Sub-continental sub-plot as Ranatunga trains with team (13 August 1999)

13 August 1999

Sub-continental sub-plot as Ranatunga trains with team

Trevor Chesterfield

COLOMBO (Sri Lanka) - It was a touch more in keeping with the opening sequence of an episode from a 'Loony Tunes' cartoon than the real thing. Which is the bizarre way the politics of the game is run within the Sri Lanka team these days.

Amid the debris of first a court case challenging the election Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) officials and then the World Cup fiasco, former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga is being rapped over then knuckles yet again as would a naughty schoolboy playing truant.

Which makes anyone with a modicum of insight of sub-continental politics agree that apart from the usual Machiavellian twists and sub-plots the 'suspension' of the erstwhile leader has more to do with 'attempted further humiliation' than a failure to prepare for the Test series against Australia.

First Ranatunga is 'suspended' by the team's new manager Chandra Schaffter, for his part in accepting a private invitation and going to Toronto as a guest of the Post Media Group, organiers of the International All Star Cup. Then the portly all-rounder turns up at the Sinhalese Sports Club nets yesterday to train with other members of the national squad, exuding general bonhomie, as if nothing has happened.

At which point Schaffter, asked had Ranatunga 'now been a good boy and submitted his report?' claimed to know nothing of the 'suspension threat' or 'an investigation into a lack of discipline of some players'.

So was there a 'suspension' because Ranatunga had gone to Toronto without the permission of BCCSL officials? Or, as now seems most likely that officials had privately approved of his Canadian escapade without telling the organisers the Post Media Group?

Apart from fending a rumour he is about to migrate to Canada, which is said to be part of anti-Ranatunga campaign by a clique within the BCCSL to further discredit the erstwhile captain, he is now the favourite punch bag as the international limited overs side for the Aiawa Cup looms.

Ranatunga is not part of the Sri Lanka side for the triangular series which has the immediate past World Cup title-holders playing Australia, the new rulers of the shortened version of the game, and a reshaped India side. The first games are to be played in the ancient port of Galle on the south east coast of the island.

Suspended after accepting the Post Media Group invitation to play for the Asia XI in yet another limited-overs slog with its catchy if euphemistic title, the story put out was that the BCCSL refused to allow any of the present squad to play. Which no doubt is why the golden oldies such as Duleep Mendis and Ranatunga's older brother Dhammika, went along instead.

Ranatunga, it has been claimed flew to Toronto with the intention of taking part in the second match of the series. Instead he ended up 'holding the promotors hand' as the hastily organised event, without the big names promised, failed in its intention to attract big crowds.

A group of curious Australian journalists attended the late afternoon training session at the SSC and Ranatunga ignored them. It is well known that he is highly suspicious of anything or anyone Australian.

"As I am part of the squad it is my duty to practice for the Test series," said Ranatunga after a net session. "I would be failing in my duty if I did not turn up.

"There are those who would like to see me excluded from the Test squad as well," he added. "But as I am still part of the side I am going to train and keep my hand in."

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