Sports

India reach WC finals amid pitch changing allegations

Published

6 months ago

November 16, 2023

editor

India roared into the Finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup last night (15), after beating New Zealand by 70 runs.

Kohli became the first man in the history of One Day International cricket to score 50 centuries in the format, with India setting up a first-innings score of 397/4.

India will now face the winner of Thursday’s second semi-final between South Africa and Australia.

However, India’s cricket board, the BCCI, has been accused of intervening in the choice of pitch for India’s semi-final against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The selection of pitches at the tournament is the preserve of the International Cricket Council, governed by the principle that surfaces will be chosen to promote a neutral set of conditions, neither favouring the host nation’s strengths nor devaluing the evenness of the contest for the global audience.

Wednesday’s match at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was due to be played on a new surface but has been moved to one previously used twice.

Pitches are selected and prepared by the local groundstaff and authority with oversight from the International Cricket Council’s pitch consultant.

No regulations have been broken but it appears the ICC pitch consultant was only informed after the change had been made.

“Changes to planned pitch rotations are common towards the end of an event of this length, and has already happened a couple of times,” said an ICC spokesperson.

“This change was made on the recommendation of the venue curator in conjunction with our host.

“The ICC independent pitch consultant was apprised of the change and has no reason to believe the pitch won’t play well.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has said, “It is a bit of a sour taste.”

“It doesn’t sit with me that a World Cup semi-final is played on a used pitch.”

“They have played the best cricket by a country mile. They shouldn’t have got involved in what the surface should be,” he has further said.

(Agencies)

Sports

SLC increases player fees

Published

1 week ago

May 10, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is pleased to announce that player fees for all categories of Sri Lanka’s international players have been increased, with immediate effect.
Accordingly, 41 players will be offered new contracts under six categories, namely, A1, A2, B2, C1, C2, and ‘A’ Team.

The Test Match Fees is merit based
Under the latest raise, match fees for the Test format have been increased by 100 percent, while payments will be made on merit basis.

There will be different payment structures for a test match ‘won’, ‘drawn’ or ‘lost.’

ODI and T20I Match Fees
In the meantime, match fees for both ODI and T20I have been raised by 25 percent.

ICC rankers to be recognized
Sri Lanka Cricket also decided to recognize the players who become top-ranked in the ICC Player Rankings.

Accordingly, a player will be financially rewarded with a one-time payment if they become the ‘Best Batsman, Best Bowler, or Best All-Rounder based on ICC rankings, covering all formats.

In the meantime, if a player attains a ranking between 10th and 2nd place in the ICC rankings in the aforesaid categories, such players will also be recognized with a one-time payment.

Daily allowance and per diems
Additionally, daily allowances and per diems for all contracted players have been enhanced to provide better support during national team’s inbound and outbound engagements.

A decision by the SLC Executive Committee
This decision by Sri Lanka Cricket’s Executive Committee, headed by Mr. Shammi Silva, the President of the SLC, reflects the SLC’s commitment to supporting and valuing our national players equally across all formats.

The contracted players :
Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Nishan Madushka, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Janith Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Pramod Madushan and Janith Liyanage

Akila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Nuwan Thushara, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dushan Hemantha, Lasith Embuldeniya, Binura Fernando, Shevon Daniel, Niroshan Dickwella, Ashen Bandara, Oshada Fernando and Avishka Fernando

Sports

SL squad for ICC T20 WC announced

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

editor

The Sri Lankan squad for the ICC T20 World Cup has been announced.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be held in the West Indies and USA from June 01 – 29.

News

Fmr. Netball captain faces doping charges!

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

nipuni

It is reported that a former netball captain has failed a random doping test conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA).

It is revealed that the player in question had taken Anabolic steroids.

Test results were issued to the Doping Control Laboratory in Qatar yesterday morning (May 08), and it has been confirmed that the athlete’s samples contained traces of this banned stimulant.

Speaking to the media, head of SLADA – Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya has said that a probe is being conducted in this regard, and a statement will be issued today (May 09).

If the athlete is found guilty in the probe, she could face a ban from one to 04 years, reports say.