The four-nation world series limited-over cricket tournament scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka later this month has been thrown into uncertainty with Australia demanding millions more in payments if they are to play here.
The latest Australian bombshell was taken up by the Sri Lanka Crikcet Board at an emergency meeting over the weekend, an official told 'The Sunday Times' last night.
Australia who nearly torpedoed the World Cup earlier this year when they refused to play in Colombo for security reasons, had been assured a payment of 135,000 US dollars for the Singer World Series along with India, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. The other three teams in this tournament scheduled to begin on August 25 had also been guaranteed the same payment.
After the ball tampering and the Darrel Hair chucking scandals during Sri Lanka's series in Australia last year, Bob Taylor's team was known to be unwilling to play in Colombo. Citing security considerations which the World Cup organisers rejected, the Australians refused to come here in February this year for their matches. Since then the Australian cricket authorities have been saying they would watch the security situation in Colombo and take a final decision regarding participation in the four-nation series.
Sri Lankan Cricket Board officials said last night they were "shocked" by Australia's latest financial demands. The Executive Committee of the Board after discussing the crisis faxed a letter to the Australian Board saying it would not be possible to accede to their demands. 'The Sunday Times' learns the Australians are demanding more than double the amount that has been offered.
Officials said they were trying to contact the Australian Cricket Board chief to sort out matters but he was reported to be in Atlanta for the Olympics. They said they hoped a compromise could be reached some time this week. If Australia do not come, the Singer series organisers have said they would make it a three-nation tournament.
Kandy SC scored a smashing 47 (3 goals, 4 tries, 2 penalties) to 3 pt win over OTSC in their Carlsberg trophy A Division 2nd round match at Nittawela yesterday.
Kandy led 22-3 at half time.
Kitty Rudradra scored 3 tries while Pradeep Basnayake, Sudath Sampath, Nalin Dissanayake, Asoka Jayaweera scored a try each and Upul Wijesiri goaled 3 tries and put over 2 penalties for Kandy.
N. Welagedara kicked the solitary penalty for OTSC.
Anil Jayasinghe refereed.
World cricketers act as role models for millions of people and therefore not just their technique but also their behaviour should be of the highest standards, a former Sri Lankan Captain has said.
Ranjan Madugalle now a match referee for the ICC said behaviour was important because what mattered most was not who won or lost but how the game was played.
Madugalle who has so far refereed four international matches, said he would not hesitate to come down hard on any player who misbehaved and brought the game into disrepute.
Madugalle believes that most incidents could be defused with dialogue before they get out of hand.
In an Interview with 'The Sunday Times' the 37-year-old former Sri Lankan Captain who has now been included in the ICC Technical Committee said, "At any stage, the game should not be brought into disrepute, and it has to be played in the best of spirits."
He spoke of the concept of the match referee, his task and role during a test series and the limitations of the independent official.
Excerpts from the interview:
A: It began about five years ago, when game drifted from the norms of accepted behaviour. It was here that the test playing nations got together and formulated this role, where an independent observer is present at every test and one-day international to ensure that the game is not only played according to the laws but also according to the spirit.
A: Behaviour of the players, The Advertising Code for players and penalties for slower over rates.
A code of conduct sets out what the norms of behaviour are. The Advertising code gives what a player can wear and what he can't.
A: Before the series begins, the match referee calls the Management of the two teams, (comprising the captain, vice captain and the cricket manager) and the panel of umpires to a pre-match briefing. In this briefing I set out as to how I need to run the series and how I expect them to conduct themselves on the field.
As their actions and deeds are seen by millions of viewers worldwide, I expect them to act as role models. As much as their techniques are of high standards, their behaviour also should be of the highest standard.
A: Advertising as we are aware brings a player much more revenue than the fee from the board. However the players attire (from the headgear to the boot) should conform to the advertising code where a maximum size of the logo and the number of times it could appear are stipulated, or else players would become walking hoardings. Such things are not permitted today.
A: Mostly. But if there are incidents on the field that are carried out of the field, mainly in terms of media reports where an umpire's decision is reported to have been questioned by the manager or a player, the match referee can take necessary action.
When played at the highest level there could be arguments that occur at the heat of the moment. But at no stage can any action of the players bring the game to disrepute. This is where I would come down hard as the game is bigger than the individual.
A: No. The umpires are included in the pre-match briefing. However as a match referee one has to work closely with the umpires. Generally during the intervals discussions are held with the umpires.
A: Players can be fined a maximum of 75% of their match fees and a minimum of 10%. In addition players could also be suspended for a maximum of three tests or six one-day Internationals, or a combination which does not exeed the above.
Players could also be fined and warned and if they are guilty of bringing the game into disrepute. They could also be suspended for a specified period.
A: Its upto the two umpires to take action as they are the ones who are closely following the actions of play.
However if it is brought to the notice of the match referee or it is observed by him, players will be penalised if the game has been stopped for a moment or two, or if the game has been brought into disrepute. They could also be suspended for specified period.
Fifty four men and 14 women will come under the starters orders in the inaugural Half Marathon conducted by the Kalutara District Amateur Athletic Association on behalf on the Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AAA) on August 10 at Kalutara.
Another first in this event is that, it will be conducted by an affiliate of the AAA for the first time, and will be held in the evening.
The men's race will start at 4 p.m., followed by the women's race 15 minutes later, commencing at Galle Road, Kalutara South in front of the Ceylinco Insurance Company going upto Kalutara South and turning off at Wadduwa, and returning back to the starting point.
All top notchers in the marathon scene will be seen in action including last year's representative in the half marathon in France, Sarath P. Gamage. Gamage finished 125th out of the 250 who took part.
The first 11 of the 15 that finished in the 22nd National Sports Festival Marathon concluded in Matale, will be also seen in action.
In the women's section D.A. Inoka who won the NSF marathon at Matale, will be in the fray, including the others who finished among the first eight.
Mannial Fernando, the President of the Football Federation will be the chief guest and will give away the awards.
CR & FC playing with better cordination scored a runaway 44 points (2 goals, 6 tries) to nil win over the Police in their Inter-Club A Division second round rugby match played for the Carlsberg Trophy at Police Park last evening.
The winners led by 19 points to nil at the half.
With this win, CR & FC kept their hopes alive of winning the inter-club A Division title, with the decider being next Saturday against Kandy on their home grounds at Longden Place.
If CR & FC wins, they will win back the championship after a lapse of 22 years.
For CR & FC Alfred Hensman scored 3 tries, while skipper Viraj Prasantha, Nalaka Weerakody, Shantha Rohana, Joel Pera and Sumith Premantha scored a try each.
Weerakody goaled two of the tries.
Nizam Jamaldeen failed to put over a penalty that came the Police way.
Aruna Jayasekera refereed.
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