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| Tuesday, 6 April 2004 |
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Emerson lying? Comment by Dr. Elmo Rodrigopulle Ross Emerson who was a partner in crime with Darrel Hair and nearly put an end to cricketing ties between Australia and Sri Lanka, has done it again. Emerson who is known to be a headline grabber, has, this time round said that an official of the Australian Cricket Board had asked him to call Muralitharan on the tour of 1999. What Emerson says cannot be believed. He called the bowler in 1995 and had to justify that calling and so his calling Muralitharan in 1999 in a one-day game in Adelaide when Sri Lanka were playing England. Before the tour, BCCSL President Thilanga Sumathipala sent Dhammika Ranatunga, the then CEO to Australia to tell the ACB that the tour would take place only if there were no problems, especially where Muralitharan was concerned. The ACB promised the CEO that everything would be tickety boo. Going on this assurance, it is difficult to believe what Emerson says that he was asked by an ACB official to call Muralitharan which set the cricketing ties between the two countries on fire. Led admirably in that game by 'Captain Cool' Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka scored a famous victory with Muralitharan hitting the winning run in a game where both teams scored over 300 runs in their 50 overs. I was on that tour covering it for the ANCL Group of Newspapers and can vouch for the tension that prevailed that sunny day when the wonderful relationship and cricketing ties between the two countries nearly ended. Skipper Ranatunga quite rightly supported his bowler. He told Emerson what he thought of the whole sordid affair. Ranatunga and Emerson exchanged heated words and Ranatunga who does not believe in coming off second best, told Emerson that his unsporting behaviour was going to cause big problems. What Ranatunga did next was what helped the Lankans who were hitherto suffering from a white man complex to shed it and to be their equals or even better. He got Emerson to stand where he wished and it was indeed sad to see the umpire who had earlier thought he had done a heroic act, tuck his tail between his legs and do the way Ranatunga wanted. Thanks to Ranatunga, the Lankans can now play the game with their white counterparts on equal terms. What Ranatunga did, did not go down well with the Aussie media who launched a virulent attack on Ranatunga and were writing reams wanting 'Captain Cool' to be banned from the game. Ranatunga had a friend in need in the President of the Cricket Board of that time Thilanga Sumathipala who got some of the best legal brains in Australia to defend him and Ranatunga who was given a suspended sentence, walked the field thereafter with his head held high. Emerson, the ACB, the ICC and the Aussie media who had lost all reasoning were made to lick their self inflicted wounds which warned the cockles of all Sri Lankans. It is a pity that the Ranatungas and the Sumathipalas have gone their different ways. Zim here we come Zimbabwe cricket is in turmoil with the sudden resignation of skipper Heath Streak. Streak showed the mean streak in him by demanding that things be done his way. The Zimbabwe CA told him that his requests could not be granted and that they would accept his resignation. Taibu at 20 becomes the youngest captain in Test history. Now that their cricket is in the land of uncertainty, it is up to the Lanka selectors, to think positively and send a squad that could repeat what Sanath Jayasuriya's team did on the previous tour - winning the Test series. The wickets in Zim land are good ones with little or no tinkering taking place. Having been there on two previous occasions, I can vouch for the fact the wickets are true ones. The selectors have pencilled down a squad of 29 from which the final line-up would be picked. It is good to see the names of Russel Arnold and Ian Daniel among the lot. Arnold enjoyed a grand tour last time round with his allround ability. His one-day century in Bulawayo was breathtaking. He accustomed himself well to the wickets and conditions there and he should be on the tour. Daniel, a stylish right hander has done more than enough to warrant a place for Zimbabwe. With the selectors undecided as to who the vice captain for Zim should be when finally making up their minds, they should take into consideration the credentials of allrounder Chaminda Vaas. Captaining his club Colts CC he showed clever thinking and Vaas deserves to be bestowed this honour. Walsh in the news With Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan poised to go beyond West Indian Courtney Walsh's record of 519 wickets, it is time to spare a thought for this gangling pace bowler who was the first to go past the 500-wicket mark. While Warne hardly has a run up, with Muralitheran running in a few paces, Walsh's achievement is all the more creditable considering that he had to run in a lot going to his record. Walsh had to put in lot of effort over the years, not only running in for his country, but also for his club and county. A fast bowler's record should be more appreciated than that of a spinner. Amarasena secretary SLC Former Ananda College and police cricketer Lourence Amarasena should adorn the post of secretary admirably. With tremendous experience, playing the game and administering it, Amarasena who takes on an arduous job should deliver to the liking of all. Amarasena can be relied on to continue the good work done by Mohan de Silva, who has now stepped into the shoes of President, SLC. Amarasena was a good allrounder. |
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