E Rodrigopulle: Dhammika Ranatunga between two worlds (18 Nov 1997)

Tuesday 18, November 1997

Dhammika Ranatunga between two worlds

Comment by Elmo Rodrigopulle

The Cricket Board bribery scandal which stink seems to be getting unbearable with each passing day shows signs of worsening by the time the final ball is bowled in this ugly episode.

While allegations and counter allegations continued to be made with an inquiry too going on, the man who is caught in a web as it were is the Cricket Board's Chief Executive Dhammika Ranatunga.

Not that the hard working Chief Executive is involved in this sordid affair. But simply because being the Chief Executive he is the one solely responsible in finding sponsors to keep the game going.

When a team is due to tour here, Ranatunga has been made to run from pillar to post to convince sponsors to get involved in the tour. From the time he took over this unenviable post, it has not been a bed of roses.

He has had to burn the mid night oil wracking his brains and planning strategy to attract sponsors.

Now with this ugly bribery scandal threatening to bring down the Cricket Board, no sponsor could be faulted if they refused to plonk in money for sponsorship.

Today big businessmen with honest reputations are the ones who come in to help the game and the player. In the past sponsorship was not much of a problem. But now looking for sponsors will be like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

Ranatunga did not have much of a problem when reputed teams toured here. But when teams such as Zimbabwe and New Zealand tour, sponsors fight shy to come in because they don't get much exposure.

Early next year the Zimbabweans are due here. They are not an attractive side and Ranatunga will be up against it when time comes around to look for sponsors.

How the Cricket Board will come out of this alleged bribery scandal remains to be seen. Until its good name and reputation are restored, sponsors cannot be faulted if they refuse to bat.

Tough for Sri Lanka

Tomorrow begins the First of Three Tests between Sri Lanka and India and indications are that the Indians will be looking for revenge. Humiliation was heaped on them when they conceded the highest Test total to Sri Lanka -- 952 for six -- declared.

The earlier highest test total stood in the name of the Englishmen -- 903 for 7 against Australia made exactly 50 years ago. Conceding this total is something that the Indians will not easily stomach.

In addition they also allowed black superman Sanath Jayasuriya come near West Indian Brian Lara's all time individual batting record of 375.

They also lost the one-day series and were pushed around in the two Test matches.

When the Lankans previously toured India for Three Tests the games ended in similar fashion - Sri Lanka losing by an innings on the third day before lunch - we hope history will not repeat itself.

In the touring squad the most interesting selection was that of fast bowler Pramodaya Wickremasinghe. To Wickremasinghe's credit it must be said that he is still young and has a lot more bowling left in him.

According to coach Bruce Yardley he has improved his line and length after cutting down his long run up and is concentrating on bowling the outswinger with the idea of getting the batsmen to drive and having them caught. That ploy is interesting and we hope it works.

From Sri Lanka's point, of great interest will be the form of Sanath Jayasuriya. Will he be allowed free rein of his powerful strokes or would the Indians have mapped out strategy to dismiss him early ?

The First of Three Tests that start tomorrow will tell !

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