The 2nd edition of LSR- Sri Lanka T Cup, an International Cycle Race organized by Lanka Sportreizen (LSR)in Sri Lanka, bringing the experience of an international racing circuit to Sri Lanka's sports enthusiasts will be worked off from May 4 to 6. The race will begin from Passikudah on May 4 and will proceed to Mahiyangana via Welikandy, Dimbulagala, Pallegama,Dehiattakandiya and Giraandurukotte over a distance of 133 kilometers.

On May 5th the race will begin from Mahiyangana and will proceed along Hasalaka, Udadumbara, Hunnasgiriya, Digana, Tennekumbura and end up in Kandyover a distance of 92 kilometers. On the third day the race will proceed from Kandy to Negombo via Katugastota, Galagedara, Mawathagama, Kurunegala, Narammala, Giriulla, Pannala and Dankotuwa over a distance of 125 kilometers. In their endeavour to promote sporting events in Sri Lanka, it was their intention to expose the lesser known areas of Sri Lanka which are reawakening due to the development of tourism using the best known icon for Sri Lanka Tea.

Some of the events they have organised include the LSR Colombo Marathon, Rumble in the Jungle(Mountain Biking Challenge), Vittel Amazon (Adventure Challenge), WQS Surfing with the Surfing Professionals, Sri Lankan Golf Classic, etc

With the thinking, the “Sri Lanka T-Cup” Road Cycling Event was introduced and successfully conducted last year with the participation of 62 including 35 international riders. The event commenced from Passikudah which has developed due to tourism located in the East of Sri Lanka to the well-known Negombo which is in the West Coast.. Hence it was a “Coast to Coast” exercise.

The inaugural event was such a success that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) – the Governing Body for Cycling in the world had no hesitation in recognising it as a Class 2.2 Race making itthe only International Cycling Race in South Asia, which has been ratified by the UCI.

A total of 14 teams from 11 countries have confirmed their participation. The teams: Oliver’s Real Food Racing(Australia), Team France Defence (France), Kinan Cycling Team (Japan), TeamUKYO (Japan), Vino-Astana Motors (Kazakhstan), Gaypeone Team (Korea), NEX CCNCycling Team (Laos), National Team (Malaysia), Terengganu Cycling Team(Malaysia), Go for Gold (Philippines), NEX Cycling Team (Singapore), RoojaiCycling Team (Thailand), National Team (Sri Lanka) and President’s Team (SriLanka).

The Lanka Sportsreizen will offer Rs. 3.7million as total prize money from the 1st to 20th place splus daily winners.

The Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake said that he will give his maximum support for this T-Cup Cycle Race which could help to promote tourism in the Central Province as it will be passing the famous 18 Hair Pin Bends in the Kandy District.

He said cycling in Sri Lanka could be promoted in a big way as he himself is a cycling enthusiast having seen Maurice Coomarawel, Anthony Symons and Boniface Perera in action in his younger days.

The Chairman of Lanka Sportsreizen Thilak Weerasinghe said that the recognition of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is a great achievement and hope that they will go from strength to strength this year.

He said his organisation has been a pioneer in promoting tourism through sports with the Colombo Marathon having attracted several foreign competitors and their family members which has helped to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination.

The Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara said that he hoped that our cyclists will finish within the first ten in this event which will be a great achievement for the country.

He said he hopes to set up a track for cycling in Sri Lanka as during his visit to London he has seen even Foreign Secretary of Britain Boris Johnson also in cycling in London.

The Sri Lanka Cycling Team which wil ltake part in the LSR T-Cup Cycle Race.  Pictures by Shan Rambukwella.    

Celebrations of Easter would be a memorable one this year for all the Racing Patrons, Horse Owners, Trainers and Jockeys in the Hills of Nuwara Eliya at the ROYAL TURF CLUB Racecourse. The Joy of Easter will be enjoyed alongside Horse Racing. To make the occasion even more joyful Chandani Hettarachi along with her troupe would be entertaining the RTC EASTER SUNDAY RACING BONANZA.

A total of 39 Thoroughbred horses would be participating for the day and the Biggest ever field is the Class 4 race where a Total of 12 horses would be participating and galloping the way around when gates fly open. The finish is guaranteed to be thrilling as it is wide open to all the runners with the main threat coming from Horse Honourious owned by Fearless stables Rep. Mr. Suneeth Weerasinghe.

Class1 having the second highest runners that is 11 for the first time ever, the main reason being that the Class2 race was combined with the Class1 since the distances are identical and the race would be more challenging. With the absence of the wonder filly Alcazaba Class1 also becomes open to challenge for horses competing in the Class1 and would be a exciting finish to the wire.

THE SIGNATURE RACE RTC MAGIC MILLION ON THE 15th APRIL will be KNOWN this year as the SRILANKAN AIRLINES RTC MAGIC MILLION as the Prestigious SriLankan Airlines, will be sponsoring the race this year. SriLankan airlines national carrier and a member of the one world alliance coming onboard will help to revive horse racing in Sri Lanka at the Highest level.

THE VIJITHA CENTRAL TEAM 2018:

Rajapaksa Central College Weeraketiya will confront Vijitha Central College Dikwella to the 9th Golden Battle of Ruhuna at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium Sooriyawewa on the 4th and 5th of April.

