PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, 19 March 2003 — Batsman Aravinda de Silva announced his retirement from all international cricket yesterday, moments after Sri Lanka’s World Cup semifinal defeat to Australia. The 37-year-old played 93 Tests and 308 one-dayers and took part in five World Cups. He was the man of the match with a century against Australia in the 1996 World Cup final when Sri Lanka won the trophy. Whatmore, speaking before yesterday’s 48-run defeat, said: “Aravinda has been a terrific player in the Sri Lanka team for a long, long time.” The 37-year-old right-hander made his debut against England at Lord’s in August 1984, playing against Ian Botham and David Gower. Teammate Muttiah Muralitharan would have been 12 at the time. He made 6,361 Test runs at an average of 42.97. He made 9,284 one-day runs, the third highest individual tally in one-day history behind Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin. De Silva, who also had successful stints with Kent and Auckland, announced his test retirement in October.
Time’s Right for India, Says Wright
DURBAN, 19 March 2003 — India coach John Wright effectively dismissed Kenya’s World Cup semifinal challenge yesterday by suggesting his players were destined to lift the trophy. Wright told a new conference: “I feel their time is right.” Asked if leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar was on course to become the player of the tournament, he added: “He still has got two more games to play, two very important innings. “Sachin Tendulkar has been a great leader for us in this tournament, along with some of our other senior players as well.” Tendulkar, however, will only get two more chances to bat if India beat Kenya in tomorrow’s day-nighter to reach the final at The Wanderers in Johannesburg. Tendulkar has scored a record 586 runs at almost a run a ball in the World Cup, at an average of 65.11. Victory against Keny will give India an eighth win in succession.
Pakistan’s Rehman Wins Match-Fixing Appeal
KARACHI, 19 March 2003 — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) yesterday upheld an appeal by former Test fast bowler Ata-ur-Rehman and removed all sanctions imposed by a judicial commission on match-fixing two years ago. Rehman, who played 13 Tests and 30 One-Day Internationals in the 1990s, had been banned from any form of top-level cricket over a match-fixing scandal involving several top international players.
Vaas Sets New Wickets Mark
JOHANNESBURG, 19 March 2003 — Sri Lanka’s Chaminda Vaas set a new record yesterday for most wickets in a single World Cup tournament when he finished with 3-34 in the semifinal. Most wickets in a single World Cup: 23 Chaminda Vaas (SRI) 2003; 20 Geoff Allott (NZL) 1999; 20 Shane Warne (AUS) 1999; 20 Brett Lee (AUS) 2003; 18 Glenn McGrath (AUS) 2003; 18 Roger Binny (IND) 1983; 18 Craig McDermott (AUS) 1987; 18 Wasim Akram (PAK) 1992; 18 Glenn McGrath (AUS) 1999; 17 Asantha De Mel (SRI) 17 Madan Lal (IND) 1983; 17 Imran Khan (PAK) 1987; 17 Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK) 1999; 17 Lance Klusener (RSA) 1999; 17 Muttiah Muralitharan (SRI) 2003.
