Singer Cup match at SSC double fixed?
The Pakistan-Australia Singer Cup match at the SSC grounds in Colombo
was double-fixed with players on both sides being paid handsomely to fix
the match, a Pakistani newspaper reported quoting testimony given before
a judicial commission probing match fixing and betting charges that have
rocked the cricket world.
'The Dawn' newspaper quoted a commission lawyer as saying they would
question Australian frontliners Mark Waugh and Shane Warne to find out
whether they were paid to fix the match. He said evidence so far suggested
the possibility that players of both teams might have been heavily bribed
to lose the match in Colombo.
The report from Karachi said the lawyer assisting the judicial commission
believes that the Australia and Pakistan one-day international in the 1994
Singer Cup at Colombo (Sri Lanka) was a fixed match.
"Evidence gathered by the inquiry suggests that Pakistan and Australia
were engaged in a fixed match in 1994, Ali Sibtain Fazli, legal advisor
of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), revealed on Sunday.
He said in addition to this match, Pakistan's other suspected fixed
match was at Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1994, besides a couple of games
in Sharjah.
In the 1994 Pakistan-Australia match, Fazli said, Pakistan opener Saeed
Anwar had told Pakistan Cricket Board's probe committee in July-August
about the suspicion of a fixed match.
"Saeed Anwar has been quoted by the PCB committee's report that
by the trend set by Australians while bowling, it appeared that the match
was fixed."
"It is the same match in which Australians Shane Warne and Mark
Waugh, were paid A$8,000 and A$6,000 respectively for providing weather
and pitch report," said Fazli.
In open court proceedings while cross-examining Mushtaq Ahamed, it was
revealed that Salim Pervaiz, an alleged bookie, had paid US$ 100,000 to
Salim Malik and Mushtaq Ahmad for the same match.
On Sept. 7, 1994 at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, Australia, batting
first in perfect conditions, scored 179 for seven in 50 overs. In reply,
Pakistan finished at 151 for nine in 50 overs after being 77 for one. Saeed
Anwar, who was the top scorer, had retired at 43.
Fazli stated that he would question Mark Waugh and Shane Warne about
their confessions in detail.
'I haven't prepared my mind yet what I will ask, but I would definitely
question them if they knew that the match was fixed or they were offered
to set-up some players to settle the fate of the match off the field,"
Fazli said.
"In this particular (Singer Cup) match, there is a possibility
that the match was fixed. What we have to see is whether both teams were
involved or only one. Of course, we have to see how far the evidence is
truthful," he said.
Meanwhile, Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who heads the judicial commission
has said he would be recommending bans against certain players.
"I have prepared my mind and I know what report I have to prepare.
I do know that I would be naming some players for appropriate action,"
Justice Qayyum to Dawn reporter Samiul Hassan.
Justice Qayyum said the judicial commission would soon be making a decision.
"The report would be finalized and submitted to the President within
seven days after the judicial commission representatives return from Australia
after re-examining the Australians."
Ali Sibtain Fazli, legal advisor of the PCB, his assistant Ali Sajjad
and Lahore High Court Registrar Salam Khawar leave for Australia on Jan.
5 where they will examine Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Alan Crompton on
Jan 8. They return on Jan 11.
ICC orders Kumar to change action
By Marlon Fernandopulle
 Sri
Lanka Test and One day International off spinner Kumar Dharmasena has been
reported to the International Cricket Conference (ICC) for having a suspect
bowling action following Sri Lanka's highly successful tour of England
last year.
Twenty seven year old Dharmasena was a member of Sri Lanka's Test team
that trounced England in the one off Test at the Fosters Oval and also
played in the Emirates Trophy Triangular tournament which was won by Sri
Lanka. Dharmasena had a lean tour of England and went wicketlesss in the
Test match in which his fellow partner Muttiah Muralitharan claimed a record
16 wickets.
The Sunday Times learns that the legality of Dharmasena's bowling action
has been questioned and the bowler was reported to the ICC after the tour.
David Shepherd(England) and Eddie Nicholas(West Indies) officiated the
Test while only English Umpires officiated in the Triangular tournament.