The big match between the two sports schools in the Matara and Hambanthota districts was first played in 2010 and was hosted by Rajapaksa Central at their school ground in Weeraketiya. Vijitha Central who won the 6th encounter played at their school ground in Dikwella by an innings and 27 runs lead the series one-nil. The highest individual score in the series was the unbeaten 103 by Mahela Nambuhewa in 2013 while the seven wicket haul which included a hat trick by Daham Venusara last year (2017) is the best bowling performance in an innings and his match bag of 11/63 is also a record in the series .Since of late the match has been played on turf with Rajpaksa Central hosting the game at MRICS in Sooriyawewa and Vijitha Central hosting it at Uyanwatta stadium in Matara.

The Vijitha Central team is led by Ramesh Madushan Weligamage while Sumudu Prabath Siriwardena is the Vice Captain of the strong VCC outfit which will be selected from N T Sachinda Dewshan, S H Sachin Chanuka, H J K Thushan Malinda, M Hasindu Sri Nirmana, K H Menusha Dinu Sachintha, R P Kavindu Theekshana, G g Lahiru Kosala, K K Sakith Chamika, A W U Pathum Sampath, A G K Saroj Ransara, P A Vuhanga Keshara and J B Sadeepa Chamod. The team is coached by K Navod Dilan while S Yohan Tharindu continues as the master in charge.

M M Dilisha Shehan leads the Rajapaksa Central College team to the 9th confrontation and has H W Pasan Sathsara as his deputy.

The final XI will be selected from P A Pathum Divanjana, K G Ashan Ravindu W A N Dasunpriya, Sineth Saranga, G M Suraj Dilankara, M M N Mendis, W G Tharindu Ushan, W H Pivithuru Priyadasun, R M Charith Ishara, M Y Nadun Kaushalya, I A Lakvindu Sampath, J M Vidura Subashana, W A Dulaj Samuditha, S Yugasara Waduge, H K Nirmana Nayanajith, W C K Bandaranayake and M P Janitha Malith. The RCC team is coached by P A Hashan Tharinda and Jayantha Punchihewa is the master in charge.

Royal Lions, led by junior Sri Lankan national player Tanvir Hallaj won the inaugural IPL-style Royal Hockey League (RHL) tournament held at Royal College ground over the weekend.

The seven-a- side tournament, organized by Royal College Hockey Club (RCHC), aimed at bringing all the best hockey players at both international and national

level produced by the school. The inaugural RHL was sponsored by KBSL Information Technologies Limited.

Royal Lions, who were the only unbeaten among the six teams participated at the league stage, faced Royal Bulls led by Ashen Pieris in the cup final. Bulls’ part- time centre forward Manuka Pawan created a major upset when he deflected the ball to score a field goal in the third minute of the first half. Bulls dominated the game, but Tanvir equalized at the last minute of the second half ending the final with 1-1 draw.

In the three-penalty shootout series to decide the winner, Tanvir and centre half Lasitha Manchanayaka scored while Bulls failed to score any goals. The Royal Lions team was also sponsored by the tournament sponsor, while other teams were sponsored by individual old boys.

In the way to the finals, Lions beat Royal Wolves by 2-0, Royal Tigers by 1-0, while drew with Royal Rhinos (1-1), Royal Bulls (0-0), and Royal Tuskers (0-0). Royal Bulls, shockingly, lost its first game to Royal Tigers by 3-0, but came back strongly by winning two matches and drawing one league game to finish as the runners up at the league stage. Royal Tigers, which played without a goal keeper under the leadership of former Sri Lanka junior national team captain Shahid Hussain Kuthubdeen, won the plate championship by 2-1 against Royal Tuskers, while Royal Wolves which included ex-Sri Lanka national player Ashok Pieris, won the bowl championship by 2-1 against Royal Rhinos.

The tournament was a brain child of former Sri Lanka national coach Rohan Dissanayake, who has been the Royal hockey coach since 1991, bringing in many glories in the game of hockey.

Tanvir Hallaj was adjudged player of the cup final, Shahid Kuthubdeen won the player of plate final award and Ashok Pieris was awarded player of bowl final award. Shahid Kuthbdeen was adjudged the best player of the RHL while Royal Lion’s Shihar Aneez won the best goal keeper of the tournament award.

The winning team comprised of Tanvir Hallaj (captain), Lasitha Manchanayaka, Muditha Weerakkody, Ravi Hettiarachchi, Punsada Aravinda, Mustaq Rumy, Sandun Gajanayake, Hasanga Liyanagunawardena, Shihar Aneez, and Silmy Ahamed (KBSL, Sponsor).

The runners up Royal Bulls included Ashen Pieris (captain), Nelaka Wedagama, Pasindu Charaka, Senith Gajanayake, Praveen Buddhika, Aslam Assen, Manuka Pawan (Owner), M. Ananthevel, and Thushara Weliwatta.

The IPL-style hockey tournament for the first time in Sri Lankan history saw a large number of former Royalists turning to their alma mater to help the current school players. Team players were aged between 20-56 years.

Royal Lions - Cup Winners 

Addalaichenai Divisional Education Office (DEO) team became champion of the limited 10 over’s cricket tournament conducted by Divisional Secretariat, Addalaichenai at the Government Teachers’ College Play Grounds, Addalaichenai recently.

This tournament was organized by the Addalaichenai Divisional Secretariat Sports Officer A. M. M. Razeen to mark the Psychical Fitness and Sports Week-2018 recently while 4 teams took part.

Addalaichenai Divisional Education Office (DEO) team beat Akkaraipattu Police Team by 50 runs in the final. Addalaichenai Divisional Education Office (DEO) team won the toss and bat first.

