In a move that is bound to surprise the top brass of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), VVS Laxman is preparing to play two games of grade cricket in Sydney. The Hyderabad middle order batsman has been recuperating in Australia, following knee surgery a while ago. It must be remembered that Laxman suffered a ligament tear while playing a limited overs tri-series in Sri Lanka.Laxman’s affinity for Australian bowling is now well established, following his match winning and record-breaking knock of 281 against the Aussies at Kolkata earlier this year. Add to this the breezy innings of 167 Laxman made in Sydney to end India’s dismal tour Down Under in 1999-2000.Just two days ago, Laxman informed the BCCI that he had not recovered completely from his injury and withdrew from the first leg of the forthcoming Indian tour of South Africa. Laxman is slated to miss the Standard Bank Triangular One-Day series that involves Kenya, apart from the hosts and India. It is widely believed that Laxman would be fully fit in time to play the three-Test series against South Africa that begins in November.Following his arthroscopy five weeks ago, Laxman has been through a course of intense physiotherapy and will attend a fitness test on September 19 according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.The report goes on to add that Laxman is looking to play two games for the Balmain – University of Technology side. Club secretary Harry Harinath was “optimistic” that Laxman would be fit to play, adds the report. It bears mention that it was rumoured earlier that batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar would turn out for the same club, something that did not happen.If in fact Laxman does turn out for Balmain, it would not be the first time an Indian cricketer has done so. As long ago as the 1981-82 season, off spin great Erappali Prasanna rolled his arm over for the club.Interestingly, if Laxman does play,Balmain is slated to meet Hawkesbury and Mosman, during the two weeks that he would spend in Sydney. The latter of course is the club of the Lee brothers – Brett and Shane. Although the man reputed to be the quickest in the world is unlikely to play, the competition will be stiff.

The long running and complex dispute over television rights and sponsorship negotiations between the Sri Lankan cricket board (BCCSL) and WSG Nimbus was no nearer settlement on Monday night.The Commercial High Court in Colombo had been expected to decide whether to overturn an injunction on WSG Nimbus by the BCCSL on Monday but the judge postponed his verdict until Tuesday.In Singapore, however, it is understood that WSG Nimbus have obtained an order in the Singapore courts that confirms that BCCSL must cease its action against WSG Nimbus in the Colombo court.Moreover, it restrains the Board from dealing with third parties such as broadcasters and sponsors in relation to the subject matter of their existing agreement that runs until 2003.The BCCSL, though, continue to contend that Singapore has no jurisdication over the dispute and they are believed to be on the verge of signing a three year contract with a new party.Fresh bids were apparently opened today and board sources maintain they are "going ahead" with the process and will sign a memorandum of understanding with the new party on Tuesday morning.Describing the deal as "highly beneficial to Sri Lankan cricket" the source refused to name the winner but promised a media release on Tuesday afternoon.WSG Nimbus and the BCCSL have been at loggerheads during the past two weeks after the BCCSL terminated their record USD 27.1 million three-year agreement signed last December complaining that WSG Nimbus has "repeatedly missed" payment deadlines.

In a press conference that rapidly degenerated into a forum for journalists to vent their grievances about the media-unfriendly policies of the UCB, justifications and evidence for Match Referee Mike Denness’ actions against six Indian players was sorely lacking.A sparse statement from a UCB spokesman, which basically set out the penalties imposed on Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Deep Dasgupta, Sourav Ganguly and Shiv Sunder Das, was the only concrete information volunteered from the podium. Opening the floor for questions, the spokesman warned in advance that Denness could not take questions himself, a fact confirmed by Denness in his only words during the entire conference.Tendulkar, for alleged interference with the match ball, was fined 75 percent of his match fee and handed a suspended ban for one Test match. Sehwag was fined a similar amount and banned from participating in the next Test at Centurion. Captain Ganguly was served a suspended sentence for one Test and two one-day internationals, besides being fined 75 percent of his match fee, for failing to control his players on the field. The other three players were penalised for excessive appealing and charging the umpire, attempting to intimidate him.The purpose of Denness’ presence at the press conference was immediately questioned by Ravi Shastri, who wondered why the Match Referee was there if he was not going to answer any questions. Denness himself looked sulky and annoyed at the entire to-do, frequently glancing at his watch with expressions of impatience.Other questions, more probing and to-the-point, failed to elicit any more informative answers. When asked who had brought the matter to Denness’ attention, for only certain officials designated by the ICC rules are allowed to do so, the UCB spokesman admitted that he did not know. Similarly, when the logic of handing rookie Sehwag a harsher sentence for a seemingly more innocuous act than Tendulkar was questioned, the spokesman looked puzzled and said, “I will speak to Mike later on and find out.”Technicalities that were brought out during the conference included the fact that Tendulkar, with very short fingernails, would find it difficult to tamper with the seam, even if he so wished. It was also pointed out that the umpires repeatedly checked the ball during the course of the match and no aberrations with the ball were reported even after the lunch break. Indeed, if Denness or either of the umpires had noticed any noticeable difference with the ball, why was Tendulkar allowed to bowl the first over after lunch?Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah, when contacted by CricInfo, said that he was still waiting for official communication from the ICC on the incident. Yesterday, though, he spoke to Malcolm Gray, ICC chairman, after the news leaked through various media sources, and conveyed his objections. “A player of Sachin Tendulkar’s stature should not have been treated in such a manner,” said Shah.One fact that did emerge from the press conference was that there was no provision for appeal for any of the players; blackly ironic, considering that the charge against five of the six players had to do with excessive appealing.

