Lankan cricketers must be provided best security

The Sri Lankan cricketers who are in Trent Bridge, Nottingham determined to win the ICC Twenty20 trophy, were somewhat shaken by the lax security provided when two of the players captain Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitheran and manager were to address the Oxford Union debating society on Friday and had to call it off.

The Lankans who had the horror of escaping a terrorist attack in Lahore when they were in Pakistan playing a Test series, did right by cancelling the visit to Oxford and not taking a chance.

It would have been a great honour for the threesome had they were to deliver an oration at the Oxford Union.

Security will be the greatest worry when the cricketers begin their campaign against Australia on June 8 and West Indies two days later. The cricketers must be free of worry to perform. They should not carry security fears when they take the field.

From what the writer gathered security had not been put in place by the Security Consultants concerned and the threesome were told not to take the risk. With terrorists not showing concern for sports people with the attack in Lahore, no chance should be taken, because life is too precious to risk.

Not only the Sri Lankan cricketers, but all other cricketers and officials in London for the Second Edition of the International Cricket Council’s Twenty20 bash must be provided with watertight security.

This is the responsibility of the hosts and it is hoped that when the umpires call “play” security will be tops and that the tourney will conclude without a hitch and that all would fly back to their families, loved ones and countries having savoured and enjoyed a good Twenty20 World Cup.

The hosts must remember that to be wise after the event is to be foolish. As it is the ICC has fine combed and plugged all loose ends, but thery should be on the ball as it were and not relax or relent until the final celebration in this mega tournament ends.

London and Trent Bridge have been beautifully decked up for this memorable event and everyone is confident that this tournament would surpass the previous one held in South Africa and even be very much better than the IPL fling recently concluded also in South Africa.

To the Twenty20 and the consensus is that it would either be India,who are the reigning champions, Australia or Pakistan who would engrave their name on the trophy this time round.

They have well balanced squads and if they play true to form then there is no reason why they should not triumph. But then it must always be remembered that cricket in any form is a funny game and that a match is not won or lost till the final ball is bowled.

As for the Lankans, they too are confident of being concerned at the finish. A close analysis of the squad shows that the Lankans are not strong enough in batting. To deliver they have only Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena and Indika de Saram if he plays to swell the total for the Lankans.

Sri Lanka’s strength lies in its bowling with Lasith Malinga to show the way supported by spinners Muttiah Muralitheran, Ajantha Mendis, Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillekeratne Dilshan, Farveez Mahroof could bolster the middle batting and support Lasith Malinga with added pace.

It is important that Mahroof delivers as an allrounder. He has the ability to come out of this tournament as the best if not one of the best if he makes it his business and realizes his potential and play that way.

Sri Lanka must be tops when it comes to fielding, be it catching or ground fielding. A dropped catch or an extra run conceded could prove to be the turning point and could prove disastrous. Also the Lankans must guard against complacency.

If they believe in themselves, do the right things that this style of game requires, then there is no reason why captain Kumar Sangakkara should not proudly walk up to the podium and proudly hold aloft the glittering ICC Trophy for the whole world to see.

New selectors

Minister Gamini Lokuge has picked the new set of selectors who will carry forward Sri Lanka’s cricket. They are Asantha de Mel Chairman, Anura Tennekoon, Don Arunasiri, Vinodhan John and Chaminda Mendis.

Good that de Mel has been retained as Chairman. He has tremendous experience in this position and should form a good team with his co-selectors.

Vinodhan John and Chaminda Mendis are new comers to this field and should accoustom themselves well and support the Chairman.

Tennekoon the former Sri Lankan Captain returns to familiar surroundings. He too knows his onions and can be relied on to do a job to the satisfaction of every player knocking on the door.

After the Twenty20 World Cup,the selectors will have to be focused on picking the best men to front up to the Pakistanis and New Zealanders who will be here for Test,One-day and Twenty20 matches.

We wish the new selectors well and may they perform their sacred duty without fear or favour. Their every stroke will be watched.

I will be at the scene describing the action for readers of the two leading newspapers in the country the ‘Daily News’ and the `Sunday Observer’. Stay with the two papers.