Eastern Riders led by star Sri Lankan players beat Western Challengers to win inaugural Olam Cup

Captain Sanath Jayasuriya receiving Inaugural Cup from Singapore President S R Nathan.

Sanath Jayasuriya hits one out of the ground.

SINGAPORE: The Eastern Riders, led by their star Sri Lankan players, won the inaugural IAT20 Super Challenge Olam Cup in Singapore on Sunday.

Four teams competed in the two-day event at the Indian Association grounds, and the Eastern Riders and the Western Challengers made it to the finals.

Fans lapped up world-class cricket on display as the two teams fought it out.

Batting first, the Challengers posted 189 runs for 8, setting a 190 target for their opponents to chase.

The Riders got off to a bad start when their biggest batsman, Sanath Jayasuriya, was out for 6.

Youngster Irfan Nasir caught the Sri Lankan star after Tom Harrison bowled.

But his compatriot, Upul Tharanga, took off where he left and the Riders charged ahead to finish on 190 runs for 6 to clinch victory.

President SR Nathan, who enjoyed watching the sport in his younger days, was on hand to present the trophy and the winning cheque of $15,000.

Organisers claim it has been a long time since they have seen such a large paying crowd at a cricket event as the Olam Cup.

And here's more good news - bigger-name stars are being planned to make their appearances in the next editions of the Olam Cup in 2011 and 2012.

Jayasuriya & Tharanga to play for Eastern Riders, Singapore

Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga will play for the Eastern Riders, Singapore

Sri Lankan international players Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga will play for the Eastern Riders along with the Southern Kings, Western Challengers, Northern Spice Devils team in the inaugural Indian Association Twenty20 Super Challenge here in Singapore.

ONE of India's richest men, Dr Bhupendra Kumar Modi wants to put a fast spin on the local cricket scene by forking out about $50,000 to sponsor the Northern Spice Devils team, which will include Pakistani international player Taufiq Umar, in a tournament here from Jan 29-31.

"The international players in our team are going to be names which everybody have heard of - Sanath Jayasuriya who's a master blaster and we have got this upcoming guy Upul Tharanga who is also in the Sri Lankan team," said Sunder Mani, captain of Eastern Riders (Olam Cup).

"We've got Saad Khan, the promising fast bowler from Pakistan and we are getting Taufiq Umar from Pakistan," said Munish Arora, Northern Spice Devils (Olam Cup).

But it's not all about big names, as the younger players too will gain valuable exposure.

"We are gearing up very well. We have about seven national team players who represented Singapore so we have been training really hard for the tournament," said Buddhika Mendis, captain of Southern Kings (Olam Cup).

The organisers hope the event will also bring the community together.

"The focus is on the Indian community. We do have different sections of the community, but the common thread is all of them love cricket, and all of them play cricket. That provides a platform where all these different communities can come together with a common passion," said Murali Pany, chairman of Board of Games, Indian Association.

Sharing that passion with them is President SR Nathan who will be the guest-of-honour.

In addition to winning the cup, $25,000 will be offered as prize money, with the winning team pocketing $15,000.

The event will be held for the next two years but beyond the Olam Cup, Singapore cricket has big plans. The national team has already engaged a new coach, former Sri Lankan Team Captain and the 1996 World Cup winning team member, Marvan Atapattu

• Also Read : Sanath, Tharanga lead Eastern Riders to win inaugural Olam Cup

Factor of “Sanath Jayasuriya” in the Political Arena

Sanath Teran Jayasuriya-a Master Blaster can be considered as Youth icon ,celebrity and “a man coming with village and did(still doing) Miracles in the world of cricket”.

Sri Lankans go crazy whenever the “Matara Mauler” walks into the pitch.He used to hold a very distinctive record almost never to be achieved by a single cricket player. He held the fastest fifty (against Pakistan 17 balls) and fastest 150 (against England in 95 balls) in ODI cricket.

The most enchanting moment of Master Blaster Jayasuriya’s career was in 1996 when Sri Lanka team emerged champions of the World Cup tournament in the sub continent, beating Australia by seven wickets in the final played in Lahore on March 17, 1996. Jayasuriya had a rich harvest during the 1996 World Cup to be adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

This efforts won him the prestigious Wisden Cricketer of the Year award the following year.In Test also He Scored 6973 runs with one triple century, three double centuries, 14 centuries and 31 fifties. His highest score was 340 against India in Premadasa Stadium,Sri Lanka.

People do admiring Sanath not only because of his batting but because he stands as “Sana from matara”. The uniqueness in Jayasuriya’s exemplary career has been his humbleness. Though he is the only player to score more than 13,000 runs and capture more than 300 wickets in one day internationals, he is still the very same Jayasuriya who used to travel to Colombo by bus from Matara with his heavy cricket baggage during the early part of his career.

Why “Sanath Jayasuriya” factor is important in this time? People will say because of his cricket. Yes. But more importantly he indeed can be considered as a cricketer of a “common man” Who came from the village. Why rural sector is importance? Rural sector represented the 75% of the population in Sri Lanka. So the ratio between rural and urban is 75:25! Some argued that this time the village will be the decisive factor to win the election.

