Sydney, Sunday: Stefanos Tsitsipas whipped an error-strewn Alexander Zverev to win the battle of the big guns at the ATP Cup on Sunday, inflicting a second successive defeat on the German in his warm-up for the Australian Open.

On day three of the inaugural 24-nation team event in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, world number 11 David Goffin was another loser, along with Italy’s Fabio Fognini, ranked one place below him.

Greek star Tsitsipas, who won the 2019 season-ending ATP Finals in London and is now ranked six, was in a different league to Zverev, who only began hitting balls a week ago after an off-season curtailed by a lucrative exhibition tour.

The lacklustre German world number seven sent down 10 double faults and made just 45 percent of his first serves, a worrying sign ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year. He lost to Australia’s Alex de Minaur in his opening match on Friday, throwing away a one-set lead.

“I worked very hard for this win, I found solutions, found my rhythm and my pace and knew what I was doing on court,” said impressive 21-year-old Tsitsipas after his 6-1, 6-4 walloping in Brisbane.

“I was serving pretty okay and played clever again. I managed to stay calm and positive in my head.”

The Boris Becker-captained Germans have now won one of their opening ties, while Greece has lost both of theirs.

The 24 countries are split into six groups, with the top eight from the round-robin going onto the knockout phase before one is crowned the winner.

The Grigor Dimitrov-led Bulgaria won their second tie in a row, beating Moldova 2-1, to be in a commanding position in Group C, while Australia also made it two-out-of-two in Group F with De Minaur again on fire in their 3-0 sweep of Canada.

Belgium’s Goffin saved five match points against Dan Evans, but it was too little, too late as he crashed 6-4, 6-4 in Sydney for one of the biggest wins of the Briton’s career.

Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury won the deciding doubles to secure the tie for Britain 2-1.

Fognini was beaten in Perth by emerging Norwegian 21-year-old Casper Ruud, who claimed his second big scalp after upsetting American John Isner in his first match on Friday.

Ruud, whose father Christian is Norway’s captain, won 6-2, 6-2, although it wasn’t enough to prevent Norway losing 2-1 to Italy.

Stefano Travaglia won the other singles and Fognini bounced back alongside Simone Bolelli to take the deciding doubles rubber.

“Coming out here and beating two top 20 players at the beginning of the year is great for my confidence,” said world number 54 Ruud.

Mercurial Australian Nick Kyrgios pulled out of his country’s tie against Canada just hours before it started with back soreness.

But John Millman seamlessly stepped in to stun Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets before De Minaur again showed the fighting qualities for which he is renowned.

After bouncing back from losing the opening set to Zverev on Friday, he did the same against Denis Shapovalov in a gutsy 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-2 three hour display. AFP

GUWAHATI Saturday: India captain Virat Kohli on Saturday hit out at proposals to cut Test matches from five days to four as the world body battles with the crowded cricket calendar.

Reports that the International Cricket Council could decide to cut the length of Test matches from 2023 have divided players and nations.

Kohli, who leads the world Test batting rankings as well as being captain of the number one Test side, said the format should not be altered.

“Day-Night Tests is the most that should be changed about Test cricket, according to me,” Kohli said in Guwahati, ahead of India's T20 game on Sunday against Sri Lanka.

With four-day Tests “you are purely only talking about getting numbers in and entertainment, and I think the intent will not be right,” said Kohli.

“Then you will speak of three-day Tests. I mean, where do you end,” he added. “I don't endorse that (change) at all. I don't think that that is fair to the purest format of the game -- how cricket started.”

“Day-night tests are another step on commercializing Test cricket and creating excitement around it, but it can't be tinkered with too much.” Day-night Test were also initially resisted by players, but have become gradually accepted.

The ICC allowed four-day Tests in 2017 and they have been tried in one-off games between South Africa and Zimbabwe and England against Ireland.

But they are not allowed in the Test world championship which is led by Kohli's India.

The English, Australian and New Zealand national associations have indicated they are ready to change. Some players like England captain Joe Root have also said the plan should be considered.

But the key Board of Control for Cricket in India has not yet made a comment. And several leading players have joined Kohli in coming out against the change.

Australia captain Tim Paine said that while four days could be used for some Tests, the main games had to stay at five. Australia's most successful off-spinner Nathan Lyon has called the idea “ridiculous”.

“I believe you will get so many more draws and day five is crucial,” he told the Unplayable Podcast before the recent Test against New Zealand.

“I'm totally against it and I hope ICC aren't even considering it.” The ICC and national boards in favour of change say that cutting Test time is a way to ease a calendar now packed with Tests, 50 over internationals and the growing number of T20 internationals and leagues.

MELBOURNE Sunday: Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was Sunday slapped with a hefty fine after directing a homophobic slur at Kane Richardson during a domestic Twenty20 Big Bash League game.

The Melbourne Stars player apologised after being found guilty of breaching Cricket Australia’s code of conduct and penalised Aus$7,500 (US$5,200). “I got caught in the moment and took it too far,” Stoinis said of the incident during the clash with cross-town rivals Melbourne Renegades on Saturday.

“I realised immediately I was in the wrong and I apologise to Kane and to the umpires.

“I did the wrong thing and accept responsibility for my actions. The standards are there for a reason and I accept the penalty.” The incident comes six weeks after fast bowler James Pattinson, currently playing for Australia in the third Test against New Zealand in Sydney, was banned for player abuse, also reportedly a homophobic slur.

His penalty -- a one-match suspension which ruled him out of the first Test against Pakistan -- was harsher as it was his third code of conduct breach in the past 18 months.

“The behaviour in this matter falls short of the standards we expect and we have acted accordingly,” Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia’s head of integrity and security said of the Stoinis fine. He only referred to the matter as “personal abuse of a player”, although the Cricket Australia website characterised it as a homophobic slur. “There is no place for it in the game,” added Carroll.

CAPE TOWN: In an age of sport science, expert physical conditioning and meticulous planning, watching test cricketers clumsily kick a soccer ball around as they warm up defies belief.

Not only because they look as if they are going hurt themselves, but because that is often what happens as their child-like enthusiasm for a kick-about clashes with the tenets of professional sport.

The latest casualty is Rory Burns, England’s opening batsman who top scored in the first test against South Africa but who will now return home with a serious ankle injury, missing out on the rest of the four-match series.

He hurt ligaments on Thursday trying to kick the ball away as his captain Joe Root bore down on him.

It came only 24 hours after Ollie Pope had taken angry exception to a crunching tackle from teammate Matt Parkinson that in a real game of football might have earned the leg spinner a red card.

