Sri Lanka declared a mammoth total of 642/4 in the first innings on a pitch that favors batting at the SSC grounds in Colombo.

Despite the three wickets grabbed Tillakaratne Dilshan including that of Tendulkar, India posted 669/9 leading by 27 runs with one wicket remaining.

The last of the match will resume tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. local time.

ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Cricket said that the selectors have made four changes to the team which won the 1st Test in Galle. Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath and Chanaka Welagedara have been replaced by Dilhara Fernando, Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv and Dammika Prasad.

Mystery man Ajantha Mendis has come in to take the place left behind by the retirement of Muralitharan while Lasith Malinga has been rested due to a ‘stiff knee’ and Dilhara has come in Malinga’s place.Suraj Randiv is drafted in to the team in place of Rangana Herath who only captured a single wicket in the previous Test, the SLC said.

In the Indian squad, opener Gautam Gambhir is out due to a knee injury while Yuvraj Singh is ill with high fever.

Sri Lanka Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharana Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardene (vice captain) Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Dammika Prasad, Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis.

ColomboPage News Desk.

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa felicitated Murali during the lunch break of the fifth day play of the first Test which Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets against India.

President Rajapaksa, who visited the Galle Stadium, congratulated the spin wizard and presented a special memento to Murali. Ministers C.B. Rathnayake were also present to congratulate the legend.The much-loved 38-year-old legend who holds the world record as the highest wicket taker in both Test and One-Day Internationals announced his retirement from Test Cricket early this month.

He was shy of 8 wickets to set the record that no other cricketer has set and it was in Galle achieved his feat.

Murali accompanied by his wife and son thanked his team mates, the cricket officials and his coaches. Murali said he would like to play some more Twenty20 cricket and will be available if the selectors needed him.

ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Spinner Sachitra Senanayake and left arm paceman Chanaka Welagedara also bagged two wickets as India were all out 223 runs behind the home side’s total.

Yuvraj Singh who had dropped from the ODI team due to poor form signalled his comeback into form with a belligerent century, slamming six sixes and 11 boundaries in making 118 off 146 balls to top score for the Indians.Opener Gautam Gambhir made 89 and added 143 runs for the fifth wicket with Singh after the Indians had collapsed to 80 for in the 19th over, with Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Luxman all back in the pavilion.

But wickets tumbled again after the fifth wicket stand was broken with the total on 223.

The local team which resumed the day on 432 for 5, batted a further 17 overs in the morning before declaring their innings. Young batsman Dinesh Chandimal who was unbeaten on five overnight made 47 not out with eight boundaries and a six.

Sri Lanka Board President’s XI (432 for 5 overnight) 514 for 9 decl. (Upul Tharanga 110, Lahiru Thirimanne 66, Thilina Kandamby 101, Tilan Samaraweera 102, DInesh Chandimal 47 n.o., Amit Mishra 2 for 125, Pragyan Ohja 5 for 153)

India 291 (Gautam Gambhir 89, Yuvraj Singh 118, Chanaka Welagedara 2 for 45, Sachitra Senanayake 2 for 94, Ajantha Mendia 6 for 67)

Daily Mirror

A very large crowd which braved the foul weather were treated to some flavoury rugby which were gulped down with delight by the rugby fans. It was rugby with a different flavour.

Though conceding both height and weight, the Sri Lankan women ruggerite displayed exceptional skills and were in fine fettle due to the efforts of their coach Hisham Abdeen.Sri Lankan women’s team was led by prop forward from the Army Malkanthi Ratnayake who led from the front and marshalled her side with excellent leadership. Others who excelled were winger Sandika Hema Kumari (Army), No. 8 Hirosha Fernando (Slimline SC), centre Dinusha Edirisinghe (Air Force), full back Chathurika Mayuri (Slimline SC) and winger Ayesha Perera (Army) who played a major role in Sri Lanka’s victory.

The game produced a very high standard of rugby as it was a clash between the `deadlier’ of the two species in which no quarter was asked nor given.

Sri Lanka Ladies got into an early lead when the three-quarters moved the ball and fly half Rukshani Perera punted ahead to touch down mid left. Ayesha Perera added the extra points. Sri Lanka 7-0.

