Ragama CC recorded their third win in the SLC Limited Overs Inter Club Cricket tournament when they beat Tamil Union CC by six wickets at P. Sara Stadium yesterday.

Thanuka Dabare (Saracens CC), Lahiru Milantha (Ragama CC) and Priyamal Perera (Colts CC) made centuries yesterday.

Chilaw Marians CC, Saracens CC, Police SC, Kalutara TC, NCC, BRC, Colts CC, SSC, Moors SC and Bloomfield CC registered victories in their matches yesterday.

* At P Sara Oval.

Ragama CC won by 6 wickets.

Tamil Union: 260/7 in 42 overs (Tharanga Paranavithana 72, Kithruwan Vithanage 61, Sithara Gimhan 29, Ishan Jayaratne 2/21)

Ragama CC: 261/4 in 40 overs (Lahiru Milantha 112, Roshen Silva 68, Sameera de Zoysa 30 n.o., Lahiru Thirimanne 29)

* At Police park. Police SC won by 32 runs.

Police SC: 224 in 49.5 overs (Srimantha Wijeratne 54, Sachitha Jayathilake 41, Nishantha Kumara 35, Samith Dushantha 24, Saranga Rajaguru 3/41, Yomesh Ranasinghe 2/27)

Badureliya CC: 192 in 47.5 overs (Nadeera Nawela 44, Dilhan Cooray 40, Nimanda Madhusanka 32, Shiran Ratnayake 23, Mahesh Priyadarshana 4/45, Nimesh Vimukthi 3/34, Buddhika Sanjeewa 2/24)

* At Maggona. Kalutara TC won by 41 runs.

Negombo CC: 196/8 in 50 overs (Lasith Croospulle 59, Sandun Dias 41, Tharindu Weerasinghe 40, Matheesha Perera 3/27, Madhawa Nimesh 2/24)

Kalutara TC: 199/6 in 42 overs (Geeth Perera 65, Suresh Niroshan 59, Matheesha Perera 20, Roshen Fernando 3/40)

* At CCC. NCC won by 7 wickets.

CCC: 181 in 46.1 overs (Kaveen Bandara 77, Lasith Abeyrathne 28, Lakshan Sandakan 21, Lahiru Madhsanka 18, Lasith Malinga 4/17, Chaturanga de Silva 2/43, Lahiru Kumara 2/48)

NCC: 183/3 in 26.1 overs (Mahela Udawatte 53 n.o., Angelo Perera 51 n.o., Sandun Weerakkody 50)

* At Panagoda. Saracens CC won by 6 wickets.

Kurunegala YCC: 250/9 in 50 overs (Sarinda Dassanayake 47, Keshan Wijerathne 36 n.o., Charith Mendis 30, Dhanushka Dharmasiri 27, Promod Maduwanthe 2/31, Saliya Saman 2/57)

Saracens SC: 251/4 in 38.3 overs (Thanuka Dabare 123, Gamindu Kanishka 56, Ruvindu Gunasekara 28)

* At BRC. BRC won by 41 runs.

BRC: 168 in 41 overs (Deshan Dias 38, Sasheen Dilranga 27, Dilip Tharaka 4/31, Janaka Pieris 2/33)

Air Force SC: 127 in 34.1 overs (Lasith Fernando 39, Dulash Udayanga 24, Dilip Tharaka 22, Tilakarathne Sampath 4/12, Himesh Ramanayake 2/19, Suraj Randiv 2/21)

* At Colts. Colts CC won by 136 runs.

Colts CC: 300/7 in 50 overs (Priyamal Perera 102 n.o., Avishka Fernando 74, Sangeeth Cooray 72, Gayan Sirisoma 3/60, Hareen Weerasingha 2/54)

Galle CC: 164 in 42.5 overs (Harsha Rajapakshe 69, Aruna Dharmasena 37, Nuwan Kulasekara 4/07, Mahesh Theekshana 3/37)

* At FTZ Katunayake. Chilaw Marians CC won by 54 runs.

Chilaw Marians CC: 255/9 in 50 overs (Oshada Fernando 52, Sachithra Serasinghe 47, Thilkshila de Silva 46, Shehan Jayasuriya 39, Naveen Kavikara 3/37, Chanaka Ruwansiri 2/38, Rajeewa Weerasinghe 2/52)

Lankan CC: 201 in 45.1 overs (Yashan Samarasinghe 63, Shasheen Fernando 29, Rajeewa Weerasinghe 28, Asitha Fernando 4/39, Shehan Jayasuriya 3/30)

* At Bloomfield. Bloomfield won by 9 wickets.

Navy SC: 92 in 23.1 overs (Savin Gunasekara 20 n.o., Buddhika Hasaranga 17, Malith de Silva 4/20, Imran Khan 4/26)

Bloomfield CC: 96/1 in 17 overs (Adeesha Nanayakkara 51, Nisal Francisco 34 n.o.)

* At SSC. SSC won by 74 runs.

SSC: 235 in 49.1 overs (Dimuth Karunarathne 64, Chamara Kapugedara 60, Dilan Jayalath 28, Chanaka Komasaru 4/33, Madhuka Liyanapathiranage 2/45)

Ports Authority CC: 161/9 in 50 overs (Ramesh Nimantha 33, Sachithra Senanayake 3/17, Charith Asalanka 2/07, Dammika Prasad 2/25)

* At Moors. Moors SC won by 193 runs.

