'Zimbabwe was not an easy tour'
Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka's new Test captain, talks to Charlie Austin about his first months in the job, and a difficult tour of Zimbabwe
26-May-2004
Marvan Atapattu inherited the Sri Lankan Test captaincy from Hashan Tillakaratne at the end of the recent home series against Australia. He has since led his team on their controversial tour of Zimbabwe, the high point of which was Muttiah Muralitharan's world record. He spoke to Charlie Austin about his new role:
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Did you enjoy your first stint as Test captain?
Yes, of course, it was fantastic to go out there. Captaining your country is an honour, and although we were admittedly playing against a very weak opposition, it was nice to make a winning start.
Yes, of course, it was fantastic to go out there. Captaining your country is an honour, and although we were admittedly playing against a very weak opposition, it was nice to make a winning start.
How difficult was it to motivate yourself against such a weak side?
It was difficult to motivate ourselves, but we had to concentrate on our performance and forget what was happening in their camp. During the first Test Murali's world record kept us focused, and during the second we concentrated on wrapping the tour up with a final win. It was not an easy tour.
It was difficult to motivate ourselves, but we had to concentrate on our performance and forget what was happening in their camp. During the first Test Murali's world record kept us focused, and during the second we concentrated on wrapping the tour up with a final win. It was not an easy tour.
So it was a difficult time?
To be honest, the tour was fairly chaotic. The facilities and organisation were probably the worst I have experienced in my playing career. There were a whole lot of things that kept going wrong. When we arrived the hotels did not have air conditioning, and then there were problems with the water supply as well - we had to go without a shower until about 10pm after one game, and there was no water in the toilets for an entire night. On the cricket side, there was no communication. When it came to things like net practice, no-one took any responsibility. There were no net bowlers and sometimes there weren't even any nets ready. Even the lunch during the last day of the Test match was 15 minutes late. One morning when we were batting the fourth umpire, who is supposed to ask us which roller we want, used the heavy roller without asking. But I suppose it was a good experience in the end! Peter Chingoka, the Zimbabwe board president, acknowledged that, and apologised on behalf of the ZCU at a reception at the end of the tour.
To be honest, the tour was fairly chaotic. The facilities and organisation were probably the worst I have experienced in my playing career. There were a whole lot of things that kept going wrong. When we arrived the hotels did not have air conditioning, and then there were problems with the water supply as well - we had to go without a shower until about 10pm after one game, and there was no water in the toilets for an entire night. On the cricket side, there was no communication. When it came to things like net practice, no-one took any responsibility. There were no net bowlers and sometimes there weren't even any nets ready. Even the lunch during the last day of the Test match was 15 minutes late. One morning when we were batting the fourth umpire, who is supposed to ask us which roller we want, used the heavy roller without asking. But I suppose it was a good experience in the end! Peter Chingoka, the Zimbabwe board president, acknowledged that, and apologised on behalf of the ZCU at a reception at the end of the tour.
The ICC finally stepped into the Zimbabwe crisis last week. Should they have done so sooner?
Well, possibly. What I feel is that we should have been treated in the same way as Australia. If they agreed to consider stepping in and cancelling the Test series against Australia, then they should have done the same for us. I feel the ICC could have considered stepping in earlier.
Well, possibly. What I feel is that we should have been treated in the same way as Australia. If they agreed to consider stepping in and cancelling the Test series against Australia, then they should have done the same for us. I feel the ICC could have considered stepping in earlier.
We should have been treated in the same way as Australia were
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What were the positives for Sri Lanka?
Well, the tour gave us a chance to look at a couple of new options for the future and that was useful. The highlight though was Murali's world record.
Well, the tour gave us a chance to look at a couple of new options for the future and that was useful. The highlight though was Murali's world record.
How was the day of the record?
We were all looking forward to it. and the enthusiasm we had during the course of that day was incredible. During that session, indeed even that innings, it was as if we were approaching a victory against the Australians. It was a really special day for us all.
