Aussies will be warmly welcomed (28 July 1999)

28 July 1999

Aussies will be warmly welcomed

Elmo Rodrigopulle

Shane Warne Australia's and the world's most successful leg spinner has stated that he does not fear to tour Sri Lanka after the unkind words he said about Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga in his newspaper column.

Warne is convinced that there will be no backlash by supporters of Sri Lanka's famous cricketing son Arjuna Ranatunga.

We too can assure Warne that he will be allowed to ply his trade without any let or hindrance.

The Australians who are known to be great spokesmen and entertainers will be well received by the Lankans at every venue they play.

They have a very large following here and even in the World Cup cricket quiz that was conducted by the ANCL group over 90 per cent tipped Australia to win the World Cup.

Cricket fans still revere and are aware that it was Australia that gave the greatest cricketer that the world will ever see - the great Sir Donald Bradman.

Sir Donald will be celebrating his 91st birthday next month and there will be many Sri Lankans singing 'Happy birthday' to him and wishing many more years of long life.

Warne and the Aussie squad are assured of much better treatment from the local spectators who will hold no grudges but cheer and appreciate a good deed on the field.

The Sri Lankan spectators are very knowledgeable and they enjoy their cricket and the big band sounds will strike at every venue they play. The cricket fans are aware and acknowledge the hard work put in by the Aussie Cricket Board to see that the Sri Lankans were granted Test status.

So Warne and the Aussies who are the world champions in both styles of cricket will not lack for want of support from the local cricket fans.

Bribery charges

From reports it looks as if it is the end of innings for three of Pakistan's illustrious cricketing sons Wasim Akram, Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed who have been accused of match fixing.

Just before the Pakistan cricketers took wing for the World Cup, the Pakistan cricket authorities held back a report on match fixing allegations till the team returned.

Had the Pakistanis won the Wold Cup, chances were that this report would have been shelved. But their meek surrender to the Aussies angered most in Pakistan so much so that the allegations surfaced once again and now it looks as though Akram, Malik and Ijaz along with a few other cricketers will be consigned to cricket's limbo of the forgotten.

If what is being said is true about these cricketers, then the authorities must serve out a punishment that will be a deterrent to the others.

By their irresponsible acts they have sullied not only their names, the game but also the good name of the country.

Matches would have been fixed or sold for big money. The Pakistan Cricket Board will be applauded if they dig into the coffers of these cricketers, unearth the money they made and make it public.

The game is too good to be spoilt and sullied by a few who have no love for their country and the game. They must be dealt with severely.

Muralitheran going great guns

Sri Lanka's spin magician Muttiah Muralitheran is enjoying a dream debut with his county Lancashire, so much so that the county in acknowledgement of his splendid feats have awarded him the county cap which he now proudly sports.

Muralitheran's amazing spin has had opposing county batsmen in flat spin. They are clueless not knowing how to face him.

Muralitheran's record breaking feats have prompted the county to offer him a more lucrative contract for next summer. 'Murali' will first answer the call of his country and once his commitments here are over, he will take wing to play for Lancashire.

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