain.

In two low scoring games, Hirdaramani beat MAS Bodyline by 6 wickets and Maliban beat debutant, Mode Engineering by 3 wickets.

Half tons by Sohan de Mel (56) and Nemesh Fonseka (62) steered NDB to a fine 65 runs win over Melwire Rolling.

Weekend’s Match Results / 5 matches.

* At MCA – NDB beat Melwire Rolling by 65 runs.

NDB - 198/9 (40) (Sohan De Mel 56, Rajantha Chandula 38, Nimesh Fonseka 62, Sheshan Kumar 4/31, Muththu Krishan 2/46)

Melwire Rolling - 133/9 (40) (K Sandaruwan 43, Charuka Raveen 3/17, Sohan De Mel 3/33, Sriger Anojaran 2/20)

* At Darley Road: Central Finance beat Ansell Lanka by 1 wicket.

Ansell Lanka - 203/9 (40) (Sahan Harshana 58, Chathura Sanjeewa 46 not out, Lalith Deshan 26, Pathum Ekanayake 22, Aruna Karunarathna 3/33, Nimesh Fernando 2/33, Januth Tishan 2/43)

Central Finance Company - 204/9 (40) (Januk Tishan 40 not out, Kishan Maduranga 33, Vikum Kosta 30, Koshan Silva 22, Chathura Sanjeewa 6/15)

* At Kotahena: Hemas Group beat Delmage Group by 47 runs

Hemas Holdings PLC - 199 (38.5) (Madusanka Fonseka 41, Darshana Perera 41, Iresha Vitharana 32, Kevinda Balagama 3/38, Rajitha Sandaruwan 2/19, Isuru Vindana 2/35)

Delmege - 152 (31.4) (Isuru Vindana 52, Chanuka Perera 48 not out, Kavindu Vidanapathirana 21, Roshana Herath 2/31, Iresh Vitharana 2/32, Kishanka Croose 2/32, Pasindu Maheepala 2/33)

* At Mattegoda: Hirdaramani’s beat MAS Bodyline by 6 wickets

MAS Bodyline - 80 (19.2) (Tharindu Thiwanka 34, Vishma Neranja 21, Krishantha Aruna 4/17, Mohommed Sahiran 3/09, Prashan Dinusha 3/23)

Hirdaramani - 81/4 (18.4) (Damindu Neranjan 26 not out)

* At D.S. Senanayake College grounds: Maliban beat Mode Engineering by 3 wickets.

Mode Engineering - 84 (28.4) (Malinga Kumarage 27, Chamara Rathnayaka 3/19, Anjula Perera 2/08, Venura Gayashan 2/15, Kavindu Bandara 2/18)

Maliban - 85/7 (18) (Chathuranga Devapriya 31, Ahen Jayasuriya 3/15, Maheesh Theekshana 3/35)

The tournament will be continued on January 4 and 5 with a card of 5 matches.

As a memorable sporting decade draws to a close, we take stock of the men and women who’ve set the standard for others to follow, on and off the field.

Here are our selections for the top 10 -- one for each year of the 2010s -- based on the brightest champions from sports which have global fan bases.

1. USAIN BOLT: TRACK AND FIELD

It is difficult to underestimate the impact that Usain Bolt had both on his chosen sport and in the capturing the imagination of the global sporting community in a manner last seen when Muhammad Ali was in his prime.

He entered the decade as the undisputed fastest man on Earth, having completed the 100-200m sprint double at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before setting world records in the 100m (9.58 seconds) and 200m (19.19 seconds) the following year -- marks which still stand today.

It was a tough act to follow, but the fastest man on the planet continued to dominate. At the 2012 Olympics in London and the 2016 Games in Rio Bolt repeated his sprint double triumph and anchored the Jamaican 4x100m relay team to gold.

He retired after the 2017 world championships before flirting with a career in professional football.

Other track and field notables: Allyson Felix, who broke Bolt’s medal record at the 2019 championships in Doha; Eliud Kipchoge, marathon runner extraordinaire and first man to run the distance in under two hours.

2. LEBRON JAMES: BASKETBALL

LeBron James is one of the greatest players in NBA history, mentioned in the same breath as Michael Jordan and still going strong at 35 with the Los Angeles Lakers.

His decision in 2010 to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and join the Miami Heat sent shockwaves through the game, personifying a new era of player power, but it bore fruit with consecutive NBA championship wins in 2012 and 2013 after a chastening defeat to the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals the year before.

Returning as a hero to a faltering Cavaliers team in 2014, James transformed the fortunes of the franchise, leading them to Cleveland’s first professional sports title in 52 years with their triumph in the 2015 Finals.

Between the Heat and the Cavs, James appeared in eight consecutive NBA Finals -- a feat few players have ever accomplished.

With a scoring average of close to 27 points per game throughout the decade while also averaging about 8 rebounds and assists, James has been remarkably consistent, often reserving his best form for the playoffs. Outside of the NBA, James also led the US team to gold at the 2012 Olympics.

Other basketball notables: Kevin Durant, two-time NBA Finals MVP with Golden State and a two-time Olympic gold medalist; Diana Taurasi, the four-time Olympic gold medalist who set a WNBA all-time scoring record in 2017.

3. CRISTIANO RONALDO: SOCCER

A goal-scoring machine on the pitch and a social media colossus off it, Ronaldo’s exploits made him the most talked-about sports star of the decade. And at 34, he shows no sign of slowing up.

After spending the early part of his career on Alex Ferguson’s successful Manchester United team, Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid for a then-world record fee for the 2009-10 season.

With Lionel Messi’s Barcelona dominating Spanish and European football, Ronaldo had the incentive to spur Los Blancos to former glories -- and how.

Scoring at the incredible rate of just over a goal per game, Ronaldo helped Real to two La Liga titles and an unrivaled run of success in the Champions League with four wins in five years from 2013 to 2018.

International success came as well for Ronaldo with Portugal’s national team. They won the European Championship in 2016 and Nations League in 2019.

Last season, Ronaldo joined Juventus and his goals were a factor again as the Turin giant won Serie A, leaving him with championship titles in England, Spain and Italy -- another record for a remarkable player.

4. LIONEL MESSI: SOCCER

Like his archrival Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s appetite for sporting success shows no sign of abating as the decade draws to a close.

At 32, Messi won the Ballon d’Or as FIFA World Player of the Year for the sixth time earlier this month.

There would be few who would bet against him claiming that honor yet again as he continues to weave his magic with Barcelona.

A one-club man to the core, Messi has helped Barca to six La Liga titles in the decade as well as two Champions League crowns and five Copa del Rey successes.