We were all looking forward to it. and the enthusiasm we had during the course of that day was incredible. During that session, indeed even that innings, it was as if we were approaching a victory against the Australians. It was a really special day for us all.
Did the celebrations last long into the night?
Well, we wanted to celebrate but, to be honest, there is nothing much to do in Zimbabwe at the moment. We had a small team celebration in the dressing-room once we had finished the game, and then again in the team hotel. It was a little bit unfortunate, but we all hope that we can get together here in Colombo and do something to celebrate his achievement properly.
Well, we wanted to celebrate but, to be honest, there is nothing much to do in Zimbabwe at the moment. We had a small team celebration in the dressing-room once we had finished the game, and then again in the team hotel. It was a little bit unfortunate, but we all hope that we can get together here in Colombo and do something to celebrate his achievement properly.
What does the team feel about the controversy over Murali's doosra?
We have our views, but we have decided not to talk about it because that will only lead to more controversy and we don't need that at this time. We will keep our mouths shut and let the cricket board and Murali handle it in the way that it should be handled.
We have our views, but we have decided not to talk about it because that will only lead to more controversy and we don't need that at this time. We will keep our mouths shut and let the cricket board and Murali handle it in the way that it should be handled.
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But was the team upset by the controversy?
Obviously. Murali is the most important person in the team, and a much-loved and respected character. But when something like this happens to a team member like Murali, then the result is that the team pulls much closer together.
Obviously. Murali is the most important person in the team, and a much-loved and respected character. But when something like this happens to a team member like Murali, then the result is that the team pulls much closer together.
Were you disappointed by the Australian prime minister John Howard's comments?
Yes, obviously.
Yes, obviously.
So do you think that politicians should stay out of cricket?
We, the players, have always said that.
We, the players, have always said that.
Do you think Murali should tour Australia?
Any captain would want a player like that in his side. But as a team we are going to accept whatever Murali decides. He is going to consult a couple of people before he makes that decision. I am sure he will take the right decision. He is one guy who always wants to play or practise. He never wants to rest. But if he says he does not want to go, then there will have been enough and more reasons for that. We will accept his decision.
Any captain would want a player like that in his side. But as a team we are going to accept whatever Murali decides. He is going to consult a couple of people before he makes that decision. I am sure he will take the right decision. He is one guy who always wants to play or practise. He never wants to rest. But if he says he does not want to go, then there will have been enough and more reasons for that. We will accept his decision.
How did you feel the youngsters did on the tour, especially Farveez Maharoof?
I thought he did really well on his first tour. He generally bowled a tight line and moved the ball off the seam. Sure, the opposition was not great, but he showed potential for the future. It's early days in his career but I'm sure he benefited from the experience and from being in a team like this.
I thought he did really well on his first tour. He generally bowled a tight line and moved the ball off the seam. Sure, the opposition was not great, but he showed potential for the future. It's early days in his career but I'm sure he benefited from the experience and from being in a team like this.
Prasanna Jayawardene was also tried out, but do you think there's room for a specialist wicketkeeper in the Test team?
I think the best solution for the side in Tests is to have Sanga [Kumar Sangakkara] batting at No. 3 and also keeping wicket. That allows us to have an extra bowler or batsman and balances out the side. I have spoken to him about this and he seems to be keen and happy to do that.
I think the best solution for the side in Tests is to have Sanga [Kumar Sangakkara] batting at No. 3 and also keeping wicket. That allows us to have an extra bowler or batsman and balances out the side. I have spoken to him about this and he seems to be keen and happy to do that.
Finally, what is your most important job as captain in the coming months?
Team unity is the thing that we have talked about. If that is there then most things will fall into place. That is also one of the easiest things to start with, because that is off the field and it is one area that I have emphasised we need to start with. Let us go step by step and see how we proceed.
Team unity is the thing that we have talked about. If that is there then most things will fall into place. That is also one of the easiest things to start with, because that is off the field and it is one area that I have emphasised we need to start with. Let us go step by step and see how we proceed.