Yohanslanka.com

27 Oct 2009 Welagedara Makes Test Comeback.

Left arm paceman Chanaka Welagedara has been included in the Test squad named for the tour of India scheduled to start in November. Squads for all 3 formats were announced after the ratification from the Hon. Minister of Sports Gamini Lokuge. T20 squad includes hard hitting domestic batsman Chinthaka Jayasinghe. Also making a comeback in the T20 format is 28 year old all rounder Kaushalya Weeraratne. Welegedara is also included in the T20 squad but misses out in the ODI squad.

Test Squad

1.       Kumar Sangakkara                  ( Captain)

2.       Muttaiah  Muralidharan          (Vice Captain)

3.       Mahela Jayawardena

4.       T.M. Dilshan

5.       Tharanga Paranawithana

6.       Thilan Samaraweera

7.       Anjelo Mathews

8.       Thilina Kandambi

9.       Prasanna Jayawardana

10.   Kaushal Silva

11.   Chanaka Welegedara

12.   Tilan Thushara Mirando

13.   Nuwan Kulasekera

14.   Dhammika Prasad

15.   Rangana Hearth

16.   Ajantha Mendis

Stand By

1.       Dilhara Fernando

2.       Chamara Kapugedara

3.       Malinda Warnapura

4.       Suraj Randev

ODI Squad

     1.       Kumar Sangakkara                  ( Captain)

2. Muttaiah  Muralidharan          (Vice Captain)
3. Mahela Jayawardana
4. T.M. Dilshan
5. Chamara Kapugedara
6. Tilina Kamdambi
7. Upul Tharanga
8. Anjelo Mathews
9. Thilan Samaraweera
10. Sanath Jayasuriya
11. Lasith Malinga
12. Dilhara Fernando
13. Tilan Thushara Mirando
14. Nuwan Kulasekera
15. Ajantha Mendis

Stand By

1. Chanaka Welagedara
2. Lahiru Thirimanna
3. Malinga Bandara

T20 Squad

Kumar Sangakkara                  ( Captain)

Muttaiah  Muralidharan          (Vice Captain)

Mahela Jayawardena

Sanath Jayasuriya  

T.M. Dilshan

Chamara Kapugedara

Anjelow Mathews

Chinthaka Jayasinghe

Kaushal Weerarathne

Ajantha Mendis

Muthumudalige Pushpakumara

Chanaka Welegedara

Tilan Thushara

Lasith Malinga

Nuwan Kulasekera

Stand By

1. Malinga Bandara
2. Nuwan Soyza
3. Thisara Perera

Appointment of Stuart Law as Assistant Coach.

By Brian Thomas

Former  Australian Test and one day player Stuart Law,will take over as  assistant coach of the national team.

His appointment will be in effect from 03 November 2009.Stuart has replaced former coach Paul Farbrace.

SLC cricket officials and the coaching unit took an unanimous decision in picking the former Australian,

national player based on the fact that Stuart's track record at domestic and international level was note worthy.

He holds, a Level 2 coaching accreditation from Cricket Australaia,and was a player with vast experience in 

 the Austalian domestic and the English county championships.With 40000 runs to his credit in all forms of 

the game, Stuart stands tall with his leadership qualities as a cricketer..

His career spans over two decades,with 15 years at Queensland cricket association, out of which he captained

the state for 10years. During his illustrious career with Queensland the right hander won 5 first class titles as captain

and two One -day titles.Stuart also boasts of English county experience with Essex and Lancashire. Stuart also had

the honor of captaining, Lancashire for two years.

His overal, strengths and personal qualities as a highly sucessful player,both energetic and professional,and furthur

his maturity in coaching and man management speaks volumes. 

Stuart is an outstanding mentor,he's articulate with excellent communication skills.His track record of instilling a 

winning mentality in induviduals and his skill levels will be an important package in helping Sri Lanka to reach

cricketing excellence.

