COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s selectors have retained Marvan Atapattu as their One-Day International (ODI) captain for the forthcoming series against the West Indies in the Caribbean.

Batsman Atapattu leads a 15-man squad that includes two changes from their last outing in a triangular home series with left-handed batsman Naveed Nawaz and uncapped swing bowler Dinusha Fernando replacing middle-order batsman Russel Arnold and all-rounder Kaushalya Weereratne. Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando was not considered for selection after failing to recover fully from a back injury.

Atapattu, who replaced Sanath Jayasuriya as captain after the World Cup, keeps the job despite Sri Lanka’s failure this month to qualify for the tri-series final for the first time. “You can’t judge a man on one series alone,” said Lalith Kaluperuma, the chairman of selectors, when the 15-man squad was named yesterday. “It was the batting that lost us the trophy. The top order just needs to regain its form,” Kaluperuma added. Sri Lanka will play three ODIs in the Caribbean — June 7 and 8 in Barbados and June 11 in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The squad for the three-Test series against the West Indies will be announced at the end of next week after a three-day practice match.

ODI Squad: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Naveed Nawaz, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Dharshana Gamage, Prabath Nissanka, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kumar Dharmasena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dinusha Fernando.

EDWARDSVILLE, Illinois: Bahamian Shandria Brown and Nikkisha Maynard, of Barbados, produced double wins at the US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division Two track & field championship this past weekend.

Brown posted convincing victories to land the sprint double, while Maynard won the heptathlon and 100-metre hurdles titles, both helping Lincoln University win the women’s team title. Trinidad and Tobago’s Niconnor Alexander and Barbadians Kevin Bartlett and Wilan Louis also secured medals at the two-day championship at the Korte Stadium. Brown, the CARIFTA Games double sprint champion at home in the Bahamas last year, copped the 100 metres in 11.59 seconds, defeating Carmelita Jeters (11.79). In the 200 metres, she stopped the clock at 23.32 seconds, to edge Libiab Rodriquez (23.37). Brown also helped Lincoln win the 4X100-metre relay in 45.08 seconds.

Maynard gathered 5,378 points for a clear win over Danielle Ayers-Stamper (5,120) in the heptathlon, and she won the sprint hurdles in 13.72 seconds, narrowly topping Lynnae Samuels (13.73). Maynard also posted 5.90 metres for silver in the long jump that was won by Carlene Cummings at 6.03 metres. Alexander (10.28) was runner-up to Olan Coleman (10.23) in the men’s 100 metres, in which Jamaican Lerone Clarke was fifth in 10.44 and Bartlett seventh in 10.48. Coleman also won the 200 in 20.57, with Alexander (21.10) fourth, Clarke (21.27) seventh, and Louis eighth in 21.68. Louis (46.68) got bronze and Jamaican Orville Taylor (47.62) was seventh in the men’s 400, won by Sterling Gray (46.44). Louis celebrated two relay gold medals with St. Augustine’s, helping them capture the 4X100 metres in 39.98 seconds, and the 4X400 in three minutes 08.71 seconds. Bartlett (7.45 metres) got third in the men’s long jump behind winner Jeff Billing (7.61).

SUGAR MIKE, unbeaten in two starts this term and Adawar, last year’s ‘Horse of the Year’ are set to clash for the first time this season.

They are in the Indian Arrival Turf Handicap, feature event on the Arima Race Club Day 16 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Indian Arrival Day Friday. The duo, considered the best stayers in training, met once previously, and in that meeting in the Trinidad Turf Club Gold Cup on Boxing Day last, Adawar proved superior. Sugar Mike in filling the runner-up spot was having only his second run after arrival from the United States, and has since turned the corner, winning both his starts over shorter trips on the main course.

Friday’s encounter will be the first on the inner circuit for the Grant Lourenco-trained son of Ponche/No Sugar. While the two top money earners have a score to settle in the 1725 metres feature, the event is by no means a match-race, since the five in opposition are emerging stars bent on making further mark by destroying them. Ten West Indian-bred fillies will also be in the spotlight on the 10-race programme which attracted 94 horses. The co-feature named after the illustrious creole Gleneagle, also promises to be keen, having attracted the cream of the three-year-old crop deemed the weaker sex. Among the leading lights using the 1800 metres contest as their prep race before the Midsummer Classic are Golden Honour, Sweet Laura Lee, Cornerstone, Firestorm and Sweet Tempo.

The holiday card was well thought out around this particular time of the year. With the clouds about to open up, the division of five races each on the turf and main course, could well be the design that springs surprises, and with it the big payouts which punters are growing accustomed to.