Moors SC: 275/8 in 50 overs (Thilaksha Sumanasiri 56, Adeesha Thilanchana 51, Chamara Silva 47, Kosala Kulasekara 32, Supeshala Jayathilake 18, Vinod Perera 4/56, Anuththara Madhawa 3/68)

Panadura SC: 82 in 31.3 overs (Ashen Kavinda 15, Kosala Kulasekara 4/24, H.R.C. Dilshan 3/31). YK

Lake House beat NSB by 23 runs in the Nationalised Services Division II, T20 Cricket Tournament match at the Ratmalana Nationalized Services grounds yesterday.

Elected to bat first, Lake House scored 118/9 with Lakmin Peiris making the top contribution of 46 runs. D.K.I.P. Namasiri added 18 runs for Lake House total. A 45-run stand for the fourth wicket between Lakmin and Namasiri was the highlight of the Lake House innings. Udaya (3/19), Kanishka (2/17) and Sanath (2/22) bowled best for NSB.

Chasing a 119 victory target, NSB team was skittled out for 95 runs in 18.2 overs by a fierce Lake House bowling attack. Sanath and Tharindu top scored with 22 and 13 runs for NSB. W. A. Chinthaka (4/16) and Tharaka Malawaraarchchi (3/15) did a superb job with the ball to restrict NSB under 100-run mark. H. M. Janaka and M. A. R. P. Mallikaarachci shred a wicket each.

Lake House will meet Bank Of Ceylon 'B' in their second match at the same venue on March 23.

Lake House: Lakmin Peiris 46, D. K. I. P. Namasiri 18, Kasun Pussewela 8, Nilantha 8, Kanishka 2/17, Sanath 2/22

NSB: Sanath 22, Tharindu 13, W. A. Chinthaka 4/16, Tharaka Malawaraarchchi 3/15, H. M. Janaka 1/17, M. A. R. P. Mallikaarachci 1/20

D.S. SENANAYAKE COLLEGE CRICKET TEAM. 

Mahanama College will be looking for their maiden win of the series when they take on traditional rivals D.S. Senanayake College in the 12th Battle of the Golds cricket encounter at the P. Sara Oval Stadium today and tomorrow. In the short history of the encounter played so far D.S. Senanayake College have won once in 2014 while the rest of the games have ended in draws.

D.S. Senanayake is captained by fifth year coloursman Vihan Gunasekara and Mahanama is led by fourth year coloursman Heshan Hettiarachchi.

D.S. Senanayake have played 16 matches this season winning three games outright against Bandaranayake, Dharmashoka and St. Benedict’s and suffered four outright losses to St. Joseph’s, Nalanda, Prince of Wales and St. Aloysius.

D.S. Senanayake has recorded three first innings wins against Zahira, St. Thomas’ Matara and Moratu Vidyalaya and have four first innings losses to Isipathana, Thurstan, Trinity and St. Sebastian’s.

All-rounder and third year coloursman and deputy skipper Muditha Lakshan is the main run scorer for DS Senanayake with 850 runs inclusive of a century and he has also claimed 56 wickets. Two other cricketers on whom DS Senaneyake will rely on are all rounders - skipper Vihan Gunasekara and Pasindu Adithya who have contributed with 592 and 387 runs respectively and bagged 16 and 15 wickets. The wicket keeper of the team right handed batsman Teron Shanel who has scored 326 runs and has 28 dismissals behind the wickets.

D.S. Senanayake also have talented batsmen such as Dasun Dimalsha (240), Ravin Peiris (214), Ayantha de Silva (281), Chamath Yatawara (279) and Tuwin Nilakshana (212) to come up with a competitive score.

Left-arm leg spinner Methushan Kumara will be their main bowler. He has claimed 51 wickets for the season with a best of 5 for 46 against St. Thomas’ Matara. Skipper Vihan (16 wickets), deputy skipper Muditha (56), Sachintha Hettige (12) and Methushan Kumara (51) are expected to do heavy damage to the opponents’ batting line up with spin. Dasun Dimalsha, Pasindu Adithya and Ayantha de Silva will support them in the fast bowling department.

The Mahanamians have recorded two outright wins against St. Aloysius, Galle and St. John’s, Panadura and registered five first innings wins and suffered one first innings loss this season.

Skipper Heshan Hettiarachchi, deputy skipper Pathum Boteju and Sonal Gamage are the all rounders the team will mostly rely on. Their batting is strengthened by five centurions - skipper Heshan, Pavan Ratnayake, Vinuka Rubasinghe, Pavantha Weerasinghe and Sonal Gamage.

Sri Lanka Under 15 skipper right handed batsman Pavan Ratnayake has contributed 582 runs including two centuries with a highest score of 175 against President’s College, Kotte. Centurion Pavantha Weerasinghe has scored 340 runs with a highest score of 136. Skipper Heshan has accumulated 306 runs studded with a century and three half centuries. He scored 110 against St. Sylvester’s College and has captured 46 wickets with best return of 7 for 16. The other centurions of the team are Vinuka Rubasinghe and Sonal Gamage who have exceeded 300 runs for the season. Bishan Mendis (352) and vice captain Pathum Boteju (295) are the others who have excelled in batting.

Left-arm spinner Hashan Sandeepa is their key bowler claiming 58 wickets with a match bag of ten and an innings best of 7 for 38 against St. John’s, Panadura. Sonal Gamage and Chamal Polgampola will support Hashan in the spin department. Skipper Heshan (46) and his deputy Pathum (30) are the spearheads of the bowling attack.

