DHAKA, Wednesday: Thousands of ecstatic fans celebrated on the streets and a stadium crowd screamed “we are the champions” as Bangladesh returned home to a hero’s welcome on Wednesday after winning the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

They stunned four-time winners India in the final late on Sunday in South Africa’s Potchefstroom to record a three-wicket victory over the favourites.

A flight carrying the victors landed at Dhaka’s main airport at 4:55pm (1055 GMT) local time where they were greeted by officials and thousands of jersey wearing and flag waving fans.

The country’s sports minister Zahid Ahsan and the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan received the players and support staff with flower garlands at the airport as fans roared “Bangladesh, Bangladesh. We are the World Champions.”

The players boarded a specially designed bus painted in national colours and had ‘World Champions’ written in front as they travelled to Dhaka’s main cricket stadium.

Hundreds of people stood on both sides of the streets to cheer the victorious team. A procession of motor bikes with many waving national flags followed the team.

“We are champions. These boys really made us proud,” said an ecstatic fan Ariful Islam.

Islam was one of an estimated 5,000 fans, according to police, who welcomed the junior Tigers at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, also known as the home of Bangldeshi cricket.

Fans waiting outside quickly filled up parts of the stands as the BCB rolled out a red carpet for the players.

Victorious captain Akbar Ali cut a huge cake before the festivities ended with 19 fireworks.

Ali said they were surprised by the reception.

“We knew something would happen, but we did not expect it would be this big. It is unbelievable. I cannot express in words how I am feeling now,” Ali told a crowded press conference at the stadium.

Ali, who scored an unbeaten 43 in the tense final to become player of the match, hoped the win would help the sport in the country move forward. “Everything needs a start. I hope our win will work as a stepping stone to take our cricket forward,” Ali said.

BCB chief Hassan hailed the triumph as Bangladesh’s biggest ever sporting success.

“We have had many achievements in the past, but nothing can be comparable to what this team has achieved. A World Cup is a World Cup. They won it. It was our dream,” Hassan said.

“We will create an Under-21 unit (with this team) and give specialised training to upgrade their skill. During this period each player will receive Tk 100,000 ($1,175 approximately) every month. This is our reward for them,” she added.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also hold a public reception for the players in Dhaka’s sprawling Suhrawardi Udyan park in next week, the BCB chief said. – AFP

With new, young and exciting players in our squad, I’m desperate to see how our new-look team will fare in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, says Sri Lanka Women’s cricket team captain Chamari Atapattu.

A tournament like this always brings so much excitement, for the players and the supporters, and we’re all looking forward to seeing what these players can do.

With five players over 30, there is also lots of experience in this team to allow the younger players to learn and show what they are capable of on the cricket field.

The mixture of senior girls and up-and-coming juniors is something we’re really keen to look out for, so all in all we’re pretty happy with the team we are taking to Australia.

As a country, we’ve always expressed the notion that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough, and that’s no different in this squad.

We like to give players opportunities and at 21, Harshitha Madavi has shown she is capable of stepping up as a leader. She has impressed with the bat and in the field, and I’m excited to see what she brings to the team as vice-captain in this World Cup.

A lot of this group is new but we won’t be short of experience together. We will have played 24 practice games before our first game of the tournament, so we are a team that is well-prepared.

We’ve also had some recent experience in Australia as part of the ICC ODI Championship and we also played three-match T20I series, so we’re making sure our preparation is correct.

That was a very good dress rehearsal for us – most of the players that will feature in the World Cup were on tour there, so we got used to playing in those conditions.

We’ll be having a camp in Melbourne before we get going with the warm-up matches, we’ll be training and playing some matches out there which should be a really important part of preparation.

As for the group, we know we have some difficult teams that we will be coming up against, but we are confident in our abilities and know that victories are achievable.

First up, we are up against New Zealand and Australia, both games in Perth, which we know will be tough tests against teams that are well suited to the conditions.

But these challenges are what we have been working for, we have been getting ourselves used to the pitches that we are going to be playing on to help us be as prepared as possible for the matches.

Because we’ve done that, if we are able to play to our full capabilities then we can certainly put in some strong challenges to those teams.

We’ll then be heading back across to Melbourne to face India and Bangladesh, two teams we know quite well, so we’re looking forward to all of the matches we have.

We know that those two teams will be difficult but we are confident in what we do, we are playing on neutral pitches and I believe that will be the key to a good game of cricket.

The first aim for us is making the semi-finals, getting in the top two in the group will get us there and we’re confident and happy with the preparations we’ve had to help get us there.

We’ve never been beyond the first round and that’s a record we’re desperate to put right, especially having played in each of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cups so far.

We have shown in previous tournaments – such as beating India in 2014 and South Africa in 2016 – that we are capable of putting in these big performances. For us now, the challenge is putting together multiple big games in the same tournament. – ICC

A man who faked a membership card to access the best seats at Lord's has been told he could go to jail.

James Lattimer put his photograph on to a card - originally owned by a Lord's member who died in 2014 - after he bought it on eBay, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

Lattimer, 51 and from Bournemouth, was found with the faked card in August.

He admitted fraud at a hearing in November and is due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court at a later date.

It costs £1,000 to become a member of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), known colloquially as the home of cricket, and there is a 29-year waiting list. Lattimer, of Green Road in Bournemouth, used the faked card to get into an exclusive members-only area after buying a ticket to enter the ground.

Passing sentence, District Judge Samuel Mark Goozee told Latimer: "I consider my powers are not sufficient for sentence."

Lattimer, who runs a corporate cleaning company, was released on unconditional bail. – BBC

Front foot no ball technology will be used in a major tournament for the first time at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia later this month. The decision to use this system was made after successful trials conducted recently in both India and the West Indies.

The third umpire will monitor the front foot landing position after each ball and communicate to the on-field umpire if the delivery was a no ball. The on-field umpires have been instructed not to call any front foot no balls unless advised to do so by the third umpire, although they will be responsible for calling all other types of no ball on the field.

The technology was recently trialed across 12 games, during which 4717 balls were bowled and 13 no balls (0.28% of deliveries) were called. All deliveries were judged accurately.