Following are the framed races, entries, weights and jockeys for the entire card.
RACE 1: (12.20 pm) TAKOOR DAYAL RESTRICTED HANDICAP – PURSE $18,000 – 1100 METRES (TURF).
1. BANDINTHONG (TO) – 52 – R.THOMAS, 2. SQUEEZED MOMENT – 48.,5 – R.JADOO, 3. HONOR BOUND – 57.5 – S.RODRIGO, 4. SEA SPIDER – 54 – R.RAJKUMAR, 5. EMELDA M (TO) – 46.5 -L.KEIZER, 6. LOVELY HONOREE – 51.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 7. NANDO – 50 – R.PERSAD, 8. SPLITTING IMAGE – 55 – H.EMAMALIE, 9. BAZODEE GAL – 47 – W.GALVIZ.

RACE 2: (12.55 pm) CALCUTTA STARTER ALLOWANCE – PURSE $20,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. BITE DE BULLET – 52.5 – S.RODRIGO, 2. CARNIVAL MESSIAH – 54.5 – R.JADOO, 3. GAZA STRIP – 50.5 – W.BHARATH, 4. IN SWINGER – 56.5 – R.FREEMAN, 5. TACTICAL BID – 54.5 – R.THOMAS, 6. FORTUNATE FLAG – 51.5 – W.GALVIZ.

RACE 3: (1.30 pm) VIRAWA – 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL; CLAIMING ($10,500 – $8,500) – PURSE $15,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. COLD RISK – 49.5 – R. RAGOONATH, 2. YANKEE EAGLE – 51.5 – K.BISSOON, 3. GROOMSMAN – 51.5 – R.MANGALEE, 4. EL GUERROUJ – 56.5 – R.HIBBERT, 5. GOLDEN BOY – 55.5 – S.RODRIGO, 6. LITTLE MANIRAM – 55.5 – R.PERSAD, 7. I’M NO HUNTER – 45.5 – G.LABAN, 8. BONUS POINT – 50.5 – N.SAMAROO.

RACE 4: (2.05pm) DUTCHESS OF ARGYLE – 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($7,500 – $6,500) – PURSE $14,000 – 1300 METRES (TURF).
1. ESTILON – 48.5 – R.FREEMAN, 2. SPIN N’SQUEEZE – 46.5 – W.GALVIZ, 3. JENA’S DELIGHT – 41.5 – R.RAGOONATH, 4. CASH REWARD – 47.5 – R.JADOO, 5. RESTLESS RENEGADE – 51.5 – R.PERSAD, 6. ERIN DANCER – 43.5 – L.MUNOZ, 7. SPECIAL GEM – 51.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 8. SOCA TEMPO – 53.5 – N.SAMAROO, 9. LOVELY PEARL – 50.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 10. REDOUBLED – 53.5 – R.HIBBERT.

RACE 5: PROTECTOR OF THE IMMIGRANT – W.I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER NON-WINNERS OF THREE RACES – PURSE $16,000 – 1100 METRES (TURF).
1. BEAUTIFUL MIND – 53 – N.SAMAROO, 2. A FIRM RELIEF – 54.5 – R.HIBBERT, 3. UPSET ALL – 50 – R.RAJKUMAR, 4. MIR ON FIRE – 56.5 – N.ABREGO, 5. UNDISPUTED – 50 – W.BHARATH, 6. WHAT LEFT – 52 – W.GALVIZ, 7. AFFIRM DECISION – 52.5 – R.PERSAD, 8. QUEEN’S BAND – 56 – J.ARNEAUD.

RACE 6: (3.17pm) CHOTA NAG PUR – 3 Y.O & 0VER OPTIONAL CLAIMIN G ($6,000 – $5,000) – PURSE $11,000 – 1200 METRES.
1. YANKEE – 50.5 – N.SAMAROO, 2. JUSTICE – 53.5 – K.BISSOON, 3. CONFIRMED – 54.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 4. BOBS TREASURE – 51.5 – K.JADOO, 5. TOUR D’ARGENT – 46.5 – W.BHARATH, 6. BADPAYJAMESEE – 55.5 – L.KEIZER, 7. IF ONLY – 51.5 – R.RAGOONATH, 8. KAY GEE BEE – 45.5 – R.JADOO, 9. HOT WAY – 53.56 – R.PERSAD, 10. ONCE IN A LIFETIME – 48.5 – R.RAGOONATH, 11. MAXIMUS – 52.5 – J.ARNEAUD.