The ICC which has a special committee to look into suspect actions has
viewed television footage of Dharmasena and concluded that the bowler's
action is not satisfactory and that he takes steps to rectify it. The Committee
has also insisted that the bowler should not be included in any International
game until he changes and corrects his bowling action.
Kumar Dharmasena has already played 19 Tests and over 88 One day Internationals
for his country.
It may be recalled that the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka(BCCSL)
received reports from the ICC regarding Muralitharan's bowling action prior
to the bowler was called for throwing in Australia three years ago. However
for reasons best known to the officials of the BCCSL at that time these
reports were swept under the carpet. Infact one CB official had suggested
that Muralitharan bowls with long sleeves to get over the problem. If corrective
action was taken at that time Sri Lanka could have avoided the scenario
that unfolded on that Boxing day Test and saved Muralitharan from the mental
trauma that has haunted his career ever since.
One only hopes that the present cricket Board will take all the necessary
steps to rectify the action of Kumar Dharmasena and ensure that the bowler
becomes eligible for national selection once again.
Yardley to coach
Meanwhile former Sri Lanka Coach Bruce Yardley is expected to train
the Sri Lanka spinners during their current tour in Australia. The former
Australian Test spinner was removed from his position as Sri Lanka coach
early last year but was expected to be involved in the training of the
spinners.
BCCSL in a spot
India and Pakistan have jointly issued a press report denying that they
are seeking a ban on Australian Test cricketers Shane Warne and Mark Waugh.A
report filed from Karachi last week quoting Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman
Khalid Mehmood stated that India ,Pakistan and Sri Lanka will lobby hard
at next week's ICC meeting in New Zealand to ban Warne and Waugh.Now that
India and Pakistan have denied this one wonders what the stand of the Board
of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) will be.Officials of the Cricket
Board were not available for comment yesterday. (MF)
Disgruntled rugby referees to quit
By Callistus Davy
Some of the big names in rugby refereeing in Sri Lanka have indicated
a desire to quit the scene following the election of a new set of office-bearers
which they believe is poised to work against their interests in the new
season.
Analysts believe that the exodus of the senior referees, some of whom
are on the international panel, could pave the way for plunging the domestic
season into chaos given the mentality of local spectators who are hostile
to junior referees.
The new set of office-bearers to the Referees Society were elected two
weeks ago with former Sri Lanka scrum-half Japuna Jayawardena installed
as President and Sam Samarasekera re-elected as Secretary.
Jayawardena, a Brigadier in the Army, had soon after his election invited
the senior referees to bring to his notice their grievances, but what worries
the senior members is the role that Samarasekera will be playing in the
Society.
"We have verbally brought it to the notice of the Rugby Union that
we don't want Sam Samarasekera to be around", said one senior referee
who did not want to be named.
But Samarasekera told The Sunday Times that he had never acted unjustly
and the impending exit of the senior referees will not threaten the Society's
credibility.
"Each individual has a right to quit but definitely we can carry
on. We have procured the services of experts from Scotland, England and
Wales to train our referees and we can go through the season" said
Samarasekera.
It is also understood that one senior referee Roshan Deen has been ejected
from the international panel and several more senior referees are in the
process of walking way from the Society unable to come to terms with the
way its affairs are handled.
Meanwhile in another shocking revelation as many as 20 junior referees
took sponsors for a ride by reportedly collecting more than three lakhs
of rupees to travel to Bangkok saying they were invited for a seminar.
There was no seminar, but to collect money from reputed firms, the junior
referees were equipped with letters signed by the former hierarchy of the
Referees Society which had stated that the referees were to attend a seminar.
The 20 junior referees had spent five nights in exciting Bangkok.
Mahela cracks 129 for SSC
A classy century by tour discard Mahela Jayawardena enabled SSC to total
304 against BRC in their Premier Championship Divison One cricket match
at Maitland Crescent yesterday.
Mahela was supported by Sanjeewa Ranatunga, who made 80, including eight
fours in a fourth wicket partnership of 115. Mahela scored 129 which included
a six and 17 fours.
SSC - 304 in 88 overs (Mahela Jayawardena 129, Sanjeewa Ranatunga 80,
Upeka Fernando 21; Deepal Maddurupperuma 4 for 69, Duminda Perera 2 for
98)
BRC - 4 for no loss.