Geoff Allardice, ICC General Manager Cricket said: “Cricket has an excellent track record of introducing technology to support the decision making of our match officials and I’m confident that this technology will reduce the small number of front foot no ball errors at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.”

“No balls are difficult for umpires to call accurately, and even though the percentage of deliveries that are no balls is low, it is important to call them correctly. Since we first trialed this concept in the ODI series between England and Pakistan in 2016 the technology has improved significantly, enabling us to introduce it cost-effectively, and with minimum impact on the flow of the game.”

SINGAPORE, Thursday: The Singapore and Hong Kong legs of the World Rugby Sevens Series have been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, World Rugby announced on Thursday.

The outbreak has killed more than 1,300 people in China and infected tens of thousands more, and there are signs that infection rates are continuing to rise.

The Singapore tournament, which was due to take place on April 11-12, will now take place on Oct. 10-11, and the Hong Kong leg has been moved from April 3-5 to Oct. 16-18.

"The health and safety of our players, fans and everyone working on the event is always our highest priority," World Rugby said in a statement.

“This prudent decision ...was taken based on the World Health Organisation and relevant public authority travel and health guidelines. (It) ...is fully supported by stakeholders, including unions and commercial partners.”

The Hong Kong Sevens, which arguably popularised and globalised the shortened version of rugby in the 1990s, is considered the marquee stop on the 10-tournament circuit.

The Singapore and Hong Kong rounds were seen as key to teams’ preparations for the Tokyo Olympics rugby sevens competitions, due to run from July 27-Aug. 1.

The Hong Kong tournament is set to host a joint Sevens Series competition for both men and women for the first time this year as World Rugby expanded the women’s circuit from six tournaments to eight.

Olympic champions Fiji have won the last five Hong Kong titles, while New Zealand lead the standings of the current series.

The tournaments join a long list of international sports events in Asia that have been cancelled, postponed or moved because of the virus, most notably the indoor world athletics championships in Nanjing from March 13-15.

– Agencies

The most prestigious International Schools’ Athletic Championship (ISAC) will commence at the Sugathadasa Stadium today. ISAC has special significance as this is the 20th year celebration of the championship.

This year’s edition will be hosted by Gateway College whose school athletic meet commenced in 2001 and has presently established itself as the flagship sporting event in the international schools calendar.

The event will comprise approximately 2000 athletes from 23 schools islandwide.

Athletes in the caliber of Shelinda Jansen, Sadeepa Henderson, Sachini Diviyanjali and Kavindu Bandara are few of the current Sri Lankan athletes competing for honours.

Horizon International School will be taking part for the first time.

Rohini Alles, managing director of Gateway Group will grace the occasion as chief guest at the opening ceremony and Minister of Foreign Relation, Skill Development, Employment, Labour Relation and Leader of the House of Parliament Dinesh Gunawardene will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony.

Tharana de Silva of Sri Sumangala College Panadura scored his second hundred of the season in the ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 inter-schools cricket tournament against Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya at Panadura yesterday.

Arana Dabare (Bandaranayake Veyangoda) took a match bag of 11 wickets in their 57-run win over Pothuwila MV Kalutara at Veyangoda.

Siri Piyarathana MMV Padukka beat Bandaranayake MMV Gampaha by an innings and 70 runs, Ananda Shashthralaya Kotte beat S. de S. Jayasinghe Central Dehiwala by an innings and 55 runs, Veluwana College Colombo beat Anura Central Yakkala by 173 runs, Bandaranayake MV Meerigama beat Westwood International School Kandy by 6 wickets and Ananda Shashthralaya Matugama beat Prince College Ratnapura by 8 wickets. All other matches were drawn.

RESULTS:

* At Lake View: Match drawn.

Dharmaraja Kandy: 227/9 decl (59) and 153/7 decl. (40.3) (Isuru Dayananda 61, Janith Gunathunge 28, Dulaj Bandara 25, Vihanga Gunarathne 2/26, Lakshitha Purasinge 2/28, Thisara Wickramasinghe 2/39)

Dharmapala Pannipitiya:192 (58.3) (Nadeesh Bandara 47, Sanchana Lanka 42, Vihanga Gunaratne 25, Praveen Kumarapperuma 23, Upendra Warnakulasuriya 7/42, Sahan Siriwardane 2/38)

* At Moratuwa: Match drawn.

Moratu Vidyalaya: 185 (44) (Nilaj Kavishka 47, Eran Hansamal 32 n.o., Dilshan Sulakshana 21, Chanuka Perera 3/30, Tharindu Maduwantha 3/30, Ashen Fernando 2/24) and 253 (60.1) (Madushan Dilakshana 90, Chamalka Pushpakumara 46, Nilaj Kavishka 36, Thilina Perera 5/70, Priayashan Silva 2/67)

Maris Stella Negombo: 226 (81.4) (Amantha Perera 45, Naveen Nirmal 41, Chamath Gomes 28, Thilina Perera 24, Rashan Kavishka 4/62, Vishwa Dudulana 2/46, Eran Hansamal 2/46)

* At Padukka: Siri Piyarathana Padukka won by inns and 70 runs.

Siri Piyarathana Padukka: 293;

Bandaranayake Gampaha: 121 (113/8 o/n) (38.5) (Dinujaya Hettiachchi 49, Kavindu Pathirana 21, Madushan Peiris 4/43, Kavinda Ishwara 3/42) and 102 (31.1) (Sandaru Pathirana 22, Kavinda Ishwara 5/40, Madushan Peiris 4/32)

* At Yakkala: Veluwana Colombo won by 173 runs.

Veluwana Colombo: 136 and 327/8 decl. (54/2 o/n) (62.4) (Ashan Udayanga 179, Milindu Kaveesha 38, Kavindu Dulanjana 28, Methura Kalshara 21, Dinuka Denuwan 4/58)

Anura Central: 144 and 146 (37.3) (Sanchana Ishan 30, Sachindu Tharusha 29, Pasindu Madushan 21, Ashan Udayanga 3/12, Kavindu Dulanjana 3/23, Kalana Kaumina 2/49)

* At Veyangoda: Bandaranayake Central Veyangoda won by 57 runs.