RACE 7: (3.54 pm) GLENEAGLE STAKES – W.I BRED 3 Y.O FILLIES – PURSE $60,000 – 1800 METRES.
1. SWEET LAURA LEE – 55 – L.KEIZER, 2. GOLSDEN HONOUR – 55 – H.EMAMALIE, 3. CREME CARAMEL – 55 – K.BISSOON, 4. JOAN OF ARC – 55 – J.ARNEAUD, 5. MY APHRODITE – 55 – R.RAJKUMAR, 6. FIRESTORM – 55 – R.JADOO, 7. CORNERSTONE – 55 – N.ABREGO, 8. SWEET TEMPO – 55 – W.GALVIZ, 9. WILD LIFE – 55 – L.MUNOZ, 10. FULL PF PROMISES – 55 – R.PERSAD.

RACE 8: (4.32 pm) CAPTAIN CUBITT RUNDLE – W.I BRED 3 Y.O MAIDENS – PURSE $20,000 – 1300 METRES (TURF).
1. SENSATIONAL – 54.5 – N.SAMAROO, 2. SEDUCTIVE – 54.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 3. WINNING TRICK – 51.5 – R.PERSAD, 4. PEACE OF MIND – 51.5 – K.BISSOON, 5. FANTASTIC LAD – 52.5 – R.CHADEE, 6. EMBEDDED OPTION (R1) – 51.5 – L.KEIZER, 7. MISS EMMA (R2) – 49.5 – L.MUNOZ, 8. MILLENIUM DANCER – 53.5 – R.THOMAS, 9. TRYING SOMETHING*56.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 10. MILFORD (R3 – 46.5 – D.GAFF, 11. YOU’VE GOT MAIL – 56.5 – R.FREEMAN, 12. BOUND TO DOT COM – 52.5 – G.LABAN, 13. HATRICK – 51.5 – S.RODRIGO, 14. FRESH MANDATE – 53.5 – N.ABREGO, 15. SIR VIDIA – 55.5 – R.JADOO.

RACE 9: (5.10 pm) INDIAN ARRIVAL TURF HANDICAP (OPEN) – PURSE $75,000 – 1725 METRES (TURF).
1. SUGAR MIKE – 55 – R.RAJKUMAR, 2. OUTSWINGER – 49.5 – R.JADOO, 3. INVINCIBILITY – 54.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 4. CANAIMA – 53.5 – W.BHARATH, 5. DOTTIE’S WAY – 49 – W.GALVIZ, 6. MANDELA – 44 – L.KEIZER, 7. ADAWAR – 57.5 – N.ABREGO.

RACE 10: FATEL ROZACK – 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($14,000 – $11,000) – PURSE $16,000 – 1200 METRES.
1. BALTHAZAR – 55.5 – R.JADOO, 2. INDIAN DECISION – 52.5 – N.SAMAROO, 3. NOT TO WORRIE – 50.5 – W.GALVIZ, 4. LIFE IN RUSSIA – 49.5 – L.KEIZER, 5. FEMALE BANDIT – 50.5 – L.MUNOZ, 6. PEACE CONSORT – 44.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 7. SUNNY – 51.5 – S.RODRIGO, 8. BALLYBUNION – 51.5 – R.RAGOONATH, 9. MAGEN – 46.5 – R.BADAL, 10. ENTERTAINER – 54.5 – N.ABREGO.

MUCURAPO Ex-Pupils edged Police 42-41 in a stirring match in the Pearl Francis Premier Division of the Port-of-Spain Netball League.

In Saturday’s match at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo in which neither team led by more than three goals, the Ex-Pupils who were up 22-19 at the half-time interval, just managed to hold off last season’s runners-up. The police women led the first quarter 12-11, but Ex-Pupils outscored them 11-7 in the second stanza. But the third period set the stage for the thriller as Police fought back to trail 32-31 at the three-quarter stage, but Ex-Pupils were not to be denied, and held on tenaciously for their one-goal triumph.

National selectee and goal-attack Simone Morgan had 37 goals from 54 attempts and Donna Thomas scored five goals from 13 attempts for the Ex-Pupils, while Beverly Hernandez got 25 goals from 37 attempts and Euphemia Huggins 16 of 21 for Police. San Juan Jabloteh staged a vain final quarter rally only to be out-lasted by Chips 32-31 in another nail-biter. Chips entered the final quarter with a clear 26-20 lead, but Jabloteh got within one goal of their opponents when time ran out. Denise Rose scored 27 goals from 39 attempts and Sharon O’Brien five of nine for Chips, while Judith Britto scored 15 and Patricia Noel 16 for the San Juan girls. In Barbara Burnette “B2” Division action on Monday, Horizon and CS Jets played to a 10-10 draw.