D.S. Senanayake is coached by Dinesh Weerasinghe who has captained the first XI team of Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya in 1991/92 with Hasitha Dinuk Perera and Nihal Fernando as assistant coach and MIC respectively.

Sri Lanka under 19 squad cricketer Kelum Gangodawila is the Mahanama coach for the second year with Sonal Dulshan and Lalith Bandara as the assistant coach and MIC respectively.

D.S. Senanayake College has produced several Test cricketers of the calibre of Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tillakaratne, Pubudu Dassanayake, Kosala Kuruppuarachchi, Pulasthi Gunaratne in addition to Sri Lanka Under 19 players Naveed Nawaz and Sampath Perera. Outstanding Test cricketers produced by Mahanama are Danushka Gunathilake and Dananjaya de Silva.

The Limited Over match for the Aravinda de Silva Trophy between two schools will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium on March 24.

St. Anthony’s College Cricket squad

The clash between two huge cricket rivals Trinity College and St. Anthony’s College - the postponed big match will take place at the Asgiriya Stadium today Friday 16th and on 17th Saturday. For these two schools there are no games bigger than this clash. St. Anthony’s and Trinity are the two of the oldest Colleges and this encounter is also the 6th oldest Big Match in Sri Lanka and this time both schools are evenly balanced with good records in the season going into this match

Trinity have been in good form so far, without losing a game, they have won six games and have been a dominant force in cricket in the recent past, this season they were one of the hardest teams to beat. Trinity has a proud history of producing some excellent cricketers who have gone on to shine in both local and international arenas.

St. Anthony’s who lost to St. Peter’s College have won nine games. A school which has been a major force in cricket, they have not only produced several champion teams but have also produced some of the finest cricketers. But in the last few years they failed to keep up to those traditions and were demoted to Division Two a couple of years back. Last season they had a good chance of getting promoted but the losses to St. Benedict’s College and Vidyarhta College deprived them of promotion.

This game will be played under the distinguished patronage of Trinity College 1960 captain Jayantissa Ratwatte. He will be received by Principal Andrew Fowler-Watt, vice principal former Royal captain J.D.Shaw Wilson and St. Anthony’s principal Rev. Fr. Henry Bernard Wijerathne. The winner of this nail biting crash will be presented the Halangoda trophy. So, these two good cricket playing schools will play for supremacy in their 101st Big Match.

This season’s leader at Trinity is a stylish bat in Hasitha Boyagoda, a national U-19 player. This season appearances for the school were limited due to national duty, any way he has two centuries. Some of the other cricketers who gave their best are Trevon Percival who led the side in absence of the regular captain scored an unbeaten 112 and has four half centuries, Then Abishek Anandakuamr too is a centurion. .Hasintha Jayasuriya batted well to score six half centuries and a century, Pubudu Bandara another fine stroke maker has an unbeaten 127. There is also Avishka Senadheera; Ashan Lokuketiya the wicket keeper has done well in batting. Then in bowling there is Trevon Paercival, Rshjmika Dilshan, Ruvin Peries and Vimkuthi Nethumal who are clever bowlers.

Janidu Himnsara a fine all-rounder is the captain of St. Anthony’s, A fine stroke maker made a fine 84 and also a penetrative pace bowler. Then there is Theeksha Guansighe the stumper who made a fine unbeaten century and missed another by eight runs. Sunreea Jayasingjhe another steady bat scored 133 and four half centuries. Dion Stouter is also a centurion and has three half centuries. Navodya Vijakuamr a stylish bat with six half centuries. Kalhara Senarathne a left hander has made an unbeaten 119, stylish opening bat Mohamed Absar is also a centurion. Then in bowling skipper Janidu Himsara, Navodya Viojakumar, Gihan Achjintha, and Nimnaka Jayatilake can be unplayable.

Trinity College Cricket squad - Hasitha Boyagoda (Captain), Trevon Percival, Rashmika Dilshan, Hasintha Jayasuriya, Vimukthi Nethumal, Pubudu Bandara, Avishka Senadheera, Kavishka Senadheera, Ruvin Pieris, Ashan Lokuketiya, Abishek Anandakumar, Chanuka Kumarasinghe, Himanga Suriyampola, Narendranath Ashok Kumar, Uvindu Imaldana, Jeff Weerasinghe. (Coach Kavinda Jayasuriya – MIC Dhammika Kulasuriya).

St. Anthony’s College Cricket squad - Janidu Himsara (Captain), Theeksha Gunasinghe, Sunera Jayasinghe, Dion Stouter, Mohamed Absar, Jamashana Abeykoon, Navodya Vijaykumar, Kalhara Senaratne, Gihan Achintha, Sateesh Wickremaarachchi, Nimnaka Jayatilleka, Sasith Himdika, Mohamed Kameel, Gayan Samarasinghe, Savin Weerasinghe, Pramuditha Panditharatne ( Coach: Sampath Perera – MIC Lenin Jayasinghe).

Dharmaraja College Cricket Squad

The “Battle of the Maroons” big match will starts today Friday 16th and 17th Saturday at the Pallekelle International stadium between Dharmaraja College and arch rivals Kingswood College, this will be the 112th encounter, played for the T.B. Tennekoon Trophy.

