Backroom boy

The Croatian government has banned Christmas and New Year parties in the public sector because of the global financial crisis. State run firms and organizations have also been told that they won’t be allowed to dip into their funds to buy Christmas presents. The ban follows a proposal to freeze public sector salaries next year. Late night parties should be prevented as much as possible. By following certain proposed measures one can avoid a deeper crisis within the next year if they do it united. One should think and spend for the things which are apart from the basic needs.

The Sri Lanka Cricketers’ Association (SLCA) and sports minister Gamini Lokuge have finalised a proposal that could bring in $70 million for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) over the next 10 years but will seriously undermine Sri Lanka’s Test tour of England. The proposal, which will be presented to the BCCI, will require the full participation of SLC within the IPL and its sister tournament, the Champions League, for the next decade.

The proposed deal follows the recent decision by Lokuge that the Sri Lankan players contracted to the IPL will be released from the tour of England following the cancellation of Zimbabwe’s tour to England.

SLC officials admitted it would be impossible to hold the the two-Test series in England. “The series is definitely off since it has not yet been ratified by the ECB and still remains subject to its approval. So, there is absolutely no chance they are now going to sanction the series against a virtual Sri Lanka A side,” a board official said.

However, the officials offered the ECB a three-match ODI series after May 25 and were also considering an invitation to play in a Stanford 20/20 tournament prior to the World Twenty20 in June.

“We have a signed contract with SLC in which we agree to play two Tests and three ODIs” an ECB spokesman told Cricinfo. “We have had no other contact from SLC.”