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Tough task for Lanka 'A' in SA
The Sri Lanka 'A' team is making preparations to tour S. Africa followed by a ten-day tour in Kenya - starting later this month. The South Africa leg, will begin on September 24 and will end on October 16.

The Lankans play only one four-day fixture against S. Africa 'A' starting on Oct. 12 at the beautiful Potchefstroom Oval. Quite a number of fans come from the farming districts. The Lankan national team played S. Africa "A" in a one-day game here on Nov. 23, 2002.

The likes of Justin Ontong, Hashim Amla an under-19 player, who toured New Zealand in 2000/1, also captained the under-19 World Cup team, Jacques Rudolph. He has a good temperament to play a long innings. The S.A. cupboard is full of young talent they are bound to be groomed against the visiting Lankan "A" team.

Get acclimatised
It should have been better if the Lankan authorities planned another four-day game at the Wanderers Park - a lively pitch with even bounce for our youngsters to get acclimatised, instead of a three- day against Gauteng. They should have done away with one of the two practice days Sept. 29 and 30.

Wanderers Park - in J'burg is another beautiful venue where the World Cup final was played. Skipper Russel Arnold had a good taste of this pitch when he toured with the national team in year 2002. The Lankan 'Super Six' proved vulnerable on this pitch.
The first test was played here 8th Nov. 2002.

The match was over on the third day - losing by an innings and 64 runs. Arnold got a pair of specs - out to Ntini on both occasions. Sri Lanka made 192 and 130. S. Africa replied with 386. Even against Gauteng - four-day game could have been a good test for emerging batsmen. What matters if they lose, they have much to learn in the end.-BW

Junior cricket breeding ground for sledging
Believe it or not there is sledging in junior (competitive) cricket in some quarters at the present moment. If the game is to be developed on the correct lines it has to be launched at the very beginning. It must be played for the right reasons and should be make into a chracter building sport. Not a game to be won at all cost.

The coaches from whatever quarter and the masters-in-charge should teach them not only the skills, but also how to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner on and off the field. Apparently these ethics are not adhered to. The desire is to win the match by hook or by crook and be in the running for the prize. Competitive sports at junior level has not had its desired effects.

Breeds hatred
In the end ithis type of attitude violence, hatred and division. Apparently some of the juniors are not taught to shake hands after the match. Unlike in the past one hardly see the victor walking to the dressing room of the vanquish say, 'Three hearty cheers' and build fellowship for their future wellbeing.

Even there is discrimination among the privileged and the less affluent schools, with regarding to umpiring. They are found wanting. Complaints has been made to this effect at times but to no avail. The poor rural schools suffer most.

For some of these schools it's a financial burden. Imagine two schools from two districts have to confront at a neutral ground at much expense, who has to foot the bill not the SLSCA, but they themselves. Has competitive cricket helped to develop the game? There should be a right structure. Not a breeding ground for bent-arm bowlers and pinch hitters, who lack the technique to play a long innings in the established game. A selector agreed that the game has suffered at national level.

There is sledging in some quarters among the players on the field, but it's being carried off the field, too, where parents get involved. It happened in a recent semi-final match between two schools played on a neutral venue. In the end apparently a parent nearly got involved on behalf of his son.

It could have been better if both parties could have been admonished for their conduct than parents getting involved. In some quarters people are talking of Australians involved in onfield sledging. No one will condone them or Glen McGrath's outbursts.
But of course Glen's mother or father is not involved unlike here in junior competitive cricket.... the breeding ground for sledging.

Education - the engine
It should do well if some of these critics take some time off and go to some of these schools (even to their old schools) and address the juniors about the Do's and Don'ts of the game. Education is the engine for development.

Even a past president of the SLSCA, agreed that competitive cricket has not helped much. It's upto the heads of schools to educate them not only to play the game in the right spirit, but also maintain the dignity of the school. The seniors must set an example for the youngsters to emulate. Even constantly appealing and apparently harassing the umpire at every given turn. -BW

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