The last week of the IPL just showed us a massive amount of runs being chased successfully, something we didn't think was possible 10 years ago. And don't be surprised when you are told that there was a lot more that we never saw coming.

1. Sachin Tendulkar became the first man on the planet to score a 200 in ODIs.

Before 2010, nobody even thought about this seriously. Surely, many came close, but nobody could ever cross that fine line, until, 'The Superman from India' did it for the first time in Gwalior against South Africa.

2. There have been 13 scores of 400+ since 2008.

10 years ago, before T20 started, scoring 400 in a 50-over game would have made national headlines for at least a couple of days.

3. AB de Villiers obliterated the previous record of fastest century when he scored a 100 of 31 balls. (use AB de Villiers pic)

ABD smashed 16 sixes on his way to becoming the fastest centurion in International cricket against West Indies in 2015.

4. Rahul Dravid hit a hat-trick of sixes on his T20 debut.

If you had told people some 10 years ago that Dravid would step out and slog Samit Patel for 3 consecutive sixes, they would have called you a nutcase.

5. England winning a World Cup.

They invented the game and yet hadn't won a World Cup until Kevin Pietersen found a way for them to lift the T20 World Cup in 2010.

6. Mitchell Starc bowls the fastest delivery of this decade, clocks at 160.4 kph. (use

Mitchell Starc pic)

With the retirement of Brett Lee from International cricket, we believed that a great generation of fast bowlers had come to an end. I mean, sure, there were a lot of them that could consistently hit 140-150 kph but there were hardly any, who would even dare to go beyond that speed and risk getting injured. Well, Mitchell Starc had different ideas.

7. Where many batsmen fail to score double centuries in tests, Rohit Sharma has the unqiue record of scoring two of them in ODIs.

There was a time when 264 was a good total for a team to score. I mean, sure, Sharma had previously scored a 200 against Australia but this was something different. The Hitman hit 33 boundaries during his innings. Meanwhile, chasing India's score, Sri Lanka was bundled out for a mere 251!

8. Chris Gayle's destroys Pune Warriors with a 175* in a T20 game. (use Chris Gayle pic)

The West Indian legend scored the fastest century in any format of the game in just 30 balls. But he didn't stop there. He hit 17 sixes on his way to scoring 175* against Pune Warriors. In response, Pune was bundled out for a mere 133 runs.

9. Chris Gayle became the only man to score 10,000 runs in T20 cricket.

Admittedly, not all of these games were international matches but that does not take away the credit from the Carribean maestro. Gayle also has the world record for most centuries (20) and fifties (68), highest individual score and the joint fastest fifty (12 balls), the most sixes (823) and fours (842) in the shortest format of the game.

10. The Cricket All-Star in America gave us chance to see legends from different generations playing against each other.

10 years ago, if someone had told you that you would get to see a Warne vs Sachin or a Wasim Akram vs Sachin one more time, you would have probably nodded with a sarcastic smile. But in 2015, in order to popularise the game in the USA, two teams that consisted of legends like Tendular, Warne, Lara, McGrath, Wasim akram and Courtney Walsh among others played in two friendly games against each other.

There is a saying in cricket which implies that the game isn't over until the last ball is bowled or the last run is scored. So the game can always spring surprises out of nowehere, which is exactly what it has managed to do in the last decade. - Scoopwhoop

Bryan Habana had the speed and skill to evade trouble and wreak havoc on a rugby field‚ but ultimately he couldn’t outpace age and injuries‚ which forced him to call time on his career on Tuesday.

Habana‚ 34‚ announced that when the current French domestic season ends in June‚ he would retire from all rugby.

The KES boy who fell in love with rugby as a spectator at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final would eventually make his own mark on the tournament and become South Africa’s greatest wing.

“The inevitable moment has come knocking on my door and I’ve welcomed it in for a drink‚” Habana posted on social media.

“It’s been more than a year of hoping‚ trying‚ pushing and willing to get back on the field for one last time‚ to taste the sweet victory or encounter that gut-wrenching despair.

“To hear the roar of the crowd or grab the pill out of the air. To make that last bone crunching tackle or score that last game-winning try.

“But it’s unfortunately just not to be. I‚ like most‚ would have liked my career to have ended differently‚ but sometimes things don’t turn out quite the way we hope for.”

Habana started rugby life as a scrumhalf before making it into the pro ranks as a centre for the Lions.

He was selected as a centre for the SA Under-21 team in Scotland in 2004‚ but was moved to wing for their third Pool game against New Zealand.

Habana scored a hattrick in a 46-27 defeat.

Later that season‚ Jake White‚ Bok coach at the time‚ picked Habana from nowhere to be part of a Bok training squad for the Tri-Nations.

A few months later Habana was capped for the first time against England at Twickenham.

He came off the bench and scored a scorching try to announce his arrival on the world stage. Another 66 Test tries and 123 caps would follow.

For the past two years Habana has struggled to remain a first choice player at club Toulon while he also never gave up hope at one more tilt at playing for his beloved Springboks again.

Habana played the last of his 124 Tests on a fateful November‚ 2016 day in Florence‚ when the Boks lost to Italy for the first time.

Typically‚ in what would be his last outing in green and gold‚ Habana scored his 67th and final Test try. Equally typically he would’ve traded any personal glory for a Bok win.

