Sri Lanka Cricket's interim committee is considering beginning the upcoming Test series against West Indies in Colombo instead of Galle, which has been the customary venue for a tour opener, because of the cost factor. West Indies, who last played a series in Sri Lanka in 2011, are set to tour again around mid-October.
With the West Indies tour not generating big revenue for the SLC, chances are the interim committee would prefer playing the two Tests at the P Sara Oval and the SSC or R Premadasa Stadium to cut costs.
Umpires urged to be consistent with their rulings on the contentious issue of pelting. According to the playing conditions and rules, no pelting is allowed.
TORONTO, Canada – With just a mere five days to go before the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Club (OMSCC) stages its first-ever Toronto Cup softball tournament, excitement is at fever-pitch and the organisers are brimming with confidence that it will be a huge success. Following a meeting of the organising committee on Friday night, it was disclosed that over five thousand dollars (US) will be up for grabs in the three-day extravaganza, set to be staged over the Labour Day weekend, with the winners in the Open category carting off US$3000 and the victors in the Masters division US$2500 in the 20-over affairs.
LONDON—Half-centuries from compatriots Nico Reifer and Joshua Bishop have helped the WICB Invitational Under-15s to victory in the two latest matches on their tour of the United Kingdom.
Reifer cracked 60, spurring the WICB Under-15s to a nine-wicket victory over Hertfordshire Under-15s Thursday at West Herts, while Bishop scored a vital 57, propelling the visitors to a one-wicket victory over Barmy Army Colts yesterday at Stanmore.
On Thursday, Reifer, the younger cousin of former Barbados batsman and West Indies captain Floyd Reifer, smashed five fours and four sixes from 48 balls, as WICB Under-15s successfully chased 135 for victory in a Twenty20 contest at the Herts Under-15s.
Before he was the only scalp claimed by the Herts Under-15s, Reifer shared an opening stand of 91 with Crystian Thurton, whose run-a-ball 42 not out included five fours and one six. The visitors’ captain Kirstan Kallicharran was not out on 29.
COLOMBO: This has been a hard-fought Test series but attendance has been pretty poor throughout. In fact, the P Sara Oval - venue of Kumar Sangakkara's farewell Test - struggled to fill its 7,000-seat capacity on most days. Former Sri Lanka captain and current member of parliament Arjuna Ranatunga believes the International Cricket Council (ICC) is to be blamed for the dwindling interest in Test cricket.
"We have two top teams in action, playing some exciting cricket, but still we don't have crowds. I have doubts whether the present ICC regime wants to do anything to save Test cricket. It's all about making money for them, which comes through ODIs and T20s," Ranatunga told TOI on Friday.
WICB PressRelease: KINGSTON, Jamaica – The West Indies Cricket Board is very saddened to hear of the loss of life and damage to property that has taken place in Dominica during the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.
The weather system battered the island on Thursday with heavy rains reportedly causing streets to flood and rivers to overflow.
Official reports have described the destruction as one of “epic proportions”, and as many as 20 people may have been killed.
“It was with great distress and sadness that we received the news about Tropical Storm Erika which has caused loss of lives, injuries and damage in Dominica,” said WICB president Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron.
“On behalf of the directors, management and staff of the WICB, I would like to convey our heartfelt solidarity with the people of Dominica who have suffered great loss from this natural disaster.”
Dominica is the home of WICB Vice President Emmanuel Nanthan and base for the newly-formed Windward Islands Volcanoes franchise which takes part in the WICB Professional Cricket League.
“Our prayers are with Vice President Nanthan and all Dominicans,” said Cameron. “We are praying that all citizens and residents to Dominica will have the patience and fortitude to deal with the aftermath of this natural disaster.
“While the country and people are undergoing this serious crisis, we want to assure them that the WICB fully understands the seriousness of their loss and is committed to contribute in any possible way to help them overcome the impact of this natural disaster and in alleviating the stress of the affected victims.”
Windsor Park, the international match venue in the Dominica capital of Roseau, hosted the first Test between West Indies and Australia last June.
