B Molligoda: English cricket - behind the boundary (5 Aug 1998)

5 August 1998

English cricket - behind the boundary

Bandula Molligoda

The famous "Ashes" Urn played for by England and Australia men's sides is kept at Lords. But in a break with tradition the winners of this summer's England vs Australia women's test series will be allowed to take a new "Ashes" Trophy home with them following a special bat burning ceremony at Lord's recently. The ashes were sealed inside a mounted wooden cricket ball to be presented to the victorious team at the end of the third women's test at Worcester (August 21-24).

The England & Wales Cricket Board announced that awards to cricket from the government's sports match scheme have now passed the 1.5 million pounds mark. The achievement means that the game is, in effect, 3 pounds million richer as the sports match scheme matches business sponsorship of sporting activities on a pound for pound basis.

On Friday May 14 at 10.45 a.m. the first ball of the 1999 cricket world cup will be bowled at Lords - the home of cricket. Total prize money fund US $1,000,000 winner $300,000, runner up $1,50,000, losing semi finalists $ 100,000 each.

Carnival of Cricket - the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup promises to be the most spectacular yet. Runs galore, wickets aplenty coloured clothing and non stop action all add upto a carnival of cricket.

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