IND_SL_NEWS_13JUL93

(The Daily News, Sri Lanka) Azhar will complain to Peter about Percy By Sa'adi Thawfeeq India may ask ICC match referee, former Australian batsman Peter Burge to intervene if they feel that too much liberty is being given to Sri Lanka's `One-man cheer squad' Percy Abeysekera during the forthcoming Test and One-day series in Sri Lanka. "I would like to clarify that my only objection to Percy is that he cannot abuse the privileges given to him in recognition of his patriotism. For instance he is made to feel free to walk in with the new batsman, flag in hand, right upto the pitch. If on the tour we feel that such freedom is contrary to the smooth conduct of the game, we will protest through the appropriate channels," Azharuddin was quoted as saying by `The Hindu' newspaper. HECKLING Percy seemed to cast a spell on the present Indian captain when he first came to Sri Lanka as a 22-year-old with Kapil Dev's team. His fullthroated heckling from the boundary affected Azharuddin's batting and he failed to get past 43 in any of the three Tests. "I am a far more matured person now. I doubt I will let such silly things upset me. I am more worried about the young players in my team. I don't want them to suffer what I went through. That is exactly why I expressed some reservations about the behaviour of the one-man cheer squad. He is perfectly welcome to shout, but please no more than that," Azharuddin is quoted as saying. India are due for a seven-match tour of Sri Lanka on July 9. The itinerary includes three Tests and as many One-day Internationals. INDlA FAVOURITES India should in theory start favourites to beat Sri Lanka according to computer rankings published by `The Cricketer International' magazine on current form of countries in Test and One-day Internationals. India are placed fourth in the Test match ratings with an 18-point lead over Sri Lanka who are eighth with 34. In the one-day international table, the difference between the two countries is not so great with only seven percentage points separating the two. India are placed fifth and Sri Lanka eighth. However, Sri Lanka can draw some comfort from the fact that India's overseas record is poor - not having won a single Test abroad out of 25 played away from home since beating England at Headingley in 1986. The rankings which do not include the present Ashes series, rated Australia favourites to beat England both in the Tests and one-day internationals. Australia won the one-day series 3-O and are currently leading 2-O in the 6-Test series. posted by Vicky (vigneswa@ecs.umass.edu) on r.s.c.