by SA'ADI THAWFEEQ
The fourth semi-finalist in the division one Sara Trophy (Segment 'A') tournament will largely depend on the outcome of the CCC v Matara SC match beginning at Maitland Crescent tomorrow.
CCC who are currently placed fourth with 67.0 points require a minimum of 20 points from their final Group 'A' match against Matara SC to displace Colts (86.5 points) from the runner-up berth. To obtain the required points, CCC will have to beat Matara SC outright. Playing under home conditions, the task should not be beyond CCC to do so.
If CCC do come through they will join defending champs Bloomfield, who are heading Group 'A' and, SSC and Moors SC from Group 'B' in the semi-finals, which is provisionally fixed for March 27, 28, 29 at the Sara Stadium and Reid Avenue. The final is scheduled at the SSC on a date to be decided by the tournament committee.
CCC's task would have been made much easier had they not forfeited two points from their game against NCC for not submitting the captain's report.
Tamil Union could consider themselves unlucky to be edged out of the last four by a mere 0.5 points by Moors SC in Group 'B'. They had their request for a replay in the match against BRC turned down and their protest over an under prepared pitch was upheld by the umpires committee, after it was referred to them by the tournament committee. ``The umpires committee found the two umpires had not violated any rule in conducting the match, so the decision of the match stands,'' said M. Sivaratnam, the tournament committee chairman. Tamil Union lost the match outright to BRC.
Tamil Union were also penalised 0.5 points in that match for sending incomplete scoresheets. Had that penalty not been imposed, Tamil Union would have tied on points (88.5 each) with Moors SC. However, Moors SC also suffered the same fate as Tamil Union being penalised 0.5 points for the same reason in their game against Kurunegala YCC. So the odds rather even out.
Panadura SC (0.5 points) for incomplete scoresheets, and Kurunegala YCC (2 points each) against Antonian SC and Moors SC for not submitting captain's reports are the other clubs to be penalised points.
119th Battle of the Blues: Side batting first should have the edge
by DINESH WEERAWANSA
Two evenly balanced teams - Royal and their traditional rivals S.Thomas' will be seen in action at the 119th annual Battle of the Blues three-day cricket encounter which starts at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place today.
Experience-wise, Royal has the edge but they have not made use of it during the current season. However S.Thomas' too have six coloursmen in their side including last year's captain Nilanka Peiris who led his side to a memorable seven-wicket win in last year's big match. His presence in this year's team too will be a source of encouragement for the new Thomian captain Upeka Fernando, who could give the Royal bowlers a hard time.
Besides Sri Lanka Under-19 player Fernando, Naren Ratwatte is the other player in the side with international experience. Both of them toured South Africa for the last Youth World Cup and their experience should help them to tame the Royal attack.
Royal has a well balanced side but the bulk of the hard work will naturally lie on their star all-rounder Jehan Mubarak who has proved his class in every department. Mubarak and Thushan Amarasuriya have shaped well with the bat and are out to give the Thomian bowlers an acid time.
Of the 12-member squad, Royal are likely to make Harshan Rajakaruna as the 12th man. This means that eight of the 11 players in the team are coloursmen, a distinct advantage for the Reid avenue team.
Of the 15-member 'big match' squad, S. Thomas' has left out Sumudu Perera, Eshan Mendis, Rukshan Mendis and Eranda Jayasinghe.
But both teams have enjoyed moderate seasons and have failed to live up to expectations. Royal have just a solitary win over Prince of Wales in 15 outings with a shock defeat at the hands of Trinity while S.Thomas' too have just two wins over Dharmapala and Richmond. The lads from Mt.Lavinia too have lost one game - to St.Joseph's.
The picturesque Sinhalese Sports Club strip for the big'un should favour the batsmen and the side winning the toss this morning should not hesitate to take the first lease, unless they have other ideas. But the pacemen of the side fielding first could turn out to be dangerous with the early 'life' of the strip. But if batsmen can survive the initial hour, they could gradually get on top of the bowling.
Irrespective of the outcome of the game, Sri Lanka's oldest inter-school cricket match will continue with the high traditions of the series which has produced many outstanding players in the gentlemen's game, played in true spirit.
Probable teams:
ROYAL: Ravi Peiris, Ruchira Jayasuriya, Thushan Amarasuriya, Jehan Mubarak, Shanaka Perera (captain), Umesh Gunawardena, Lasantha Liyanage, Angelo perera, Danushka Perera, Harith Rajakaruna, Sanjeeva Udumalagala, Harshan Rajakaruna (12th man).
S.THOMAS: (from): Upeka Fernando (captain), Naren Ratwatte, Suranga Peiris, Nilanka Peiris, Janaka Siriwardena, Sidath Madonza, Gihan Fernando, Lakmal Fernando, Zakir Kanaka, Shanaka Caldeera, Meshadh Peiris,
Umpires: Udaya Wicckremasinghe and Ryle de Silva.
Hewage and Junaid - main attraction at DSS-Bens big match
By Chris Dhambarage The presence of two Sri Lanka 'A' players Arshad Junaid and Pradeep Hewage and a Sri Lanka youth player Malintha Gajanayake will be the main attraction at the 7th annual cricket encounter between St.Benedict's College and D.S.Senanayake College scheduled for March 20 and 21 at the R.Premadasa Stadium.
Both teams are packed with some talented schoolboy cricketers and all of them are determined to prove themselves in this crucial encounter. This was revealed by R.K.S.Sureshchandra secretary of the Big Match organising committee at a press briefing held at D.S.Senanayake College yesterday.
Benedictine Pradeep Hewage in fact captained the Sri Lanka under 19 team at the Youth World Cup in South Africa and was named as the best batsman in the tournament. He scored three half centuries in this tournament at a superb average of 105.33. Hewage also represented the Sri Lanka 'A' team during the unofficial test series against England 'A' concluded recently.
Off spinner Arshad Junaid also made his presence felt with the Sri Lanka under 19 team and represented Sri Lanka 'A' during the unofficial test series against England 'A' concluded recently. Malintha Gajanayake is another Sri Lanka youth player who made a significant contribution towards the side.
The match is co-sponsored by the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation and the D.S. Senanayake old Boys Association Cricket Development Foundation. The winners will receive a cash award of Rs.30,000 and in case of a draw the two teams would share the prize money. The best fielder, best bowler and the best batsman of each team will receive a cash award of Rs.2500. The man of the match will receive a cash award of Rs.5000.
Also present at this press briefing were the Principal of D.S.Senanayake College G.C. Adhikari, Director of St. Benedict's College Rev. Brother Bertram Perera, M.T.A. Rauff, Prefect of Games D.S. Senanayake College, Rev.Brother Nimal Gurusinghe, Sports co-ordinator St.Benedict's College and Sumathi Dharmawardena President old boys Association of D.S. Senanayake College.