Addalaichenai DEO team scored 143 runs loss of 09 wickets in their allocated 10 over’s. (skipper J.Fasmeer – 68 and I.L.M.Faiz – 24)

In reply Akkaraipattu Police Team, scored 94 runs in the 9.4 over’s for all out.

Winners were awarded trophy by chief guest on this occasion Addalaichenai Divisional Secretary T. J.Athisayaraj and the Akkaraipattu Police Team was awarded trophy by the guest Addalaichenai Lucky Sports Club President S.M.Aroos.

Semi finals of the ‘Singer Under 19’s Girl’s Cricket tournament will be held today at Ananda Mawatha.

Last year runner up Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda will meet their rival Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya Gampaha and defending champions Devapathiraja College Rathgama will meet St. Anthony’s Girl’s College Kandy

36 teams participated to this tournament in the first round in seven groups. 18 teams advanced to the knock-out (final) round. Devapathiraja College Rathgama beat Sri Siddhartha MMV Eppawala and Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda beat Gamini National School Nuwara Eliya in the quarter finals. St. Anthony’s Girl’s College Kandy beat Wijayabahu MV Okkampitiya and

Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya beat Nugawela Central College in the quarter finals. Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda will meet Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya Gampaha in the morning and Devapathiraja College Rathgama will meet St. Anthony’s Girl’s College Kandy in the evening.

*Semi finals (30th March) At Ananda Mawatha*

Morning - Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda vs Rathnawali Balika Vidyalaya Gampaha

Evening - Devapathiraja College Rathgama vs St. Anthony’s Girl’s College

Kandy

*31st March At Lyceum ground Wattala Morning – Third place match Evening – Final

(YK)

SYDNEY, Thursday: Distraught former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith accepted full responsibility Thursday for a ball-tampering scandal that has shaken the sport, breaking down in tears while denying it had ever happened before.

Cricket Australia have banned Smith and David Warner from all international and domestic cricket for a year while opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was exiled for nine months over attempted cheating during the third Test in South Africa

Smith, a golden boy compared to Donald Bradman for his batting exploits, was a broken man at an emotional press conference on his arrival back in Sydney from Johannesburg.

“I take full responsibility, I made a serious error of judgement and I understand the consequences. It was a failure of leadership,” he said, choking back tears as he was comforted by his father Peter.

“I know I will regret this for the rest of my life. I am absolutely gutted. Cricket is my life and hope it can be again. I’m sorry. I’m absolutely devastated.”

Smith’s fall from grace has been dramatic, and fast.

He was jeered as he made his way through Johannesburg airport on Wednesday surrounded by police and media with concerns over his mental state in the current rabid climate and coach Darren Lehmann calling for all three men to be “given a second chance”.

Former great Shane Warne, no stranger himself to controversy, offered the trio an olive branch despite days of a harsh and judgemental Australian public baying for blood.

“What the public wants to see is change. They want to see you be a better person,” he wrote in a column for the Sydney Daily Telegraph. “They’ll support you if they see that, and they’ll forgive you.”

‘WARNER: ‘STAIN ON THE GAME’

Warner, a divisive figure who was charged with developing the plot and instructing Bancroft to carry it out, also broke his silence to say sorry and admit his actions had been “a stain on the game”.

“Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket,” he told his 1.6 million Instagram followers as he made his way back to Sydney.

“I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it.

“It’s a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy,” he added.

In handing out their tough punishment, cricket chiefs bowed to uproar at home where sportsmen and women are held in high esteem and expected to act in the best interests of the game.

Authorities also needed to act decisively to counter mounting concern from sponsors over reputational damage.

CA’s response wasn’t enough to save an estimated Aus$20 million (US$15 million) partnership with naming rights sponsor Magellan which tore up its three-year contract Thursday after barely seven months.

The financial cost for the players is also growing with sporting goods company ASICS ending its relationship with Warner and Bancroft. Electronics giant LG axed Warner on Wednesday, while Weet-Bix and Commonwealth Bank dumped Smith.

Other team sponsors, including Qantas, have voiced their deep disappointment over the scandal but so far have taken no action.

BANCROFT: ‘I ASK FORGIVENESS’

An emotional Bancroft said he was ashamed of himself when he arrived back in Perth.

“All I can do in the short term is ask for forgiveness,” he said, while denying he had ever tampered with a ball before, in comments echoed by Smith.

“I have made a big mistake for allowing this to happen,” said Smith.

“This is the first time I have seen this happen and it will never be happening again.”

Smith -- the world’s number one Test batsman -- was charged with knowledge of the potential ball-altering plan, while Warner was charged with developing the plot and instructing Bancroft to carry it out.

CA said Bancroft, who has played just eight Tests, had illegally attempted to “artificially alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper”.

It added that Smith had continued to try to cover up the cheating plot by issuing “misleading public comments regarding the nature, extent and participants of the plan”.

In a further blow, it ruled Smith and Bancroft would not be considered for team leadership positions until a minimum of 12 months after the end of their suspensions, and Warner will never lead again.

While they are banned from top-level cricket, they can still play at club level in Australia or in other countries.

Lehmann remains in charge because Cricket Australia said he was unaware of what was going on.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine will take over the Australian captaincy for the fourth and final Test starting in Johannesburg on Friday, with Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns drafted in as replacements. - AFP

SYDNEY, Thursday: Former Australia vice captain David Warner broke his silence over the ball-tampering saga on Thursday with a post on social media in which he apologised and accepted responsibility for his “part” in the scandal.

