SLC to penalise errant players
Dambulla, Aug. 17: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has moved fast on the no-ball incident that ended Monday’s triseries game here with its secretary Nishantha Ranatunga calling up India manager Ranjib Biswal to express regret at the move to deny Virender Sehwag a well-deserved century.
“SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga called up expressing regret about the incident, particularly to Sehwag. They have also assured that they will look into the matter officially. The Indian team has accepted their regret and we hope that the countries’ cricket relations only go forward from here,” said Biswal said at a hurriedly arranged press conference.
Meanwhile, as part of SLC’s official action on Suraj Randiv’s no-ball that provide the spark for the fire that has raged since, it got a team headed by manager Anura Tennekoon to conduct an internal enquiry. Based on its report, SLC is expected to take action against all erring players in a few days.
Sri Lanka have been winners of the ‘ICC Spirit of the Game’ award for two consecutive years and the board wanted to set the record straight on a priority basis and clear the air.
Kumar Sangakkara had noted on Monday night that if there was any coaxing involved in Randiv bowling the no-ball deliberately it would be addressed very strongly.
Biswal added that Sehwag initially thought he had got a hundred and the entire team was disappointed when we learnt he was denied. Randiv visited Sehwag this morning and apologised for his action. Sangakkara had also spoken to Gary Kirsten and expressed regret.
“It was on the spur of the moment and people realised it was a mistake only later but they have come forward to express their apology,” Biswal said.
The Indian team was also aware that the hosts played by the rules. The incident did not get a mention in the team meeting that followed the win. “We did not talk about it in the team meeting. Sehwag is always composed and he has taken things in his stride,” added Biswal.
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