Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Pata" data-source="post: 459106" data-attributes="member: 2136">By Sa'adi Tawfeeq - Colombo Who calls the shots? Is it the captain or the chairman of selectors?Usually the captain should have the final say because it is he wholeads the team onto the field and if things don't turn out the way itshould, it is he who has to take the flak from the media and thepublic.The raging question that is doing the rounds as the Sri Lanka cricketteam under Mahela Jayawardene is trying to win back the World Cup fora second time is the non-selection of former captain and experiencedbatsman Marvan Atapattu.Contradictory reports have appeared in the media over Atapattu'scontinued absence from the Sri Lankan line-up especially when the runshave dried up from the bats of opener Upul Tharanga and to a certainextent middle-order bat Russel Arnold. The fact that Atapattu canfulfill either role in the batting order is why there is great publicagitation at home for his inclusion.For Sri Lanka's part the batting forms of Tharanga and Arnold maybethe least of their worries because despite their failures the team hascontinued to win and qualify for a place in the semi-finals.Jayawardene would be more concerned to get his bowlers especiallyLasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando fit for the all-important gameagainst the Kiwis on Tuesday rather than dawdle with the forms of someof his players, although it could be a concern. In fairness to Arnoldit should be noted that in the seven occasions he has made it to thecrease he has been dismissed only thrice. In Tharanga's case it isdifferent. He has the opportunity to commence the innings right fromthe first ball and in nine matches he has crossed the fifty-mark onlytwice.Tharanga's early departures have not only exposed the team's mostreliable batsman Kumar Sangakkara to the new ball but also the middle-order. Jayawardene experienced this problem batting at no. 3 and sincehe switched over to no. 4 has regained his form.The idea of having a national selector accompanying the team on toursabroad came about during Atapattu's tenure as captain. It was hisreluctance to shoulder responsibility for dropping a player or playersfrom his team that led to the inclusion of a selector going on tours.That responsibility was then passed onto the team manager who alsodeclined to undertake the responsibility and thus a selector hasaccompanied the national side on each and every tour since 2005.Whether that move has been beneficial to team selections on tour isquestionable. Who has the last word in selections? Is it the captainor the selector? If Atapattu finds himself not selected for a singlematch in the 2007 World Cup he should look at himself in the mirrorand ask the question: 'Have I dug my own grave?' In 1996 when SriLanka won the World Cup under Arjuna Ranatunga, Atapattu though partof the 14-member squad did not figure in a single game. Will historyrepeat itself? Unconfirmed reports suggest that the chairman ofselectors Ashantha de Mel is against Atapattu being selected. De Melwent as tour selector for the first part of the World Cup and althoughhe has been replaced by another selector Amal Silva for the rest ofthe tournament, indications are that he will return to the Caribbeanas an observer.De Mel is powerfully connected to a high ranking politician, whichmakes it easier for him to take forceful decisions which may not be inthe best interest of the game. No sooner he became chairman ofselectors he tried to force the retired Sanath Jayasuriya down thethroat of the Sri Lanka team during their tour of England last year.The team management at that time would have none of it and stoodstrong not playing Jayasuriya until the third and final Test and thattoo not as an opener but in the role of an all-rounder. On thatoccasion the selection committee chairman did not have the courtesy toinform the captain Jayawardene of his move to send Jayasuriya to jointhe team. Such lack of communication suggests that the chairman actsin a rather dictatorial manner.The resting of key bowlers Vaas and Muralitharan in the game againstAustralia also sparked off a row with contradictory statements comingfrom Jayawardene and De Mel. While Jayawardene said the decision torest the bowlers was taken purely on the grounds to give them rest andto allow them to recover from injuries, De Mel told a news agency thatit was a deliberate ploy to keep the two key strike bowlers away fromAustralia, not wanting to expose them until the final."We did not want to give the Australians a free dress rehearsal. Weare saving our armoury for the final," De Mel was quoted by theagency.Another reason why members of the selection committee can act the waythey do is because they are not answerable to Sri Lanka Cricket, butonly to the Minister of Sports who put them there. It is sad to notethat the controlling body for the sport has no say in the appointmentof selectors. All they can do is to forward a few names as possiblecandidates but the final decision lies with the Minister who canalways include individuals of his preference.If Sri Lanka is to win the World Cup such trivial actions should beeliminated and unity should prevail at all levels. There should besound reasoning in decision-making and nothing should be done todisturb the unity the team presently enjoys under Jayawardene'sleadership. The captain should be given the fullest co-operation andnot be made a scapegoat to satisfy the cravings of certain individuals.</blockquote>

Verification: Winadiyakata thappara keeyak tibeda?

Top Bottom