SPORTS

Hansie haunts

Gamini Senadhira Reports From S. Africa Many believe, that it is the former South African skipper, the late Hansie Crone's spirit that haunts, Shaun Pollock's boys in the current World Cup in progress in South Africa. Cronje in progress in South Africa. Cronje who died in a plane crash recently was pushed from "fame to shame' as the result of the match fixing accusation, the poor soul boldly admitted without squalling on others who too were culprits.

South Africa is now threatened with a great possibility of being 'kicked out' in the first round itself. If this happens, they will be the very first host nation that will be eliminated in the preliminary round in a World Cup competition.

The row over Shaun Pollock's disability to lead his team to clinch the 2003 World Cup and make every South Africans dream a reality had made the host nation's critics, thrash Pollock ruthlessly, citing Hansie Cronje as an able captain who without question would have achieved it if he was at the helm at this juncture.

Meanwhile, selector, the former South African cricketer, Pat Symcox had launched a blistering attack on Herschelle Gibbs,  Jonty Rhodes and Allan Donald for remarks harking back to Hansie Cronje's capabilities. These senior players had boldly said Pollock is no patch on Cronje as capable captain.

Warne accuses mother

There are many a funny thing that is happening in this World Cup, Australia's ace leg spinner who was tested positive for taking a banned drug called Diuretic is ruled out of the World Cup.

The Sydney Morning Herald, quoting sources to the Shane Warne drug investigation had stated that the bowler had taken more than the single tablet supplied to him by his mother, Brigitte. 'Warne must have taken more than one single tablet. They are now trying to determine whether the quantity is one, two or twenty two Warne, surely is in hot water, The Sydney Morning Herald, further states. Is it not funny, will a mother prescribe banned drug to a son? Especially to a reputed cricketer like "Shane."

The Lankan camp, at present enjoys a most satisfying World Cup, occupying the top berth of the group 'B' with a hot run rate of 3.17. Even if they lose to West Indies and South Africa, they cannot be denied a place in the Super Six, unless the slim possibility of rain abandons their game against Kenya to make them share two points each with their opponent. If this happens and West Indies and South Africa beat the Lankans, they are out of round two, the 'Super Six.." Let us hope and pray, that this will not happen. The Lankan skipper, Sanath Jayasuriya must be applauded for making 'The Corpse Walk.' But it's rather sad, to observe that it was a lone effort. Let us also hope that the other dead Lankans too will rise and support their captain to annex the 2003 World Cup too.

Minnows leave Sri Lanka in the cold?

by T. M. K.  Samat 

AFTER a fortnight of dizzying World Cup competition, Jayasuriya's men must be pleased as punch that they are one of only two teams with unblemished records; Australia, the other. Life at the top is, supposedly, safe and secure, and the Australians are. But the Sri Lankans' security for the moment looks plastic. They've got up there through that one win over New Zealand alone. Sure, Bangladesh were disposed of in double-quick time and Canada, with historic haste. Kenya might not succumb in Nairobi tomorrow as swiftly as the other minions did, but their prospects of turning the tables on Sri Lanka has to be regarded as far-fetched. World Cup is all about duels between the big guns _ and Sri Lanka has seen out only one of them. The West Indies awaits them Friday next and South Africa on March 3.

So, as Sri Lanka today sits on the highest branch, they could so easily tumble down the tree over the next eight days. This is in no way to suggest that overcoming the West Indies or South Africa is too a high a mountain for Jayasuriya's men. If anything, their form and confidence suggests they are capable of finishing the first round undefeated. But then that promise is mostly founded on the conquest of the Kiwis. Their intensity of purpose that day was quite breathtaking. The next three opponents, however, were never going to ask such a high degree of earnestness; Bangladesh and Canada didn't and Kenya is not likely to either.

It is worth remembering that Sri Lanka won over the Kiwis on Feb.10, which means they wait a full 18 days before going into their next serious battle, against the West Indies. Not surprisingly, skipper Jayasuriya, in the flush of the triumph over the Kiwis, spoke of not taking any opposition lightly. Clearly, the intention was to remove any notions of complacency against the minions. His words also suggest a fear that the team could go off the boil playing three successive games at a competitive level that is a misnomer for a World Cup. But in the cause of global development, the World Cup must tolerate the wide disparity between the minion nations and their established seniors; a taste of life in the real world, hopefully, heightening the ambitions of the lowly.