Over here in Kandy, this is the oldest big match, the first match was played in 1893 with Dharmaraja College team captained by that great educationist Sir Don Baron Jayathilake, Kingswood College were led by under A.E. Spencer. Then the match for schoolboys only was played on July 1st 1899 . J.C. de Mel captaining Dharmaraja and T.B. Marshall leading Kingswood

Up to 2017, 111 cricket matches have been played. Dharmaraja leads with 33 wins against 19 by Kingswood with 56 matches ending in draws. The last win was in 2015 for Dharmaraja under Tharusha Weragoda and Kingswoodians last win was in 1958 under Maurice Fernando. The highest individual score is by Senaka Dissanayake of Dharmaraja who made 200 in the 1983 and for Kingswood Clifford Ratnavibushana who scored 167 in 1959 . First century in the series, was scored by P. L. Arthur Alwis of Dharmaraja College.

Cricket plays a dominant role at Dharmaraja College apart from its academics. This time they lost a couple of games in a bad way. This time Dharmaraja were placed in Group C and the tournament matches were with Richmond College Galle, St. Peter’s College Colombo, Nalanda College Colombo, Gurukula College Kelaniya, St. Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa, Dharmapala College Pannipitiya, St. Servatius’ College Matara and Wesley College Colombo

This season Dharmaraja cricket team is led by third year player R.W.S.R.H.M. Bawantha Udangamuwa, a right hand batsman and also the rugby captain who becomes the second Rajan to captain both cricket and rugger teams after Indrajith Bandaranayake in 1990. His deputy is D.M.H Rukmal Dissanayake, another third year player and left arm leg spinner and also a good batsman.

This season the Kingswoodians are led by fourth year player Ganidu Kamburugamuwa a stylish batsman, this time as the leader he is sure to give off his best with the bat in the big match. His deputy is Saumya Prabash a third year player.

Kingswood College Cricket squad – Ganidu Kamburugamuwa (Captain), Saumya Prabash (Vice captain), Dulin Wijenarayana, Deegayu Bandara , Dhananjaya Maduranga, Hashika Gamage, Uthpala Jayalath, Achala Bogodawaththa, Kushan Gashitha, Harshana Dilshan, Kasun Madawa, Ishan Devinda, Dilshan Senarath, Lakmal Silva, Vinuka Pussepitiya, Chanak Bandara,(Coach; Indika Fernando Assistant coach: Harsha Udara, Physical trainer: Jagath Pushpakumara, MIC: Sarath Ekanayake).

Dharmaraja College Cricket Squad - Bhavantha Udangamuwa (Captain), Rukmal Dissanayake Vice Captain), Kasun Gunawardana , Sachintha Senanayake, Dulaj Bandara, Chetiya Ekanayake, Upendra Warnakulasuriya, Navindu Dilshan, Yasitha Samararatne, Isuru Dayananda, Mithila Gayashan. Virajith Ehelepola. Danuka Marasinghe, Tushan Herath, Shamil Muhandiram, Danuka Ratnayake, Chetiya Weerakoon (Coach U.S.C.Perera, M.I.C Saliya Samarawickrama ).

Sri Lanka head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said that his bowlers will have to step up because the pitches prepared for the Hero Nidahas T20 tri-series matches have been very good.

Hathurusingha was reflecting on the shocking defeat Sri Lanka suffered at the hands of Bangladesh even after posting a total of 214 which is normally considered a winning score. But in this instance Bangladesh stunned Sri Lanka by chasing down that target to post a record win.

The two teams are now clashing in their final league match where the winner of today’s game at the R Premadasa Stadium will meet India in the final on Sunday.

“It’s a very crucial game, but we’re preparing as normal. The advantage we had is that we played them recently. We know a lot about them and they know a lot about us as well. There’s nothing that both teams can do as far as surprises go,” said Hathurusingha at the pre-match press conference yesterday.

“The second game put us under pressure a little bit. You don’t lose many games after scoring 214 runs. They put our bowlers under pressure. I don’t think we bowled well, we need to accept that. Then again saying that, all six bowlers or five bowlers don’t go for 10 runs an over many times in your career. At the same time we have to give credit to Bangladesh for the way they batted,” he said.

On the preparation of pitches Hathurusingha said, “In this tournament the bowlers have to step up because the pitches are very good. You can’t blame them either. If you know our bowlers, I think in T20I, we have a very young attack. Some of them have played less than 10 matches, but that’s not an excuse. That’s why we are here we want to give them experience.

“The challenge for them is the conditions. Our batting is very good, it’s been easy to score runs off the new ball and the field restrictions, so we’re maximising that. If you look at our last five T20s our record is better than during our previous ten matches overall. We have to improve, we’re not number one or the number two team in T20I. There’s a lot to improve and that’s what we’re working on,” he said.

Although Sri Lanka lost back to back matches after beating India in the lung-opener of the series, Hathurusingha said the defeats didn’t change their style of preparations.

“Our preparations as far as bowling, we have given it some thought. At the start of the tournament we felt that these were our best bowling options and my opinion on that hasn’t changed. We have prepared well. Just like we prepared for the first game, we have prepared for every game therein. Our preparations are consistent. We are always of the mindset that if we continue along those lines then the outcome will more often than not be in our favour.”

Bangladesh have included their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the squad after a finger injury but whether he is fit enough to play is a matter of conjecture.

“The only thing I can think of is that if Shakib is half fit, I think it’s a desperate measure (to include him in the squad). If he’s fit Bangladesh really have an advantage, because he is the world’s number one all-rounder and we all know that he is a quality player,” said Hathurusingha.

