Wisden Honors Aravinda de Silva (05 Apr 1996)

Friday 05, April 1996

Wisden honours ARAVINDA

LONDON, Thursday Sri Lankan World Cup hero Aravinda de Silva was honoured on Thursday after being named as one of Wisden`s Five Cricketers of the Year in the 133rd edition of cricket`s ``bible``.

De Silva, though, was chosen before he played a leading role in last month`s World Cup triumph for the pre-tournament 66-1 outsiders.

England surprisingly supply three of the names with Dominic Cork, Angus Fraser and Dermot Reeve all honoured.

Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble was the other player named following his brilliant 1995 season with Northamptonshire.

All-rounder Cork exploded into Test cricket in last summer`s series against the West Indies, including a hat-trick, while Fraser`s award comes after years of wholehearted effort and Warwickshire captain Reeve is recognised for leading Warwickshire to six titles since September 1993.

None of last season`s West Indian team was chosen - the first time no touring player has been included among The Five since 1979 - although four of the tour party, including Brian Lara, were ineligible as they had been selected before.

The 1996 Wisden, published on Thursday, is the 133rd edition and biggest yet. In one of its special features it reveals the champion teams of the 50 years which have passed since the Second World War.

The West Indies pip Australia as Test champions, with Middlesex narrowly beating Surrey and Yorkshire for the County Championship honours.

Wisden editor Matthew Engel, who made waves with a ferocious attack on England chairman Ray Illingworth in last year`s publication, hands out a little more criticism to Illingworth in this edition.

Engel labels Illingworth`s handling of fast bowler Devon Malcolm and young batsman Mark Ramprakash as ``woeful``, adding:

``It was hard to fathom what Illingworth thought he was achieving in his dealings with them. Other teams are deeply into sports psychology. Illingworth expresses his contempt for the very idea.``

But Engel also gives credit to the England management, up to the World Cup, for conducting affairs ``with more dignity than has been the case beforehand, especially on the hopelessly-run 1994- 95 tour of Australia.``

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