Bandaranayake Central Veyangoda: 97 and 245 (41/2 o/n) (61.1) (Movindu Jayasinghe 91, Vidura Nawarathne 34, Dilsha Malshara 31, Dhanuja Dewnith 22, Induwara Sanuhas 20, Ranmina Hansamal 2/11, Chiran Anurada 2/34, Lahiru Dilhan 2/40, Avindu Dissnayaka 2/67)

Pothuwila MV Kalutara: 206 and 79 (27.3) (Chathura Kumara 29, Arana Dabare 5/35, Ishuka Kemal 3/9, Thathsara Nawanjana 2/25)

* At Godigamuwa: Match drawn.

Galahitiyawa Central: 244 and 230 (48) (Sandaruwan Chinthaka 59, Senesh Nadeeshan 57, Yasith Rashmika 28, Subhan Sanuka 20, Harsha Madushanka 4/48, Rohan Sanjaya 4/86)

Tissa Central Kalutara: 227 (21/2 o/n) (53) (Iranda Dewmith 50, Ashen Chanula 43, Nikil Sasmika 42, Avishka Devinda 23, Harsha Madushanka 22 n.o., Pramuth Prasad 22, Ganindu Charulochana 2/8, Esanda Sithum 2/37, Sandaruwan Chinthaka 2/76) and 210/4 (40) (Harsha Madushanka 57 n.o., Iranda Dewmith 55, Sareen Dhananjaya 53 n.o., Rohan Sanjaya 25)

* At Ambepussa: Bandaranayake MV Meerigama won by 6 wickets.

Wesswood International School Kandy: 74 and 230 (60/1 o/n) (82.4) (M. Umar 53 n.o, M. Atheek 38, M. Shakir 23, A. Kaif 28, Narada Kanchana 4/74, Ishan Navinda 3/39)

Bandaranayake MV Meerigama: 217/8 decl. and 93/4 (25.2) (Ravindu Nipun 40 n.o., M. Shakir 2/16)

* At Matugama: Ananda Shashthralaya Matugama won by 8 wickets.

Prince Ratnapura: 151 (52.3) (Thejan Jayaratne 42, Randunu Ganganath 21, Ulindu Prabashwara 4/57, Kavindu Theekshana 2/31) and 191 (51.3) (Randunu Ganganath 56, Kushan Missaika 44, Pasindu Rashmika 23, Ulindu Prabashwara 5/72, Pasindu Bashana 2/30)

Ananda Sastralaya Mathugama: 311 (87.2) (Ulindu Prabashwara 69, Yasiru Dilhara 46, Pasindu Bashana 40, Kavindu Theekshana 34, Chathura Kularathne 24, Nuwan Dineth 23, Randunu Ganganath 4/78, Oshada Somawardana 3/44) and 32/2 (6.1)

* At Beddagana: Ananda Shashthralaya Kotte won by inns and 55 runs.

Ananda Shashthralaya Kotte: 362/8 decl. (81) (Hirusha Piyumal 86, Dhanaja Sandalindu 82, S. A. Aseem 37, Abilash Wellalage 33, Ashan Isira 24, Hasitha Hansidu 21, Dilshan Dias 3/109, Mohommed Akief 2/63, Yoshua Deshitha 2/83)

S. de S. Jayasinghe Central Dehiwala: 172 (54.3) (Dilshan Dias 54, M. Akmar 24, Navindu Arosh 23, Abilash Wellalage 5/41, Venuk Hettiarachchi 3/59, S.A. Azeem 2/21) and 145 (33.2) (Isuru Ushan 53, Navindu Arosh 20, Nadeeb Yasiru 3/23, S. A. Azeem 3/23, Venuk Hettiarachchi 3/49)

DAY ONE SCORES:

Matches will be continued today on day two.

* At Mattegoda: Isipathana: 257 (82) (Isuru Sandamal 44, Ravindu Rathnayaka 38, Savindu Uthsara 34, Leshan Amarasinghe 34, Thiwanka Lakruwan 29, Muditha Lakshan 3/52, Manura Peiris 2/13, Maneendra Jayathilake 2/43, Sasika Chandira 2/53)

D.S. Senanayake: 36/0 (11) at close.

* At Kurunegala: Nalanda: 303/8 decl. (79) (Raveen de Silva 103 n.o., Chamindu Wijesingha 57, Avishka Perera 55, Ranindu De Silva 36, Sakindu Wijeratne 3/92, Matheesha Weerasinghe 3/70, Pasindu Tennakoon 2/86)

Maliyadeva Kurunegala: 35/1 (14) at close

* At Rangiri Dambulla: St. Sylvester’s: 145 (58.3) (Sathsara Gamage 23, Hirushika Thimira 7/49, Sudeera Weerarathne 2/9)

Devapathiraja Ratgama: 86/3 (36) at close (Dineth Prabanka 26, Sudeera Weerarathne 25 n.o.)

* At Matara: St. Servatius: 165 (58) (Naveen Sahith 39, Keshara Nuwantha 34, Dinura Dilmith 25, Nisal Akash 3/30, Devindu Kekirideniya 3/31, Achintha Supun 3/45)

Mahanama: 92/3 (24) at close (Pawantha Weerasinghe 53 n.o., Pawan Ratnayake 25, Damindu Sankalpa 2/17)

* At Panadura: Sri Sumangala College, Panadura: 458/8 decl. (77.2) (Prabash Jayasekara 129, Tharana De Silva 100, Imeth Gampola 92, Vidusha Peiris 55 n.o., Charuka Jayathilake 33, Mihiranga Fernando 27, Helaknka Miduranga 2/76, Piyumika Madawaththa 2/82, Rusiru Randunu 2/92)

Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya: 73/1 (15) at close (Helanka Miduranga 38)

* At Peradeniya: Kingswood: 162 (57.2) (Pinidiya Polkotuwa 63, Keshan Kevin 24, Mahasen Ranasinghe 23, Hashan Wagarachchi 3/19, Pahan Brito 2/13)

President’s Kotte: 123/2 (31) at close (M. Sasitha 41)

