WELL, well, what else can you say about Balapuwaduge Ajantha Winslo Mendis? Since paralysing India’s star batsmen in eight indescribable overs, Sunday, he has been called "phenomenal,’’ the "new star,", "the man with a golden arm,", "the future of spin bowling’’ and what have you — all encomiums deserved and not a whit exaggerated.

It was the sort of performances even veterans dream of, and that Mendis’ came only about two months after his debut appearance, in just his eighth ODI, is quite extraordinary by any measure. The great Muralitharan, for instance, achieved the first of his 71 five-for (against S.Africa in a Test in August 1993) a year after debuting in August 1992.

As astonishing as the chronological details of Mendis’ achievement are, it yet doesn’t quite capture the awesomeness of his deed on the day. This was the Asia Cup final; totals of 300-plus had become the norm in the 12-day, 13-match tournament. And India’s successful chase of 310 in 46.5 overs against Sri Lanka two nights before was more relevant than a piece of cold statistic, of interest to only history’s recorders.

So, when Sri Lanka managed just 273, as good as half of the trophy was already in India’s pocket. And the way Sehwag went about the job, it seemed he couldn’t wait till the 35th over to shove the other half and button up the pocket.

Whether the Indian opener was engaged in an "anything you can do, I can do better," his savage onslaught coming as it did in the wake of Sanath Jayasuriya’s afternoon delights (114-ball 125), is difficult to confirm, but, Sehwag clearly was going much better than the Sri Lankan: he arrived at the half-century mark 17 balls sooner than Jayasuriya did his, off 43 balls.

After nine overs, Sehwag had swept to 60 and India to 76/1, a rate that would have got India home around the 32nd over. In such a desperate situation, the obvious thing for skipper Jayewardene to do would have been to turn to his world-beater bowler, Muralitharan, to help stop the haemorrhaging. Not this time, though. The skipper perhaps reckoned Muralitharan was very much a known quantity to the Indians; not so Mendis. His veiling from the Indians two nights before meant Mendis was as much a stranger as a Martian to the opponents.

Skipper Jayewardene’s tactically brilliant move in summoning Mendis in the 10th over wasn’t a decision made in desperation, either; much less, a decision based on hope than faith. The skipper didn’t reveal Mendis’ befuddling virtues two nights before so that they may be unveiled in a crisis that might arise in the Final. It wasn’t so much a crisis as mayhem that hit Sri Lanka in the opening nine overs.

But the scenes that followed Mendis’ entry was pretty much cricket’s version of one man slaying the dragon — scenes that will stay etched in memory.

The claiming of Sehwag, second ball, was crucial, in terms of tempering the tempest. Even so, by no means did his demise herald the beginning of the end. After all, to score the remaining 200-odd runs in a shade over 40 overs is no Himalayan peak to scale. With Raina out in the middle, Yuvraj due next and Dhoni, Sharma, Utappah and Yusuf Pathan in waiting, tranquility had its place in the Indian dressing room. As well, Sehwag’s manner of dismissal wasn’t cause for alarm, either. It wasn’t the "ball of the century’’ that got him. Rather, he was a victim of his own arrogance: Disdainfully, he marched down to meet Mendis’ second ball, but found it was flicked away from him and was so made to look utterly stupid as Sangakkara swiped the bails away.

India’s other batsmen though were not going to be as stupid; India, 76/2 in 9.2 overs, were yet a nose in front of Sri Lanka. And as said before, the Indian dressing room was calm. But two balls after Sehwag left, was when India’s batsmen sighted the mythical Gorgan’s head, serpents and all. It came in the shape of Yuvraj’s second-ball dismissal. Frozen-footed and bedazzled, his bat might have been a white cane as the ball zipped through to hit middle stump. And when Raina fatally tried to hit Mendis out of sight, only to be bowled, middle stump again, tranquility flew out through the door and panic invaded the Indian dressing room.

