Now
Lankan players join ICC sponsorship row
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Sri Lanka cricketers have demanded a 30% stake of the guarantee
money paid by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to the
Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) for next
months ICC Champions Trophy and next years World Cup, if they
are to sign the controversial ICC contract.
The
demand of the Lankan Cricketers was put forward by the Sri
Lanka Cricketers Association (SLCA) last afternoon following
a discussion with the Chief Executive of the BCCSL Cheif Executive
Anura Tennakoon.The SLCA which looks after the Welfare of
the Cricketers was represented by Roshan Mahanama and Graeme
Labrooy.
Speaking
to the Sunday Times former Sri Lanka Medium pacer Graeme Labrooy
an Executive Member of the SLCA said, in addition we have
also insisted that any contracts signed by the ICC and involving
players after next years World Cup will have to get the consent
of the Players.
According
to Labrooy this is the second demand put forward by the SLCA
on behalf of the Lankan Cricketers. Tennekoon who will be
leaving for an ICC meeting today is expected to put forward
the demand by the SLCA at this meeting.The Sunday Times learns
that more than a few countries have insisted on urging the
ICC to get the consent of the players in future before signing
of any contracts that involve players.
The
Lankan Cricketers who returned from Morocco a few days ago
have not signed the ICC Champions Trophy contract and according
to Labrooy have insisted that the BCCSL agree to make 30%
of the Guarantee Money to the Players.
The
ICC which signed a multi million dollar contract with a Television
company and other Commercial companies last year has included
an ambush marketingí clause which bars players from
endorsing products conflicting with those of the ICC sponsors
30 days either side of an event.
The
ICC contract has put players around the world especially the
ones with huge endorsements of conflicting products in deep
trouble which has delayed countries signing the ICC agreement
although the initial deadline has lapsed. Pakistan New Zealand
and Zimbabwe are the only countries that have signed the contract
while Australia has managed to arrive at a consensus where
players will be compensated for any losses after signing the
ICC contract.
Although
only a couple of Sri Lankan players are believed to be having
endorsements with conflicting products of the ICC sponsors
the SLCA has taken up the issue strongly with the BCCSL and
the ICC in order to prevent a repetition of this in future.
Speaking
on anonymity one Sri Lankan player said, If players are not
permitted to endorse any products and if they are expected
only to promote a selected product they should be compensated
and remunerated accordingly. This is a situation where the
ICC is using the players to promote products and not remunerating
them.
Red
Shirts sink Navy
By Bernie Wijesekera
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Navy's
hardy No.8 Malawana, with ball firmly tucked is striving
to break off a ruck but he is firmly held back by Savantha
de Saram in the Clifford Cup knock-out tie between CR
and Navy played at Longden Place. CR won 45-6. Pic
by Ishara S.Kodikara
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CR
& FC after being held to 16-6 at the turn around aided
and abetted by a hapless Navy defence ran amok to drown the
sailors by 45 points (two goals, five tries and two penalties)
to 6 ( a drop goal and a penalty ) in a Clifford Cup K.O.
quarter final match at Longdon Place, last evening.
CR
will meet the winners of the Havelocks SC- Army in the semi-final.
In the initial half the sailors played reasonably well. Their
forwards playing hard in the loose made gaping holes in the
CR defence. But their threes were inadequate and tended to
kick aimlessly to and lost scoring opportunities.
Full-back
Asanga Rodrigo was solid in the last line, Rodrigo leading
from the front constantly joined the CR line with his zig-zag
running. Navy scored first when fly -half Shyam Pradeep put
over drop goal off a short-tap. CR hit back with a spot kick
put over by fly half Charit Kodagoda - 3-all.
Navy
took the lead with a penalty - a 40 yard kick put over by
Pradeep 6-3. Midway in this half CR scored their first try
off a fine move. Hamesh Gunaratne broke, set the ball in motion.
Off the ensuing ruck prop burly Gavin Jayasekera rolled over
for an unconverted try 11-6. Just before the short whistle
CR scored their second try when winger Nishantha Kumara off
a loose ball picked up and cut beautifully for an unconverted
corner - flag try 16-6. Navy's two hardy forwards Malawana
and Ravi Jayasuriya played an intelligent game and fought
a relentless battle against an experienced CR pack, but lacked
support. Further to the sailors woes they hadn't a leader
to lead them.
