|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 23 November 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Discipline a must by Elmo Rodrigopulle Sri Lanka Cricket played what could be best described as a clever, forceful and convincing innings to have Muttiah Muralitharan's 'doosra' cleared and get the bowler on song again. SLC provided the ICC and its Committee every test possible to prove that Muralitharan, although his action is peculiar, that he was certainly not chucking. The bowling committee headed by former Indian opening batting master, Sunil Gavaskar after studying and watching everything provided on the bowler's action had no way to turn to but clear the bowler and allow him to ply his trade. When SLC was savouring and enjoying their success, and before the ICC gives the all clear for Muralitharan to bowl his doosra, which would probably be in February next year, the off spinner shot his mouth and in mouthing what he thinks of other bowlers, undid all the good work that SLC had done. Muralitharan is now cawing that what he said had been misconstrued and that he had been misquoted. The fact remains that he had no right to comment on others. What was unacceptable was that the SLC had to wait for their Aussie counterparts to report, for the necessary action to be initiated against Muralitharan and ask for his explanation. After an Aussie official sounded his displeasure to the SLC that former DIG and now secretary, Sri Lanka Cricket Laurence Amarasena activated the SLC high ups to immediately write to the off spinner and ask for his explanation. The SLC at all times must endeavour to see that their good name and their credibility are not lost by cricketers or officials who may tend to talk or do things out of turn that could sully its good name. The SLC would soon sit to decide on what action they should take on the bowler if it is proved that he has infringed. They must sit with an open mind. Their first priority is to remember that no player, however great is indispensable or greater than the game. The game is the thing. When values are beginning to be lost, the SLC must be stern, impartial and if the bowler has infringed must give him a sentence or a punishment that would serve as a deterrent to others. If no action is taken and if the accused is allowed free, it would mean for the SLC to lose its credibility. This is not the first time that the bowler has been found wanting, or has stepped out of line. Everyone playing, following and watching are eagerly awaiting to see as to how the SLC would go. The week would tell. Discipline is a must. Trans-Tasman trophy The Trans-Tasman cricket series between neighbours Australia and New Zealand has always been chock-full of interest, since Greg Chappell asked his younger brother Trevor to bowl an underarm delivery to a Kiwi batsman in a one-dayer. No quarter is asked or given as the two teams do battle out in the middle. After Trevor bowled that underarm delivery, the two countries nearly went to war. There were cries for sporting ties between the two countries to be called off. But finally saner counsel prevailed and sporting ties are back on track. In the first test at the Gabba in Brisbane it was once again that promising batsman Michael Clarke who shone. He continued from where he left off in India and blasted another stylish century. He has undoubtedly been the pick in recent times. He is played primarily as a batsman. But is no mean bowler as he showed in the final Test against India where he pocketed 6 wickets for 9 runs with his slow left arm spin. If he concentrates and takes the game seriously, there is always the possibility that he would end up as one of their greats. Adam Gilchrist too enjoyed himself by massacring the Kiwi bowlers to also notch up a century. This was after Jacob Oram plundered a century on the second day. After the Gillespie 54 no and McGrath 61 last wicket heroics where they added a record 114, McGrath 3 for 19 and Warne 4 for 15 blasted the Kiwi second innings for 76 to win the Test by an innings and 156 with over a day to spare. Good for football Football - the poor man's game in Sri Lanka which has come in for some scathing criticism has hit back with a vengeance at its critics, with some startling performances. The recent one being against the Saudi Arabians in Saudi where they played their hearts out to go down fighting to the homesters by 3 goals to nil. Critics expected the Lankans to concede a bagful of goals to their opponents. But they cocked a snook at their detractors with a superlative performance.At the moment the footballers are doing their thing sans a foreign coach. Every team playing the game today are fortunate to have with them a foreign coach to show them how. Some have more than one. The Saudi Arabians who were startled by the effort of the Lankans had nothing but praise for the Lankans after the game. Coach Sampath Perera and captain Dudley Steinwall have done a wonderful job. They must be encouraged. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
