Lankan cricketers to help youngsters

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting From Australia

The Sri Lankan cricketers who are quite a draw in Australia after their wonderful showing in Commonwealth Bank Tri Series tournament, where they are almost certain to play in the best of three finals, will conduct a special clinic for Dandenong school children on March 1.

The clinic will be conducted at Alex Nelson Reserve in Springvale.The Lankan cricketers are offering 250 children aged 14 and under the opportunity to play alongside the players in mini games while also doing some cricket drills.

The clinic has been arranged via a partnership between Cricket Australia and the Young Cricketers Development International Experience Program and the Milo IN2CRICKET program.

Several Sri Lankan cicketers such as Kumar Sangakkara,Mahela Jayawardena, and Angelo Mathews could attend the clinic. Young Cricketers spokesman Vernon Tissera said the first 250 children to register would be able to attend.

Controversy

In the India- Australia Commonwealth Bank Tri Series game in Sydney there was controversy aplenty.

The players involved were David Hussey and Sachin Tendulkar. In the first incident, the Indians appealed against Hussey for obstructing the fielder.

Going for a run, Hussey stopped the ball from going to Dhoni.

But the appeal was turned down by the third umpire who ruled that Hussey was not obstructing, but only trying to protect himself.

Then when Sachin Tendulkar was scampering a single, bowler Brett Lee seemed to be obstructing the batsman.

But umpire Simon Taufell ruled the batsman run out.

Tendulkar who is looking to score his 100th hundred, but has failed so far showed his displeasure, but to no avail.

It was a disappointed Tendulkar who made his way to the pavilion.