* At Kirindiwela: Henegama Central Henegama: 157 (45.2) (Samith Wijenayake 42, Rashvika Chamath 37, Rusiru Thathsara 26, Colaba Gamage 4/38, Ameesha Diduranga 3/57)

Christ King Ja-Ela: 120/8 (47) at close (M. Kolambagamage 29, Jayasiri Fernando 27, Janith Maduhansa 6/37)

* At Hunumulla: Thakshila Gampaha: 134 (34.3) (Sasindu Rangana 47, Dihal Aththanage 22, Pasindu Induwara 3/31, Navod Nimantha 2/16, Janith Avishka 2/18, Saveendra Tharushika 2/19)

C.W.W. Kannangara Hunumulla: 357/8 decl. (61.3) (Rashmika Dulanjana 140, Osanda Sandew 115, Pasindu Dilshan 47, Dewdun Nethushan 3/85)

* At Pannala: Lyceum International School Wattala: 129 (39.2) (Ryan Perera 31, Sineth Weerasooriya 4/33, Akilanka Pethiyagoda 2/13, Praveen Liyanage 2/17, Maleesha Senanayake 2/40) and 55/1 (12) at close (Hansaja Bandara 27 n.o., Visal Perera 25 n.o.)

St. Mary’s Kegalle: 136/9 decl. (38.3) (Sandeepa Weerasooriya 21, Vidush Lakshman 2/5, Hansaja Bandara 2/13, Visal Perera 2/35)

* At Kalutara: De La Salle Colombo: 219 (46.2) (Kavindu Bimsara 66, Vishmitha Kaveesha 64, Charitha Vishwajith 28, Akindu Nirodha 22, Madushan Chathuranga 4/58, Adeesha Nethmina 3/43)

Welapura MV Kalutara: 119/9 (43) at close (Anuhas de Silva 21, Shalinda Gimhana 4/25, Kavindu Bimsara 3/35)

* At Mahara: St. Thomas’ Kotte: 101 (38.4) (Tharushka Asel 23, Janith Hasarange 3/7, Ushitha Subodha 2/12, Ruvin Sankalpa 2/36) and 22/3 (12) at close

Karunaratne Buddhist School Ragama: 181 (47.4) (Lasindu Kavishka 66, Bimsara Nimnajith 25, Malindu Perera 6/68, Tharushka Asel 2/12, Achintha Kavindu 2/62)

* At Balapitiya: Siddhartha Balapitiya: 265 (49.4) (Dilshan Anuradha 84, Nadeesha Viraj 72, Tharusha Kularathne 5/83, Lakshitha Dilshan 3/41)

C.W.W. Kannangara Colombo: 128 (31.3) (Vibuthi Ushan 62, Laksitha Dilshan 23, Thushara Dilshan 2/34, Prasanna Kumara 2/12, Viraj Maduranga 2/38 Prabath Fernando 2/2) and 6/0 (3.3) at close

* At Dalupotha: Carey: 89 (46.5) (Viranga Eshan 27 Nuditha Lakshan 4/22, Sandaruwan Silva 3/17, Adithya Fernando 2/9)

Harischandra NS Negombo: 52/4 (52) at close (Aveesha Weerarathne 2/11, Viranga Yeshan 2/14)

- (YK)

The Girls’ under 19 Singer Schools cricket tournament division 11 final will be played today (14 February) at the Thurstan College grounds, Colombo 7 from 12.30 p.m. onwards between winners of the semi-finals.

HONG KONG, China, Friday: The new coronavirus has scattered Chinese football clubs across the globe, with homesick players training for a season that has no start date and teams from other countries too scared to play them.

The Chinese Super League (CSL) was supposed to start later this month but the campaign was indefinitely postponed by the outbreak that has killed nearly 1,500 people and is centred on the Chinese city of Wuhan.

The CSL season will not begin until early April at the earliest, according to state media, but the start date remains uncertain while the virus continues to spread in China and other countries.

Chinese clubs have flown out to Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and Japan for pre-season training, despite having no idea when the campaign will begin or when they can safely return home.

Meanwhile China’s women’s Olympic team were forced to exercise in the corridor of the Brisbane hotel where they were quarantined, in a stark illustration of the challenges facing Chinese football.

Wuhan Zall, who finished sixth in the CSL last season, landed in Spain for a training camp near Malaga at the end of January, where they were met by medical personnel. None of the players or staff showed any symptoms.

Jose Gonzalez, Wuhan’s Spanish coach, pleaded for his players not to be demonised, saying that “they are not walking viruses, they are athletes”.

“I hope they find a little empathy in Spain, it can’t be easy to be so many kilometres from home and know that your family is in the quarantine zone,” Marca quoted him as saying. However, the Russian side FC Krasnodar cancelled a friendly against Wuhan seemingly because of fears over the virus. Europa Point FC of Gibraltar reportedly followed suit.

Chinese FA Cup winners Shanghai Shenhua -- shorn of striker Odion Ighalo, who has joined Manchester United on loan -- have been in Dubai for nearly two weeks and will then head to Abu Dhabi for more training, according to the Oriental Sports Daily.

Ighalo is yet to set foot in the Premier League club’s training ground as a precaution against the virus.

At Shenhua, the prolonged time away from home and the uncertainty has taken a psychological toll on the players.

“To be honest, if you don’t go home for so many days, the players will inevitably become homesick,” the newspaper quoted one team member as saying.

“But there is nothing you can do about it. Now the epidemic back home is more serious.

“The club management provides psychological counselling to the players to make the atmosphere as happy and harmonious as possible.”

There are no known fatalities in Chinese football from the outbreak, but a youth player at second-tier Zhejiang Greentown tested positive for the new coronavirus, the club said this week.

TAKING NO CHANCES

Beijing Guoan, who have London-born Chinese international Nico Yennaris in their squad, play away at Thailand’s Chiangrai United in the AFC Champions League next week as they return to competitive action for the first time since December 1.

The squad are already training in Thailand, having been on South Korea’s Jeju island. The club are taking no chances, gauging the players’ temperatures twice a day and making them wear masks while travelling.

Zhou Jinhui, the club chairman, visited the team on Tuesday and acknowledged that the players had been torn from their families at a difficult time.