In retrospect it was an ignominious way to sign off what had been a stellar Test career that made Habana the most sought after property in world rugby at one stage.

Before that match Habana spoke passionately about his love of the game and of the Boks‚ but also of the pressure he was under at Toulon to play more rugby for the club that was paying him a princely wage.

“When I first moved to Toulon they knew that I still wanted to play for the Springboks‚ which I stipulated in my contract‚” Habana said on the eve of the Florence Test.

“Toulon are a little unhappy with me. Over the past four years I have missed about 32 games due to my Springbok commitments. I understand their frustration because I’m never involved in the first part of the season.”

Since then Habana has stayed loyal to Toulon as former Bok coach Allister Coetzee looked to locally-based players.

Bryan Gary Habana‚ named after Manchester United legend Bryan Robson‚ became world rugby player of the year in 2007 after scoring eight tries at the World Cup in France.

His scoring exploits‚ which included a brace in the semi-final against Argentina‚ was a huge factor in the Springboks’ march to the world title.

Habana played two more World Cups‚ and holds the record for most tries at the tournament with 15‚ which he shares with the late Jonah Lomu. A hattrick against the USA at the 2015 tournament equalled Lomu’s record.

His 67 Test tries are also a record by a tier one Test player‚ three more than Australia’s David Campese and only two short of the overall record of 69 held by Japan’s Daisuke Ohata.

“We have been privileged to have witnessed the career of Bryan Habana‚ who will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the great legends of Springbok rugby‚” said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.

“During a career that spanned more than a decade and a half‚ he stood out as one of the most professional players ever to don the Springbok jersey‚ and over the years Bryan has been central to many of the most memorable occasions in the era of professional rugby.” – Sunday Times SA

By the time the Open era of tennis dawned 50 years ago it was fair to say that the performances of leading British player Mark Cox had not hugely enriched him.

For making the doubles semi-final at the 1966 Wimbledon, for example, he received a £10 voucher to be spent at a London sports goods store of his choosing.

Having played on the Sixties circuit with only his expenses covered, that was quite a treat. He went out and used it to acquire several pairs of the newfangled Terylene shorts, which if washed at night could be hung up and dry by the morning.

The breadline status of many players all began to change on April 22, 1968. It was the time of mass protests and rebellions around the world, and it coincided with a revolution in the more sedate sphere of tennis, which was to change the course of the sport’s history.

It began in the unlikely setting of the West Hants Club, Bournemouth — at the British Hard Court Championships. It became the first tournament to abolish the barriers between so-called amateurs and the professionals who had been excluded from the biggest tournaments up until then, including Wimbledon.

Cox, now 74, carved out his own piece of this history by becoming the first amateur to beat a professional when he defeated the fiery American veteran Pancho Gonzales.

At the time it caused a huge splash, putting him on the front page of national newspapers alongside the student riots flaring up in France.

He went on to beat the great Australian Roy Emerson before losing to the peerless Rod Laver in the semi-finals. The eventual winner, Ken Rosewall, took away £1,000 while Cox, who had yet to make the switch into the professional game, had to be satisfied with some meagre daily expenses plus a daily lunch and tea ticket.

The draw sheet is something of a collectors’ item. The names in it, aside from some of the great Australians, include Stanley Matthews Jnr and a 19-year-old JPR Williams, who came close to pursuing a professional tennis career prior to becoming a Welsh rugby legend.

Cox played by far the more significant role that week, at an event where there were still clear divides between amateurs and pros.

‘We stayed in the row of B&Bs that were near to the courts that cost about 10 and six per night,’ he recalls. ‘I think the pros were in hotels in the centre of Bournemouth. I didn’t really know them at that point, although I don’t remember there being any particular atmosphere between us.

‘If there was a tension then it was probably on their part as they felt they were on a hiding to nothing when they came up against us.’

Until then the professionals had been excluded from the biggest events in the game, the Grand Slams and the Davis Cup. It is why, for instance, Laver won all four majors in 1962 and then did not appear at Wimbledon again until 1968. It is also why so many tennis achievements are often branded as being ‘in the Open era’.

Contrary to their stodgy reputations, the All England Club and the Lawn Tennis Association led the way in breaking down barriers.

After the 1967 Championships, Wimbledon held a separate event for professionals. It was a big success and, significantly, very popular on TV. It was made clear by Wimbledon and the LTA that the 1968 fortnight at SW19 would welcome both amateurs and those transparently earning a living on professional circuits.‘There is no doubt that a certain amount of hypocrisy had been going on,’ said Cox. ‘For instance we all knew that the Americans and Italians were paying their players to play in the Davis Cup, which was considered then as important as the Grand Slams.

‘I was one of the players making hardly a living and you used to have to write to tournament directors requesting help with expenses. I got a letter back from Hungary once saying, “Dear Miss Cox, we are sorry we cannot help you”.

‘The players’ tea room at Wimbledon was always full of tournament promoters, trying to entice players to their events.’

The era of the shamateurs was nonetheless a serene one at many of the tournaments. The teas at Budleigh Salterton were legendary, as was the cocktail party at Frinton. Players always socialised with each other.

Cox was to become a top professional in his own right, and played when Britain reached the Davis Cup final in 1978. He modestly attributes his win in Bournemouth largely to the conditions.

‘The surface was shale there and I don’t think Pancho had played on it much before, while I was quite used to it,’ he says. ‘The publicity was quite extraordinary and something I had never known. Against Emerson I just had one of those purple days when everything went right.’