Bangladesh coach Courtney Walsh who has worked alongside Hathurusingha when the Sri Lankan was head coach of Bangladesh said that Shakib was on his way to Sri Lanka and like any other player he will be assessed before being included in the playing eleven.

“If he is fit, he will be considered to play. We are hoping he will be fit enough to play. He had a net session in Dhaka. We were hoping to have him from the beginning of the tournament. He was always part of the setup. We knew he was going to make a comeback if there was any chance for him. It is nothing to worry about. Once Shakib is fit, we are going to welcome him to the team,” said Walsh.

The former West Indian fast bowling great said that the conditions have been reasonably good so far and that most of the matches have been won chasing except yesterday (Wednesday). “We are happy to bat or bowl first. We just need to play a lot better and with more consistency.”

Walsh said that it was crucial to have variations in the bowling in this tournament. You have to have the change of pace and yorkers. It is what completes a good skills set. Execution in the middle hasn’t been as consistent as it can be,” Walsh said.

England will arrive for a full tour of Sri Lanka on October 1 the matches comprising a series of three Tests, five ODIs and a one-off T20I.

The Tests will take place at Galle, Pallekele and SSC. The ODIs and T20I will be played at Dambulla, Pallekele and R Premadasa Stadium.

The tour itinerary released by Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday:

10 October: 1st ODI - (D/N) at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
13 October: 2nd ODI – (DAY) at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
17 October: 3rd ODI – (D/N) at Pallekele Stadium
20 October: 4th ODI – (DAY) at Pallekele Stadium
23 October: 5th ODI – (D/N) at R. Premadasa Staidum
27 October: T20I at R. Premadasa Stadium
6 to 10 November: 1st Test Match at Galle Stadium
14 to 18 November: 2nd Test Match at Pallekele Stadium
23 to 27 November: 3rd Test Match at SSC

Sri Lanka entered semi finals of both Junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Pre-qualifiers. Lankan lads booked their semi final berth when they beat Group 'B' leaders Syria 2-1 in the play-off tie worked off at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) courts yesterday. Chathurya Nilaweera won the fist singles rubber convincingly in straight sets beating his Syrian opponent Hassan Baroudi 6/1, 6/1 while Kavisha Ratnayaka followed him with a same fashion victory 6/3, 6/3 in the other singles rubber, grabbing an easy play-off tie win over Syria.

Singles winners Kavisha and Chathurya changed their attacking playing style in the doubles rubber and made a strategic retreat while allowing Syrians to make merry in a doubles match that would not affect the fate of the tie. Syrian pair Aous Abou Has Soun and Pierre Djaroueh were quick to bounce back with Lankan duo Chathurya and Kavisha playing casual tennis. Syrians won the first set 6/4 and Lankan duo conceded the doubles victory to Syria retiring 0/6 in the second set. Sri Lanka playing in the Group 'D' won two ties over Saudi Arabia (3-0) and Tajikistan (3-0) while savouring their only defeat at the hands of Vietnam opponents (1-2) before they rout Syria in yesterday's play-off tie. Sri Lanka will battle against Group 'C' unbeaten leaders Pakistan at SLTA clay courts in today's play-off tie, commencing from 8.30a.m. Hosts fared well at the group stage and ranked second behind undefeated Group 'D' leaders, Vietnam.

Yesterday's remaining Junior Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Pre-qualifying play-offs saw Group 'A' leaders Pacific Oceania beat Group 'C' number two Kuwait (3-0), Group 'D' leaders Vietnam beat Group 'B' number two Maldives (3-0), Group 'C' leaders Pakistan beat Group 'A' number two Bangladesh (3-0), Group 'A' number three Lebanon beat Group 'D' number four Tajikistan (3-0) and Group 'C' number four Bhutan beat Group 'B' number three Bahrain (2-1).

Meanwhile Lankan lasses who are reign supreme in Junior Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Pre-qualifying Group 'A', winning both their group ties against Vietnam (3-0) and Maldives (3-0) will take on Group 'C' number two Philippines in today's play-off tie at the SLTA hard courts, commencing from 8.30 a.m.

D.S.Senanayake College, Colombo will go out as firm favourites when they lock horns against Zahira College Maradana in their first round Singer ‘A’ Division inter-schools league rugby encounter at Navy grounds, Welisara today, commencing at 4.15pm.

DSS after their sensational display against Isipathana last week where they narrowly lost 24-25, are packed with some outstanding players such as captain cum hardy second row forward Chamuka Sheshan, Vishal Wijesiri, Dinusha Hemasiri, Harshula Perera and Kaveesha Rambukwella, all of whom are match winners. But they should get their act together if they are to pull off a win against unpredictable Zahira outfit. This year the D.S.Senanayake team is playing under their veteran head coach Mothilal Jayathilake.

Meanwhile the Zahira lads will play under the watchful eyes of head coach Shamly Nawaz, who is one of the finest coaches at present. Zahirans will be captained by experienced player and number eight Muammar Deen. Zahira lost to St.Peters College last week by 12 points to 48 in their first outing, hence they will come out with their best outfit for this game with players of the calibre of Minhaj Samsudeen, Shamahil Soweito, Akmal Meedin, Rahuman Booso, Tuan Thajudeen and Rushdi Abdeen who will go out with all guns blazing to topple D.S.Senanayake outfit and make a shock win.

St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa were 22/1 at stumps in reply to St. Joseph’s College, Colombo mamoth score of 360 on day one in the quarter final of ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 division 1 inter schools Two-day knock-out cricket tournament yesterday.

