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| Sunday, 5 February 2006 |
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SLC not happy with haphazard batting order by Srian Obeyesekere Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) authorities would not hesitate to take whatsoever action necessary in the interests of the game if there were any wrong doings on the part of the tour management of the Sri Lanka cricket team now competing in the VB Triangular Series in Australia. "Our interest is Sri Lanka cricket. If we have to take action we will do so. No one can come in our way because it is the country's cricket that matters foremost," said the Secretary, SLC, Adel Hashim last Friday. He said in response to a question by the 'Sunday Observer' whether SLC would take action if there had been bungling on the part of the tour management in Australia. The 'Sunday Observer' raised the issue when Chairman of the SLC's Interim Committee, Jayantha Dharmadasa commented that SLC was not happy over the haphazard batting order during the VB Series, and also the sidelining of young batsman Chamara Kapugedera after he had performed admirably against Australia ahead of the match against South Africa. At the confab held at the Sports Ministry auditorium, SLC Secretary, Hashim responding to a question also said that the local authorities were concerned over certain Sri Lanka cricketers having being racially abused by Australian spectators in the matches at Perth. He said that the need had not arised for SLC to take up the issue with Australia Cricket and the ICC because already the ICC investigators had moved in the matter. (Q). With the 2007 World Cup in sight what build up has been there in getting the ideal combination ? Secretary: "What do you mean by build-up ?" (Q). There has to be a build-up to the upcoming World Cup in the West Indies. Hasn't SLC taken steps to earmark talent in certain stages by creating different pools ? Chairman Interim Committee, Jayantha Dharmadasa stepping in to answer the question: "We have 26 players in a pool at national level in training. But we are finecombing for talented players." The Chairman said that in fact SLC had spent Rs. 85 million for cricket development in 2005, and this year it was exploring avenues of giving that extra bit to fine hone latent talent to higher expectations from under-19 to the 'A' team and the national team. The Secretary themed on the need to prune down on the number of players in the 'A' squad and u-19 squad as recommended by national coach Tom Moody so as to fine tune identified talent. He said that the specialist team headed by national coach, Tom Moody and comprising Trevor Penny, Stan Nel, Anura Tennekoon and Micheel Tissera would be working on it. Furthermore, SLC intend creating more overseas fixtures for the 'A' XI and U-19 XI in future so as to give youngsters greater exposure at international level. SLC Secretary outlined several areas of development during the year 2005 and the work ahead. He said that importantly an evaluation of bettering the standard of the game at national level had stressed the need to make several adjustments in their development programme for which a large volume of money had to be pumped in. Not just the batting department needed to be fine tuned. SLC was debating whether to opt for setting up four turf or artificial pitches. Of course, maintenance of these involved a large area of work which is a nightmare without adequate facilities. Therefore, artificial pitches seemed the answer though no final decision had been taken on this yet. He said that SLC was making the most of hosting the Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka so as to impress the ICC. Forty four matches would be staged in 15 days with the Youth World Cup kicking off this week. "We intend showcasing Sri Lanka as an excellent venue to tease the ideas of the ICC when future bids come up. In fact we won this bid over Malaysia." It would be a busy 2006 tour itinerary for the Sri Lanka national team commencing with the tour against Bangladesh starting on February 17. This would be followed by hosting Pakistan when two test matches and three ODI's would be played here. In August Sri Lanka would tour South Africa for two tests followed by a triangular series involving South Africa and India. Hashim said that one of the highs would be the setting up of a spinners academy in the near future. This would be purely focussed on helping spinners to become world class. The feasibility study of the intended project had been finalised and work on it would hopefully commence by April. He said that SLC also intended improving the Cricket Academy at Khettarama to help players to further develop their skills. Also it had been refurbished. The SLC Secretary refuted allegations that SLC had misused funds or acted wrongly in running the country's cricket affairs. The Galle Stadium had not been neglected. In fact it was the only venue in the South on which club matches could be played. "We are fully behind the Galle Stadium so as to ready it for domestic cricket." He added that Ambalangoda had been identified to set up an indoor net where local talent largely depended on an esplanade. He denied certain media reports that SLC was housing touring teams at Galadari on a private arrangement by Chairman Dharmadasa.In fact, it was the ICC which dealt with the subject where players are housed. It had eight of its officials here and it was with their concurrence that such related decisions were taken. Of course, the Taj Hotel was SLC's first preference.He said that in regard to Cricket Aid, this had not been stopped. A contract had been signed with World Vision. Talks had been held with Surrey in England which had placed money for the
setting up of a village called 'Surrey Village' here. Land had been
identified for houses for tsunami victims and the tender would be awarded
shortly to the most suitable person to start construction work. |
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