Time will tell whether the stringing together of the three matches versus the minions has been good for Jayasuriya's team. But this much is certain: the arrangements have been inconsistent. The host nation has a minnow after each of their match against the big guns _ on paper it looks the ideal, though in reality it wasn't. Between South Africa's losses to the Windies and the Kiwis was an encounter against Kenya, suggesting that altering the degree of endeavour for the minnows and majors is a risky business. The West Indies' first two assignments were S.Africa and the Kiwis, followed by two minnows, then Sri Lanka and lastly Kenya _ not quite the same as Sri Lanka's or the Kiwis, whose first three games were against the big guns. At first sight the Kiwis schedule might seem unfair. But then there were no minnow teams to quieten their intensity in between engagements with the serious rivals _ a factor that likely helped them surprise the Windies and the South Africans after losing to Sri Lanka in the opening match.

Tremendous effort

Jayasuriya's team might not arrive exactly cold for the must-win game against the Windies, but they know it won't be anything like their three previous games, three working holidays really. That the demolition-time of Bangladesh and Canada collectively has been about half day's work cannot be the best of run-ups to the Windies and South Africa matches. One hopes Jayasuriya and co. can recapture the magnetism that killed off the Kiwis, though that's not a thing available on the tap. It will require tremendous effort, both of body and mind, to go into a battle that is expected to decide the World Cup destiny of both teams. If Kenya don't present a sterner challenge tomorrow then the 18 days spent in relative idleness could make a quick adjustment to pressure-filled atmosphere difficult.

The opener may have thrown up a lot of positives for Sri Lanka, but didn't disprove theories that if Jayasuriya fails so will Sri Lanka. It is more a psychological thing than a lack of ability, given the enormous talents the likes of Jayewardena, de Silva, Sangakkara and Arnold are blessed with. Neither are they rookies. Their inconsistency so is inexcusable. To say that Jayasuriya and Tillekeratne had already done the bulk of the job against the Kiwis and that time wasn't enough for the middle order to do any better is self-defeating. A collective contribution of 38 by the failed quartet is ridiculous given that there were yet some 15 overs left when Jayasuriya departed. There was adequate time for contributions on a scale of 15 to 30 from each than the actual, 1 to 13.

The task was a lot easier against Bangladesh and Canada; Jayasuriya and Atapattu finished off the former by themselves while Sangakkara was enlisted for the Canadian job. But in doing so a more serious requirement for the team went unattended. The middle order is desperately short of match practice and ideally will want to have the feel of performing in the middle, to both dust off the cobwebs and recheck their long neglected touch. But Jayasuriya is mindful of the importance of the nett run rate should teams end up with identical number of wins. So, he has been averse to the idea of rearranging the order and so denying the middle batsmen a turn. The skipper's point is valid. There's no telling which way the Windies and South African games will turn _ and there have been quite some surprising turns so far. So Jayasuriya is sensible in aiming for the maximum from even the minnows by not juggling the batting order, though some seniors have spoken the need for spending some time in the middle.

All this suggests that Jayasuriya is his own man. He apparently has shed his softer side after the trauma and frustration he had endured with disagreeing selectors, his own failures and pay disputes with the board. Now that he is making the big runs clearly he wants to call the shots, as shown by his rejection of the idea of rearranging the order to help the failed specialists. The unsaid message conveyed is that it's not a wet-behind-the-ears middle order and they ought to adjust to any situation and deliver what is expected of them. The man has changed. He is assertive as never before. His cold stare and apparent brushing aside of Sanagakkara soon after the 'keeper had failed a stumping of Kiwi Scott Styris wasn't the old Jayasuriya we knew. Demand has replaced request.

In this frame of mind he will obviously ask his charges to complete the Super Six job in the Windies game rather than leave it to the final game against the South Africans. The West Indies had to be content sharing points with Bangladesh, and know the only way to negate this would be to beat Sri Lanka. The Windies anyway were less impressive last Tuesday than they were on the opening night. But the Sri Lankans would be wise not to assume anything. It's better to measure the Windies by their spectacular triumph over the South Africans. There it was Lara who made the difference. A replay of that Lara performance would mean more than half the battle is conceded. So, the inaccuracies of Dilhara Fernando and Nissanka would be intolerable, as will any sloppiness on the field. But Jayasuriya also knows the Windies aversion to spin and will be exhorting them, including himself. As well, Vaas is in his element; bowling with his head as much as with his left arm.