From that dressing room, they either saw demons in the pitch or an evil magician in Mendis. Whatever, the Indian batsmen were in a state of mental paralysis even before they padded. By the time Mendis had finished his first turn of duty, he had claimed 4 for 8 in four overs and India had plummeted to 97/5 in the 16th over. The Final’s end wasn’t too far away. Any prospects of prolonging proceedings till the 50th over of India’s innings ended with Dhoni’s demise, ninth out, in the 35th over. Five overs later it was all over, bar the shouting — mostly for Mendis.

While songs in praise of Mendis continue to be sung, it isn’t a moment too soon to consider how best to manage his future. Understandably, he is being looked at in much the same way that Muralitharan has for long been looked: a national asset. Of Mendis, former Board secretary S. Skandakumar, says, "With time, he’ll be a Warne and Muralitharan rolled into one."

Clearly, Mendis has the potential, but it must be reminded that one swallow doesn’t a summer make. So, one has to be cautious at this point in time in hastening to place Mendis on the same shelf as Muralitharan. There is no denying, though, Mendis has the makings of becoming successor to the world’s best bowler. But the journey ahead is a long one, and unless intelligently handled and guided, he could easily drift into the wilderness.

Here on end, Mendis is going to be under microscopic scrutiny the world over, and the battle to demystify him will be relentless. Muralitharan, through hard work and creativity, has managed to stay on top, but it would be utterly partial to say that batsmen aren’t any wiser of his ways than they had been at any time of his 16-year career. The truth is, Muralitharan these days is less difficult to cope with.

Mendis doesn’t spin the ball the way Muralitharan does — for that matter no other bowler does. His greatest virtue is his pin-point accuracy, as three bowled and one leg-before in his 6 for 13 in eight overs, Sunday, testifies. Accuracy mixed with subtle variations was his cocktail of comatose — and not insignificantly, that, on the day, he was a book the opposition had never read.

With time his crafts will become more familiar reading and how he functions in that scenario, the future will tell. Of course, with maturity he will, like Muralitharan did, add to his bag of tricks. For the time being though, it makes sense to preserve his aura of mystery. The temptation would be to deploy him as much as possible and make him another Muralitharan. There are dangers in that course. His durability vis-à-vis Muralitharan’s remains unknown, something you don’t want to check out at the risk of injury, through wear and tear, to his magic finger. Muralitharan’s endless labour was possible because of his supple wrist, a part of man’s anatomy that’s firmer than any finger.

His confidence is presently in full bloom, and just how it will hold up when the blows rain on him, as it must, is left to be seen.

His inclusion in the Test team is a given, with a debut against India this month imminent. The young man deserves his place, but how the skipper manages him will be crucial. India will no doubt want to get their backs on him for the humiliation they were subjected to by him.

The way Jayewardene handled him in the Final is encouraging. Even though Mendis looked capable of demolishing the Indians single handedly, the skipper didn’t allow him all of his 10 overs. In fact, he exercised preservation, deploying him for bursts of one four-over spell and two of two overs each. Such frugal use of him in the Test, nay the future, is desirable — until the 2011 World Cup comes along.

It is nice Muralitharan’s career has yet an unexpended three-four years so that his heir apparent can be nursed through to full maturity in time for 2011. Presently our attack, admittedly, is wanting and bringing Mendis to the frontline is an irresistible prospect — but succumbing to that temptation is… well, let’s just say ‘don’t kill off the golden goose.’

President's Trophy for St. Peter's 

St. Peter's College retained the Milo Schools President's Trophy for the third successive year when they defeated Isipatana College by 16 points to 11 points in their knock out tournament final worked off at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds in Reid Avenue yesterday.

The Peterites who finished third in the A division league tournament produced a splendid performance to turn the game in their favour while collecting their points from two unconverted tries and two penalties after having led 13-8 at half time. 

Isipatana playing in the knock out tournament final for the 16th time got off to a good start but failed to consolidate their position and managed to score just a solitary try and also put over two penalties. 

The Peterites executed their game plan quite successfully with skipper Purnaka Delpachithra always leading from the front. The dynamic third row forward scored both their tries in the first half in identical fashion within the space of two minutes to seal the game in their favour. 

Isipatana had taken the initiative following a push over try from their number eight Tharindu Siriwardena. St. Peter's College hit back immediately with a vengeance with Delpachithra proving his class through two classic tries both initiated by their forwards. 

