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| Sunday, 9 June 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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'Indoor' cricket makes an impact by Pelham Juriansz Indoor cricket is not as popular as the outdoor version at the moment, but it only takes a little publicity and enlightening of the mind to make the game watchable. Firstly, the spectator is confused as to the rules of the game and Sachitra Siribaddana the youthful coach of the indoor cricketers wishes to educate the average spectator, who has an inkling of knowledge on the outdoor version, be it Test or one dayers, with the history and rules of the game. Indoor cricket had its origins in Western Australia, the home of speedster Dennis Lillee, in the late 1970's when the Kerry Packer era was catching on and transforming the cricketing world with its innovative brand of one-day cricket and coloured clothing etc. England created or invented the traditional game but it would seem that the "Aussies" are good at innovations and making the traditional game, which could become a bore at times, into a more exciting affair. "Look at it that way, and you will enjoy indoor cricket", said Siribaddana who has yet to convince me that it is worth my while to travel to Thalawatugoda to watch indoor cricket when I could enjoy it at home on the TV. " But nothing like watching it live", quipped the energetic Sachitra, at the plush Austasia Indoor Stadium which also offers swimming facilities. As to the rules, each team can have a maximum of 8 players and no team can play with less than 6 players. A game must proceed when scheduled, if a minimum of six players for each team is present. The game consists of 1 batting and 1 bowling innings per team. Each innings consists of sixteen overs(consisting of six balls), and each player must bowl two overs. The run deduction for a dismissal is 5 runs or multiples of five. A batting innings is divided into 4 sections and each section consists of 4 overs. The batting team, consequently, bats in pairs with each pair batting for 4 overs. The batters(as they are called) bat for the entire 4 overs whether they are dismissed or not. No batter may bat more than once. A team cannot declare an innings closed. This writer inquired from the coach as to the playing surface. Q: "What about the playing area or the court(as it is called)?" A: "The court is divided into two halves with a dividing line being the non striker's crease. No more than four fielders may field in either half of the court from the moment the bowler commences his run up until the ball leaves the bowler's hand. One noteworthy difference is that the wicket keeper's position is optional." Q: How are runs scored? A: Runs are scored in the normal fashion when the batters cross each other and also when they hit the ball into the side net or down the court to the net behind the bowler. With the World Cup in New Zealand looming ahead in October youthful Siribaddana or "Siri", he is called, is hunting around for latent talent in the Mercantile sector with the tournament for that sector starting on June 10. Manager of the Indoor Cricket Stadium is the ever obliging M. Naushad. The Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association (CICA) is giving a much needed boost to the indoor version of the ever popular sport by conducting the second Mercantile Indoor Cricket Tournament at the Austasia Indoor Cricket Stadium at Thalawatugoda. Buddhika Kuruppuarachchi, a committee member of the CICA said that it is an important step ahead for indoor cricket as for the second time they are conducting a Mercantile Indoor Cricket Tournament which would attract around 50 teams this year. He said that from the very inception Hermon Pereira visited the site for the Austasia Indoor Stadium and was very much involved in its promotion at the inception two years ago. "Even though Thalawatugoda seems to be a little out of the way for Colombo residents, nevertheless we hope to construct a few more stadia in Colombo and Kandy or Galle in the near future in preparation for the World Cup which we hope to host in 2004", commented Kuruppuarachchi. The entry fee for the tournament is Rs. 7,500 and the semi finals and the grand final will be telecast live on TV. Incidentally, ITN has been recognised as the official TV station for the CICA. One of the aims of this tournament is to form a squad to represent Sri Lanka at the Indoor Cricket World Cup 2002. Sri Lanka will host the 2004 World Cup with this form of sport having a World Cup every two years. Last year East West Marketing emerged champions in the Mercantile 2001 Tournament beating most of the competitive teams that participated. The Champions will receive the "Mercantile Trophy" and there will be cash prizes and trophies to the value of Rs 75,000 for winners and runners up, and the best all-round performers will receive trophies and certificates. Galadari Hotel has been designated as the official hotel for indoor cricket and all press conferences where all visiting teams are housed. Indoors or outdoors "cricket" as the "Aussies" call it, could create a sensation. |
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