Sri Lanka likely to tour RSA in 1996 (03 Oct 95)

Tuesday 03, October 1995

Sri Lanka to tour South Africa next year ?

by Dinesh Weerawansa South Africa is likely to host Sri Lanka for a three-Test series next year, thanks to the efforts made by the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), Ana Punchihewa.

Punchihewa said that the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) has responded favourably to Sri Lanka`s request for a Test series there. "The South Africans were here last year and now Sri Lanka plans for a tour there. We have made a request and the UCBSA President, Dr.Ali Bacher has shown his willingness to host Sri Lanka,`` he said.

Punchihewa said that Dr.Bacher has requested a copy of Sri Lanka`s international calender. "He wanted to know what our international commitments are and to see when he can accommodate Sri Lanka for a home series. We have already sent our calender and are expecting a favourable reply from UCBSA,`` he said.

Punchihewa has always exposed the possibilities of international exposure to Sri Lanka particularly at Test level and made a strong voice at the last International Cricket Council meeting at Lord`s. But Sri Lanka could not impress England who decided to stick to their customary One-Off Test for Sri Lanka.

When asked to comment on our story yesterday headlined `Sri Lanka worthy of more Tests` written by one of Britain`s most powerful voices in the field of cricket Frank Keating of Guardian newspaper, the Cricket Board chief Punchihewa was a happy man and said; "Atleast there is one man to support our claim,``.

The Guardian, in a strongly worded article, said that the 13-year old snub Sri Lanka received from Lords can only be put down to money. It lashed out at the cricket moguls at Lords over the present state of play concerning Tests with Sri Lanka. Said Punchihewa: "When we requested them (England) to tour here (Sri Lanka) they demanded a high guarantee fee of Rs. two million per player setting an impossible task for us. When we requested for more than a Test, they cited financial losses and other reasons,``.

Even Pakistan too have been treated in a similar manner by the Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB), according to the BCCSL chief.

Under Punchihewa`s leadership, Sri Lanka cricket has reached great heights. It was in New Zealand early this year that Sri Lanka broke the ice registering its first ever overseas Test and series win and last week, Sri Lanka, for the first time, won two successive Tests against Pakistan and took the series 2-1 in Pakistan.

`This should be an eye-opener to all Test playing countries to grant Sri Lanka more Tests,`` he said. When asked weather he still believes in his dream of `making Sri Lanka world`s best Test nation by the Year 2000, he replied: "We have every reason to feel so. We have got the best possible start in reaching our aim. We never dreamt of such a good start to our campaign,`` a smiling Punchihewa said.

But, he said, that the local cricketers must be given more chances to prove their class at Test level. "I hope, with our highly successful performance in Pakistan, they (other Test nations including Eng- land), will offer more Tests to Sri Lanka,`` he said.

Punchihewa said that he has invited the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in West Indies, Peter Short for a tour of Sri Lanka during the 1996 World Cup in the Indian sub continent.

Not only the cricketers, but also the dedicated team of cricket officials should be given continuity to maintain their good work and make Sri Lanka the best Test playing nation by the year 2000.