Weerakkody missed both conversions but later put over a good penalty to increase their lead to 13-5. Isipatana reduced the gap to 8-3 following another neat penalty from Srinath Suriyabandara shortly before half time. 

Weerakody put over his second penalty mid way in the second half to give St. Peter's College a commanding 16-8 lead at that stage. Isipatana who were starved of possession managed to put over a penalty through Srinath Suriyabandara 
Referee: Priyantha Gunaratne

Kandy in rousing 37-17 victory

By Hafiz Marikar

Kandy Sports Club powered their way to a rousing 37 points to 17 points victory over Havelocks Sports Club in their Caltex inter club A division league return match played at Havelock Park yesterday.

Kandy SC completely dominated the proceedings as they collected their points from two goals, four tries and one penalty after having taken a commanding 20-3 lead at half time. The Havies responded with two goals and one penalty.

Western Province champions

Western Province emerged overall champions with 51 gold medals, 28 silver medals and 28 bronze medals while Central Province became the runners up with 26 golds, 32 silver and 29 bronze medals at the 34th National Sports Festival concluded in Beliatta yesterday. 

North Western Province finished in the third place with 23 golds, 23 silver and 18 bronze medals. N.C.D Priyadharshani of Western Province was adjudged as the most outstanding women's athlete while Nayana Praba Dharmaratna of Western Province was named best men's athlete. 

Edirisinghe elected SLHF President

Senior Superintendent of Police Sumith Edirisinghe was elected President, Sri Lanka Hockey Federation at the Annual General Meeting held at the Sports Ministry auditorium last week.

Edirisinghe, a keen follower of the game has given of his best for the sport and hopes to cotinue in the same vein. Vice Presidents: P.Vishvanathan, Vincent Dias, Lakshman Abegunawardene, Dharshana Wijesinghe, Nimala Ettipola; Secretary: Gamini Jayasinghe; Assistant Secretary: T.I. Jamaldeen; Treasurer: Mahes Siriwardena; Assistant Treasurer: Gaya Perera.

Sri Lanka put IPL above England

Sri Lanka’s top players will be allowed to appear in next year’s Indian Premier League instead of touring England.

Officials say they cannot guarantee to send a full strength side and will now discuss alternative plans with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

"The players were already committed to play in the IPL," said Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Duleep Mendis.

"They assured us they would give the 2011 tour of England priority ahead of the IPL, so we couldn’t let them down."

Earlier this week, Sri Lanka accepted an invitation to tour England and play two Tests and three one-day internationals after the ECB severed sporting relations with Zimbabwe.

But the majority of Sri Lanka’s top players are signed up to three-year deals with the IPL’s eight team franchises.

The six-week tournament will start on April 10, and will clash with the first England v Sri Lanka Test, which is scheduled for May 8.

Mendis added: "We will be taking up the matter with the ECB shortly to find what alternatives we can arrive at without upsetting both parties."

Sri Lanka Cricket hope the tour can be rescheduled, but there is little room for manoeuvre with the ICC World Twenty20 in England starting in June.

If England cannot change dates, then Sri Lanka may offer to send a weakened squad.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Sanath Jayasuriya and Upal Tharanga are among those to have signed lucrative three-year deals with IPL franchises.

And Sri Lanka cricket broadcaster Roshan Abeysinghe told BBC Sport: "13 of their top players have signed up to the IPL, so it will definitely be very close to an A team, which I doubt would be able to give England the type of run a normal Test side would do."

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat feels Sri Lanka’s decision was inevitable given the financial incentives of playing in the IPL.

Lorgat told BBC Radio 5 Live: "My folks always used to say money is the root of all evils — at the base of all this is the sums of money involved.

"It’s far more attractive to play in the IPL than to come and play in a Test series. Money puts a different spin on a players’ affiliations."

"Heats" at healthy life clinic

Grandmaster m. Hassen Khalid, the well known martial arts and physical fitness expert in collaboration with Dr. Kayathri Periyasamy (consultant physician), Healthy Life Clinic, Kollupitiya has introduced "heats" therapeutic exercises classes for all their patients at their Healthy Life Clinic, in Colombo 3(Telephone: 4700700) every Wednesday 6.00 to 7.00 pm and every Saturday 11 am to 12 noon.