The opening batsman was suspended from international and state cricket for 12 months on Wednesday and banned from ever holding a leadership position in the test team again for his role in the cheating in Cape Town.

“I am currently on my way back to Sydney,” Warner posted in a message to “cricket fans in Australia and all over the world” on Instagram.

“Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it. I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans.

“It’s a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy.”

Warner was identified as the instigator of the tampering in the findings of the Cricket Australia investigation, instructing junior batsman Cameron Bancroft how to scuff up one half of the ball with sandpaper during the third test against South Africa.

Bancroft was banned for nine months for his part, while captain Steve Smith also received a one-year ban, even though he was described in the report of only being aware of the plan. As well as the ignominy of being identified as the main villain of the piece in the Cricket Australia report, Warner has paid a heavy financial penalty for his misjudgement.

A subsequent ban from the Indian Premier League (IPL) cost him $1.85 million this season, while sports manufacturer ASICS and technology giant LG have both said they would no longer work with him. Warner is expected to land in his home city in the late evening local time on a separate flight from Smith but confirmed that he would not be taking the opportunity to address media.

“I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisors,” he added. “You will hear from me in a few days.”

- Agencies

Second seed D.S.R. Dharmasena toppled top seed Gamini Dissanayaka in an exciting battle 6/1, 0/6, 10/8 and walked away with the Sri Lanka Clay Court Nationals 2018 wheelchair tennis men’s singles title at Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) courts yesterday.

Dharmasena won the first set comfortably but Gamini bounced back strongly to win the following set with much ease, not allowing his opponent to steal a single point. The third set kept the spectators on pins as both battled for supremacy. Dharmasena proved eventually prevailed after a tough fight to bag the title downing his experienced opponent.

In the semi-finals Dharmasena beat H.M. L. Senaratna 6/4, 6/2 and Gamini overcame R. A. L. S. Ranaweera 6/2, 6/4.

Dharmasena partnered by R. A. L.S. Ranaweera also won the men’s doubles crown after a thrilling contest defeating Gamini and H. M. L. Senaratna 6/4, 1/6, 10/8.

Top seed Oneli Perera will be seen in action at today’s girls’ under-16 semis against Sethmi Sumanaweera while Savini Jayasuriya will lock horns with Senuri Alexander in the other semi-final. Oneli beat Tharani Alexander 6/2, 6/2 and Sethmi trounced Ashanthi Seneviratne 6/1, 6/2 in the quarters.

Savini routed Alana Seneviratne 6/4, 6/3 and Senuri beat Preethika Chandramohan 6/3, 6/3 in the other quarters.

Top seed Nelini Jayasuriya and second seed Hasali Gajaba have qualified for the girls’ under-12 singles finals, winning yesterday’s semi-final battles. Nelini beat Saneshi Willoraarachchi 6/3, 6/2 and Hasali defeated Arushi Charuni 6/3, 7/5.

The Boys’ under-12 doubles quarterfinals will be worked off today. Gerald Mendis and Ravi Perera entered the men’s over-55 doubles final and will meet the winners of today’s semi-final between S. M. A Samarakoon and S. A. Seneviratna vs. Sirimal Kannangara and Leonard Lof in the final.

Rakesh Ratnasingham will take on Kavisha Ratnayaka in the boys’ under-18 singles semi-final. Rakesh downed Chanith de Silva 5/7, 6/2, 6/3 and Kavisha had the better of Mark Seneviratne 7/5, 6/0 in the quarters.

Top seed Vibuda Wijebandara qualified for the boys’ under-18 singles semis after receiving a walkover from Vinuja Wijebandara in the quarters.

He will battle against Luca Knese today seeking a final berth. Luca edged out Nenuka Jayathilaka 7/5, 6/3 in quarters.

Boys’ under-16 top seed Luca had no trouble in beating Chanith de Silva 6/1, 6/2 in the semis and will meet Isuru Peiris in the final. Isuru beat Nenuka Jayathilaka 6/4, 6/3 in the semis.

CHRISTCHURCH March: New Zealand captain Kane Williamson defended David Warner Thursday, describing the Australian at the heart of the ball-tampering scandal as “not a bad guy”.

With New Zealand's build-up to the second Test against England, starting in Christchurch on Friday, overshadowed by international reaction to the cheating affair in South Africa, Williamson said he has been in touch with Warner.

“It's a shame. The act is not condoned in any team,” Williamson said after Warner was named as the instigator of the ball tampering.

“It will blow over in time, but it's grown and grown and, like I say, he's not a bad guy. He's made a mistake and certainly admitted that and they are disappointed with that action.” In the fallout from the ball-tampering, Cricket Australia have banned Warner and captain Steve Smith from all professional cricket for 12 months, and Cameron Bancroft for nine months.

Smith has been suspended from the captaincy for at least two years, while Warner has been told he will never lead an Australia side again.

Williamson described the punishment as “strong”, but defended Warner as a person.

“He's not a bad person by any means. They (Warner and Smith) have made a mistake, they have certainly admitted that and they are disappointed with that action so they will have to take that punishment, strong punishment that it is,” said Williamson.

“But it's a shame that two fantastic world class players made a mistake.” Lehmann admits the culture in the Australian side needs to change and held up New Zealand as an example of how to play and respect the opposition.

Under former captain Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson New Zealand adopted a “hard but fair” approach in the fair-play traditions of the game.

“We take pride in our performance, in the way we go about things and we want to continue to do that,” said Williamson, who is regarded in cricket circles as a gentleman who adheres to the traditions of the game. - AFP

JOHANNESBURG, Thursday: A tearful Darren Lehmann said on Thursday he would quit as coach of the scandal-tainted Australia cricket team after the fourth and final Test of a series in South Africa.

