Nothing we could do over England scheduling, says SLC

Sri Lanka Cricket Board President Thilanga Sumathipala stresses a point during the media briefing yesterday. Sri Lanka Cricket Board CEO Ashley de Silva is also present

By Madushka Balasuriya

Sri Lanka Cricket has strongly refuted media reports blaming them over the national team’s dismal performances in England so far.

England wrapped up the three Test series 2-0 on Monday with a comprehensive 9-wicket win, to go along with their innings victory a week earlier. Several Sri Lankan media outlets have asked questions of the wisdom surrounding the decision to play the first two Tests under the cold skies of Leeds and Durham, and the perceived lack of effort on the part of SLC administrators to procure more favourable conditions for an inexperienced Sri Lankan touring party.

SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala sought to clarify the situation, stating that the tour was finalised under the interim committee headed by Sidath Wettimuny last year. 

 “We can increase small things, like hotel rooms. But we can't make massive changes once the tour is finalised.

 “We’re not going to go out of our way to say that ‘Sidath is wrong,’ but when the media reports such things, you leave us no choice,” he added.

He then handed out copies of the minutes of a Cricket Committee meeting held on 28 July 2015, which read: “Cricket Committee agreed in principle with the itinerary sent by England. However Chairman of Selectors Mr. Kapila Wijegunawardana to revert back by speaking to the Captain and Coach with regard to the 2 day game in between the second and third Tests since there is a 9 day break before the third Test been (sic) played. The Chairman Selection Committee to revert within 5 days.”

Sumathipala pointed out that the dates for the tour had been decided on six months prior to the current administration being elected under the Future Tours Program (FTP), with SLC bound by an MOU which specifies that all tours under the FTP be finalised a minimum of 9 months prior to taking place.

SLC Brain Centre promises in-depth player analysis

Sri Lanka Cricket has given the go ahead to set up the first ever SLC Brain Centre, a high tech data collection centre of all players. The proposal, which was put forward by Chairman of the Cricket Advisory Committee Aravinda de Silva, was approved in principle by the SLC Executive Committee at their meeting on 28 May.

 “It will cover every live coverage in the world, as well as all the tournaments taking place in Sri Lanka,” revealed SLC Chairman Thilanga Sumathipala.

The unit is to be for the exclusive use of national selectors and will be equipped with cutting edge technology in the fields of analytics and statistics. This is expected to allow selectors to evaluate players on a near real-time basis, as well as allow for more accurate analysis of opponents.

The project, which will be overseen by De Silva, has already begun calling for the tenders from local as well as international companies with the necessary technological and analytical expertise.

 “We have outsourced to a software company. We are working on the hardware side now,” stated Sumathipala.

How much will it cost?

 “We are looking to set a budget, which we think will come to about $ 100,000 in total. That is for the entire process, over the course of about two years,” he added, explaining that it is imperative they bring in personnel who will be able to use and analyse the data in the best possible way.

SLC poses questions over H’tota stadium

Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday once again brought into the spotlight financial irregularities surrounding the building of the Sooriyawewa stadium in Hambantota.

According to SLC Treasurer Shammi Silva, SLC had invested Rs. 1.2 billion for the purposes of building the stadium, with a further Rs. 600 million rupees put forward for related expenses. This was after the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) had commissioned the China Harbour Company to build it at a cost of Rs. 4.7 billion, he added.

 “A government valuer, however, has valued it at Rs. 915 million,” revealed Silva, adding that full details of the deal will be revealed following the completion of a KPMG audit report.

 “The full report will then be released.”