His statistics almost defy belief: 521 goals scored in the past 10 seasons, along with 191 assists. He’s a deadly finisher as well as a prolific creator.

Only international success with an Argentina team which has failed to live up to its potential has eluded the magical Messi, but his tally of 70 goals in 138 games for his country is still impressive.

Other soccer notables: Marta, the Brazil woman’s international who set a new mark for goals at a World Cup with her 17th at the 2019 tournament in France; Andres Iniesta, Messi’s longtime teammate at Barcelona, who scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final for Spain.

5. TIGER WOODS: GOLF

Other players like Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth may have better records in majors since 2010. But the sheer impact of his return to winning ways over the past two years elevated Tiger Woods to another level of sporting superstardom.

Bedeviled by well-chronicled personal problems at the start of the decade and by crippling injuries for much of it, Woods looked a spent force as he slumped outside the top 1,000 in the golf ranking and contemplated retirement.

But with a remodeled swing and a new commitment to fitness, Woods stormed back with a vengeance in 2018, winning the Tour Championship at East Lake, his first PGA Tour success since 2013, when he won five times.

It acted as a springboard for the ultimate comeback story, his stunning triumph in the US Masters earlier this year. It was his 15th major title and first since 2008.

Celebrating his 44th birthday as the new decade begins, Woods has Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors firmly in his sights.

Other golfing notables: McIlroy and Koepka, with four major titles apiece; Inbee Park, winner of seven women’s majors since 2010 and an Olympic gold medal in Rio in 2016.

6. SERENA WILLIAMS: TENNIS

Serena Williams is statistically the greatest player in the history of tennis, winning 23 grand slam singles titles, 16 in doubles and four Olympic gold medals, including two at the 2012 London Olympics.

The first part of her career saw Williams battle for dominance with her elder sister Venus. This decade has seen her repel the advances of a string of more youthful contenders and add 12 grand slam singles titles to her tally.

She has also had to battle illness and injury and was bedridden for weeks after the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. in September 2017.

The last of her grand slam singles crowns, the Australian Open in 2017, came when she was several weeks pregnant and beat Venus in an emotional final.

Since her return to the WTA Tour following childbirth, she has still punched above her weight, reaching four grand slam finals (but losing them all).

It’s not clear whether 38-year-old Serena can finally surpass the all-time record for slams she jointly holds with Australian Margaret Court. But her significance far exceeds her playing record, as she is an iconic figure on and off the court.

Other tennis notables: Novak Djokovic, winner of 15 slams in the decade; Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the three players still dominating the men’s game well into their thirties.

7. MICHAEL PHELPS: SWIMMING

Michael Phelps is famous for winning eight gold medals in a single Olympics, Beijing 2008. But the ‘Baltimore Bullet’ did not rest on his laurels after this remarkable feat, which is unlikely to be beaten.

The 2012 Games in London saw Phelps continue his gold glut for the all-conquering US swim team as he claimed four gold medals and two slivers, taking him past the previous best total of 18 held by Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina and stretching the record to 22.

Phelps announced his retirement after the Games, later revealing that he had been suffering from mental health problems and had even contemplated taking his own life.

A return to swimming helped Phelps battle his demons. He found yet more glory at the Rio Olympics, where he won five golds, including a fourth straight in the 200m individual medley, plus a silver. That left him the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, 23 of them gold.

Other swimming notables: Katie Ledecky, the US freestyle swimmer who has won five Olympic golds and 14 world championship golds between 2012 and 2019; Caeleb Dressel, winner of 13 gold medals for the US at the last two world championships.

8. SIMONE BILES: GYMNASTICS

Simone Biles is only 22 but has already set new standards in her sport. Fellow American gold medalist Mary Lou Retton described her as the “greatest gymnast ever,” and few experts would disagree.

The first of Biles’ 19 world championship gold medals came at the tender age of 16 back in 2013. Her dominance shows no sign of waning as she won five golds in the global championships in Stuttgart earlier this year.

She will go into the Tokyo Olympics in 2012 looking to add to her tally of four golds from the Rio Olympics after which she took a break from competition. Like Phelps, she has also battled personal problems with great courage..

Biles revealed after her Rio success that she has to take medication for ADHD and in 2018 was named as one of the gymnasts sexually abused by disgraced US team doctor Larry Nassar, who is serving a prison sentence of between 40 and 175 years.

Japanese fans will be hoping Kohie Uchimara recovers from injury to compete in Tokyo.

Uchimara was the male gymnast of the decade with successive all-round golds at the London and Rio Games and a string of world championship victories.

9. LEWIS HAMILTON: MOTORSPORT

The first black driver to win a Formula One world championship, in 2008, Lewis Hamilton has won five world titles in the past six years with the help of his formidable Mercedes team.

As hungry for victory as ever, the British ace has taken the checkered flag in F1 racing 84 times, seven short of the record of 91 wins by Michael Schumacher.

He is also one short of Schumacher’s record of seven F1 world crowns, having pulled ahead Juan Manuel Fangio this season in the all-time list.

Hamilton’s rivalry with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who claimed the first four F1 titles of the decade while with Red Bull, has undoubtedly provided the impetus for his continued success. With newcomers Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen snapping at his heels, he cannot rest on his laurels.

Other motorsport notables: Marc Marquez, totally dominant in MotoGP with six world championships since 2013; Sebastian Ogier, who won six straight world rally championships.

10. TOM BRADY: FOOTBALL

Since 2010 Brady has led his New England Patriots to five Super Bowls, winning three, including the 2019 edition with a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The 42-year-old quarterback has won six Super Bowl rings, all with the Patriots, during his remarkable career. He also set a string of Super Bowl records, including becoming the oldest player (39) to be named MVP after the Pats’ 34-28 overtime thriller against the Falcons in 2016.

And Brady’s remarkable consistency continues into the current season, helping the Patriots to the playoffs for the 11th straight year while passing Peyton Manning for the second-most touchdown passes in NFL history, six behind all-time leader Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Outside of our top 10, there were a host of other remarkable performers and performances. Boxer Floyd Mayweather remained undefeated in his eight fights in the decade, including wins over Manny Pacquiao and Saul Alvarez and a stoppage of MMA star Conor McGregor. Chris Froome won the Tour de France four times. Mikaela Shiffrin is closing fast on Lindsey Vonn’s 82 World Cup skiing victories. And the equine stars of the decade were the unbeaten Frankel and Winx, the Group 1 record winner. - CNN

Sri Lanka’s newly appointed National Coach Mickey Arthur is impressed with the ‘Side nets’ of the RPICS, Colombo, as for the first time, the National team used the facility to practice ‘Under Lights’, ahead of its tour to India.

