Sports

It’s high time cricket regulated its pace of play

Published

3 years ago

2023/03/27

Thilina Walpola

Umpires must be empowered to enforce rules such that players don’t waste time on the field needlessly

by Ian Chappell

I have often wondered, “Who really loves the game of cricket?”

Is it the first-class player like myself, who had his pads and boots cleaned by the room steward, and whose matches are played on well-manicured fields with meticulously prepared pitches? Or is it those who play in the park on boiling-hot Saturdays, having pegged down a matting pitch, then chasing balls around a tinder-dry outfield?

I’ve come to the conclusion that first-class players love the game in a calculated manner. Although it may change with the money in cricket, you basically have to love the game to play it decently. Nevertheless it’s a calculated enjoyment, as first-class players are always chasing trophies, prize money and contracts.

However, the people who have a real love for the game are those who perform in the park even when it’s parched and the only reward is a cold drink at the end of play. Maybe I could do that for a week, two at the most, but then I’d be looking for other pursuits.

Those dedicated cricketers also regularly attend big matches. When both types mutter in unison, “Get on with the bloody game”, it’s time to evaluate top-class cricket’s speed of play.Using timers is one way to speed up the game. However, it’s better if umpires are empowered by the administrators to ensure cricket keeps moving at an acceptable speed.Other sports I watch, like baseball, rugby league and tennis, now have a timer. The timers are designed to speed up games where administrators are acutely aware that spectators want to see plenty of playing action.

Surely people don’t switch on their devices or go to a ground to watch cricketers adjust their gloves every ball, chat with their batting partner in the middle of an over, change gloves regularly, or down unofficial drinks. These can possibly be decreed health measures or might be purely down to superstition, but they often completely ignore the etiquette of the game.

If a bowler is about to begin his run-up, a batter must be in position to receive the delivery. That used to be, and still should be, part of the etiquette of the game.It’s pretty obvious when players deliberately waste time to avoid another over leading into a break. In that case the player should first be warned, and if they transgress again, then there have to be consequences.

Players are lucky I’m not an umpire. If a batter deliberately wasted time and wasn’t ready to face up, I’d let the bowler deliver and if he hit the stumps, I’d give it out. There would be a huge outcry, but drastic action would ensure that batters don’t cause a problem in the future.

The time captains take talking to bowlers about field placings – I’m not including T20 cricket – is sometimes inordinately long. The captain should be spoken to by an umpire and told to keep the game moving.Umpires must be given license to insist that players don’t purposefully waste time. In turn, the umpires should be backed to the hilt by the judicial system. All players should be made aware of their obligation to the public; they deserve a fair day’s play for what is often an expensive outing at the cricket.

It’s easy to conclude that either most administrators don’t understand the angst slow play causes, or that they are only concerned by the bottom line. Either way the pace of play is not being properly administered.Test matches being completed inside the allotted time frame should not be an acceptable excuse for tardy over rates.

Administrators themselves are guilty of slowing the game. The DRS, replays to decide boundaries, and sight-board advertising are three obvious cases, but there are others like the front-foot no-ball law that are poorly thought out.

There’s a place for pageantry to enhance the importance of games but it should never impinge upon play. The pace of play and over rates are crucial issues where the paying spectator deserves consideration in producing an entertainment package. (cricinfo)

All News Advertisement

Sports

Tharanga makes history with Diamond League second place

Published

6 hours ago

2026/06/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

Rumesh Tharanga

National javelin record holder Rumesh Tharanga etched his name into Sri Lankan athletics history by becoming the first athlete from the country to secure a top-three finish at a Diamond League meeting when he produced a remarkable performance in Rabat during the early hours of Monday (Sri Lanka time).

‎Competing among the world’s elite throwers, the 23-year-old delivered a massive throw of 85.97 metres with his very first attempt to take an early lead in the men’s javelin contest. Although two-time world champion Anderson Peters later edged ahead with a throw of 86.08 metres, Tharanga held on to finish second and create a historic milestone for Sri Lankan athletics.

‎Tharanga became only the second Sri Lankan athlete to compete in the prestigious Diamond League, following sprint star Yupun Abeykoon. His runner-up finish is the best result ever achieved by a Sri Lankan at the World Athletics top-tier one-day meeting series, which is now in its 17th edition.

‎Despite throwing more than four metres short of his season’s best, Tharanga stood tall against a world-class field packed with Olympic and World Championship medallists. The former St. Peter’s College athlete consistently surpassed the 82-metre mark in all of his successful attempts, demonstrating impressive consistency under pressure.

‎Among the distinguished competitors, former Olympic and world medallists struggled to match Tharanga’s performance. Only Keshorn Walcott, who threw 82.53 metres, managed to exceed the 82-metre barrier apart from the leading duo. Former Olympic champion Thomas Röhler finished fourth with 81.61 metres, while Olympic silver medallist Julius Yego placed fifth with 80.59 metres.

