Cricket Boards Arrange Reciprocal Under-19 Tours (5 Jul 1996)

5 July 1996

CB arranges reciprocal under-19 youth tours

BY SA`ADI THAWFEEQ

Sri Lanka`s second string of cricketers who have hardly had any continuous exposure at international level have reason to feel contended with the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka arranging for an under 19 series with India on a reciprocal basis.

The series, the details of which have to be worked out, is expected to commence with Sri Lanka hosting India in February 1997 and then making a tour there in April the same year.

The BCCSL has been successful in negotiating for a two-Test series in South Africa in March 1998.

Sri Lanka will also be involved in a triangular series soon afterwards (in April) with host South Africa and Pakistan.

Negotiations for the tour took place between BCCSL president Upali Dharmadasa and the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) managing director Dr. Ali Bacher, where initially South Africa offered Sri Lanka a one-off Test for which the Sri Lanka Board were not in agreement. They insisted for a series comprising three Tests.

As a compromise, the UCBSA has agreed to invite Sri Lanka for two Tests and participation in their triangular tournament.

Dharmadasa, who is currently in London for the ICC meeting with other Sri Lankan Board officials is expected to further discuss with Dr. Bacher for a South African tour to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka`s World Cup winning cricketers will be felicitated at a gala dinner by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka at Colombo Hilton on July 20.

This is in recognition of their becoming the champions at the sixth World cup competition held in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka in February/March this year.

Sri Lanka beat Australia by seven wickets in the final played at Lahore to take the Wills World Cup for which 12 nations fought for over a month of intense competition in the subcontinent.

Meanwhile, the Hongkong Cricket Association has invited Sri Lanka`s World Cup winning team to play a one-day match against either a World XI or against World Cup finalist Australia in Hongkong.

The match is scheduled for either later this year or in March/April 1997.

The HKCA is offering US$ 30,000 to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board for the match - a figure which we understand, the Board are not too happy with.

The ExCo of the Cricket Board has approved for a World Masters over 35 cricket tournament to be held in Sri Lanka in August this year.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)