But five minutes later Griffin Girls equalised when No. 8 Carissa Hsieh broke off and scored mid left. Jamie Garcio failed to added the extra points.

The second half produced more pulsating rugby and it was as good as a club game played by the men. The rucks were equally contested and the visiting girls held sway in the line outs. The loose play to were fought out fiercely and on an even Keel.

In the 10th minute of the second half the visiting ruggerites kept play deep inside the Sri Lanka territory forcing a few scrums. They were warded a penalty a couple of metres in front of the posts. No. 8 Talia Carrasquillo taking the short tap scored mid right. Janie Garcio failed to add the extra points. Griffin led 10-7.

But two minutes later Sri Lankan girls hit back with all the ferocity they could to upset the visitors. A cross kick mid field was well collected by winger Sandika Hema Humari who ran along the line slipping tackles and came around to score under the post. This try went unconverted but Sri Lanka had taken over the lead 12 – 10.

They held on to this lead till the final blast.

Before the commencement of the match the two teams were introduced to the Chief Guest and Governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa and guest of honour Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and President of SLRFU Roshan Gunatillake and the president of the Central Province Rugby Football Union, Mohan Samarakoon who was also the prime mover of this historic match.

Gerald Rasiah referred.
Sunday Observer

Sharmal’s selection to this prestigious tour was the culmination of a series of tennis tournaments sponsored by ITF Asia in various Asian countries including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia and China. After the last tournament in China, Sharmal ended up as sixth overall in Asia and only the top eight Asian players were selected to participate in this European tour.The Young Stars Tournament is a prestigious one consisting of five consecutive top class tournaments during the individual European Championships. Players are selected to this tournament from all over the world by the International Tennis Federation from its affiliate bodies such as the Asian Tennis Association, Confederacion Sudamericana de Tenus Confederation of African Tennis, Tennis Europe Chinese Tennis Association, Tennis Australica, Japan Tennis Association and the Tennis Canada. The Young Stars Tournament had produced some of the finest tennis players like Kim Clijsters, Jostine Henin, Maria Sharpova, Anchy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, Fernando Gonzales, Jo Wilfried Tsonga and Lleyton Hewit.

Sharmal’s long march to glory started at the tender age of four with his coach Kingsley Candappa. He first won the Sri Lanka’s Junior National Championship 10 & Under in 2004, 2005 & 2006. He joined his coach Arul Amalanathan for advance training. In 2008 (12 & under) and in 2009 (14 & under) he was the junior National Champion. He started representing Sri Lanka in World Juniors in 2007 in New Delhi, India, following it up in Kuchimg Malaysia in 2008 and Anging City, China in 2010.

He then represented Sri Lanka in the ITF Zone Group II Asian Championship in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2008 and in Sarawak, Malaysia in 2009 and 2010. In these tournaments, Sharmal had won two gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals.

He also represented Sri Lanka as a member of the ITF Team at the ITF Zone Group 1 Asian Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia and Shenzhen City, China in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In the 2010 Championship, Sharmal was ranked 5th and ranked 6th overall, which enabled him to be selected to the current ITF Young Stars Tournament Europe 2010. Only the top eight players from Asia are participating in this tournament.

Sharmal Dissanayake is currently taking part in the BNP Paribas Cup in Stade Francais, Paris and will move to the Netherlands on 12th July to take part in the Windmill Cup Carl Gantois in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. He will then comeback to France again to play in the Le 13/14 des Hauts-de-Seine in Rueil-Malmalson, France. On 26th July Sharmal will tour Germany and play the 33 International Deutsche Tennismeisterschaft U14 in Koln, Germany.

The final leg of the grueling 40-day European tour will be the Lapperre Young Champions Cup- Hasselt to be played in Belgium from 31st July.

In this European tour Sharmal is tipped to play against the world’s top tennis players in the under 14 category and the experience and exposure he is receiving will be of enormous benefit to both Sharmal and tennis in Sri Lanka.

Sharmal’s sparring partners in Sri Lanka include top of the league local players like Harshana Godamanne, Rajeev Rajapakse and Udith Wickramasinghe. Playing with these seniors has sharpened Sharmal’s tennis skills immensely. His present coaches are Vijay Kanth at CR&FC and Christopher Barathi Pillai. In his early formative years, the contributions made by his former coaches Kingsley Candappa and Arul Amalanathan is gratefully remembered by Sharmal.

