Ranatunga seeks change in English attitude (31 Oct 1997)

31 O31 O31 October 1997

Ranatunga seeks change in English attitude

By Peter Deeley in Lahore

SRI LANKA return to the Gaddafi Stadium here tomorrow, scene of their greatest triumph - the winning of the World Cup - for a week-long quadrangular competition. But their long-serving captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, is still irritated by what he sees as England's refusal to accord them equal status as a Test team.

This is their first visit here since taking Australia - and the cricketing world - by storm in the final 18 months ago with their cavalier batting and their smiles.

In spite of that achievement, Sri Lanka were awarded only one Test in England next summer, at the end of the South Africa tour.

Ranatunga said: "There is no doubt we are the team feared most here, and the favourites. But it is time we were given the same respect as Test cricketers.

"South Africa have a five-Test tour to England and that just does not seem right. We have never had more than one Test there. It makes me think England were afraid to give us, say, a three-Test series because they thought we might beat them over the longer distance."

Sri Lanka meet West Indies in the curtain-raising international with the other two sides, South Africa and Pakistan, playing on Sunday. The tight schedule of day-night matches means each team must play two back-to-back games during the week before the final next Saturday.

For Ranatunga, that is "demanding too much of the players. After completing one gruelling 50-over contest late at night, we are going to feel very drained having to turn out again the next day".

Nevertheless, he believes that with the quality of the competition this will be Sri Lanka's opportunity to prove that the World Cup victory was not just a one-off.

"Probably the best one-day sides in the world are here and there is really very little to choose between us and the rest," he said.

Leicestershire have named James Whitaker as captain for the third year. Whitaker, who replaced Nigel Briers, led Leicestershire to the County Championship title in his first season in charge and the Benson and Hedges Cup semi-finals this summer.

Matthew Maynard, who led Glamorgan to the championship last season, has been re-appointed captain. Club secretary Mike Fatkin said: "Matthew's contribution to Glamorgan's success was enormous and there was never a doubt he would be reappointed.

"He has proved himself an astute captain who reads the game well, knows the strengths and weaknesses of his players and has the support and respect of everyone at Glamorgan. He faces a challenge in trying to repeat this season's achievements, but it is one he will relish."

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)