Former Australian legend Allan Border recomended Stuart Law to SLC, and briefed the panel of Stuart's capabilities.  

Colts Regain Top Spot

Colts Cricket Club regained the top spot in the Tier- A segment of the Premier limited over tournament from the previous leader Tamil Union.

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1. The Treasurer and Secretary of SLC attended the arbitration hearing in Singapore on 15.10.2009 on the specific request made by its Lawyers. They were specifically advised that inasmuch as it was an important hearing in the case and given the fact that SLC was the Claimant in the proceedings it should be represented at the said hearing. The Respondent NIMBUS along with their lawyers too were represented at the hearing. As such the statement that the 'Singapore law firm which SLC has hired had sent an email, stating specifically that the parties involved are not necessary to be present at the arbitration proceedings, meaning that the presence of SLC officials are not required…." Is false, misleading, defamatory and irresponsible.
   
   
2. The in house legal Officer of SLC did not attend the hearing because with regard to this dispute SLC has at all times been advised by its counsel Mr Navin Marapana Attorney-at-Law. Thus SLC had not "forgotten" to send its in house legal officer to Singapore as incorrectly stated in the said article, it chose not to send him as Mr Navin Marapana, Attorney-at-Law was attending the hearing.
   
   
3. The disputed contract with NIMBUS was entered into after a formal and transparent bidding process supervised at all times by the auditors of Sri Lanka Cricket. It was awarded to NIMBUS because they were the highest bidder. Thus it was not a "dubious TV deal" as incorrectly and unfairly stated in the said article.
   
   
4. Given the present world market conditions a price of USD 3.6 million for a single ODI involving the Indian National Team is unrealistic and the contract value in the NIMBUS contract reflects the present market values. This fact is confirmed by the fact that in the recently concluded Triangular ODI Tournament between Sri Lanka, New Zealand and India, which was broadcast by TAJ TV, the price paid for an ODI involving the Indian National Team was similar to the price paid by NIMBUS.
   
   
5. The contract with NIMBUS specifically contained a requirement that NIMBUS should provide a Bank Guarantee. This requirement has not been "ignored" as incorrectly stated in the said article. Thus SLC has taken all prudent steps to
   
   
6. protect it self contractually. A breach by NIMBUS is however a contingency beyond the control of SLC but because it has been protected contractually it is in a position to recover the monies due to it through arbitration proceedings. As such the statement that "SLC has no mode to recover the sums due to it.." is false and misleading.
   
   
7. The decision to incorporate a clause stating that all disputes would be subject to arbitration in Singapore was taken consciously inasmuch as NIMBUS was a Company registered in Singapore. As such, although arbitration in Singapore is initially costly, a successful party to such proceedings is entitled to recover its costs as well as interest. Further an arbitral award in Singapore becomes enforceable immediately in Singapore against a Singaporean Company. If the arbitration was conducted in Sri Lanka it would not be immediately enforceable in Singapore. It would have to be converted into a judgement of a Singaporean Court before it becomes enforceable and as such proceedings would in any event have to be initiated in Singapore. Further SLC has been advised that arbitration proceedings in Singapore are quicker than similar proceedings in Sri Lanka.
   
   
8. The statement that  "However, soon after the series against India was over, Minister made a U-turn in his attitude towards Ten Sports and gave SLC the green light to sign a fresh deal with them." Is once again misleading and inaccurate. The Hon Minister of Sports and Public Recreation sanctioned the re-signing of the contract with TAJ TV after TAJ TV agreed to significantly increase the sums payable to Sri Lanka Cricket than those contained in the contract that was cancelled. The settlement with TAJ TV came about pursuant to the proceedings in a fundamental rights application brought against the Hon Minister of Sports & Public Recreation. This case was dismissed by their Lordships of the Supreme Court and another application to have the settlement entered into with TAJ TV annulled was also dismissed by their Lordships of the Supreme Court.
   