‎The 85.97-metre effort ranks as the fourth-best throw of Tharanga’s career and is expected to significantly boost his world ranking. Earlier this year, he rewrote the national record books with a sensational throw of 89.37 metres in March, a mark that currently stands as the world-leading performance of the season.

‎With his latest achievement on one of athletics’ biggest stages, Tharanga has further strengthened his reputation as Sri Lanka’s brightest medal prospect for future global competitions, including the World Championships and the Olympic Games. His historic Diamond League podium finish serves as another indication that the Sri Lankan star is rapidly establishing himself among the world’s leading javelin throwers. (RF)

Sports

All set for Lanka Premier League

Published

6 hours ago

2026/06/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

The countdown to the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League has begun with the Player Draft taking place in Colombo. The draft provided an opportunity for the franchises to finalize their squads from a talent pool featuring leading international and domestic cricketers.

A total of 421 players were available for selection after more than 650 players from across the globe registered their interest in participating in the tournament. The draft marked the official start of preparations for LPL 2026, which will be played from July 17 to August 18 across Colombo, Dambulla and Pallekele.

Among the standout names available in the Platinum category were Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, Australia all-rounder Ashton Agar and Pakistan internationals Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz.

Franchises also had the opportunity to strengthen their squads with established T20 performers such as Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Evin Lewis, Chris Lynn, Wiaan Mulder, and Ryan Burl.

The five participating teams – Colombo Kaps, Dambulla Sixers, Galle Gallants, Jaffna Kings and Kandy Royals – will assemble squads of between 18 and 20 players as they balance local talent with overseas experience ahead of the new season.

The player pool also includes several notable Pakistan cricketers, including Iftikhar Ahmed, Usman Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Sufyan Moqim, Akif Javed and Mohammad Wasim Jnr.

Teams seeking spin options will have a wealth of choices, including Ish Sodhi, Sandeep Lamichhane, Piyush Chawla, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Cole McConchie, while experienced international campaigners such as Litton Das is a direct signing, Mushfiqur Rahim, Martin Guptill, Temba Bavuma, Gulbadin Naib and Rahkeem Cornwall are also available for selection.

As part of tournament regulations, every franchise must select at least one player from the Associate Star category. Among the leading candidates are USA fast bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk, Nepal star Dipendra Singh Airee, Scotland seamer Safyaan Sharif, USA captain Monank Patel, Corey Anderson and Ali Khan.

The Associate Star category also features a strong contingent from the United Arab Emirates, offering franchises an opportunity to tap into one of cricket’s fastest-rising associate nations. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem headlines the group alongside wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind, all-rounders Basil Hameed and Aayan Afzal Khan, experienced pacers Junaid Siddique and Zahoor Khan, emerging batter Alishan Sharafu and left-arm fast bowler Muhammad Jawadullah.

Sports

Dinara wins double crown at SSC ITF J30

Published

6 hours ago

2026/06/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

Girls' Singles champion Dinara de Silva poses after receving the championship trophy from Tournament Director Chammika de Silva following her title-winning performance at the SSC ITF J30 Tournament. (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)

Sri Lanka’s leading junior tennis player Dinara de Silva scripted another memorable win by capturing both the singles and doubles titles at the SSC ITF International Junior J30 Tournament Week 1, held at the SSC Courts in Colombo from May 25 to May 31.

‎Dinara showcased her class and experience throughout the competition before lifting the girls’ singles title with a hard-fought 7-6, 6-4 victory over Hong Kong’s Hiu Lam Ella Wong in the championship match.

Boys’ Doubles runners-up Ashlin de Silva and Mayooran Kubherane pose with their trophies after reaching the final.

‎The Sri Lankan star had earlier produced one of the most dominant performances of the tournament in the semifinals, brushing aside India’s Ahida Singh 6-0, 6-0 to secure her place in the final.

‎Dinara’s triumph was further enhanced when she teamed up with fellow Sri Lankan Yuhansa Peiris to clinch the girls’ doubles title. The local duo defeated Hong Kong pair Ling Sum Kanna and Hiu Lam Ella Wong 5-4, 5-4 in an exciting final to complete a memorable double triumph.

Girls’ Doubles Champions Dinara de Silva and Yuhansa Peiris.

‎Yuhansa also enjoyed an impressive run in the singles event, reaching the semifinals before going down to eventual runner-up Wong. The Hong Kong player prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 10-3 in a closely contested encounter.

‎Sri Lanka also had representation in the boys’ doubles final, where Ashlin de Silva and Mayooran Kubherane produced a spirited performance before narrowly losing to India’s Fazal Ali Meer and Singapore’s Zachary Sag. The Sri Lankan pair finished runners-up after a thrilling contest recording 5-4, 3-5, 10-8.‎