Sport Extra

Historic ball should be preserved

Anything could happen with Lasith Malinga around

Richard DWIGHT

NOT within the decade or in the recent past decades, has the world of cricket seen a pace bowler like the Sri Lankan speedster, Lasith Malinga.

That which makes him everso strikingly different is that, his delivering of the ball does not conform to the conventional orthodox actions of current pace bowlers or of those in years gone by.

Malinga differs from the other pace bowlers, in that he bowls with a characteristic sling arm action which,

 peculiar as it is, could also be described as square arm.

To veer away from the accustomed norms of bowling and, to bowl with this unusual action. speaks much for Malinga’s innovative enterprise, and above all for his courage to be different in the international arena of cricket.

The outcome of it all is, that it has turned him to be a deceptive bowler, to be most unpredictable, for anything could happen with the ball in his hand.

Malinga at 23 does not have the speed of Aktar or Lee, but his strange action has proved awesome to be destructive as far as wicket taking goes.

Many an opposing batsman the world over, have heard of his peculiar action and their strategy against him from the word go is “attack is the best form of defence” and so do just that in blasting Malinga in his first 3 overs.

It is only in the second and third spells, that he with the old ball comes to terms with himself, to make the much needed impact. This is why some of us are of the view that Malinga should be nursed well and, at opportune moments be allowed to bowl in short bursts, as it were.

Maturity, improved ability and skill with a scorching yorker and a few variations, did seem to rock the daylights of the South Africans at Guyana. Evidence of this was seen when he almost achieved the near impossible by bringing about a Sri Lankan victory single handedly.

It was indeed an out of the world fantastic piece of bowling where he took 4 wickets in 4 consecutive balls inclusive of the Hat-trick, the likes of which we will not see again. Which must have come as a big surprise not only to the world of cricket, but also to his team mates as well.

Had this feat been achieved by a cricketer from a leading country, there would comparatively have been much visible fuss and fanfare.

This is why we feel that from the point of incentive, encouragement and, as a moral booster to the young especially, that this historic cricket ball should be glass cased and preserved at the SLC headquarters to serve as a symbolic expression of valour.

In this particular match against the South Africans, the Sri Lankans affirmed that they have it in them to cause the thrills and spills to be fine entertainers, and so did give impact and drive to the world cup competition, where the matches hitherto were pedestrian like.

The difference however was clearly seen in Guyana where the ultimate winner was cricket.

Our view is that Australia has a formidable side, with strong sturdy batsmen in Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting, Clarke and Hussey. They all revel against pace bowling and take delight in the ball being sent fast to them. We ought to starve them, not feed them with pace.

Our pace bowlers good as they are, should be made use of sparingly against the Aussies, with the spinners being brought on early. Some wag even suggested that Murali opens the bowling against Hayden.

The point is that the accent must be on spin and not so much on pace against the Aussies.

Drivers and Riders ready for Mahagastota Hill Climb

Bernard PERERA

HILL CLIMB: The annual Mahagastota Hill Climb organised by the Ceylon Motor Sports Club is scheduled to be conducted this Sunday at Nuwara-Eliya commencing 9.00 am. This years event is sponsored by Sri Lanka Insurance, Sri Lanka’s leading Insurance institute.

The Hill Climb which is the oldest racing event in Sri Lanka and also the start of motor racing in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) commence in 1934. Motor racing here was introduced by foreign planters who took a keen interest in the sport.

It was T.G. Dickson who made the fastest time (64 secs) on the day of the opening race meet here. He rode on a Scott 396 cc Bike to record this time.

This year according to organisers CMSC 100 competitors (cars 75 and bikes 25) will be allowed to compete on first come first serve basis.

The climb which extends to 675 meters includes all requirements to complete a Hill Climb as a sport. Within this short distance drivers and riders are expected to a good control of his vehicle while maintaining a very high speed which comes in to effect when the winner is decided.

First the driver rider who takes the flag has to take a blind corner and then to double bends to right and left and a final bend to the left just before the finish line all these has to be performed precisely while climbing the hill at a very high speed as it is a battle to beat the clock.

This year too the spectators are in to witness a fine day of Hill Climbing in Nuwara-Eliya.

Rohan de Silva the driver who holds the record 36.84 secs will have to face stiff competition from the drivers of the calibre of Aravinda Premadasa, Dinesh Deheragoda, Dinesh Jayawardena and Rizvy Farook.

In the two while category the record standed under the name of Shafraz Junaid (38.83 secs). On Sunday he too will be under pressure from many young riders who have entered the racing field recently with lot of success.