“This will be my last Test as head coach of the Australian cricket team,” Lehmann told a press conference on the eve of the match.

“Saying goodbye to the players was the toughest thing I have ever had to do.

“After seeing events in the media today with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, the feeling is that Australian cricket needs to move forward and this is the right thing to do.

“I really felt for Steve and as you see I’m crying in front of the media. All the players are really hurting.”

Lehmann, who was due to leave the job after the 2019 Ashes series in England, is quitting despite being cleared of any role in the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked the sport. His decision follows 12-month bans given to captain Smith and vice-captain David Warner for the roles they played in a plot to cheat in Cape Town last Saturday during the third Test. Opening batsman Bancroft was banned for nine months for his part in the affair.

“My family and I have copped a lot of abuse over the last week and it’s taken its toll,” added Lehmann.

“After speaking to my family at length over the last few days, it’s the right time to step away.

“I am ultimately responsible for the culture of the team and I’ve been thinking about my position for a while.

“Despite telling media yesterday that I’m not resigning, after viewing Steve and Cameron’s hurting, it is only fair that I make this decision.

“This will let Cricket Australia make a full review of the team and implement changes to regain the trust of the Australian public.” - AFP

JOHANNESBURG, Thursday: A tearful Darren Lehmann said on Thursday he would quit as coach of the scandal-tainted Australia cricket team after the fourth and final Test of a series in South Africa.

“This will be my last Test as head coach of the Australian cricket team,” Lehmann told a press conference on the eve of the match.

“Saying goodbye to the players was the toughest thing I have ever had to do.

“After seeing events in the media today with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, the feeling is that Australian cricket needs to move forward and this is the right thing to do.

“I really felt for Steve and as you see I’m crying in front of the media. All the players are really hurting.”

Lehmann, who was due to leave the job after the 2019 Ashes series in England, is quitting despite being cleared of any role in the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked the sport. His decision follows 12-month bans given to captain Smith and vice-captain David Warner for the roles they played in a plot to cheat in Cape Town last Saturday during the third Test. Opening batsman Bancroft was banned for nine months for his part in the affair.

“My family and I have copped a lot of abuse over the last week and it’s taken its toll,” added Lehmann.

“After speaking to my family at length over the last few days, it’s the right time to step away.

“I am ultimately responsible for the culture of the team and I’ve been thinking about my position for a while.

“Despite telling media yesterday that I’m not resigning, after viewing Steve and Cameron’s hurting, it is only fair that I make this decision.

“This will let Cricket Australia make a full review of the team and implement changes to regain the trust of the Australian public.” - AFP

Singer U19 Div I (2-day K/O)

Trinity enters final

Trinity College Kandy entered the final of the Singer Trophy Under 19 division I inter-schools (two-day k/o) cricket tournament yesterday.

Trinity won on bonus points against Prince of Wales Moratuwa their semi-finals played at St. Anne’s College ground Kurunegala.

Scores:

Prince of Wales: 248/9 decl. (58/2 o/n) in 120.1 overs (Suwath Mendis 64, Sanoj Darshika 57, Avindu Fernando 26, Sadun Fernando 24, Savindu Peiris 20, Thisaru Dilshan 2/27, Kavishka Senadeera 2/41, Vimukthi Nethumal 2/80)

Trinity: 50/1 in 12 overs (Pubudu Bandara 26 n.o.) - YK

38th Battle of the Golds in Kegalle

St. Mary’s win by an innings

St. Mary’s College Kegalle beat Kegalu Vidyalaya by an innings and 128 runs in their 38th Battle of the Golds in Kegalle cricket encounter played at Welagedara Stadium Kurunegala yesterday.

St. Mary’s who won the toss and batted first scored 210 with Sujith Kumara and Thimira Kumara each scoring 50 runs. Pasindu Nirmal took 4 wickets for 52 runs.

Kegalu Vidyalaya were bowled out 36 and following on for 46.

Kumara followed his half century with a match haul of ten wickets with his left-arm leg-spin. He was adjudged man of the match.

Scores:

St. Mary’s: 210/9 (189/5 o/n) in 56.4 overs (Sujith Kumara 50, Timira Kumara 50, Sanjeewa Ranjith 33, Pasan Walisinghe 21, Pasindu Nirmal 4/52, Sandaru Missaka 2/28, Madhushan Gunasinghe 2/49)

Kegalu Vidyalaya: 36 in 18.3 overs (Thimira Kumara 4/4, Sanjaya Ranjith 3/17) and 46 in 22.4 overs (Thimira Supun 6/20) - YK

One-day game at Pallekelle today

Hafiz Marikar

The annual one day game between Wariyapola Sri Sumangala (St. Paul’s) College and Sri Rahula College will be played at the Pallakelle Stadium today.

In this game it will be interesting to see how the deadly bowlers of Sri Rahula perform against run hungry Sri Sumangala cricketers.

The Sri Rahula bowlers who have picked up some good wickets this season will find it difficult to contain the Sri Sumangala batsmen.

Sri Sumangala, who has a strong batting line up, should pile up a formidable score if they get the chance to bat first. Sri Rahula too have a dashing batting line up and should give a firm challenge.

Following all the drama of ball-tampering, Cricket Australia have finally announced their verdict by punishing the now-sacked captain Steven Smith and vice-captain David Warner, and also penalising newcomer Cameron Bancroft. The latter two cannot represent Australia for the next one year while the former will be out for nine months, though all three have the option of challenging the verdict.

