14 Thursday 18th August, 2011 Double standards of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association SLSCA should have investigated Yasodha’s case BY REEMUS FERNANDO When it finally started, Lanka was not in March 27 2011- Page 19). However, despite the team. it going public and Sri Lanka Schools When Richmond College cricketer According to Sri Lanka Under-19 selec- Cricket Association officials being Yasodha Lanka scored heavily against the tion sources, Yasodha was not included in informed about it unofficially, the govern- touring England Under-19s with a double the squad for the 2012 Youth World Cup ing body of schools cricket which is century in the last Youth ‘Test’ between because he has failed to establish the attached to both the Education Ministry the two countries early this year, Sri accuracy of his date of birth. According and the Sri Lanka Cricket, kept mum. Lanka’s Under-19 coaching camp was jubi- to an official of the selection committee, It was quite conspicuous, as they gen- lant. Here was a batsman who could be an Yasodha’s failure to prove his date of erally act fast on issues relating to forg- asset at the Youth World Cup in 2012. birth as October 1st, 1992 has forced them ing dates of birth and playing overage As it was known then Yasodha’s date of not to include him in the squad. players in their tournaments. Our birth was October 1st, 1992 which makes According to sources close to Richmond numerous inquiries from SLSCA regard- him eligible to play in the Under-19 age College, his actual date of birth is October ing the matter were met with a blunt category in 2012. But now, not more than 1, 1991. reply from its secretary. “We have not five months later, he is not even in the pre- The many incidents that took place received any written complaint,” was the liminary squad for the 2012 Youth World since the ‘Lovers’ Quarrel 2011’ indicates reply of the secretary of the SLSCA. Cup. Surprising isn’t it? But what is more that Yasodha’s school, Richmond, too had Here, the officials’ (SLSCA) stance was surprising is the contrasting stances the reservations about the player’s date of quite contradictory to what they took Sri Lanka Cricket and its affiliate, the Sri birth. The school did not field Yasodha in when similar allegations were levelled Lanka Schools Cricket Association, who any of the Under-19 two-day matches that against a cricketer from Moratu operate under the same roof at Maitland took place after the allegations were Vidyalaya, during the same tournament. Sri Lanka Under-19 captain Bhanuka Rajapaksha (centre turning back), Angelo Place, have taken regarding an alleged made. What was left for Richmond to play St. Aloysius’, one of the four teams who Jayasinghe (2nd right) and an unidentified team member reach the boundary line to birth certificate forgery by Yasodha in the Under-19 two day tournament, after were slated to play relegation matches, congratulate Yasodha Lanka (second from left, facing camera), who scored a double Lanka or his parents. the allegations, were relegation matches. lodged a complaint alleging that Moratu century against England Under-19 in the second Youth ‘Test’ at P. Sara Stadium. Even to date, profiles of Yasodha Not playing a Sri Lanka Under-19 player Vidyalaya (who played in their group) (Pic by Reemus Fernando) appearing in public domains carries the for crucial relegation matches, which had fielded an ineligible player. The and disclose the position of Yasodha World Cup. said date as his date of birth. Hence, we decides their future in Division I, was SLSCA was quick to take action. After Lanka, in the manner they did against The stances taken by SLC’s junior are persuaded to believe that his passport indicative that they had doubts. The only conducting an inquiry, the SLSCA found the cricketer from Moratu Vidyalaya? national selection committee and the too carries the same date of birth. occasion they fielded Lanka thereafter that Moratu Vidyalaya had fielded a play- It is the responsibility of the SLSCA to SLSCA are quite contrasting. If the However, a couple of months after repre- was when Richmond played in the er who was no longer in the school. The maintain a level playing field and its SLSCA is right and Yasodha had not senting Sri Lanka Under-19, the authentic- Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy T20 tourna- particular player had failed the OL exam- affiliated schools made to believe that made a mistake, he should be playing for ity of his date of birth was challenged, ment, involving Nalanda and Thurstan. ination and was not attending