Sri Lanka lose the high ground as gloves come off over Gilchrist

It's not that sri lnakens are saying, because of the squash-ball they lost the match. But if something unfair or unusual has happened they have right to point it out. If not the game of gentlemen’s will turn in to unethical sport where players will not stick to the rules of the game. It doesn't say sri lankens lost the game and now trying to justify it. What sri lankens want is to avoid unusual things that would happen in the game. Look at this mater as a cricket fan.

Sri Lanka Cricketers can still hold their heads high as none of them have commented on the "squash ball". It is mainly the media that has taken up the case. MCC has rushed to defend Gilchrist. presumably without even asking him for an explanation. It seems that the Whites can do no wrong! If a bowler with an injury cannot have a plaster on his hand because it will improve his grip, how can a batsman improve his grip with an extraneous object?

They invented the came, they'll bend the rules to suit their own. Everyone else, fall in line.

Craig, I bet whilst writing this you knew I'd have an angry word or too. Mate, I don't see which Sri Lankan player has commented about this matter? You're critising the sportsmanship of the team based on the Board's secretary making a comment. The same board that changes every 10 minutes and is elected through favouritism and not cricketing knowledge. Whether or not I think the squash ball was fair is a different story but lay off the team. I know it sucks being an Aussie fan and winning all the time, but lay off the boys they've done nothing wrong.

No one in the SL team had raised this issue, and if I am correct, Mahela in fact complimented the Aussie victory saying other countries to raise the bar if they want to be par with the Aussies. Whatever said and done, it is no surprise that MCC have rejected the issue. If they have called in Gilchrist for explanations it is going to be a 'hornet's nest' for sure. In Gilchrist's case this was his last world cup. Whatever happens he wouldn't care. If this was done by Sanath and SL won the World Cup, Sanath will be a 'cheater' for Aussies similar to Murali. The bottom line is, if the wrong is committed by a 'white' it is right and if it is by anyone else it's 'cheating'.

You honestly think the Ozzies would have kept quiet if it was the other way round. They would've been crying until the match was replayed. No offense writer cos you may be a good bloke but Ozzie fans are so up themselves and full of biased opinions.

All these people making this a racial issue need to step back and look at themselves in the mirror. You are worst racist of all.

Thanks ET, I have nothing to add to your comment except that I agree wholeheartedly. I did not at any stage criticise the team, quite the opposite, I praised their sportsmanship and dignity. Like it or not, the Secretary of the Board represents Sri Lankan cricket and in doing o his comments and those of the board reflect badly on the players and will end up undoing all of the good done by those players.

Gilchrist was not in form during world cup. In final he hit some amazing 6 sixes with the aid of illegally having the squash ball inside his gloves. If he did not have that performance enhancer inside his glove's he would definitely be caught before he reach 20-30 runs. That day all other aussies batsmen struggled, without this guy who had used an illegal thing to get some extra performance. This is a real unjustice to former greats of cricket. These guys will break records with such illegal things. (Bradman didnt play with a squash ball to enhance performance.) Anyone can argue that what can be done with a squash ball ? If you and me go to the middle with a squash ball in glove, can we beat like that? no. But if it's gilchrist or Jayasuriya, there would definitely be clear advantage of that. That's why it should be taken into consideration and ICC should do something for this. I think everyone remembers that Ben Johnson was disqualified for Olimpic 100m, after he was awarded the medal. For good n

Thanks for your comment mate, but the squash ball wasn't illegal. The umpires didn't think so, neither did the match referee or the MCC rules committee. It was legal, end of story!

How on eath can Sri Lanka :Sri Lanka lose the high ground as gloves come off over Gilchrist" when Gilchrist and Australlia are the culprits. This is a stupid article so obvious for any one to see, Australia is known to go to any length to win a game, cricket or otherwise. It is in their ......... blood.

