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| Tuesday, 18 May 2004 |
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Howard hit wicket Comment by Elmo Rodrigopulle Muttiah Muralitheran, Sri Lanka's off spinning freak who broke Courtney Walsh's world bowling record, must certainly be a worried man, what with the vicious criticism levelled at him. The latest to join his critics is John Howard, the Australian Prime Minister. Howard is on record of having called the bowler a chucker. The Aussie PM has obviously been dragged into this quagmire that was made primarily by his countrymen. It is unfortunate because it is the Aussies who are Muralitheran's main detractors. Howard would have done well to mind his and his country's business instead of treading into land that he is not familiar with. When questioned without batting an eye lid, Howard said that Muralitheran is a chucker. Considering that players such as Geoff Marsh, Bruce Yardley, Adam Gilchrist, their best ever captain Steve Waugh and coach John Buchnan have all marvelled at Muralitheran's brilliance, it is sad to note an irresponsible statement coming from a responsible individual in the form of John Howard. Muralitheran has quite rightly said that he would not like to tour Australia for the two Test series in Cairns and Darwin. Sri Lanka Cricket has said they would not force the bowler to tour. But it would do Muralitheran and Sri Lanka Cricket a world of good if he makes it to Australia. Not to go would mean to accept what Howard said is true. Going to Australia would mean a slap on the faces of his critics. However, this is not the first time that the bowler has said that he was not going to Australia. Previously too he said this, but went. True the drunken louts at matches in Australia would want to taunt the bowler with shouts of 'no ball' or 'chucker' every time he runs up to bowl. How he could silence these louts is by running through the Aussie batting and luring them to defeat. So our advice to Muralitheran is to tour. Not to do so would be to be tagged like Howard a coward. We would also like to ask Howard why he did not take Shane Warne to task when he was banned for one year for using performance enhancing drugs. Ben Johnson the Canadian runner was banned for a similar offence. Then how come that Warne got off with a insignificant ban? Why the double standards, Mr. John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia? Golden goal Sports Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga scored a golden goal for the poor man's game soccer when he said that he would give it all assistance to further its progress. The Minister was speaking at a three-day Com-Unity Workshop organised by the Football Federation and conducted by FIFA experts specialised in Relationship Management, Communication and Marketing. Those who conduct the game here it must be stated have rarely or never bothered the Sports Minister or the Ministry. That is because their everything is streamlined, well organised and conducted, which has in admiration only brought out the green eyes and the frustrated who are out to stall the good work. FIFA sent its experts to conduct this important seminar on the request of Manilal Fernando who is a Senior Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation. Fernando is held in high esteem by FIFA and AFC. Speaking on the occasion Fernando quite rightly asked that the Sports Law be amended and sighted reasons for it. He impressed on the Minister that one year is not enough for an official to serve the sport and requested for a longer duration. This is one important aspect that the Minister must look into. In cricketing parlance, Minister Kumaratunga and his deputy Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi have still not got their eyes in, but being singled out for some uncharitable criticism. The Minister and his Deputy will do well to study the credentials of their critics. They will find that they are the frustrated, frauds or who have thrived on the sport or who have been kicked out for irregularities committed. So the Minister and his Deputy will do well to give these critics a kick up their backsides by just ignoring them. These critics are ones with hidden agendas. Fernando is one who has done wonders for the player, the administrator and the game. Critics are wont to throw stones on trees that bear. Fernando has been marked by cyclops who have launched a vicious assault on him. But Fernando swats these disease carrying flies and will continue to serve the game. Run orgy in Bulawayo With Zimbabwe cricket continuing to be on the skids, the Lankan batsmen led by skipper Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena enjoyed a run feast. Atapattu made 249, his sixth double hundred in the big league, Sangakkara a blazing 270 and Jayawardena a stylish 100 unbeaten as piled on the agony against a side that put on show a pathetic catching display to run up a huge 713 for 3 declared. On the third day with tea nearing and Jayawardena looking for his century, it was amusing to hear two TV commentators discussing a declaration at tea with more than two days to go. These two experts provided the laughter to viewers. It is time that President Robert Mugabe stepped in put a stop to the rot that is taking place in his country's cricket. Not to do so would be a laughing stock in the eyes of world sport. |
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