   
9. This press statement is given strictly without prejudice to SLC's legal rights.
   

SRI LANKA UNDER 19 TEAM CAPTAINED BY YOUNG CHATHURA PEIRIS, UNDER THE WATCHFULEYES OF COACH NAVEED NAWAZ  TOURED  AUSTRALIA FOR  A 5 MATCH ONE DAY SERIES. THE TOUR WAS A GREAT SUCCESS, SINCE THE YOUNG LADS GOT THE BETTER OF THEIR COUNTER PARTS ON PITCHES THAT HAD EXTRA BOUNCE . THE SELECTION PROCESS TO PICK THE FINAL SQAUAD WAS A LONG ONE, SINCE THE SCHOOL SELECTORS SCRUTINIZED 116 PLAYERS FROM ALL PROVINCES.

 THE SRI LANKA UNDER 19 TEAM PLAYED THEIR FIRST ODI ON THE 2^ND OF OCTOBER, WHICH WAS TRIMMED DOWN TO 25 OVERS DUE OVERNIGHT RAIN. WINNING THE TOSS SRI LANAKAN SKIPPER INVITED THE AUSTRALIANS TO TAKE FIRST LEASE OF THE GARDENS OVAL PITCH IN DARWIN.THE AUSRALIANS MADE 182 IN THEIR ALLOTTED 25 OVERS WITH TOM BEATON AND N.MADDINSON,THE FORMER SCORING 59 AND THE LATTER 46.FOR SRI LANKA SEAMERS  CHATHURA PEIRIS AND CHARITH JAYAMPATHIE GOT AMONG THE WICKETS CAPTURING 2 WICKETS EACH. SRI LANKA UNDER 19, LOST THE LUNG OPENER BY 18 RUNS DESPITE A BRAVE EFFORT BY KITHRUWAN VITHANAGE WHO MADE 47 WITH FOUR FOURS AND 2 SIXES. SRI LANKA WERE ON TARGET, ON 139 FOR 3 WICKETS AT ONE STAGE, HOWEVER A MIDDLE ORDER STRUGGLE COST THE SRI LANKANS THE GAME.

THE 2^ND ODI AT THE SAME VENUE SAW THE AUSSIES PILE UP 252 RUNS FOR 8 WICKETS WITH NICK MADDINSON TOP SCORING WITH A RUN A BALL 133 THAT INCLUDED 11 FOURS AND 4 BIG SIXES. ALL THE SRI LANKAN BOWLERS WERE PUT TO THE SWORD, HOWEVER SKIPPER CHATHURA PEIRIS STUCK TO HIS WICKET TAKING WAYS BY CLAIMING 3 WICKETS.SRI LANKA'S REPLY WAS EXQUSIT, WINNING THIS ENCOUNTER IN 38.5 OVERS WITH BANUKA RAJAPAKSHA ENJOYING A FIELD DAY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE HAPLESS AUSSIE BOWLERS BY SCORING 154 RUNS IN JUST 11 BALLS THAT INCLUDED 14 BOUNDRIES AND 8 MASSIVE HITS OVER THE ROPES.ROMESH BUDDIKA PLAYED THE SUPPORTING ROLE WITH AN ELEGANT 57. THE END RESULT READ A HUGE 7 WICKET WIN FOR SRI LANKA.

THE 3^RD ODI WAS A BIG STRUGGLE FOR THE AUSTRALIANS.THE SR LANKAN SEAMERS GOT THEIR ACT ON A UNEVEN TRACK, TO RESTRICT THE AUSTRALIANS TO 160 ALL OUT IN 49.2 OVERS. NUMBER 10 LUKE DORAN MADE 26, WHILE THE REST OF THE AUSSIES WERE UNDONE BY CHARITH JAYAMPATHI, CHATHURA PEIRIS AND 3^RD SEAMER BANUKA RAJAPAKSHA. SRI LANKA TOOK A 2-1 LEAD IN THE 5 MATCH SERIES BY GETTING TO THE TARGET OF 161 IN JUST 34 OVERS, LOOSING 5 WICKETS. KITHRUWAN VITHANAGE PROVED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH ANOTHER HALF CENTURY WHEN HE TOP SCORED WITH A WORKMAN LIKE 61.

