Indian woman killed in Paramatta ~ Sekkuge Prasanna bowled at Sydney and Ranji update

Before this World Cup began, there were some popular myths – first the sub-continent wickets are flat and batsmen (read Asians) would make merry; but down under scores 280+ would be safe !!  - in the last WC in the sub-continent, Openers made merry; in Australia openers would be removed with the new ball and late- middle order could flourish.  Myths, because, in 32 matches thus far, there have been 23 scores 300+ (with 3 of them over 400 !!)  I  would not have heard of this name but for searching for details of today’s match between Australia and Sri Lanka ~ but the World [Indian community]  is going to read about this place because of a tragic incident.

Parramatta situated on the banks of a river by the same name,   is a suburb and major business district in the metropolitan area of Sydney, Australia.  Parramatta was founded in 1788, the same year as Sydney. As such, Parramatta is the second oldest city in Australia, being only 10 months younger than Sydney.  Admiral Arthur Phillip RN ( 1738 – 1814) was a Royal Navy officer, the first Governor of New South Wales and founder of the British penal colony that later became the city of Sydney, Australia.  In an attempt to deal with the food crisis, Phillip in 1789 granted a convict named James Ruse the land of Experiment Farm at Parramatta on the condition that he develop a viable agriculture. There, Ruse became the first person to successfully grow grain in Australia. The Parramatta area was also the site of the pioneering of the Australian wool industry by John Macarthur's Elizabeth Farm in the 1790s.

Sydney  is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds one of the world's largest natural harbours, and sprawls towards the Blue Mountains to the west. Residents are together known as "Sydneysiders".

Reports state that a woman was found lying in a pool of blood after being stabbed while walking home from work near Parramatta.  Police were called to a walkway in Amos Street, Westmead, about 9.30pm on Saturday, after reports of an attack, and a woman was found suffering a "serious wound". The woman, who the Nine Network identified as Prabha Arun, in her 40s, was treated by paramedics, before she was taken to Westmead Hospital, where she later died.  She was an IT consultant at technology firm, MindTree, having come from Karnataka State of India.    Please don't hurt me. Take whatever you want. But please spare me," Prabha Arun Kumar, IT consultant with Mindtree, was reportedly  heard telling her attacker over phone. Arun Kumar helplessly listened as his wife pleaded with her killer.  A sad news indeed !!

Situated in Moore Park in the city's east, the Sydney Cricket Ground is one of the world's most famous cricketing venues. The green-roofed Ladies pavilion remains, still one of cricket's most famous landmarks.  Cricket surprises people often.  Legspinning allrounder Seekkuge Prasanna was flown to Australia as cover for the injured Rangana Herath.   Herath required four stitches on his spinning finger, which was split as he attempted to take a return chance off Jos Buttler in the 49th over of England's innings.  He was withdrawn from the attack, and has since been assessed by doctors in both New Zealand and in Sydney, where the team arrived.   The ICC Event Technical Committee approved  Seekkuge Prasanna as a replacement for injured batsman Dimuth Karunaratne.  Karunaratne's World Cup ended when he sustained a jarring blow on his right hand during fielding practice on Thursday, which displaced and fractured bones in that hand. On Friday, Karunaratne underwent surgery, which included the insertion of a metal plate into that hand. In  less than 48 hours after he was admitted to the squad Prasanna played a World Cup match.

At Sydney,  it was spin straightway as Sri Lanka opened with Malinga and Sucharitha Senananayake – then in the 8^th over they brought in Sekkuge.  He walked with a swagger turning the ball in his palms – the 2^nd ball was way down the leg and Finch helped it to an easy four.  The third spun and fourth was a beauty.  Finch was deceived with a slider, Sangakkara took it cleanly – found Finch way outside the crease – out stumped.   It appeared as though the spinners with Dilshan would put a web around Australia – not to be as batsmen made merry once again posting a huge total. 

Dilshan's fifty, Sangakkara's third consecutive hundred and Chandimal's blitz were well made  however not enough to overcome man-of-the match Glenn Maxwell's 51-ball hundred. Eventually 376 proved to be too much for Sri Lanka to chase and they fell short by 64 runs.  Perhaps Chandimal could have taken them closer, if not retiring midway.

Back home, in case you are following the opening day of  Ranji Finals saw wickets falling in a heap.   Vinay Kumar took 5 for as Tamil Nadu having 4 test cricketers in its rank was bowled out for 134.  Karnataka elected to bowl first on a greenish track and bundled out Tamil Nadu for 134 in the first innings, but, sooner, lost  four top-order batsmen for just 45 runs. With Test opener KL Rahul having retired hurt following a left hamstring strain, Karnataka would be banking on Karun Nair and Abhimanyu Mithun, who came in as nightwatchman for the second match in succession, to stage a rescue act on the second day.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

8^th Mar 2015.