St. Joseph’s College Colombo won the toss and decided to bat. They scored 360 runs in 97.3 overs.

Nipun Sumanasinghe scored 93 runs. Match will be continued today.

St. Joesph’s: 360 in 97.3 overs (Nipun Sumanasinghe 93, Sachintha Ravindu 57, Miranga Wickramage 35, Revan Kelly 32, Jehan Daniel 32, Aaron Gunaratne 31,Dunith Wellalage 30, Praveen Jayawickrama 4/86, Tharusha Fernando 2/30)

St. Sebastian’s: 22/1 in 7 overs. YK

Jaffna Central College won the 112th Battle of the North cricket big match encounter beating their arch rivals St. John's College, Jaffna by one wicket as the legendary Northern school cricket big match sponsored by Sri Lanka’s National mobile service provider, Mobitel concluded in Jaffna recently.

Jaffna Central won the toss and invited opponents to bat first. Taking the first lease of the bat St. John’s College was bowled out for 217 with D. Sheropan making the top score of 65 runs. Dinoshan T. (28), Sawmiyan M (22) and Subeedsan J (18) made good contributions with the bat.

Jaffna Central bowling attack was spearheaded by Viyaskanth (4/58) and Thasopan (3/38) who shared the majority of wickets.

In response, Jaffna Central put up a robust total of 328 all out, with A. Jeyatharasan (77), S. Nishan (30), K. Iyalarasan (22), S. Madushan (52), S. Thasopan (49) and R. Rajclinton (54 not out). St. John’s College bowlers K. Kapilraj. and Abhinach captured 5/94 and 2/72 respectively.

St. John’s put up an almost similar total (219 all out) in their 2nd innings with V. Jathusan (50), D. Shiropan (46), T. Dinoshan (33) and K. Kapilraj (50). S. Sujan (4/49), Mathusan (3/30) and V, Viyaskanth (2/60) bowled best for Jaffna Central.

Chasing a victory target of 437 runs, Jaffna Central scored 110/9 in their second innings to clinch the victory by one wicket. S. Mathushan (53) and V. Viyaskanth. (19) were the top scorers while S. Thushanthan too added 14 runs to Jaffna Central total.

The Man of the Match award was won by Madushan from Jaffna Central College while the Best Bowler title was bagged by Kapilraj of St. John’s. The Best All-rounder award was given to Jathusan from St. John’s. The Limited Over match between the two rivals will be held today (March 17) at the same venue.

Zahira College Colombo team

Zahira College Colombo will meet Hameed Al Husseinie College in the final of the President’s Cup Inter School Invitation Football Tournament at the Race Course at 5 pm tomorrow (Sunday).

The tournament is organized by Hameed Al Husseinie College Colombo Group of 80s. The champion team will receive the President’s Trophy, Medals and Certificates and runner up team Trophy, Medals and Certificates. The third place team will also receive a Trophy, Medals and Certificates.

The Most Valuable player of each tournament match, Best Goal Keeper of the tournament, Highest Goal Scorer of the tournament and Most valuable player of the tournament will also receive trophies.

The final will take place under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. Ministers, Members of Parliament, Provincial Councilors and sponsors will also grace the event.

A press conference in connection with the Inter Association Netball Tournament 2018 organized by the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka together with the Jaffna District Netball Association and the Ministry of Sports held at the Football House on Thursday.

The tournament will take place from 24 to 27 March at the Doraiyappa Stadium in Jaffna.

Two days after the Ides of March and four days before Spring Equinox, the Royal Turf Club is all set to once again get the adrenaline pumping in the town of Nuwara Eliya.

Today to be precise is the opening day of the 2018 Horse Racing season and for the next couple of months. With racing scheduled for the mornings, weekends in the sleepy and picturesque hamlet will be buzzing with excitement. Get ready for action as the Royal Turf Club, Nuwara Eliya gears up to open the Racing season with a bang.

The March 17 races will be named as Owners Race Day and include six races of Thoroughbreds.

There will be 5 races of class 1 to 5 and one race for three quarter breeds.

Navin Dissanayake Minister of Plantations will be the chief guest.

Moratu Vidyalaya beat St. Johns College, Nugegoda by 34 to 21 in their inter school division one League Rugby Tournament Match played at Race Course Grounds.

Moratu Vidyalaya skipper Niranjan scored three tries and Sumalka Romesh, Sithum Kavinda and Sumudu scored a try each.

Sean Abbott once again came into spotlight, not because of his wickets, certainly not because of his batting but because of a bouncer which struck the batsman right on the helmet.

This time Australian cricketer Will Pucovski was at the receiving end.

The incident happened in a Sheffield shield match between Victoria and New South Wales at Melbourne's Junction Oval. The incident happened in the 19th over of Victoria's second innings when Pucovski got hit on his helmet while trying to duck Abbott's bouncer. Abbott rushed to the aid of Pucovski who was treated for a concussion and withdrawn from the remainder of the match.

This is not a first time when something like this has ever happened. Instances like this have been occurring on and off the field since the birth of cricket. Earlier, such occurrences were common as protective equipment were uncustomary.

There have been several instances in the past where the outcomes have been more tragic.

Here's the list of 5 such incidents in the history of cricket.

- SK

The outcome of the 113th lovers quarrel was unpredictable as either side may take advantage and force a win when play resumes at the picturesque Galle International stadium today.

