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‘Time
to dump umpire Emerson’ Former England captain Ian Botham was scathing in his criticism of Australian umpire Ross Emerson, who created a furore in Saturday’s Carlton & United tri-series match between England and Sri Lanka by ‘calling’ off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing. In an article entitled ‘Time to dump chump umpire’ in the ‘Daily Mirror’, the former England all-rounder Botham launched a tirade against Emerson by stating that he shouldn’t be in charge of any cricket match, not even on a village green. "Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga may be tossed out of cricket. But what about show pony umpire Ross Emerson, who should be stick to being a policeman? I’m amazed that match referee Peter Van Der Merwe plans to hammer Ranatunga while Emerson escapes. I am convinced that one of the greatest bust-ups in modern cricket began with the umpire who wanted to make a name for himself," stated Botham who was giving commentaries on Australia’s television Channel Nine when Muralitharan was no-balled. Botham was of the opinion that Emerson was the man who was disgrace in the foul-tempered one-dayer and not Ranatunga who was told by his English counterpart Alec Stewart that he wasn’t worthy of the honour of being captain of his country. According to Botham, Emerson made seven clangers and ICC Match Referee Van Der Merwe should be booking him for crass incompetence. 1. He refused to accept the ICC’s ruling on Muttiah Muralitharan’s action. 2. He refused to call for the TV umpire when all replays showed that Sri Lanka’s centurion Mahela Jayawardena was run out by about six inches. 3. He did not check when he got it wrong in awarding a six to Jayasuriya, which should have been a four. And that was pretty important in a match that ended with Sri Lanka wanting five off the last over. 4. He let Darren Gough bowl a seven-ball over. 5. His attitude was pig-headed when Ranatunga asked him to stand in the right place after Murali had come back on to bowl. 6. He does not know that a ball delivered above shoulder height in one-day cricket constitutes a wide. 7. He clearly did not understand the rule regarding obstruction and the intimidation of an opponent when Mahanama shoulder-charged Gough. Commenting on Muralitharan’s action, Botham states: "Murali is a wrist spinner, and he has a freakish action. The balls comes out of the front of the hand, which is probably unique. He is virtually double-jointed around his wrist. His deformity is his lethal weapon." Botham castigated Emerson for trying to steal the glory by calling Muralitharan who had been cleared by an ICC committee comprising such names as Allan Border, Michael Holding and Kapil Dev. "Emerson, who has never played first-class cricket, sitting in judgement, thinks that he knows better than the rest of the cricket world. He should not even have been out there. He is not good enough. He is incompetent. His self-glorifying actions over-shadowed a fantastic one-day match. Andy Warhol said that everybody was famous for fifteen minutes of his life. Emerson certainly had his quarter-hour. That was the length of the hold-up when the Sri Lankans showed their anger over Murali being called for throwing. I’d like to ask Emerson what was special about that particular ball. Was it different from the previous nine ball Murali bowled? Or different from the next 32?" Botham did not pull punches said Emerson should be charged for being guilty of public humiliation of one of the world’s best slow bowlers. Sri Lanka may walk again over
‘throw’ call COLOMBO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The chief of Sri Lanka’s cricket board says the national team may walk off the field again if ace-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is called for throwing in the triangular limited-overs series in Australia. "Well, we have to sit and wait," Thilanga Sumathipala, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, told Reuters Television. "Most probably it will be a repeat of the same episode," he said in an interview late on Sunday just before leaving for Australia to meet the team management. Australian umpire Ross Emerson called Muralitharan for throwing on Saturday in a match against England in Adelaide. The Sri Lankan captain lead his players off the field in protest, but they returned soon after to win the match by a wicket. "The captain and the players believe that he (Muralitharan) has got a legitimate action and Emerson is of the view that he is throwing every now and then," said Sumathipala when asked what steps the team would take if Muralitharan was no-balled again. Emerson is scheduled to stand in Sri Lanka’s match against England at Perth this week. Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga is to face an International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct hearing after Saturday’s protest. Ranatunga’s hearing was originally to have opened on Monday but was postponed a day after a request from the Sri Lankan team, which wanted extra time to prepare its defence. Sri Lankan cricket officials said Sumathipala would look into securing the best legal support for Ranatunga if he was charged with violating the ICC’s code of conduct. The hearing would be held before the triangular series match referee, South African Peter Van Der Merwe, who came onto the field on Saturday. Play stopped for about 12 minutes and an angry Ranatunga and Emerson could be seen pointing fingers at each other. Ranatunga also pointed his finger at Van Der Merwe during the delay. "The umpire called within the laws of cricket, so we don’t have any question about calling. But there are various other aspects to it," Sumathipala said, adding that the board would have further discussions with the ICC. He said Sri Lanka’s cricket board had had separate talks with its Australian counterpart five months ago on the need for independent umpires to avert a controversial situation. "But this has happened again," he said. "The ICC has cleared Muralitharan, but the umpires are not willing to accept that decision. There is some ambiguity in the laws of cricket." Kadirgamar hails Murali as a model sportsman Excerpts from a press conference given by the Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar, P. C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka at the National Press Club in Canberra on 22 January, 1999 regarding Muttiah Muralitharan, the Sri Lankan cricketer before he was called for throwing again by Australian umpire Ross Emerson. Q: Minister, could you give us your views on the crowd reaction to Muralitharan and the controversy over his bowling action? A: Well, my first thought is this. I am a firm believer in the concept, perhaps I am being old fashioned about it, that cricket is a sport, it must remain a sport, some people call it a gentleman’s sport; it is not a form of war, and should not be allowed to degenerate into a form of war with no holds barred. Cricket, in particular, is a game that has become embedded, through metaphor, in the English language. We speak of something "not being cricket", of "playing a straight bat" to indicate honesty and fair play. Thus, it makes me sad to see a sportsman who is trying to do his best on the field of play getting a rough handling from a foreign crowd. Sometimes, if you look back on it, you find cases where a player has deserved rough handling because he or she had done something which irritates an audience and the audience has its own method of expressing disapproval. But in the case of Muralitharan, I do not think anybody will say that he has done anything objectionable in the sense of not observing fair play and good conduct on the field or off the field. He has been a model player. He is a serious young man, devoted to his game. He tries hard. He is a good team player. He is a pleasant young man. I was very happy to hear the other day that Steve Waugh had made a very handsome comment about Muralitharan. He said that he is a great sportsman and should be allowed to play his game. Well, that’s the kind of spirit I would like to see. As for the "chucking" controversy my understanding is that there ought to be some kind of international body that can go into a question of that kind and resolve it decisively once and for all. Today there are so many aids to decision making. You have films and scientific experiments you can use to get to the bottom of a controversy like this. My feeling, my understanding, is that this had been done after the last Australian tour and that the ICC had gone into this question. I am sad about this crowd reaction. Mr. Neville Abeygunawardene states that the articles published by us in ‘The Island’ newspaper dated 26th November 1994 titled ‘Ensure quality in sports administration’ and written by him as well as a series of articles written by him and published by us in ‘The Island’ newspaper between the period January 1993 and December 1994 were not intended to refer to Mr. Vernon Manilal Fernando and that if that impression was created he regrets to Mr. Vernon Manilal Fernando for any pain of mind caused to him thereby. AT THE
SCHOOL NETS Royal College with a rich tradition and proud history in cricket in Sri Lanka where they have been involved in the longest running inter-school cricket match with S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia for over 120 years, will take to the field in the 1998/99 season exuding much confidence. Led by No. 3 batsman lanky Thushan Amarasuriya, the school from Reid Avenue has fared reasonably well having drawn all their eight fixtures played today. Consistency has been a key characteristic among most of the team members, which in a way is a sure sign of prosperity. Hard hitting left hand batsman Amarasuriya carries their batting muscle this season, having thumped over 500 runs last year. In the on-going cricket season he has aggregated over 400 runs with five