Tamil Union in a bad way
Tamil Union were struggling at 113 for 7 in their match against CCC
at the P.Sara Stadium yesterday.
Play began at 1.15 pm due to the soggy ground conditions and play was
halted at 4.30 pm due to bad light.
Tamil Union - 113 for 7 in 45.1 overs (Sagara Kumara 21,Viraj Wijegunewardena
23, Nuwan Shiroman 24, I.Gallagoda 28 n.o; Indika Gallage 2 for 18, N.Rupasinghe
3 for 33, T.Sanjaya 2 for 19)
Rain curtails play
Bloomfield scored 31 for the loss of two wickets against NCC at Maitland
Place yesterday due to wet conditions underfoot.
Bloomfield - 31 for 2 in 22 overs (Sanjaya Rodrigo 11, Buddhika Mendis
10; Ruwan Kalpage 1 for 11, Anil Redeemanagedera 1 for 0) - (B.W)
Colts: 94 for 1 vs Moors
Only 22 overs play were possible in the rain marred Premier Inter-Club
cricket match between Colts and Moors where Colts ended the day on 94 for1
at Braybrooke Place yesterday.
Play commenced at 3.00 pm and the Havelock Town club, after taking first
lease of the wicket, made 94 for 1, thanks to three well complied knocks
from Chaminda Mendis (23), Sajith Fernando (28 n.o) and Sujith Janaka (35
n.o).
Colts - 94 for 1 in 22 overs (C. Mendis 23, S. Fernando 28n.o, S. Janaka
35 n.o.)- (S.I)
Inter School cricket
Hasantha lights up gloomy evening
By Saif izzadeen
Prince of Wales Captain Hasantha Fernando lighted up a gloomy evening
at Campbell Park yesterday as he made his first century for the season
against Wesley in the rain interrupted Inter-School cricket match which
ended in a draw yesterday.
Prince of Wales replying for to Wesley's 152 for 8 dec. made 189 for
6 wkts in 49 overs before play was called off at 5.10 pm and in a short
while the skies opened out.
However, the Prince of Wales skipper managed to beat the rain to make
a dazzling 117 not out which helped the Moratuwa school in a big way to
achieve their final score. Shammika Fernando (28) and Pubudu Ranaweera
(18) gave good support to their skipper. For Wesley, S. Colobage bowled
well to capture 2 for 36.
Wesley - (89 for 5 overnight) 152 for 8 dec in 51.4 overs (S. Faiz 38,
D. Medagedera 28, K. Rodrigo 26, N. Balasuriya 13; M. Bandara 5 for 44)
Prince of Wales - 189 for 6 in 49 overs in 49 overs ( H. Fernando117
n.o, S. Fernando 28, P. Ranaweera 18; S.Colobage 2 for 36)
Mahinda forces draw
By Ravi Nagahawatte
Mahinda College beat all odds to force a honourable draw in their Inter-School
cricket fixture against Thurstan at Thurstan Grounds yesterday.
The spirit of comradeship among both schools was strikingly evident
when the match commenced without much fuss at the host's grounds, which
was inevitable as the original venue, Police Park, was unavailable.
The visitors made amends for their initial poor batting display and
were 105 for 3 at close after following- on with a paltry first innings
total of 89 all out in reply to Thurstan's healthy 225 for 6 declared.Skipper
T.Rupasinghe led the field with a run-a-ball 55 surported by C.Wickremasinghe
(19) .The pair added 66 for the second wicket .
Thurstan - first innings 225 for 6 declared in 56 overs (C.Aravinda
87 no, N.de Silva 45, T.Wickremasinghe 25, N.Randika 20; S.Isuru 2 for
26)
St. Anthony's held
By Shane Seneviratne Our Kandy Corr.
Kingswood held out stubbornly to force a draw against St. Anthony's
Katugastota in their Inter-School cricket encounter at Katugastota yesterday.
Batting first St. Anthony's totalled 234 for 7 with P,Wickremapala scoring
78 with a six and nine fours, supported by a quickfire 42 by P.Ranawaka
with two sixes and 4 fours. A.Pinnaduwa too chipped in with a fine 49.