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Kandy
shoot down Air Force
By Aubrey Kuruppu
League champions, Kandy SC put behind them last week's
aberration by humbling a light-weight Air Force team
by 72 points (6 goals, 6 tries) to 13 (1 goal, 2 penalties)
in their Caltex Inter Club knock out match at Nittawela
yesterday.
Air
Force were down but not exactly out. To their credit
they scored first in both sessions. Its not often that
Kandy SC is led at the start. The Airmen held their
formidable opponents for fifteen minutes at the start
of the second half and contrived to score a try through
Ajith Prasanna. Half time was taken at 36-6 to Kandy.
Former
CR player Thulaga Tawotu certainly made his presence
felt by scoring twice, crashing through from twenty
yards out on one occasion. Winger Radhika Hettiarachchi
put the finishing touches on three occasions. The other
scorers were Anjad and Mohamed Buksh, Sameera Silva,
Ashan Cooray, Bardaranaike, Dilip Chelram. Nalaka Weerakkody's
kicks at goal were disappointing -In fact six attempted
conversions went astray.
The
match was watched by a very sparse crowd. Possibly the
absence of the injured Jayasinghe had something to do
with that. Further, Air Force were never in the same
street as Kandy SC. Referee - Priyantha Gunaratne
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In
the second half the Navy defense was in a disarray and the
CR back division ran riot to go on a scoring spree. The Red
Shirts took control and five tries were scored against a hapless
defense.
With
plenty of good ball coming CR way in the long throws and the
set pieces. At times winning the tight heads, too. Fly-half
Nishantha Kumara was injured. He was replaced by Nishantha
Ekanayake. Scrum-half Champika Nishantha who had a good game
too was replaced by Tuan Bohan. Boharan in the process scored
two tries. Lock Sumedha Jayasinghe scored a the first try
after lemons which went unconverted - 21-6.
Nihantha
Ekanayake followed up with a corner-flag try initiated by
Haren Kaluarachchi 26-6. The sixth CR try was a solo effort
- 40- yard run by Asanka Rodrigo from a defensive position
under the posts.
Roshan
Peiris, who replaced Kodagoda added the extra points. The
final try was by Bohoran too under the posts. Peiris added
the extra points, when Ref. Nizam Jamaldeen blew no-side.
Two
matches today
The postponed tie between Police SC and CH & FC which
was scheduled for Friday (Aug. 23) will be played today at
Havelock Park. In the second game at Longdon Place - The Sri
Lanka Army take on lowly placed Havelocks SC in the other
quarter-final match.
Sanath
may play in ICC Championship - Kontouri
Sri Lanka physio Alex Kontouri is of the opinion that skipper
Sanath Jayasuriya still has a slim chance of playing in the
ICC Champions Trophy next month after he dislocated his shoulder
in the Morocco Cup final earlier this week.
Sanath Jayasuriya with
a smile on his face is seen here holding aloft the recently
won Morocco Cup despite having his hand bandage telltale
of the fall he had while taking a catch. His baby daughter
and wife are also seen in the background soon after
his arrival at BIA. |
Following
an X ray in Morocco Jayasuriya had a CT Scan done on his shoulder
on Friday evening at a private hospital in Colombo. However
since the Radiologist of the Hospital is away for the weekend
the report will be available only tomorrow.
Speaking
to the Sunday Times Kontouri said, "It is highly unlikely
that Sanath may have any small fractures on his shoulder.
In any event we will only know it after we obtain the scan
report. Since the shoulder which dislocated went in no sooner
he moved his arm again and while he was on the field the chances
are that Sanath will not have any fractures."
Jayasuriya
who was put on a sling by Kontouri soon after he dislocated
his shoulder will have it removed on Tuesday. I intend to
remove the sling on Tuesday and start moving his arm gradually.
However he will not be able to lift his arm above his head
for 2-3 weeks" said Kontouri.
