Lankan probe a worry
ONE of the most extraordinary stories in cricket history crackled to life this week — and the world barely blinked.
Sri Lankan great Aravinda de Silva was questioned for six hours by police over allegations Sri Lanka “sold” the 2011 World Cup final to India in Mumbai.
De Silva was chairman of selectors for a team that featured four changes for the final, won by India (4-277) when it reeled in Sri Lanka’s 6-274 with fewer that two overs to spare.
His grilling came a day after revelations Sri Lanka police had opened a probe into allegations by former Sri Lankan sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage the match was on the nose.
If true — we make no accusations — this is one of the greatest scandals the game has seen. Throwing a World Cup final?
If it happened in soccer it would be the front page of every newspaper in the world, but cricket has become so used to match-fixing scandals nothing shocks any more so it was nothing more than a blip on the news wires.
Former captain Arjuna Ranatunga claimed three years ago there should be an inquiry into the match and at last his wish has been granted.
“I cannot reveal what happened on that day, but I would some day reveal the truth,’’ Ranatunga said in 2017.
These are biting, provocative words from a feisty yet well-credentialled source.
Ranatunga was a player Australian sides of his era despised because he dared to stand up to them.
He was provocative — once claiming Shane Warne was overrated — but no fool, fearless and well connected.
Ranatunga took great delight in trying to lob an acorn or two on Australia’s seat, but there is no reason for him to gratuitously stir the pot here given the offence it has caused to team captain Kumar Sangakkara and batting ace Mahela Jayawardene.
There is a feeling in cricket that while the game’s corruption cops have always considered India the epicentre of dodgy deals, plenty has been happening behind the scenes in Sri Lanka.
De Silva is not the first great-turned-selection chief to end up having to answer some awkward questions.
Batting powder keg Sanath Jayasuriya is banned for two years for failing to co-operate with authorities when they launched a probe into his conduct as chairman.