Tuesday 11th January, 2011

SL rugby skipper Liyanage to face disciplinary inquiry ICC told about long no-ball odds after Butt’s grilling bosses have told the spent the entire third day of Majeed, the player-agent International Cricket Council the spot-fixing hearings being caught on camera claiming he Pradeep Liyanage (ICC) anti-corruption tribunal examined first by his own could orchestrate spot-fixing BY RAVI NAGAHAWATTE into alleged spot-fixing by lawyer before facing what has within the side. Last year’s captain at Pakistan’s Salman Butt, been described as “a tough” The fact that he spent the the Asian 5 Nations 15-a-side rugby Mohammed Asif and cross-examination by the ICC’s whole day being examined tournament, Pradeep Liyanage, is to face a disciplinary inquiry by the Sri Mohammed Amir taking place legal team. indicates the significance of Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU). at the Qater Financial tower on As the tribunal continued his role in the proceedings and SLRFU Secretary Shane Dullewa Monday that the odds of guess- into a fourth day, and with Asif the part it may play in the final told ‘The Island’ that a date will be ing three separate no-balls in a and Amir still to present their outcome. fixed soon for the inquiry.It is learnt specified period would be 1.5 defence and be cross-examined, One observer said the cross- that the SLRFU authorities are million to one. of the hearing may last its full questioning “had been a tough angered by a strongly worded letter The Pakistan trio facing the scheduled duration till one, though that is something penned to them by Liyanage in which hearing are alleged to have January 11 after reports earlier they would have expected.” he states; “attending rugby practices is conspired to bowl deliberate claimed that a verdict would The recent statement by waste of time.” no-balls on the orders of come out sooner. Khawaja Najam, who was the Liyanage had a row with the SLRFU authorities when the side was alleged fixer Mazhar Majeed — Butt was Test captain at the team’s security manager dur- named for the Commonwealth Games the agent of Butt. The alleged time and he has since main- ing the World Twenty20 and rugby sevens. Liyanage, who was criti- offences took place during the tained his innocence publicly the England tour, but has since cal of the training methods used for fourth Test against England at and more aggressively than the stepped down from the post, players in an interview with a leading Lord’s last August. other two players and interest- might be crucial in the deci- newspaper, made himself unavailable The ICC has described the ingly has sat to the left of the sion. for most of the rugby sevens tourna- allegations as the sport’s courtroom away from his co- According to reports, ments in which Sri Lanka contested biggest fixing scandal in accused Asif and Amir, who beyond the prosecution team last year. Liyanage stressed upon that Pakistani player Salman Butt steps out of the car as he arrives decades. are side-by-side at the back. to the right of the court is a rugby sevens training sessions were to appear before a three-member independent Anti-Corruption The 1.5 million to one figure In several interviews on TV glass box containing specialist unplanned, disorganized and were a Tribunal in Doha, Qatar, Saturday Jan. 8, 2011. Following an was presented to the hearing and elsewhere, he has UN translators, who have been waste of time. He also stressed the fact investigation by the ICC Anti-Corruption and Safety Unit (ACSU) by the International Cricket explained the presence of the key during Butt’s evidence. that “there was lack of vision in the and the publication of an article in the News of the World news- Council (ICC) after being money found in his hotel room But the language barrier whole exercise.” paper on August 29, 2010, the International Cricket Council The national selection committee charged three Pakistan cricketers, Salman Butt, Mohammad worked out by a statistician after the scandal broke in the appears to be responsible for headed by Michael Jayasekera has Amir and Mohammad Asif, with various offences under Article 2 they have employed. News of the World, as well as slowing the pace of the hear- named a strong 63 member squad for of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. (AP) Earlier on Saturday, Butt his relationship with Mazhar ing. the upcoming Asian 5 Nations tourna- ment which includes the cream of players from the champion SC team. the forefront of cricket develop- Sri Lanka’s chances in the Top Division Tournament will only be rosy ment. The common theme? West Indies if the Kandy SC authorities release Crowd sends Thank you for your inspira- their players for the tour. At the last tional role, and the way you edition of the Asian 5 Nations, held have helped black South to arrive in last year, Sri Lanka were able to win African cricketers. the Division 1 Tournament and earn a Makhaya off in style When South Africa batted, it late January promotion to the Top Division because was touch-and-go whether Ntini the country could assemble the best Sunday was Makhaya was going to be seen in action The postponed ODI series possible side. A Sri Lanka’s perform- Ntini’s day, after an internation- again but, fortunately, with the between Sri Lanka and West Indies ances at international competitions al career lasting 13 years, 101 Proteas’ innings into its final due to inclement weather in have earned praise whenever the islanders put out a strong side. Test matches and 173 ODIs. The over and the match already lost, December last year will resume in The SLRFU is often quick to deny man from Mdingi bowed out of the great man strolled to the late January. the existence of a rift between Kandy world cricket in an appropriate wicket to yet another ovation. ‘The Island’ learns that the and , but this