fifties. His deputy Ruchira Jayasuriya is also one of their mainstays in the batting department having scored over 250 runs todate. Third year coloursman Jehan Mubarak who turned out to be their star performer last season while achieving the coveted double of 1000 runs and 50 wickets, had had a moderate season thus far this year compared to his own high standards. Lanky left hander Mubarak who has so far scored around 315 runs with the willow, has done well with his vicious leg breaks in bagging 21 wickets up to now. Left handed opener and diminutive bat Ravi Peiris is another player who has delivered the goods for his school, having aggregated over 300 runs continuing from where he left off last season with 400 odd runs. Peries also missed out on a unique record when he was dismissed three runs short of a half century in the second innings, thus failing to register twin half centuries on debut in their annual ‘Big Match’ against S. Thomas’ College. Tall left arm paceman Sanjeewa Udumalagala is the spearhead of the Royal attack this season with a tally of 15 wickets. Udumalagala captured 25 wickets last season and has come through this season as a much improved bowler with the ability to move the ball both ways. Harish Rajakaruna mans their spin department while capturing 15 scalps todate with his deceptive left arm leg breaks. He had a tally of 30 wickets last season. Co left arm leg spinner Dhanuhka Perera has also been supporting Rajakaruna well with 10 wickets though he played only in a handful of games in the 1997/98 season. Udumalagala’s new ball partner, right arm paceman Harshana Rajakaruna has picked up 15 wickets for the season and with his knack of getting the early breakthrough should turn out to be a quite a menacing bowler as the season wears on. Angelo Perera comes as one of their late-order batsmen but has so far not been that successful with the bat, but much is expected from him leading up to their ‘Big Un’s against the Thomians in mid-March. Fresher and right-handed opening batsman Malinda Thotuwilage is another good future prospect having reached over 300 runs and is capable of giving the Royalists a flying start in company with his co-opener Ravi Peries. Angelo Perera’s younger brother Andrew Perera is the first choice stumper of the side, and so far he has accounted for over 15 dismissals, but is yet to make a substantial constitution with the bat. Sampath Edirimuni, a right arm fast medium bowler and a brilliant outfielder, Amila Kariyakarawana an emerging all-rounder, and Renuka Wijepala, an off-spinner can be counted to carry forward Royal’s thrust in the coming years. Royal first XI cricket team is managed by Sudath Liyanagunawardene while old Royalist Nihal Kodithuwakku continues to function as the team coach. Following are the pen sketches of the Royal squad:— Thushan Amarasuriya (Captain): Fourth year coloursman. Left handed No. 3 batsman and right arm medium pace bowler. Has collected 400 runs this season inclusive of five half centuries. Aggregated over 500 runs last season. A technically correct bat with the potential to play a long innings. Scored twin fifties against Dharmaraja College, Kandy. Ruchira Jayasuriya (Vice Captain): Third year coloursman. Right hand middle order batsman. An exciting batsman to watch when in full cry having scored over 250 runs so far. Scored over 500 runs last year. A specialist slip fielder. Jehan Mubarak: Third year colourman. Lanky left handed No. 4 batsman. A star all rounder who topped the double of 1000 runs and 50 wickets in the 1997/98 inter-school season. Has toured England with the Sri Lanka under 15 and Hong Kong with the Sri Lanka Under 17 teams. A bright future Sri Lanka prospect. His performances for the current season sees his having scored 315 runs and picking up 21 wickets with his right arm off-breaks. Ravi Peries: Second year coloursman. A pugnacious left hand opening batsman. Has scored over 300 runs with an unbeaten century. A compact bat and the reserve wicket keeper of the side. Danushka Perera: Second year coloursman. Left hand batsman and left arm leg spinner. Has bagged over 15 wickets this year. Sanjeewa Udumalagala: Third year coloursman. A genuine left arm quick bowler. Opens the attack with Harshana Rajakaruna. Has scalped 15 wickets following on from his 25 wickets captured in the 1997/98 season. Could swing the bowl both ways, with the inswinger to the right hander being his speciality. Harith Rajakaruna: Third year colourman. Left arm leg spinner and right hand bat. Has shown is prowess with the cherry by taking over 15 wickets. Bagged 30 wickets last year. He is one of their key members in the spin department. Angelo Perera: Second year coloursman. A dependable late order batsman who is yet to compile a big score thus far. Andrew Perera: Fresher and first choice keeper of the team. An agile stumper who has accounted for over 15 dismissals. Right hand middle order batsman who is also in need of a big score this season. Has toured Hong Kong with the Sri Lanka Under 17 team. Malinda Thotuwilage: Fresher. A free-scoring right hand opening batsman. A delightful strokemaker when in full flight. A lot is expected from him in the on-going season. Fazal Ahamed: Fresher. A promising right arm leg break and googly bowler. Has snared over 10 wickets todate. A good future prospect. Sampath Edirimuni: Right arm fast bowler. Has a chance of qualifying for the first XI team next inter-school season. A superb outfielder. Amila Kariyakarawana: All rounder. Right hand middle order bat and medium pace bowler. Another alert fielder in any position. Ranuka Wijepala: Right arm off spinner and left hand batsman. Asanga Warusawithana: Right hand batsman and fresher. 