Only 3.2 overs of play was possible in the one day limited over match at SSC grounds today. This match too was arranged in place of the scheduled second 4-day tour match between the two sides which was abandoned as a draw.
Galle Esplanade is hosting an international match after a lapse of nearly four years and a good crowd is expected for this game. Sri lanka Board X1 will be led by Test opener Russel Arnold who played a captain's innings of 168 in the first match at Sara Stadium.
* An unbeaten half century by Chaminda Kithsiri enabled Badulla Maroons 'B' to beat Passara Sports Club in their Badulla league limited over cricket tournament played at the Badulla Esplanade.
Batting first Badulla Maroons scored 172 runs in their allotted overs with Chaminda scoring an unbeaten 50 runs ably supported by Yohan Eriyawela (32) and Thilan Ovitigala (28). Passara SC were able to score 106 runs losing 5 wickets in their allotted overs.
Sunday 21, September 1997
CRICKET (Abroad):
* World champions Sri Lanka is yet to confirm their participation at the one day triangular series to be played in England next summer. Sri Lanka, along with South Africa and England, have been drawn to play in the three-nation tournament to be played in England in August next year.
The tournament will take place before Sri Lanka's one-off Test against England at the Oval from August 27 to 31. Sri Lanka also plans to host its Independence Cup tournament in September next year and three other teams will be invited for the event. South Africa is down to play Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Triangular one day international series in Trent Bridge on August 14, next year. The three will play each other once on a league basis and the top two teams will advance to the final to be played at Lord's on September 20. (Home):
* An unbeaten half century by Chaminda Kithsiri enabled Badulla Maroons 'B' to beat Passara Sports Club in their Badulla league limited over cricket tournament played at the Badulla Esplanade.
Batting first Badulla Maroons scored 172 runs in their allotted overs with Chaminda scoring an unbeaten 50 runs ably supported by Yohan Eriyawela (32) and Thilan Ovitigala (28). Passara SC, were able to score only 106 runs losing 5 wickets in 22.3 overs.
* A fine knock of 52 runs from former Ananda College and Colombo University allrounder Prabhath Senanayake helped Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to emerge the Nationalised Services 'B' division league champions on points over National Water Board, match played at NSCA grounds, Ratmalana.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, batting first, made 220 for 9 declared with valuable contributions from Prabhath Senanayake 52, S. de Mel 35, Anjana Prabhath 33, D. Wijesinghe 32, and U. Senarath 32. In the bowling, I. A. W. Perera 3 for 29, H. R. Wijeratna 2 for 40 shared the wickets. National Water Board made only 110 for 7 at close with S. R. Epa making a top score of 40. J. K. Samarajeewa 3 for 27 and S. de Mel 3 for 40 shared the wickets for the champions.
* Sri Lanka Under-19 team has confirmed its tours to India and South Africa starting later this year. Sri Lanka Under-19's Indian tour is their annual reciprocal meeting.
Sri Lanka Under-19 team will make a full tour of Sri Lanka in October/ November to play three Youth Tests and three one day limited over matches. Sri Lanka will also take part at the 1997/98 Under-19 Youth World cup tournament to be worked off in South Africa. Sri Lanka pool for the Indian tour has already been picked and the final 16-member tour party will be named shortly.