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Regular-article-logo Tuesday, 08 July 2025

ANOTHER PUPIL FOR TITMUS 

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BY LOKENDRA PRATAP SAHI Published 12.03.99, 12:00 AM
Calcutta, March 12 :     Fred Titmus is back in the news. And back in business, too. After ?correcting? Rajesh Chauhan and Harbhajan Singh, Titmus now has yet another off-spinner pupil from the sub-continent: Kumara Dharmasena. According to Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) president Thil-anga Sum-athipala, come Monday and Dharma-sena will be off to London for corrective lessons from Titmus. Dharmasena features in the world champions? shortlist of 19 for the World Cup, even though an International Cricket Council (ICC) directive specifically states he ought not to be picked till his action is corrected. Of course, despite reservations in many quarters, Dharmasena has never been called. Dharmasena?s last Test appearance was at The Oval (August 1998), while his last one-day cap came in Sharjah, five months ago. He has 50 Test and 92 one-day wickets. Speaking to The Telegraph from Colombo this evening, Sumathipala said: ?Dharmasena has already spent over two months with Somachandra de Silva, in Colombo itself, and we?re happy with the results. ?However, as we couldn?t properly video-tape the sessions, we?re sending him to London (with de Silva) so that Titmus can have a good look and give his opinion (to the BCCSL and ICC). The Board will bear all expenses.? Titmus is an ICC favourite. Clearly, Dharmasena figures prominently in Lankan plans for the May 14-June 20 showpiece. Dharmasena, though, will not be around in the ensuing tri-series in India (March 19-April 4). Also missing will be Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralidharan, both of whom are recovering from injuries. Speedster Nuwan Zoysa is unlikely to be selected. Indications are that Arjuna Ranatunga will return to the ?hot seat?. Incidentally, Hashan Tillekeratne is in the 19 for the World Cup ? he was the last to get the nod. Tri-series team (from): Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tillekaratne, Maravan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Avishka Gunawardene, Chandika Hathurusinghe, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Ruwan Kalpage, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Suresh Perera, Pramodaya Wickremasinghe, Eric Upasthantha and Hemantha Boteju.    
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