In reply Kingswood were shot out for a paltry 60 and after being forced
to follow-on, lost eight wickets for 194 in 88 overs.
St. Anthony's - 234 fot 7 dec. (P.Wickremapala 78, A.Pinnaduwa 49, P.Ranawaka
42, N.Nizam 14, P.Fauz 28; T.Maddanayake 2 for 54, M.Mallawarachchi 2 for28).
Kingswood - 60 (I.Ekanayake 27, M.Mallawarachchi 13; A.Pinnaduwa 4 for
10, C.Jyawardena 2 for 0) and 194 for 8 in 88 overs (C.Seneviratne 48,
R.Mahsoon 11, N.Pushpakumara 14, T.Maddanayake 45, Mallawarachchi 23)
Lanka Lions to break new ground this year
Lanka Lions Club formed only last June by a handful of diehard athletes
will break new ground with the conducting of the 'Nidhahas Run' involving
foreigners on February 4 in Colombo.
The Lions Club have also as a forerunner for this event decided to conduct
the Historic City run in Polonnaruwa on January 10 followed by the Sabaragamuwa
run in Kegalle on January 17.
Hemasiri Fernando, the President of the National Olympic Committee launched
the Lanka Lions logo for the marathon which will be on the international
calendar and also handed over the cheques to the Polonnaruwa and Kegalle
district organisers at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium School.
The Ruhunu run will be held on January 24 in Hambantota, followed by
the Wayamba run in Kurunegala on February 21, and the Hill City run in
Kandy on February 28.
All runs will be held in eight categories, men's open, juniors men and
women, women's and men's veteran's and school- girls with all winners from
first to fifth receiving cash prizes.
The Lanka Lions will also conduct the junior championships for boys
and girls under 12, 14 and 16 on June 19/20 at the Sugathadasa Stadium,
and senior championships for those under 18, 20 and open on July 10/11
also at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
The technical officials seminar on October 17 followed by the Medical
seminar concerning the nourishment and injuries to athletes on November
7.
Brig. R.P. Liyanage, a leading army athlete coach stressed the importance
of G.L.S. Perera's capabilities which is not been made use of.
The chief guest Hemasiri Fernando requested that more athletic clubs
should be set up and applauded the stand taken by the Lanka Lions and wanted
the media to support them.
Rover pinpoints.....
A pleasure trip
Rover learns that 20 rugby referees (not the big names) have obtained
a letter to the effect that they have been invited for a seminar in Bangkok
during the Asian Games. This move has been supported by a leading official
as a vote catching issue.
A letter is supposed to have been given by this official to these referees
in order to collect money to make this trip a success to those who sponsor
this sport.
Among the referees, Rover learns, about ten were from the Hill Country
and about five from the Rock Capital. Others had been from Colombo.
No seminar, however was held. Over to your Rugby Boss. (More details
elsewhere).
Over 20 on tour
Rover also learns that over 20 officials attached to the Sports Ministry
were seen at Bangkok.
The money issued for these officials is said to be over hundred dollars
a day, an official himself admitted.
We are not going to conduct an Asian Games in Sri Lanka to send so many
officials who were not even directly involved in any event.
Double standards
The Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AAA) are planning to
hold an inquiry over the sudden pullout of Susanthika Jayasinghe from the
Asian Games.
OK, it's in order, Rover admits, but why no inquiry was held when a
top athlete also pulled out in Athens due to injury but won the disco dance
competition that very evening.
Enough is enough
Susanthika has been quoted, "enough is enough." What Rover
cannot understand is why these officials who went to the Asian Games where
it was heard, time and gain even before Susanthika could run: "She
will never win a medal, leave alone a gold."
Were they trying to break Susanthika's morale?
Families on tour
It was an embarassing sight to see wives and children of certain higherups
who accompanied the Sri Lanka contingent to the Asian Games were making
use of all the facilities provided at the Athletes village!
Searching for accommodation
Praises are showered not only to the cricketers on the tour of Australia
but also for torch bearers! Could this move be to see that a certain individual
gets a comfortable nights sleep?.
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