da bet nacional： Sri Lanka’s most recent selection debacle, dubbed “Sanath Jayasuriya versusthe selectors Part II” by one fan, has created a vigourous debate onCricInfo’s Sri Lankan cricket forum
CricInfo21-Oct-2002Sri Lanka’s most recent selection debacle, dubbed “Sanath Jayasuriya versusthe selectors Part II” by one fan, has created a vigourous debate onCricInfo’s Sri Lankan cricket forum.The controversy has dominated the minds of incredulous fans, fed up with theincreasingly common disagreements between the selectors, captain and sportsminister.The latest argument centred upon the selection of the squad for Sri Lanka’stour of South Africa, as Jayasuriya tried to make changes to the original16-man party chosen by the three-man selection panel headed.Jayasuriya, coach Dav Whatmore and cricket advisor Duleep Mendis where allinvited to the selection meeting but afterwards a disgruntled Jayasuriyamade a direct plea to sports minister Johnston Fernando to intervene.According to reports, Jayasuriya wanted at least two changes: the inclusionof medium pace all-rounder Kaushalya Weereratne and wicket-keeping-batsmanTillakaratne Dilshan, both of whom are club team-mates.Jayasuriya complained to the minister that he had not been properlyconsulted, a claim that was vigorously denied by chairman of selectors Guyde Alwis, who revealed that Jayasuriya had been present throughout themeeting.The selectors stood their ground, refusing to heed the sports minister’swritten request that they “reconsider” their selections, although theyincluded left-arm fast bowler Ruchira Perera after his full fitness wasconfirmed.The final 17-man squad was only confirmed by the sports ministry on Fridaynight, barely 48 hours before the team’s departure.Although fans questioned the wisdom of some of the selections made, therewas widespread agreement that Jayasuriya had overstepped the mark.”If he has differences with the selectors he must make it clear to them whenthey are discussing it. Not go running the Minister. It’s ridiculous.Obviously individuals will have differences but in the end everyone mustlearn to compromise,” said Rav.Some were more scathing: “Instead of trying to continuously improve himself,he seems more concerned with how the board should run its affairs and whichplayers he wants in the side. It’s time the Board tells him who is boss,”fumed Simon.Simon went on to accuse Jayasuriya of favouritism: “Jayasuriya should nothave the right to pack his club buddies in to the team. Does he think thisis the Diplomatic Service where all your faithful followers are rewardedwith ambassadorships?”Chathura adds: “This running to Minister has become a joke. It ridicules SLcricket in the eyes of the world media. ‘Minister, please stay out ofselection decisions!’ This type of tug-o-war not going to help players.”However, a fan nicknamed ‘Ingenious’ was more supportive of Jayasuriya’sstance: “Jayasuriya is not right in running to the minister but they(selectors) probably did not listen to him in the first place. He should getused to voicing his opinion firmly because his captaincy is at stake whenthe team fails.”Ingenious worries about the capabilities of the selectors: “I alwaysbelieved that the selectors had the statistics before them and, unlike us,actually watched the youngsters in person. But from all that has gone onhere there appear to know zilch – why are they taking so many mediocre fastbowlers?”Omar Nawaz, living in France, questions some specific decisions: “The’dumping’ of players such as Dilshan, Chamara Silva and Akalanka Ganegama isinexplicable. How Jehan Mubarak could have got the nod ahead of even MichaelVandort is baffling.”Rav is more worried about the fast bowlers selected: “All of the new bowlershave been plucked straight out of the development squad. Some haven’t playeda full season of first-class cricket. There are more seasoned bowlersavailable with A team experience – these young bowlers are too raw.”Finally, Chathura wants greater consistency: “Even though there are separatepools for National, A team and Development squads, there’s definitely noorderly rise and fall of players through this structure. Zoysa is a classicexample, going from steady national player to nobody within couple ofmonths. The criteria being used to rate players are a mystery.”To have your say, click here.