As a celebrity Sanath can be considered as most famous figure throughout the world. Especially young cricketers try to imitate the unique batting style of Sanath which can be considered as “Sanath’s special”. Even in india still some people know Sri Lanka because of Jayasuriya!!”.He is the first cricketer to be appointed as a UN Goodwill Ambassador (by UNAIDS, Geneva) for his commitment to prevention of HIV/AIDS among young people in Sri Lanka .If you type Sanath Jayasuriya in Google(one of the popular search engine in the internet) you can find out 273,000 pages as result!

Cricketers supporting to particular political parties is not uncommon in South Asian countries. In Sri Lanka we got players like Arjuna Rantunga, Hashan Thillakarathne etc. Arjuna’s entry into politics was not a miracle .He is from the family (family of Ranatunga) is famous for politics. In India also we can see players like Navjot Singh Sidhu (who was elected to the Lok Sabha as the member from Amritsar in 2004 on a BJP ticket; he later resigned, following his conviction for culpable homicide, however the Supreme Court of India stayed his conviction. He successfully contested the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, defeating his Congress rival, State Finance Minister Surinder Singla, by 77,626 votes).

Ex-captain Mohammad Azharuddin, is also presently a member of Indian parliament. He represents the Moradabad constituency of Uttar Pradesh and is a member of the Indian National Congress.

World cup wining captain of Pakistan, Imran Khan can be considered as most influential politician who played cricket in the last decades. Khan founded and became the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice), a small and marginal political party, of which he is the only member ever elected to Parliament. He represented Mianwali as a member of the National Assembly from November 2002 to October 2007.

Some people like to draw parallel between Imran and Arjuna because both of them can be considered as world-cup wining captains. But some political analysts were in the view that that both were already failed in politics (anyway this was subject to certain arguments).

Cricket is always like a religion in countries like Sri Lanka. Players like Sanath can be considered as opinion leaders for the fans as well as for the general public. He has an edge over others because of his unique style, approach and humbleness, Still it is too immature to anticipate that Sanath will contest for the election. But “the factor of Sanath Jayasuriya” cannot be neglected in political arena (like in Cricket).


( Source )

Jayasuriya in signing controversy

Kalighat or Mohun Bagan ?

Kolkata, Jan 15 :Veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya Friday courted controversy after it was found that he has signed for two clubs simultaneously in the ongoing CAB league and knock-out tournaments.
The matter came to light Friday, the last day of players’ registration, when Jayasuriya’s name was found in the lists of both clubs.

Sources said the Sri Lankan player had opted to sign for Kalighat after initially giving his consent to turn out for Mohun Bagan.

A Cricket Association of Bengal official said Jayasuriya may be asked to explain the reasons for the fiasco. “We may seek explanation from the clubs also.”

Both the clubs have decided to withdraw Jayasuriya’s name from their list to defuse the crisis.

(Source)

[VIDEO] Sanath Jayasuriya at Chivas Fashion Show, Mumbai 2010

Sanath Jayasuriya endorses President Mahinda Rajapaksa [VIDEO]

Renowned Cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya yesterday said that it was an obligation of the people of Ambalangoda as well as of the entire country to cast their votes on January 26 for President Mahinda Rajapaksa who created a peaceful and fearless environment for people to travel around and live in safely.

He made this observation at a rally held in Ambalanagoda appearing in a political stage for the first time.

Jayasuriya addressing the rally said it was a moment of pleasure to address the people in Ambalangoda in a political stage for the first time.

Commending the President’s brave measure to eliminate LTTE terrorism from the country, Jayasuriya stated that he travelled from Matara to Colombo and back in fear for life before the LTTE was eradicated from the country.

He also stated that President brought relief to the nation and now any cricket team in the world was willing to come to Sri Lanka to play. The time is ripe for the tourism industry as well.

(Source)

[VIDEO] Sanath Jayasuriya honored by President Mahinda Rajapaksha | Recieves Golden Award

For details Click on This report published earlier with Images

- Sanath Jayasuriya, Muralitharan honoured

Jayasuriya turns showstopper at Mumbai fashion show

Mumbai, Jan 10 : The swashbuckling Sri Lankan cricketer, Sanath Jayasuriya, walked the ramp in a creation of designer Wendell Rodricks during Mumbai fashion show.

The occasion was the launch of the Chivas Studio in India, a chain of global luxury brand items from the house of Chivas Regal.

Goa designer Wendell Rodricks presented his collection 'On the Wings', with garments layered with feathered strokes and breezy fabrics.

Models stood tall and pretty in the designer's collection, which was inspired by birds and had a colour palette consisting of only white.

Using a variety of fabrics from cotton and silk to paper and latex, the designer played with the garments unconventionally.

The showstopper for the evening was not a Bollywood celebrity, but the veteran Sri Lankan all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya who walked the ramp in style wearing an elegant suit designed by Wendell.

