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Sports

Lanka cricketers reject ICC Player Contracts
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Sri Lanka cricketers rejected the Players Contract put forward by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for next year's World Cup and insisted on fresh amendments to be made if they are to sign the contracts before the deadline set by the Governing body.

Sri Lanka Cricketers Association(SLCA) Secretary Graeme Labrooy who has been in constant touch with the cricketers and the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) confirmed to the Sunday Times yesterday that the ICC Player Contracts were rejected and were not acceptable. "We have conveyed our decision to the BCCSL and also suggested a few amendments if we are to get the players to sign the contracts".

The Lankans will forego personal endorsements which conflict with official sponsors during the World Cup and 10 days before and after the event instead of 30 days as laid down by the contract. The cricketers will also allow their images to be used by sponsors for just one month after the World Cup instead of six months as demanded by the ICC Players Contract.

In addition the players are also demanding a certain percentage of the guarantee money paid by the ICC to the BCCSL for selling the players images and rights without getting their consent. According to Labrooy it's now up to the BCCSL to convey the Lankan players decision to the ICC and come up with an acceptable solution.

The ICC has already appointed one of it's committee members Ahamed Ibrahim, a retired judge from Zimbabwe to resolve the contentious issue. However it will not be an easy task for Ibrahim as the four main sponsors of the World Cup - Pepsi, Hero Honda, LG and South African Airways - will have to agree to some concessions. The deadline for the signing of the Player Contracts is January 15.

Earlier this week India rejected the Players contract and put forward similar demands if they are to sign the contracts. The decision by the Indian players was conveyed to the ICC by Jagmohan Dalmiya, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Test spinner Anil Kumble.

Old Kingswood cricket carnival
The Cricket Carnival of Old Kingswoodians will be held on a grand scale in Kandy Police Grounds on December 21, 2002. "The Kingswood College is one of the oldest schools in the island, which started in 1891 and it has hundred years of history. There are more than 4,000 students and it has gained respect from the Kandyan crowd for the success in educational, sports and other activities.

The committee has organized a cricket carnival for the first time in Kandy and the motive behind the event is to uplift the cricket of our First eleven team" said the Event Chairman, Mr. Upul Leukebandara.

Chess in Trincomalee
The Anatoly Karpov Chess Club (AKCS) of the Russian Centre will conduct this year's all island age group chess tournament in eight provincials - Western, Central, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Wayamba, North Central and Eastern. The AKCC has already completed the tournaments at all other provincials and the Eastern Provincial Division of the all island age group chess tournament will start on December 21 at St. Joseph's College, Trincomalee with the support of the Trincomalee District Chess Association.

This tournament will be conducted as Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 for girls and boys. All participants would be under their respective age groups before December 31. For further details contact Mrs. Suneetha Wijesuriya, President of the Anatoly Karpov Chess Club on Telephone: 071-726210.

Sri Lanka thrashed by Australia 'A'
BRISBANE, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Jimmy Maher blasted a century to help Australia's second-string cricket team crush Sri Lanka by 102 runs in a lop-sided limited-overs match at the Gabba on Saturday.

Maher belted 106 off 113 balls and Michael Clarke made 79 from 84 deliveries as Australia A compiled a daunting total of 312 for eight from 50 overs. The Sri Lankans, deducted two overs for bowling slowly, managed just 210-6 in reply from their 48 overs after losing their first five wickets for 70 runs.

Russel Arnold scored an unbeaten 86 off 82 balls and shared a 99-run partnership with Jehan Mubarak (36) to salvage something for the tourists. Sri Lanka were playing their first match since arriving in Australia this week to prepare for the triangular one day international series, which also includes England.

But without their main strike bowler Muttiah Muralitharan, they struggled to contain the Australians, who beat England last weekend and were desperate to press their claims for inclusion in the World Cup squad to be announced at the end of the month.

Maher and Justin Langer gave the Australians a flying start when they smacked 24 runs off the first two overs on their way to a 97-run stand for the opening wicket that only ended when Langer was run out for 40.

Maher and Clarke, both strong candidates to make the 15-man World Cup squad for South Africa, then added 117 for the third wicket at almost a run a ball to put the Australians in firm control.

They both threw their wickets away in the frantic final few overs while fast bowler Dilhara Fernando mopped up the lower order to finish with four wickets, including two off the final two balls.

The Sri Lankans, who play England in Brisbane on Tuesday in their opening match of the series, could not have made a worse start to their reply as their top order crumbled at 70-5.

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