2011 ICC Cricket World Cup mascot launch - கொழும்பில் 2011 உலக கிண்ண நுழைவுச்சீட்டு விற்பனை உத்தியோகபூர்வமாக ஆரம்பம் - 2

The official mascot for the Cricket world cup to be held in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh next year was launched this evening. Tickets for the world cup were also released at the ceremony. President Mahinda Rajapaksa can bee seen here being handed one of the golden tickets for the tournament by the organizers. Pix by Indaratna Balasuriya


2011 இன் உலக கிண்ண கிரிக்கட் போட்டிகள் ஆரம்பிப்பதற்கு சரியாக 365 நாட்கள் இருக்கும் நிலையில் நேற்று கொழும்பில் இது தொடர்பான உத்தியோக பூர்வ வைபவம் இடம்பெற்றது.

இவ்வைபவத்தின்போது இலங்கை ஜனாதிபதி மஹிந்த ராஜபக்சவுக்கு golden ticket என அழைக்கப்படும் சம்பிரதாய பூர்வமான ஞாபகார்த்த நுழைவுச்சீட்டை ICC அதிகாரிகள் வழங்கினர்.

இவ்வுலக கின்ண போட்டிகள் இலங்கை, இந்தியா, பங்களாதேஷ் நாடுகளில் உள்ள 13 மைதானங்களில் இடம்பெறும்.

With exactly 365 days to go until the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, details of the official mascot and how fans can purchase tickets for world cricket's showcase event were revealed in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, tonight (Friday).

And cricket lovers around the world are set to play a significant role in the success of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - the Cup that Counts.

Not only will fans from the three host nations - Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka - have an opportunity to purchase tickets online from 1 June but so will millions of cricket lovers from around the globe who want to be a part of the cricket's premier event.

At the same time, cricket fans will also have the opportunity to choose the name for the official ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 mascot which was unveiled at an event attended by many cricketing and entertainment celebrities in Colombo tonight.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, who attended the launch and the Central Organising Committee meeting which preceded it, said ?Cricket never forgets that the supporters are central to making any event a success and that was always considered in preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

'We know that this is not only the Cup that Counts but that our cricket lovers across the globe also count - and it is only right that they play a significant role in this event whether it be buying tickets to savour the unique atmosphere or whether they will be among the billions who will watch the event on television or whether they vote for the name of the official mascot.

?Our Great Sport is fortunate to have such a great event. It has a remarkable history which has been fashioned by some remarkable teams and players. There is no doubt that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will add chapters to that glorious history and that is why I am sure there will be great demand for the tickets that go on sale.'

Tickets will be on sale via the ICC website www.iccevents.yahoo.com and at box offices in the three host countries in the near future. A minimum of five percent of all available tickets for public sale for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 can be purchased online from 1 June 2010

ICC Vice-President Sharad Pawar added: "We believe that the tickets are competitively priced allowing as many people as possible to attend this global celebration of cricket. We are determined that this will be an affordable and accessible event for everyone. I am certain that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be an outstanding and well-attended tournament."

Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket Nishantha Ranatunga said: "It was a great honour for the ticket announcement and mascot launch to be held here in Colombo. The excitement in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is already starting to build and I am sure that all Sri Lankans will see this as a great opportunity to showcase their country and demonstrate their love of cricket."

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will take place at 13 venues in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka and will open in Dhaka on 19 February with the final in Mumbai on 2 April, 2011.

2011 ICC Cricket World Cup mascot launch - கொழும்பில் 2011 உலக கிண்ண நுழைவுச்சீட்டு விற்பனை உத்தியோகபூர்வமாக ஆரம்பம்

A media conference was held in Colombo today to announce the launch of the ticket and mascot for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup to be worked off in South Asia including Sri Lanka. Picture shows the ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and other officials holding aloft the World Cup at the event. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

2011 ஆம் ஆண்டின் உலககிண்ண கிரிக்கட் போட்டித்தொடரின் சின்னத்தை அறிமுகப்படுத்தவும், நுழைவுச்சீட்டு விற்பனையை உத்தியோகபூர்வமாக ஆரப்பிப்பதும் தொடர்பான ஊடகவியலாளர் மாநாடு இன்று கொழும்பில் இடம்பெற்றது. படங்களில் ICC இன் தலைமை நிர்வாகி ஹாரூன் லோகாட் உடன் இதர அதிகாரிகள் காணப்படுகின்றனர்.