Richmond electing to bat first were unable to keep their wickets in tact with the GICS producing turn and bounce to help Mahinda’s left arm leg spin duo Pasan Pethangoda and Navod Paranawithana to capture eight wickets between them to restrict the strong Richmondites to 170 runs at tea on the first day. Richmond came back strongly to defend their low score and had Mahinda on 70/3 at stumps on day one.

Richmond elected to bat first and Duveen Kalansooriya topped the score card with 42 runs while skipper Dhanjaya Lakshan chipped in with 33 while Pasan and Navod were the most successful bowlers.

Navod Paranavithana and Hansika Welikala gave Mahinda a solid start with a 46 run partnership for the first wicket but Dilum Sudeera graabbed two wickets in an over to see the M ahindians on 70/3 at stumps on day one.. The on field umpires are Nilan de Silva and Rohitha Kottachchi while

Nalliah Devarajan is the Match Referee.

Sixteen year old all-rounder and debudant of Moratu Vidyalaya Chamalka Fernando missed a well deserved century by three runs in their 66th Annual Big Match “Battle of the Golds” against their arch rivals Sri Sumangala College Panadura which was at De Soysa Stadium Moratuwa the end of day one Sumangalians were 41 for 2 with Isuru Umayanga unbeaten on 5 runs.

Chamalka hit seven hits to the ropes and occupied the crease for 240 minutes had faced 197 balls and Vidyalians were reeling at 145 for 8 Eran Hansamal joined Chamalka and put on 65 runs valuable partnership for the ninth wickets and Hansamal was unbeaten at 13 runs when he declaration came at 210 for 9 and he was at the wicket for 114 minutes and faced 111 balls. Anuk Jayasinghe bowled best for Sumangalians with 4 for 54 Shehada Soysa score 44 runs.

Moratu Vidyalaya 1st innings

Madushan Fernando ct Pasindu b Deshan 8, Shehada Soysa ct Pasindu b T. G. De Silva 44, Shamalka Fernando ct Ishara b Madushan 97, Ishan Madushka b Jayasinghe 19, Viraj Kavishka ct Pasindu b T. G. de Silva 4, Shehan Jeewantha b Jayasinghe 10, Ishan Peiris b Jayasinghe 00, Udith Mishendra lbw Deshan 00, Janida Fernando lbw Jayasnghe 03, Eran Hansamal not out 13, Hashen Fernando did not bat 00.

Extra – (B-4, L/B-3, N/B-3, W-2)- 12, Total for 8 wickets in 84 overs 210.

Fall of Wickets – 1/46, 2/85, 3/112, 4/121, 5/135, 6/137, 7/138, 8/145, 9/210.

Bowling – Janidu Induwara – 19-4-45-0, Pasindu Madushanka – 5-0-31-1, Shalana Ishara – 3-2-2-0, Anuk Jayasinghe 30-5-54-4, Deshan – 15-5-27-2, Varana G. de Silva – 11-1-36-2, Harshana Fernando – 1-0-8-0.

Sri Sumangala - 1st Innings

Darshana Fernando b Nishendra 01, Isuru Udhayanga not out 25, Warana G. de Silva ct Soysa b Nishendra 00, Anjana Maduwantha not out 05.

Extra – L/B-7, W-2, NB-1 – 10, Total for 2 wickets in 12 overs 41.

Fall of wickets 1/22, 2/22.

Bowling Viraj Kavishka – 3-1-12-0, Janith Feranndo – 5-14-0, Nadith Nishendra – 3-1-8-2, Eran Hansamal – 1-1-0-0.

Trinitians were able to bundle out the Antonians for 115 runs in their 101th battle of the Blues, and the Trinitans in reply was rather disappointing with the bat at the start, they were 2 for 2, and were struggling against a hostile pace attack, made life miserable for the batsmen, the pace ballers picked two quick wickets. However skipper Hasitha Boyagoda carried Trinity’s hopes with a stubborn effort he had a good support from Jeff Weerasinghe, these two put on a partnership of 93 runs, and Hasitha Boyagoda was the third to go out after scoring 72 runs. At the end of the first day Trintiains were 150 for 5 in 30 overs

St. Anthony’s College - 115 all out - Mohamed Absar 30, Navodaya Wijekumara 32 - Thasaru Dilahn 4 for 30, Ruvin Peris 3 for 31. Trinity College 150 for 5 at close of play Hasitha Boyagoda72, Jeff Weerasinha 37 - Nimanka Jayatilake 2 for 36

Mahela Udawatte of NCC made second ton in the season of the SLC Limited Overs Inter Club Cricket tournament conduct by Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday.

Dimuth Karunaratne (SSC) scored 132 runs against Kurunegala YCC at Welagedara and Adeesha Nanayakkara (Bloomfield) scored 131 runs against Ragama CC at Bloomfield. Mahela Udawaththe (NCC) scored 109 runs against Police SC at NCC and Ramith Rambukwella scored 102 runs against Negombo CC at Kadirana.

Air Force SC beat CCC by one wicket at Katunayake and Bloomfield beat unbeaten Ragama CC by 12 runs at Bloomfield. Chilaw Marians CC beat Army SC by by 80 runs at FTZ Katunayake and NCC beat Police SC by 180 runs at NCC.