He then met the great Laver and was beaten comfortably. What was so good about a player often mentioned in the same bracket as Roger Federer?

‘The single biggest thing that made him different was that as a left-hander he had a topspin backhand which he could use as a weapon, which was very unusual back then. He was brilliant at the net and a fantastic athlete, very nimble around the court, a bit like Novak Djokovic at his best.

‘And while he was a humble man he was a very strong competitor. Actually, most of those Australians were very impressive people.’Virignia Wade won the women’s event and the £300 first prize which she could not accept as an amateur. The women’s game evolved at a different pace, en route to achieving financial parity in the Grand Slams.

- Daily Mail

Last Saturday night Trinity College ruggerites returned home licking their wounds inflicted on them by Royal College who played like men possessed in front of a capacity crowd in the first leg of the Bradby Shield. Taking a beating in the Bradby is anathema - for any Trinity sports fan, but the result has softened big talkers. The present Trinity rugby players are not concentrating on the game like the way they did in the past. The Trinitians have wonderfully talented and charismatic players. They were cheered when they won the first game of the season against rivals Antonians, but ignored the winning signals in the rest of the matches. Trinity lost all three games, the under 18 played for the C.E. Simithrachchi trophy (Royal won 14-8), the under 16 game (won by Royal) and eventually the Bradby first leg 39-7. In this game, most of the Trinitians thought that, their school might pull off a major upset. At play Trinity were nowhere, the Royalist used their superior speed and quickness in scoring six tries, three conversions and a penalty. The Trinitians forgot that rugby is a team game.

PT Rajan hockey

Hockey lovers in the hill capital are glad with the news that the 3rd PT Rajan memorial trophy six-a-side hockey tournament organized by the Playgrounds Department of the Municipal Council will start on May 2 and will conclude on May 6 at the PT Rajan playgrounds at Mahiyawa. It will once again be sponsored by Sun Match Company. This tournament is for under 13, 15, 17 and 19 age group. Last year 18 Boys Schools and 16 Girls Schools were invited by the organizers. This time it is going to be more schools. All the winners, runners-up and best goal keeper and player will be presented with trophies. A high class of hockey is expected. There will be also be a men’s exhibition veteran match.

Trinity, Kingswood for Cup championship

The 2nd round of the Singer schools rugby season will kick off from May 11, the exact dates and venues have still not been finalized. Of the eight schools, two are from Kandy – Trinity and Kingswood. The two schools that failed to qualify for the Cup competition are St. Anthony’s College and Dharmaraja College; they will have to play in the Plate competition. The Cup competition edition fixtures are: Kingswood College vs Isipathana College in Kandy, Trinity College vs St. Peter’s College at Pallekelle, Kingswood College vs St. Peter’s College in Kandy, Trinity College vs Isipathana College at Havelock Park, Kingswood College vs Zahira in Kandy, Trinity College vs Wesley College at Pallekelle, Kingswood College vs Wesley College at Longden Place, Trinity College vs Zahira College at Pallekelle.

New Secretary to give a big hand

Newly elected secretary of the CPRFU Nihal Viper Gunaratne has announced that he is going to bring the CPRFU rugby where it was at one time. An acclaimed ruggerite with a deep understanding of the sport and its history he has spent nearly 35 years in the rugby scene, as a player, referee, coach and administrator. Few in rugby share the depth of Nihal’s knowledge, insights, passion and expertise. His personal integrity and the respect he has for rugby will be pivotal. He must be delighted to be able to contribute to CPRFU Rugby’s efforts to promote the game in the correct way. Everyone is hoping that he will bring depth of knowledge of the game’s history.

Vidyartha upgraded

Vidyartha College who played in the Segment – IB are sure to progress forward in the league and battle out for a promotion, they have reserved their spot in the top four as they sit comfortably in second position with 24 points , after winning four games in their Group out of five and have scored 273 points for against 105.

Kandy Police division tennis ball sixes

The 2018 Kandy Police Division tennis ball cricket sixes first edition took place at the Police grounds matting wicket with 23 teams competing in the tournament over two days last weekend. The tournament was won by Kandy who defeated Kennels in the final. A big hand should be given to the SSP Division Sisira Kumara and the rest for organizing this tournament and special thanks to sports OIC IP Susantha Kumara. On the way to the final Kandy Police beat Welamboda Police by 65 runs. The other finalist Kennels beat Hasalaka by five runs. In the final Kandy Police beat Kennels by 46 runs. Kandy Police batting first made 67-4 in 5 overs, and in reply Kennels were 21-5 in five overs.

Fellowship dinner 1968/69 batch

The Trinity College 1968/69 rugby teams living players will celebrate their 50 years by organizing a re-union and fellowship dinner on Friday May 4 the day before the 2nd leg of the Bradby at the Kandy Club. Further details can be obtained from Iswan Omar - 077373564, Sunil Wickramasinghe – 0777352415 and Mohan Samarakoon - 0773069851. In 1968 Trinity were led by that great player Ajith Abeyaratne who had an unbeatable team until the 1st leg against Royal which Trinity lost 19-0. The 2nd leg was also won by Royal 5-3 in a tightly fought game at Peradeniya.

