Tuesday 13th December, 2011 15

BY RAVI LADDUWAHETTY would be held early next year the audit reports. but what is also appalling is that The questions that will It is indeed tragic that Sri former SLC Secretary remain unanswered will be how Lanka has got into the Nishantha Ranatunga is also the cricketers will be paid even CCC Maroons financial imbroglio that it is rumoured to wish to contest the when the ICC Funds arrive in faced today. It has caught global elections! This would tanta- the light of the thumping bank attention by it, even prompting mount to be an outright joke! He overdrafts which have to be set- the South African Test and ODI was one of the people of the pre- tled. There is also a school of team players, to say that they vious Interim Committees who thought that the ICC will pay the sink Jaffna plunged the entire institution to players up front and the remain- wished their Lankan opponents By Chathura Pinnawala were paid their earnings prior to the brink of bankruptcy. der would be remitted to SLC. In a day full of low scores, Ayesha Weerathna proved to be the excep- the start of the tour! That was Ranatunga has made a statement Granted that it will be an tion for the second game in a row as he laid the foundation for a massive the solidarity and sympathy to to the media justifying the astute businessman who will CCC ‘Maroons’ score with a 141 opening stand with Thanuka Dabare and the Sri Lankans, and a team they investments in the stadia. have to take the mantle over Sri bowlers led by Ramith Perera didn’t allow any respite for a Jaffna St. respected. It is also impossible to think Lanka Cricket. But the heart of Patrick’s team-who were on a high after an opening day success-as There is a huge simmering that Upali Dhamadasa’s the matter is that none of the Maroons moved to a comfortable 146 run rout in Day 3 action of the crisis within Cricket Committee or Thilanga previous members of the inter- Nelson Mendis International invitational under 14 challenge trophy at with players and officials not Sumathipala’s Committee just in im committee should be taken Shalika grounds yesterday. being paid. No one seems to case the latter decides to contest, into the new committee which Brief scores know in which direction Sri would accommodate Ranatunga. will get elected in January 2012. CCC ‘Maroons’- 206/3 in 24 overs ( Ayesha Weerathna 68 Thanuka Lanka Cricket is heading! It is also a known fact that other If that happens, they will earn Dabare 67 Rashmika Opatha 37 ) Thumping overdrafts to be set- stakeholders in the process the wrath of the entire media Jaffna St. Patrick’s – 60/8 in 24 overs ( J. Alwin 17 Ramith Perera 16/4 tled. But, the crux of the matter would find it impossible to work who will be after them. ) is, where did it all start? alongside Ranatunga, who is If Upali Dharmadasa’s team believed and widely known to comes forward, they will be Asian CA crush lacklustre Sanath Jayasuriya ‘B’ What happened to the Rs. Is Nishantha Ranatunga contest- dominate people and proceed- engaged in a money saving exer- Dulantha Sumathipala, after picking up four may have won- 750 million Upali left in ing for a repeat performance of ings at all given times. So, the cise. But, if by some chance, dered to himself that he had done enough to secure his team victory but the 1990s? his frequent golden rendezvous new Committee has to be Nishantha Ranatunga becomes Sanath Jayasuriya ‘B’ batmen showed no mettle to be all out for 67 thus It all started at the time that on foreign soil like the 46 before extremely cautious with regard Secretary, then it will be his handing Asian CA an unexpectedly easy passage at Health grounds. Upali Dharmdasa headed SLC in where a Rs. 1 million permanent to Ranatunga. golden rendezvous overseas! Brief scores the late 1990s, the last time cash float was Ranatunga should be held What no one has taken into Asian CA- 117 all out in 27.1 overs ( Danuka Perera 27 W. Jefferd 21 where he left with a thumping readily available? responsible for all that was hap- account is a reality which is vir- Dulantha Sumathipala 22/4 Akila Gunathilake 28/2 ) Rs. 750 million to the credit of Sanath Jayasuriya ‘B’- 67 all out in 22.4 overs ( Y. Athukorala 24 S. the Board. No one would be Niroshan 9/2 Z. Wickremanayake 11/2 ) interested in the manner in Cricketers unhappiness over non payments not factored in? which it was spent. Gampaha Youth forge an epic comeback Then came the World Cup in Kekirawa CA lost their way chasing 120 to be bundled out for a lowly the subcontinent and Sri Lanka 94 thanks to a disciplined performance from Gampaha Youth at FTZ was one of the co- hosts. This is grounds, Katunayake. where the then Interim Brief scores Committee got all their funda- Nishantha Ranatunga’s Gampaha Youth CA- 119/7 in 29 overs ( R. Rasangana 30 Peter mentals wrong. They developed Chathuranga 26 D. Wijeratne 26/4 I. Kodagoda 11/2 ) venues unnecessarily. It is also Kekirawa CA- 94 all out in 25.2 overs ( S. Vithanarachchi 15 Peter from reliable sources that it Chathuranga 12/2 S. Ransitha 15/2 ) transpired that the directives for the development of the On fire Gayeshan lead rout Hambantota Cricket Stadium re-entry to SLC should be Five star effort from Kanishka Gayeshan carried Panadura CA to a was at the insistence of thumping 6 triumph at Mahara Prison Grounds. President Mahinda Rajapaksa Brief scores for political reasons and also as Nuwaraeliya CA- 66 all out 17.5 overs ( Niranga Anupama 13 an ego- chuckling exercise. Kanishka Gayeshan 11/5 K. Fernando 11/3 ) One does not need a huge Finance Department or high pro- stopped at all costs Panadura CS- 69/4 in 14 overs ( S. Anushan 17/2 M. Bimsara 12/2 ) file Accountants within SLC, if Clinical BRC stroll to victory post they could not have advised the dous contributions that crick- pening within Sri Lanka Cricket tually invisible at face level Kalana Pramod, P.Inanda and N. Pansilu all combined for an impres- Interim Committee of what the eters- Muttiah Muralithern and at that time. Some people say and what meets the eye. No sive bowling performance to rattle Colombo CA and eventually dismiss financial liabilities were, ahead Kumar Sangakkara have made that he was ignorant. But if that stakeholder factored in, the them for a feeble 86 and their batsmen took nearly the full quota of overs of the grandiose plans of devel- over the years to national cricket was so, Ranatunga should not players’, over the nonpayment to complete the misery for Colombo CA at Railway grounds. oping stadia for the World Cup. If plus its picturesque setting have been seated there! of their dues. They are con- Brief scores one has a surplus of cash, one could be promoted for sports tracted players, after all. May Colombo CA- 86 all out in 21 overs ( S. Akmina 14 Kalana Pramod 20/4 does not need accountants but tourism. Nishantha’s 46 overseas be that affected their perform- P.Inanda 15/3 N. Pansilu 15/2 ) what you need is a good book Granted that the Interim trips and Rs. 1 million ances, at least psychologically, BRC- 87/4 in 28 overs ( Kalana Pramod 26 K. Samuditha 13 not out keeper to maintain the financial Committee would have suc- cash float against England, Australia and Sajith Prasanna 26/2 ) statements. cumbed to the pressures of the There were lots of fingers higher authorities but they Pakistan. They will be playing pointed at former Chairman D.S. Rain gods have the final say at Shalika and Railway Hambantota- the white could also at the same time, have for the country out of zeal and De Silva, with his nephew Suraj grounds elephant well advised the powers that be conscientious concern. But who Dandeniya leading him up the Rio CA tried their best to defeat nature by sacrificing wickets in pur- There had been almost of the consequences of having will like to play or serve the gum tree. Was Nishantha suit of 95 posted by Mathews CA at Shalika grounds but heavy showers in boundless profligacy on the part such investments, even whether country without being paid for Ranatunga doing the right thing the evening foiled their spirited attempt. of the Sri Lanka Cricket where the returns were minimal. six months? That will also be when he made 46 trips overseas? Brief scores thumping salaries had been paid Some of the previous worrying them to death in the There was also a permanent Mathews CA- 95 all out in 21.4 overs ( C. Sudara 30 S. Lasindu 26/2 S. to Accountants and other senior Interim Committee members light of their commitments and cash float of Rs. 1 million which Malisha 17/3 K. Kumara 16/2 )vs Rio CA- 27/2 in 3.2 overs ended