has been the manner, cheered by the biggest His batting was a little more West Indies will arrive in late cause for the snail paced progress of cricket crowd in Africa, and successful than his bowling on January and will play the first One- rugby in the country. warmly acknowledged by his this occasion as he nudged a Day International of a three match Interestingly,the coach of the peers, including Sachin single off one of the two balls series at Suriyawewa before return- champion Kandy SC team, Johan Tendulkar, who called him “the he faced and marched off unde- ing to Colombo for the remainder of Taylor, is one of three expatriates who great champion”. feated. the series. have shown an interest in obtaining The 33-year-old was applaud- At the end of the game, with The first match of the series has the head coach’s job. Sri Lanka will play against Japan, ed every time he touched the India comfortable winners, the been scheduled for 31st of Arabian Gulf, Kazakhstan and Hong ball, even when he was struck Indian players each took their December while the two games at R. Kong in the Top Division this year. for four, such was the affection turn to hug Ntini and acknowl- Premadasa International Stadium The squad - Terrence Henry, he commanded. edge his career. has been tentatively scheduled for Kishore Jehan, Eranga Swarnatilake, And when, in the 13th over, Ntini then hitched a ride on 2nd and 4th of February. However, Suranga Swarnatilake, Jayantha he clung on to a boundary catch a golf cart round the stadium as SLC sources said the board is try- Ranaweera, Bilal Hassen, Achala off Indian top scorer Rohit he received the applause of the ing to avoid playing the final game Perera, Madusha Padiperuma, Steve Sharma the roof nearly came crowd. on the 4th of February, the Nelson, Sathya Ranatunga, Kasun off. Indian film actor Shahrukh Khan, right, presents South Africa’s At the end, after receiving Independence Day. Yasaisuru, U. Jayasuriya, Anjula de After bowling his final over, an award from President Jacob When the West Indies were here Silva, Senaka Bandara, Shehan Makhaya Ntini, left, to the crowd during 1860 anniversary cele- Dimithri, Ishan Noor, Dinesh Sanjewa, there was a huge ovation. brations that marked the arrival of Indians in the country 150 Zuma, he took the microphone last time they complained about Shenal Dias, Kalana Amarasinghe, Each member of the South years ago at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban, South and called out: “Thank you, poor facilities in the dressing room Sumedha Malawena, Yoshitha African team went to him and Africa on Sunday Jan. 9, 2011. Ntini played his last international Durban. Thank you, thank you, and were said to be unhappy with Rajapaksha, Ashean Karthelis, gave him a hug. He bowed, match on Sunday. (AP) thank you for all your support several other arrangements includ- Dhanushka Perera, Sean Wijesinghe, waved and then trotted – as he The fact that he had been hit During the innings break, over the last 12 years.” ing long bus journeys. Roshenka Kodithuwakku, Kasun De had done throughout his inter- for 46 runs in his four overs was Ntini’s praises were sung in a And then, turning towards Silva, S.Muthuthantri, Shehan national career – back to long simply a detail that will be film put together by Cricket the South African and Indian Pathirana, Kavinda Jayasena, Sajith leg to take up his familiar field- erased very quickly from the South Africa, with messages players, he said: “It was a privi- Saranga, Keith Gurusinghe, Dushanth ing position. national consciousness. and interviews placing him at lege to play with you guys.” First Youth Lewke, Namal Rajapaksha, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Roshan Weeraratne, Prasad Chathuranga, Suranga Test shifted Pushpakumara, Banuka Nanayakkara, Fazil Marija, Dev 18th Singer-MCA Centenary Year Premier League 2011 to Galle Anand, Chanaka Chandimal, Nigel The first four-day Youth Test Ratwatte, Gayan Weeraratne, between Sri Lanka Under-19 and Anurudhdha Willawara, Chamara Sampath Bank retain title England Under-19 which was earlier Vithanage, Shabir Mohammed, scheduled to be held at Dambulla Dharshana Ettipola, Charith The three matches of the 18th Singer- The game between Mas Active and tied with 14 points each and Unichela has been rescheduled to Galle due to Senewiratne, Chula Susantha, MCA Centenary Year Premier League Janashakthi was scheduled at Colts CC secured the second position due to their inclement weather in Dambulla. Lasintha de Costa, Samantha 2011 tournament scheduled for yesterday and after no play was possible in any of superior net run rate. The match will be now played at Lakshan, Saliya Handapangoda, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, Nuwan were washed out without a ball being the three games, Sampath Bank, who col- The Mercantile Cricket Association, the Galle International Stadium Hettiarachchi, Mohamed Sheriff, bowled and Sampath Bank retained the lected 17 points were declared league win- meanwhile, announced yesterday that from January 14-17. Mohammed Jabbar, Sanjeewa title on their impressive performances ners. the Mercantile Knockout tournament The venues and dates of other Jayasinghe, P.Jayalath, Dinusha earlier in the tournament. Sampath Bank won four games, lost was postponed after matches will remain as earlier Chathuranga, Saliya Kumara, Sampath Bank were to play Unichela one while yesterday’s game ended in no (SLC) asked them to do so due to the scheduled with Asgiriya Stadium, Radeeka Hettiarachchi, Reza Mubarak at Bloomfield grounds yesterday while result and collected 17 points. upcoming Inter-Provincial cricket tour- Kandy hosting the second Youth and Rajitha Sansoni. John Keels were to take on HNB at BRC. Mas Active, Unichela and HNB were nament. MP Test from January 20-23.

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