Air cleared for India's participation

by Sa'adi Thawfeeq

The grey clouds that had been hovering around India's participation in the upcoming one-day triangular series in Sri Lanka and creating uncertainty in the minds of the cricketing public was cleared with Sri Lanka Cricket interim committee secretary Tryphon Mirando's 24-hour visit to India at the end of last week.

With the interim administrative changes that took place, the tour was in a rather fluid state that Mirando who could have easily got confirmation on India's participation through one phone call, decided that his presence was of vital importance if future ties with India was to continue as scheduled.

Mirando who met with high ranking Indian Cricket Board officials at Kolkata said India was totally committed to come to Sri Lanka and participate in the one-day triangular with the West Indies and the host country.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off at Dambulla from August 1 with the final to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium on August 14. All seven matches are to be played under lights. India is due to arrive for the tournament on July 26.

West Indies who plays two Tests prior to the one-day triangular is scheduled to arrive on July 3. Mirando further stated that the five one-day internationals against India which was due to be played in Sri Lanka in April-May and had to be postponed due to the uncertainty that prevailed at Sri Lanka Cricket at that time, was also discussed.

"The five one-dayers was the bone of contention and India insisted that we play these matches if they were to honour any future commitments with us," said Mirando. He said that two of the five one-day matches would take place during Sri Lanka's full Test tour of India from November 1 to mid-December this year. This means that instead of five one-day internationals Sri Lanka will be involved in a series of seven matches in addition to playing three Tests.

The remaining three one-day internationals will be played in India in 2006 at dates suitable to both countries.

Mirando said that future 'A' team and under 19 side tours with India on a reciprocal basis was also discussed. "These are two areas that we need to intensify for the future of Sri Lanka cricket." He said that an 'A' tour here maybe a possibility as early as November-December during the time the senior side is touring India.

Mirando said that the Indian Cricket Board officials were very cooperative and that talks with them were very cordial.

"At the end of the meeting it was decided that both Cricket Boards should work very closely together for the betterment of the game in both countries," he said.