“If you look at what football does, the benefits from a psychological and fun point of view are outstripped by the dangers from it, but we will discuss that. I am not coming in with an iron rod right now,” said Ashley Giles — a year ago when he was appointed the new England director of cricket. But England have now added yet another name to a growing list of soccer casualties.

Just over a year ago, Jonny Bairstow lost his place as wicketkeeper on a tour of Sri Lanka after damaging ankle ligaments in a kick-about. A decade ago, then England coach Andy Flower banned the warm-up soccer routine after Joe Denly damaged a knee because of an unwieldy tackle before a one-day international match against Australia at The Oval.

Like Bairstow, Denly is on tour in South Africa and might have offered some caution, as might have James Anderson, who turned his ankle playing soccer on tour in New Zealand in 2008.

Opponents South African can relate. Ace bowler Vernon Philander was out for eight months after he damaged his ankle in a pre-match kick-about in India.

But South Africa also still continue to play an awkward version of a rondo, where a few players in the middle of a circle of others try to intercept a soccer ball being passed between the players on the outer ring.

Australia’s culture is reflected in their choice of touch rugby rather than soccer to get the blood flowing.

But this proved even costlier. In was during such a game that Glenn McGrath stood on a stray cricket ball left on the outfield at Edgbaston and ripped the ligaments in his right ankle, changing the course of the Ashes in 2005. – Agencies

Chilaw Marians CC, SSC, NCC, CCC and Ragama CC recorded their second wins in the SLC Major T20 Inter Clubs Cricket tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday.

Chilaw Marians CC beat Air Force SC by 34 runs and NCC beat Navy SC by 3 wickets. SSC beat Tamil Union C & AC by 8 wickets. Lankan CC beat Sri Lanka Ports Authority CC by 11 runs and Colts CC beat Badureliya CC by 5 runs and Saracens SC beat Police SC by 69 runs.

CCC beat Nugegoda CC by 11 runs and Ragama CC beat Kandy Customs SC by 7 wickets. Bloomfield C & AC beat Galle CC by 2 runs and Army CC beat Kurunegala Youth CC by 53 runs. Negombo CC beat Kalutara TC by 8 wickets and Moors SC beat Unichela SC by 91 runs in day two.

Thikshila De Silva of Chilaw Marians CC took 5 wickets for 30 runs against Air Force SC.

* At P. Sara Oval (Chilaw Marians CC won by 34 runs)

Chilaw Marians CC: 191/8 (20) (Shehan Jayasuriya 54, Kamindu Mendis 42, Lasith Croospulle 33, Thikshila De Silva 27, Sanjaya Ranaweera 3/35, Lasanda Rukmal 2/38)

Air Force SC: 157/8 (20) (Udayawansha Parakrama 47, Suminda Lakshan 25, Shabik Ifthry 23, Thikshila De Silva 5/30, Nimesh Vimukthi 2/29)

* At MCG Katunayake (CCC won by 11 runs)

CCC: 132/7 (20) (Lasith Abeyrathne 34, Lahiru Madushanka 34, Shalika Karunanayake 20, Nimantha Gunasiri 3/37)

Nugegoda CC: 121/9 (20) (Irosh Samarasooriya 21, Malinda Pushpakumara 3/28, Lahiru Gamage 2/30)

* At Colts (SSC won by 8 wickets)

Tamil Union C & AC: 121 (18.3) (Kamesh Nirmal 39, Suranga Lakmal 33, Manoj Sarathchandra 25, Tharindu Rathnayake 2/14, Sachithra Senanayake 2/22, Dhammika Prasad 2/29)

SSC: 124/2 (16.3) (Krishan Sanjula 51 n.o., Akash Senaratne 37, Tharindu Rathnayake 20)

* At CCC (Lankan CC won by 11 runs)

Lankan CC: 120 (19.5) (Chanaka Ruwansiri 28, Primosh Perera 22, Damitha Silva 20, Supun Kavinda 3/15, Hashan Vimarshana 3/29)

Sri Lanka Ports Authority CC: 109/8 (20) (Gayan Maneeshan 56 n.o., Udith Madushan 3/27)

* At Moratuwa (NCC won by 3 wickets)

Navy SC: 88 (19.2) (Samitha Ranga 25, W. Mayantha 21, Sachindu Colombage 3/24, Chathuranga De Silva 2/6)

NCC: 91/7 (16.4) (Mahela Udawatte 31, Angelo Perera 24 n.o., Dilanka Auwardt 2/17, Sudara Dakshina 2/17)

* At Moratuwa (Colts CC won by 5 runs) Colts CC: 127/8 (20) (Priyamal Perera 30, Shehan Madushanka 2/23)

Badureliya CC: 122/6 (20) (Lahiru Milantha 39, Lahiru Samarakoon 26, Prabath Jayasuriya 2/15, Nisala Tharaka 2/23)

* At CCC (Ragama CC won by 7 wickets)

Kandy Customs SC:108/7 (20) (Akeel Inham 58, Chanaka Wijesinghe 24, Ishan Jayaratne 4/10, Binura Fernando 2/24)

Ragama CC: 112/3 (19.5) (Nishan Madushka 62 n.o., Lahiru Thirimanne 30)

* At BRC (Moors SC won by 91 runs)

Moors SC: 154 (19.5) (Ayana Siriwardhane 35, Kavishka Anjula 32, Ishara Amarasinghe 3/30, Dhanushka Madushanka 2/19)

Unichela SC: 63 (18.5) (Kavishka Anjula 3/14, Ramesh Mendis 3/19)

* At P. Sara Oval (Army CC won by 53 runs)

Army CC:149 (20) (Ashan Randika 57, Lakshan Edirisinghe 22, Navin Kavikara 4/16)

Kurunegala Youth CC: 96 (16.1) (Aravinda Akurugoda 45, Vinodh Perera 20, Dushan Vimukthi 3/29, Hansha Pramod 3/31)

* At MCG Katunayake (Negombo CC won by 8 wickets)

Kalutara TC: 103 (17.4) (Anushka Perera 38, Upul Indrasiri 3/19, Roshen Fernando 3/27, Hareen Buddila 2/19)

Negombo CC: 106/2 (15.2) (Madhawa Warnapura 44 n.o., Dilshan Munaweera 30, Angelo Jayasinghe 21 n.o.)