When
asked what his chances are of playing in the ICC Championship
Trophy Kontouri replied saying, "Since it is Sanath's
opposite arm(right) he will be able to bowl and field without
much of a problem in 2-3 weeks from today.
As
I said his restriction would be in lifting the right arm above
his head. However if the Selectors feel he should play in
the Champions Trophy (as was the case with Muralitharan in
England) I will make every effort and ensure to have a fit
and fast Sanath Jayasuriya for the Champions Trophy. Sri Lanka
take on Pakistan in the opening game of the ICC Champions
Trophy on the 12th of September.
Currently
Jayasuriya is on some Anti-inflammatory drugs and not even
on pain killers as his discomfort is at a minimum. According
to the physio Jayasuriya is supposed to be a quick healer
and a gutsy cricketer. He doesn't mind playing with a little
bit of pain.
Skipper
Jayasuriya dislocated his right shoulder after taking a fine
catch to dismiss Herchell Gibbs in the final of the Morocco
Cup last Wednesday. However since the shoulder got back to
it's original position soon after some movements it saved
any potential damage that could have occurred as a result
of the dislocation. -MF
Gajanayake
helps Tamil Union to first innings points
Malintha Gajanayake struck an unbeaten 96 as Tamil Union gained
first innings points against Kurunegala YCC in their Under
23 quarter final game at Braybrooke Place yesterday. Trailing
by 36 runs Kurunegala YCC were 110/5 at the close with S Priyanthaka
top scoring with 47 At Braybrooke Place:Kurunegala YCC vs
Tamil Union KYCC- 176 all out & 110/5 at close(S Priyanthaka
47 M Fernando 3/25) Tamil Union-212 all out(M Gajanayake 96
n o H Nanayakkara 28 M Maduwantha 5/57)
Van
Dort smashes 129
Opener Micheal Van Dort struck a fine century for CCC after
Air Force fought gallantly to take a crucial 16 run first
innings lead in a Under 23 quarter final game at Reid Avenue
yesterday. Chasing CCC's first innings total of 218, Air Force
were made to fight for every run as they were eventually bowled
out for 234 runs to take first innings points.CCC fought back
through opener Van Dort who smashed 129 to reach 227/1 by
the close.
At
Reid Avenue-CCC vs Air Force
CCC-218 all out & 227/1 at close(Micheal Van Dort 129
D Ranaweera 62 n o P Seneviratne 32 n o) Air Force 234 all
out( A Jayaratne 96 D Fernando 25 P Seneviratne 6/68 A Ratnayake
2/40)
Chilaw
Marians thrash Nugegoda SC.
Chillaw Marians were set for the kill as they amassed a massive
546/7 and bowled out Nugegoda SC for just 134 runs in their
Under 23 quarter final game at the Sara Stadium yesterday.
J Gunaratne was in cracking form for Chilaw Marians as he
thumped a fine 215 to lead the way.
In
reply Nugegoda SC were in all sorts of trouble as Hasantha
Fernando ran through them taking 6 for 34.
At
the Sara Stadium: Chilaw Marians vs Nugegoda SC
Chilaw Marians-546/7 decl.(J Gunaratne 215 P Jayasundera 47
D Marage 35 G Jayasinghe 3/68) Nuggegoda SC-134 all out(D
Kulasekera 51 H Fernando 6/34 P Jayasundera 2/7)
Kaushals
impress for Bloomfield
Kaushal Weeraratne and Kaushal Lokuarachchi picked up three
wickets each as Bloomfield bundled out Panadura SC for 188
in their under 23 quarter final game at Maitland Crescent
yesterday.
Chasing
Bloomfields 285 run first innings total Panadura never looked
comfortable against the pace-spin combination of Weeraratne(3/49)
and Lokuarachchi(3/22) and were finally bowled out for 188,conceding
a 97 run first innings lead. Bloomfield batting a second time
were 156/6 at the close. At NCC grounds: Bloomfield vs Panadura
SC
Bloomfield
285 & 156/6 at close(Ian Daniel 41 Saranga Perera 68 C
Silva 4/48) Panadura SC-188 all out( C Silva 28 A Perera 79
Kaushal Weeraratne 3/49 Kaushal Lokuarachchi 3/22) -MF
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