Monday’s scores: Barbara Burnette “B2” Division —-  HORIZON (18) K’Lenew Lewis 12, Annissa Bartholomew 6 vs MALTA CARIB SENATORS (13) Amina Glaudd 12, Alicia Stewart 3; CHIPS (15) Joelisa Cooper 13, Chrisandra Murrel 2 vs SPARKLES (11) Janelle Prescott 8, Crystal Andrews 3; ZENITH (27) Keisha Applewhite 11, Petal Wilkins 8, Rachael Wilkins 3 vs ST  JUDE ’S (10) Nekeisha St. John 5, Maleka Ismael 3, Savitrie Thomas 2.
Barbara Chandleur “B1” Division —- HORIZON (10) Lee-Ann Piwerre 7, Jodee Thomas 3 vs CS JETS (10) Rachel Dillon 6, Jeanna Alexander 4; CIL SPARKLES (25) Ria Rosales 16, Asha McDonald 9 vs UPPERS (8) Onika Borel 5, Masrquita Clement 3; MUCURAPO JNR SEC. (15) Annuela Camejo 11, Nicholan Skeete 4 vs ARIMA BALL MASTERS (10) Candace Castillo 8, Colisia Hamilton 2; PRINTERY (10) Tasha Bernard 6, zJelicia Pierre 3, Shannon Dottin 1.
Saturday’s results: Pearl Francis Premier Division —- DEFENCE FORCE (45) Anastascia Wilson 34, Stacey Sparks 11 vs ARIMA UNITED (40) Janelle Barker 24, Merlicia Lovell 14, Latisha Jackson 2.
Angela “Pinky” Drayton “A1” Division —- SOUL CITY (40) Debra Beckles 27, Michelle Boyce 8, Sonia Jack 5 vs NFM UPPERS (32) Olivia Le Platte 18, Debra Martin 14; DEFENCE FORCE won by default over NETACES; ARIMA BALL MASTERS (54) Ianna Hamlet 31, Alicia Gardner 23 vs HORIZON (32) Susan Squires 17, Cheryl-Ann George 15.

AZIKIWE KELLAR sped under the World “B” Championship qualifying mark of 11.65 seconds in the flying 200 metres as the National Cycling Championships continued at the Arima Velodrome last weekend.

The dreadlocked Kellar clocked 11.55 seconds in Friday night’s action but the Heat Wave wheelsman had to settle for second place in the final behind veteran Clinton Grant, who won two out of the three deciding sprints. Kellar’s brother Ako finished third in the event ahead of 2002  Cyclist of the Year” Elisha Greene.

Also on Friday, Christopher Sellier defeated fellow Warriors clubmate Adam Alexander to win the juniors’ version, with Sellier timed in 12.06 seconds and Alexander 12.27. Haseem McLean took bronze with Brendon Jacob, also of Southclaine, trailing. Events will resume at the Arima track on Friday and concludes on Sunday, with cyclists using the races to earn qualifying standards ahead of the World ‘B’ Championships in Switzerland in July.

Other Results –
Match Sprint –
Veterans 40-49: 1.Richard ‘Dick’ Ramchand (Warriors); 2.Martin Rodney (Warriors); 3.Simon Spicer (PL Singh’s Southern Sonics); 4.Gregory Dandrade (Toyota Madonna).
Veterans 50-59: 1.Ronald Peters (Toyota Madonna); 2.Neil Alleyne (Toyota Madonna); 3.Glenford Phillip (Nepuyo Wheelers).
Veterans 60-and-over: 1.Lloyd Joseph (Southampton Wheelers); 2.Joey Nunes (Southampton Wheelers); 3.Peter De Silva (unattached).

Individual Pursuit –
Juniors 3000m: 1.Christopher Sellier (Warriors) 4:09.36; 2.Brendon Jacob (Carl King Southclaine) 4.20:33; 3.Haseem Mc Lean (Carl King Southclaine) 4.28:88; 4.Stephen Rambarran (Southampton Wheelers) 4.29:03.
Seniors 4000m: 1.Guy Costa (Heat Wave) 5.24:93; 2.Joshua Alexander (Warriors) 5.32:83; 3.Azikiwe Kellar (Heat Wave) 5.32:25; 4.Ako Kellar (Heat Wave) 5.34:72.
40-49 3,000m: 1.Richard Ramchand Warriors 4.14:15; 2.Gregory Dandrade (Toyota Madonna) 4.15:32; 3.Pedro Castellano (Toyota Madonna) 4.21:27.
50-59 2,000m: 1.Peter Hernandez (Heat Wave) 2.52:58; 2.Ronald Peters (Toyota Madonna) 2.59:93.
60-and-over 2,000m: 1.Joey Nunes (Southampton Wheelers) 3.48:66; 2.Peter De Silva (unattached) 4.21:44.