in no officials of SLC, but the very could be of the opinion that the they cannot afford to have a was kept for him for his overseas result. core on which the entire institu- investments for the cricket sta- clear mindset in their perform- trips which he decided to travel There was no play in the second innings at Railway grounds between tion hinges on- the national play- dia would have been justified, ances. overnight at the drop of a hat. RNS CA and CCC ‘Colts’. ers were concerned, they have but in that case as well, the It is also moot to see how There were huge over runs Brief scores been overlooked! The finance response would be no, with the the new committee will bow or on staff salaries. The two RNS CA- 137/8 in 28 overs ( Ashen Chandrasekara 37 V.Gunawardena related professionals have obvi- performances of the national not bow to political pressures. Dandeniya brothers especially 31 Geeth Kodikara 33 Kanishka Gallage 9/2 Klhan Perera 23/2 Mandani ously not advised the Interim cricket team also going down as Kumar Sangakkara resigned well over the six figure marks in Tennakoon 25/2 Asen Kulatunga 29/2 ) vs CCC ‘Colts’ ended in no result. Committee of the draw backs in well. the national Test and ODI cap- salaries (Rs. 450,000 and Rs. the finances which had aggravat- There is also the hoary 600,000), for what earthly purpos- taincy in the immediate after- Chethaka’s all round effort enough to halt CCC ‘Colts’ ed the wound to what it is today. Sinhala idiom which says: “ es, one would not know! These math of the lost 2011 Mumbai S. Chethaka scored 49 and grabbed 3 vital wickets to carry Sanath Thus, the creation of a brand Don’t start grinding the condi- matters that put SLC in jeopardy World Cup. Selectors led by Jayasuriya ‘A’ to deserved win over CCC ‘Colts’. Their batting never new ground at Hambantota, ments and chillies for the curry, with no final salvation. Aravinda De Silva also followed threatened to overhaul the target of 138 at Mahara Prison Grounds on which is a white elephant today. for fish which are yet in the sea!! The popular perception is suit, which had been attributa- Saturday. They further developed the (muhude inna maaluwanta dem- that the cricketers have not been ble to political pressures, Brief scores Khetttarama Stadium also at a mama miris ambaranna epa!!) huge cost. paid due to the delays in the although all of them would be Sanath Jayasuriya ‘A’- 137 all out in 29.1 overs ( S. Chethaka 49 Thilan and that was what exactly hap- tightlipped on that score. Some Hettige 30 C. Mallikarachchi 26/2 Kalhan Perera 24/2 Mandani But the creation of the International Cricket Council pened. of the best performances of Sri Tennakoon 33/3 ) Pallekelle ground was justified remittance of US$ 7 million for Lankan cricket had been at CCC ‘Colts’- 69 all out ( C. Mallikarachchi 20 S. Chethaka 9/3 Ramesh as Kandy needed one given that the 2011 World Cup and the Nishantha – the bane in times where there were no Ravishanka 12/3 S. Madusanka 7/2 ) it is the gateway to the rest of a future SLC delays have been attributed due to the delays in submitting of political pressures at all. Sri Lanka and given the stupen- True that the fresh elections Frustrated Clarke signals changes for Australia

JOHN PYE 37 when the Indian series starts. New South Wales.” AP SPORTS WRITER Speculation about his retirement As part of the overhaul of Michael Clarke’s lineup has just will certainly intensify.It was his Australian cricket in the wake of the taken one dramatic step in reverse dismissal which triggered the col- Ashes series loss at home to England after a couple of shuffles forward lapse on Monday,when 21-year-old last southern summer, the Test cap- since it was branded the worst Doug Bracewell removed Ponting, tain and coach are part of a five-man Australian Test lineup in decades. Clarke and Hussey — all survivors of selection panel. That means Clarke In the latest setback, New the era when Australia dominated and new coach Mickey Arthur will Zealand ended its long drought by international cricket — within eight be involved in plenty of discussions winning a Test on Australian soil for deliveries. in coming days to help work out the the first time since 1985 with a tense Rain and the very green wicket best XI for the Boxing Day Test in seven-run victory Monday at at Bellerive made for lively condi- Melbourne. Hobart’s Bellerive Oval. tions, encouraging swing and seam Clarke said sentiment won’t play The manner of a collapse from movement, and Warner was the only any role in the selections. 