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Zumri steps onto a field  of rugby magicians

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By A Special Sports Correspondent

Kandy Sports Club is a bit under pressure when it comes to being committed to rugby. This is because rugby seems to be the only worthwhile entertainment in sport for the folks in the central hills. Hence all eyes are on them and the expectations are that they’d win all the time when the players from the Nittawela club take to the field. It’s not easy to make it to the team wearing the blue, white and red jerseys for new entrants to the club. But last season’s schools rugby sensation from Isipatana College Shahid Zumri made the grade at Kandy SC and sees his name in the team list. He made his debut in club rugby when he played for Kandy SC in the match against Army; which was Kandy’s second match this season. Unofficial reports state that Zumri was unavailable for the first match this season due to an education commitment.

Now it’s going to be a new chapter in life for this lad. He’ll be considered an adult from now onwards, but he’ll have to make his own choices when tempted with choices that are either good or bad. Unlike in Colombo, the distractions are minimum up here in the hills and the Kandy rugby authorities are sticklers for discipline. It’s the disciplined way of life and commitment to the sport that have driven this club to resemble a bullet train. When everything is well set ‘the Kandy bullet train’ is a sight to witness. Anything that blocks its way will be crushed under its wheels. But sadly, last season was an exception. Kandy SC lost its title to CR&FC; losing both the home and away fixtures in the league tournament to the red shirts. Kandy SC even pulled out of the Clifford cup knockout tournament, disappointing rugby fans in the process.

Shaheed Zumri

Players like Zumri have joined the Kandy side at a crucial juncture. This period can be witnessed as a team building time. This means the coaching staff will be experimenting with players, to find the best starting line-up. It’s good for players like Zumri to be groomed into being the next set of players who’d take on the mantle at Kandy Sports Club. That grooming will be done by players in the likes of Tharinda Ratwatte, Nigel Ratwatte and skipper Srinath Sooriyabandara who are the stars in the three quarter line. By the fourth match this season, a veteran of many seasons, Dhanushka Ranjan, lost his place to Zumri. That’s how rugby is; an old hand reigns supreme till a young guy comes knocks him out. The new rugby terms don’t allow us to call the non playing seven or eight players on the bench to be termed as reserves. They are known as finishers. Yes, reserves are very important and are needed to reinforce the side, but not being in the starting lineup gives so many messages to the players on the bench. A club starts off the game with the best it has and not being in that initial 15 means you need to work harder. Dhanushka Ranjan is a sensation when at his best and what we’ve seen from him when at his peak of perfection is perhaps what some of the best moments of Sri Lanka rugby is made of, here and overseas. But Ranjan’s position is threatened.

This is also perhaps a nice time to recall how one of Isipatana’s best products, the late Sajith Mallikarachchi, came to Kandy after a few seasons with at least two Colombo based clubs and become a darling with Kandy’s rugby crowds. He single handedly gave Kandy some of its best wins and even went on to captain both the Nittawela side and the Sri Lanka team. Zumri can take a cue from how Mallikarachchi made the transition from school rugby to club rugby and then the national team.

Now let’s look at the Kandy SC back division. It’s a virtual Sri Lanka three quarter line. How would other clubs play against them or negotiate this challenge. As much as doing wonders with the running skills they possess, if the Kandy three quarters work on their defence and become ruthless tacklers as well, then opposite sides will be forced to play only with their forwards when taking on Kandy. Something similar happened at the time when Mallikarachchi played for Kandy SC as fly half and the side comprised players like Fazil Marija and Pradeep Liyanage as centres and Sanjeewa Jayasinghe and Radeeka Hettiarachchi as the wings and Nalaka Weerakkody as full back. Back then, this writer forgets the year, CH&FC took the fight up to Kandy SC by playing with their forwards and used one strip of the ground (like ten metres from the touch line inwards) and kept hitting with their forwards. That was the brainchild of coach Wazeel Hafeel who was the coach of the Gymkhana Club at that time. The late George Simpkins (Sri Lanka national coach at one time) who watched the game had complimented Hafeel for designing that ploy. And we know that George would only praise a feat in rugby only if it’s up to his level of thinking.