The first ‘Under Light’ practice session of the facility was held on Tuesday night (31st December), which Mr. Arthur says was aimed at replicating the conditions, the Sri Lankan team will have to face in India, during the T20 series.

“For the first time, we used this facility and it is an outstanding facility. What we did is tried to replicate the conditions that we will get in India,’ said Mickey Arthur.

“We can practice under floodlights and the ball is skidding. The conditions are very similar to what we will get in India,’ added Arthur.

In future, Sri Lanka Cricket will use the ‘Side Wickets Under lights Practice facility’ in an enhanced manner to prepare the National Team for white ball competitions, involving both Inbound and Outbound Tours.

This High Performance Training Facility at the RPICS, a part of SLC’s Cricketing Infrastructure Development program was purpose built with lighting facilities, in order to accommodate the National Team’s practice sessions targeting the short format (50 over and T20 games) competitions, which has become an integral part in modern day cricket.

Retired Air Vice Marshal (Administraion) Rohitha Ranasinghe passed away at the age of 62. A Motor Racing fan he was instrumental in introducing Motor Racing for Sri Lanka Air Force in the year 2009 holding the position as the Chairman of Motor Racing Committee of SLAF.

During his leader ship he was able to set up the Sigiriya Supercross Circuit way back in 2009 with the fullest co-operation from Air Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke for promoting the sport. He obtained the services of Hans Ralph Karpinsky in setting up the Sigiriya Supercross Circuit which has been appreciated by all motor racers and motor Racing Fans as well.

This also serves as one part of Super cross National Motor Racing Championship. His demise leaves a big void in his favourite Club Sri Lanka Association for Racing Drivers and Riders and was a live wire for its organizational activities.

Funeral will take place today at the General Cemetery, Borella at 5.30 p.m

Sydney, Friday: Marnus Labuschagne hit his fourth century in just 14 Tests to guide Australia into a commanding position against virus-hit New Zealand on the opening day of the third Test in Sydney on Friday.

The rock-solid number three, last year’s leading Test scorer with 1,104 runs at 64.94, again proved the Black Caps’ nemesis with his second ton of the series to continue his remarkable scoring sequence.

Supported by Steve Smith’s 28th Test half-century, Australia reached stumps at 283 for three with Labuschagne unbeaten on 130 and Matthew Wade a breezy 22 not out.

The South African-born Labuschagne has now scored four centuries in seven Test innings this southern summer against Pakistan and New Zealand.

“Terrific day,” he said. “When you bat on day one you know it can be a real prosperous day but if you get off to a shaky start it can be tough work.

“It’s all a bit of a whirlwind at the moment. I haven’t really sat down and completely thought about how amazing this summer has been for me.”

Smith, who took 39 balls to get off the mark, shared in a 156-run stand with Labuschagne before he again missed out after a lengthy stay and was caught at slip off Colin de Grandhomme for 63 off 182 balls.

David Warner fell again to the leg-side trap on the third ball after lunch when he was caught by de Grandhomme at leg gully off Neil Wagner for 45.

It was the fourth time in the series left-armer Wagner has snared Warner, who has yet to reach a half-century against New Zealand this summer after scoring an unbeaten 335 and 154 against Pakistan last November.

Opener Joe Burns was dismissed in the 15th over, squared up by de Grandhomme and caught by Taylor at first slip for 18.

De Grandhomme opened the bowling with Matt Henry after senior paceman Tim Southee was surprisingly left out of the attack.

- AFP

Police Sports Club registered a comfortable victory against CH andFC beating them by 36 points to 22 at the Police Park in the 5th week match of the Dialog inter club Rugby League yesterday

*Fijian player Emosi Valusa who had a grand game scored two tries while Eroshan Silva Sachith Silva Janith Chanaka and Janith Chandimal scored one try each for Police Sachith Silva made two conversions while Janith Chandimal added the extra points to one try

CH and FC made so many mistakes during the second half by knocking on at crucial moments with the goal line staring at them CH and FC try scorers were Sathya Ranatunge, Sajith Saranga, Prasad Madushanka and Duahmantha Priyadarsana one each with only one try being converted.

The eagerly awaited confrontation between the only two unbeaten teams in the Dialog ‘A’ Division League defending champions Kandy Sports club and Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club at Longden Place today should turn out to be a thriller.

Kandy SC are in peak form having thrashed Army 64-19 and Police 33-13 in their last two outings but face a fierce challenge from the youthful CR and FC who too have emerged victorious in all four matches by overcoming Police (21-17), CH and FC 23-17, Air Force (31-13) and Army (33-10).

Possession will play a key role in the final outcome. The set scrums should be shared between Kandy SC’s Damith Dissanayake and CR’s Supun Warnakulasuriya while in the line outs the Kandy trio of Jason Dissanayake, Sayuru Anthony and Shehan Pathirana have the edge over the CR duo of Panduka Angammana and Sharo Fernando. In the loose a terrific tussle for supremacy can be expected with Kandy’s famed ‘eight’ especially Yakoob Ali, Jason Dissanayaka, Damith Dissanayake, Shehan Pathirana, Buwanake Udangamuwa and Cherles Praveen being confronted by equally good forwards in CR’s Himasha Hirushan, Supun Warnakulasuriya, Sharo Fernando, Joel Perera, Panduka Angammana and skipper Omalka Gunaratne.

The Kandy halves combination of Srinath Sooriyabandara and skipper Nigel Ratwatte have hit it off smoothly in the last two outings with centres Tharinda Ratwatte and Oshan Perera slicing through the opponents defence while wingers Buddhima Piyaratne and Diluksha Dange have tested the opponents defence to the hilt with their daring runs down the flanks.

Sri Lanka Sevens captain Densha Dayan is likely to man the last line of defence in the absence of Thilina Wijesinghe with the place kicking duties likely to be entrusted to Tharinda Ratwatte.

CR and FC’s forte is their speedy back division with the halves combination of Kavindu de Costa and Chanaka Chandimal combining effectively with centres Janindu Dilshan and strongly Built Dinuk Amarasinghe tearing apart the opponents defence with wingers Gemunu Chethiya and Reeza Refaideen putting the finishing touches to the moves.

Reza Mubarak has been a tower of strength in the last line of defence with safe collections and booming kicks to touch and has piloted the team to victory with his ‘bulls eye’ place kicking.