"Heats" therapeutic exercises founded by grandmaster Hassen Khalid is a combination of isometrics, yoga, tai-chi and calisthenics to suit every age group to cater to their individual health requirements to control or cure diabetes, asthma, pressure, cholesterol, backache, stress, obesity, lethargy, weight control, relaxation, depression etc.

Done with soothing music "heats" is very easy to do, subtle form of exercises which are done to soothing music to divert your attention from your day to day problems and to refresh your mind and body immensely. An individual, young or old, who has participated in a "heats" training session will not feel tired, drained out or spent out after the training session, rather he or she will feel on top of the world while achieving their individual health treatment needs.

Isometrics is a tensing and relaxing form of exercises with multiple benefits, enhanced blood circulation, muscle development to stop muscular decay. nervous decay, etc.

Yoga is an ancient form of posture for developing and increasing physical, mental and spiritual powers with separate exercises for diabetes, asthma, backache weight control, stress, etc.

"Tai - chi" is a ancient form of therapeutic exercises and movement for all ailments. To be healthy throughout you’re

Calisthenics is a good exercise to develop physical elegance and graceful movements, and for developing strength, mind and body coordination, will power and self confidence.

Grandmaster Hassen Khalid’s "heats" training sessions are held every Thursday from 6.30 to 7.30 pm at the gym at the Royal College sports complex, Colombo 7, and several other centres at Wellawatte and Ratmalana. A new "heats" training centre will start in the first week of July on Sunday from 10.30 am to 12 noon at the Maliban Sama Mandiraya, Sirimal Uyana, Ratmalana.

Dr. Kayathri Periyasamy who takes a personal interest in the health and wellbeing of all her patients is very keen and interested to introduce "heats" to all her patients. She believes that diabetes cannot be controlled or cured by drugs or dieting alone but also through an effective exercises programme such as "heats." She also believes asthma, pressure, cholesterol, stress, backache, obesity, weakness and weight control can also be controlled or cured through "heats" training.

Sanjeewa Jayasinghe — the fastest wing three quarter

Kandy Sports Club’s, right winger, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe can be rated as the fastest wing three quarter.

Sanjeewa is an old boy of Science College and played rugger during one season for his school under the guidance of Chrysantha Perera and Kamala Jayawardene. He shone at cricket while in school.

After leaving school he joined Havelocks SC and played with them for three years.

He also had the privilege of leading the club. He first played for the country representing Havelocks.

Sanjeewa Jayasinghe — — a household name in Kandy in the field of rugby said that he has enjoyed playing the game from the very first day he held the oval ball.

After crossing over to Nittawella he has played with some of the finest players in the country in the back division — Fazil Marija, Nalaka Weerakody, Pradeep Liyanage, Sajith Mallikarachchi, Radika Hettiarachchi, Sameera Silva, Nilufer Ibrahim, Chamara Vithanage, to name a few.

At present he has scored the highest number of tries in the league tournament having touched down on 19 occasions which has helped the Nittawella club to win matches.

He is a fine sevens player, and can be rated as the best sevens player we have produced along with Hisham Abdeen, another Havelocks product.

Sanjeewa first sported the Sri Lanka jersey in 1988. Since then he has been an automatic choice for the both the fifteen and sevens.

He was appointed to lead the country at the last Asiad but was deprived of doing so since he went for the World Cup rugby tournament.

He is very fast on his feet, an attacking player and a fierce tackler.

Malik Samarawickrema the kingpin of the game, says, Sanjeewa’s excellent performance in rugby was in the 2001 Dubai Sevens when he led the side. Samarawickrema said that he kept everyone at the Dubai Stadium on their toes, scoring seven tries in five outings, which is one of the best presentations by a Sri Lankan player in the international arena.

Sanjeewa said that his greatest movement in rugby was when he was picked to lead the country, first in the sevens and then in the fifteen. The time he led the Kandy SC to win championships too was a great achievement for him, he said.