Murali to join as bowling consultant
View(s):TV deal out – SLC to call for tenders
Cricketing ladies on to good times
By S. R. Pathiravithana
Sri Lanka’s champion off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who re-wrote cricketing history, will join Sri Lanka Cricket in the capacity of a bowling consultant shortly.
Muralitharan, who played his last Test for Sri Lanka in 2010 when Sri Lanka beat India at the Galle Cricket Stadium securing his 800th Test scalp, has been engaging in the game as a freelance player.
SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga speaking to the Sunday Times said, “We have decided to make use of both our champion cricketers – Muttiah Muralitharan and his long-time bowling partner Chaminda Vaas and take them into the fold, and negotiations are almost over.”
“As Muralitharan is still engaged in the game, he will only come into the fold as a consultant.”
Meanwhile Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to call for tenders for TV rights under instructions from the Attorney General’s Department.
Earlier, owing to the deal that had been signed before, SLC authorities decided to negotiate with the current holder Ten Sports without a tender, but on Thursday Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage directed SLC to stop negotiations and call for tenders as instructed by the AG’s department.
The previous agreement was signed in April 2009 by the then sports minister Gamini Lokuge and it ran until April 2013. However the next agreement will be signed for the next seven years. Speaking about the deal Ranatunga said, “We decided on Saturday, that we would abide by the AG’s ruling and call for tenders by early next week.”
Meanwhile the Lankan cricketing ladies are also on to good times after their impressive performance at the Women’s Cricket World Cup — now in progress in India.
According to the SLC Secretary, the thirty ladies who are under contract at present will get their contracts renewed with an enhanced fee. Ranatunga said, “They came out with a creditable performance and they deserve an enhanced emolument.”
The Lankan ladies are scheduled to take on the strong Australians today.
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