 THE 4^TH ODI WAS DISSAPOINTING FROM A SRI LANKAN PERSPECTIVE.TAKING FIRST LEASE OF THE  MARRARA CRICKET GROUNDS AT DARWIN THE YOUNG LIONS WERE BOWLED OUT FOR 155 RUNS IN 45 OVERS.  SIX TOP ORDER BATSMAN WERE BACK IN THE HUT, WITH THE SCORE ON 67, HOWEVER THE MIDDLE ORDER HELPED BY MAHESH GUNATHILEKE AND CHARITH JAYAMPATHI,MANAGED TO SCORE A RESPECTABLE SCORE ON A SEAMERS PARADISE.THE AUSSIE BATSMAN IN PURSUITE OF 156  LEVELLED THE SERIES WITH AN EMPHATIC WIN BY 6 WICKETS, AND WITH 72 BALLS TO SPARE. PHIL HANDSCOMB ON 38 AND TIM ARMSTRONG WITH A PATIENT 39 WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR AUSRALIA TO REACH THE MODEST TARGET.

 THE 5^TH AND THE FINAL GAME, THAT WOULD DECIDE THE SERIES WINNER WAS PLAYED YET AGAIN AT THE MARRARA GROUNDS IN DARWIN.THE AUSTRALIANS PUT INTO BAT ON A TURNING PITCH STRUGLED AGAINST TOP QUALITY SPIN DISHED OUT BY RUSHAN JALEEL AND SARANGA RAJAGURU. THE FINGER SPIN OF JALEEL AND THE WRIST SPIN OF RAJAGURU SAW THE HOME TEAM CRASH TO THEIR LOWEST TOTAL OF THE SERIES.IT WAS ALL OVER FOR THE AUSTRALIANS BOWLED OUT IN 37.3 OVERS FOR 122 RUNS. IT WILL BE UNFAIR TO STATE THAT SRI LANKA REACHED THE TARGET WITH EASE. SRI LANKA WITH 5 WICKETS DOWN FOR 70, WERE VULNERABLE  AND THE GAME COULD HAVE GONE EITHER WAY. THE CONSISTANCY OF THE MIDDLE ORDER HELPED SRI LANKA REACH THE TARGET IN 23.2 OVERS, LOOSING 6 WICKETS IN THE PROCESS, BEFORE   WINNING THE SERIES BY 5 - 3.

 CREDIT MUST GO TO A CORPORATE BODY  THAT MADE  THIS HISTORIC TOUR A REALITY.  SLC'S CHAIRMAN  MR. D S DE SILVA  USED HIS VAST EXPERIENCE   IN HAND -PICKING   THE SUPPORT STAFF    FOR THIS TOUR.  NAVEED NAWAZ   THE HEAD COACH  HAD FOUR SUCCESSFUL SEASONS WITH THE SSC, WHILE ARAVINDA DE SILVA  IS THE BEST  BATTING COACH  ANY TEAM IN THE WORLD   WOULD LOVE TO HAVE. UPUL  CHANDANA   WAS ANOTHER ONE  OF D S DE SILVA'S  HAND -PICKED COACHES  SINCE  UPUL  WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL FIELDER  WHO HAS THE NATURAL  INSTINCT  TO MOTIVATE YOUNGSTERS.   THE TEAM WAS MANAGED BY DEVARAJ A FORMER ALL CEYLON ALL-ROUNDER WHO REPRESENTED TAMIL UNION IN DIVISION I  CRICKET.  THIS SENIOR CITIZEN IS A GENTLEMAN WITH INTEGRITY. THIS AUGURS WELL FOR SRI LANKA CRICKET FOR THE FUTURE.  THE BEST BRAINS TO HANDLE THE UP AND COMING YOUNGSTERS. 

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