Sri Lanka Cricket will reach the top in both versions of the game

Chris Dhambarage

CRICKET: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has drawn up a special programme to regain their lost glory. The Interim Committee Chairman of SLC, Jayantha Dharmadasa insisted that the country would reach the top ladder in both versions of the game soon after the World Cup in the West Indies.

"We want to be the number one in ODI as well as in Test cricket. When we look at the team's performances, there are clear indications that they would dominate the scene during this year". Sri Lanka will have a busy international schedule beginning with the ICC World Cup in the Caribbean in March/April. South Africa team is due to tour here in June.

SLC Interim chairman also said that the Lankan team has a good chance of winning the World Cup. "We certainly have great hopes on winning the World Cup and all our planning and application have been directed towards it. I hope we can win it," he added.

"We had a fear of going out and winning in the past but if you take the national teams recent performances it is no more now. The results in England and in New Zealand proved this to a great extent. The team is performing well. We have been working throughout last year and the team is now beginning to believe in themselves".

The Interim Committee chairman confirmed the South African tour will go ahead following the series of discussions and negotiations. In addition, India have also agreed to tour Sri Lanka to play a total of four one day internationals soon after the Afro-Asian championships which will be staged in Chennai from June 6 to 10.

The development of school cricket is a key area on which SLC is concentrating on. A total sum of Rs. 250 million has been allocated for the next five years. Several changes in the school cricket structure would be made soon.

SLC's Interim Committee Chairman also said that they are planning to reduce the number of teams taking part in the Premier League tournament to ten from next year.

The SLC Chairman said that he is confident that national coach Tom Moody's present contract, which is due to expire in May, could be extended. "I had a chat with Moody before leaving to New Zealand and there were no indications whatsoever that he would be leaving.

The SLC will sign an agreement with the Board of Investment to upgrade the Pallekelle grounds into an international stadium. The development work at this ground will commence soon after the World Cup in the West Indies and SLC is planning to include this stadium as a venue for the 2011 World Cup which will be jointly hosted by Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.