This is ABSOLUTELY CHEATING without any argument - let the Aussies have the World Cup - but everybody knows in their hearts that they CHEATED - IT WAS UNETHICAL - We don't mind you winning the World Cup - but do it the RIGHT WAY -

The squash ball episode was not a Sri Lankan invention. It was Gilchrist who signaled to the stands pointing to his glove on reaching his century. The TV commentators at the time were as puzzled as the audience about the signal. Gilchrist was later reported saying that he had a squash ball in his glove to help him with the grip and about the role played by his batting coach Bob Meuleman, who had apparently introduced him to the technique many years ago. There are stringent rules in one-day cricket about players using only approved gear. The confusion that prevailed at the World Cup Final with the captains having to agree to play out the last three overs in darkness, prompted the ICC Chief to apologize saying, "We very sincerely apologize for the error that was made. It was an unnecessary error, a fundamental error. It was made under difficult circumstances at the end of the match." A genuine concern has therefore arisen in the minds of cricket fans about the legality of the 'squash ball'. 'Abuse of equ

Hey guys go to bbc.co.uk They only pulish stories supporting Aussies only.Whites guilty conscience

I don't actually think any comment made by anyone so far has been racist. Would you think saying something like Pakistani fans are overly passionate is racism? It's a generalisation but it's not racist. Don't throw racist accusations around lightly.

Btw, the umpires and referee originally stated that they didn't know about the squash ball. That's one of the main reason why the SLC Sec described it as being "unethical". I don't think it was cheating because I don't think Gilchrist thought he was doing anything wrong. The cricket laws are so easily bent to suit the scenario, there are many laws that contradict each other. The MCC just want this whole thing brushed under the carpet. The point is, you can actually interpret the rules in many ways, and if the MCC wanted to they could actually deem it illegal. I just don't think they want all the fuss. After all, it was a great innings and Australia were the world's best team. But I completely disagree that because of the Sec's comments, the team has been made to look bad. Craig you're the first person I've heard suggest that.

I didn't read the comment where someone said: "if the wrong is committed by a 'white' it is right and if it is by anyone else it's 'cheating'." You should be careful with your words mate, playing the race card like that is a pretty useless get out clause. I will agree to the extent that I think Australia and England have a stronger hand on the ICC's rulings than other countries. Always seems like the MCC and ICC really don't wanna upset the Australians and English!

I think ET was referring to a few comments along the line of "whites can do no wrong" which is getting pretty close to a racist comment. Cricket officials the world over are an embarrassment to their nations and it is no different in Aus. My point is that this is being reported as a Sri Lankan protest, there is no distinction between the Board and the team and - unfairly - it will be seen as coming from the team. The players certainly don't deserve tobe caught up in this. I thought this might get your attention, but I always look forward to your thoughts. Cheers

That's what I'm saying though Craig, I don't think the players had been dragged down by this. I don't think anyone these days associates the actions & thoughts of a board with the actions & thoughts of a team. What I was trying to say was that you are the first person I've heard from that actually feels the team has been made to look bad\ have sour grapes. As a Lanka fan I wasn't concerned that our team were being painted in a worser light.

The aussies dont cheat they just bend the rules... Now if the squash glove was on the opposing hand I wonder what they would say...

We have seen so many comments about this squash ball issue.. As per the reports throughout internet we read…some says its illegal and some says its legal. Also I read that SL authorities are questioning the ethical side of using foreign material while playing. If using squash ball inside glove is legal and ethical…can anyone / any authority like MCC can explain me the following is legal / ethical or not while playing cricket inside a ground. 1. Can a player use shoes with springs / rollers to stabilize / take a grip while running or get more bounce while catching balls. 2. Can a player use roller blades saying that will give a power to run around the round. 3. What about using special eye glasses to identify ball 4. Can someone wear metal type pads / or metal filled pads. saying that they are stronger 5. How come in the new Zealand match the umpire ask the bowler to remove band aids he had on his fingers saying those will improve the bowling. ( That’s exactly what Gilchrest did to get a grip )