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| Tuesday, 1 July 2003 |
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Records up for breaking Comment By Dr. Elmo Rodrigopulle Records will be up for breaking when world champions in both versions of the game Australia take on the basement country Bangladesh in a two Test and one-day series soon. The Australians who are well equipped in both levels - Test and the 'cowboy' game - must be licking their lips waiting to devour the Bangladeshis who have been a misfit in the big leagues. One of the biggest boobs the International Cricket Council made was to grant Bangladesh Test status instead of letting them develop before hugging and pushing them up. Gordon Greenidge the former devastating West Indies opener who was their coach, spoke words of wisdom when he fearlessly, said that the Bangladeshis are not fit for Test cricket. Subsequently what happened to Greenidge is history now. That's the reward Greenidge received for being frank and honest. Now Greenidge must be giggling watching the Bangladeshis struggling to survive. True it would be galling for the ICC to demote them. But for the good of the game, and to be fair by those who have sweated to set up records, the ICC would not be faulted if they struck the Bangladeshis off the Test roll, until they can begin to match up to their opponents and deliver. The Bangladeshis have been long now in the Test and one-day scene, and there are no signs whatsoever of their improving or endeavouring to improve. The Australians led by champion Stephen Waugh in the Test and the dashing Ricky Ponting in the one-dayers, unless the unforseen happens, are sure going to make a mockery of records in batting and bowling. The most worried record holder whose splendid effort is likely to be erased is Brian Lara. Lara put to second best the batting record held by his countryman the great and one and only Sir Garfield Sobers who smacked the Pakistani bowling to make 365 not out and erase Sir Leonard Huttons 364. The stylish and elegant Brian Lara made mincemeat of the English bowling to take away Sobers' record. These three knocks were made against top quality bowling and it won't be fair if the Ausie batsmen bash these records aside. But then a record is a record and the Aussies should not hesitate to rewrite the records. Kenya must not be pushed Kenya after their wonderful showing in the World Cup are trying to force the ICC into granting them Test status. While appreciating the Kenyans for their performance in the WC where they scored a memorable victory against the former World Cup champions Sri Lanka, they must not crave for inclusion in the big league and then suffer the ignominy of getting licked like the Bangladeshis. We make bold to say that even Zimbabwe should not have been rushed into the big league. Infrastructure wise their facilities are appalling. They have only two Test playing venues. Bangladesh has only one and Kenya has only two. True the ICC are expected to promote and develop the game. But they must do it systematically. Sumathipala scores When Thilanga Sumathipala regained his rightful place as big boss of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, and when he walked out to take strike at the ICC meeting and face the blistering bowling of the lords at Lords, he was not aware that he was taking strike on a tricky wicket. But Sumathipala using his knowledge and experience having played the game at the highest levels, faced the bowling lords with expertise and aplomb to counter the bowling, play an eye catching innings and score for the game here. Sumathipala hooked the devastating bouncer that was the US dollars 500 thousand that the ICC was withholding because the Lankan cricketers refused to sign their WC contracts before the deadline for six and pocketed it much to the relief of the Lankan game. That was a master stroke from the little cricketing dynamo from Sri Lanka. Then along with his partner, the former leg spinner Mohan de Silva, he scored again getting the hitherto not possible tours for the 'A' cricketers in the country. The 'A' team cricketers are the future of Sri Lanka cricket. Then it is of paramount importance that they be given the all important exposure to show their prowess. Several tournaments for the 'A' cricketers have been lined up and this is the best thing that has happened for the game. And these cricketers must say a big thank you to Sumathipala. Sumathipala's next innings will be on a very treacherous pitch. That is facing the clever pace and spin that will be bowled by the players from WSG Nimbus who are claiming millions of dollars for having been deprived of their TV rights. The Board President will be up against it. But Sumathipala who has not only faced legal deliveries but also chuckers who tried to dismiss him and came up with his head held high, will not find the WSG bowling unplayable as he has the master strokes to counter them. That he will score again there is no doubt. |
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