ஹம்பாந்தோட்டையில் நிர்மாணிக்கப்படும் புதிய கிரிக்கட் மைதானம் தொடர்பாக ICC மகிழ்ச்சி தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

இதேவேளை போட்டி நடைபெறும் நாடுகளிடையே ஒரே வீசாவினூடாக பிரயாணிக்கும் வசதி தொடர்பாக இம்மூன்று நாடுகளும் ஆலோசித்து வருகின்றன. இவ்வசதி பாகிஸ்தான் அல்லாத ஏனைய எந்தவொரு உலக கிண்ண போட்டியை பார்வையிடுவதற்கான நுழைவுச்சீட்டை வைத்திருக்கும் கிரிக்கட் ரசிகர்களுக்கும் பொருந்துவதாக அமையும்

he ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Central Organising Committee (COC), chaired by ICC Vice-President Sharad Pawar, met in Colombo today (Friday) with Mr Pawar praising the progress of ongoing work being carried out on the grounds at Colombo, Pallekelle and Hambantota in Sri Lanka.

The Vice-President said that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was on course to deliver a series of world-class venues, including the three in Sri Lanka which co-hosts the event with India and Bangladesh.

With exactly one year to go to the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Mr Pawar said: "I am sure that the thousands of spectators from Sri Lanka and around the world, will be extremely impressed by the new venues not just here in Sri Lanka but also in India and Bangladesh. The reports we have received of the progress are extremely positive.

"These stadia will produce a real legacy for cricket in South Asia and I am sure that cricket lovers who travel to the three co-hosts will be impressed by the quality of the venues as well as the affordable and accessible tickets.

"Sri Lanka, like India and Bangladesh, is known for the warmth and hospitality shown to visitors from around the world and I am sure that welcome will make the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 an event to remember.

"I would like to thank personally Sri Lanka Cricket for the hospitality they have shown the COC at this meeting and the arrangements they have put in place."

The COC discussed the possibility of visa variations for supporters entering India to watch ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. At present only single entry visas are permitted for tourists to India but the COC is working with the Indian Government in the hope that multiple entry visas will be available for all supporters - except those from Pakistan - holding valid match tickets.

Sri Lanka will host 12 matches at three venues in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 which opens in Dhaka on February 19, 2011 and climaxes in the final in Mumbai on April 2, 2011.

Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik engaged :சானியா மலிக் திருமணம்

Former Pakistani cricket captain Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza have got engaged and will tie the knot in April.

பாகிஸ்தானின் முன்னாள் அணித்தலைவரான சொயைப் மலிக்கும், இந்திய டென்னிஸ் நட்சத்திரம் சானியா மிர்சாவும் ஏப்ரல் மதத்திந் முதல் வாரத்தில் திருமண பந்தத்தில் இணையவுள்ளனர். இச்செய்தியை தனது டுவிட்டர் ஊடாக மலிக் உறுதிப்படுத்தியுள்ளார்.

இவர்கள் இருவரும் துபாயில் சந்தித்தது முதல் 6 மாதகாலமாக பழகி வந்தனர். இருவரும் துபாயில் வாழ்க்கையை தொடருவர்.

இஸ்லாமிய திருமண சம்பிரதாயத்தில் உள்ள "வலிமா" விருந்து லாஹூரில் வழங்கப்படும்.

சானியா தொடர்ந்து இந்தியாவுக்காக விளையாடவுள்ள அதேவேளை, மலிக் ஒருவருட கால தடை காரணமாக விளையாட முடியாத நிலையில் உள்ளார்.

The two sports stars have been in an affair for the last six months which had led to Sania's earlier engagement to break,' Geo TV reported.
Sania and Malik met each other in Dubai where they started the affair.
Confirming the news on his Twitter account late Monday night, Malik wrote: “The news of me marrying Sania is true. Inshallah, will get married in April.”

Sania's mother, Nasima told “Times of India”: "Marriages are made in heaven. As parents, we are delighted with her choice."

Sania's father, Imran, who has coached and managed her through her career, said: "This is a unique case where the husband and wife will represent their respective countries in sport."
“The couple will be based in Dubai, where Shoaib is a resident, and Sania will continue to play tennis once she recovers fully from the wrist injury that has marred her career in the recent past,” Imran told “The Hindu”.

“My wedding is going to be the biggest day of my life.
“I have been under constant glare of the public for too long and would appreciate more privacy at this very personal moment in my life,” Sania said.
“I hope to be fully fit to represent India in the Commonwealth and Asian Games that are scheduled for later this year,” she added.

