The 1996 World Cup was bad for SL cricket: Ranatunga

Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan captain, has said that winning the World Cup in 1996 was the worst thing that happened to Sri Lankan cricket.

"As a country it was the best thing that happened [winning the 1996 World Cup] but to our cricket it was the worst thing to happen because it opened the door for all unwanted elements to get involved in cricket administration," said Ranatunga. "After the World Cup a lot of money got into our system. Players' minds changed. Wrong values were given to them. There were people who got into the board to get name and fame. People who wanted to get popular started getting very close to the players by giving them money.

"They thought if the players were paid well they would keep their mouths shut, play and go away. They didn't manage cricket and finance it properly after the World Cup. We are facing the repercussions of it today.

"It is so sad to see some of the players who played under my captaincy and the way they behaved. Suddenly they were different. They were like my brothers when they played with me. We used to sit and have meals together," said Ranatunga. "I don't blame them; I blame the administrators for what they did. When cricket and money go together it's a problem. In our time we were never concerned about money. We took what was given to us. Now it is totally different.

"Today if you speak to a schoolboy and ask him to play for a club he would ask how much he will get paid for playing. It has gone to that level. There was a time post World Cup 1996 when I attended a captain's meeting in England and, arriving early morning in Colombo, I went straight to the SSC to play for my club. It doesn't happen today. When I see such things happening I get sad and angry sometimes. If we continue with this concept we are going into a big mess."

Ranatunga reflected on an unfortunate incident, when prior to the 1996 final his team received a long list from the board stating the benefits they would receive if they won the World Cup. "The players were very hurt because they were never bothered about money. It was a very sad and unhappy experience," said Ranatunga. "We got about $20,000 for winning the World Cup. We didn't know that there was prize money. We were only aiming for the trophy. That's the difference between then and now."

Ranatunga was of the opinion if Sri Lanka picked the right team and planned properly they could win the 2007 World Cup. "Picking the right team is the key factor. If you want to win the World Cup the captain must pick the side he wants. He has a lot of responsibility, more than the selectors. The captain and his team carry the hopes of 19 million people."

"I have a lot of respect for (Tom) Moody, the way he has brought this side up. He is a person who is committed at the moment to Sri Lanka cricket. I have a lot of confidence in this side. This may be our last chance of getting close to a final. I hope that they will not lose their heads."