“This situation is the first time for everyone here today. To be honest, I have no good way to solve it,” said Zhou. But he hopes that Beijing can beat Chiangrai to lift the spirits of football fans all over China.

“You don’t only have to go all-out, but you also need to adjust your mindset,” he told the players.

“Because for this game, not only will Beijing fans pay attention, but also many fans across the country will be watching.” - AFP

SYDNEY, Friday: Australia opener David Warner is braced for a hostile reception but hopes fans will show “respect” as he and Steve Smith return to South Africa for the first time since the ‘Sandpapergate’ ball-tampering scandal that rocked world cricket.

The last time the pair played in South Africa, almost two years ago, they were sent home in disgrace for attempting to alter the ball with sandpaper during a Cape Town Test. It cost them 12-month suspensions and for Warner, a lifetime leadership ban.

They have since resurrected their careers and are all but forgiven at home, with Warner this week winning a vote by players, officials and media to claim Australian cricket’s highest honour, the Allan Border Medal -- with Smith placed second.

But both players were constantly booed and jeered during last year’s one-day World Cup and Ashes series in England, and they are expected to receive similar treatment in South Africa.

The batsmen are both in the Australian squad for three Twenty20s and three ODIs beginning February 21. Their T20 on February 26 will mark the tourists’ first match at Newlands since the 2018 scandal.

“For me personally, it won’t be hard at all,” Warner told Sydney radio station 2GB this week. “I just go there and I’ve got a job to do and that’s to score runs and win games for Australia and put us in a good position.”

But he added that “obviously, it’s going to be very hostile”.

“I copped it in England; I actually enjoyed that and played along with it.

“Hopefully, we’re showed some respect when we go over to Africa and the things that happen in the past stay there.”

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood said he had no concerns about how Warner and Smith would handle their reception.

“Steve and Dave have ticked off pretty much every box since coming back,” the seamer told reporters.

“It’s just another one of those and I don’t think it’ll faze them one bit. They probably play better when it’s like this. It’s nothing we haven’t experienced before... we’ll be fine.”

Australia will be using the tour to fine-tune preparations for the T20 World Cup on home soil in October -- the only major cricketing trophy the men’s team has yet to win.

But they will be without explosive batting star Glenn Maxwell, who pulled out this week to have arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow.

Equally dangerous batsman and wrist-spinner D’Arcy Short, who has been overlooked for a year, has replaced him in both formats.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade and all-rounder Mitch Marsh, who last played limited-overs internationals in 2017 and 2018 respectively, returned to the squads, led by Aaron Finch. “If you look at our squad selections over the last couple of months, it’s all been pretty consistent,” said Finch.

“There hasn’t been a huge amount of risk-taking in our selections, so we’ve got confidence in the 14 guys in South Africa that potentially they can take us forward to the T20 World Cup.”

Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, D’Arcy Short, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

AUSTRALIA T20 SQUAD: Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, D’Arcy Short, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa. – AFP

LOS ANGELES, Thursday - Britain’s Tyson Fury vowed to deliver a career-best performance in his upcoming heavyweight title rematch with American Deontay Wilder, expecting a “war” in their February 22 showdown at Las Vegas.

The 12-round battle of unbeaten fighters for Wilder’s World Boxing Council crown is a rematch of a thrilling 2018 draw at Los Angeles.

Fury was knocked down twice by Wilder in the first fight but the 31-year-old Englishman plans a more aggressive approach for the rematch.

“Never have I been as ready and focused for one fight as I am for this fight,” Fury said in a conference call Thursday. “You’re going to see the best Tyson Fury that Tyson Fury can be.

“I’m match fit. I’m ready. I’m confident. I’m injury free. I’m ready for a war, one round or 12.”

Fury, the lineal champion, is 29-0 with one drawn and 20 knockouts while Wilder enters 42-0 with one drawn and 41 knockouts.

“If I beat Deontay Wilder, I’ll be the best heavyweight of my era, standing alone,” Fury said.

Fury backed up prior comments saying he would knock out Wilder in the second round, saying he felt he needed a knockout to keep the outcome from the hands of the judges.

“Won’t have to wait long to find out, will we?” Fury said. “We’ll see if I’m man enough to back it up.

“My own destiny lies within my own two fists. I’ll be letting them fly very aggressively.”

Fight promoter Bob Arum said victory would seal Fury’s place among such all-time heavyweight legends as Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.

“Everybody would have to recognize him as one of the great heavyweight champions of all time,” Arum said. “He definitely will belong with those immortals.”

Fury says he learned from the first fight that he must press the attack when he senses weakness from Wilder.

“The mistake I made last time was not making him pay when he was hurt. This time when I get him hurt, I’ll throw everything but the kitchen sink at him and he won’t know what hit him,” Fury said.

“I learned he can be hit and hurt quite regularly. That’s the biggest thing I learned from fighting him. He’s a one dimensional fighter and I’m going to prove that.

“I took his best shots and fired them back into him. He’s a one trick pony. He’s a knockout artist... but he couldn’t finish me.

“It’s not when we get put down. It’s what happens when we get back up and keep moving forward.”

Wilder’s speed plays a bigger role in his knockout blows than his power, Fury said.

“I felt the power. Ain’t so bad,” Fury said. “I don’t think it’s so much his power. It’s the speed he brings. It’s tricky when you don’t see it coming.”

Fury claimed he wanted the victory more than Wilder, saying the champion was growing more concerned about opportunities outside the ring.

“He’s what I call a social climber. He wants to be something he’s not,” Fury said. “None of that stuff means anything to me.”

Fury also dismissed any notion of where he might rank among the all-time greats.

“I’m not really too concerned about the legacy. The fact of the matter is I care about being active and I care about winning now,” Fury said.

“What someone thinks about me when I’m gone doesn’t really matter. When I’m gone, somebody comes along to replace me. That’s how the food chain works.” – AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO, Friday - Former Brazil striker Pele dismissed talk he is depressed and reclusive on Thursday and assured fans he is doing well and maintaining a busy schedule.

Pele’s son Edinho told Globo in an interview published on Monday that the three-times World Cup winner was depressed and reluctant to leave his house because he cannot get around properly due to hip problems.

