'Put country before self, don't mix-up priorities' (4 August 1999)

4 August 1999

'Put country before self, don't mix-up priorities'

P Epasinghe

A request made by four Sri Lanka National Pool Players to participate in exhibition cricket matches in the United States of America and Canada early this month was turned down by the Interim Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, on the eve of an important triangular and a Test series at home.

It can be considered as a wise move by the ICBCSL. This shows, that they do not mix up their priorities. In fact, all Sri Lankan cricketers should realise that August-October period is very vital and important in building Sri Lanka's cricket image which was tarnished to a very great extent during the month of June at the 1999 World Cup.

The newly appointed Sri Lanka cricket manager Chandra Schaffter too stressed the importance of these two tours, when he summed up stating that the Triangular between India, Australia and Sri Lanka, the Test series of Australia and Sri Lanka, as make or break tours for Sri Lanka cricket.

Undoubtedly, every Sri Lankan cricketer should take these two tours as personal challenges. Therefore, they must forget cricket carnivals or exhibitions now and concentrate on these all important tours.

Concentration is a process of choosing and selecting what is important. They must ignore what is not. Our cricketers should not mix up their priorities. They must concentrate on what is important. They must be committed to give their best to country professionals. Country before self should be their motto. They must understand that its not for their personal glory or prestige. Always remember that country comes first.

The national cricket selectors have a big job ahead of them in selecting teams for the forthcoming international matches. I presume, that the teams will be a blend of youth and experience combined together. In pressure situations one tends to become impatient and ignore basic skills and fall by the wayside. In the case of experienced players, they take pressure situations as a challenge. The greater the pressure, they concentrate more. All cricketers should remember patience is undoubtedly a virtue in a moment's crisis.

Newly appointed Sri Lanka cricketer manager Chandra Schaffter expressed an important point at a press conference recently, which I hope the authority will take seriously.

"I am in favour of blooding newcomers in the Sri Lanka side, provided, they are good enough to fit the shoes of whom they replace".

Everyone is aware that Sri Lanka cricket is in the doldrums. No doubt, it's a herculean task for our national cricketers and administrators to resurrect the fallen image of our cricket. Therefore, it's the duty of our cricketers to be committed, to give hundred percent and produce results.

Dave Whatmore's presence will be a tower of strength and inspiration and a moral booster for our cricketers. Dedicated Whatmore was very much responsible in making Sri Lanka cricket champions in the world, way back in 1996.

An AFP report from Melbourne states that Australian Test cricketer Ricky Ponting was interviewed on television and was asked what he thought about the tour, given the continuing security concern. A leader of a moderate Tamil movement was killed on Thursday by a suicide bomb. "I just wish I had a few more friends over in Sri Lanka, so that I could ring up and tell them to set a few more bombs off, so we don't have to go there", Ponting said.

No serious minded sportsmen or sportswomen will approve this childish and immature statement made by a person of a World Class cricketing nation. Such irresponsible utterances, will undoubtedly, tarnish the image of a country which he is representing. Further, despite the stature a man who enjoys his own field, his innermost identity can never be concealed when he is given the freedom to express freely.

As a very friendly country in the Commonwealth, we Sri Lankans always have the highest respect, honour and regard for Australia.

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