Chasing a moderate total of 220, Tripura flagged in the chase,crumbling to 170 in the face of some fine Assam bowling in their Ranjione-day match at Cuttack on Tuesday.Winning the toss, Assam batted first and put up 219 in their innings.No batsman got to 50, and the top scorer was number eight batsmanSukhvinder Singh, who made 49 off 52 balls. Skipper Syed Zuffri made40 off 60 balls coming in at number three, the only other significantknock in the innings.Tripura lost its first two wickets for eight runs, but a 105-runthird-wicket partnership between Sourav Dasgupta (50 off 76) and AbdulSattar (60 off 76) put Tripura back on track. Wickets fell in a hurryafter the dismissal of Sattar, and only C Sachdev (30 off 43) couldget to double figures. Tripura were bowled out for 170 in 49.1 overs,with Arnald Konwar taking 4-42 for Assam.

South African cricket board president Percy Sonn today admitted he forced the Proteas to include coloured player Justin Ontong in their team for the third Test against Australia which started here today.Sonn said he was presented with a team list last night and rejected it over what he saw as a “breach of policy”.”I did intervene on a matter of policy and that right is invested in me as president,” Sonn said.South Africa had originally selected Jacques Rudolph to make his Test debut in place of axed No.6 batsman Lance Klusener. The tourists probably would have shuffled their batting order to play Rudolph at No.3 and move Boeta Dippenaar to No.6.But Sonn argued that “shuffling” was discriminatory to Ontong, who was selected on the tour as the lower order backup.”Shuffling to me amounts to exclusion of a person of colour who has the right to be given the opportunity,” said the president of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB).”If you look at our transformation charter … it says if there are people of colour, who have previously been disadvantaged, we must ensure that those people get those opportunities.”He said the matter went beyond the UCB’s stated policy of playing “at least one person of colour” in every Test.That policy was met by the inclusion of Herschelle Gibbs.”But the other policy says that if there is an opportunity for a person of colour to represent his country then we must make sure that he does get that opportunity.”I regarded that as not having been complied with.”The team was given to me without a certain player of colour (Ontong) who was selected to fill in a position in the batting list.”So I intervened and I said `you take this team back and this is how I understand the policy and this policy must be complied with. You go back and reformulate your team’.”Jacques Rudolph came over to shadow the first three – he’s a top order batsman, as is Boeta Dippenaar. Ontong was brought in to shadow positions six andlower.”If you try to shuffle number threes into number sixes you are doing something that is exclusionary to people who are brought in to shadow other positions.”Asked if he had taken into account Ontong’s poor form in his only tour match – when he made a pair of ducks against New South Wales, Sonn said: “That wasraised with me but I didn’t regard that as cogent enough for me not to take action.”And how do you determine form?”When do you start gazing into the future and saying when form is going to be permanent?”He said he spoke to South African captain Shaun Pollock about the matter, adding that the skipper didn’t initially understand the policy.Sonn rejected suggestions that pursuing the goal of transformation would weaken the team, saying his decision doesn’t “of necessity produce a team or an effort that is less than the best we give”.