Udayasiri to Dharmaraja

The rugby MIC of Sri Rahula College Kandy Prasanna Udayasiri has been transferred to his old school Dharmaraja College. A hard working person he is sure to give a big hand to his old school at rugby, the sport he loves. While at Sri Rahula College he helped the players in a big way.

NUG de Silva acting president

Former Trinity College hockey player and famous planter Nimal “NUG” de Silva has been appointed as the acting president of the Old Trinitians Sports Club. NUG as he is popularly known was one time president of the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club and Sri Lanka Golf Union.

Tamil Nadu veterans win

The Tamil Nadu veterans’ hockey team who were on a tour beat Old Sylvestrians Hockey Club by 5 goals to 1 in a one sided game played at St. Sylvester’s College grounds Asgiriya. For the winners Varen scored 3 goals, and Cedric 2, and for the losers Fazel scored the solitary goal. Before coming to Kandy the visitors beat Mercantile HA 7-2, Malay SC 5-2 and Sri Lanka Masters 4-3.

Over the last few years the Lyceum International school chain has established a proud record of having produced some sportsmen/sportswomen in the field of cricket, athletics and swimming.

These sports men and women were able to show their skills in the sports arena in national and international sports events and in the Sri Lankan Schools Under 13 Division III cricket tournament organized by the Sri Lanka School Cricket Association with the sponsorship of Singer Sri Lanka annually.

Lyceum International School, Panadura outshone her competitors in the field of cricket by winning the Singer under 13 Div. III cricket tournament 2017018 recently bringing repute to the school amidst 481 schools in the fray.

It was the first time that an international school in the country has become the champs of a Singer Sri Lanka School Cricket tournament under 13 Division III cricket. The school team was captained by Nathen Liyanage. He scored 90 runs and took 2 wickets in the semi-finals and in the final against Vidura College Thalawatugoda played at Thurstan College grounds he took the man of the match award by capturing one wicket and scoring a patient 24 not out off 82 balls.

During the tournament Lyceum played 13 matches and won all of them to remain unbeaten. Liyanage took 40 wickets and scored 494 runs and was well supported by his vice captain Yeshith Kalupahana who took 23 wickets and scored 701 runs in the tournament. Both captain and vice-captain shared a record first wicket partnership of 303 (unbroken) against Uggalbada Vidyalaya in the knockout stage which is probably the highest for that wicket in division III. Liyanage’s contribution in the partnership was 107 not out and Kalupahana’s 217 not out.

The fast bowling department was well supported by Akmal Fazly and Rahula de Silva. The spin bowling department was led by Dilnaka Daluwatte who took 37 wickets. He was well supported by Rusiru Fernando and Manuja Pothpitiyage.

Liyanage who made his alma mater proud said that team spirit was behind their victory. He thanked Principal Mohanlal Grero, coordinating Principal Mrs. Kumari Grero, Deputy coordinating principal Malith Kumarasinghe, director Nikitha Grero and school Principal Mrs. Kumari Wijeratne and the entire coaching and supporting staff for their words of wisdom and head coach Lalith Perera for his guidance and courage during the tournament.

Finals results decided on bonus points.

Vidura College, Thalawathugoda – 140 in (51.1 overs (Akash Karunanayake 32, Pansilu Wijesiri 29, Hiruna Bandara 26, Yeshith Kalupahana 3/4, Dilanka Daluwatte 3/40, Nethan Liyanage 1/26)

Lyceum International School Panadura – 75/4 in 41 overs (Nethan Liyanage 24 n.o., Yeshith Kaluahana 11, Dilanka Daluwatte 13, Rusiru Fernando 14. Senura Sumanadasa 2/4)

Wadduwa Central College beat S. de S. Jayasinghe Vidyalaya, Dehiwala by 51 runs in their inter school second annual limited over encounter worked off at De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa.

Batting first Wadduwa Central scored 167 runs with Sandun Lakmal scoring 48 runs and Chamindu Hansaka claimed 4 for 39 and in reply S. de S. Jayasinghe Vidyalaya were bowled out for 116 runs with Harith Kushan and Ruchira Kochitha capturing 3 for 20 and 3 for 27 respectively.

Wadduwa Central – 167 in 48.2 overs (Sandun Lakmal 48, Danuja Rukshan 32, Chamindu Hansaka 4 for 39, Sankalpa Perera 2 for 22).

S. de S. Jayasinghe Vidyalaya – 116 in 42.2 overs (Dilshan Kavinda 21, Chamindu Hansaka 31, Haritha Kushan 3 for 20, Ruchira Kochitha 3 for 27, Amila Thruwan 2 for 18).

South Asian Games gold medalist Vinoj Suranjaya (Mercantile Athletic Federation) broke a 20-year-old record and also established a new Sri Lanka record in the 200 metres events on the opening day of the Senior athletic trials held at the newly laid Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Suranjaya clocked 20.68 seconds to erase the previous record of 20.69 seconds set by Sugath Thilakaratne at the Asian Games in Bangkok 2008.

Anitha Jagatheshwaran winning the women’s Pole Vault.

He also qualified for the Asian Games later this year by finishing well within the qualifying standard of 21.70 seconds. Suranjaya is coached by former Sri Lanka boxer and current boxing and athletic coach Vimukthi de Soyza.