The cricketer praised the designer for his collection after the show.

"It is very nice and comfortable to wear all these. That's the way his clothes have always been. So I love to wear his clothes," said Jayasuriya.

On asked whether he was nervous before walking the ramp, Jayasuriya said, "I was a bit nervous but Wendell Rodricks briefed me everything before."

The occasion also saw the participation of celebrated artistes from various fields like music, fashion, photography and others.

(Source)

Leave Jayasuriya out at your peril

Sanath Jayasuriya is the icon of Sri Lankan cricket.

When the swashbuckling left-hander first came on the scene it was clear he would develop into the colossus the rest of the team would be built around. The quick pace with which he scored was thrilling for its technique and grit.

As the years went by the way in which he wielded the willow brought recognition and triumphs at the highest international levels. His team, and it was his team, was something to be reckoned with.

The World Cup win in 1996 will go down in Sri Lanka history and it was Jayasuriya – who rose to global prominence at this time – who led the way with his dashing stands as an opening batsman.

Sri Lankans go crazy whenever the “Matara Mauler” walks into the pitch but there is a fear creeping in that, comparative to the glory days, he is failing to show as much drive as he once did.

There are two things it would appear to be: either age or, as all cricketers go through at some point, an extended bad patch that he must surely turn around in the near future? But the burning question, and one that burns brighter by the day, is whether this Sri Lanka cricketing idol should be overlooked for the 2011 World Cup?

With so many young cricketers either in the team or knocking on the door, the Sri Lanka selectors must start to get clear in their minds just who they will task with bringing back the trophy.

Jayasuriya was always the all-rounder they could depend on. A spin bowler, a remarkable power batsman and a brilliant fielder: this was a men who you would never leave out of a line-up.

His failure during the recent one-day series and Twenty20s is of grave concern but should it really matter? Would the responsibility of leading the way at a world tournament not bring out the best of him and the team? On one side of the coin, his retirement from Test cricket did not make a dent in the overall performance of the team. The flip side is that even his biggest critics would admit that when he is not plating well he stil brings out the best in others. This is vital in the short form of the game.


There is no doubt Jayasuriya hasn’t been his usual self in T20s and ODIs for a while.

The slippery slope began when he was demoted from the opener’s slot to play as a middle-order batsman.

It is not just with bat and ball. In a recent T20 againt India, Jayasuriya misjudged a high catch off Virender Sehwag, which cost Sri Lanka dearly. India won by successfully chasing a score of 206.

He has made no significant contribution with the bat in the last few months and has been in and out of the side.

But there is nothing that any retiring sportsman wants more than a decent farewell and it is my opinion that Jayasuriya will be so determined to make that happen he should be given the chance to go to the 2011 World Cup.

Even if he makes 30 with the bat it will be done so rapidly it will lift the side. These emerging cricketers need experienced leaders to help them along and he has done it all.

Some of the class of ‘96, including Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva, faced scorn from fans and the media for their subsequent performance and the same fate shouldn’t befall Jayasuriya

At 40 he is the oldest of the gladiators in the cricketing world and he could solve the selection problems by retiring before the World Cup.

But I’m sure none of his fans would thank him for that and them, and myself, are hoping he will be the anchor of the side from this year and into next.

( Article by Amith Passela - Source)

Trevor Bayliss talks tough on Sanath Jayasuriya's prospects

Trevor Bayliss: 'As Sanath Jayasuriya has himself said on record, he is a spinning allrounder now.'

Trevor Bayliss, the Sri Lanka coach, has said Sanath Jayasuriya is unlikely to be picked as a specialist opener and will have to force his way in as a spinning allrounder if he is to play the 2011 World Cup.

"As Jayasuriya has himself said on record, he is a spinning allrounder now," Bayliss said. "If he keeps performing and putting pressure on others, he can always get in. It's up to him and what pressure he can put on the others in the team."

Jayasuriya didn't make the cut for the tri-nation tournament in Bangladesh, beginning Monday, and in a recent interview to Cricinfo, he said the team management should send a clear message to him about his future.

"The biggest challenge is to play the 2011 World Cup," Jayasuriya said. "Obviously if the team management wants to send me a message they should be clear about that to me, as they have been in the past.

"I am only thinking of five ODIs at a time, and if I can perform in three out those five, I'm right on track for the next World Cup."

The re-emergence of opener Upul Tharanga, it appears, has helped Sri Lanka firm up their plans for the World Cup. "Tharanga has played really well in the last series against India," Bayliss said. "His and Dilshan's opening partnership looks good for the World Cup."

Like Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene too, hasn't been in great form in the ODIs, but Bayliss said it wasn't a big concern to the team as it perhaps was to Mahela himself.

"It's a concern to Mahela and he himself would acknowledge that he has not been scoring much runs in ODIs," Bayliss said. "But he is too good a player to miss out for long. Our top three have been doing well and so perhaps there has not been enough chances for Mahela to score. But, he is not here in this series because of an injury he picked up in India; he might make an appearance some time later on the tour."

(Source)