Pakistan have paved the way for a clean sweep over Bangladesh as they beat the hosts by the conclusive margin of 72 runs in the second one-day international of the Coca-Cola series held in BNS ground in Dhaka to take a 2-0 lead.Assisted by a swashbuckling knock from stalwart Yousuf Youhana, Pakistan piled up 281 for 5 after a disastrous start. At one stage the tourists were 48 for 4. But then Younis Khan and Yousuf Youhana compiled a 135-run stand to take the side out of danger. Younis made 73 before Enamul Haque removed him.Youhana and Razzak remained inseparable till the end, when Youhana had reached 112 and Razzak 48. Mohammed Sharif was the most successful among the local boys claiming 2 wickets for 59.Chasing a target of 282, the hosts made a flying start despite loosing Javed Belim early. Mehrab Hossain and Al-Sahariar were going well and put on a 59-run stand for the second wicket. Razzak finally broke the partnership by claiming the wicket of Mehrab.The game was halted when crowd troubled erupted in one of the stands. Shoaib Akhtar, who was fielding near deep fine leg, got hurt when one of the spectators hurled something at his head. He had to go to hospital to receive treatment as play was held up for some three-quarters of an hour.On the resumption, Bangladesh lost two wickets in quick succession, includingAl-Sahariar for 41.Among the batsmen, Tushar Imran, gave the spectators something to cheer as he struck six boundaries in his 65, despite the match turning out to be a one-sided affair.The lower order batsmen managed to remain to take the total to 209 after 50 overs. Both Shahid Afridi and Saqlain Mushtaq captured three wickets.Yousuf Youhana was adjudged the man-of-the-match for his brilliant innings of 112 from 108 balls with 12 fours and two sixes.

The Asian Test Championship (ATC), which has lain quietly dormant for fivemonths, is set to spring back into action in March when Sri Lanka andPakistan contest the final.The final, tentatively scheduled for March 6-10, will also mark the returnof international cricket to Pakistan, as Sri Lanka’s cricket board haveagreed to become the first major international side to tour there after theSeptember 11 terrorist attacks in America.The second Asian Cricket Council (ACC) managed Test championship was dealt acruel blow before its commencement when India withdrew at the last momentciting political reasons.Without the prospect of a high profile clash between India and Pakistan, theACC was unable to find a title sponsor and international broadcaster,undermining its revenue raising objectives.Pakistan and Sri Lanka romped to thumping innings victories againstBangladesh in the opening two games played in September.With Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s place in the final already guaranteed, thefinal group game, originally penciled in for January 30 at Colombo, wasabandoned.Wasim Akram’s Pakistan won the inaugural ATC crown in March 1999 when theycrushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 175 runs in the final at Dhaka.

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium is finally emerging from anembarrassing string of financial and ownership disputes that have marred itsshort history since being raised from scrub in 155 days.By July, the problems had became so intractable that contractors laid downtheir tools and the shiny new stadium, situated in the central drylands,became off-limits for touring sides.

However, the ground was reopened to stage the current third unofficial Testmatch between Kenya and Sri Lanka A and the Chairman of the Board of Controlfor Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), Vijaya Malalsekera, is hopeful that alldisputes will now be resolved in the coming weeks.Dambulla’s controversial tale started right from the projects inception,with the cricket community divided as to the value of building a 25,000seater stadium in such a remote rural area.Thilanga Sumathipala championed the project as the President of the BCCSL,arguing that the stadium would help develop the game in the outstations andprotect television revenues from the vagaries of the weather.Others were skeptical of Sumathipala’s rationale, believing the plan to be awaste of precious developmental resources.However, undeterred, Sumathipala drove the project with manic zeal, from thedrawing board into reality in the space of just five months, just in time tostage its inaugural match against England last March.But soon after that match, the real problems began.Sumathipala had been so determined to have the projected completed in timefor the England match that the costs had soared, from the original 150million rupee (USD $ 1.5m) forecast to a final bill that will be close to500 million rupees (USD $5m).Next, in a surprise move, Sports Minister Lakshmann Kiriella – apparentlyacting upon a request from President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga -dissolved the Cricket Board on a constitutional technicality.An Interim Committee was appointed to run the affairs of the board and aProbe Committee was established to investigate allegations of financialmismanagement during Sumathipala’s terms in office.

The awarding of contracts to building constructors for the Dambulla projectand the payment of those appointed contractors soon became one of the focalpoints of the investigation.The Attorney General’s department ordered the Interim Committee to freezeall further payments to constructors until such time as a properinvestigation had been completed.Sierra Constructors, the principal construction company, sealed off theground, refusing access to the BCCSL until they had received full payment.Sierra’s hardline stance mellowed with time, allowing matches to be playedagainst Canada and Pakistan A, but the payment dispute rumbled on.Meanwhile, Sumathipala successfully challenged the Probe Committee in thecourts, claiming that the appointment of its members was political motivatedwith the committee stacked full of opponents. The investigation ground to ahalt.Further problems arose over the legal standing of the lease signed by theCricket Board and the Rangiri Dambulla temple authorities, who own the65-acre plot of land on which the stadium was constructed.The government ministry dealing with Buddhist affairs argued that the leasehad been signed without their prior permission and was therefore unlawful.As the payment dispute and ownership dispute dragged on, the SportsMinistry, acting on rumours that Sierra were considering last-minute legalaction to disrupt the games, prevented three one-day matches being hostedduring the Coca-Cola Cup with India and New Zealand in August 2001.