Speaking to Daily News on his record breaking run Suranjaya said, “I am very happy to break such an old record. I trained with my coach Vimukthi for the past six months on a heavy practice schedule. My target is the Asian Games in Indonesia this year.” Coach Vimukthi de Soyza also shared a word and said, “Some hard training has paid off in the end and our main target is the Asian Games. I was boxing coach when I became Suranjaya’s athletic coach. I also coach the Para athletes.”

Himasha Eshan representing Sri Lanka Army finished second to Suranjaya in the 200 metres clocking 21.24 secs. Another senior athlete Dilip Ruwan came third with a time of 21.37 secs.

Eshan is also the holder of the 100 metres national record and South Asian record with 10.26 seconds.

Jaffna’s vaulting queen Anitha Jagatheshwaran who shone in the junior athletic championships concluded on Thursday with a new Sri Lanka mark of 3.55 metres failed in her attempt at the senior trials when she managed to clear only 3.30 metres in the women’s Pole Vault. Her poor performance was due to a shoe cut injury.

She however won the event ahead of KLSK Perera (3.10m) and Herina Chanthirakumar (3.10m) who finished second and third respectively.

This two-day trial will be used to select athletes for the forthcoming Asian Games 2018 in Indonesia this year.

Sri Lanka Navy Canoeing Pool emerged overall champions at the 2nd National Canoe Sprint Championship worked off on the waters of Diyawannawa on April 23 and 24.

The championship was conducted under categories of K1, K2, K4 and C1 and Navy contestants were talented enough to secure 7 Gold medals out of 10 allocated for these categories. In addition they also won 3 Silver medals, 2 Bronze medals and in the women’s category 3 Silver medals.

Accordingly, at present, the national records of the events 200m under K2 category and 100m under K4 category are held by SL Navy team.

Leading Seaman (SBS) Buddhika Idunil Wijeratna of SL Navy was adjudged the Best Oarsman in the championship.

“The tri-forces have contributed much to bring honour to the country in the sports arena, and the Ministry is always ready to provide more support for sports development of the tri forces,” said State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, at a felicitation ceremony held yesterday at the Ministry auditorium for the tri forces personnel who had excelled at the recently concluded 21st Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Kapila Waidyaratne PC praised the feats of the medalists and said, “We all should strive hard to bring more victory and honour to the country in sports in the future.” He also conveyed his wishes to the medalists during the occasion.

The four medalists felicitated yesterday were, Able Seaman Indika Dissanayake (Sri Lanka Navy - Silver medal, Weight Lifting 69kg), Sergeant Chathuranga Lakmal (Sri Lanka Army - Bronze medal - Weight Lifting 56kg), Lance Corporal Ishan Bandara (Sri Lanka Army - Bronze medal - Boxing 52kg) and Leading Aircraftwoman Dinusha Gomez (Sri Lanka Air Force - Bronze medal - 48kg Weight Lifting/Women).

The four medalists were presented with a special memento and a financial gift each. They were also presented with Letters of Appreciation in recognition of their achievement at the international sports festival.

Four of the six medals won by Sri Lankan athletes at Gold Coast were tri forces personnel.

Sri Lanka was placed 31st in the medals table at the Commonwealth Games with a total medals tally of six, one silver and five bronze medals. This was the highest number of medals the country has accumulated at a Commonwealth Games.

Secretary to the State Ministry of Defence, Sunil Samaraweera, the Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Navy, senior Ministry officials and senior tri forces officers were also present at the occasion.

The much anticipated Hameedians Super Sixers, will be held today and tomorrow from 8.00 am onwards at St. Josephs College ground, Colombo-14.

Organized by the Past Prefects’ Guild (PPG) of Hameed Al Husseinie College, this event will be graced by sponsors, donors, well-wishers and Old Hameedians.

The tournament is organized for Old Boys of Hameed Al Husseinie College and already 20 teams have confirmed their participation for the Six-a-Side cricket tournament. The main sponsor for the two day programme will be FASHIONISTA.

The main trophies will be for championship team and runner up team, and losing teams of first round will play for Plate Championship and runner up positions.

The other special Awards on offer are for Best Bowler, Best Batsman and Most Valuable Player of theTournament and Man of the Final along with certificates and medals for winning team and runner up team.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua - With less than 400 days to go before the Cricket World Cup 2019 and with four away international series, another round of its premier regional competitions, Cricket West Indies (CWI) will assemble 10 of the best young and upcoming fast bowlers in the region. They will participate in a fast bowling camp from April 30- June 30 in Antigua.

The camp will focus on a high-performance program which will hasten the bowlers’ development, aimed at getting them ready for international cricket, while preparing them to be available for selection onto the Windies Senior and A Teams.

The Selection Panel of CWI believes these players are the “core of the bunch” of young fast bowlers in the West Indies. CWI’s Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams is excited for this camp, indicating it could be the first of many, as, “the long-term goal is that this program could be annual, including but not limited to this group. After an assessment of this camp, the team will determine when the next one will be. We will keep identifying our core group of emerging talent and the broader view is that we can eventually run the program not just for fast-bowlers but in the key areas of cricket.”

The high-performance team of Richard Pybus and Graeme West will also include Roddy Estwick, Curtly Ambrose and support staff.

The bowlers selected for this camp include:

Dominic Drakes, Chemar Holder, Keon Joseph, Shermon Lewis, Jeremiah Louis, Keemo Paul, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith and Oshane Thomas.