“I am good,” said Pele, who will be 80 in October. “I continue to accept my physical limitations in the best way possible but I intend to keep the ball rolling.

“I have good days and bad days. That is normal for people of my age. I am not afraid, I am determined, confident in what I do.”

Pele, widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers in history, is the only player to win three World Cups.

He has suffered from hip trouble for years and cannot walk unaided. Many of his most recent public appearances have been in a wheelchair.

However, friends of the former Santos and New York Cosmos player said this January was one of his busiest in years.

He did photos shoots and sponsorship work and he is cooperating with a British director making a documentary about his footballing life.

“I am not avoiding fulfilling the commitments in my always busy schedule,” Pele said in his statement.

This summer will mark the 50th anniversary of his third World Cup title, won in Mexico in 1970 with what many rate the greatest team of all time.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday confirmed the squads which will be taking part in the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia.

Ten countries will be battling it out to reach the final at the MCG on 8 March, with Australia and India getting the action underway when they meet at Sydney Showground on 21 February.

This year’s tournament will be the seventh edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup to be played, with 14 players set to continue their record of playing in every event since the inaugural competition 11 years ago.

One team will also be making history in the tournament, with Thailand qualifying for an ICC event for the very first time, giving all 15 of their players debuts on the global stage.

Australia go into their curtain-raiser with India as defending T20 World Cup champions, and there’s a familiar look to their squad with 13 of the 15 having lifted the trophy two years ago.

Among them is Ellyse Perry, who boasts the honour of having appeared in all 32 of Australia’s matches in the tournament since making her breakthrough as a teenager in 2009.

Sophie Molineux, who took a break from the game during this season’s WBBL for mental health reasons, is included in Meg Lanning’s side, as is Annabel Sutherland, who made her debut in the recent tri-series with India and England.

India can likewise call upon an ever-present in their ranks, with Harmanpreet Kaur set to lead the team having done so in the West Indies two years ago.

Opener Smriti Mandhana is named her deputy while 16-year-old Shafali Verma is selected having impressed in the T20 Challenger Trophy.

Fellow Group A members New Zealand welcome Lea Tahuhu back to the squad, with the fast bowler and new mum taking time away from cricket having had her first child with teammate Amy Satterthwaite.

The squad will be led by the veteran Sophie Devine who, along with fellow White Fern, Suzie Bates, has featured in every Women’s T20 World Cup since its inception.

Their opening match will come on 22 February against Sri Lanka, led by Chamari Atapattu, with more than half of their squad reprising their positions from the last World Cup in the West Indies.

Meanwhile, Rumana Ahmed and Panna Ghosh are selected for Bangladesh, the former returning from a knee injury which kept her out of her side’s successful 2019 ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier.

They’ll be led by Salma Khatun, who has helped propel the Tigers to new heights over the past few years.

Group B features two of the three T20 World Cup champions, with England looking to complete the limited-overs double having been crowned ICC Women’s World Cup champions in 2017.

Heather Knight continues her role as captain in both formats, with eight members of the squad that won at Lord’s selected for Australia.

Katherine Brunt, part of the victorious side in the inaugural T20 World Cup on home soil, earns a call-up, 16 years on from her international debut.

South Africa can once again call on Dane van Niekerk to lead an experienced squad in Australia, with 11 members also featuring in the West Indies in 2018.

Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee are expected to fire with the bat while Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp ensure that their fast bowling credentials will certainly be up to scratch.

Stafanie Taylor declared victory in 2016 as one of her proudest moments for West Indies – and the skipper can’t wait to try and repeat the trick in Australia.

She is one of four players whose World Cup roots span beyond a decade, with Deandra Dottin returning from a long injury lay-off while Lee-Ann Kirby returns after 12 years out of the international set-up.

Youth seems set to be the way forward for Pakistan, whose average age in the squad is just 24.8.

Bismah Maroof will bring the experience as captain with the likes of 15-year-old Ayesha Naseem and 16-year-old Syeda Aroob Shah excited for what they can produce on the big stage.

Australia 2020 will also welcome a new team into the fold with Thailand excited at the chance to make national history on the cricket field.

Never before have they been represented at an ICC event, with Sornnarin Tippoch receiving the honour of captaincy for this historic tournament.

In Nattaya Boochatham and Naruemol Chaiwai, they can boast the leading wicket-taker and run-scorer respectively in T20Is in 2019, keeping faith with most of the squad that saw them come through the 2019 ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier.

With the start of the support period, any replacements in squads will need to be cleared by the ICC technical committee.

Squads for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020

AUSTRALIA: Meg Lanning (captain), Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

BANGLADESH: Salma Khatun (captain), Ayasha Rahman, Fahima Khatun, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Jahanara Alam, Khadiza Tul Kubra, Murshida Khatun, Nahida Akter, Nigar Sultana Joty, Panna Ghosh, Ritu Moni, Rumana Ahmed, Sanhida Islam, Shamima Sultana, Sobhana Mostary

ENGLAND: Heather Knight (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt, Mady Villiers

INDIA: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Tanya Bhatia, Harleen Deol, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Richa Ghosh, Veda Krishnamurthy, Smriti Mandhana, Shikha Pandey, Arundathi Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Shafali Verma, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav

NEW ZEALAND: Sophie Devine (captain), Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Rachel Priest, Lea Tahuhu

PAKISTAN: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah

SOUTH AFRICA: Dane van Niekerk (captain), Trisha Chetty, Nadine de Klerk, Mignon du Preez, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Lizelle Lee, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt

SRI LANKA: Chamari Atapattu (captain), Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Ama Kanchana, Hansima Karunaratne, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Harshitha Madavi, Dilani Manodara, Hasini Perera, Udeshika Prabodani, Sathya Sandeepani, Anushka Sanjeewani, Shashikala Siriwardena, Umesha Thimeshani

THAILAND: Sornnarin Tippoch (captain), Nattaya Boochatham, Naruemol Chaiwai, Natthakan Chantam, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Rosenanee Kanoh, Suwanan Khiaoto, Nannapat Khoncharoenkai Suleeporn Laomi, Soraya Lateh, Wongpaka Liengprasert, Phannita Maya, Ratanaporn Padunglerd, Thipatcha Putthawong, Chanida Sutthiruang

WEST INDIES: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Alliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Lee-Ann Kirby, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman

‘Nawaloka Hospitals’ and ‘Maliban Biscuits’ will be engaged in a rancour battle when they meet each other for the third time at the 'CBL – Munchee'– MCA 'D' division 40 Over League Tournament 2020. This will be their very second meeting in a final battle at the MCA 'D' division 40 Over League Tournament, to be held on Sunday, February 16 at the MCA Grounds, commencing 10.00 am.

