Sri Lanka Cricket Board(SLC) has come out and intended to give full support to International Cricket Council(ICC) in finding proves for the ongoing investigations of corruption relating to one of the ground staff people at the historic Galle International Stadium.
In a recent sting operation by Al Jazeera Television Network, it was found that a member employed by the Galle District Cricket Association is agreeing to doctor pitches. According to reports, the surfaces for the Test matches against Australia and India in 2016 and 2017 respectively, are under the scanner.
SLC CEO Ashley De Silva has been quoted saying to Cricbuzz that, "It is not possible to take action basing on media reports alone. There will be a thorough investigation and once the investigation is over, we will take strong action. We are in contact with ICC officials extending our fullest support in the ongoing investigation,"
This is not a good news at all for Sri Lankan Cricket, as they are going through a seemingly never-ending transition phase where the results have just not gone their way. There were recent news of corrupt practices in their domestic cricket too.
The first-class game between Panadura Sports Club and Kalutara Physical and Culture Club in January 2017 became infamous for some tactics by the players that were atrocious and looked directly being the intent of match-fixing.
Some 600 runs were scored on the final day of the game with Panadura winning by three wickets. The result helped the club to gain promotion to Tier 'A' of first-class cricket while Kalutara, who were bottom of the points table, by virtue of having taken seven wickets in the second innings and scoring at 8.6 runs an over in their second innings managed to just hang in playing first-class cricket without being relegated.
Chasing a target of 165, Panadura reached home in 13.4 overs maintaining a run rate of 12.2. Panadura captain and former Test cricketer Chamara Silva had vehemently opposed the corrupt practice and didn't turn up for the final day's play. In an affidavit, he had made some startling revelations that framed a leading official of SLC Executive Committee.
(Inputs from Cricbuzz)