Sports Ministry secretary Jayantha Wijeratne has sought legal advice from the Attorney-General’s department regarding the validity of holding the Sri Lanka Cricket elections on May 19 on the advice of acting Sports Minister Faiser Mustapha.

Sri Lanka Cricket announced last week that the elections would be held on May 19 but certain factions have raised objections that the date was not decided at an Extraordinary General Meeting with the approval of SLC members as required by the Sports Law.

MADRID, Sunday - Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde was delighted that his side “finally” wrapped up a 25th La Liga title with four matches to spare, after a Lionel Messi hat-trick secured a thrilling 4-2 victory at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.

Valverde's men completed a league and cup double after thrashing Sevilla 5-0 in last week's Copa del Rey final, regaining the Spanish crown from Real Madrid and relegating Deportivo in the process.

“When you chase it for so long you say ‘finally’,” he told Spanish television.

“I feel very happy because in the end the league is very long, it starts in August... and when spring arrives everything is decided, we have passed everything.

“We've been pursuing it since the beginning, we have been in the lead, we've finished well, with a big margin... It's the first La Liga that I've won.”

The only blip on the Catalans’ season was the stunning Champions League quarter-final loss at Roma when they blew a 4-1 first-leg lead.

“The elimination (by Roma) marked us a little bit because it was unexpected, but out trajectory has been extraordinary,” added Valverde. “There is always a small ‘but’, but we'll try again next year.”

Barca knew they just had to extend their record unbeaten streak to 41 La Liga matches to seal a seventh title in 10 seasons, and Philippe Coutinho fired them into an early lead.

Messi's 38th-minute volley made it two, but Lucas Perez pulled one back for Deportivo before half-time and Turkish winger Emre Colak stunned Barca with an equaliser midway through the second period.

Barca finally saw off their stubborn hosts, though, as Messi pounced after a brilliant one-two with Luis Suarez before slotting in to complete his 30th La Liga treble. The Catalan giants now hold an unassailable 11-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid, who have just three games to play, and are closing in on becoming the first Spanish side to go through a top-flight season without tasting defeat.

“We have managed an almost perfect league campaign, without losing so far. I hope we can continue,” midfielder Sergio Busquets said.

Andres Iniesta was surprisingly left on the bench after the midfield great announced earlier this week that he will leave the club at the end of the season. But it was his expected long-term successor Coutinho who broke the deadlock in the seventh minute, bending an exquisite finish into the top corner for his third La Liga goal for the club since signing from Liverpool in January.

Deportivo had to win to stave off relegation for another week, but Clarence Seedorf's men were denied an equaliser when Perez was flagged offside after tapping in from close range. Messi went close to doubling the advantage just before the half-hour mark, only for home goalkeeper Ruben to pull off an excellent one-handed save to turn his free-kick around the post.

Deportivo were causing Barca plenty of problems at the back, though, and centre-back Fabian Schaer should have levelled as he headed over when unmarked inside the six-yard box.

But Messi drilled a curling Suarez cross past Ruben at the keeper's near post to score his 30th league goal of the campaign, before on-loan Arsenal striker Perez swept home to halve the deficit just two minutes later. Despite the close scoreline, Barca were playing as if the second half was a pure title party, with centre-back Gerard Pique even performing a few ‘keepie uppies’ on the left wing.

Their complacency cost them in the 64th minute, as Celso Borges unselfishly squared for Colak to score.

Suddenly the champions-elect were desperately trying to hang onto their unbeaten record, as goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a smart stop from another Schaer header. But Barcelona showed their class as Suarez and Messi combined to terrific effect with eight minutes to play -- the latter clipping the ball in off the post.

Suarez again sent the Argentinian racing clear three minutes later, and the 30-year-old made no mistake to complete a hat-trick.

The 33-year-old Iniesta came on to a standing ovation in the 87th minute as Barca closed out a successful title-winning campaign in style. – AFP

LONDON, Sunday - Manchester City secured a comfortable 4-1 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday to move within two of the Premier League’s single-season points record.

PFA Young Player of the Year Leroy Sane got City — confirmed as Premier League champions two weeks ago — up and running in the 13th minute as his strike from the edge of the penalty area was deflected in by Patrice Evra.

Former City defender Pablo Zabaleta put through his own net 14 minutes later to score City’s 100th Premier League goal of the season before Aaron Cresswell curled home a 42nd-minute free kick to get West Ham back in it.

Second-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho made sure of the win, leaving West Ham three points above the relegation zone in 15th.

City’s tally of 102 goals for the season is one off Chelsea’s Premier League record set in 2009-10. They have 93 points, two short of the Premier League best which was also set by Chelsea in 2004-2005.

“We wanted to win today so that we can get the record of 96 points at home when we get the trophy in front of our people next week,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.

Adrian started in goal for West Ham, with loanee Joe Hart unable to face his parent club, but the Spaniard could do nothing as Sane — back in the team at the expense of David Silva — saw his powerful strike go in off Evra’s head.

Soon enough it was two as Zabaleta put through his own net against his former club.

“We didn’t do things as well as we should,” West Ham manager David Moyes said.

– Agencies

CANTERBURY, Sunday - Persistent drizzle and bad light meant play on the second day of Pakistan's tour opener against Kent at Canterbury was abandoned without a ball bowled on Sunday.

When the players should have been taking the field at 11:00am local time (1000 GMT) for the second day of four, they remained in the pavilion, with the pitch and square under protective covers while the floodlights shone brightly against a gloomy sky.

