Ranjan Madugalle will be the cynosure of all eyes

The cricketing world is all agog, watching with great interest as to what the final outcome would be on the Inzamam Ul Haq ball tampering affair.

The International Cricket Council has slapped a ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute charge on him after his team forfeited the final Test against England at the Oval.

The ICC announced that the hearing will take place on September 27 and 28 in London and to be conducted by Ranjan Madugalle, the chief of Match Referees.

The governing body could not have got a better personality than Sri Lanka's former captain Madugalle to conduct the hearing. Known for his fair play and straight bat qualities from the time he handled a bat at Trinity College and then at Royal College, an illustrious personality of the calibre of Madugalle is hard to find.

Hailing from Kandyan aristocracy Madugalle's honesty and integrity has always been impeccable and all parties involved in this affair, including Inzamam and Pakistan are assured of a verdict that would be fair and in the best interest of the player, the game and all concerned.

To Madugalle names and power would not mean a thing. He will go strictly on evidence. Umpire Darrel Hair who is the centre man in the crisis, Inzamam the Pakistan captain, not even the ICC would be able to sway Madugalle.

From the time he sported the chief match referees cap, the former Sri Lanka stylish right hand batsman and captain, has added feathers to it and that is why the ICC decided on him to conduct this very vital inquiry.

The other day I broached this issue with former champion Sri Lankan off spinning all-rounder Abu Fuard and he too was happy and convinced that in Madugalle, the ICC has got the best man on the job. Fuard knows better than most, because he was close to the youngster, during his formative years and when Madugalle became the Sri Lankan captain.

So the parties concerned are assured of a verdict that would be fair. Madugalle is aware of the possible legal implications that would follow and I can assure everyone that, Madugalle's judgement would not leave room for the legal eagles of any side to feast on it.

Malcolm Speed, Chief Executive, ICC has said that there is no video evidence of the Pakistan team changing the condition of the ball. But that there are other forms of evidence that would be unfolded at the hearing.

All that is very good. But for a guilty charge to be slapped, the finding must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

A confident Pakistan camp has named Inzamam captain for the ICC Champions Trophy to be played in India from October 7. Even if Inzamam is proved guilty, he can play in the ICC Champions trophy, because an appeal against the verdict would take time and that would enable him to play. Gwen Herat recognised

Gwen Herat who has done a tremendous amount of work to see to the progress and development of women's cricket in the country, has been appreciated and rewarded by being invited to serve on the panel which will sit to pick the 'Women's Cricketer of the year.'

This ceremony is to be held in India in October 23. From the time Gwen donned pads for women's cricket the game has been on the up and up and it is also a honour to the country, her selection to serve on this exalted panel.

Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene who is going great guns at the moment has been nominated for four awards also at this function - Cricketer of the year', 'Test Player of the Year', 'One-day Player of the year' and 'Captain of the year'.

Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitheran, Malinga Bandara and Upul Tharanga are also in the running for awards at this glittering ceremony.

Our congratulations to all of them and we wish them well.