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Where do we go from here?

by Malsiri Kurukulasuriya

Sri Lankan cricket hit another low when they failed to qualify for the finals of a Triangular Series played in Sri Lanka. After a lackluster Test series against New Zealand, our one-day squad under the new captain Attapattu continued to play inconsistently and we paid for it by being spectators at the Final.

After being eliminated in the first round of the 1999 World Cup, there was strong pressure to chop the oldies, and the rallying cry was "youth". Arjuna, Aravinda, Tillekeratne, Kalu were dumped to clear the way. Sanath Jayasuriya was a good choice for the captaincy.

The "youth movement" was an unmitigated failure. Chamara Silva, Indika Gallage, Dilshan, Ruchira Perera, Nuwan Soysa, Tilan Samaraweera and a host of others were in and out of the Test and ODI squads causing much grief. There were, however, some bright lights, Kumar Sangakkara displayed his batting skills and some degree of competence as a wicket-keeper. Two quickies with great potential, Dilhara Fernando and Prabath Nissanka made the national side along with Sangakkara. Other than these 3, the only other youngster to gain recognition was Kaushal Lokuarachchi, a leg spinner who could bat and a very good fielder.

As the 2003 World Cup was approaching the youth movement had not delivered. To make matters worse Mahela Jayawardena and Russel Arnold were loosing their consistency. In desperation Aravinda and Hashan were re called. It could be said it was a backward step, but as the results show, their presence enabled the team to put up some respectable performances. We made it to semi-finals at the 2003 World Cup. Having dismissed Australia for a modest score, we failed to beat them. It was another heartbreaking episode that Sanath and his team had to face.

What happened to bring our cricket to this pathetic state? It is really a combination of factors.

The most telling aspect was the Interim Committee which came in after the AGM meeting of the BCCSL was abandoned after physical threats were made even before the meeting was called to order. That was nearly 3 years ago. During this time people came and went with sickening regularity. The same game of musical chairs went on in the Selection Committee.

By definition "interim" is a short term, makeshift arrangement. Under these circumstances the committee operated virtually on a day-to-day basis. No plans for the future were drafted. Since their tenure was so uncertain one can appreciate their situation.

The same disease afflicted the Selectors. Even more than the interim Committee, the selectors were under constant pressure because cricket continued to be played and they had to put players on the field. Some of the selections were mind-boggling. Just let us examine a few. Michael Van Dort is a tall top order batsman. He is however not a fast scorer. He should have been in the test side to S. Africa. With his height and technique he would have been a good choice.

I could not believe my eyes when I saw him in the ODI Squad to Sharjah and Dambulla. He did not play a single game. Tilan Samaraweera made a century on debut yet this all rounder has been moved from one side to another helping neither Tilan nor the team.

Having said all that the single most pervasive problem is the fast decline in the standard of our School Cricket. The league system is harming School Cricket. The problem is that coaches approach the game in one frame of mind. That is not to lose. With this negative approach; batsmen are inhibited in their stroke play. And the bowlers start with defensive fields. There is no pressure put on new batsmen.

Our schools serve as the nursery for our national side. Prior to this new system it was possible for good school players to make the national side after one year of club cricket. Michael Tissera, Roy Dias, Anura Tennakoon, A. C. M. Lafir, Abu Fuard, Neil Chanmugam are ones that come to mind. There is of course Arjuna Ranatunga who made the national side while still at school.

I have written a great deal about this problem and possible remedies. So I will not flog this horse again! One can only hope the administration will recognise this problem and take firm steps to rectify this before long.

While on the subject of the Sri Lankan cricket now and in the future, one must recognize 3 batsmen of immense talent who are struggling at the moment. Mahela Jayawardena. His weakness against the moving ball outside his off stump is now known to all oppositions. With some help and personal dedication he will come through. Russel Arnold made the national side on the basis of huge scores he made for NCC batting in the 1-3 positions. But batting at No. 6 or 7 he is being asked to do something he is not equipped to do. He is not a slogger. The few times he has batted in his old positions he has delivered.

Sanath is not batting well at all. Though he has reduced his horizontal strokes, his vertical bat is not helping either. He is constantly falling in the slip cordon. I would like to see the selectors swap Arnold's and Sanath's batting positions for 5 to 6 games and see if something positive will occur. It will also be a good idea if the "A" team has a busier schedule both home and away. Playing against better opposition will provide selectors with a better gauge of evaluating talent. Equally important is this will keep prospective national players from quitting for lack of opportunities. This is another idea where the interim committee failed to deliver.

We also have another thorny problem to solve. Who is going to replace Dav Whatmore? Because of the administrative problems we have encountered our image as a secure place to work has been badly damaged. We will find it extremely difficult to obtain a reputable foreign coach until things improve. Our treatment of Dav Whatmore was tardy to say the least. Whilst his contract was still valid, Duleep Mendis was appointed interim coach. Why was it necessary to insult a man who did so much for our cricket? Things like this make the international rounds quickly, thus making it even more difficult to obtain the services of a person with a commitment to rejuvenate our cricket. For the sake of Sri Lankan cricket one can only hope and pray that things will work out. We must stay optimistic. On the subject of coaching, I felt Whatmore's position as Head Coach was diluted for much of his tenure. The board hired a batting coach (Barry Richards), a fast bowling coach (Rumesh Ratnayake), spin bowling (Lalith Kaluperuma), fielding (Trevor Chappel). So what was Whatmore's role? These coaches were recruited by the Board with good intentions. But they failed to appreciate the mental effect this would have on the Head Coach. The proper thing would have been to ask Whatmore if he required special assistance in any area and then recruiting a person who could help. But the Board put the cart before the horse.

Cricket, especially outside of Colombo, is suffering from the lack of good coaches. Unless this is addressed immediately, all the bats and balls donated to schools will never bring the desired results.

Lets hope the new administration will work speedily to rectify current problems, and the draw up a long-term plan to put our cricket back at the top.

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