CR and FC – Himasha Hirushan, Supun Warnakulasuriya, Ashen Fernando, Mithila Perera, Panduka Angammana, Sharo Fernando, Joel Perera, Omalka Gunaratne (Captain) Kavindu de Costa and Chanaka Chandimal, Reeza Refaideen, Dinuk Amarasinghe, Janidu Dilshan, Gamunu Chethiya Reza Mubarak

Kandy SC – Jakoob Ali, Damith Dissanayake, Charles Praveen, Sayuru Anthony, Shahika Jayawardena, Jason Dissanayake, Shehan Pathirana, Buwanake Udangamuwa, Srinath Sooriyabandara and Nigel Ratwatte (captain) Buddhima Piyaratne, Tharinda Ratwatte, Oshan Perera, Diluksha Dange, Dansha Dayan

CAPE TOWN FRIDAY: Ollie Pope hit a half-century to give England a late boost after they struggled against a disciplined South African bowling attack on the first day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands on Friday.

Pope made 56 not out as England struggled to 262 for nine on a day when the tourists, 1-0 down in the four-match series, failed to take advantage of what looked like a good batting pitch.

Before Pope prospered in a unbeaten last wicket stand of 28 with James Anderson after six England batsmen perished for scores between 29 and 47.

England’s problems were a tribute to the pressure exerted by the South African bowlers, who shared the wickets. Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Dwaine Pretorius took two each, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj kept a tight rein on the batsmen while sending down 27 overs and taking one for 68.

South Africa thought they had completed a highly satisfactory day when Pope was caught by Philander off Rabada shortly before the close with the total on 261 - but a review by the umpires showed that Rabada had sent down a no-ball.

The day after his 22nd birthday, Pope, who missed England’s 107-run defeat in the first Test in Centurion because of illness, played a composed innings and shared a 58-run fifth wicket partnership with Ben Stokes which threatened to break the South African stranglehold.

Savith Basnayake of St. Thomas College Bandarawela made his third century for the season in the ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 inter Schools Cricket tournament yesterday.

Janith Kodithuwakku’s match bag of 12 wickets for 72 helped newcomer to division two Sri Rahula College Katugastota beat Kingswood College Kandy by five runs in their fixture at Police Park Kandy yesterday.

Savith Basnayake of St. Thomas’Bandarawela scored 189 runs in 131 balls with 30 boundaries and 6 sixes against Ananda Maithriya NS Balangoda.

Kalana Wijesiri (Ananda Colombo), Ryan Fernando (S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia), Umair Raizan (Trinity Kandy) and Shane Gunathilake (Trinity Kandy) made centuries.

* At Kandana (De Mazenod Kandana won by 7 wickets)

St. Sylvester’s Kandy: 176 (46.1) (Kasun Edirithilake 62, Maleesha Silva 30, Charith Rajaguru 28, Nimsha Wijesinghe 23, Senash Fernando 5/56, Pramod Rajamuneendra 3/33, Sihina Sithumina 2/26) and 111/9 (35) (Charith Rajaguru 23, Chandula Jayakodi 21, Senash Fernando 4/29, Pramod Rajamuneendra 3/19)

De Mazenod Kandana: 220/8 decl (170/4 (67) (Nimna Fernando 81, Saliya Jude 55, Ruvin Fonseka 27, Lester Jayaweera 24, Shashika Basnayake 3/50, Maleesha Silva 2/48) and 84/3 (18.3) (Sithul Senarath 26, Lester Jayaweera 24, Maleesha Silva 3/35)

* At Bulathsinhala (Match drawn)* Maliyadeva Kurunegala: 93 (36.5) (Praveen Nimesh 3/25, Rashmika Mewan 2/14, Thushara Madushan 2/19) and 81 (43/4 o/n) (35.5) (Muditha Preamadasa 33, Thushara Madushan 3/13, Shashitha Ashan 2/12, Praveen Nimesh 2/16) Gurukula Kelaniya: 58 (23.2) (Brian Karunanayake 5/32, Jayamin Muthukumarana 4/14) and 102/9 (48.3) (Rashmika Mewan 31, Hasindu Ruwanpura 5/35, Shakindu Wijerathne 3/27)

* At Police Park Kandy (Sri Rahula Katugastota won by 5 runs)

Sri Rahula Katugastota: 129 (39.4) (Dilshan Arambegedara 43, Dhanajaya Bandara 34, Chamudika Abeyrathne 3/28, Anul Senevirathne 2/14, K. Kevin 2/21, Navodya Weerasekara 2/35) and 153 (42.3) (Tharindu Fonseka 39, Lahiru Wijeratne 29, Navodya Weerasekara 4/31, Vinuka Pussapitiya 2/35)

Kingswood Kandy: 150 (50.2) (Mahasen Ranasinghe 46, Dilmith Dissanayaka 30, Janith Kodithuwakku 4/35, Lahiru Wijerathne 3/28, Dilshan Arambegedara 3/29) and 127

(38.2) (Mahasen Abeykoon 29, Anul Senevirathne 25, Janith Kodithuwakku 8/37)

* At Jaffna (St. John’s Jaffna won by 8 wickets)

Kegalu Vidyalaya: 130 (60.5) (Pulasthi Athapattu 60, A. Abishek 4/12, T. Vinojan 2/35) and 95 (43) (Pulasthi Athapattu 49, Achintha Siriwardane 21, T. Vinojan 5/34, T. Vidushan 3/21, A. Saran 2/19)

St. John’s Jaffna: 207/9 (72/3 o/n) (47) (T. Vinojan 50, N. Sawmiyan 50, T. Dinoshan 42 n.o., Ayesh Tharaka 2/33, Malaka 2/48) and 19/2 (17)

* At Anuradhapura (Match drawn)

P. De S. Kularathne MV Ambalangoda: 130 (96.3) (Tharindu Harshana 28, Ravishan Nethsara 26, Charitha Chiranjeewa 24, Laknesh Savinda 4/47, Yohan Chathuranga 2/20, Sachintha Sandeepa 2/30) and 137/3 (36) (Tharindu Harshana 58 n.o., Manusha Theekshana 39, Kuminda Milhara 27) Anuradhapura Central: 107 (62.2) (Lasantha Lakshan 31, Asmika Prabodana 29, Kaveesh Sathsara 4/25, Charitha Chiranjeewa 2/27, Ravishan Nethsara 2/9)

* At Meegoda (Match drawn)

Galahitiyawa Central: 186 (63.4) (Ashan Dilumika 51 n.o., Sandaruwn Chinthaka 45, Madushan Peiris 6/68) and 263/8 (80) (Neluka Dilshan 87, Thimalka Dakshina 67, Sandaruwn Chinthaka 44, Ashan Dulmika 27, Madushan Peiris 4/77)

