Sri Lanka ready to hold Champions Trophy

With the ICC finding it tough to convince apprehensive cricketers on touring Pakistan for next month's Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka today said it was ready to hold the tournament even at a short notice.

"We are ready to hold the Champions Trophy as we are the alternate venue for the tournament," Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Duleep Mendis said.

"We are in a position to hold the Champions Trophy as Sri Lankais the alternative venue for the ICC event," he added.

SLC officials feel that all the grounds are in good condition as the Indian cricket tour is currently on in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, a meeting took place on Wednesday at the ICC's offices in Dubai to discuss the preparations for the Champions Trophy The event, which is scheduled from September 11 to 28, is facing an uncertain future after Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand, raised concerns over touring Pakistan due to the security situation.

This is despite the ICC taking a decision on July 24 to hold the championship in Pakistan after getting assurance offull security to the players.

Yesterday's meeting at Dubai discussed feedback from task team briefings with stakeholders from England, Australia and New Zealand.

Extracted from,
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf

Koertzen out of Lankan series

Umpire Rudi Koertzen, who angered Sri Lankans this month by wrongly giving Kumar Sangakkara out on 192 in the second Test against Australia, has been withdrawn from the series against England.

South African Koertzen, 58, was due to stand in the series between Sri Lanka and England starting in Kandy on Saturday, but officials said the International Cricket Council had replaced him.

"The ICC has taken Koertzen off the roster for the series," Sri Lanka Cricket media manager Samantha Algama said.

Read more,
http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/koertzen-out-of-lankan-series/