Tuesday 7th March, 2006 15 SLC clarifies… Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to make the follow- ing clarification to your article under the caption ‘Umpires no-ball Premier League quarter-finals’, Murali aiming that appeared in your newspaper on March 3. Sri Lanka Cricket postponed the Premier League quarter-final matches scheduled for March 2,3,4 and 5 by one day due to the unsuit- ability of the wicket at one of the venues selected for another to host the matches. It was found that the wicket at the particular venue may not be suitable to host a four-day match and this information was conveyed to the Captains of the eight quarter- finalists by the Tournament Committee at a meet- ing on February 28. milestone At the said meeting, it was decided, with the consent and the understanding of all the teams, that an alternate venue will be found for the one considered not suitable. Hence, it was decided to Sri Lanka star Muttiah never thought of capturing 1,000 wick- nents and expects a better display from World Cup in the Caribbean next year. postpone the quarter-finals by a day to facilitate Muralitharan could inflict more mis- ets when he first launched his career the home side. Bangladesh are preparing to meet the process of looking for an alternative venue. ery on Bangladesh in the second Test as some 16 years ago. Muralitharan also commended the another tough challenge from SLC would like to state unreservedly that the he approaches another milestone in his "I am delighted," he said. "When I performance of the present Muralitharan but coach Dav Whatmore decision to postpone the quarter-finals was not in illustrious career. played my first Test I never thought I Bangladesh team who he believes have is optimistic about his team's future. any way influenced by any actions of the umpir- The off spinner goes into would have all these records. made vast strides in international The former Sri Lankan coach admit- ing fraternity. Wednesday's Test at Bogra needing just "All I wanted was to play a few cricket since gaining Test status in ted that playing against a bowler who SLC would like to further state that the eight wickets to reach 600 in Test crick- games. It is a dream for me to play in 2000. had taken nearly 600 wickets is always Sebastianites C&AC vs Panadura SC match ref- et. 100 Test matches and to take 1,000 inter- The Bangladesh Under-19 team a tough task and needs a lot of courage ereed to in your article is under investigation by He became the first player to claim national wickets." defeated Sri Lanka in a recent Afro- and determination to succeed. Sri Lankan Cricket. The investigation will be con- 1,000 wickets in both Test and one-day But Muralitharan expects a tough Asian tournament and also went on to Whatmore said: "Muralitharan is a cluded at the earliest and appropriate action will internationals after bagging nine wick- contest in Bogra and believes win the Plate championship at the wicket-taking bowler and has the be taken against those found guilty at the conclu- ets during the first Test which Sri Bangladesh are always capable of mak- Youth World Cup staged in Colombo. potential to pick up a wicket every ball sion of the said inquiry. Lanka won by eight wickets in ing a comeback on their home grounds. Murali is also planning his future he bowls." Chittagong last week. And he warned his Sri Lanka team- carefully and will decide on a retire- The 33-year-old admitted that he mates not to underestimate their oppo- ment date after the completion of the - Sportinglife An open letter to Thirteen Colombo pacies Lanka Salt Principal Royal College, Limited beat Lake Lanka Salt Ltd. clinch House Group by and Warden S. Thomas’ selected by Asian six wickets in the In a letter to the press recently, I suggested that the final of the cricket title Royal-Thomian must revert to a two-day match. As Cricket Academy Nationalized reasons for this I mentioned the following; manpower Service Division Thirteen young, promis- selection which will be held considerations and the need to reduce calls on the II Cricket Police (traffic duties etc), security issue, conservation ing fast bowlers were on March 7 at Wesley Tournament held of resources, (fuel wastage, manhours lost etc), addi- selected from the seventh College grounds (Campbell recently at the tional expenses for parents, spectators (lunch, tea, successful selection camp, Park). Nationalized transport etc) and the fact that a three-day match has conducted by the Asian Ranjith Edirisuriya (D. Services ground shown little difference as regards obtaining decisions. Cricket Academy. It was S. Senanayaka College), G. at Ratmalana. A request was made to you both to intervene if the held at Campbell Part on D. Dinusha (Siddhartha MV Scores Royal-Thomian Match Committee (RTC) remained February 27 for Colombo Nugegoda), Suren de