* At Colts (Saracens SC won by 69 runs)

Saracens SC: 192/5 (20) (Milinda Siriwardane 72, Ranitha Liynarachchi 41, Ashen Bandara 31, Nisar Ahmad 2/53)

Police SC: 123 (18.2) (Lakshan Rodrigo 26, Dulash Udayanga 21, Saliya Saman 4/21, Mohomed Dilshad 2/16, Milinda Siriwardane 2/24)

* At BRC (Bloomfield C & AC won by 2 runs)

Bloomfield C & AC: 149/7 (20) (Nipuna Gamage 41, Mishen Silva 32 n.o., Chamara Silva 28, Sachin Jayawardane 23, Chathura Lakshan 2/24, Mansoor Amjad 2/44)

Galle CC: 147/9 (20) (Ravishka Wijesiri 33, Saranga Rajaguru 29, Nimesh Perera 22, Gayan Sirisoma 3/23, Sachin Jayawardene 2/11, Madhushan Ravichandrakumar 2/32). YK

CAPE TOWN, Sunday: James Anderson says a couple of days of hard test cricket has reminded him why he is in love with the game after claiming an England record 28th five-wicket haul in the second test against South Africa on day three at Newlands on Sunday.

Anderson, 37, showed superb control to record figures of 5-40 and move past Ian Botham on the all-time list of test five-fors in an England jersey, putting to bed any debate that the previous four months out with injury were a sign he should think of retirement.

“I sat down after yesterday’s play and felt like that is what I have missed, a proper hard day of test cricket,” Anderson told reporters. “That is why I still want to play cricket. You put in a proper shift and it makes all he hard work and (injury) frustration worth it.

“I love the challenge that test cricket brings, putting in the hard yards in the field, having to graft for your wickets, to try different things, the fields and plans when things are not going your way. That is why I want to keep going.”

England have a second innings lead of 264 after getting to the close of day three on 218 for four in their bid to level the four-match series after losing the first test in Pretoria by 107 runs.

Anderson says the side have been surprised by how flat the wicket was on Sunday after it had fairly prodigious sideways movement on the first two days.

– Agencies

LIVERPOOL, Sunday - A stunning strike from 18-year-old Curtis Jones gave a youthful Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton in their FA Cup, third-round tie at Anfield on Sunday.

Tottenham Hotspur needed a Lucas Moura equaliser to avoid defeat at second-tier Middlesbrough as Jose Mourinho’s stuttering side emerged with a 1-1 draw but Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.

Premier League Crystal Place were knocked out by Championship side Derby County after suffering a 1-0 loss at Selhurst Park.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp made nine changes to his side, giving starts to three teenagers, while his Italian counterpart Carlo Ancelotti opted for a largely full-strength Everton lineup.

The gulf in experience between the two sides was barely evident, however, and will simply add to the pain for Everton, who are without a win at Anfield since September 1999.

For Liverpool it was a performance which illustrated the talent coming through the production line at their Melwood training ground.

For local-born academy product Jones, it was a game he will never forget, delivering his first senior goal in a Merseyside derby.

“I can’t sum up my emotions. For me it’s huge just being around this team every day and learning from this group of players. There are world-class players all over this team but I think I went out and showed what I could do on the pitch,” he said.

Everton should have gone into the break ahead, with Liverpool keeper Adrian foiling goalbound efforts from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Mason Holgate and Richarlison in the first half. Ancelotti will be disappointed that on each of those occasions his players aimed straight at the Spanish keeper but worse was to come.

Klopp was visibly appreciating the sight of his youngsters buzzing around the field playing enterprising football with the German raising his arms in applause as teenagers Neco Williams, Harvey Elliott and Jones showed they are well-drilled in the Liverpool method. Jones delivered the killer blow in the 71st minute when after a swift exchange with Divock Origi he unleashed a superb curling effort into the top corner, leaving Everton without a win against their rivals since October 2010.

“They played brave football. Unbelievable individual performances from the kids and the adults as well,” said Klopp.

“Sensational game and a sensational goal from a Scouser — who could ask for more?” Eight-times FA Cup winners Spurs trailed to Ashley Fletcher’s fine finish just after the break but Moura’s header spared a Tottenham side who were without injured striker Harry Kane.

Tottenham dominated following Moura’s equaliser but Boro keeper Tomas Mejias, making his first start of the season, frustrated them with several saves as his side earned a replay.

Chelsea made nine changes to their starting line-up but beat Championship promotion hopefuls Forest with goals from Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ross Barkley.

Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, back in England after a spell in Major League Soccer with DC United, helped Championship side Derby County to spring a surprise with a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

It was Rooney’s first appearance in the FA Cup since he played for Everton — exactly two years ago — in a 2-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield. Palace skipper Luka Milivojevic became the first player in an English match to be sent off as a result of a referee reviewing an incident on a pitch-side monitor during the loss.

Derby striker Chris Martin decided the game with a close-range effort in the 32nd minute.

Top-flight Sheffield United were made to work hard by minor league outfit AFC Fylde, winning 2-1.

In an all-Championship clash, West Bromwich Albion and Charlton Athletic make a combined 20 changes, with Albion winning 1-0 thanks to Kenneth Zohore’s goal.

In another all-second tier encounter, Jordan Hugill, on loan from West Ham United, scored twice for Queens Park Rangers in their 5-1 win over Swansea City.

Premier League West Ham United beat third-tier Gillingham 2-0 with second-half goals from Pablo Zabaleta and Pablo Fornals. – Agencies 

Rolling back the years, he looked back on his carreer as a whole, stated Adam Gilchrist in his book”true colours”, he noted that the years 1999 to 2002 formed a high water mark.He had nothing to lose as a Test cricketer and freedom that came with building, rather than defending, a record. Gilchrist belong to a team that was taking the game to new heights both in results and in developing friendships that were developing off field.Apart from the Indian tour of 2001, the Australians had an uninterrupted run of highlights culminating in the birth of his son Harry. He noted that although the results on the field kept coming, he became involved with a series of controversies although none was carrer threatening.Anyhow the effect accumulated, year by year. He was enjoying the game less, stiff competition was lacking from the opposing teams and as a result his interest became jaded and with it his freedom.

Another reason was him becoming a father and Mel(his wife) kept things in an even keel.This state of things wore him down over time and left him vulnerable for the moment.

The first of the little pin pricks happened at the end of the 2001 -2002 season when Gilchrist got a new bat and a gear sponsorship with Puma. He has been already with Puma for two years but this was a better deal, they were beginning to establish a presence in cricket and had bought the best- bat making company in the world, England’s Milichamp and Hall bats, as had many other Test players. They choose the bats they prefer, take off their sticker and put on their sponsor’s stickers. It’s an open secret among cricketers. And the bats that were overwhelming re-stickered were Millichamp and Hall ones.

Gilchrist said that he was happy to be using them legitimately and proud that Puma had chosen them when they were trying to make their names in cricket. What upset him was the press reporting his sponsorship as a million dollars-some said two million over three years. The Sunday papers ran a big front page colour photo of him with head line ‘The $2 Million Man’. The following article itemised his earnings from cricket.