Siri Piyarathana Padukka: 144 (35/4 o/n) (44.2) (Madushan Peiris 44, Kavishka Dananjaya 30, Manindu Shamal 21, Yasith Rashmika 6/44, Ganindu Tharulochana 2/10, Sandaruwn Chinthaka 2/28)

* At Poregedara (Match drawn) St. Thomas Kotte: 231 (70.1) (Tharushka Asel 56, Tharin Gimhan 40, Kevin Ranger 36, Malindu Perera 21, Ashen Chamuditha 21, Vihanga Pathirana 6/67, Chathuranga Ekanayake 3/42) and 150/6 decl. (42.5) (Ashen Chamuditha 37, Kulara Pramud 34 n.o., Tharin Gimhan 23, Virul Kethmika 20, Vihanga Pathirana 3/17 Dineth Wimalasiri 2/17)

President’s Maharagama: 149 (28/2 o/n) (41.3) (Tharindu Lakshan 29 n.o., Inusha Umayanga 20, Achintha Kavinda 4/41, Dulanga Pramod 2/15, Malindu Perera 2/55) and 121/5 (31) (Chathuranga Ekanayake 42, Dulanga Pramod 2/8)

* At Matugama Homagama Central: 173 (58.1) (Sajith Chathuranga 77, Tharusha Thathsara 20, Shakila Priyashan 4/51, Lasindu Shehan 3/38, Uvindu Harshitha 2/30) and 182/5 (52) Bineth Anujaya 59, Chamiith Nawoda 60, Ishan Akbar 27, Lasindu Shehan 2/25 C.W.W. Kannangara Central Matugama: 237 (123/5 o/n) (66.2) (Ushan Maheepala 64, Shakila Priyashan 73, Kavishka Madushan 28, Chamiith Navoda 5/62, Bineth Anujaya 2/33)

* At Balangoda (Match drawn)* S.Thomas’ Bandarawela: 166 (50) (Savith Bassnayaka 75, Mohommed Mafaz 26, Rasindu Dilshan 4/39, Lalantha Vishwajith 4/37) and 289/6 (53.4) (Savith Bassnayake 189, Esitha Gimhana 51 n.o., Theekshana Molamure 2/12, Sankanath Vishwameth 2/58)

Ananda Maithreya Central Balangoda: 300/9 decl. (203/4 o/n) (77.3) (Sankanath Vishwameth 91, Lithija Kalhara 67, Rasindu Dilshan 30, Theekshana Molamure 27, Sachintha Mosas 22, Hasindu Indusara 20, Mohommed Mafaz 5/48)

In day One

Matches will be continued today.

* At Kotahena. S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia: 294/4 (82) (Ryan Fernando 114, Umayanga Suwaris 93 n.o., Maneesha Rupasinghe 57 n.o., Vihanga Ruwanara 2/32) Vs St. Benedict’s Kotahena

* At Darley road. Wesley Colombo: 117 (53.2) (Tilshan Senanyaka 47, Dunith Wellalage 5/45, Miranga Wickramage 3/25)

St. Joseph’s Colombo: 137/2 (39) (Johanne De Zylva 64 n.o., Dineth Jayakodi 42 n.o., Shemila Liyanage 2/25)

* At Bambalapitiya. Ananda: 297/9 (96) (Kalana Wijesiri 136 n.o., Kanishka Ranthilakage 48, Nethma Karunarathne 33, Hansaja Jayasinghe 24, Ruvin Senevirathne 5/66) vs St. Peter’s Bambalapitiya

* At Asgiriya. Trinity Kandy: 281/5 decl. (62) (Umair Raizan 103, Shane Gunathilake 111, Ravindu Rasanka 2/48)

Lumbini Colombo: 18/1 (6)

* At Sooriyawewa. Dharmasoka Ambalangoda: 96 (42.2) (Lohan De Zoysa 46, Sasindu Malshan 22, Kavindu Nirmana 5/34, Kalpa Nethsara 3/17, Sandun Mendis 2/17)

Richmond Galle: 144/7 (42.5) (Sandun Mendis 84 n.o., Bhanuka Manohara 34, M. Rashmika 3/26, Naveen Rasanga 3/48)

* At Galle. Vidyaloka Galle: 176 (78) (Gihan Asanka 50, Ramuditha Disal 32, Hansaka Kamosh 23, Shenol Raishka 3/46, Isuru Thisera 3/44) St. Joseph’s Wattala: 79/4 (31.5) (Vinod Weerasekara 34 n.o., Nadeera Ishan 2/30)

* At Maggona. Holy Cross Kalutara: 234 (69.5) (Dilshan Madushanka 53, Sithum Sanjana 43, Aathif Azly 41, Pathum Fernando 39, Gimhana Fernando 4/63, Thisum Subasinghe 3/66) St.Thomas Matale: 97/6 (30.4) (Kavindu Senarathne 36, Samindu Madushanka 22, Aathif Azly 3/23, Hansaja Brian 2/7) (YK)

LONDON, Saturday - Spluttering Manchester United were forced to settle for a dour 0-0 draw at Wolves in the FA Cup third round, while holders Manchester City started their bid to retain the trophy with a 4-1 victory against Port Vale on Saturday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s troubled side didn’t manage a single shot on target in a domestic game for the first time in five years.

Easily beaten by Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday, United once again struggled to find any momentum and now face an unwanted replay at Old Trafford later in January.

Defending the latest in a growing list of underwhelming displays, Solskjaer said: “I’m happier to be in the replay than going out. It’s a fair result that we are both still in the cup.

“It’s a tough place to come. They had chances. Sergio Romero made some great saves. He’s putting pressure on David de Gea and that’s what we want. We want the best players in the world here.”

Solskjaer made seven changes at Molineux with the League Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City looming on Tuesday.

Knocked out by Wolves in the FA Cup quarter-finals last season, disjointed United nearly fell behind when Matt Doherty’s volley was superbly turned away by Romero.

Brandon Williams had a strong penalty appeal rejected by VAR after the United left-back tumbled following a challenge with Leander Dendoncker.

United substitute Marcus Rashford hit the bar with his first touch, but Wolves nearly won it in the closing moments as Raul Jimenez smashed against a post, leaving Solskjaer’s men with just two wins from their last five matches.

At the Etihad Stadium, City boss Pep Guardiola made seven changes, but Oleksandr Zinchenko got the scoring started against fourth-tier Vale after 20 minutes.

Port Vale striker Tom Pope had memorably mocked John Stones last year, claiming he would love to play against him after being underwhelmed by the City defender’s performance during an England match.

