Sports

India reach WC finals amid pitch changing allegations

Published

3 weeks 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)

News

Upul Tharanga to chair cricket selection committee

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2023

editor

Sports Minister Harin Fernando today (04) announced that Upul Tharanga will replace Pramodya Wickramasinghe as Chairman of the Cricket Selection Committee.

The minister added that 10 names have already been recommended as selectors and that a new selection committee would be appointed soon.

News

SLC complains to CIABOC over ex-sports minister

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) says that they have formally lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in Sri Lanka against Mr. Roshan Ranasinghe MP over the alleged misuse of funds provided by SLC to the National Sports Fund for the development of various other sports in Sri Lanka.

A statement issued by the SLC states :

The decision to file this complaint stems from the concern that Mr. Roshan Ranasinghe MP has not appropriately disclosed the utilization of funds allocated by SLC for the intended purposes.

This move comes in the wake of a discernible disparity between the information disclosed to the media by Mr. Ranasinghe MP and the response received by SLC under a Right to Information (RTI) application, outlining the specifics of the expenditures made.

SLC wishes to emphasize the importance of maintaining the integrity of financial transactions and ensuring that funds are utilized for their designated purposes and the said formal complaint filed with the Bribery Commission underscores SLC’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of governance and ethics within the realm of sports administration.

SLC trusts that the Bribery Commission will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain the facts and take appropriate action as necessary and Sri Lanka Cricket will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure a fair and just resolution to this issue, as part of its ongoing commitment to the promotion and advancement of sports in Sri Lanka.

News

15-members appointed to National Sports Council

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2023

editor

Sports Minister – Harin Fernando has appointed a 15-member National Sports Council.

Accordingly, Dr. Maiya Gunasekara has been appointed as the chairman of the council, replacing Arjuna Ranatunga.

The members of the new National Sports Council are as follows :

1. Dr. Maiya Gunasekara – Chairman
2. Mr. I.U. Wickramasuriya – Secretary
3. Mrs. Sriyani Kulawansa
4. Major General (Retd.) Rajitha Ampemohotti
5. Prof. Arjuna de Silva
6. Mr. Panduka Keerthinada
7. Mr. Ana G. G. Punchihewa
8. Mr. Malik Kader
9. Dr. S.V.D. Nanayakkara
10. Mr. Hafeez Marso
11. Mr. Sidath Wettimuny
12. General (Retired) Jagath Jayasuriya
13. Mrs. Anuradha Illeperuma
14. Prof. Shemal Fernando
15. Mr. Kamal Deshapriya

Meanwhile, the Sports Minister has also appointed the National Sports Selection Committee.

The committee comprises of;

1. General Shavendra Silva – Chairman
2. Mr. Arjun Rishaya Fernando – Secretary
3. Dr. Maiya Gunasekara
4. Mr. Suresh Subramaniyam
5. Mr. Nalinda Sampath Ilangakoon