It made him more guarded about personal information, his mind started to play tricks on him noted Gilchrist. Despite all these, he loved being with Puma and they sought his ideas about how to develop the best keeping gloves and pads and he loved his bats.Gilchrist observed that he was not overly pedantic about his bats unlike fanatics such as Justin Langer,RickeyPonting and Damian Martyn, but the Millichamp and Hall bats were always well balanced.They brought into vogue an oval shaped as opposed to a round handle, which felt comfortable in his hands.The quality of the willow was superior.That was probably the main thing that set them apart-grain of the willow, the way it was shaped and pressed. It almost had softness to it, the feel was good unlike the tinny sound given by the other bats which were much harder.

He did get a full summer out of a bat unlike Justin Langer who fussed about his bats and even changed them mid innings. Langer had bats for when it was keeping low or when it was bouncing, bats for spinners, quicks, one-dayers, Tests.

Incidentally Gilchrist kept every bat that he scored a hundred within first class, domestic or international cricket, he was so articulate that he even wrote in the top of the shoulder what the score was and who it was against. He kept them in a little bat rack he had made up. The only exception was the one that he used for his 122 in Mumbai in 2001, which was stolen during the Ashes tour later that year. Beside bats he kept some shirts and a few pairs of keeping gloves – and of course some of his caps.

Adam Craig Gilchrist- Born 14 November 1971) is an Australian cricket commentator and former international cricketer and captain of the Australia national cricket team. He was an attacking left-handed batsman and record-breaking wicket-keeper, who redefined the role for the Australia national team through his aggressive batting. Widely regarded as the greatest wicket-keeper–batsman in the history of the game, Gilchrist held the world record for the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in One Day International (ODI) cricket until it was surpassed by Kumar Sangakkara in 2015 and the most by an Australian in Test cricket.

His strike rate was amongst the highest in the history of both ODI and Test cricket; his century against England at Perth in December 2006 is the fourth-fastest century in all Test cricket. He was the first player to have hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. His 17 Test centuries and 16 in ODIs were both second only to Sangakkara by a wicket-keeper. He holds the unique record of scoring at least 50 runs in successive World Cup finals (in 1999, 2003 and 2007). His 149 off 104 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup final was rated one of the greatest World Cup innings of all time. He is one of the only three players to have won three World Cup titles.

Gilchrist was renowned for walking when he considered himself to be out, sometimes contrary to the decision of the umpire. He made his first-class debut in 1992, his first One-Day International appearance in 1996 in India and his Test debut in 1999.

During his career, he played for Australia in 96 Test matches and over 270 One-day internationals. He was Australia's regular vice-captain in both forms of the game, captaining the team when regular captains Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting were unavailable. He retired from international cricket in March 2008, though he continued to play domestic tournaments until 2013. )

The sponsorship cheque being handed over to Hiran De Mel, Head of Technical and Operations for Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association by Samila Fernando , CEO (Lendtech Lanka). Thilina Buddhika, Digital Marketing Specialist (Lendtech Lanka), Janaka Bandara, Manager, Information Technology (Lendtech Lanka), Suhail Nazeemudeen , Manager , Digital Sales and Marketing (Lendtech Lanka), Asitha Dewapura, Deputy Collections Manager (Lendtech Lanka) and  Asela Pathirana ( Coach ) were also present .  

The Sri Lankan Indoor Cricket Team left yesterday on the second leg of a home and away Test series against England with their new title sponsor - Cashwagon. This World Indoor Cricket Federation (WICF) sanctioned series will be held at the Action Indoor Cricket Stadium in Birmingham, England, and will take place from the 8th to the 17th of January 2020.

The first leg of the series, held in Sri Lanka in April 2018, was won 6-0 by the hosts Sri Lanka. England now requires a series win at home to level the series.

Cashwagon has a developing history with cricket in Sri Lanka, including one of the company’s employees, Malshan Rodrigo, a young, dynamic and energetic member of the national side. The sponsorship is seen as a natural extension of the growing relationship.

They are excited by new partnership with Cashwagon, said Hiran de Mel, Head of Technical and Operations for Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association, on the eve of the series. Cashwagon is a huge supporter of Indoor cricket in Sri Lanka as well as the people of Sri Lanka, through their financial services”. Samila Fernando, CEO of Lendtech Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, the company which operates the Cashwagon platform under “Cashwagon” brand, had similar encouraging remarks, “ They have been following Indoor Cricket in Sri Lanka as fans for many years with pride at being able to play a small role in helping our talented team to complete a successful series against England.” 

Members of the Cricket Team and Sponsors     

Sheshan Sanchuka of Aluthgama Vidyalaya scored a hurricane 114 runs in their inter-school under 13 division two tournament cricket match against Taxila Vidyalaya Gampaha and Aluthgama Vidyalaya beat the visitors on first innings by 88 runs.

Taking the first lease Aluthgama Vidyalaya scored 181 runs and Sheshan hit twenty two fours and one six and also he occupied the crease for 150 minutes and faced 117 balls.

He was associated in a second wicket partnership of 158 runs with Wihanga Fernando who contributed 39 runs and Shanuka Hettiarachchi claimed 4 for 23 runs. In reply visitors were bowled out for 93 runs.

Aluthgama Vidyalaya– 181 in 48.4 overs – (Sheshan Sanchuka 114, Wihanga Fernando 39, Shanuka Hettiarachchi 4/23)

Taxila Vidyalaya – 93 in 33 overs (Tushan Pumika 3/9, Abdul Basith 2/9, Sheshan Sanchuka 3/2.

It was a historic moment for both Lewis Hamilton and Valentino Rossi, as well as their respective sports, the pair completed an unprecedented track day as each swapped machinery at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

Valentino Rossi drove The Mercedes-AMG F1 W08 EQ Power+, a car that won the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport at the hands of Lewis Hamilton, whilst Lewis rode the 2019 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1 bike that only weeks earlier had been piloted by Valentino at the very same circuit.

The significance of the occasion was not lost on either Lewis or Valentino who have made no secret of their admiration and respect for each other in recent years. Acting as a mentor for the other, the pair were able to complete multiple runs on each other’s machinery and share insight, learn about each other’s craft and enjoy a unique experience.

The six-time Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton:“It’s so awesome to see a legend like Valentino in the car. I’m excited for him for discovering the car for the first time. Reminds me of my first time in a F1 car. When you see all the team around you, it’s just a different animal.”Of his time out on track riding the Yamaha YZR-M1 with Rossi he added: “It was so cool to be out on track and see Valentino ahead of me on the same bike.”