They met each other for the first time in the MCA 'E' division final on 25th of May 2019 where Nawaloka narrowly beat Maliban by 08 runs at the MCA.

Both teams now automatically promoted to the 'D' division and drawn into the same group met each other for the second time, where Maliban trounced Nawaloka by 9 wickets on December 15, 2019 at Mattegoda. The grudge continues in 2020. Nawaloka Hospitals Team under their same captain, 36-year-old, Samith Ruberu and Maliban comes with their new captain, 32-year-old, Anjula Perera.

Maliban is the only unbeaten team in the tournament up to date. In the league stage their other wins than Nawaloka, were against ‘Mode Engineering’ by three wickets, Colombo Dockyard by six wickets, Hirdaramani by 190 runs and Bodyline by 8 wickets.

In the knock stage Maliban beat Hemas Group by 8 wickets in the quarter finals and beat DPMC by 92 runs in the semi-finals.

Maliban’s top performers were skipper, Anjula Perera, who scored a century in the semi-finals against DPMC, Risith Upamala Dias (160 runs) Nethminda Perera (164 runs), Gayashan Jayakody (17 wickets) and Lahiru Dushantha (7.1-22-06) who was the match winning bowler in the semi-final Vs. DPMC.

‘Nawaloka Hospital’ in the League stage, apart from their only blemish, lost to Maliban, scored wins against, ‘Hirdaramani’ by 134 runs, won against MAS Bodyline by 14 runs and beat ‘Mode Engineering’ by 2 runs. Their match against Colombo Dockyard got washed out. In the knock-out stage, they beat NDB by 77 runs in the quarterfinals and went on to beat Mode Engineering for the second time, by four wickets in the semifinals.

Nawaloka Hospitals top performers were, Tharindu Suraj (182 runs), Samila Nadeesh (202 runs) and Thiwanka Kakulawala (16 wickets).

The Teams :

Nawaloka Hospitals: Sumith Ruberu (C) , Gayan Prasanga (WK), Tharindu Suraj, Samila Nadeesh, Buddhika Prasad, Deshan Fernando, Thiwanka Kekulawala, Sanka Purna, Nishan Hasaral, Shachinthana Jayawardena, Nisal Ranatunga and K. Sivadharshan

Maliban Biscuits: Anjula Perera (C) , Gihan Anuruddha (WK), Nadun Darshana, Nethminda Perera, Chamara Rathnayaka, Dilan Chathuranga, Mohammed Silmi, Chathuranga Dewapriya, Venura Gayashan, Lahiru Dushantha, Dilum Fernando, Amila Prasad, Kavindu Bandara, Nalinda Silva and Tharinda Fernando

CASA, the voice of the shipping industry organises the 22nd CASA Annual Six-a-Side Softball Cricket Tournament today, February 15 at the NCC grounds.

This is the most awaited sporting event of the year for all CASA members and the popularity of the tournament has grown over the years not only among the members but also with other stakeholders due to the high standards maintained by the organizers. There are 51 men’s teams and 18 Ladies’ teams enrolled for this year’s tournament and the organisers expect a large number of spectators will attend to support their participating teams.

This tournament was initiated many years ago, with the hope of building camaraderie amongst employees of different shipping agents. Apart from CASA members, every year there was an active participation from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, South Asia Gateway Terminal, Colombo International Container Terminal, Sri Lanka Customs, Colombo Dockyard, and Hambantota International Port Group which makes the tournament more competitive and glamorous. ‘Fairfirst Insurance Limited’ is the main sponsor for the tournament which is supported by many sponsors such as Salota International, South Asia Gateway Terminals, Hambantota International Port Group, Colombo International Container Terminal, Colombo logistics and Colombo Dockyard.

The closing date for Presidential Sports Awards (PSA) has been extended to February 24, considering requests by many applicants.

The grand Presidential Sports Awards ceremony will be held on April 6 at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall.

Earlier, the organizers have announced the closing date on February 14.

Saracens SC’s Sri Lanka fast bowler Kasun Rajitha took a career best 8 wickets for 31 runs to rout Ragama CC for 119 on the opening day of their SLC Major League Tier ‘A’ 3-Day Inter-Club cricket match at Maggona yesterday.

By the close Saracens had gained a first innings lead and were strongly placed at 134-1.

Negombo CC also gained a first innings lead against Army CC. All matches will be continued today on day two.

DAY ONE SCORES

*At Maggona: Ragama CC: 119 (53) (Lahiru Thirimanne 28, Kasun Rajitha 8/31)

Saracens SC: 134/1 (37) at close (Sithara Gimhan 74, Navindu Vithanage 52 n.o.)

*At Colts: SSC: 301 (76) (Sandun Weerakkody 55, Krishan Sanjula 54, Sammu Ashan 41, Sachithra Senanayake 39, Kavindu Kulasekara 36, Charith Asalanka 32, Prabath Jayasuriya 5/89, Dhananjaya Lakshan 2/49)

Colts CC: 14/2 (6) at close (Sachithra Senanayake 2/4)

*At BRC: Moors SC: 353 (77.3) (Sachithra Serasinghe 94, Pabasara Waduge 76, Adeesha Thilanchana 64, Praveen Jayawickrama 30 n.o., Chathura Randunu 20, Duvindu Tillakaratne 3/103, Kevin Koththigoda 2/34, Tharindu Kaushal 2/58, S. Sohaibullah 2/66)

BRC: 23/1 (10) at close

*At NCC: NCC: 312 (79) (Sahan Arachchige 128, Chamika Gunasekara 50, Chaturanga De Silva 47, Asitha Fernando 5/46, Nimsara Atharagalla 2/58, Shehan Jayasuriya 2/90)

