Sanath vows to hit back

The Sri Lanka team picked for the one-day international three match series against the West Indies beginning later this month has left room for questions to be asked.

On top of the question list is the dropping of Sanath Jayasuriya and most intriguing has been the omission of Muttiah Muralitharan.

We understand the Selection Committee were not unanimous in the leaving out of these two players. But apparently from what we could gather it was the captain who had the final say. Jayasuriya being dropped could be understood. He has been terribly out of form.

After his blistering 63 in the World Cup final in the Caribbean, he had no runs to show. But apparently there was a heated discussion on Jayasuriya and it can be stated that his dropping was not unanimous.

True that Jayasuriya struck form in domestic cricket. But for a champion batsman of his class, it should have been enough for him to get the nod of the selectors.

But that was apparently not so, and Jayasuriya came under the chopping block. Jayasuriya has stated that Minister Gamini Lokuge had sounded Jayasuriya on his dropping, probably with the intention of slotting him in. But Jayasuriya could well have asked the Minister to slot his name in. But being the sport that he is, he said no.

But Jayasuriya is one who is not going to take dropping as justified. He has promised to cock a snook at his detractors and hit back with a vengeance by scoring heavily in domestic cricket so that when the selectors sit next time round they would be forced to pick him.

Even at 38, Jayasuriya is fitter than most who have been picked. He still does things like in his youth and it won’t come as a surprise if he forces his way into the Sri Lanka one-day squad.

Muralitharan’s omission too is mystifying. Although he did not meet with much success in the Commonwealth Bank series in Australia, he proved most economical which is what bowling is all about in instant cricket.

In dropping Muralitharan are the selectors trying to say that they do not have him in their frame for the next World Cup to be conducted in the sub continent?

One cannot also understand the inclusion of Jehan Mubarak. If Jayasuriya has no form to show, then Mubarak’s international record must be worse.

What are the selectors trying to prove.

Like in life if success is to be achieved then it is paramount that peace and harmony exists.

From what we gather this is sadly lacking in the touring squad that took wing to the Caribbean for two Test matches. Not only is there disharmony in the touring squad, but this virus seems to have afflicted the selectors and also the administration.

If this is not so how can one explain the gagging of K. Mathivanan from speaking to the media. Now if the secretary is barred from speaking to the media, we would like to know to whom to go to ask for news or clarify stories.

The likeable Mathivanan from the time he took office, it must be said has done an excellent job. He has proved to be a fine team man who or whatever the administration and done a job to the satisfaction of all and had built up an excellent rapport with the media.

Mathivanan was a top class cricketer, sporting his school colours and then playing for Saracens in premier tournaments. Then the question everyone is asking is: what sin has he committed to be gagged?

It is hoped that the powers that be would put right this injustice. The gagging of the secretary is only the tip of the iceberg. There are many more unsporting things taking place at the headquarters.

If what is happening is allowed to grow, it could finally end up as a cancer and it would not be long before everything that is cricket is dying a natural death. If and when that happens it would be a sad end and no amount of tears shed could bring the game back to life.

So we hope that those who matter would act and act fast to stop this deterioration.

We’ll be there

With everything not tickety-boo in the game, we would be there in the Caribbean, commenting on the two Test series and the one day series to follow. So be with the Daily News and the Sunday Observer and read what is cricket and what is not cricket if and when it unfolds.