S Thawfeeq: Dearth of Tests For Sri Lanka; Surfeit of ODIS (15 May 1996)

15 May 1996

Dearth of tests for Sri Lanka: Surfeit of one-dayers

BY SA`ADI THAWFEEQ

Sri Lanka already going through a dearth of test matches, will be left with a surfeit of one-day internationals during the 1996-7 international cricket season.

So far only two tests against Australia are scheduled for the forthcoming season, which is due to commence in late July. However, that too is in the balance with the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) having to give a final word on whether they would tour Sri Lanka.

A final decision on the outcome of the tour will be known this week.

Sri Lanka Cricket Board president Upali Dharmadasa and secretary Triphone Mirando are both in Australia negotiating with ACB officials to make the tour a reality.

Australia failed to honour a Wills World Cup group match in Sri Lanka citing the situation in the country as an excuse for not coming. They instead preferred to give a walk-over to Sri Lanka who eventually went on to win the World Cup defeating Australia in the final played in Lahore.

Even if the Australian tour materialises, they are due to play only two Tests and possibly one three-day side game. They will then participate in the four-nation Singer World Series with host Sri Lanka, India and Zimbabwe.

In the event of Australia pulling out of the Sri Lanka tour, provisions have been made to get a fourth country into the competition, probably South Africa.

Following the Singer World Series, Sri Lanka are due to participate in the Hongkong International Sixes, the four-nation Kenya International and the Champions trophy in Sharjah which ends in mid-November.

Presently, Sri Lanka`s international cricket calendar for the year will end there, leaving the national cricketers with a rare opportunity of representing their clubs in the division I Sara trophy cricket tournament which some had not done for quite some time.

The year 1997 seems to hold some promise with a tour of the Caribbean for two tests and three one-day internationals in April/May, followed by back to back tours with India - two Tests in Sri Lanka in August/September and three in India in September/October.

Meanwhile, according to assistant secretary Ajith Abeygunawardena, the Cricket Board is giving top priority to arranging tours for the `A` team and juniors. Negotiations are presently taking place with India, Pakistan and South Africa, he said.

Sri Lanka`s international calendar for 1996 :

July/August : Australia to Sri Lanka (2 Tests) (to be confirmed);

August 24-September 9 : Four-nation Singer World Series in Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka, India, Zimbabwe, Australia);

September 21-22 : Hongkong International Sixes in Hongkong;

September 28 - October 7 : Four-nation international in Kenya (Kenya, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Pakistan);

November 7-15 : Four-nation Champions trophy in Sharjah (Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, New Zealand).

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