And with Stones returning for City after a month out with a hamstring injury, the 34-year-old Pope backed up his social media taunts by equalising with a glancing header in the 35th minute.

Sergio Aguero restored order when he fired City back in front with his 15th goal of the season three minutes before half-time.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis sealed the win from Stones’ flick in the 58th minute and Phil Foden got the fourth in the 76th minute.

“We are in the next round after an incredible amount of games. We played seriously. First half we struggled a bit but second half was better,” Guardiola said.

VILLA, BRIGHTON CRASH OUT

Aston Villa and Brighton suffered embarrassing exits as the Premier League clubs paid the price for making a raft of team changes.

Villa are languishing just above the relegation zone after a difficult first season back in the top-flight and boss Dean Smith prioritised that survival battle with nine changes in the 2-1 loss at second tier Fulham.

Anthony Knockaert gave Fulham the lead with a 54th minute curler as the former Brighton forward grabbed his first goal since September.

Anwar El Ghazi equalised for Villa in the 63rd minute, but the understudies couldn’t hold on as Harry Arter won it with a 30-yard thunderbolt with 16 minutes left.

“The game was won by two wonder-goals,” Smith said. “I don’t like losing in any competition, but everyone could see this wasn’t top of our priority list, because we have had injuries to three key players.”

Brighton endured the same fate as Villa as Albion boss Graham Potter made seven changes from their New Year’s Day draw against Chelsea and second tier Sheffield Wednesday took advantage with a 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium.

Adam Reach blasted Wednesday into the fourth round with a deflected long-range strike in the 65th minute.

Watford blew a three-goal lead in a dramatic 3-3 draw against third-tier strugglers Tranmere, while Newcastle were held to a 1-1 draw by League One minnows Rochdale.

The pick of Sunday’s ties sees Liverpool face Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield, while Arsenal host Leeds on Monday. - AFP

Seven athletes from Sri Lanka who won gold medals during the recently concluded South Asian Games are expected to take part at the 9th Asian Indoor Athletic Championships in Hangzhou, China on 12 and13 th February. At the Kathmandu South Asian Games Sri Lanka clinched 15 gold medals which was better than the Indian performances in the SAG.

Dilshi Kumarasinghe the 20 year old triple gold medalist of SAG has been included in the team for the 400m and 800m events, while South Asia’s 400 m gold medal winner Aruna Dharshana also gets a chance to compete in the Indoor championship. Sri Lanka’s own iron woman Lakshika Sugandi will compete in the Women’s 60m Hurdles as well as her pet event, the Pentathlon event. Nilani Rathnayake the double gold medal winner of Women’s 1500m as well as the 3000m event also will join the China tour after her fine performances at the SAG.

Indunil Herath the champion 800m runner will once again be looking for the gold at Men’s 800m event in this meet. Hashini Praboda and Sarangi Silva will compete in the Triple and Long Jumps respectively, as the only two representatives in the Field events for the Indoor championships . Both won Gold at the South Asian Games. The sports ministry will be looking at fielding a Women’s 4x400m relay team in China as well but that is not confirmed yet

Sri Lanka athletic team at the 9th Asian Indoor Athletics Championship Athlete Events

Dilshi Kumarasinghe 400m, 800m Aruna Dharshana 400m Lakshika Sugandi 60m Hurdles, Pentathlon Nilani Rathnayake 1500m, 3000m Indunil Herath 800m Hashini Praboda Triple Jump Sarangi Silva Long Jump

The inaugural Atapattu Halangoda, trophy cricket encounter between S. Thomas College Mount Lavinia and Ananda College Colombo will be played on 6th and 7th January 2020 at the SSC grounds Colombo.

Marvan Atapattu played for Ananda College and captained his alma-mater in 1990 played for the SSC and captained the team and went on to play for Sri Lanka and captained the team.

Mahinda Halangoda played for Ananda College in Junior Cricket and moved to St. Thomas. He captained the Thomians in 1981 and later played for SSC and led the club in all three divisions and captained the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team.

The inaugural Atapattu Halangoda Trophy Match will be shown live on www.thepapare.com.

Sixteen year old all rounder Tharindu Amerasinghe of Prince of Wales College scored a brilliant 144 runs in their inter school first eleven cricket match against St. Anthony’s College Kandy worked off at Moratuwa. His brilliant ton was of no avail as the fixture ended in a draw.

Tharindu who bats left hand and bowls off spin opens batting for his alma mater and hit eighteen fours and two sixes and occupied the crease for 114 minutes and faced 228 balls.

They are coached by former Vidyalian Lucky Rogers Fernando. At the last annual prize giving Tharindu was adjudged as the best player of the under 15 category and received the Ryle de Soysa trophy

Batting first Cambrians declared at 318 for 9 with Pasindu Pathum scoring with 63 runs and in reply Anthonians made 246 runs with Mohamed Kameel making the top score of 67 runs. At Stumps Cambrians were 26 for no loss.

Prince of Wales 318/9 in 80.3 overs (Tharindu Amerasinghe 144, Pasindu Pathum 63, Gihan Ebert 3/81, Sasith Hirudika 2/59, and 26/0.

St. Anthony’s 246 in 88.7 overs (Mohomed Kameel 67, Tharindu Lamahewage 40, Kavindu Hemal 3/64, Lakshan Perera 2/21, Ravindu Jagath 2/21.

A splendid 107 runs by Shelon Fernando guided GMA cricket Academy to beat MN Cricket Academy by 98 runs in their inter academy cricket tournament played at Moratuwa.

Batting first GMA Cricket Club scored 247 runs with Shelon hitting eight to the ropes and ten over. Also he occupied the crease for 69 minuets and faced 73 balls.

In reply MN Cricket Academy were all out for 149 runs and Rushitha Pramod captured 7 for 35 runs.

GMA Cricket Club 247 in 28 overs (Shelon Fernando 107, Lahiru Chandrakantha 39, Risitha Dineth 29, Manesha Perera 3/26 Harsha Maduranga 2/21.

MN Cricket Academy 149 in 24 overs (Sithurm Peiris 35, Savindu Imantha 31, Rushitha Pramod 7/35.

Both teams posed for a photograph just after the final game. Seated form left to right are Vidyarathana Coach B. Sudarshan, Shan Krappa (Sports officer Bangalore), Nageswar Rao (head Coach), Dilwin Mendis (Tour Manager). Picture by Moratuwa Sports Special Correspondent. 