Mel Lake House — District fast bowlers. Over deaf to the request. You both too have not acted. (Prince of Wales College, 81 in 28 overs (J. S. ninety players took part in Meanwhile, let me come to the reasons behind Moratuwa), Mohomed M. Perera 27, J. M. this selection camp. this letter. One notes that the cost of tickets have been Hassim (Prince of Wales Nazardeen 5 for The programme is spon- raised by a fair amount. No doubt the costs of running College, Moratuwa), 19, H. I. S. Akram sored by Stafford Motor Co. 3 for 22) the match have increased. Yet whether the increase Ramesh Kumara (Prince of Ltd, the agents for Hero Lanka Salt in ticket prices is commensurate with this, or whether Wales College, Moratuwa), Honda bikes in Sri Lanka. Limited — 85 for (Seated from left) — Nishantha Dias, H. I. S. Akram, P. S. Jayasuriya (Captain), Mahinda the RTC is exploiting a captive market is a moot point. Selection process was Chathuranga 4 in 22.4 overs (T. Gunawardane (Chairman, Lanka Salt Ltd), H. W. Padma Kumara (Cricket Secretary), D. A. Anura Reserved tickets are specially costly -- Rs. 1200/- for carried under the scrutiny Wickramasinghe (Nalanda R. Marso 51, N. O. (Welfare Officer), S. P. Upali (Standing from left) — H. W. K. George Kumara, J. M. Nazardeen, T. the SSC Pavilion upstairs! Ok, let that go, but you as of former Sri Lankan fast College, Lahiru Aponsu S. Faizal 10, R. Marzo, M. Nimshan, B. R. Suranga, G. G. Pemarathna, B. R. Harim, S. Kamaladeen, B. R. the heads of the two institutions have a responsibility bowler and the current (Nalanda College) Risitha Sampoo 2 for 14). Kamil, Ashan Fernando, M. R. Kamaldeen. to ensure that the services contracted for, are in fact Asian Cricket Council Gamlath (Lyceum provided on all three days, by your RTC. Development officer International School) Ishan Let me clarify. Last year, and indeed over several Rumesh Ratnayake, Sri Jayarathne (Wesley years, we find that on the second and third days Lanka Cricket Assistant College) Ryan Kern (Wesley “Reserved” seats are not reserved at all. The RTC, Bowling Coach Anusha College) N. W. K. Nuwan Ninth Lectra Golf C’ship at Rajawella having collected their monies form the paying public Samaranayake and former Sameera (S. de.S. on the contractual basis that the seats will be Sri Lanka Test and ODI reserved for the particular ticket holder for three days player Sajeeva De Silva. Jayasinghe Central College, Twelve-year-old Rao clinches men’s title along with other facilities like fans and freedom from Following are the list of Dehiwala) Chathura Peiris disturbance by non-ticket holders who invade the players selected from (St. Peter’s College) M. by Rukshan Razak, in Kandy 28 and put up an impressive dis- got 78 gross too played to a hand- reserved areas, promptly welsh on their obligations Colombo district to partici- Lakshitha Bandara Lalith play against many single handi- icap of five. specially on day two and day three. The reserved pate in the grand final Athulathmudali M.V.) Twelve-year-old Kelly Rao cappers with years of experi- The Ladies gross Division ticket holders are forgotten, left to fend form them- put up a stupendous display to ence behind them. His nett was won by Thushani selves hunting missing “Reserved” seats! Meanwhile snatch the Men’s Senior Nett score of 66 is one of the best Selvaratnam, who came over RTC members, perhaps sit very comfortably in their Division title while Caddie since Naloona Awn get 62 nett in from the States and got a gross this competition in August last reserved (well looked after) seats, fans etc. We, Vijitha Bandara won the Gross score of 69. And in second place Al Adhan soccer year. Both Naloona and Kelly meanwhile, are still hunting for our seats. title at the ninth lectra Golf was her mother Suwen Championship organised by the are of the the same age. Sirs, it is your duty and your unavoidable obliga- Selveratnam with gross 78. champs Victoria Golf and Country Securing the runner-up berth in tion to see that your RTC fulfils its contractual under- this division was Anura Thushani played to a handicap takings. If ticket holders are deprived of their proper ised by the Badulla Sports Resort and sponsored by R.A.K. (by T. Rajah, Badulla sports Dantaranarayana (67 nett). of plus two while Suwen, nine. seats on any day of the match, in the context of the Officer, Ajith Ebert Silva. Furniture — a member of the correspondent) The Men’s Gross Division The ladies nett Division was prices charged for tickets, it would amount to your two In the final, Al Adhan SC Alliance Finance Group of Al Adhan Sports Club was won by caddie Vijitha won by expatriate Sonia Boyle, colleges being guilty of nothing less than robbery and beat Samagi SC by 3 goals Companies and worked off at emerged champions at the Bandara who made it to this who got Nett 66 and once again extortion.