Selectors win accolades:

Dilshan back in the saddle

Elmo RODRIGOPILLE

The Sri Lanka cricket selectors will earn accolades of everyone for having the courage to be different and picking a better balanced side this time round to face the English cricketers in the final Test beginning at the new Galle International Cricket Stadium tomorrow.

Admitted that the selectors in whatever sport do an unenviable job. It is also said that they work in mysterious ways. It is not everyone who would like to be in the seat of a selector.

But then it is accepted that only the best and that only those with a cricketing background are slotted into the seats of selectors.

In Asantha de Mel (Chairman), Ranjit Madurasinghe, Don Arunasiri and Jayantha Seneviratne we have men who have played at the highest level, men with honesty and integrity and men whom the perks of office cannot spoil.

Selectors are also not free from blame. But to their credit it must be said that they always endeavour to do the job to the best of their ability, although at times they tend to have their selections questioned, by critics.

Probably realising that they were not spot on with their selections in the First Two Tests, the selectors have had the courage to be different and pick a squad that seems to be well balanced and which has the all important depth and variety in the bowling.

There is absolutely no use in running up big scores, if there are no bowlers to ram home the advantage this shortcoming was obvious in the Two Tests played earlier.

The first bouquet goes to the selectors for bringing in that all rounder Tillakeratne Dilshan. Considering that Dilshan is one, if not easily the best fielder in the scene, he deserves to be slotted in for his fielding alone.

But if he strikes, he can devastate the England attack with his aggression and powerful strokeplay. He is no mug with the ball. We hope Dilshan celebrates his recall.

Then it was obvious that it was a half fit Dilhara Fernando who was operating in the earlier Tests. He was not bending his back as he usually does and that extra fizz was missing in his bowling.

By playing him with an injury the selectors were only pushing him to aggravate the injury that could keep him out of the game for a long time.

The bottom line is that be has been asked to undergo surgery and has to how long he would be out: your guess is as good as mine.

Bowling coach former Sri Lanka paceman Champaka Ramanayake was seen doing a lot of work with left armer pacie Sujeewa Silva.

De Silva looks quite a lively bowler and has that all important pace.

It would not be a bad idea for the selectors to ask him to support that great trier Chaminda Vaas and use the new ball. A left arm pacie is always difficult for batsmen to negotiate.

It is hoped that the coaches are working with Chamara Silva and instilling in him that he is a more than an ordinary leg spin bowler. Skipper Mahela Jayawardena must give him a long bowl for him to gain the necessary confidence.

As for the dropping of Jehan Mubarak, there was nothing else that the selectors could have done to persist with him. He was given all the opportunities, that most other players are not lucky enough to get and that he did not return the trust placed in him, is his fault.

The selectors unjustly came in for a lot of flack for persisting with Mubarak.

Over then to the Galle International Cricket Stadium and a wish that the Lankans would devastate the Englishmen Tsunami like and pocket the series.