The umpires then announced they would take lunch 45 minutes early in the hope of making a prompt start to the second session.

But with the bad weather firmly set in, the umpires called off play for the day at 1:30pm (1230 GMT).

Kent are 39 for one in reply to Pakistan's first innings 168, a total in which Imam-ul-Haq's 61 was the top score.

Uncapped at Test level, Imam's inclusion in the tour squad generated debate because the 22-year-old left-hander is the nephew of Pakistan chief selector and former international batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq.

But there was no denying Imam's talent or application as he struck nine fours in a 111-ball innings played in typically English overcast and swing-friendly conditions that favoured the bowlers, with medium-pacer Will Gidman taking five for 47. Kent were one for one in reply when Hasan Ali, one of the stars of Pakistan's one-day Champions Trophy tournament win in Britain last year, had Daniel Bell-Drummond lbw.

But Sean Dickson 24 not out and Kent captain Joe Denly 12 not out saw the hosts through to Saturday's close without further loss.

After this match, Pakistan face Northamptonshire before providing the opposition for Ireland's inaugural Test, in Malahide, from May 11-15.

Pakistan then recross the Irish Sea for a two-Test series against England at Lord's (May 24-28) and Headingley (June 1-5).

- AFP

BARCELONA, Sunday - Rafael Nadal won his 11th Barcelona title on Sunday when he breezed past Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-1, reinforcing his position as the overwhelming favourite to lift an 11th French Open.

It was world number one Nadal's 55th career clay-court title while he also extended his winning streak on the surface to 46 consecutive sets. The 31-year-old Spaniard won his 11th Monte Carlo Masters last weekend, also without dropping a set. Nadal now has 77 titles overall while his career clay-court match record stands at 401 wins against just 35 defeats.

“It's very difficult to describe how to win 11 titles at one tournament. To win 11 Monte-Carlos and 11 Barcelonas is something I couldn't imagine doing. I'm just enjoying every week and the fact I'm playing in a tournament that I enjoy so much means a lot to me,” said Nadal.

His win on Sunday was greeted by ticker-tape and a video review of all his titles on the centre court in Barcelona which now bears his name.

“It's really emotional to see that video. I never dreamed of having a career like this,” said the 16-time Grand Slam title winner.

“Last year, they made a video of my 10 titles here. Now they have had to make another video for 11 -- it makes me feel like I am ageing.

“Thanks to everyone for making the tournament so special and thanks to my family who have been with me even when things have not been so smooth.”

Nadal is now level with John McEnroe on 77 career titles with only Jimmy Connors (109), Roger Federer (97) and Ivan Lendl (94) ahead of him. He may not catch them but one thing is for certain -- barring injury, he is more than likely to be lifting an 11th ‘Coupe des Mousquetaires’ at Roland Garros in Paris on June 10. His confidence of capturing a 17th major will be boosted by seeing his ‘Big Four’ rivals falling by the wayside. Roger Federer is skipping the clay season for a second successive year to concentrate his assault on a ninth Wimbledon title. Novak Djokovic is struggling to recover from an elbow injury and Andy Murray hasn't played since last year's Wimbledon and underwent hip sugery in January. Tsitsipas, 19 years old and ranked 63, was the first Greek man to make an ATP final since Nicholas Kalogeropoulos in Des Moines back in 1973. He was also the youngest Barcelona finalist since Nadal in 2005.

“Stefanos, you had an incredible week. You have a great future and I wish you great success,” added Nadal of an opponent who will become just the second teenager in the world top 50 next week after Canada's Denis Shapovalov.

– AFP

SYDNEY, Monday: Australian cricket chiefs are still trying to convince reluctant India to play a day-night Test in Adelaide this year after releasing their international playing schedule on Monday.

Cricket Australia have scheduled the opening Test of the four-Test India series in Adelaide from December 6-10, with hopes it will be a pink ball match following concept successes against New Zealand, South Africa and England in recent years.

Australia believes day-night Test cricket is the future of the sport and perhaps the only way to save the format despite boom television ratings and record crowds.

But the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have so far resisted CA's overtures.

CA will play a pink-ball Test against Sri Lanka in Brisbane from January 24-28 next year, but chief executive James Sutherland said he was still negotiating with India.

“It is our preference that we play India in a day-night Test match in Adelaide, but we are still working through this detail and hope to have an answer on this in the coming weeks,” he said.

Sutherland has been pushing hard at International Cricket Council level for the new Test Championship schedule to include day-night Tests, but the powerful BCCI has a big say in outcomes.

CA confirmed Australia will face South Africa in a Twenty20 international on Queensland's Gold Coast, while the new Perth Stadium and Canberra's Manuka Oval will both host Test cricket for the first time. But Hobart misses out.

The international season starts on November 4 with the first of three ODIs against South Africa before the one-off T20 against the Proteas on the Gold Coast, which will be followed by three T20s against India preceding the start of the Test summer.

“Our men's international season structure changes slightly this summer, with one-day and T20 international matches against South Africa and India in November,” Sutherland said.

Adelaide opens the Test series against India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and Perth Stadium will host the second Test, before the series moves back to Melbourne and Sydney for the traditional Boxing Day and New Year's showpiece games.