However, in the case of Smith and Warner, this was not the first case when misconduct or unsporting behaviour on the ground attracted the attention of the authorities. While Warner's stories go back a long way, TopBuzz traces 5 instances when Smith's actions or words brought shame to the game of cricket.

OUTBURST ON UMPIRING DECISION, CHRISTCHURCH 2016

On Day four of the Christchurch Test between New Zealand and Australia in 2016, Smith and pacer Josh Hazlewood got into a controversy when an umpiring decision went against Australia. In the last over before lunch, Kane Williamson was ruled not out by on-field umpire Ranmore Martinesz following a huge LBW appeal by Hazlewood.

Smith immediately referred it to the third umpire Richard Illingworth, who found a small Hot Spot mark beside the bottom of Williamson's inside edge, thus sticking with Martinesz's decision. The visitors, however, seemed convinced that the spot arose with Williamson's bat trudging his boot. That made Smith have a word with Martinesz while Hazlewood was heard on the stump microphone saying, “Who the f*** is the third umpire?”

As a result, Smith was fined 30% of his match fee while Hazlewood was docked half the amount, after which Smith later said, "I'll cop that on the chin and I need to be better as a leader."

DRS “BRAIN FADE”, BANGALORE 2017

Australia had registered a surprising win on a raging turner in the previous Test in Pune to go 1-0 up in the three-match series, and Bangalore presented them with another spin-friendly surface, albeit not as threatening. India had set the visitors 188 on the fourth day, having fallen behind by 87 in the first innings.

But when Australia came out to chase, it was India's pacers who struck early blows to reduce them to 67/3, with Umesh Yadav claiming two wickets and Ishant Sharma claiming one. With Umesh in action again, Smith was struck flush in the middle by the ball keeping low. Umpire Nigel Llong gave India the wicket, and with the DRS facility available, Smith consulted the non-striker Peter Handscomb before turning to the Australian dressing room to consult whether the decision needed to be reviewed or not.

With Virat Kohli questioning his methods and even claiming that Australia had done that several times in the Test, Smith later described his actions as a “brain fade”, a term very commonly used in cricketing circles since.

JAMES ANDERSON SLEDGING COMMENTS, ADELAIDE 2017

During the Adelaide Test in 2017, umpire Aleem Dar often had to intervene between Smith and James Anderson

After England had lost the first Test of the 2017-18 Ashes in Australia, James Anderson wrote in a piece for The Telegraph in the UK a day before the second Test at Adelaide, “A bully waits until they are in the ascendancy to pounce on people. That is what Australian teams do.”

The same day, host captain Smith hit back at his rival when he was asked to respond to Anderson's comments. "I think it's interesting coming from Jimmy, calling us bullies and big sledgers. I think he's one of the biggest sledgers in the game, to me in particular. I remember back in 2010, when I first started and wasn't any good, he was pretty happy to get stuck into me then."

Things seemed heated up even during the match at Adelaide, with umpire Aleem Dar often having to intervene when Smith was standing at the non-striker's end at the same time that Anderson was fielding at short mid-wicket.

KAGISO RABADA SHOULDER BARGE COMMENTS, PORT ELIZABETH 2018

Smith claimed that he remained unheard after being barged by Kagiso Rabada in the Port Elizabeth Test in 2018

Controversy had already taken the upper hand in a fiery battle between South Africa and Australia in the first Test. The next match at Port Elizabeth saw Smith and Kagiso Rabada face-off against one another. Rabada, with already five demerit points to his name, was one misdemeanour away from suspension, which inevitably arrived when he was found brushing Smith's shoulders and even giving him a send-off after getting him out. Further trouble arrived when he screamed in Warner's face on dismissing him in the second innings.

As a result, he was suspended for two Tests, but much to the disappointment of the opposition, had it overturned following a six-hour hearing. The decision pinched Smith, who believed that as the one who was barged, his voice remained unheard. “I certainly think he bumped me a little bit harder than it actually looked on the footage. The other person involved not getting asked about it is pretty interesting, I thought,” Smith said.

But more trouble was to follow, at least for Smith...

BALL TAMPERING, CAPE TOWN 2018

The biggest scandal broke out in the third Test of the South Africa tour when Cameron Bancroft, on instructions from his captain Smith and vice-captain David Warner, was caught rubbing one side of the ball with a sandpaper on the third day of the match. Later in the day, Smith and Bancroft confessed in the press conference that it was a pre-meditated plan to alter the condition of the ball in order to obtain early reverse-swing, with Smith stating that only the “leadership group” was involved.

Massive consequences followed when the ICC first suspended him for a Test and fined him his entire match fee, letting off Bancroft with three demerit points and a 75% fine.

Cricket Australia duly stepped up to punish the players, banning Smith and Warner from all cricket for a year while Bancroft was suspended for nine months. This led to the termination of Smith and Warner's IPL contracts, with both having resigned as captains of their respective franchises.

– TopBuzz 

He broke into the Sri Lankan rugby scene as a schoolboy ruggerite playing as a centre three quarter for his alma mater Kingswood College Kandy. After finishing school he went on to represent Kandy Sports Club and played for the Sri Lanka National 15 a side rugby team at centre position. He also played for Sri Lanka national Sevens team with distinction. This dynamic centre three quarter was the champion captain of the unbeaten Kandy Sports club this year. He has made vast strides on the rugby field having bamboozed many opponents with his dazzling fast open rugby. Today we go “Off the field” with sensational Sri Lankan rugby legend Gayan Weeraratne.

