FIFA Upheavel and Trotting to the pinnacle of supremacy

Here in England taking top billing after the local soccer and Test cricket is the re-election of Sepp Blatter for another four-year term unopposed. He was given 186 votes, with 17 world football delegates refusing to play the game and abstaining. The President of the Asian Football Confederation Qatar's Mohammed Bin Hammam was to give Blatter a run. But on Sunday Bin Hammam was suspended with soccer chief Jack Warner by FIFA's Ethics Committee over an alleged plot to rig the election with 25,000 pounds bribes to delegates.

The media here launched a scathing attack on the 75-year old Blatter, levelling various allegations and asking for even the election to be postponed, probably livid and disappointed that their attempt to hold either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup bid failed.

England's soccer chief even called for Blatter to be stripped of FIFA's Presidency until a reforming rival is found to contest an election. That cry was supported by Prince William in his position as President of the English Football Association.

But Blatter who is veteran in this game, dribbled and beat all odds, Maradona like, and scored the winning goal, which was what the election was about, and gets a fourth term as head of the most powerful sporting body in the world. Sri Lanka's Manilal Fernando who is the first proud Sri Lankan to serve on the prestigious Executive Committee of FIFA also took part in the voting.

All these allegations were levelled against FIFA after Bin Hamman expressed his desire to contest Blatter. In defence of the AFC chief, Bin Hammam, it must be said that Blatter had said that he would not be contesting another term. And that is what prompted Blatter to enter the fray.

After his resounding victory, an ecstatic Blatter shouted from his conference podium: "I am the captain weathering the storm. I am happy that we were able to bring today into FIFA once again the solidarity, and unity."

The bottom line however is the that image of FIFA has been tarnished by what's going on. It will be upto Blatter to repair the damage-which will be an uphill task.

England's Cricketer of the year'

Jonathon Trott, the South African born right-hand batsman richly deserves the honour of being chosen the England Cricket Board's 'Player of the year'. The awards ceremony was held at Lord's on Tuesday.

The award is given by the British Cricket Media to the player with the greatest impact upon England's performances from the start of 2010 international season until the end of the World Cup.

"I am both extremely honoured and proud to have been nominated England's Cricketer of the Year after what has clearly been the most enjoyable year of my cricket career so far. It is an honour to represent England and a privilege to be involved in such a successful, hard-working team," said Trot.

Assessment period

During the assessment period he played 32 matches for England across formats scoring 2246 runs at an average of 68.06. In the ODIs he aggregated 422 runs in the 2011 World Cup with an average of 60.29 with five half centuries in seven games. After his double hundred in Cardiff his average is 66.67 second only to Sir Donald Bradman with 99.94 among batsmen who have played at least 20 Test innings.

Beginning from the Ashes tour of Australia, he has been in tremendous form. He was partly responsible in helping England retain the Ashes with his phenomenal efforts with the bat. Although he is second to Bradman average wise, he can never expect to be called another Bradman. Bradman was a runs scoring stylish batsman, to whom scoring triple centuries in a day of a Test match was chicken feed. Trott is steady and a hard working accumulator runs.

Cardiff a wonderful place

Cardiff where Sri Lanka had their cricketing pride dented with an innings and 24-run defeat to England being bowed out in 24.4 overs, is a beautiful city with very hospitable people. It has a population of 350 thousand people.

The day I arrived by coach from Victoria, it was nice and cool and the sun was out. I was met by Rev. David Clark with whom I was going to stay for the duration of the Test match, David is a friend of Rev Niel Jayasuriya a Sri Lankan who served in Cardiff and now based in Melbourne, Australia.

Incidentally, Niel is the brother of Bertrem and Herbie Jayasuriya, both former Kingswood cricketers. Bertrem was the former Chairman of Mercantile Shipping and is best known for inventing the 'CATCH IT' fielding machine which was popular not so long ago. Herbie played for the Police and was my team mate at the Burgher Recreation Club in the mid sixties.

Previous visit

My previous visit to Cardiff was when Sri Lanka played Pakistan in a World Cup game in 1983. That match was played in Swansea, the home of Glamorgan Cricket Club. Duleep Mendis, the present Chairman of Selectors and here with the Sri Lanka team as Selector on tour was the captain.

That was the year when India under Kapil Dev beat the West Indies who had the previous two World Cups in 1975 and 1979 under Clive Lloyd and were poised to win the third title having skittled India out for 180 odd at Lord's.

On that tour, Sri Lanka had the honour of beating India in a practice game before the tournament proper, and ultimately won the World Cup. Watching that game with me was my former 'Times of Ceylon' team mate and wicket keeper Andrew Silva and a colleague Clifford Bocks. Also there was Clement Arnold from my school St. Benedict's College and residing in London.

Sobers' six sixes

Swansea was the ground that Sir Garfield Sobers made famous by clouting Malcolm Nash for six sixes in an over. Incidentally Sobers was the coach of that Sri Lanka team and it would have rekindled memories when watching the game on that ground. The new ground of Glamorgan is the Swalec Stadium which can house 16 thousand spectators. Sri Lanka was the second country to play here with Australia being the first. Rev David who found time from his many onerous church duties, while discussing Sri Lanka's poor showing in the Test, drove me round and showed me the famous rugby stadium - Cardff Arms Park - now named - Millenium Stadium.

Rich history

He drove me over the 'fly over', with the University Hospital on the left, Cathay Park, the National Library, Civic Hall, Law Courts, War Memorial, the Prison, Norwegian Church which has a rich history behind it, Parliament Building, Cardiff Athletic Stadium and the Cathedral. Later David took me to another of Niel Jayasuriya's friends, Eric and Beryl Sandiford who had a few days back celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. It was indeed an interesting and learning little tour . While I take with me fond and unforgettable memories of Cardiff, it was sad that the showing of the Lankans in the Test match had shocked all cricket fans here. But that is cricket and Sri Lanka has the promise to rise again.

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