Following the Tests, there will be three ODIs against India in a seven-day window before a two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Brisbane under lights at the Gabba and a second match in Canberra. – AFP

INTERNATIONAL DATES:

SOUTH AFRICA

Tour match : PM's XI v South Africa, Manuka Oval, Canberra, October 31

First ODI : Perth Stadium, November 4

Second ODI : Adelaide Oval, November 9

Third ODI : Blundstone Arena, Hobart, November 11

T20 : Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast, November 17

INDIA

First T20 : Gabba, November 21

Second T20 : Melbourne Cricket Ground, November 23

Third T20 : Sydney Cricket Ground, November 25

First Test : Adelaide Oval, December 6-10

Second Test : Perth Stadium, December 14-18

Third Test : MCG, December 26-30

Fourth Test : SCG, January 3-7

First ODI : SCG, January 12

Second ODI : Adelaide Oval, January 15

Third ODI : MCG, January 18

Sri Lanka

First Test : Gabba, January 24-28 (D/N)

Second Test : Manuka Oval, February 1-5

Herbie Felsinger, the umpire who officiated in Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test match against England in February 1982 at the P Sara Oval has died at the age of 87.

Felsinger officiated the Test with another legendary Sri Lankan umpire KT Francis who predeceased him in 2013. Both Felsinger and Francis were umpires of the highest grade prior to the advent of technology.

Felsinger was an umpire for two decades since 1971 until a stroke in 1991 left him partially paralysed and ended his career. He however recovered from the stroke and walked around with the assistance of a walking stick.

He officiated in 6 Tests and 11 One-Day Internationals between 1982 and 1986.

He was also an outstanding cricketer with Carey College and Moors SC and at one time held the first wicket opening partnership record of 351 runs with Makkin Salih in the Sara Trophy division I cricket tournament. He also played for NCC, Saracens and BRC.

Herbie Felsinger’s brother Alan Felsinger was also an umpire and officiated in Tests and ODIs.

– ST

Ever since Pakistan managed to defeat India in the Champions Trophy final under the inspiring leadership of Sarfraz Ahmed, their status in the limited overs format has changed drastically.

With the resurgence of players like Mohammad Amir and also some good young talents like Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, they certainly are a strong unit to cope with.

Pakistan, as per the recent schedule released by ICC, will play their opening game of the campaign against the wounded Windies. They’ll combat arch-rivals India at the iconic Old Trafford, Manchester on June 16th.

Speaking to the press, the 30-year-old suggested their team is trying to iron out the few deficiencies in the remaining one year.

“The World Cup is important for all teams. Our first match is against the West Indies. The first match is always important, so all our preparations are geared towards that match and the tournament. We are trying to iron out our deficiencies during this period,” Sarfraz said as quoted by The Express Tribune. Talking about their under-dogs status going into every World Cup, Sarfraz reckons people will remember that they won the Champions Trophy. “Pakistan always go into tournaments as underdogs but I don’t think it will be the same this time because people remember that we have won the Champions Trophy,” he said.

Talking about the importance of World Cup, Sarfraz said that big players are born during such huge tournaments. Pakistan previously won the World Cup in 1992 under the leadership of the legendary Imran Khan.

Later on, they managed to reach the finals once in 1999 and they lost to India in the semifinals in the 2011 edition. He also said that importance of certain players is realized during this tournament.

“The World Cup is one event in which the world is watching you and everyone is following you. The importance of players is realized during this crunch time. The World Cup gives birth to heroes and superstars,” he said.

The 2nd edition of LSR T-Cup International Cycle Tour organized by Lanka Sportsreizen (LSR) which promotes sports with the aim of making Sri Lanka a tourism hub among Asian countries will be held from May 4 to 6 from Passikudah to Negombo.

The T-Cup Cycle Tour has already attracted as many as 11 foreign teams while Sri Lanka National Team and President’s Team will also be participating The riders will cover a total of 350 kilometers in the three day event and they will be awarded trophies and prize money to the value of US$ 24,235.

The tour will begin from Passikudah on May 4 and will proceed to Mahiyangana via Welikanda, Dimbulagala, Pallegama, Dehiattakandiya and Giraandurukotte over a distance of 133 kilometers. On the second day riders will move to Kandy via Hasalaka, Udadumbara, Hunnasgiriya, Digana, Tennekumbura covering 92 kilometres through hilly and difficult terrain that will test their endurance limits. The final day of the race will proceed from Kandy to Negombo via Katugastota, Galagedara, Mawathagama, Kurunegala, Narammala, Giriulla, Pannala and Dankotuwa over a distance of 125 kilometres. Going down memory lane, some of the events they have conducted 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.

McDonalds Downunder (Australia), Oliver's Real Food Racing (Australia), Team France Defence (France), KINANCycling Team (Japan), Team UKYO (Japan), Vino - Astana Motors (Kazakhstan), Gapyeong Team (Korea), Lapierre Asia Cycling Team (Laos), Terengganu Cycling Team (Malaysia), Go for Gold (Philippines), NEX Cycling Team (Singapore), National Team (Sri Lanka), President’s Team (Sri Lanka) will take part in the race.

George Luis Oconer of Go for Gold Team, Philippines became the champion of last years race with a timing of 8:17.13 while Samuel Walkers of CCN Cycling Team, Australia finished as second clocking 8:17.18. Hari Fitrianto of CCN Cycling Team, Indonesia won the third place with a timing of 8:19.07.