COLOMBO, 28 April 2007 — The British diplomatic mission in Colombo shed diplomatic neutrality yesterday to support Sri Lanka’s cricket team in their World Cup final against Australia.

The top British envoy here, Dominick Chilcott, led high commission (embassy) staff in signing greetings to skipper Mahela Jayawardene and his teammates ahead of today’s game in Barbados. “The British High Commission wish the Sri Lankan cricket team the best of luck in Saturday’s cricket World Cup final,” the mission said in a statement signed by all its staff. “We’re hoping for a repeat of the 1996 World Cup final result. Come on you Sri Lankan Lions. Let’s hear you roar,” the message said. Chilcott, dressed in the Sri Lankan team’s blue and yellow T-shirt, raised his hands in the air with 52 staff members in support of the Sri Lankan team.

Bucknor and Dar to Umpire World Cup Final

In Bridgetown, Barbados, Steve Bucknor and Aleem Dar will be the umpires for today’s World Cup final between holders Australia and Sri Lanka at the Kensington Oval. Jamaica’s Bucknor, standing in a record fifth successive final, and Pakistan’s Dar are joined by South Africa’s Rudi Koertzen and New Zealander Brent Bowden as third and fourth umpires. The 60-year-old Bucknor tops the list for standing in successive finals ahead of England’s Dickie Bird and David Shepherd, who each umpired three finals. “It is a dream come true,” Bucknor said in an ICC news release announcing his appointment. “I was happy knowing I was umpiring in a Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean and now being asked to stand in the final again makes it even more special.” Dar, 38, is standing in his first World Cup final. Former New Zealand captain Jeff Crowe will be the match referee.

Jayawardene Keeps Ponting Waiting for Photo Shoot

Australia captain Ricky Ponting was kept waiting for at least 40 minutes by his Sri Lanka counterpart Mahela Jayawardene for a photo session which ended up being held in the dark. The opposing skippers in today’s World Cup final posed on the beach with the trophy after the sun had set on Thursday. The session had already been postponed at the Sri Lankans’ request.

“For the Australia captain to be kept waiting for nearly an hour after a day of travel just 36 hours before a World Cup final and for 100 journalists to have their shots ruined because the sun had gone down because the Sri Lankan captain didn’t turn up was clearly unfortunate,” Australia media manager Phil Pope told Reuters yesterday.

One of the photographers at the official International Cricket Council event said there had been just a sliver of light in the sky when they took their shots.

“It turned into a night shoot,” he said.

Sobers or Imran — Who’s Greatest All-Rounder?

In London, Sobers or Imran. Legendary all-rounders. But who is the greatest of all time? Like all questions, it depends on whom you ask.

West Indies star Sir Garry Sobers, whose home ground of Kensington Oval in Barbados is the venue for Saturday’s World Cup final, is tops according to the respected cricinfo website.

“Sir Garry Sobers is not just the greatest all-rounder ever, but the greatest player,” said cricinfo editor Sambit Bal.

“He was the most natural cricketer you would ever want to see and quite simply he could do it all. He is in the top 10 greatest batsmen of all time, he took over 200 Test wickets and was a sensational fielder who could field in multiple positions.” However, in a public poll of over 10,000 site users, Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winning captain, Imran Khan, came out on top as best all-rounder winning 37-percent of the vote.

Top 10 greatest all-rounders (Cricinfo people’s poll): 1. Imran Khan 37percent, 2. Sir Garry Sobers 14, 3. Wasim Akram 13, 4. Kapil Dev 11, 5. Ian Botham 7, 6. Jacques Kallis 6, 7. Sir Learie Constantine 5, 8. Richard Hadlee 3, 9. Adam Gilchrist 2, 10. Shaun Pollock 1.