Sri Lanka Air Force beat Negombo Cricket Club by four wickets in their inter club T20 cricket tournament - 2020 organised by Sri Lanka Cricket and worked off at Colts Grounds, Colombo. Taking the first lease Negombo lads were all out for 118 runs and in reply Airmen notched up the required score for the loss of 6 wickets with Chamara Fernando making the top score of 44 runs.

Chief Scores

Negombo CC– 118 in 19.5 overs – Dilshan Munaweera 33, Lasanda Rukmal 2/29, Sanjaya Perera 3/33, Rashinda Silva 2/17, Chathuranga Kumara 2/6

Sri Lanka Air Force– 119/6 in 19.4 overs – Chamara Fernando 44, Shabik Isithry 27, Madawa Nimesh 19 n/o, Madawa Wrnapura 2/11

After the washout in Guwahati, India and Sri Lanka will attempt to go again, in the second T20I in Indore on Tuesday.

Nothing about the abandonment would have drastically changed anything either side expects from this series, though. With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 looming larger, the focus is, as ever, the focus will continue to be on ironing out the flaws and figuring out approaches.

To that end, India will again keep a close eye on the performances of Shikhar Dhawan and Jasprit Bumrah, among others. Dhawan is battling for a spot in the XI, with Rohit Sharma rested and KL Rahul impressing, while Bumrah is set to make his comeback after a long spell spent on the sidelines with injury.

Sri Lanka, who have been inconsistent lately, securing an impressive series win in Pakistan and then being swept in Australia, also have experimentation on the agenda. It was telling that in the XI they named in Guwahati – the skies opened up after toss – there was no place for Angelo Mathews, the veteran who was recalled to the squad.

For all the planning for the World Cup, both teams will also be acutely aware that, this being the second T20I of a three-match series, a victory can ensure an unassailable 1-0 lead.

The teams last faced each other (not counting the washout in Guwahati) in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, when India secured a comfortable seven-wicket win in their chase of 265. Mathews scored a fine 113, but was outshone by KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, both of whom registered centuries.

As for T20Is, the teams last played each other in a tri-series match in March 2018, with an inexperienced Indian side securing a six-wicket chase of 153. At the time, Shardul Thakur took 4/27 to help restrain Sri Lanka.

Indore will have pleasant conditions, ranging around 20°C, although expect a nip in the air as the match progresses into the night.

There were plenty of runs on offer in the last – and only – T20I played at this venue, between India and Sri Lanka incidentally, in 2017, when India posted 260/5 and kept Sri Lanka to 172.

Royal College Colombo beat St. Anthony’s College Katugastota by 83 runs in their fixture of the ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 inter Schools Cricket tournament yesterday.

Twenty two wickets fallen on day one between Ananda College Colombo and S. Thomas’College Mt. Lavinia at SSC. President’s College Maharagama beat C.W.W. Kannangara MV Colombo by innings and 10 runs.

S. Thomas’College leading first innings against Ananda College Colombo in the ‘Atapattu – Halangode Challenege trophy match. Amith Ebert (St. Anthony’s Katugastota) took 8 wickets against Royal and Paceman Yasiru Rodrigo of S. Thomas took 6 wickets against Ananda.

Leshan Amarasinghe (Isipatthana), Pawantha Weerasinghe (Mahanama Colombo), Ashan Dilhara (St. Jonh’s Panadura) and Reshan Malith (St. John’s Panadura) made centuries.

* At Reid Avenue (Royal Colombo won by 83 runs)

Royal Colombo: 157 and 85 (33.3) (Tithira Weerasinghe 59, Amith Ebert 8/39)

St. Anthony’s Kandy: 85 (70/7 o/n) (35.4) (Prabath Sachin 32, Gishan Balasuriya 5/23, Prashan Kalhara 2/5, Lahiru Madusanka 2/20) and 74 (39.3) (Gishan Balasuriya 4/16, Sonal Amarasekara 3/20, Prashan Kalhara 3/26)

* At Bandaragama (President’s Maharagama won by innings and 10 runs)

C.W.W. Kannangara MV Colombo: 82 and 156 (145/6 o/n) (65.2) (Anjana Senevirathne 40, Pavan Maleesha 30, A. G. Gosset 23, Chandeepa Kumarasingha 4/39, Jayuka Kandanarachchi 3/26, Vihanga Pathirana 2/72)

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)

On day One

* At SSC. Ananda Colombo: 94 (31.4) (Kanishka Ranthilakage 40, Sonara Karunathilake 18, Yasiru Rodrigo 6/8, Dilmin Rathnayake 3/20) and 52/2 (16) (Kanishka Ranthilakage 20)

S. Thomas’ Mount Lavinia: 190 (31.4) (Shalin De Mel 50, Ryan Fernando 48, Anuk Palihawadana 23, Saviru Bandara 5/42, Isuru Ayesh 3/60)

* At Moratuwa. St. Joseph’s Colombo: 197 (70.5) (Sadeesh Jayawardene 81, Hiran Jayasundara 52, Kalana Sandeep 8/43)

St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa: 78/1 (22) (Dunith Jayathunge 36 n.o., Sukitha Prasanna 32 n.o.)

* At Bloomfield. Mahanama Colombo: 346/9 decl. (89.1) (Pawantha Weerasinghe 118, Pulshan Rohana 84, Sadishan Chamodya 33, Kujana Perera 30, Vinuka Rubasingha 25, Adeel Ismiriy 2/22, Mahadi Namiz 2/44, Imithiyas Slasa 2/90) Zahira Colombo: 3/0 (3)

* At Kurunegala. Isipathana Colombo:355/9 decl. (87.4) (Leshan Amarasinghe 159, Savindu Uthsara 90, Thiwanka Kathriarachchi 33, Thevindu Dickwella 21, Matheesha Weerasinghe 3/67, Thimira Chandrasena 2/46, Hasindu Ruwanpura 2/54) Maliyadeva Kurunegala: 17/0 (8)

* At Thurstan. Gurukula Kelaniya: 199 (53) (Praveen Nimesh 52, Kemira Nayanatharu 47, Rashmika Mewan 39, Yohan Liyanage 4/79, Punthila Samanthakumara 3/36, Hirujith Rasanjana 2/30)

Thurstan Colombo: 158/7 (40) (Sanuth Nandinu 40, Ranesh Silva 25, Bhawantha Jayasinghe 24, Janitha Shehan 2/19, Thushara Madushan 2/33, Rishitha Sankalpa 2/35)