9th Asian Junior Squash championships The Sri Lanka Junior Squash players got to a flying start, with three players winning their respective first round matches in the 9th Asian Junior Squash Championship at the National Squash Centre, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. According to the Secretary of Sri Lanka Squash Federation Padmini Samarasinghe, Navin Samarasinghe, Hirantha Goonasena and Kavinda Cooray have performed extremely well so far on this tour. Samarasinghe beat Korean number one player Seung Joon 9-0, 9-1, 10-9 while Hirantha Goonasena beat Malaysian Timothy Arnold 10-8, 9-5, 9-6. Cooray overcame defeating champion A. R. Tasak of Indonesia 10-8, 9-3, 9-6. However Eranjan Kempitiya, Eranga Amunugama, Ranindu Lankage and Jayanath Marambe lost their first round matches. Sixty four players from 14 countries have entered this tournament. India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Hongkong and Pakistan make up the 16 players in the final rounds. Results BOYS (qualifying round): Navin Samarasinghe beat N. G. Teng Kuan (Singapore) 1/9, 7/9, 9/6, 9/5, 10/8, Kavinda Cooray beat One Poh Kwang (Singapore) 10/8, 9/7, 9/0. Hirantha Goonasena beat Apirom Na Nakorn (Thailand) 6/9, 9/5, 9/6; (First round): Navin Samarasinghe beat L Seung Joon (Korea 9/0, 9/1, 10/9, Hirantha Goonasena beat Timothy Arnold (Malaysia) 10/8, 9/5, 9/6, Kavinda Cooray beat A. R. Tasak (Indonesia) 10/8, 9/3, 9/6, Ong Beng Hee (Malaysia) beat Eranjan Kempitiya, 9/4, 10/8, 9/7, A. Manchanda (India) beat Eranga Amunugama 9/1, 9/2, 9/2, Mihir Kapoor (India) beat Ranindu Lankage 9/0, 9/2, 9/0, ‘Amro Harb (Jordan) beat Jayantha Marambe 9/3, 9/4, 10/9, 9/4. Girls (First Round): Kushani Daluwatta lost to Geralding Reed (Malaysia) 9/2, 9/2, 9/4, Rasansi Lankage lost to Rhea Bandari (India) 9/1, 9/3, 9/0, Dharshika Kempitiya lost to Karen Lau (Hong Kong) 9/1, 9/3, 9/0, Buddhika Perera lost to Tan Hui Shan (Singapore) 9/1, 9/2, 9/0. Indians dominated the opening day’s proceedings while Sri Lankans fared miserably at the 16th junior international tennis championships organised by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) at their courts in Greenpath yesterday. More than 100 participants from India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Chinese Tapiei, Sweden, Great Britain and Kazakhstan are taking part in this tournament. (S.O.S.) First innings win for Kurunegala YCC Kurunegala YCC gained first innings points when they bowled out Sebastianites C & AC for 256 runs in their first innings in the Premier Division cricket championship at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa. SCORES Kurunegala YCC 409 for 9 dec. Sebastianites C & AC 256 all out (T. M. Dilshan 62, Chamara Liyanage 35, Manoj Mendis 48, Nalin Wijesinghe 21, Marlon Peiris 50 n.o. Ajith Ekanayake 3-46, Ranjith Madurasinghe 4-55). D.S. Senanayake were in a commanding position on the opening day of their inter-school cricket match against Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda at Wijerama Mawatha yesterday. After dismissing Dharmasoka for 122, D.S. Senanayake made 96 for two by the close thanks to a belligerent half century by Muditha Maduwantha (62) which contained five boundaries and two sixes during a 79-run opening partnership with D.B. Vinod (20). Scores Dharmasoka 122 all out (S. Sanjeewa 27, M. Asanka 24, Nalin Pradeep 2-13, Malshan Alwis 3-29, Muditha Maduwantha 2-8) D.S. Senanayake MV 96 for 2 wkts at close (Muditha Maduwantha 62, D.B. Vinod 20) A tantalising spell of bowling by left arm leg spinner Ranil Dhammika (6 for 39) put Lumbini MV in a commanding position against Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte in a inter-school cricket match at BRC grounds yesterday. Ananda Sastralaya were dismissed for 111 in reply to Lumbini’s total at 202. Scores Lumbini MV 202 (Nilakshan Abeyratne 40, Manjula Priyshantha 38, Sandun Senanayake 28, Sajith Dilantha 26, Dinusha Elvitigala 18, Rohan Wickremasinghe 18, W. Warnapura 4 - 94, I. Samsudeen 4-53) and 20 for no loss at close. Ananda Sastralaya 111 (P. K. Fonseka 35, J. B. Perera 28, S. Kumaraperuma 15, Ranil Dhammika 6 - 39, Upul Indrasiri 2 - 12, Damith Indumal 2 - 37). |
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