Cricket selectors right in picking two teams (11 August 1999)

11 August 1999

Cricket selectors right in picking two teams

Elmo Rodrigopulle

We were the first to suggest to the cricket selectors - Sidat Wettimuny, T.B. Kehelgamuwa, Asantha de Mel and Brendon Kuruppu to pick two different squads when it comes to the one-dayers and the Tests.

Although ignorant critics tried to shoot down this idea, we are glad that the selectors have agreed with us.

With world champions in both styles of cricket Australia succeeding with this type of ploy, and with England too endeavouring to follow suit, it required that Sri Lanka too follow the modern dictates of the game and fall in line.

Now that the selectors have done their part, it is up to the cricketers to forget what happened as a bad dream and to perform consistently and help Sri Lanka regain its past glory.

Before going on to comment on the selections, we would like to warmly welcome Davnell Whatmore, the country's former coach, who unfortunately left us after helping the country to win the previous World Cup in Lahore, Pakistan.

Whatmore at the press conference a few days back, reiterated that he had to leave as coach for personal reasons. He admitted that he had differences of opinion with former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, but that was not the reason for his leaving.

However, now that Whatmore is back, it is up to everyone interested in the game and bringing it back to its former standing to support Whatmore in his undertaking.

He has proved his capabilities as a coach in no uncertain terms, not only showing Sri Lanka how to win the World Cup, but also helping Lancashire to many trophies in the English county scene.

Although many are taking credit for his arrival here as coach in the early nineties, if I remember right, it was manager and coach of the team that toured Australia in 1989 - Abu Fuard and Ranjit Fernando who first sounded Whatmore to come here as coach. I was there covering that tour for my newspaper group - ANCL.

Subsequently Ana Punchihewa and Thilanga Sumathipala were successful in obtaining the services of Whatmore and what he did after is history now.

He has now been given a squad of highly talented cricketers. His job now is to see that this talent is given continuity, allowed to blossom and become some of the best in the world.

Whatmore's bottom line is the next World Cup in South Africa. One cannot expect him to turn things around in a short time. But given time he has it in him to get the adrenalin flowing and inject the urgency that was sadly lacking in our cricketers and the game.

'The axing of former skipper Ranatunga and vice captain Aravinda de Silva from the one-day squad to face the Aussies and the Indians did not come as a surprise.

The one-day game is such that it requires above everything else quick movers on the field and those with quick reflexes. Ranatunga and de Silva have reached a stage where they are lacking in these two vital requirements and the selectors are justified in not including them.

But there was no way that they could have been dropped from the Test squad. Ranatunga and de Silva are essential for the longer duration of the game. They have the ability, the temperament and the experience for Test cricket and until replacements are found, they are required.

Having said that we wonder whether the selectors have rushed in the younger players too early. True, young blood must be infused. In infusing they must be pushed in gradually.

Against the awesome Aussies, the young bucks in the one-day squad will certainly be given a fiery baptism. One hopes that what befell Marvan Atapattu when he was thrown to the wolves against the Indians as a schoolboy will not befall the youngsters picked.

The trauma that Atapattu went through after that injudicious selection at the time, need not be repeated here.

Anyway it will be interesting to watch how the youngsters fare.

The Aussies and the Indians will soon be here for a triangular and the Aussies will stay back for a three test series later. It will be cricket luv'ly cricket in Colombo, Galle and Kandy.

The Kangaroos with their unquenching thirst to win trophies and with the Indians under new skipper Sachin Tendulkar out to redeem their fall from grace and with Sri Lanka too keen on winning it should be interesting cricket all the way.

Mahanama's sad exit

Obviously it was his axing from the one-day and Test squad that prompted Mahanama to quit the game, he loved so much and to which game he gave so much.

There comes a time when every sportsman has to call it a day and hang up his boots whether he likes it or not. But I think Mahanama's decision was a bit too hasty. But he is the best judge and he was convinced that what he was doing was the right thing.

Mahanama, while he was on, delighted with his excellent fielding and correct batsmanship and his likes will not easily surface.

It would have been more graceful had he taken his dropping in the spirit it was made and fought his way back into the team.

Source :: The Daily News