* At Gampaha. Bandaranayake Gampaha: 111 (27.5) (Kavishka Jayawardena 31 n.o., Sandaru Pathirana 24, Rusith Kavishka 23, Rusiru Randinu 3/25, Kavindu Malshan 2/22, Hasindu Prabod 2/23, Chamod Sulakshana 2/31) and 93/3 (22.2) (Dushan Saranga 37, Dinujaya Hettiarachchi 32, Sasindu Prabod 2/29)

Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya:126 (40) (Hasindu Piumal 33, Rusiru Randunu 22, Yasiru Wijesinghe 5/21, Kavishka Jayawardene 3/40, Sahan Puwakpitiya 2/46)

* At Panadura. Sri Sumangala Panadura: 253 (69.2) (Mihiranga Fernando 64, Vidusha Peiris 62, Heshan Uminda 30, Tharana De Silva 28, Sandun Sathsara 4/54, Mayura Edirisinghe 2/22)

Piliyandala Central Piliyandala: 79/4 (35) (Heshara Dilkith 33, Vidusha Peiris 2/10)

* At Panadura. St. John’s Panadura: 397/9 decl. (63.3) (Ashan Dilhara 152, Reshan Malith 102, Sachin Dhananjaya 31, Yasiru Sandeepa 30, Ashen Maduranga 4/89, Ravishka Tharusha 2/43, Chanaka Wijesingha 2/41)

Dudley Senanayake Central Tholangamuwa: 54/3 (22) (Madhuranga Dissanayake 28, Sasitha Manupriya 2/8)

* At Karandeniya. Galahitiyawa Central College: 168 (39) (Neluka Dilshan 63 n.o., Samith Isuru 5/70, Hansamana De Silva 2/29) and 18/0 (7)

Karandeniya Central: 150 (45.1) (Srilal Dhananjaya 39, Nirmal Yasod 38, Senesh Nadeeshan 5/36, Sandaruwan Chinthaka 3/34)

* At Railway ground. Nalanda Boy’s Minuwangoda:105 (36.1) (Charuka Janith 28, Nadun Kalhara 24, Dinura Sandeepa 4/20, Viranga Yeshan 3/31, Lithika Damsith 2/15)

Carey Colombo: 173 (61.3) (Abdul Basith 47, Alankara Jayalath 42, Vihanga Deemantha 24, Mihindu Malith 4/44, Kavishka Lakshan 3/26, Kavindu Maduranga 2/10)

* At Horana. Taxila Central Horana: 321 (87) (Sasanka Adeepa 76, Deshan Dilmith 66 n.o., Dinupa Sandinu 54, Gihan Madubash 26, Eranga Jayakody 24, Vidushan Yasintha 21, Nimesh De Silva 5/86, Brian Julius 2/36) St. Peter’s Negombo: 48/2 (13)

* At Jaffna. P. De S. Kularathne MV Ambalangoda: 101 (39.1) (Kumindu Nilhara 44, Yogadas Vidushan 6/33, Anton Saraan 2/10)

St. John’s Jaffna: 233/6 (55.5) (T. Vinojan 73 n.o., N Sowmiyan 47)

* At Ragama. Kirillawala MV: 127 (39.4) (Shihan Rashmikja 59, Visira Himantha 20, Dilesh Chamodya 4/18, Kanishka Dulhara 3/04, Sewmina Priyamal 2/18) and 1/0 (1)

Basilica Ragama: 192 (63) (Tharindu Gimhana 68, Kanishka Dilhara 35, Sriman Mihidum 25, Dilshan Aloka 21, Shihan Rashmika 3/14, Deneth Sandakelum 3/20). YK

SYDNEY, monday: Nathan Lyon captured five for 50 and 10 match wickets to lead dominant Australia to a crushing 279-run victory over New Zealand to sweep the three-Test series in Sydney on Monday.

The off-spinner led the powerful Australian bowling attack to dismiss the Kiwis for 136 and seal another heavy win over the Black Caps after similar victories in Perth and Melbourne.

Australia have been unbeatable this season, winning all five Tests at home -- two against Pakistan and three against New Zealand -- after retaining the Ashes by drawing the series 2-2 in England.

Australia declared their second innings at 217 for two with David Warner scoring an unbeaten century, leaving the Black Caps with a revised 416-run target in the fourth innings on a wearing Sydney Cricket Ground pitch.

But the Kiwis buckled under the pressure of Australia's superior bowling attack with Mitchell Starc taking three for 25 to support the wiles of spinner Lyon. New Zealand were reeling early at 27-4 and never recovered after Starc and Lyon took two wickets each in the middle session to put the skids under the tourists. Starc removed both openers, Tom Latham and Tom Blundell, in the first five overs.

Blundell fell to a stunning catch by a diving Lyon at point for two and stand-in skipper Latham lost a review for leg before wicket on umpire's call for one in a shattering blow to New Zealand's hopes. Jeet Raval was out in a review to the faintest of edges on 'Snicko' in Lyon's first over for 12, with the Kiwi innings unravelling under the onslaught from the Australian attack.

First-innings top-scorer Glenn Phillips went for a duck after technology detected a faint outside edge to wicketkeeper Tim Paine off Lyon leaving the Kiwis a shaky 22 for four.

Ross Taylor became the leading all-time Kiwi batsman, going past Stephen Fleming (7,172) before he was bowled by Pat Cummins for 22 to take his Test aggregate to 7,174.

Big-hitting Colin de Grandhomme smacked Lyon for six over extra cover to bring up his fifty but went next ball hoicking to Joe Burns at deep mid-wicket to take a comfortable catch for 52.

Todd Astle was out to a superb diving catch by James Pattinson in the outfield for 17 to give Lyon his fourth wicket of the innings late in the day.

Starc yorked William Somerville's middle stump for seven and BJ Watling was the last to fall, caught at backward square leg by Pat Cummins for 19. Earlier, Warner completed his 24th Test century with a clip off his pads for three runs through mid-wicket and remained unbeaten when skipper Paine declared upon the dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne. AFP

Cape Town, Monday: Ben Stokes launched an astonishing assault which enabled England to give themselves plenty of time to push for victory, but the tourists had to work hard to take two South African wickets before the close on the fourth day of the second Test at Newlands on Monday.

Set to make a world record 438 to win, South Africa were 126 for two at the close. They used up 56 overs on Monday but will need to bat out another 90 on Tuesday to prevent England from levelling the four-match series.

Opening batsman Pieter Malan, making his Test debut, scored 63 not out and shared half-century partnerships with Dean Elgar (34) and Zubayr Hamza, who was caught behind off James Anderson in the penultimate over of the day for 18.

