It was gloomy,cloudy,chilly and misty throuhgout the 14th day of the 17th Asian Games.
The Sri Lanka Men’s Cricket team entered the final against Afghanistan in a match that was ruined by inclement weather.Sri Lanka left out Shehan Jayasuriya and got in Ashan Priyanjana for the match of the tournament. Electing to field first, Dilhara Lokuhettige gave his team the perfect start with a double strike removing both openers in his first two overs. Ramith Rambukwella held a well anticipated low catch to his left at 1st slip to dismiss Anamul Haque before hitting the stumps to send back Mohammed Mithun.Isuru Udana removed Shakib Al Hasan as he skied one to backward square where Kithruwan Vithanage held onto the catch. Bangladesh were reeling at 18/3 after 05 overs but recoverd through a responsible 53 run unbroken partnership for the 4th wicket when a drizzle suspended play. Later it rained heavily and the ground staff seemed unable to remove the covers without spilling water on the ground. In the minimum 5.0vers on the Duckworth/Lewis system Sri Lanka had to score 30 runs for victory. However as the super over was also not possible, the toss of the coin was the next option. Lahiru Thirimaanne called correct and the Sri Lanka captain celebrated his team’s entry to the top medal game tomorrow. It was a heart break for the Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza as lady luck deserted him in the first instance too as he called incorrect in that instance. Dilhara Lokuhettige 2/02 and Isuru Udana 1/10 were succesful while Kosala Kulasekera was expensive.
In Men’s Sevens Rugby,Sri Lanka lost to Japan in the 2nd semi final 00-40 after trailing 00-26 at the short whistle.In the Bronze Medal match Sri Lanka led up front just as the previous game which South Korea won 21-12. This time around Gayan Weeraratne openedthe scoring and Fazil Marija added the extra points as Sri Lanka took the lead, but the host nation equaled to take the break at 07-all.After the resumption of play the opponents went ahead at 12-07 but Srinath Sooriyabandara playing his part after missing the action due to injury fell over and also put over to wrest back the lead for his team at 14-12. The crowd then supported their team and South Korea were able to add the winning try to ensure the minor medal for themslves by beating Sri Lanka 17-14.
In Athletics, Udaya Viraj Weerasinge, Anjana Madushan Gunaratne,Kasun Kalhara Seneviratne and Dhanushka Nalin Karunaratne ran in Lane 2 in the Men’s 400 M final.They were placed 7th ahead of Kazakhstan in 3 mts. 08.11 sec.
Tommorow, in addition to the Men’s Cricket Final against Afghanistan in the afternoon, Anuradha Indrajith Cooray will run in the Men’s Marathon in the morning.The prediction for the weather is good for both events.
China is leading the Medal Tally with 142 Golds.South Korea is behind them with 71.Japan who have secured 46 Golds are in 3rd position. Kazakhstan [20], Iran [18], North Korea [10] and Qatar [10] trail the top three nations.Sri Lanka has won a solitary Bronze in Women’s Cricket and are lying in joint 33rd slot with three other countries. Athletics is an Asian/African affair with some Middle Eastern countries having included Track Athletes from the African/Careabean countries.
Haritha Perera @ the Main Media Center in Incheon, South Korea
