Sportsmanship 'no balled'

Congratulations to Sri Lanka Cricket headed by former allrounder and captain Somachandra de Silva for their rapid-fire action. It sends a strong signal that it's 'no nonsense' time when it comes to cricket and discipline. No one is above the law and the true spirit of the game.

Suraj Randiv who delivered the deliberate 'no ball' was fined 3500 US dollars and banned for one match. Tillekeratne Dilshan who provoked the incident was also fined 3500 US dollars, but escaped further punishment. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara had been asked to see that no such repetitions take place.

The International Cricket Council it has been reported has commended Sri Lanka Cricket for acting swiftly and decisively in relational to the unsavoury incident where Suraj Randiv, the Sri Lankan bowler denied Indian batsman Virender Sehwag a century by bowling a 'no ball'.

ICC's Chief Executive Haroon Lorgart as, it is stated that the spirit of cricket is a fundamental part of this sport and it is pleasing to see its members upholding it in such a decisive manner. The ICC further deems that incident was unfortunate and 'that the matter is now closed'.

Warmed the cockles

Time was when the Sri Lankan cricketers marshalled by the mercurial Mahela Jayawardena won the International Cricket Council's 'Spirit of Cricket' Award two years running. It was very creditable. It warmed the cockles of the hearts of every Sri Lankan be they sportsmen or laymen.

Matches can be won or lost or drawn and that is part and parcel of the game. But there is more to cricket than the end result. It's the spirit in which it is played, the decorum that is observed and the respect that is given and earned each time for the respective actions of the teams. And the 'spirit of cricket' award that we earned defined the character of Sri Lanka cricket.

Yet in recent times this great honour has evaded us. The ICC must be having their reasons for it. While it's good for cricket that standards are improved and other nations too win the award, it should in our own dressing rooms beg the question as why the honour has slipped away from the grip that we held.

If the Sri Lankans entertained hopes of winning that award next time round, then the debate about and poor sportsmanship on that lovely night at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Monday may give cause for review by the International Cricket Council. Now that the facts have come out and action had been taken, it vindicates the reputation of the Sri Lanka Cricket - and what Sri Lanka cricket stands for.

Glorious tradition

Had action not been taken or delayed, it would have left a black mark, not only on the game which has enjoyed a rich and glorious tradition and past, but on all former cricketers who played their part as true sportsmen to bring the game to what it enjoys now, and for all that it stands for. For the record - it happened out in the middle like this. Indian champion batsman Virender Sehwag was on 99 requiring one more run for his century which is the longing of any batsman, which run was also going to signal victory for the Indians, who were struggling to win and keep their hopes alive of winning the Micromax Trophy.

After delivering two legitimate deliveries to Sehwag, bowler Suraj Randiv apparently lost or forgot the treasured values of the game as he delivered a 'no ball' and a big one at that. Sehwag blasted that delivery out of the ground with glee and waved his bat around in celebration, as every batsman scoring a century would do.

But his joy was short lived. That was because the rule has it that with the delivery of a 'no ball', the match was over - won by India and the six hit was of no significance. It also deprived Sehwag of the three figure mark. How nice and sporting it would have been had Randiv delivered yet another legitimate delivery and allowed Sehwag his century and India a win. That ugly act by Randiv stunned not only those taking in the action, but it had the lack of sportsmanship written all across the skyline in that lovely floodlit - a painful verdict delivered to the way we play the game and that that former cricketers toiled to put Sri Lanka on the cricket map and make it an example to other nations.

Much speculation

There is much speculation that Randiv would not have acted the way he did all by himself. Somebody would have shouted to Randiv to deliver the 'no ball' and now it is established it was indeed so. Being young, he would not have realized the gravity of his action. But this no excuse nor for Tillekeratne Dilshan who provoked the incident. It is gratifying that a penalty has been inflicted on both players. They are lucky though to have got off this lightly.

This incident brings to mind a similar act that nearly brought Australia and New Zealand to 'cricketing war' when skipper Greg Chappell instructed his younger brother Trevor to bowl an under arm delivery to deprive New Zealand of victory. It was in the laws. But it was not in the spirit. That scar still remains and whenever these two teams meet the situation is tense.

There was no way that a 'no ball' bowled was going to save Sri Lanka from defeat. So, it was intentional. It was a crass act of poor sportsmanship and a scar that will remain for some time. Both teams played the game hard and in the end it was the better side that triumphed. That this one delivery had to sour the relationship is sad.

The initial virture that is taught to beginners handling a bat and wanting to hit it big - it is not the winning or the losing that matters but how one played the game. The other axioms ingrained into sportsmen and women are - not to hit below the belt, to play a straight bat, not to hit a man when he is down and observe several other niceties in sport.

Irresponsible act

Suraj Randiv, realizing the gravity of his irresponsible act, had apologized to Sehwag. The sportsman that he is, Sehwag would have accepted the apology. But what has been done cannot be undone. Sri Lanka Cricket which has been savagely criticised unjustly was quick to act and ask Cricket Manager Anura Tennekoon to institute an inquiry and submit a report for necessary action. The quick acting by SLC has been lauded.

The SLC acted without fear or favour and showed that no one should be allowed to think or be bigger than the game. The game's the thing.

Sri Lanka Cricket which has been at the receiving end by some disgruntled critics, was taken to task for providing tight security to the teams taking part in the ongoing Micromax Triangular cricket tournament. SLC should be commended for providing such security whatever the cost.

These steps have been taken keeping in mind the attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Pakistan. Thank God nothing serious had happened. Had the terrorists succeeded in their attempt it would have been a calamity with several lives being lost.

SLC would do well to keep the tight security going because with terrorists no chances should be taken. Critics are fickle. If the security is lessened and an attack takes place, they will accuse the SLC of negligence of duty and vice versa.