Gopalan Trophy To Be Revived (23 Oct 1996)

23 October 1996

Gopalan trophy to be revived

The Gopalan trophy cricket match between a Sri Lanka team and Tamil Nadu which lay dormant for many years is to be revived.

Discussions on the revival of the annual tie was held at a meeting of Colombo District CA cricket manager Carlton Bernadus and Tamil Nadu CA joint secretary Babu in Madras recently, during the CDCA cricket tour to India for the Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup tournament.

CDCA team chef de mission B.M.N. Jurangpathy in his report on the tour says that "It was suggested to revive the Gopalan trophy next year to be played between March and May with a four day game and three 50-over matches with one of them being a night game``.

The report further stated: "Board and lodging, internal transport to be provided by the host, whilst the visiting team will meet the cost of the airfare, laundry and out of pocket expenses. This tournament to be played on a reciprocal basis with a trophy to be arranged through a sponsor for the 50-over match.

"The Gopalan trophy to be conducted on ICC rules with a minimum of 90 overs a day. If there is no outright decision the match will be decided on the first innings and if there is a no decision in the first innings, the cup to be shared.``

The chef de mission records with pride that it was the first time in the history of the Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup tournament that a team from Sri Lanka entered the semi-finals.

"Had it not been for the loss of the toss, we would have certainly been winners of the Gold Cup having defeated MRF, who were the hot favourites in the earlier round,`` states the chef de mission.

CDCA were deprived of a place in the final when their semi-final game against Hyderabad was interrupted by rain and the winner decided on the toss of a coin.

Jurangpathy picks Ruwin Peiris as the find of the tour.

"Peiris batting created quite a sensation. His talents and technique particularly in limited-over matches should be a close stand to Sanath Jayasuriya. With a little more exposure, he should make the grade very soon``, he commented in his report.

Naveed Nawaz ("he`s a very talented bat with a good technique and eye. With a little more exposure he should make the international grade``) and Russel Arnold ("all-round performer who was another pick of the tour``) were the other cricketers whom Jurangpathy had praise for.

Jurangpathy also had a word of praise for Bernadus who "was a very knowledgeable personality with a professional outlook so much so that an invitation has been extended to him to coach in Hyderabad``.

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