“Yes, the news is confirmed. Shoaib will be marrying Sania, most likely some time in the first week of April,” Imran Zafar, Malik’s brother-in-law, told The Indian Express from Lahore. “Ceremonies will be held both in India and Pakistan. There will be a reception in Lahore in the second or third week of April,” he said.Quoting sources, the channel said Malik's mother had gone to Hyderabad in India where she met with Mirza's family and finalised the marriage.
The wedding ceremony will take place in April while the valima reception will be hosted by Malik in Lahore on April 16 or 17.

Malik was earlier accused of marrying another Hyderabad girl, Ayesha Siddiqui, in 2002 over the phone even though the cricketer said he was only engaged to her.
Sania's engagement to fellow-Hyderabadi and childhood friend Sohrab Khan who belongs to Hyderabad and is studying business in Britain, was called off in January.

Ranked No. 27 in the world, Sania's rating has plummeted after a debilitating wrist injury that saw her take a break from competition. Her treatment and rehabilitation drills continue. She will probably test her wrist in competition later in the summer, but is targeting a return for later in the year. "I hope to be fully fit to represent India in the Commonwealth and Asian Games that are scheduled for later this year," she said.

Shoaib, however, can't play for one year for Pakistan as he faces a ban imposed by the national cricket board for breaching the code of conduct. Although no reason was given, Pakistani media speculated that he may have been involved in match fixing.

World Cup T-20 - West Indies - Fixtures

Question mark hangs over Jayasuriya - ஜயசூரியவின் இடம் சந்தேகம்?

T20 உலககிண்ண போட்டிகளுக்கான கடைசி 15 பேரில் 40 வயதான ஜயசூரியவின் பெயர் இடம்பெறுவது இன்னும் கேள்விக்குறியே.

இது தொடர்பாக தற்போது அவுஸ்த்திரேலியாவில் விடுமுறையில் இருக்கும் பயிற்சியாளர் பேலீஸ், IPL இல் விளையாடிவரும் சங்கக்கார ஆகியோருடன் tele-conference நடாத்தப்பட்டு தீர்மானிக்கப்படும் என தெரிகிறது.

15 பேர் கொண்ட அணியை 30 ஆம் திகதிக்கு முன் அறிவிக்க வேண்டும்.

ஆரம்ப துடுப்பாட்ட ஜோடியாக தரங்கவும், டில்சானும் இருக்கும் பட்சத்தில், வலுவான நிலையில் இருக்கும் மெத்தியூஸ், துஷார ஆகியோரை கடந்து ஜயசூரிய அணியில் இடம் பிடிப்பது கடினமாக இருக்கும்.

IPL இல் பிரகாசித்துக்கொண்டிருக்கும் சமிந்த வாஸ் வயது காரணமாக தெரிவாளர்களால் புறக்கணிக்கப்பட்டதாக தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது.

Twenty-year-old NCC and Ruhuna batsman Dinesh Chandimal looks a certainty of making it into the final squad of the World Cup T-20 tournament which is scheduled to take place in the West Indies from, 30 April to May 16.

A Question mark hangs over Jayasuriya making it into the final squad
Chandimal who was also selected as the Bata-Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the year 2009 from Ananda College, Colombo was a prolific scorer in the ensuing Club season and the Provincial Cricket Tournaments.

The national selectors met on Friday and narrowed the list of 30 down to twenty players and the names discussed in earnest included Upul Tharanga, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardena, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Tissara Perera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando Lasith Malinga, Chamara Welagedera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Isuru Udana, Jeewan Mendis, Jeewantha Kulatunga and Chinthaka Jayasinghe.

However still there is a question mark over the name of veteran 40-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya making it into the final fifteen. It is likely to be decided after a tele-conference with skipper Kumar Sangakkara who at present is in India engaged in the Indian premier League tournament and Coach Trevor Bayliss who is taking a break, back in Australia on Monday.

The ICC deadline to name the final list of fifteen players is Tuesday March 30. Jayasuriya had a very ordinary inter-provincial T20 tournament and was also axed from the Mumbai Indians playing XI after a string of failures.

Now that the younger duo Upul Tharanga and T.M. Dilshan have almost forged a permanent partnership at the top it is very unlikely that Jayasuriya would get the nod as an opener. If at all he may be included as a bowling allrounder and a middle order bat, but even in this slot there are promising Angelo Mathews and Tissara Perera. Also in the fray is former Thomian skipper Jeewan Mendis, a good success during the club and the inter-provincial season not only with the bat but also with his leg spin. He has been among the wickets right through.