Full Name - Gayan Weeraratne

Hometown - Kandy

Status - Married to Sujani Bogollagama

Birthday- 13 April

Favourite Colour - Yellow

Q: What made you to enter the world of sports?

When I was 10, I used to see boys playing in the field every day when walking home. After that I got interested and started sports.

Q: Who has supported you most?

My parents and my brother.

Q: What made you to choose this difficult sport of rugby?

No one made me choose I got interested after seeing Kingswood win the President’s trophy in 2000.

Q: What are your favourite leisure time activities?

Going for a swim and meeting my friends for a drink.

Q: What are the top priorities in your life?

Educating my kids.

Q: Who is your favourite singer?

Rukantha Goonethilake.

Q : What is your favourite song?

Just give me a reason by Pink

Q: What were your most unforgettable memory/incident?

The day I saw my wife in Nuwara Eliya.

Q: What’s your favourite holiday destination?

Anywhere, where there is a river.

Q: What is the greatest accomplishment in your life?

Yet to come.

Q: If you had one day left to live, what would you do?

Have a good drink and eat a good meal and relax.

Q: Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

To my brother Roshan Weeraratne.

Q: What’s the best compliment you have received?

That I have a big heart and I have qualities of my father in law.

Q: Are you happy with all your achievements?

Yeah.

Q: Who is your favourite sportsmen?

Former New Zealand All Blacks rugby player Tana Umanga.

Q: What’s your favourite movie?

Fast and Furious.

Q: Who’s your favourite actor?

Deepika Padukone

Q: Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?

Settling for what I’m doing.

Q: How would you describe yourself in two words?

Don’t believe.

Mahanama College and Berrewerts College Kandy will play their first ever big match called 'Battle of Blooms' on April 3 at Police grounds matting wicket. The news was confirmed by both principals Amith M .Jayasooriya and D.M.N.B. Dassanayaka.

These two schools are hoping to build a good friendship and continue annually this first major cricketing event.

At Mahanama the initial stepping for cricket was laid by the M.I.C. and the junior coach Ravi Jayawardhana in 2011, his good work helped the school buds to bloom.

A big hand should also go to coach Sanjeewa Bandara. Both schools are blessed with some top cricketers, and are sure to give a good display of cricket.

Dharmatilake oldest Rajan sportsman

One of the oldest living Dharmaraja College Sportsman D.M.Dharmatilake, who gives a big hand for all sports, is the happiest man, after the Rajans won the Winston Hoole Trophy in the one day game. This was the 30th encounter, where they first played in 1989, and out of the 30 games Rajans have won 14, Kingswoodians 13 and 3 games have ended in no decision.

Schools are finding it difficult due to ground problem

Over the years Kandy has established a proud record of having produced some of the top most ruggerites, At present schools are finding difficult to play their matches, only Trinity has their own grounds, other schools have to pay a big packet for the ground, and in the same way the ‘gates’ are also too high. Today rugby is undoubtedly the most popular and champion sport with Kandy Sports Club being the king makers. Today most of the schools do not have their school fixture card due to ground problems.

Sampath says good bye to Antonians

St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota cricket coach Sampath Perera and the former Trinity College coach who molded the Asgiriya school into a champion outfit for several years took off to Malaysia on Wednesday night to take up a coaching assignment. He took the flight after his school, St. Anthony’s College lost to St. Anne’s in the K/O semi-final.

The former D.S.Senanayake College captain and wicket keeper with all the requirements was a good coach and helped both Trinitians and Antonians.

Tuany Amidon needs a helping hand

A great footballer form Kandy, Tuany Amidon a product of Midland College, (Gandhi College) to come out as one of the giants of local football is badly in need of financial help to purchase his medicine. A giant during his time he started his football by kicking a tennis ball around on the Municipal playground at Katukelle. His first club was Young Wanders FC Katukelle. He played as a left inside and was one of the best dribblers the country has seen. He joined the Army and served them for 20 years. After joining Army he played rugger as a fly half.

Hill Climb

The Senkadagala Motor Sports Club in association with Negombo Motor Sports Club will be holding a hill climb on 23 June at Kotmale, where some of the top riders and drivers are expected to take part.

They are hoping to have 15 bikes and car events.

Full event details, vehicle category, and closing date can be had from John Baskern on 0777 784 3655.

Badly in need of a right place for walking and jogging

Kandy’s young and old sports lovers are badly in need of a proper place to do their walking and jogging. In the good old days, there was a big crowd at Bogambara but today for some purpose the gates are locked.

Earlier they used the Kandy Lake round for it but today it is in a mess as the surface is not in perfect condition, and there is too much traffic.

Kandy needs a public cricket ground

Today most of the schools in Kandy are without a proper cricket playing field, and they have to go out of Kandy to play the game. Except Trinity, Dharmaraja, St. Anthony’s all other schools are without grounds.

This deprives some of the top schoolboys from displaying their talent.

Antonians out

St. Anthony’s College were shown the exit door by St. Anne’s College in the semifinal of the schools under 19 Division II inter schools 2 day knockout cricket tournament. This win gives the Kurunegala school promotion to division one.

After a long spell, the Antonians had a good season, and were the champions in their group Division II

Vidyartha-Sylvester’s T20 held up

The annual Vidyartha vs St. Sylvester’s T20 game, which is one of the most looked forward to sporting event for the old boys of the two schools, may not take place this time due to it being postponed during the recent unrest in Kandy.