The Volleyball team of Vidyarathana University College Horana of Kalutara District toured India with Reynold Cricket Academy Aluthgama and played a series of Volleyball matches at Gurukula International School Bidar, Hyderabad and Bangalore. They played two matches with Sports Hostel Junior Volleyball Team, Department of youth Empowerment and sports, Government of Karanataka at Sheshadriiyer Memorial Hall Complex Courts. Touring team won one match and the homesters beat the tourists in one game.

The Palamunai Tri Star Sports Club held its Annual General Meeting and award ceremony recently at the Minhaj Maha Vidyalaya main hall in Palamunai.

The ceremony was organized by the Tri Star Sports Club President, Sri Lanka Cricket Board Umpire, Physical Education Teacher and Coach I.L.M.Faiz.

Addalaichenai Sports Officer M.H.M.Aswath was the chief guest on this occasion.

National and Provincial level winners, athletes who brought honour to Palamunai Tri Star Sports Club and their coaches, newly appointed state officials and school sports trainers from the club were also felicitated at the ceremony.

Palamunai Tri Star Sports Club has introduced the new Jersey for the year 2020 during the event.

Palamunai Tri Star Sports Club officials received the donation from veteran social worker and club member S.M.Satheek .

New office bearers for 2020 of the Tri Star Sports Club were elected at the event.

Addalaichenai Divisional Secretariat Grama Niladharies M.S.M.Ibrahim and Farwin Najath, Akkaraipattu Municipal Council Accountant M.F.Farhan, Tri Star Sports Club Officials, prominent people of the area and players participated at the event.

SYDNEY - Australia took a commanding 243-run lead over plucky New Zealand in the third Test in Sydney on Sunday, looking set for a clean sweep of the series.

The Australians dismissed the Black Caps for 251 to lead by 203 runs on the first innings before batting a second time in a bid to build an overwhelming total with two days remaining.

At stumps on day three, the hosts were 40 without loss with David Warner on 23 and Joe Burns not out 16, andwere expected to bat on for some time on the fourth day.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon captured five for 68 to lead the Australian bowling attack, with Kiwi Test debutant Glenn Phillips top-scoring with a charmed knock of 52.

Phillips, who only flew in on the eve of the Test as cover for a team weakened by a virus outbreak, was dropped twice and given a reprieve when caught off a no-ball.

Lyon put down the two caught-and-bowled chances when Phillips was on two and 17.

The Kiwi batsman dodged another bullet on 28 when he was caught by Travis Head at deep midwicket only to be recalled when James Pattinson was found to have over-stepped for a no-ball.

Phillips hit a cracking pull shot off Pat Cummins to raise his debut half-century before Cummins got him two balls later, ripping through his defences to take off-stump for 52.

Lyon bowled Will Somerville and Neil Wagner for ducks and fast bowler Matt Henry came out to bat despite fracturing his left hand earlier in the match.

Henry ducked out of the way of a couple of Mitchell Starc thunderbolts directed at his body before he was stumped off Lyon’s bowling to end the New Zealand innings.

It was the longest innings of a disastrous lost series for the Kiwis, bettering the 71 overs they faced in the second innings of the second Test in Melbourne. The Black Caps lost three wickets in the middle session with the experienced Ross Taylor out lbw to Cummins for 22 in the second over after lunch. Taylor remains 20 runs away from becoming the highest-scoring New Zealand batsman in Tests, behind Stephen Fleming (7,172). Wicketkeeper BJ Watling chopped a wide Starc delivery on to his stumps for nine off 30 balls to put his team under more pressure.

Colin de Grandhomme was needlessly run out for 20, taking on Matthew Wade’s throw from the deep to wicketkeeper Tim Paine while attempting a second run.

Lyon grabbed two key wickets in the morning session, removing Melbourne Test centurion Tom Blundell and recalled Jeet Raval.

Raval, who was dropped after twin batting failures as an opener in the first Test in Perth, batted positively at number three before he was leg before wicket to Lyon for 31 off 58 balls.

Tom Latham was out two balls later in the next over from Cummins, done by a fuller delivery and chipping straight to Starc at mid-on.

The new skipper, deputising for the sidelined Kane Williamson, was denied a deserved half-century on 49 in his 133-ball vigil.

Blundell fell in the day’s fifth over, bowled by Lyon for 34.

The Sydney Test is being played against the backdrop of one of Australia’s most devastating bushfire seasons, with at least 24 people losing their lives in blazes raging across the country, including on the outskirts of Sydney.

Play will be suspended in the match at the umpire’s discretion, should smoke significantly affect air quality or visibility, but the sky above the ground has remained largely clear so far.

India won the toss and chose to bowl first, but that’s as far as the weather allowed the first T20I to progress in Guwahati. Rain had fallen through much of the afternoon, and arrived again soon after the toss to delay the start. Although the showers lasted less than an hour, they caused too much damage to the ground - only the square and the bowlers’ run-ups were protected by covers.

Once the rain stopped, ground staff worked for almost two hours on the field. Super soppers worked non-stop, and even steam irons and hairdryers were used on the pitch.

The umpires also made repeated inspections, but all this eventually came to nothing. The match was abandoned shortly before 10pm.

St. Thomas College, Matara and Royal College Monaragala won matches in their fixtures of the ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 inter Schools Cricket tournament yesterday.

Left arm leg spinner Sineth Sithara had a match bag of 10-wickets against Vidyartha College at Matara. Vishal Perera skipper and right hand opener of Lyceum Internatioanl School Wattala scored 176 runs in 202 balls with 21 boundaries and 2 sixes against Royal College Panadura.

Sachin Chamuditha of Royal Panadura scored unbeaten 121 runs against of Lyceum International School Wattala.

St. Thomas College Matara beat Vidyartha College Kandy by innings and 38 runs. Royal College Monaragala beat Gamini NS Bentota by 5 wickets. Other matches were drawn.