Last week Kandy SC pulled off a victory from the jaws of defeat. Nigel Ratwatte, who was struggling to play at his best till last week this season, suddenly came alive in the crucial game against Havecloks Sports Club and set up the match winning try in the dying stages of the game to send Dinal Ekanayake over for a touchdown. One of the inspiring features about Nigel is that he isn’t a selfish player and wants his side to win. The same can be said about Tharinda, his cousin, who is right now easily the best player the county possesses in any form of rugby.

Zumri has come from Colombo and climbed a mountain to reach the summit, Kandy Sports Club. The lad must be warned that being on top has its dangers because there are other hungry ‘wolves’ climbing the mountain and eyeing a piece of the rugby pie. If Zumri wants to remain in Kandy he has to cultivate the ability to be always hungry. Complacency has no place at the Nittawela club. At Kandy Sports Club, players are conditioned not to allow successes to go to their heads. Right now Kandy SC’s flag is fluttering and the lion emblem in it can be depicted as being very happy if an emoji is used redo the animal. But there is unfinished business for Kandy SC this season, hence no one is allowed to smile till the league is won and the cup is brought back home.



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Walking away with grace

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Rex Clementine in Galle

With runs drying up like a parched wicket under the blazing sun, the writing had been on the wall for Dimuth Karunaratne. Before the selectors could raise the finger, he walked, announcing his retirement – a decision so typical of a man known for his pragmatism. Once again, he put the team ahead of himself, just as he always had.

It was the kind of selflessness you’d expect from someone who, two years ago, voiced his dismay when the selectors failed to name a successor at the end of the Test Championship cycle. He believed that a new skipper should take the reins when the next cycle began, setting fresh goals and charting a bold course. Such integrity is a rare commodity in modern cricket. In fact in any walk of life. Dimuth wasn’t power hungry. He always saw the larger picture. Ranil has so much to learn from Dimuth.

Dimuth’s career, spanning 15 years, was largely blemish-free – a remarkable feat in an era where cricketers live under the unrelenting glare of public scrutiny. The only blot on his copybook was a road accident that saw him charged with drunk driving.

But unlike some of his peers, he didn’t attempt a cover-up. He faced the music, compensated the affected party, accepted Sri Lanka Cricket’s heavy fine, admitted his fault, and moved on. It was the kind of accountability that set him apart.

Beyond that, his discipline was second to none. Never late for a training session. Never embroiled in a feud – be it with teammates, coaches, selectors, or even reporters. He played the game the right way, walking away with the respect of both his own dressing room and his adversaries. The Aussies, a side that does not hand out compliments easily, gave him a rousing guard of honour in his farewell Test – a fitting tribute.

These Karunaratnes, they are a fine lot. His father, Lal, worked at the Road Passenger Transport Authority, while his mother, Chandrika, was a devoted homemaker. His younger sister, Dilki, settled in Australia a few years ago. From their early days in Maradana, the family moved to the more affluent suburb of Pelawatta. But no matter how far Dimuth’s cricketing journey took him, he remained rooted in family values. The sight of his mother holding onto his hand during the presentation in Galle before his 100th Test was a moment that tugged at the heartstrings.

Dimuth, the man, will be celebrated even more than Dimuth, the cricketer – and that is a rare thing to say about a modern-day subcontinental player.

He was Sri Lanka’s crisis man, the go-to leader when chaos reigned. He took charge when deep divisions had fractured the team – the selectors keen on asserting their authority, the team management desperate to stick to their blueprint. Dimuth was the bridge between the two warring camps, and his ability to unite them bore fruit in the form of unprecedented success.

His crowning glory as captain came in 2019 when he led Sri Lanka to a historic Test series victory in South Africa. No other Asian team – not even Pakistan with their arsenal of fast bowlers, nor India with their batting juggernauts – had conquered the Proteas in their own backyard. That triumph remains one of Sri Lanka’s greatest feats.

Dimuth’s leadership style was unique, understated yet effective. When you speak of great captains, you think of Imran Khan’s charisma, Mike Brearley’s tactical genius, Arjuna Ranatunga’s defiance, or Ian Chappell’s steely resolve. Dimuth possessed none of those traits in abundance, yet he skippered with quiet authority, proving that leadership comes in many forms.

