Global Sport

The top four were only separated by four-tenths of a second at the end of a closely-fought session run in hot conditions in front of a near-capacity 80,000 crowd.

Minister denies asking Arjuna toquit

COLOMBO: Sri lanka8217;s sports minister SB Dissanayake has denied reports that he asked Arjuna Ranatunga to step down as captain after the defending champions8217; poor showing in the World Cup, ministry officials said today.Newspaper reports quoted Dissanayake as telling BBC Ranatunga had made several errors of judgment which led to the team8217;s exit. 8220;He got many things wrong in the tournament. He made very bad decisions, so it is time for him to step down,8221; Dissanayake was quoted as saying.

8220;The minister vehemently denies making any statements against Ranatunga on the BBC programme,8221; the spokesman said.

BBC officials in Sri Lanka were not immediately available for comment.

8212; Agencies