* At Campbel Place. St. Servatius Matara: 149 (55.4) (Naveen Sahith 42, Dinujaya Nilanduwa 30, Dineth Samaraweera 4/23, Mahima Weerakoon 4/30) and 134/8 decl. (40) (Chihan Kalindu 58, Naveen Sahith 20, Raveen De Silva 4/26)

Nalanda Colombo: 206 (111/3 o/n) (85) (Rashan Dissanayake 38, Ranindu De Silva 33, Raveen De Silva 31, Jithesh Wasala 26, Avishka Perera 23, Damindu Sankalpa 5/48)

* At Moratuwa (Match drawn)

Moratu Vidyalaya: 171 (55.1) (Niraj Kavishka 91, Chamindu Ravishan 33, Virajith Ehelepola 4/48, Upendra Wanrnakulasooriya 3/39) and 92/9 (48) (Chamalka Fernando 53, Yasitha Samararathne 4/29, Upendra Wanrnakulasooriya 2/31)

Dharmaraja Kandy: 105 (18/3 o/n) (40.3) (Chethiya Weerakon 51, Mahith Nethvinu 4/03, Eran Hansamal 3/28, Niraj Kavishka 2/35)

* At Matara (St. Thomas Matara won by innings and 38 runs)

St. Thomas Matara: 239 (66.4) (Hirusha Jeewadith 78, Hasintha Ranasinghe 45, Sachira Rashmika 43, Nipun Samarasinghe 25, Adithya Kalalpitiya 3/85, Anjula Rathnasiri 2/35, Medunaka Wijethilake 2/45)

Vidyartha Kandy: 92 (41/2 o/n) (53) (Kavishka Thennakon 28, Kasun Karunathilake 22, Sineth Sithara 6/36, Sachira Rashmika 3/25) and 109 (54.3) (Shamal Priyabhashana 44, Anjula Padmasiri 20, Sineth Sithara 4/31, Hirantha Jayasinghe 2/15)

* At Kurunegala (Match drawn)

St. Anne’s Kurunegala: 157 (74.5) (Lasith Warnakulasooriya 92, Dulmina Dasun 4/36, Sandun Madushanka 3/55) and 145/9 (51.1) (Dilhara Deshabandu 34, Kavindu Ranasinghe 23, Rishitha Perera 21, Sandun Madusanka 4/30, Dulmina Dasun 3/53)

St. Aloysius Galle: 179 (49/5 o/n) (63.4) (Kavindu Dilhara 52, Chamika Sandaruwan 34, Omal Sadith 26, Kavindu Ranasinghe 4/61, Mannan Muzammil 2/27, Thrimalsha Silva 2/29)

* At Bentota (Royal Monaragala won by 5 wickets)

Gamini NS Bentota: 246 (74.4) (Lasitha Eranda 64, Chalaka Samadi 42, Umesh Dinujaya 41, Ravishka Bhawantha 24, Ishan Chanaka 3/50, Avishka Lakshan 3/56) and 78 (34.5) (Sakun Nadeesha 21, Chathura Dhanushka 7/40)

Royal Monaragala: 155 (130/8 o/n) (47.1) (Sachintha Manaka 71, Damindu Ridmal 49, Lasitha Eranda 4/28, Sahan Pansilu 3/33, Chamila Kithmal 3/39) and 171/5 (33) (Sakun Nidarshan 57, Sachindu Bhanuka 45, Isuru Gihan 3/50)

* At Wattala (Match drawn)

Royal Panadura: 117 (54.3) (Tharusha Silva 27, Kaveesh Adithya 26 n.o., Duleepa Geethanjana 5/31, Brian Perera 2/21, Dimuthu Dissananayke 2/16) and 184/8 (76) (Sachin Chamuditha 121 n.o., Duleepa Geethanjana 3/54, Ryan Perera 2/32, Mithush Lakshman 2/73)

Lyceum Wattala: 351/8 decl. (206/4 o/n) (68.2) (Vishal Perera 176, Chathumal De Silva 49, Gamitha Pawan 32, Pasindu Fernando 21, Sachin Chamuditha 4/74, Jayod Chamara 2/27)

On day One

* At Reid Avenue. Royal Colombo: 157 (63.5) (Thevindu Senarathne 56, Kaushan Kulasuriya 24, Ishiwara Dissanayaka 21, Nimnaka Jayathilake 5/32)

St. Anthony’s Kandy: 70/7 (26) (Prabath Sachin 32, Prashan Kalhara 2/5, Ishan Balasuriya 2/16, Lahiru Madusanka 2/18)

* At Bandaragama. C.W.W. Kannangara MV Colombo: 82 (26.4) (Anjana Senevirathne 36, Vihanga Pathirana 6/15, Jayuka Kandanarachchi 2/6) and 145/6 (41.2) (Anjana Senevirathne 40, Pavan Maleesha 30, Jayuka Kandanarachchi 2/18, Vihanga Pathirana 2/74)

President’s Maharagama: 248/6 decl. (41.2) (Chathuranga Ekanayake 77, Tharindu Lakshan 50 n.o., Sandeepa Kumarasinghe 40, Supun Deshantha 34, Dineth Wimalasiri 28, Vibuthi Ushan 3/57). YK

Cape Town, Sunday: A gritty 85 not out from opener Dom Sibley ground down South Africa’s bowlers as England took control on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands.

Sibley, playing in only his fourth Test, came in during the morning session after James Anderson had picked up the last two South African wickets to finish with 5-40 and give England a first innings lead of 46.

By the close, Sibley was still there and England had reached 218 for four, stretching their overall lead to 264.

Sibley’s 85, his first Test half-century, came off a painstaking 222 balls in just under six hours and included 13 boundaries.

It was slow going but it consolidated England’s advantage after Anderson and Ben Stokes combined to secure an important first innings lead.

Anderson completed his 28th Test five-wicket haul – an England record – and Stokes caught last man Anrich Nortje to set an England Test record of five catches by a fielder.

Zak Crawley made a streaky 25 when England started their second innings, with Sibley making only three in an opening stand of 28, before the day settled into a battle of attrition.

Sibley and Joe Denly (31) used up 33 overs in adding 73 for the second wicket before Denly hooked Nortje to fine leg.

England captain Joe Root was more aggressive as he and Sibley added 116 for the third wicket.

Root made 61 off 98 balls before being caught at slip off Dwaine Pretorius shortly before the close.

The ball that got Root was an exception in deviating from a crack outside off stump that was far more of a factor on the first two days.

Dom Bess, who suffered a golden duck in the first innings, came in as nightwatchman and survived until the last ball of the day when he was adjudged to have gloved a bouncer from Nortje to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, thus collecting a ‘pair’.

Those two late wickets marked the high point of the day for the toiling South Africans who will be wary of the potential damage that Stokes and Jos Buttler could inflict on Monday. On a cool, overcast day, South Africa’s bowlers were unable to gain any swing, either conventional or reverse, while the application of the heavy roller before play and after the South African innings seemed to have removed some of the life the pitch had shown on the first two days.

The 24-year-old Sibley came into the match having scored only 71 runs at an average of 14.20 in his first three Tests but the tall, strongly-built opener showed the powers of concentration and patience that made him a heavy scorer for Warwickshire in the 2019 county championship.

Despite the late wickets, England, needing a win to level the four-match World Test Championship, played themselves into a commanding position with two days remaining.

South Africa will be able to claim a second new ball after one over on Monday and will look to strike early if they are to find their way back into the match. AFP