India, again ?

Playing against India is the epitome for any Cricket team these days.

The players know they can become stars overnight with a possible viewing audience of over 1 billion people. The boards know that they can rake in the money with advertising deals. The cricket wouldn’t be too bad either.

But I am Sri Lankan and I say enough with playing India. Every time I turn on the TV there is an orgy of blue out in the middle. And its not just the One dayers either – there is only so much test cricket a fan can take on dead sub continental pitches before you decide Australian day-time TV is not that bad after all. Although that might be pushing it a bit too far.

2010 year started with Sri Lanka having 2 scheduled international engagements. No- not 2 tours, just 2 matches. And that was the 2 group matches in the 2020 World Cup. This was disappointing by it self – but then SLC announced India will be in Sri Lanka for another test series. I kind of died a little inside that day.

The Sri Lanka v India fixture has occurred an annoying 32 times over the last 2 years. That’s 55 days of cricket against the same team. I doubt Roger Federer makes more grand slam finals.

There are 9 other test playing countries. But we keep picking India. Shouldn’t Sangakkara be stepping in at this point and saying ‘India is good but how about Afghanistan or China for a change’. And what’s wrong with India – whoring themselves to play us. Maybe they get some sadistic satisfaction in beating us over and over on pitches Stevie Wonder could score runs on.

What about the Irish for a change? Heck, they will fill out our hotels and consume our arrack till they look like Pink Salmons under the sun. At least they are fun bunch to play – and beat.

Afghanistan recently got ODI status didn’t they?

To hell with those 7 ODI bi-laterals. Can 2 of those and come to Sri Lanka I say. Is it a wonder Sri Lanka wet themselves when they get over to Australia or South Africa. We never play them or tour those countries. Well, not as much as we should anyway. The last time Australia toured Sri Lanka was 7 years ago.

Of course all the blame falls squarely those evil doers at the ICC. The FTP programme ensures cricket is played through the year but not a lot of thought seems to have gone into who plays who. At least not who Sri Lanka plays. Bangladesh seem to have a more dynamic tour Programme than us. Something is not right and I am not happy. Neither should you be.

A friend told me that ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ referring to the lack of cricket we have this year. Well once I gave a beggar 5rupees and she threw it back. So I guess they can.