The venue was also avoided during tours by West Indies and Zimbabwe later inthe year.However, finally, with the assistance of a new Sports Minister, JohnstoneFernando, anxious that the problems be quickly resolved, both the paymentand ownership disputes are close to resolution.The Attorney General has now given the all clear to the Cricket Board tostart paying the final balance payments due to the building contractors.Chairman of the Interim Committee of the BCCSL, said: “In two weeks time theInterim Committee will meet and we will decide on the final payment of theoutstanding balance which is approximately 162 million rupees (USD $ 1.6m).Sierra, and the numerous other contractors still owed money, will be paid infull if they provide a detailed and acceptable breakdown of the costsincurred.The BCCSL are also hopeful that the legal wrangle over the lease will besettled shortly after assistance from new Interim Committee member andimminent lawyer, Nalin Laduwahetty, who took over responsibility for thecomplex issue.The Sports Minister has also played his part, calling for the BudhasasanaJustice and Law Reforms Minister V.J.M. Lokubandara to intervene and bringabout a settlement between the Dambulla temple authorities and the ministry.It’s a settlement long overdue and even those with initial reservationsabout the project will be pleased that one of the most scenic venues in theworld will finally be able to start repaying the considerable sum of moneyinvested in it.

The Nine Network has announced it will continue to televise the fifthOrange Test live into Sydney for the second and third days of the match.The Australian Cricket Board made the decision in conjunction with Nine,Cricket NSW and the SCG Trust after it was confirmed the first threedays of the Test, being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, had soldout. Nine also broadcast day one of the match live to Sydney viewers.Coverage on Friday and Saturday begins in Sydney at 10:30am.Tickets are still being sold for day four of the Test, in whichAustralia is striving to complete a 5-0 series victory over an improvingEngland side. To book seats in advance, contact Ticketek on 02 9266 4800or email: www.ticketek.com.au

Cricket has been shamed for the second time in a week. Australia batted too slowly against England on Sunday night at Adelaide, obviously manipulating the bonus point system. Through their disgraceful tactics, they ensured the exit of Sri Lanka from the VB series. Australia employed similar tactics during the 1999 World Cup.A case can be made out against them for heaving breached clause 2.11 of the ICC code of conduct, and it remains to be seen whether the ICC will want to investigate the matter.The (2.11) of the ICC `code of conduct for players and officials’ says: “Any attempt to manipulate a match in regard to the result, net run rate, bonus points or otherwise. The captain of any team guilty of such conduct shall be held responsible other than in circumstances contemplated under C 4 (v) and (vi) above relating to betting on the outcome of any match or onthe occurrence of any event.”It might be too far-fetched to imagine that the Australians conspired to make the Sri Lankans pay for what they did to Darren Lehmann (by reporting his racist outburst to the match referee). Granted even that the Australian team did not bat for their disgraced teammate, one can only pity those who beg for Lehmann’s salvation – for what they believe was a `heat of the moment’ outburst. Lehmann has found support from South Australia and Yorkshire – where he holds the captain’s job.Yorkshire provided Lehmann with most support. Cricket director Geoff Cope has been quoted as saying: “As far as I’m concerned the dressing room is a sanctuary for players, and nothing said there should be repeated outside it.” So Cope would have no problem if one of the Yorkshire players were to abuse another in the dressing room, racially or otherwise? What kind of a message is he sending out to the world? Adding to the appalling defence of Lehmann is Yorkshire chief executive Colin Graves: “I’m just disappointed the ICC has taken it down this route. He is not a racist.”Lehmann found some support in Australia too, notably from Greg Chappell, South Australia’s coach. As in his heyday, Chappell batted bravely: “He (Lehmann) is the quintessential Australian and the quintessential Australian cricketer; he plays it hard but fair and for him to be made an example of like this is sad.” Greg Chappell’s fair play credentials are too well known; the Kiwis would tell you how low he stooped to win a game.So these gentlemen would have us believe that Lehmann is the victim, and that the ICC has done a grave injustice to a fair player. We should not be fooled into believing that racism is some temporary insanity that afflicts a fair man. Racism manifests itself in different forms across the world, and its justification is a far worse crime than the original.Australia’s success in world cricket is something many teams want to emulate. But recent events suggest that it is not a role model for other aspiring nations. The ACB was reluctant to take action against Lehmann – their remedy was counselling! That exposed the flaw in the Australian cricket establishment. Lehmann should have been banned from playing first-class cricket. Ironically he is now playing for South Australia!To the average cricket fan, Australian cricket has proved a disgrace over the past week. Once again, loopholes in the law can be a hindrance to justice being served. The onus is again on Malcolm Speed to do the right thing before it is too late.