Sports
Tharushi tops Asian Rankings, Gayanthika SL number one
by Reemus Fernando
Tharushi Karunaratne’s historic achievement at the Asian Games has powered her to the top of the Asian Rankings in the 800 metres. The teenager trained by Susantha Fernando has secured the top spot in the Asian Rankings according to the latest rankings published by World Athletics.
Ratnayake Central, Walala prodigy was the fastest in the two-lap race in the Asian region from the time she earned qualifying standards for the three Asian events early this year. But she was trailing behind her senior Sri Lankan counterpart Gayanthika Abeyratne and few regional rivals before the Asian Games as she had not taken part in top grade competitions.
Before the Asian Games, Karunaratne was ranked fifth behind K.M. Chanda (1. India), Gayanthika Abeyratne (2nd), and Japan’s Ayano Shiomi and Airi Ikezaki.
The 18-year-old now has 1186 points against her name. She is six points clear of her Indian rival K.M. Chanda who was placed second at the Asian Championships in July. Gayanthika Abeyratne who was placed third at the Asian Championships but missed the podium at the Asian Games held in Hangzhou is the third ranked Asian in the 800 metres.
It is a massive achievement for a country which has only three athletes who have gained more than 1000 ranking points this year. Sri Lanka have less than a dozen athletes who have run the distance under 2:15.00 seconds this year. While India have at least 23 athletes who have run the distance below that mark (according to World Athletics statistics) this year, some 44 Chinese athletes have produced sub 2:15 in the discipline this year. Japan has a staggering number of 175 athletes who have produced sub 2:15 seconds this year.
Both Susantha Fernando and Gayanthika’s coach Sajith Jayalal should be credited for their massive accomplishment as they have taught their charges the art of competing against their own personal best performances at local championships sans competition.
In the junior category, Karunaratne’s 2:00.66 seconds is the fifth fastest time in the world this year.
Meanwhile, Gayanthika is the overall highest ranked Sri Lankan according to the World Athletics rankings as her performances in both the 800 metres and the 1500 metres have earned her 1200 ranking points.
In the men’s overall category, 400 metres specialist Aruna Dharshana is the top ranked Sri Lankan. The Asian Games medallist is ranked sixth in the Asian region in the 400 metres.
Central College produced a remarkable final day comeback to win the Battle of the North Big Match, defeating St. John’s College by three wickets after an outstanding eighth-wicket partnership between Murali Thison and Jesuthasan Nitharsan.
Central had been playing second fiddle to their arch-rivals for most of the match until the morning of the third day, when Thison and Nitharsan turned the game around with a match-winning unbeaten stand of 93 runs.
At the start of the final day Central were in a difficult position, trailing by more than 120 runs with only four wickets in hand. Overnight batsman Iyathure Kabishek, who had scored 21, was dismissed after adding 37 runs for the seventh wicket with Thison. From that point onwards, Thison and Nitharsan combined to frustrate the St. John’s bowlers, batting together for 12 overs to guide their team to a memorable victory.
Emmanouil Karalis in action in Rouen
Thison had already been a thorn in the flesh of the St. John’s batting line-up from the opening day, capturing 12 wickets in the match, including seven in the second innings. However, his superb bowling effort initially appeared likely to go in vain due to Central’s poor batting performance.
Central beat St. John’s by three wickets at the Battle of the North Big Match.
Central had struggled in their first innings, being bowled out for just 95 runs, with the highest individual score coming from Antanareshan Abishek who made 23. Only three other batsmen reached double figures, while Thison was dismissed for just one run.
In contrast, Thison rose to the occasion in the second innings, producing a magnificent unbeaten 81 that proved to be the cornerstone of Central’s successful chase. His innings came off 126 balls and included eight boundaries and a six.
Nitharsan played the perfect supporting role with a brisk unbeaten 44 off just 33 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes to accelerate the scoring during the decisive stand.
Earlier in the innings, openers Jayaseelan Jenoshan (20) and Kabilan Amalan (45) had given Central a solid start, putting on 44 runs for the first wicket.
St. John’s had earlier gained the advantage with a first-innings lead, and in their second innings a brilliant century from Uthayanan Abijoyshanth — 121 off 105 balls with 15 fours and four sixes — helped them post a challenging total of 247.
Despite the odds being heavily stacked against them heading into the final day, Central’s determined batting display, led by Thison and Nitharsan, ensured a memorable turnaround and a thrilling victory in the historic Battle of the North.
The traditional Big Match between St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa and Prince of Wales’ College Moratuwa ended in a draw after an absorbing contest at De Soysa Stadium Moratuwa on Sunday.
St. Sebastian’s produced a strong second innings batting display with five top-order batsmen scoring half centuries to finish on 279 for five wickets declared, setting their arch rivals a target of 230 runs for victory.
Prince of Wales struggled in their run chase and were reeling at 54 for five wickets at stumps after 28 overs when play concluded.
Batting first, St. Sebastian’s were bowled out for 214 runs with Chamath Wellalage providing the main resistance with a half century. Nethul Anuhas and Rusandu Silva shared the bowling honours for the Cambrians, claiming three wickets each.
Prince of Wales responded with 263 runs in their first innings to take a slender lead. Suwahas Fernando anchored the innings with a well-compiled 77 off 145 deliveries, holding the top order together. Opening batsman Palingu Perera also made a valuable contribution with 42 runs.
Milantha Silva was the standout bowler for the Sebastianites, delivering a marathon spell of 36.2 overs to capture five wickets for 100 runs. Koshendra Fernando provided good support, claiming three wickets while bowling 31 overs.
In their second innings, St. Sebastian’s mounted an impressive batting effort. Thivanka Fernando (50), Kaveesha Perera (52), Lashen Fernando (54), Koshendra Fernando (66 not out off 68 balls) and Chamath Wellalage (50 not out off 49 balls) all struck half centuries as the Sebastianites declared at 279 for five, setting up an intriguing finish.
However, the Cambrians lost wickets at regular intervals during their chase before the match eventually ended in a draw.
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