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Comment by Dr. Elmo Rodrigopulle

Come November and the England cricketers and their supporters, the 'Barmy Army' numbering nearly 8,000 will invade Sri Lanka.

The cricketers led by Michael Vaughan, will endeavour to add to their success achieved when they were last here under Nasser Hussain and the spectators led by the famous 'Barmy Army' will cheer their players and inspire them.

English cricket is at the moment, struggling to get into winning ways. Though they triumphed in the one-day series against South Africa, they are not what they would like to be in the established game.

The sudden resignation by Test Captain Nasser Hussain shook the foundations. It was obvious that the two captain style did not go down well with their players, which ultimately led to Hussain giving it up and allowing one-day captain Michael Vaughan, who was suddenly thrust into this hot seat to sink or swim.

The Sri Lankan cricketers in the meantime are enjoying a well earned break and should be back firing all cylinders against the Englishmen in an endeavour to hit back and avenge their previous defeat in Sri Lanka.

While the touring cricket squad will be named later, we would like to say something about the 'Barmy Army'. Now this is a army of vociferous supporters who travel with their cricketers on every tour cheering and inspiring them.

But unfortunately the incessant cheering that takes place once the match begins by the 'Barmy Army', has had little or no response from the cricketers success wise. But yet the 'Barmy Army' continue in their merry way and at times run into controversy like they did in Australia last summer.

The 'Barmy Army' is also known to guzzle the thirst quenching beer from the time they arrive at the venue. With England continuing to lose Tests in Australia, some of the louts after quenching their thirst a little too much took on Aussie speedman Brett Lee as their bite.

Aussie opener Justin Langer defended his team mate and there was controversy between Langer and the 'Barmy Army' which lasted for sometime but ultimately it was alls well that ends well.

When I was in Australia early this year covering the Sri Lankan tour, in the company of former Observer staffer Cliff Landers and his wife Sugie, sons Hayson and Cleryon watched the Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia needed a small score for victory. England hit back with Steve Harmison and Andrew Caddick sending down thunderbolts and Australia were struggling with something like 4 down for 20 odd.

England were sniffing an unexpected victory. Then it happened Captain Steve Waugh snicked a catch to wicket keeper Foster. The 'Barmy Army' was making such a deafening noise, that Foster and the close in fielders failed to hear the snick. But watching the replay on the big screen on the ground, Foster and his team-mates realised that Waugh had snicked. Foster went up appealing as an afterthought and the umpire did right in not ruling Waugh out because the second appeal came up late. The din made by the 'Barmy Army' cost England a famous victory.

Imagine nearly 8,000 including the 'Barmy Army' making noise at matches here. It sure would not make the umpires job an easy one. Beer companies here will do well to bid early to serve the drink on the ground. Members of the 'Barmy Army' consume so much beer, that at the end of the tour will see the successful tenderer for beer pocketing a big profit.

Cheer leaders Percy Abeysekera, Lionel Nawaragodagedera and Saddhatissa will have good company.

Muralitheran in the news

With former Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore now with Bangladesh, defending his bowler Sanwar Hossain who was reported by the umpires after the Second Test against Australia in Cairns, Muralitheran too came into the picture with a delivery that is similar to the backhand delivery sent down by Hossain, which the bowler had been reported for.

Today many bowlers are continuing to deliver with imperfect actions. They are Brett Lee, Shoaib Akthar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Malik, James Kirtley and our own Muralitheran.

Muralitheran is all controversy because some think that he is suspect, while others don't think so. That controversy will drag on for many more years to come. But Muralitheran is not worried. He is continuing to bowl the way his creator made him to.

The other day MTV on its news showed Muralitheran bowling against Worcester for his county Kent.

The news reader while saying that Muralitheran bowled his county to victory, showed the bowler delivering the three deliveries that brought him wickets. We wonder what those watching Muralitheran bowl thought of his action.

MTV would do well to repeat that bit of action.

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