Sharmal is presently studying in Grade 9 at Royal College, Colombo. He is grateful to his Principal Royal College Mr. Upali Gunasekera for granting him permission to participate in all the International Tournaments. Before his departure to Europe he captained the Royal College under-15 Tennis Team, which won the Public School Tennis Tournament 2010, beating St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya in the finals.
Sunday Observer

Murali has decided to retire from Test cricket after the first Test in Galle against India commencing 18th July, 2010. He will however be playing for the 2011 World Cup.

The 38-year-old champion bowler had discussions with the national selectors and SLC officials. He has had the blessings of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Minister of Sports, C B Ratnayake, SLC said.

SLC is to hold an official press conference to announce Murali’s retirement.

Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in both Test cricket and in One-Day Internationals.

Colombopage

Schedule

India’s Test tour: July 13-15: Practice match, Colombo; July 18-22: First Test, Galle; July 26-30: Second Test, SSC grounds, Maitland Place; August 3-7: Third Test, P. Sara Oval, Colombo.

Tri-series

India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Dambulla; Aug 10: New Zealand vs India; Aug 13: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka; Aug 16: India v Sri Lanka; Aug 19: New Zealand v Sri Lanka; Aug 22: India v Sri Lanka; Aug 25: New Zealand v India; Aug 28: Final.
Sunday Observer

With the one-point lead they enjoyed after a 38-37 thriller in Colombo a fortnight ago, Royal retained the coveted Bradby Shield with a convincing margin of 18 points.

Yesterday’s humiliating defeat was Trinity’s fifth consecutive loss at Bogambara Stadium as the host side. Royal collected their points from three goals, two tries and a penalty while Trinity had one goal and two tries.It was a right royal win for the Reid Avenue boys who produced a rich harvest in the second half after trailing 12-17 at half time. Royal were in full control of the game in the entire second half and ran down as many as five tries in the match of which three were converted.

Trinity entered the second half with a slim six point overall lead after Royal were trailing 12-17 at ‘lemons’. But the heavy and mobile Royal pack produced some fast and open rugby in the second half to cross the Trinity line thrice.

Royal College won the Bradby Shield for the 30th time by an aggregate of 72-54. By a margin of 18 points. Trinity have won the Shield 35 times with one encounter ending in a tie.
Before the commencement of the match both teams were introduced to the chief guest and Trinity rugby captain of 1972, Athula Unantenna who came over from Australia and also the Guest of Honour, Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, himself a fine ruggerite.

Trinity College have themselves to blame for this big defeat and they lost out in the scrums and line outs especially in the second half and their loose play was not impressive with their contests in the rucks hardly stopped the marauding Royalists.

Royal could have opened scoring almost with the kick off but stand off Arshad Jamaldeen’s kick was off target.

With play switching from the end to other the first 20 minutes saw no scoring.

In the 21st minute of play Trinity College three quarters moved the ball from right flank to the left and a good pass from stand off Rehan Weerakoon saw winger Akila Dissanayake made a screeching run and score far right.

Centre Kanchana Ramanayake added the extra points. Trinity 7-0 and they had wiped out the single point lead the Royalists had from the first leg.

But a few minutes later Royal College hit back when their winger Rimzy Jamaldeen collected a pass from Duminda Attygalle to touch down. Arshad Jamaldeen failed to add the extra points. Royal 5-7.

In the 30th minute Royal College took over the lead when their three-quarters were seen in action and winger Rimzy Jamaldeen plunged over mid right and this was goalled by Arshad Jamaldeen. Royal 12-7.

Trinity College touched back into the game when in the 30th minute of play winger Akila Dissanayaka shield his way to score far right and this try went unconverted.

In the 35th minute of play Trinity College scored their third try through prop forward Mohamed Nizmy following a forward charge. This try too went unconverted. Trinity led 17-12 by the lemons. But the second half saw the Royalists virtually over run the Lions through some power play by their forwards supported by the back division to beard the lions in their den.

