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Lankan media slams Greg Chappell

The Sri Lankan media teed off on Australian Test star turned television commentator Greg Chappell for the latter's scathing criticism when the umpires called off play for bad light in the third ODI of the recent series between Lanka and India.

"Chappell's comments were unwarranted, uncalled for, and smacked of bias," said former Lankan cricketer Mahinda Wijesinghe in the latest issue of Island Daily.

Chappell's tirade came when the Sri Lankan batsmen accepted the offer of light at a stage when India looked set to win the third one day international on Saturday last. Commentating as part of the WorldTel panel, Chappell accused the Lankans of behaving in an unsportsmanlike fashion and being afraid to lose.

In a story titled Crying in the Chappell, the state-run Daily News said: "He played judge, prosecutor and jury all in one by urging spectators to stay away from the replayed game on Sunday."

"The hard words Chappell used were unwarranted, unacceptable and defamatory," the independent Sunday Times argued.