Real battles just begun

But, with Guneratne put out by injury, fears that the Windies openers and Lara would feast on the waywardness of Fernando and Nissanka were genuine. But Nissanka showed far greater discipline against Canada, and rewarded with the Man of the Match award, he brings fresh hopes to the team. But the skipper will no doubt remind him that the real examination of his usefulness will be the Windies match.

It is frightening to think what might become of our batting should the law of averages catch up with Jayasuriya. Normally, calamity follows, but, hopefully, the importance of the event and the knowledge that the chance of appearing in the Super Six round and perhaps beyond is only one win away, would inspire bravery.

The real battles have only just begun for Jayasuriya's men. 

• 74th Battle of the Maroons

Out to end 21-year hoodoo

By Sunil Thenabadu 

Ananda and Nalanda Colleges are undoubtedly Sri Lanka's two leading Buddhist schools. The annual encounter, the Battle of the Maroons is scheduled to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds on March 1 and 2. The series began in the 1924 and this year's encounter is the 74th in the series.

Both schools - Ananda and Nalanda have produced highly talented players who have pursued their careers in cricket to playa t the highest levels, having been picked to represent Sri Lanka in Tests and ODI's. A name that comes to mind is Ananda's Arjuna Ranatunga who captained Sri lanka and was chiefly instrumental in winning the World Cup for Sri Lanka in 1996. Other famous cricketers who emerged from the two schools who played for Sri Lanka are the famous Wettimuny brothers Sunil, Sidath and Mithra, Bandula Warnapura our first Test skipper, Asanka Gurusinghe, Roshan Mahanama, Anura Ranasinghe, Thilan Samaraweera, Kumara Dharmasena, Mahela Jayaswardena, Avishka Gunawardene and Marvan Atapattu, are at present in the Sri Lanka squad now in South Africa for the World Cup 2003.

Ananda lead the series with 11 victories against 6 by Nalanda. Unfortunately many as 55 encounters have resulted in no decision.

There has been a series of drawn encounters during the past two decades. The last victory was registered by Ananda College in 1982 under the captaincy of D. Dharmasekera, while Nalanda College has won their last encounter as far back in 1953 under W.W. Silva, captaining which is 50 years ago.

However, only four batsmen have scored centuries for Ananda while there have been 10 centurions for Nalanda. The highest individual score of 149 n.o. has been scored by Nalandian Shantha Kalavitigoda in 1957 eclipsing the score of 146 n.o. made by famous former Sri Lankan Test cricketer Roshan Mahanama in 1984

It is noteworthy to recall that Avishka Gunawardena who is at present touring South African with the Sri Lankan squad for the World Cup 2003 made a magnificent unbeaten 100 for Ananda in year 1996.

The best bowling feat has been achieved by Yohan Goonesekera of Nalanda, capturing 8 for 32 in 1975 while the best bowling analysis of a match is held by former Sri Lanka Test cricketer Anura Ranasinghe who had a match haul of 14 for 67 for Nalanda in the encounter played in 1975.

Both Ananda and Nalanda teams comprise a number of talented batsmen and all rounders. However, they lack penetrative bowlers who could run through the opponents batting.

Who's who of Nalanda

Sanjaya Gangodawila (Capt.)

Third year coloursman. Elegant and punishing left hand bat and a right arm medium fast bowler. Leads from the front heading the season's batting averages. Has scored over 700 runs with a highest score of 140 vs Dharmaraja and six half centuries. Has taken 40 wickets.

Madura Warnapura (V. Capt.)

Second year coloursman.

Yasas Hewavitharana

Second year coloursman. Has an aggregate of over 400 runs captured over  20 wickets. Good fielder.

Sakura Wijetunga

Second year coloursman. Stumper of the side. Has accounted for 25 dismissals.

Danushka Kuweju

Second year coloursman. Dependable right hand middle order batsman and right arm medium pace bowler has captured 40 wickets.