They are finding it difficult to get a ground.

DS sports meet

The annual sports meet of D. S Senanayake College was held at the Bogambara Stadium. Viru House with 556 points emerged winner, Shiru 551 was second and Diru 485 was third.

Provincial councilor and former Dharmaraja College cricketer Thilina Tennakoon was the chief guest. 

CHRISTCHURCH March30, 2018: Jonny Bairstow was in sight of his fifth Test century after a late run spree with Mark Wood lifted England to 290 for eight at stumps on day one of the second Test in Christchurch on Friday.

England hadbeen in trouble at 164 for seven before Bairstow (not out 97) and Wood (52) put on 95 for the eighth wicket, Tim Southee and Trent Boult did all the damage for New Zealand with Southee taking five for 60, his seventh five-wicket bag while Trent Boult had three for 79 after New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first.

England were in danger of not reaching 200 until Wood joined Bairstow and the pair put on 95 for the eighth wicket before Wood fell to Southee for 52, his maiden Test half century.

After being comprehensively beaten in the first Test, England strengthened their batting line up for Christchurch with the addition of James Vince while Wood and Jack Leach came in for bowlers Chris Woakes, Craig Overton and Moeen Ali.

But apart from Wood and Bairstow there was little to enthuse about with the England batting as Boult and Southee swung and seamed the ball with precision. Bairstow's 97 off 154 balls included partnerships of 56 with Ben Stokes, 13 with Stuart Broad, the sparkling 95 with Wood and 41 with Jack Leach who was not out 10 at the end of the day.

On 58, Bairstow suffered a fearful blow to the side of the head from Colin de Grandhomme which knocked his helmet from his head but did nothing to slow his run flow.

Boult and Southee took their wickets in clumps starting with Alastair Cook (two) and James Vince (18) to have England at two for 38. When play resumed after lunch they accounted for Joe Root (37), Dawid Malan (duck) and Mark Stoneman (35) in a nine-ball burst. Following the tea break, Stokes went for 25 and Broad for five before the Bairstow and Wood partnership. 

Sri Lanka posted their first home win in a T20I against Pakistan, as spinners Shashikala Siriwardene (4 for 9) and Sugandika Kumari (2 for 15) bowled the visitors out for 72 sat the NCC grounds yesterday.

The victory was Sri Lanka's largest in terms of balls remaining, with 34 of them left unused when Siriwardene hit the winning runs.

Pakistan were 37 for 1 in the eighth over after opting to bat when Siriwardene orchestrated the collapse, which saw them lose four wickets for 10 runs in the next two overs.

The middle order batters Nida Dar and Kainat Imtiaz lost their wickets to run-outs as Pakistan were left reeling at 54 for 6. Sana Mir chipped in with 13 but after her dismissal in the 18th over soon led to the end of the innings.

Spinners Ghulam Fatima and Mir kept Sri Lanka's scoring tight as the hosts lost their openers within six overs, but a 29-ball 19 from Rebeca Vandort helped them regain stability and eventually level the three-match series.

Scores:

Pakistan Women 72 in 18.4 overs (Bismah Mahroof 20, Shashikala Siriwardene 4/9, Sugandika Kumari 2/15)

Sri Lanka Women 73/3 in 14.2 overs (Anushka Sanjeewani 20, Rebeca Vandort 19 n.o.) 

JOHANNESBURG, Friday - Opener Aiden Markram led the way with a career-best 152 as South Africa had the better of the opening day of the fourth test against a much-changed Australia, reaching the close on 313 for six on Friday.

The tourists, reeling from their ball-tampering scandal and led by new captain Tim Paine, had to endure chants of “where is Warner?” and “where is your captain?” from sections of the 17,023 home support as a reminder of the bans handed to captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

Needing a win to grab a share of the series, the tourists kept themselves in the game as the excellent Pat Cummins (3-53) claimed the wickets of Markram and home skipper Faf du Plessis first ball.

Debutant Chadd Sayers (2-64) removed AB de Villiers (69) with the new ball and two deliveries later had nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada caught without scoring.

Temba Bavuma (25) and Quinton de Kock (7) will resume on the second morning, looking for a sizeable total on a wicket already taking turn and showing widening cracks as they seek a first home series win over Australia in almost 50 years.

After losing the toss, Australia’s bowlers have found enough in the wicket to dispel the notion of a flat pitch.

But it did not come in the form of reverse swing, which was noticeably absent having been a feature of the first three tests, only becoming apparent with the very old ball.

The excellent Markram has been the anchor for the innings, hitting 17 fours and a six on his way to a fourth career century to go with three fifties in 17 test innings as he scored all around the ground.

His 216-ball vigil ended when he steered Cummins to Mitchell Marsh in the gully, having brought up his 150 the delivery before with a sumptuous drive.

It was the fourth century for the home side in the series, and second for Markram, with Australia’s batsmen yet to break their duck, a major difference between the two sides.

South Africa were teetering on the brink of another middle-order collapse when Du Plessis misjudged Cummins’s next delivery, leaving the ball as it crashed into his pads for a plumb lbw decision.

But De Villiers and Bavuma steadied the innings again with a fifth-wicket partnership of 52, before two late wickets lifted Australia at the Wanderers.

The other batsmen out were opener Dean Elgar (19), caught off the leading edge from a Lyon delivery for the third time in the series, and Hashim Amla (27), who edged Cummins to Peter Handscombe at second slip.

- Agencies