TERRANCE MAYERS fired in seven three-pointers in his 28 points to lead a determined Detour Shaq Attack to a shock 85-82 over-time victory over champions Defence Force.

This was in the Premier Division of the Royal Extra North Zone Basketball League at the St Paul’s Street Multi-Purpose Facility in port-of-Spain. The Army-Coast Guard combination led 27-12 at the end of the first quarter of Monday night’s match. And when they went in for the half-time interval ahead 41-23, it appeared they were on the road to a routine victory. But the Detour-sponsored team put in a rousing second half rally which saw them trailing by only four points 56-60 at the end of the third period. They then outscored Defence Force 21- 17 in the final quarter to knot up the score 77-77 at the end of regulation.And Shaq Attack continued their momentum in the extra period, outscoring Defence Force 8-5 for the victory.

Mayers, who also had five rebounds, found help in Anthony Turner with 20 points and six rebounds, while Raymond Hospedales added 17 and eight carooms. Stephen Lewis was a one-man show for Defence Force, pouring in 41 points.

A team of officials and athletes has been invited to participate in the XI Memorial “Maximo Viloria” Track and Field meeting in Barquisimeto, Venezuela on Saturday and Sunday.

The local contingent is expected to leave on Friday and return on Monday and the full team is: Tour Manager, Jim Clarke; Track Coach, Paul Voisin; Field Coach, Kenny Bermudez; Simon Pierre (200m, 400m), Natalie Dixon (Javelin, 200m, 400m), Simeon Bovell (800m); Emmanuel Morrif (Javelin); Kerry Edwards (High Jump); Delois Phillips (Discus, Shot Put); Rikey Francis (Javelin); Kenneth Goodridge (400m Hurdles, Triple Jump); Jules La Rode (800m, 1500m); Mikey Ruben (110 Hurdles, High Jump); Paul Becket (800m); and Dave Stoute (Shot Put).

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Rameez Raja has rapped the International Cricket Council (ICC) for their “surprising” failure to take action against Australian Glenn McGrath and West Indian Ramnaresh Sarwan for their on-pitch altercation during the fourth Cable and Wireless Test match in Antigua earlier this month.

Raja said the ICC are not displaying consistency in the application of their own laws. In the wake of Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar’s two-match ban for ball-tampering, Raja said the interpretation of the laws surrounding the ICC’s code of conduct was not being put to use universally. He said match officials should have charged McGrath and Sarwan with punishment similar to Akhtar. “I do not want to defend the acts of Shoaib Akhtar because his action was discouraging to Pakistan cricket, and that too at a time when we are trying to introduce a new culture in the new team. He has been reprimanded and he has shown his remorse.”

Shoaib was suspended and fined after being caught scratching the ball on television pictures, and Raja is concerned that McGrath and Sarwan were not disciplined for their angry confrontation, replayed internationally on television, even though both ball-tampering and sledging are Level Two offences, according to the ICC code of conduct. “Both rules are to be interpreted by the match referee,” continued Rameez. “In the West Indies recently, it was proved beyond doubt that there was a just and undeniable case of a Level Two offence regarding sledging. Surprisingly, no action was taken either by the umpires or the match referee. If TV is considered a fact-finding mission, then it has to be universally followed as part of the standard playing conditions applicable universally,” Raja said. It is expected that the matter will discussed at the ICC meetings in London next month.

South’s Senior cricket team are in the final of the Courts Interzone tournament. They qualified by smashing Central at the Exchange Cricket Ground in Couva recently.

On Friday, South batted first, setting 202 for 9 in 40 overs, with Junior Joseph getting 52 and Brian Dookie scoring 44. Central bowler Videsh Maharaj took  two for 31. With a daunting task ahead of them and a spot in the final up for grabs, Central buckled under the pressure and were all out for 163.  Steve Sookdeo scored 38, Mustapha Ali recorded 31, Shane Ramlogan ended on 24, Dinesh Ramdass picked up figures of four for 44 and Brent Lezama took two for 29. The UWI team await South in the final on Saturday at the St Augustine Campus Ground.