|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 25 May 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
'Toothless tiger' still holds good By Elmo Rodrigopulle Richie Benaud, the former illustrious Australian skipper tagged the International Cricket Council as a toothless tiger, and went on to say that other than for meeting to decide when to meet again, does simply nothing for the game. How true! What Benaud said then, still rings true. If this is not so how can one explain the Zimbabwe cricket fiasco and the negative approach by the ICC. The lords at Lord's recognised the Test series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe as official, and then turned around and said that the Tests between Australia and Zimbabwe would be unofficial. The Aussies gave the ICC a thundering slap and said that there was no way that they would play the two Tests, if they were going to be tagged unofficial. It was good thinking by the Aussies. The ICC realised that if the Aussies were to play the Zimbabweans, the kangaroos would make a mockery of the game by slaughtering the Zim lambs. What is interesting would be to see whether the lords would have the guts to rule the Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe Tests unofficial. They would dare not do that. But to allow the Three one-day games to proceed as internationals, is to make a mockery of those games. The Aussies are the best in the world in all forms of the game and are sure to break some of the existing records in the one-day game. A batting record that is likely to be broken is the one held by Pakistani opener Saeed Anwar who holds the record with a blistering 194. Batsmen of the calibre of Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds are sure to have a go at this record. Ban Zimbabwe What the ICC must do is to strip Zimbabwe of Test status, until they get their house in order. As the impasse stands now, there is not likely to be a settlement between the white players and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. Those at war want to give it continuity. While it goes on the game and players are left to suffer. The Aussies are threatening to press for the exclusion of the Zimbabweans from the big league. The Aussies must not only threaten, but must go through with it, so that it will serve as a deterrent. According to Eshan Mani, the lord of the Rings, there is no way that the Zims would be stripped of Test status. Then the question to Mani is: For how long would he allow the ugly situation prevailing in Mugabe land to continue? As for us we are still at a loss to understand how Zimbabwe were hugged into the Test playing league, considering that they sadly lack in infrastructure and have only two Test playing venues. If the ICC gave Zimbabwe Test status to broadbase the game, the Zims have sadly not lived up to those expectations. So it would not be wrong to strip them of that exalted status. Atapattu - good start Marvan Atapattu who was belatedly given the Lankan captaincy, proved that he has what it takes to be a good captain. A weak Zimbabwe side was the ideal setting for Atapattu to get his act going. He led from the front and won the one-day as well as the Test series, When he was captain of the one-day side, he did not show much interest and that could be understood. But now given the reins in both forms of the game, Atapattu showed that he has the talents to make him one of the best captains in the game. Atapattu would have heaved a sigh of relief, now that the selectors have decided to do away with the ugly two captaincy syndrome. The selectors should also be patted for including youngsters Faveez Mahroof, Ian Daniel and Tilina Kandamby on the Zim tour. All three are promising and what they require is consistency. Mahroof has the makings of turning out into being an allrounder, which the game is sadly lacking now. More experience is what is needed. Opener Ian Daniel was unlucky to be out first ball in the practice game. It was 'a throw ball' by Mahawire who has now been reported for an illegal action. English FA Cup The English FA Cup final between Manchester United and Millwall did not produce much excitement, as Manchester's opponents did not provide much opposition. After the World Cup final, the English FA Cup final is the thing. Manchester romped home easy winners by three goals to nil. Kings and Queens have graced this final and it was no different this time round. In previous finals the action dished out had been thrilling. But Millwall failed to deliver when it came to the final. Come Saturday will be played the local Blue Riband of the Sharp FA Cup at the Sugathadasa Stadium under lights between two of the giants here Ratnam and Renown. Both teams are from the soccer crazy town of Kotahena and thrill a minute action is assured. FIFA experts happy Experts from FIFA, the world governing body for the game, were very pleased with the interest shown by the participants and Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga when they conducted the Com-Unity seminar here. The Minister's promise for assistance for the player and the game was well received by the experts, who are aware that the game here is primarily played by the poor. The Minister is happy the way the FFSL is conducting its affairs. The experts were also amazed at the wonderful organisational ability of Lanka's senior AFC vice president Manilal Fernando who conducted the seminar to international standard. Fernando would soon be vying for the top post in the AFC and Minister Kumaratunga is sure to give him all the support to earn the top slot. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