Sachitha Madawala

Second year coloursman. Left handed opening batsman and reserve wicket keeper. Has scored over 400 runs.

Tharindu Attanayake

Second year coloursman.

Sachintra Serasinghe

Fresher. Right hand opening batsman. Has scored three centuries this season scoring nearly 500 runs. Represented SL under 15 in the Asia Cup Tournament in Dubai.

Harsha Dharmaratne

Fresher. Useful left hand bat and right arm leg spinner. A member of the Sri Lanka under 17 squad.

Viranga Pathirana

Fresher

Chaturanga Abeysinghe

Fresher. Left arm leg spin bowler. Good fielder.

Who's Who of Ananda

Damindu Kularatne (Capt)

Third year coloursman 'Right hand opening batsman. Has scored over 500 runs this season with a highest score of 119 vs Richmond and three half centuries. Good allrounder. Bowls right arm off spin.

Isuru Dias (V. Capt.)

Third year coloursman. Right arm fast medium pace bowler having captured over 35 wickets this season.

Thilina Kumarasinghe

Second year coloursman. Right hand batsman who has scored over 400 runs this season.

Mahela Udawatta

Second year coloursman. Left hand No. 3 batsman with good technique and temperament. Has scored over 450 runs with 4 half centuries.

Rakitha Wimaladarma

Second year coloursman. Good all rounder. Right hand middle order batsman and right arm off spinner. Has scored over 300 runs and captured over 35 wickets.

Janudika Siriyapala

Second year coloursman. He is the stumper of the side. Aggressive right hand batsman having scored over 400 runs.

Achala Ranasinghe

Second year coloursman, good left arm leg spinner, having captured over 50 wickets this season.

Pradeep Botheju

Fresher. Right hand opening batsman. Has scored over 350 runs this season.

Chamith Jayamanna

Fresher. Right arm medium pace bowler who has captured over 30 wickets..

Sachitra Senanayake

Fresher

Chatura Herath

Fresher

Thilina Dissanayake.

Fresher 

Geoff Garland - new rugby coach of Trinity College 

The long journey to regain the lost prestige of Trinity Rugby had laid its foundation in the aftermath of an unprecedented Bradby Shield thrashing in the year 2002. Concerns flowed from all corners of the globe from old boys as to the reasons for the pathetic showing by the renowned Red, Golden and Blue 'Lions' once the cradle of Schools Rugby and finally the proud Old Lions awoke to face reality and was for once made evident of their tarnished image in the Schools Rugby Circuit in this country.

The Trinity College Kandy OBA New South Wales (Sydney branch) unanimously consented to extend its fullest co-operation to their alma mater's rugby team and together with the assistance of Dilip Kumar - Director, Australian Rugby Union - Chairman New South Wales Rugby Union and Chairman Kumar Group of Companies, himself a Trinity Lion for athletics, has brought in Geoff Garland to Sri Lanka to offer his services to the college rugby team in 2003. Geoff Garland is an ex- school principal and a very experienced rugby coach at schools, club and representative team level. He is also a first grade cricket umpire and has excelled in cricket in Australia.

Jayantha Weerasinghe accompanied the new coach Geoff Garland to Sri Lanka on February 15 and was introduced to Dr. Breckenridge who welcomed the new coach to college. It is the intention and determination of the OBA in Sydney to resurrect rugby at Trinity. Jayantha Weerasinghe also informed that the Sydney branch would continue its unstinted support with the supply of other basic equipment for the college ruggerites. The Sydney branch has in their ranks some prominent stalwarts of yesteryear Dr. Robert Sourjah , Rohan Sourjah, Rodney Geddes, Byron Fernando, Mohan Sekaran and Jayantha Weerasinghe to name a few. The new coach has already got down to business and is in the process of drawing up a schedule with regard to the coaching sessions and the connected training programmes.

The 'Rugby Scrummage' which is the body in charge of rugby at college too has to be commended as far as this venture is concerned for taking due measures to implement and make this appointment a reality. Time has come to make your constructive contributions rather than to sit and criticize a mistake that has been costly by all means. As stated before, it certainly is going to be a long journey but the path to recovery has begun.

- Ranil Prematilake