Stokes slammed 72 off 47 balls to overshadow a maiden Test century by Dominic Sibley, who continued his sedate progress as he took his overnight score of 85 to 133 not out. He reached his hundred off 269 balls and faced 311 deliveries in his innings.

England’s batting on Monday was in dramatic contrast to their effort on Sunday when they ground their way to 218 for four off 79 overs. Sparked by Stokes they added another 157 runs off only 32 overs before declaring five overs after lunch on 391 for eight.

While Sibley continued to play the anchor role, Stokes went on the attack against every bowler he faced. He survived a chance on 38 when an attempted pull against Kagiso Rabada could not be held by a diving Quinton de Kock after the wicketkeeper ran about 35 metres in trying to take the catch.

Stokes was caught at long-on off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj after an innings which included three sixes and seven fours and had a large English contingent in the crowd roaring their approval.

Ollie Pope fell quickly but Jos Buttler continued the attack, hitting 23 off 18 balls as the lead went beyond 400.

South African captain Faf du Plessis chose not to take the second new ball when it was due after a maiden over by Dwaine Pretorius at the start of play. He perhaps reasoned that Maharaj had a chance of dismissing Stokes early in his innings.

The tactic backfired, however, as 28 runs were added in five overs before the new ball was taken, including sixes by Stokes off Pretorius and Maharaj.

Malan, out for five in the first innings, survived a review for leg before wicket against Stuart Broad when he was on four but then batted with patience to notch a patient maiden Test fifty off 144 balls which included only two fours.

England’s first success was a first Test wicket for Joe Denly, who troubled the left-handed Elgar with his leg-spinners into the rough outside the left-hander’s off stump, eventually having him caught behind off an edge so faint that Elgar unsuccessfully sought a review. AFP

Rory Burns is expected to miss England's tour of Sri Lanka due to injury.

Burns, the opening batsman, sustained a severe injury to his ankle ligaments when he landed awkwardly while playing football in training the day before the second Test in Cape Town.

He is set to see a specialist in the next week, who will determine whether he requires surgery. Only after that decision is made can an estimate be given on a likely return date but, as things stand, the England management do not expect him to be available for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka which starts on March 19.

The news is a cruel blow for Burns and England. He averaged 47.22 in his five Tests before the injury, with one century and three half-centuries, and was arguably the first opener to establish himself in the side since the days of Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook.

If he is deemed unfit to tour Sri Lanka, it will increase speculation that England could hand a recall to Keaton Jennings, who played his last Test a year ago in the West Indies but scored a century in Galle during the 3-0 whitewash in 2018-19.

As a result of the injury to Burns, the England coach, Chris Silverwood has banned the playing of football as a warm-up activity. 

Why Sri Lanka are struggling to perform in T20 international cricket is twofold. First of all they don’t have a regular domestic T20 inter-club tournament and neither do they have a Premier League franchise with international stars participation like other countries. The second factor is that the majority of our top order batsmen sport a batting average of less than 20 so it is no surprise that Sri Lanka average around 140-160 totals which is insufficient in today’s context for the bowlers to defend.

The current administration of Sri Lanka Cricket is doing their best to bridge the gap with a Major T20 tournament that commenced on Saturday with 26 clubs in the fray and also a Sri Lanka Premier League in the pipeline scheduled to commence in August. However the benefits of these tournaments will be reaped only in another few years’ time.

In the meanwhile with the World T20 fast approaching Sri Lanka need to find an immediate solution to shore up their top order batting so that they regularly score in excess of 180 in an innings to give their bowlers a fair chance of restricting or dismissing the opposition. The cold stats show that Sri Lanka has gone past the 200-run mark only twice in their last 30 T20 Internationals when teams like India whom Sri Lanka is currently involved with in a three-match series are regularly hitting the 200-run mark as was witnessed in their last series against West Indies.

From the side that is touring India Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka all average below 20, Danushka Gunathilaka averages 21, Kusal Perera 28 and Angelo Mathews 27. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Oshada Fernando who both made their T20I debuts in the recently concluded series in Pakistan and have played only a dozen matches between them average 33 and 48 respectively.

What our cricketers lack is the constant exposure to T20 cricket. The only opportunities they get are when they represent their country or if they are lucky enough to be signed up to represent a team in one of the T20 franchise leagues around the world like the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League (in Australia), the Caribbean Premier League (in West Indies), Bangladesh Premier League, the Pakistan Super League or the Mzansi Super League (in South Africa).

There was talk of getting down power hitting coach Julian Wood from England for a few weeks to work with our batsmen, but it is learnt that the idea has now been shelved and that former Zimbabwe cricketer Grant Flower will address that area in addition to his duties as batting coach of the national team.

Through carefully constructed training routines and equipment, Wood has created his own coaching format which has helped several international players perfect their technique as effective power hitters. He worked with the England team that went onto win the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

THE RATIONALE OF PLAYING WARM-UP FOOTBALL

The ankle injury sustained by Test opener Rory Burns that has placed him in danger of missing out on England’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in February has once again given rise to the question whether common sense should prevail in allowing cricketers the freedom of warming-up ahead of an international cricket match by playing a game of football.

If Burns fails to make the tour he will join another England Test cricketer Jonny Bairstow who a year ago lost his place as wicketkeeper on a tour of Sri Lanka after damaging ankle ligaments in a kick-about.

There has been several instances of international cricketers getting injured by kicking the soccer ball around that it is high time that coaches and trainers took a hard look at the rationality of getting players to warm-up in this manner.

Sri Lanka has also had their fair share of players getting injured while indulging in a game of football during a warm-up.

During the 2009 tour of India, ace spinner Muthiah Muralitharan suffered a leg injury while playing soccer and in 2013 fast bowler Shaminda Erana suffered a freak leg injury playing a warm-up game of soccer when he collided with team mate Tillakaratne Dilshan on the eve of the third Test against Australia at Sydney. But in spite of these incidents the Lankan players even today still indulge in a game of the most popular sport in the world to get their adrenaline flowing.

It is reliably learnt that Sri Lanka cricket’s new head coach South African Mickey Arthur is not a great fan of playing warm-up football and in all probability will put an end to this ever growing menace that is taking a heavy toll of players.

Taniya Minel Balasuriya fired an opening round 69, 3 under par returning the day’s best score to take a clear lead in the Prima Sunrise Open Junior Championship Girls Gold and Silver Division Age group Category 15 – 18+, which teed off at the Ridgeways – Royal Colombo Golf Club Course, with 72 juniors participating in different Age Group Categories.

Taniya Minel led the Girls’ Gold Division ahead of Kayla Perera’s 9 strokes behind the leader, with Sherin Balasuriya in 3rd place on 80. Arika Wickramasinghe secured 4th place on 89.

