Taj Television to remain mum

Taj Television who have the broadcasting rights for international cricket matches played in Sri Lanka have decided not to make any comments at this stage on the upcoming Test and one-day triangular series involving hosts Sri Lanka, West Indies and India.

The series has somewhat become a low key affair after the West Indies Cricket Board left out some of its top class cricketers like Brian Lara, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan over a contract dispute and named a second string team under the captaincy of Shivnarine Chanderpaul to Sri Lanka. The team comprises eight players from the West Indies 'A' team currently touring Sri Lanka.

The television company's director sales and marketing in Sri Lanka Jude de Vallier said that this is not the appropriate time to make any comments with regard to the series, but they would review the situation and issue a statement if it is necessary.

Taj Television, the holding company of Dubai-based sports broadcaster Ten Sports signed a US$ 50 million broadcasting rights deal with Sri Lanka Cricket from January 2005 to 2008.

But it seems the television company is going to make a rather inauspicious start trying to sell TV rights for the two Test series starting on July 13 and the seven-match one-day triangular from July 30-August 9. - [S.T.]