Was the biggest cricket match in the world a fix?
A police investigation into allegations Sri Lanka “sold” the 2011 cricket World Cup to India looms as one of the greatest scandals the game has seen — but the world has barely blinked.
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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 which featured four changes for the final won by India (4-277) when they reeled in Sri Lanka’s 6-274 with just under 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.
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If these allegations are found to be true this looms as one of the greatest scandals the game has seen.
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 and allegations that nothing shocks any more so it was nothing more than a blip on the news wires.
This story worries me because I cannot see a single benefit those pointing the finger have to gain from speaking up.
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 someday reveal the truth,’’ Ranatunga said in 2017.
These are biting, provocative words from a feisty yet well-credentialed source.
Ranatunga was a player Australian sides of his era despised because he stood up to them.
He was deliberately provocative – once claiming Shane Warne was overrated – but no fool, totally fearless and impeccably connected.
Ranatunga took great delight in trying to lob an acorn or two on Australia’s seat but there is absolutely no reason for him to gratuitously stir the pot here given the offence it has caused to team captain Kumar Sangakkara and batting icon 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.
Test great turned commentator Michael Holding once opened his hotel safe in the Sri Lankan city of Kandy and found $10,000 in cash there from the person who had the room before him.
Holding went down the foyer and handed the money in on the condition he was told who was the last person to have the room.
It was a Sri Lankan player who, when contacted by the hotel, said “error, uggh … actually it was not my money. It must have been the person before me’’.
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 currently banned for two years for failing to co-operate with authorities when they launched a probe into his conduct as chairman.
GOOD: The Storm-Roosters game was one of the finest of recent times in any code in Australia, a rollicking beast of a thing which enabled fans to forget their COVID concerns and be reminded about what professional sport is all about – to enable fans to de-stress.
BAD: Sports crowds now and in the post-COVID era. People have changed their habits and grown to live without leaving home. Expect sports gates to take a major hit even when full capacity is permitted.
UGLY: The AFL season. Sadly it’s falling apart at the seams. It feels a lesser product with regular shots of empty terraces which are hidden in the league coverage. Even the urgency and motivational levels of the players is being questioned. The NRL seems normal. The AFL doesn’t.