The organisers SMSC along with Sri Lanka Insurance the sponsors of the ‘Formula Plus’ Trophy are looking forward to grand Hill Climb to a thrill the holiday crowds in Nuwara Eliya.

Air Force Men and Women in battle for VB supremacy

Bernard PERERA

VOLLEY BALL: Sri Lanka Air Force men and women spikers will come out today to clash with Sri Lanka Army and Comfort Wear SC in the National volleyball championship finals today at the Sugathadasa Indoor stadium.

At 1.30 pm Air women confront Comfort Wear Sports Club from Wattupitiwala.

The preliminary stage of the championship sponsored by Ceylon Biscuits Limited attracted 944 womens teams. The winners of the championship will be awarded the Munchee Trophy.

The third place in the womens category was won by Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

The mens final between Sri Lanka Air Force and Sri Lanka Army is sure to produce best spiking for the large number of spectators expected to witness the game here today. Both teams are equally balanced as many national players are involved.

The commencement of the championship saw 1732 teams battle to qualify for the novices National Championship, which was staged in three stages for qualification.

In the men category Sri Lanka Ports Authority who were dominating in the National Championship for many years failed to reach the finals this year but managed to win the third place.

Youth Affairs Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister for Sports and Entertainment, Sport Minister Bandula Basnayake and President of Sri Lanka Volley Ball Federation and Minister of Justice Dilan Perera will be in attendance as guests, and will give away the awards.

Rajitha shines in drawn game

Kandy Sports Corr.

CRICKET: Rajitha Wickremarachchi of St. Sylvesters College hit a sparkling 59 with 9 fours for the Kandy District Cricket Association in their under -19 limited over cricket match against the Visiting Moreton Sports Club from Brisbane, Australia which ended in a draw at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy.

But the brightest knock of the day came from Trinity’s Sachit Pathirana who slammed a quick fire 46 with 8 fours and 1 six off 25 balls and was out going for a big hit.

This tour party includes a few Sri Lankans domiciled in Australia which is an annual event for goodwill.

They presented cricket materials to rural schools who need them badly. In reply to Kandy District’s total of 264 all out the visitors were struggling at 111 for 5 when rain stopped play. Kandy District under-19 XI: 264 (Rajitha Wickremarachchi 59, M. Feshal 31, R. Karunaratne 10, Sachith Pathirana 46, K. Ekanayakake 15, C. Silva 18, R. Jayatissa 17, S. Abeyratne 16 not out, S. Janious 16, S. Turner 3 for 43, L. Kulatilake 2 for 56, Sanjaye Koreshamoorthy 2 for 38,

Moritan CC under-19 X1: 111 for 5 in 28 overs (M. Brown 17, T. Beadle 21, F. Mearthy 10, D. Wilson 38 not out,)

First innings win for Science College

Kandy Sports Corr.

CRICKET: Science College, Matale who went as underdogs scored a surprise first innings win over the more fancied St. Thomas’ College, Matale in their Matale’s 20th ‘Battle of the Golds’ played at the Bernard Aluwihare Stadium in Matale.

Highlight of the match was a fine knock of 68 by E. Angammana which took the sting off the Thomian attack early. Shamindra Amaradasa played a big role by capturing 4 for 25 with his medium pacers to restrict the Thomians.

The Thomians taking first strike folded up for 169 against the varied attack of Science College. A bigger total was expected from the Matale Thomians.

Chasing a total of 169, Science College batted with aggression to total 284. Apart from Angamanna others who batted well were Shamindra Amaradasa (40), M. Nafees (36), Ishan Ekanayake (35) and U. Bandara (35). Batting a second time, the Thomians scored 191 for 5 in 49 overs. By that time the fight was over. R. Kellelpotha 55 and D. Dissanayake 50 with R. Devinda 35 batted brightly.

St. Thomas’ 169 (D. B. Marasinghe 33, R. Devinda 30, P. de Silva 29, Shamindra Amaradasa 4 for 25, N. Manangoda 2 for 21, ishan Ekanayake 2 for 18) and 191 for 5 wkts (R. Kellelpotha 55, D. Dissanayake 50, R. Devinda 38, S. Amaradasa 3 for 57).

Science College 284 all out (E. Angamanna 68, S. Amaradasa 40, M. Nafees 36, I. Ekanayake 35, U. Bandara 35, P. de Silva 3 for 67, M. Dandeniya 3 for 70).

The awards:

Best Fielder:   	G. Asantha (St. Thomas’ College).
Best Bowler:	 	S. Amaradasa (Science College). 
Best Batsman: 		E. Angamanna (Science College).