The other point is that if Jayasuriya is dropped from the touring party to the West Indies it is very unlikely that the aging genius would make it back to the international playing arena and may also miss the central contract along with the other veteran Chaminda Vaas who is another certainty to be overlooked for the central contract for the 2010-2011 season.

However Vaas who is now enjoying a very successful stint with the Deccan Chargers also had a steady inter-provincial tournament, but was overlooked by the selectors on their age policy. Sri Lanka – the losing finalist of last year’s tournament opens the proceedings on April 30 when they take on New Zealand in a group ‘B’ encounter at the Providence Stadium in Guyana while the West Indies will play Ireland in a Group ‘D’ match later on.

Mathews and Jehan Mubarak with HP

Two of the country’s rising cricket stars Angelo Mathews and Jehan Mubarak have signed up with Hewlett-Packard (HP) as their brand ambassadors.

கணணி உலகில் பிரபலமான HP நிறுவனத்த்தின் brand ambassadorகளாக அஞ்சலோ மெத்தியூஸும், ஜிஹான் முபாரக்கும் நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்கள்.

The Personal Systems Group of the global technology giant HP aims to combine the emerging technology trends with the two personas of the young stars. This is to provide Sri Lankan consumers a brand new angle to distinguish their invididuality when purchasing HP products.

Angelo Mathews, one of Sri Lanka’s young cricketers making global waves with his all-round skills, embodies the vibrant and youthful spirit projected through HP Notebooks and Personal Computers. His performances in Tests, One-Day Internationals and the adrenaline pumped run-scoring in T/20s has pushed him forward as one of the island’s biggest prospects of an International Cricket Star.

With Jehan Mubarak, it’s a double-sided story. He has become a household name among Sri Lankan cricket fans with his inclusion in the Sri Lankan National Cricket team on many occasions, and his recent success in the domestic cricket arena exhibited his natural athletic prowess. Presently however, he is reading for his Bachelor’s Degree in Law. This perfect combination of performance and intellect blends well with HP’s range of Business Notebooks, Personal Computers and Workstations.

“It is very exciting to have two of Sri Lanka’s most promising cricketers in Angelo Mathews and Jehan Mubarak sign up as HP Brand Ambassadors. They appeal to the youth of this country, as well as the general cricket loving public, and their exploits on the field make them ideal foil for the HP Portfolio of Notebooks and Personal Computers,”said Lackshmindra Fernando, Country Business Manager – HP Personal Systems Group.

Angelo Mathews and Jehan Mubarak will be actively promoting world renowned HP products among local consumers, offering a wide range of products such as the HP Pavilion Series Notebooks and PCs, HP Mini Notebooks, HP Pro Book Series Notebooks and PCs as well as the HP Elite Series of Notebooks and PCs in 2010. All HP Branded computers are trusted as high performance machines, and this range of products caters to all types of users, and offers good value for money, which has in turn made HP the No. 1 PC brand in the country. (TBR)

வயதான வீரர்களை கழற்றிவிட தருணம் பார்க்கும் சிறீலங்கா கிரிக்கட்

மாகாணங்களுக்கிடையேயான போட்டிகளில் திறமையை வெளிக்காட்டாத தேசிய வீரர்களை கழற்றி விடுவதற்கு இலங்கை கிரிக்கட் தயாராகிறது. இதற்காக வயதான சில வீரர்கள் ஏற்கெனவே அடையாலமிடப்பட்டிருப்பதாக தெரிகிறது.

இவர்களுக்கு பதிலாக தர வீரர்களில் பொருத்தமானோரை தெரிவுசெய்து போட்டிகளிலும் நான்குநாள் போட்டிகளிலும் பரிசோதிக்குமாறு தெரிவுக்குழுவுக்கு ஆலோசனை வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

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Sri Lanka Cricket is reported to have been dismayed over the performances of some of the Premier club players at the concluded 50-over inter-provincial championships and directed the selectors to consider Tier “B” players participating in the Premier tournament for selection at the upcoming T-20 and four-day inter-provincial league championships.

The Daily Mirror learns that several young players who performed in the Premier League Tier B championships who were not picked for the 50-over tournament are in line for places while some of the ageing senior players have already being identified for the chop.