First Arshard Jamaldeen missed a penalty in the 6th minute of second half.

But they got their acts together and in the 10th minute full back Chamara Dabare joined the three quarters to form the overlap and score far left. Fly half Arshad Jamaldeen added the extra points with a brilliant kick at goal. Royal had wrested the lead 19-17.

In the 21st minute Arshad Jamaldeen converted a 35 metre penalty to increase Royal’s lead to 22 – 17.

Royal kept adding pressure and Trinity defence was in latters. A forceful forwards attack saw No 8 Shehan Pathirana fall over far left and Jamaldeen added the extra points. Royal 29-17. In the dying stages of the game centre Muhasheen Faleld scored far left and this try went unconverted.

Dilroy Fernando refereed.

Trinity College won the Junior game for Simithrarachi Trophy 24-13 but Royal won this trophy too by an aggregate of 41-39 having won the first leg 28-15.
Sunday Observer

Trinity drew first blood in the second minute of play with a wonderful second phase move by fly half Rehan Weerakoon who passed the ball on to Wing three quarter Akila Dissanayake who scored a scintillating try. Kanchana Ramanayake who had a marvellous game for Trinity converted for his team to lead 7-0 in the opening minutes of play.Royal struck back fiercely with centre Tharaka Wijesuriya dashing through an open space to touch down. Musheen Faleel converted it and the scores were at 7-7. Trinity were awarded a couple of penalties and star player Kanchana Ramanayake was successful in a 45m difficult kick. He was spot on with his second kick as well which was a relatively easy one and Trinity were again in the lead 13-07.

In the 24th minute of play Royal were awarded a penalty and Fly Half Arshad Jamaldeen was successful with the kick. Another penalty was awarded to Royal and Jamaldeen who probably had his best game as a place kicker in the season was yet again successful and the score was even at 13-13.

Royal were once again on the charge in a 10m scrum with their powerful forwards led by No. 8 Shehan Pathirana and Jamaldeen executed a brilliant drop goal to have the score in Royals favour at 16-13.

The pendulum was swinging both ways as Trinity struck back with a wonderful try by Kanchana Ramanayake who was able to ease through the weak Royal three quarter line and he added extra points which gave Trinity the lead at the 33rd minute of play. In the 36 minute Trinity star player and No. 8 Shanon Armstrong was yellow carded by the referee. Just before half time Royal scored with a lovely inside pass by Jamaldeen to Dilshan Palihakkara. Musheen Faleel added extra points and at lemons Royal were leading 23-20.

Just after half time Royal were awarded another penalty and Jamaldeen was again successful with his golden boot.In slippery conditions and wet weather Trinity making mistakes, Royal were rewarded with a five meter scrum but Shehan Pathirana failed to score. The Royal third row who had an excellent game continued in being dominant against their counterparts as birthday boy Chilanka Samarajeewa dashed through the formidable Trinity defense to score another try. Jamaldeen failed to add extra points.

Royal were having a 11 point lead in the 58th minute but with both teams making mistakes under slippery conditions and Royal’s defense line being weak, it was all to play for Trinity. Royal’s vulnerable defense was exposed once again as the Trinity superior back division worked the ball wide and Centre Mohammad Shezan scored a breathtaking try.

Shezan’s joy was short-lived as he was awarded the Red Card for dangerous play and Trinity were down to 14 men in the park. Although one man down Trinity were once again in business and they were rewarded for their outstanding passing skills and forward play with Nimesh Yatawara scoring off a workman like try from a fourth phase play. It put Trinity once again in the lead with 32-31. In the 79th minute it was Royal’s turn to score as marauding hooker Adil Jabar scored under the post and Jamaldeen added extra points.

Trinity showed a lot of grit in the dying seconds and grinded through the faded Royal defense with some superb three quarter moves and speedy winger Akila Dissanayake scored in the blind side but reliable place kicker Ramanayake failed to do the all important conversion and the score was in Royal’s favour 38-37. Royal missed another opportunity to score a valuable try in loose play with the forwards loosing the ball and Referee Irshard Cader blew the whistle for full time.

The second leg of Bradby will take place in Pallekele on the 26th of June.

Royal won the Under 18 game 26-05.
Sunday Observer