BRC beat Badureliya CC by 7 wickets at BRC and Panadura SC beat Ports Authority CC by 22 runs at Panadura. Saracens SC beat Moors SC by 5 wickets at Moors and SSC beat Kurunegala YCC by 142 runs at Welagedara. Tamil Union beat Negombo CC by 8 wickets at Kadirana and Navy SC beat Kalutara TC by 5 wickets at Welisara.

lAt Katunayake. Air Force SC won by one wicket. CCC: 176 in 45.3 overs (Wanindu Hasaranga 53, Madawa Warnapura 46, Dilshan Munaweera 28, Shohan Rangika 5/23, Buddhika Sandaruwan 3/30) Air Force SC: 180/9 in 41.4 overs (Ranga Dissanayake 34, Wanindu Hasaranga 3/18, Lakshan Sandaken 2/23)

lAt Bloomfield. Bloomfield won by 12 runs. Bloomfield:260/8 in 50 overs (Adeesha Nanayakkara 131, Nipun Karunanayake 29, Thiran Dhanapala 21, Ishan Jayaratne 3/60, Udara Jayasundara 2/47) *Ragama CC:* 248/9 in 48.4 overs (Lahiru Milantha 56, Saminda Fernando 51, Roshen Silva 44, Sameera de Zoysa 36, Lahiru Thirimanne 26, Malith de Silva 2/33, Kasun Rajitha 2/53)

lAt FTZ Katunayake. Chilaw Marians CC won by 80 runs. Chilaw Marians CC:* 270/8 in 50 overs (Kasun Vidura 77, Sachithra Serasinghe 67, Thikshila de Silva 33, Rohit Damodaran 24, Nuwan Liyanapathirana 2/24, Ajantha Mendis 2/44) *Army SC:* 190 in 38.1 overs (Lakshitha Madhushan 38, Ajantha Mendis 36, Seekuge Prasanna 27, Ashan Randika 25, Janith Silva 24, Asitha Fernando 4/14, Dilshan Gunawardhane 23, Raifi Gomez 2/41, Dilshan Gunawardhane 2/37)

lAt NCC. NCC won by 180 runs. NCC: 291/8 in 50 overs (Mahela Udawaththa 109, Angelo Perera 83, Lahiru Udara 44, Sandun Weerakkody 23, Mahesh Priyadarshana 4/64, Buddhika Sanjeewa 3/49) Police SC: 111 in 23.4 overs (Sachitha Jayathilake 36, Mahesh Priyadarshana 35, Lahiru Kumara 4/24,

Tharindu Kaushal 2/05, Lasith Embuldeniya 2/17, Nuwan Karunaratne 2/30)

lAt BRC. BRC won by 7 wickets. Badureliya CC: 216/9 in 50 overs (Pethum Nissanka 50, Nadeera Nawela 44, Alankara Asanka 33 n.o., Saranga Rajaguru 31, Dilhan Cooray 29, Himesh Ramanayake 3/52, Chamikara Edirisinghe 2/38, Suraj Randiv 2/44

BRC: 217/3 in 37.1 overs (Lisula Lakshan 107, Lasith Lakshan 42, Deshan Dias 35, Saranga Rajaguru 237)

lAt Panadura. Panadura SC won by 22 runs. Panadura SC: 213/9 in 50 overs (Vinodh Perera 55, Tharindu Madhuranga 37, Geshan Wimaladharma 26, Aravinda Premaratne 20 n.o., Ramesh Nimantha 2/29, Charith Jayampathi 2/32) *Ports Authority CC: *191 in 43. 3 overs (Gihan Rupasinghe 54, Yohan De Silva 48, Primosh Wickaramasinghe 20, Dulanjana Senevirathne 5/64, Aravinda Premarathne 3/27, Vinodh Perera 2/32)

lAt Moors. Moors SC won by 5 wickets. Moors SC:* 220/9 in 50 overs (Irosh Samarasooriya 68, Thilaksha Sumanasiri 51, Charitha Kumarasinghe 22, Kosala Kulasekara 21, Roshan Jayatissa 3/38, Andy Solomons 2/44, Saliya Saman 2/50)

*Saracens SC 221/5 in 46 overs (Ruvindu Gunasekera 52, Harsha Cooray 29, Sajeewa Weerakoon 2/18)

lAt Welagedara. SSC won by 142 runs. SSC: 275 in 40.5 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 132, Dhammika Prasad 50, Chamara Kapugedera 27, Kalhan Sineth 5/43, Keshan Wijerathne 2/64) Kurunegala YCC: 133 in 31.4 overs (Charith Mendis 53, Dhanushka Dharmasiri 32, Sachithra Senanayake 3/38, Charith Asalanka 3/12)

lAt Kadirana. Tamil Union won by 8 wickets. Negombo CC: 156 in 46.3 overs (Dilasri Lokubandara 42, Ravindra Karunaratne 24, Sandun Dias 23, Pramod Madushan 3/26, Dinuk Wikramanayake 3/28, Dulanjana Mendis 2/23) Tamil Union: 159/2 in 20.1 overs (Ramith Rambukwella 102, Tharanga Paranavitana 25)

lAt Welisara. Navy SC won by 5 wickets. Kalutara TC: 193 in 50 overs (Devind Pathmanathan 46, Madhawa Nimesh 32, Chrishen Aponsu 23, Eranga Rathnayake 22, Nuwan Sampath 4/32, Kusal Edussooriya 2/23) Navy SC: 197/5 in 47.5 overs (Tharushan Iddamalgoda 58 n.o., Kusal Edussooriya 38, Matheesha Perera 2/22)(YK)