159-2 to 233 all out chasing 241 for a 2- batsmen to score triple figures. 0 series sweep had echoes of that “I’m not going to complain about “Since I’ve taken over the cap- innings at Cape Town last month the pitch,” Clarke said. “Both teams taincy,I’ve made it very clear that when the Australians were bundled had to play on it, and we got out- my one vote on selection will not be out for 47 in a heavy loss to South played in this Test match.” personal, it’ll be whatever I think is Africa that drew plenty of harsh The 30-year-old Clarke said there best for the team,” said Clarke, who criticism. were no excuses for the top or mid- has three wins, two losses and two The two Test wins in the interim dle-order batsmen. draws since replacing Ponting as at Johannesburg and again last “It’s just not good enough. As Test captain. “Hughes “needs some week in Brisbane, it seems, were batters, it’s our job to get runs — runs, no doubt. He’s not the only aberrations. we’re not doing that.” though — let me make that very With a four-Test series against After being a vocal advocate for clear.” India starting Dec. 26, Clarke and his Hughes in recent weeks, Clarke hint- On the positive side, the young fellow selectors need to make some ed the 23-year-old left-hander might bowlers unearthed in the last three tough decisions following a loss to need some time in domestic cricket Tests have performed admirably, the No. 8-ranked team in Test crick- to iron out the technical deficiencies particularly 21-year-old James et. which have been exposed by New Pattinson who has two five-wicket “You’ve seen some really good Zealand paceman Chris Martin. He hauls and took 14 wickets at an aver- patches of individual excellence, and scored 41 runs in the series and was age of 14 in his two Tests. as a team we’ve been playing really Australian captain Michael Clarke, right, leaves the ground after being bowled by New Zealand’s Doug out edging Martin in all four While the Australian bowlers well in patches,” Clarke told a post- Bracewell for 22 in their second test cricket match in Hobart, Australia, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 (AP innings. were overshadowed by Bracewell, match news conference. “But then “He’s obviously really disap- who took 6-40 on Monday,paceman you’re seeing the other side as well, Photo/Chris Crerar) pointed — like all the batters are Pattinson and Peter Siddle, and off- where we’re letting ourselves down with the way we played today,” mer Test captain Ian Chappell told unbeaten 123 on Monday,can be con- Khawaja still hasn’t posted the big spinner Nathan Lyon did enough in by very poor performances. Clarke said. “Hughesy’s probably the website cricinfo the result “was a fident of retaining their places score that his talent promises at No. the series to warrant selection in the “We can’t seem to find that mid- bit of a low point” for Australian among the batsmen. 3 and 36-year-old Mike Hussey is most disappointed, (because) he’s dle road. We’re inconsistent at the been getting out the same way. next series. cricket. With Shane Watson and Shaun under threat in the middle order. With Watson and Ryan Harris moment, which is a real pain.” Only Clarke, who scored three Marsh due back from injuries, Ex-captain Ricky Ponting, who “I know he’s been working hard The headlines online were full of ... but he needs to find some runs, it’s expected to be returning from injury centuries in his six innings coming there’s destined to be changes. scored back-to-back half centuries in soon, at least selectors have options adjectives such as “disaster” and into this test, and opener David Phillip Hughes is almost certain to Johannesburg and Brisbane, had as simple as that. If he’s not making in the bowling department which “embarrassment” even before Warner, who carried his bat in an lose his opening slot, Usman two failures at Bellerive and will be them for Australia, he’s going to Clarke left the field. Analyst and for- have to go back and score some for didn’t seem to exist a month ago.