India Confirm Participation In Singer Series (29 May 1996)

29 May 1996

Indians confirm playing in Singer tourney

BY SA`ADI THAWFEEQ

It required a visit by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board`s vicepresident Thilanga Sumathipala to Calcutta to confirm India`s participation at the forthcoming four-nation Singer World Series cricket tournament and restore relationship between the two Cricket Boards.

Relationship between the Indian and Sri Lankan Cricket Boards appeared to be strained when India refused to confirm their participation in the tournament following some misunderstanding over the backing of Indian candidate for International Cricket Council (ICC) presidency, Jagmohan Dalmiya.

"For five successive days we tried to reach Dalmiya and get confirmation, but there was no response. I finally managed to get through to him through World Tel chairman Mark Mascaranhas,`` said Sumathipala on his return from India this week.

During the talks he had with Dalmiya, Sumathipala was able to clear the air of uncertainty that prevailed between Dalmiya and the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.

He also stated that India had not only confirmed its participation in the four-nation Singer World Series tournament scheduled from August 24 - September 9, but have also shown great keenness in promoting junior cricket tours. Australia, Zimbabwe and host Sri Lanka are the other participating countries.

Sumathipala said that he had offered two options to India which has been received favourably - India under 19 to tour Sri Lanka for three 4-day Tests, one 3-day game and three one-day internationals in April 1997; and - Sri Lanka to host the inaugural under 19 Asia Cup for the PILCOM trophy involving Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in April 1997. If the latter comes through, Sri Lanka will forego the three one-day internationals against India.

Sumathipala also revealed that the two Cricket Boards have agreed to swap umpires for domestic matches. This would mean Sri Lanka umpires would be given the opportunity to officiate in matches like in the Ranji trophy and Duleep trophy tournaments. Likewise, Indian umpires would `stand` in Sri Lanka in the Sara trophy and inter-district tournaments.

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board is also negotiating with its Pakistan counterpart to resume the Ali Bhutto trophy under 19 cricket series between the two countries sometime early next year.

The series was played annually on a reciprocal basis and the last game took place nearly two decades ago. Cricket Board officials have already had talks with the Pakistan High Commissioner in Sri Lanka and are awaiting response from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The series, if it is successfully resumed, will be played for three 4-day games.

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