Nirekh Tejwani, with the 1st Round second best card of 72, took the lead in the Prima Sunrise Junior Open Championship Boys’ Gold Division Age Group Category 15 – 18+, four strokes ahead of Yannik Kumara on 76. K. Danushan 77, Shanel Binushka 80 and Levon Niyarepola 82, comprising the top five in the Boys’ category.

In the Silver Division Boys’ Age Group Category 12 – 14+, K. Danushan took the lead with a 77 three strokes ahead of Shanal Binushka on 80, followed by G. Abinav Basker on 85.

Reshan Algama took a four stroke lead from Kaya Daluwatte in the Bronze Division Age Group Category 10 – 11+ over 14 Holes. Varun Fernando 66, Kvahn Tejwani 67 and N. Abdul Rahuman (NEGC) 69 appear to be a formidable challenge in the Bronze category though Reshan and Kaya are favoured to fight it out to the last hole of the 3 Round Championship.

The Copper Division for the Age Group Category 9 & Under over 9 holes had a close two way battle between Thejas RathisKanth - 46 and Kaiyen Johnpillai - 47 well clear of 3rd placed Aradhi Samaratne on 62.

Results:

GOLD & SILVER DIVISION - GIRLS

Taniya Minel Balasuriya 69, Kayla Perera 78, Sherin Balasuriya 80

GOLD DIVISION – BOYS AGE GROUP 15 – 18+

Nirekh Tejwani 72, Yannik Kumara 76, K. Danushan 77, Shanal Binushka 80, Levon Niyarepola 82

SILVER DIVISION AGE GROUP 12 – 14+

K.Danushan 77, Shanal Binushka 80, Abinav Basker 85, H. P. Alokshana Weerasinghe (Anu) 87, L.G. Thanuja Kalhara (Anu) 87, Pranav Muralitharan 88, F. Imran 90

BRONZE DIVISION AGE GROUP 10 – 11+ (14 Holes)

Reshan Algama 60, Kaya Daluwatte 64, Varun Fernando 66, Kvahn Jaohnpillai 67, N. Abdul Rahuman (NEGC) 69

COPPER DIVISION AGE GROUP 9 & Under (9 Holes)

Thejas Rathis Kanth 46, Kaiyan Johnpillai 47, Aradhi Samaratne 62

The Sri-Lanka Army annual Interunit Cycling championships organized by the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Regiment (SLEMER) was worked off in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura in a 35km, Circuit recently. The event was headed by National Commissaire of the CFSL, Ushan Kodagoda, with a veteran team. Over 100 cyclists representing 12 units of the Sri Lanka Army participated in six events.

Host SLEME won the overall championship gaining 115 points and bagged the National championship challenge trophy while Gadjaba Regiment and SL Artillery became runner-ups. The third place was won by SL Ordinance Corps.

Results:

(Open) Inter-unit racing class road race - 140 km - 04 laps

1st place - CFN Madonsa - HAD - 03 hrs - 09mins - 51 secs.

2nd place - CFN Weerasinghe WDPS - 03 hrs - 09mins- 51 secs.

3rd place - CFN Thisera - MNP - SLEME - 03 hrs - 09 mins - 51secs.

4th place - L/C Dayananda RTC - SLEME - 03 hrs - 09 mins - 51 secs.

5th place - PTE Sadaruwan Pinto SLSR - 03 hrs - 11 mins - 08 secs.

6th place - PVT Kumarasinghe - SLEME - 03 hrs - 11 mins - 08 secs.

7th place - L/C Wickrame - SLEME - 03 hrs - 11 mins - 10 secs.

8th Place - L/C Sampath WKS - 03 hrs - 11 mins - 15 secs.

9th Place - PLT- Perera DRP - SLAC - 03 hrs - 14 mins - 11 secs.

10th Place - L/C Pushapakumara MAP- SLAC- 03 hrs - 14 mins - 42 secs.

STANDARD EVENT – 185 KM

1st Place - PTE - Shihara RAS - SLASC - 02 hrs 37 min 33 sec

2nd Place - CFN – Priyadarshana - SSLEME - 02 hrs 37 min 37 sec

3rd Place - PVT - De Silva YMA - SIA - 02 hrs 37 min 40 sec

4th Place - PTE - Madushanka WPL GR - 02 hrs 37 min 40 sec

5th Place - CFN Perera PKSM - SLEME - 02 hrs 37 min 40 sec

6th Place - CFN Perera KGPV - SLEME - 02 hrs 37 min 40 sec

7th Place - PTE Jayakantha WS - SLEME - 02 hrs 37 min 40 sec

8th Place - PTE - Dissanayaka- DMDK- SLA - 02 hrs 37 min 40 sce

9th Place - Chandrawansa HMHR - GR - 02hrs 37 min 40 sce

10th Place - Sankapsla KKK - ESR - 02hrs 37 min 40 sce

WOMEN – (standard) 35 KM

1st Place - PTE - PTE Dilhani BAS - SLAWC - 01 hrs 07 min 03 sec

2nd Place - PPE - HEARATH HMDS - SLAWC - 01 hrs 07 min 05 sec

3rd Place - PTE - WIJESINGE ND - 2SLAWC - 01 hrs 07 min 23 sec

4th Place - PTE - Jayanthika KG - 2SLAWC - 01 hrs 10 min 51 sec

5th Place - PET - Weerasinghe WJUS - 2SLAWC - 01 hrs 10 min 57 sec

Road race (men) desabled – 35Km

1st Place - CPL - Wasantha GL - GR - 01 hr - 01 min - 49 sec

2nd Place - L/ CPL Ranasinghe WPMK - GR - 01 hr - 04 min - 41 sec

3rd Place - CPL - Dissanayake - PMPK - GR - 01 hr - 09 min - 23 sec

Veterans race – 35KM – age over 60 – 70 35 Km

1st Place Sliya Weerakody - age (65) - SLOC

2nd Place WF Jayalath - age (65) - SACS

3rd Place Jagathn Premalal - age (61) - SLESC

4th place KDS Perera - age (58) - GR

Over 70 -

1st Place - P, Anthony Symons - age (76) - SLEME

The chief guests were, Major General Sirinage - SLEME Commanding Officer and president - Army cycling Club, Brigadier Indu Samarakoan - Centre Commandant – SLEME, Lt Colonel Randi Jayasinghe - Secretary.

Brigadier Randeniya, Brigadier Sumith Premalal, Brigadier Saman Liyanage, and Lt colonel Jayatissa, Coordinated the event.Also, WO I CP Meemanage - SAG, SARCC gold Medalist with staff SGT, Ishan worked hard to make this a Success.