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BCCSL-Nimbus talks deadlocked
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Discussions between the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka(BCCSL) and the Singapore based Television Broadcaster WSG Nimbus were deadlocked after both parties failed to reach a compromise during last weekends meeting in Singapore.

The BCCSL is facing a US $ 11 million claim from WSG Nimbus and is making a desperate attempt to reduce the sum by offering Nimbus the Television rights for Englands tour of Sri Lanka and is also giving Nimbus priority in any future Television contracts with the BCCSL. Despite negotiating with the television broadcaster since being elected in June the BCCSL is finding the going tough following last weekends failure. BCCSL President Thilanga Sumathipala when contacted by The Sunday Times admitted that no final settlement has been reached. We are still negotiating. WSG Nimbus have agreed to reduce the claim to US $ 4 million,but we insisted it to be further reduced to US$ 2.75 million.

Despite a deadlock situation the Sumathipala administration has not given up and will pursue the matter further in a bid to reduce the damages claimed.

Floodlights for SL-Eng game
At a press conference held on Friday Cricket Board President Thilanga Sumathipala confirmed that the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium will have floodlights to host the first one day International between Sri Lanka and England on November 18.

It was also revealed that the cost of the lights would be in the region of around twenty million while a further six million would be incurred on the installation. Although the Premadasa Stadium has over 600 lights the Dambulla Stadium would have a much lesser quantity of around 125.

This is due to the Technological advancement of the floodlights. Mobile floodlights which are also used in some cricket grounds around the world is believed to be 4 - 5 times costlier than the permanent ones.

The BCCSL is expecting to earn a revenue of around 50 million from the gate during the England tour as thousands of English fans are expected to make it to Sri Lanka for the five week tour which comprises three tests and three one day games.

SL-Aussies five ODI
For the first time Sri Lanka will play five one dayers at home against a single country when they take on Australia during February and March next year. The BCCSL was successful in convincing Australia to play an additional two one dayers on top of the three test and one dayers that was scheduled earlier. According to Cricket Board sources the two additional games will help Sri Lanka to generate an additional US $ 400,000 as revenue.

Provincial Tournament to be revived
Plans are underway to revive the Provincial Cricket tournament in a big way. As the BCCSL is in the process of re-structuring the current tournaments top priority has been given to revive the Provincial tournament. International Umpires and match Refrees will be brought down while arrangements will be made to televise the game through one of the local television stations and sponsors will be sought for this tournament.

Speaking at the press conference Vice President Aravinda de Silva who is also in charge of Cricket affairs said, 'We need to bridge the gap between Club Cricket and International Cricket if we are to be more competitive at the top, and I feel the new look Provincial tournament will help.'

Gritty stand helps Thomians
S. Thomas' led by 84 runs on the first innings by Dharmaraja, Kandy were struggling at 92 for 6. But a gritty unbeaten seventh wicket stand of 52 between Charith Silva 55 n.o.(with five fours) and a back-to-the wall eight not out by R. Panduwawala (in 104 balls) helped them to draw their inter-school cricket match continued at Mt. Lavinia, yesterday.

The Rajans winning the toss invited the Thomians to take first lease of the pitch. Off-spinner A.C.B. Samarakoon spun a web (5 for 24) and Ekanayake (2 for 9) to bundle out the Mt. Lavinia school for 109. The Lake View school in reply made 193. The Thomians in their second innings were struggling at 92 for 6. But stubborn batting by Charith Silva 55 n.o. kept the innings together without further loss..

S. Thomas - first innings 109 in 44.3 overs (Isuru Warnakulasuriya 39; V. Balasubramaniam 14; A.C.B. Samarakoon 5/24, Mahesh Werasooriya 2/9)
Dharmaraja - 193 in 63.4 overs (C.Bandara 22; P. Rodrigo 3/49; S. Shanthikumar 3/50; V. Balasubramaniam 2/22) - B.W.

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