World Cup Cricket opening ceremony on February 17 in Dhaka:

Sri Lanka plays Canada in first match at Hambantota on Feb 20

By Ranjan Amandappa

CRICKET: The Umpire’s Decision Referral System (DRS) could make a big impact in the outcome of decision making at the 2011 World Cup Cricket Tournament which will jointly be held in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India, February 2011.

These were the views of Sri Lanka Cricket Manager and former Sri Lanka skipper Anura Tennekoon who was the captain of the inaugural World Cup tournament in England in 1975 and the subsequent one also held in England in 1979.

Tennekoon said that the referral system is good for the tournament as the truth will be revealed.

In the 1996 World Cup semi-final match against India at Eden Gardens, Calcutta, India were cruising along with Sachin Tendulkar in full cry prior to becoming a victim of a leg-side stumping by Kaluvitharana which the third umpire upheld. This was a wide ball, a decision which put Sri Lanka on top.

Tendulkar was 65 at that time and Indian total 98 for 2 wickets at Eden gardens in the semi-final of the World Cup in 1996 - the year Sri Lanka won the World Cup.

Then in the World Cup on 2007 held in West Indies, in a crucial match, West Indies Captain Brian Lara was stumped by Sangakkara. The decision was given in favour of Sangakkara by the referral system.

The umpires would have been in a quandary in deciding through their naked eyes, but they were able to give Lara out with the new system in operation.

In addition the lbw which came under the jurisdiction of the field umpires in the past has come under the purview of the DRS system.

At the moment, the Sri Lanka squad are representing their respective clubs at the on going Inter-provincial limited overs cricket tournament and attending ‘gym’ sessions as well.

When asked by playing in at least in two relatively new venues, namely Pallekele and Hambantota whether Sri Lanka would lose the home advantage, Tennekoon said that “The players have the feel of the Pallekele Stadium, as a Test match was played, although it was hampered by rain.”

“All the pool players are representing their respective clubs in the Premier Limited Overs matches which are now in progress. Thereafter the players will undergo a three-day training camp at the Pallekele Stadium under lights to get more familiar with the conditions,” Tennekoon said.

“The West Indies who left the Island without playing the ODI series due to bad weather, are expected to come back to play two ODIs in mid January. “This should help Sri Lanka and even the Windies to map up their strategy”.

“The final squad for the World Cup Tournament will be selected by this time.” said Tennekoon.

India coupled with their experience, home advantage and their impressive home record seems to be riding high, but their yielding under pressure situations is a known factor. Sri Lanka too, has been rated high, but Pakistan is in a bit of disarray, but yet cannot be written off.

Bangladesh are no more minnows, they defeated India and South Africa in the previous World Cup held in the West Indies four years ago. The 14 countries taking part have been divided into two groups. In group ‘A’ defending champions Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya.

In group ‘B’ India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands.

The opening ceremony will take place on February 17 in Bangladesh, followed by Bangladesh meeting India on February 19 in Dhaka.

On February 20 Sri Lanka will meet Canada at Hambantota. The rest of the Sri Lanka matches scheduled to take place:

February 26: Sri Lanka Vs Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

March 1: Sri Lanka Vs Kenya at R. Premadasa Stadium Colombo.

March 5: Sri Lanka Vs Australia at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

March 10: Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe at Pallekele.

March 18: Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand in Mumbai.

29 matches will be played in India - Mumbai, Mohali, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and New Delhi.

12 matches will be staged in Sri Lanka - Colombo, Hambantota, Pallekele.

8 matches are scheduled to be played in Bangladesh - Dhaka and Chittagong.