Coach Whatmore's Untold Story (17 Dec 1996)

17 December 1996

`Coach Whatmore`s untold story`

Duleep Mendis, Chairman of selectors writes

With reference to the article in the `Daily News` of December 16, captioned ``coach Whatmore`s untold story`` Duleep Mendis, Chairman of selectors and manager of Sri Lanka team writes:

I as the chairman of selectors would like to clarify the above on behalf of all the nationaal selectors.

The Sri Lanka cricket board constitution does not provide for the national cricket coach to be a member of the selection committee, however on all occasions the selectors have met Dav and the manager of the team to obtain their views prior to team selection, this practice was extended to all ``A`` team coaches as well including Rumesh Ratnayaka who was the coach of the Sri Lanka `A` team which recently concluded a series with the West Indies `A` team.

Dav was also a member of the selection committee on all tours along with me, the captain, Arjuna Ranatunga and vice-captain Aravinda de Silva.

As far as policy of selections is concerned it visualises the cricket board`s vision to become the best cricketing nation by the year 2000. Dav at no stage voiced concern to us on policy or direction as we were constanty picking winning combinations which he was a part of. In any event Dav was in no position to suggest or talk of fresh talent as he totally restricted himself to working with the national pool which consisted of around 25 players.

The selectors whish to state that we had a cordial relationship with Dav during his term as coach. As such we are surprised to hear his views, which if it was of concern to him it should have been aired during the course of his stay in Sri Lanka. This would certainly have helped the forward march of Sri Lanka cricket.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)