school. they treat every school equally. Had the Sri Lanka Under-19. If SLC’s junior selec- when he entered the Galle International Yasodha won the Best Fielder award in The SLSCA acted fast and demoted the SLSCA conducted an inquiry and found tion committee is right in not selecting Stadium to play for Richmond in the this tournament. That was not a tourna- school to Division II. The punishment Yasodha guilty, Richmond College would Yasodha, then it indicates that the ‘Lovers’ Quarrel’ big match against ment sanctioned by the SLSCA. was imposed on the school and not the have been demoted to Division II. It did SLSCA has permitted something wrong Mahinda College. The news that officials of Mahinda player. not happen. By doing so, the SLSCA sent to be buried under the carpet. We reckon Officials of the rival school protested College had protested against fielding Not receiving a complaint against a very wrong message. On the other that the SLSCA and SLC’s junior selec- against fielding Yasodha, alleging that the Yasodha in the annual big match, alleging Yasodha Lanka mean that he has not vio- hand, an inquiry would have helped the tion committee can’t be right at the same cricketer (or his parents) had forged his that he had forged his date of birth lated any rule? Isn’t it the responsibility cricketer to clear his name if he had not time. date of birth, to be eligible to play in the appeared in the press (‘The Island’ March of his school and the SLSCA or the committed any misdeed and make him- 2012 World Cup. The match was delayed. 26th 2011- Page 15 and ‘Sunday Island’ Education Ministry to initiate an inquiry self available to play in the 2012 Youth England vs India Fourth Test at The Oval Badminton coach Chintaka rues Dravid is the wicket we wasted opportunities at World C’ship prize most, says Swann BY DEREK PRINGLE but did not bowl in the nets. By contrast, BY RAV I NAGAHAWATTE Stuart Broad and Bresnan, as well as Sri Lanka’s performances at the 19th raeme Swann has revealed that potential replacements Steve Finn and Badminton World Championships in Rahul Dravid and not Sachin Graham Onions, all had a trundle. England might have come in for praise, GTendulkar is the wicket England Yet, Anderson will not be ruled in or according to badminton officials, but prize above all others as they attempt to out before the end of practice at the earli- renowned coach Chintaka Fernando whitewash India in a Test series for the est. believes the country’s representatives at first time in 37 years. The fine form shown by Anderson and the big event were under-prepared for an Swann’s claim will seem like heresy to his fellow seamers has left England event of such a magnitude. Indian supporters, but it has been borne requiring little from Swann this summer, Fernando seemed the best person to air out on the field this summer. Tendulkar, who has in any case not been bowling as his views on the duo’s performances, poised tantalisingly on 99 international well as he did this time last year. In fact, because he coached them to win the gold centuries, has a series top score of 56 he was only so-so in the Ashes too, which medal in the girls’ doubles at the 2009 while Dravid has been India’s only centu- means he has been off colour for three Under 16 Asian Juniors in Colombo, Sri ry-maker after making fine hundreds in series. Spinners are born worriers, Lanka. each of the first two Tests. though at 32 Swann has learned to be The Sri Lankan pair, comprising Achini “Dravid has looked in really good form more phlegmatic about such blips. Ratnasiri and Upuli Samanthika and his is the wicket that’s cherished “I wouldn’t say it’s been frustrating for Weerasinghe, were rated as the 89th pair in most within the huddle,” Swann said at me,” said Swann. “I’m not firing on all the world, before they flew to England. the Kia Oval, the venue for cylinders but that’s just a case of They won their first game against Turkey Thursday’s final Test. not getting as many overs under quite easily and Fernando said that the “He uses his feet exceptional- my belt as I would want. It hasn’t achievement had given them 3000 world ly well and is the guy who has been dry and hot this summer ranking points. challenged our bowlers the but someone up there is looking “Sri Lanka needs to send players for top most. Once we’ve got him it after us because we wanted it to rated tournaments like the World must send shock waves through be cloudy with a bit of moisture Championships, because a win (against a Standing on the podium are from left, Denmark’s Peter Hoeg Gade with Bronze the Indian batting.