In the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup, Sri Lanka’s team was so divided that the selectors, desperate for unity, thrust Dimuth into the ODI squad – despite the fact that he hadn’t played a 50-over game for over four years. Such was the faith in his ability to bring order to the chaos.

As an opening batsman, he was a purist’s delight – disciplined, resolute, and blessed with the ability to bat long. He was a throwback to an era when opening the innings was an act of endurance, not just aggression. But it must be said – he underachieved with the bat. With his technique and temperament, he should have averaged comfortably over 40. Yet, as Father Time tightened its grip, the big scores began to elude him. Cricket, after all, is a game where even the best eventually get beaten.

Still, what a career it has been. Dimuth Karunaratne – the selfless leader, the crisis man, the gentleman cricketer. A man who cared deeply for his parents, his mates, and his beloved SSC. A man who, in both life and cricket, stayed true to his middle name – Frank.

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Etihad Airways completes cricket tour of Sri Lanka

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Etihad Airways captain Arshad Khan receives the trophy from Mr. Mohammed Rashid Al-Eghfeli, Director of Government International Affairs and CSR, Etihad Aviation Group.

The Etihad Airways cricket team recently concluded a memorable tour of Sri Lanka, engaging in a competitive series against Saracens Sports Club. The matches were played at Rifle Green in Colombo, providing a fitting stage for an exciting contest.

Boasting a diverse squad with players from multiple nationalities, Etihad Airways showcased remarkable talent throughout the series. The team was led by skipper Arshad Khan, while all-rounder Mohammed Shareef delivered an outstanding performance, making a significant impact with both bat and ball.

Rahil Sada was a standout with the ball, consistently troubling the opposition, while Darshana Peiris impressed with his batting prowess, playing several crucial innings.

The tour not only provided thrilling cricket but also strengthened sporting ties between the teams, making it a memorable experience for players and fans alike.

The Etihad Airways cricket team that toured Sri Lanka.

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Subarman’s six fer helps Jaffna Hindu win 14th Battle of the Hindus by 64 runs

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Satharsan Subaman was named the Man of the Match for his six wicket haul
A six wicket haul including a hat trick by Satharsan Subaman helped Jaffna Hindu College beat Hindu College Colombo by 64 runs in the 14th edition of the Battle of the Hindus which ended  on Saturday. With this win Jaffna Hindu lead the 14 match series four  wins to three.
Twenty two wickets fell on the first day of the match and Jaffna Hindu resuming on their overnight score of 71//2 declared their second essay at 170/9 giving Hindu College Colombo a victory target of 252. The visitors got off to a good start anchored by a well compiled 72 runs by Suresh Kumar Midusigan and a run a ball 39 from S Sarvish, but fell short by 64 runs as Suberman ripped through the tail end.
Best Batsman – Suresh Kumar Midusigan [Hindu College Colombo] [72 runs]
Best Bowler – VishwanathanYuaraj [Hindu College Colombo] [4-27 and 4-47]
Best Fielder – T Preethikan [Jaffna Hindu College]
Man of the Match – Satharshan Subaman [Jaffna Hindu College] [6-58]
Brief scores: 
Jaffna Hindu College 172/10 in 43.5 overs (K Pareshshith 20,  A Vithushan 49; P Shri Nithushan 2-24, R Dheskar 2-39, Vishwanathan Yuvaraj 4-27) and (71/2 overnight)  170/9dec  in 54 overs ( K Pareshshith 39, A Vithushan 25,  I Shrivasthan 26, S Abhivaran 27* ; Vishwanathan Yuvaraj 4-47. R Dheskar 4-35)
Hindu College Colombo  91/10  in  32.5 overs (T Santhosh 42; Sutharsan Subaran 2-31, A Vithushan 2-16, K Nithees 4-12,) and 187/10 in 55.5 overs [T Yadushan 25, Sureshkumar  Midusigan 72, S Sarvish 39; Satharsan Subaman 6-58, K Nithees 2-75]
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