WADA ‘whereabouts’ clause won’t create problem in World Cup: Shetty

WADA ‘whereabouts’ clause won’t create problem in World Cup: Shetty

MUMBAI, May 13: Stand off between cricket authorities and the World Anti-Doping Agency over the controversial “whereabouts” clause in the WADA Anti-Doping Code is unlikely to create any problem for the 2011 ICC World Cup, feels tournament director Ratnakar Shetty.

“I don’t foresee a problem. WADA has told ICC it’s their problem to get it resolved. BCCI (Indian cricket board) has expressed certain concerns only about the whereabouts clause, nothing more than that,” Shetty, who is also BCCI’s chief administrative officer, said in an exclusive interview.

“ICC, WADA officials and BCCI had a meeting three months back in Dubai. It went off very well where we made it very clear that India is not opposed to the dope test, it’s only about the whereabouts clause where 24 hours the sportsman has to file in the details. That could be resolved,” Shetty explained.

“We are seeking the support of other boards also. N Srinivasan (BCCI secretary) and Shashank Manohar (BCCI president) have been working with other cricket boards as well as with ICC to find an early solution to this problem.

England beat Lanka, in final

England beat Lanka, in final

Gros Islet (St Lucia), May 13: Once again Kevin Pietersen became the hero as he remained not out at 42 to see his team enter the final of the ICC Twenty20, beating Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first semifinal here today. Craig Kieswetter was the other major contributor (39) as England easily chased down the target with 24 balls remaining.

Earlier, Angelo Mathews (58) stood among ruins with a fighting half century as Sri Lanka scored a modest 128 for six.

Mathews, who hit three fours and a six in his 45-ball innings, got little support from his batting colleagues as the next highest contributors were captain Kumar Saangakkara (16) and Chamara Kapugedera (16) after Sri Lanka elected to bat at a slow Beausejour Stadium pitch. Mathews was involved in two partnerships — 46 off 45 balls with Kapugedera for the fifth wicket and 33 off 20 balls with Thissara Perera for the sixth — which took Sri Lanka at least something to defend.

Broad was the most successful England bowler with two wickets for 21 while Bresman, Sidebottom and Swann chipped in with a wicket each. Except for calling the coin correctly, nothing worked for Sri Lanka as they lost their three key batsmen by the fifth over for just 26 runs.

Sri Lanka’s woes deepened with their best batsman in the tournament Mahela Jayawardene departing in the first ball of the fifth over off a beauty from Stuart Broad with the ball lifting and moving a shade away from the bat for wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter to do the rest. Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews tried to repair the innings before the former was out in the ninth over for a 19-ball 16 to leave his side in deep trouble at 47 for four. Brief Score: Sri Lanka 128/6 England 132/3 (PTI)