Chilaw Marians CC: 35/1 (7) at close

*At Moors: Army CC: 155 (42.1) (Himasha Liyanage 56, Upul Indrasiri 3/73, Saad Nasim 2/4, Dilshan Munaweera 2/29)

Negombo CC: 164/2 (42.2) at close (Ashen Silva 61 n.o., Angelo Jayasinghe 51 n.o., Dilshan Munaweera 40)

SLC MAJOR LEAGUE TIER ‘B’ 3-DAY TOURNAMENT

*At Panadura: Kandy Customs SC: 443/9 decl. (85) (Akeel Inham 148, Ian Dew Singh 79, Sachithra Perera 57, Sampath Perera 55, Sasith Manuranga 54, Rajinda Punchihewa 3/78, Ishan Abeysekara 3/116)

Kalutara TC: 6/1 (3) at close

*At Dombagoda: Sri Lanka Ports Authority CC: 231/4 (70) at close (Ramesh Nimantha 62, Hasnain Bokhari 54 n.o., Adeesha Nanayakkara 51, Ishan Rangana 20 n.o., Gayan De Silva 2/41) vs Air Force SC

*At Welisara: Navy SC: 153 (37) (Tharusha Fernando 31, Dilanka Sandakan 22, Samitha Ranga 22, Naveen Gunawardane 6/57, Saman Kumara 2/47)

Sebastianites C & AC: 133/5 (37) at close (Dasun Senevirathne 41, S. Fernando 24, Thilanka De Silva 22 n.o., Dilanka Pathirana 5/44)

*At Panagoda: Nugegoda S & WC: 201/2 (47) at close (Pethum Madusanka 84 n.o., Pramud Hettiwatte 61 n.o., Irosh Samarasooriya 50) Vs Kurunegala YCC

*At Galle: Galle CC: 175 (69.2) (Ravishka Wijesiri 48, Mansoor Amjad 28, Damitha Hunukumbura 29, Umesh Karunaratne 4/48, Chalana De Silva 3/52, Roshan Jayatissa 2/31)

Panadura SC: 32/3 (18) at close (Ahmed Jamal 2/8)

- (YK)

Lyceum International School – Wattala dominated the opening day of the International Schools Athletic championship which got underway at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

The former champions won 10 golds, six silver and eight bronze medals with a total of 24 medals were secured by their athletes at the end of first day. Host Gateway College Colombo was placed second with 14 medals. They won three gold, six silver and five bronze medals respectively. Horizen School who take part this championship for the first time able to won the one gold medal.

Shelinda Jansen of Gateway College, Rajagiriya clinched her first Gold of

the meet in the Under 20 200m final and she clinched the win with a timing of 24.6sec.

Her teammate who won the medal at SAG Sadeepa Henderson also ran a 24.6sec in the final, ending the race with a silver. Dhanusha Dahanayake claimed Bronze with a timing of 25.5sec.

Lyceum International School, Wattala dominated the Boys Under 20 event, winning all three podium. Santhush Weerasinghe placed first with a 21.8sec which also set a new meet record of the game.

Kavindu Bandara finished second with 21.9 .Kavindu Anjana clinched third place with22.3sec.

Princess of Wales College Moratuwa emerged ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 Division Two inter schools Girl’s cricket champions yesterday.

Princess of Wales College Moratuwa beat Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya by 4 wickets in the final played at Thurstan College ground yesterday.

St. Joseph Girl’s College Kegalle beat Dharmapala Pannipitiya by 8 wickets in the 3rd place match.

The Final

*Princess of Wales College Moratuwa won by 4 wickets.

Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya: 158/5 (25) (Dilshani Kumarasiri 50 n.o, Gimhani Munaweera 30)

Princess of Wales Moratuwa: 159/6 (22.5) (Mihidi Sanudini 38, Manudi Dulansa 28, Shani Madushika 22, Dilshani Kumarasiri 2/28, Dilshani Samankumari 2/29) *In the third place match*

lSt. Joseph Girl’s Kegalle won by 8 wickets.

* Dharmapala Pannipitiya: 85 (18.1) (Hasini Praboda 22, Achini Kumari 3/6, Priyanthi Kumari 2/12, Randi Wasana 2/13, Savindya Maheshika 2/22)

St. Joseph Girl’s Kegalle: 88/2

(13.4) (Randi Wasana 29 n.o.)(YK)

Police Sports Club overcame Air Force Sports Club by 29-12 in the Dialog inter club rugby fixture played at Police park yesterday.The Winners collected their points from four tries, three conversions and a penalty while visitors finished with two tries and a conversion respectively. Police dominated the first half to lead 29-0 but failed to score in the second half.

The policemen took an early lead when their fullback Nisal Samadhi scored an

unconverted try in the third minute of the game and three minutes later another excellent try was scored by Kasun Rajakaruna and this time place kicker Yohan Peries converted. 12-0

In the 15 minute of the game Police third try was scored by Shan Akila

. Yohan once again made no mistake with the conversion and also put over a penalty to make it 22-0

Several yellow cards were received by the Air Force and also did so many mistakes which put paid to their chances of scoring in the first half.

In the 30 minute of the game Udaya Sanjula got into action and scored a try and Yohan booted the conversion further extending their lead to 29-0 at half time Thimira Amanda scored the first try for Air force but skipper Gayantha Iddamalgoda failed to add the extra points. The second try for Air Force was scored by Shashika Fernando in the 73 miuntes of the game and this time Gayantha Iddamalgoda added the extra points.

Havelocks edge out CH and FC

Havelock Sports Club edged out CH and FC by 40-37 in another fixture under lights played at Havelock Park yesterday.

Winners scored four tries, four conversions and four penalties while CH and FC replied with six tries, two conversions and one penalty.

Havies Mithun Hapugoda and Dinushan Ariyapala scored back to back converted tries in the first five minutes of the kick off and CH replied with three back to back tries and only one try was converted by their places kicker Hirusha Samapath.

Prasad Madushanka (two tries) Mohamed Absal, Rohitha Rajapaksa, Warren Weerakoon and Niwanka Prasad (one each) scored the tries for CH.