MUD slinging must stop

The dust has settled after the week that was, where in the heat of the moment unfounded allegations were made where the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket was tarred, unfairly I might add.

A Sportsman is taught to be humble in victory and determined in defeat. Being the sportsman that he was at Vidyartha College a leading Buddhist institution in the Hill Capital, Chandrasiri Bandara Ratnayake has accepted the misstep and conceded that he based his comments on some newspaper reports about corruption affecting Sri Lanka Cricket.

It was implied that the Interim committee would be tossed out and new faces brought in to administer the game. But on reflection that Minister has made only a few changes not based on any allegation but simply to inject new blood into the group.

It is really unfortunate that – and unfair – it as a result of this storm in a tea cup the names of any of the Interim Committee was tarnished. It’s a vindication that Chairman D.S.de Silva, Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga and Treasurer Sujeewa Rajapaksa continue to be at the helm.

Played against ‘DS’

At the outset, I must state that I had the pleasing experience of having played cricket with D.S.de Silva, he for Nomads and the writer for Saracens. I can unreservedly vouch for his sportsmanship and the zest and the zeal he had while playing the game that made him proudly annex sport national colours, as well as to be elevated into the high and responsible office that he now adorns as Chairman of Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Here is an aside: whenever we meet he gets nostalgic and reminds me of my foray in mauling the Nomads bowling in a Sara Trophy encounter at the Nomads Ground against an attack that comprised that ‘Kandyan Express’ T.B. Kehelgamuwas, Daya Sahabandu, Anurudha Polonowita, Amresh Rajaratnam, himself and S. Skandakumar. Saracens won that game outright. And he jokingly quips, that it was a off day for him and his colleagues.

Back to the brickbats- Suraj Dandeniya, Tournament Director of the 2011 World Cup and Kapila Dandeniya have also not been spared. Initially it must be stated that both Suraj and Kapila have cricketing blood in them, handled a bat and know what the game is all about, its administration and the responsibilities that their jobs entail.

Both nephews

That they happen to be relatives of the Chairman is well-known. So what? Being nephews does not mean disqualification. The positions that these two hold, and their selections, would obviously been the subject of due consideration by the Interim Committee and in reposing trust in them their administrative capabilities would have been paramount consideration. And, blood relationships would surely not have been part of the appointment equation. Merit and trust would have been the key.

Also it must be understood that their salaries are paid by the International Cricket Council. According to Chairman de Silva, they don’t receive hand outs from the ICC. A report has to be submitted every month to the ICC sheiks in Dubai about the work done for payment to be made.

Cricketing circles were speculating that the campaign to sling mud and sully the good name of the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket is linked to a person who has an axe to grind.

Move forward

In the interests of the game it’s now time for all interested in the game to focus on the positives, garner the necessary energy and support to make cricket regain its premier position. Reams and reams of newsprint were wasted in unproductive exploits.

It is common trait in our environs to sling mud, harass, embarrass, character assassinate and in cricketing parlance to use the heavy roller and bury who ever the individual or individuals being trargetted for ulterior motives by showing no consideration to the underlying facts and truth.

Enough is enough - the uncalled for mud slinging must end. Let’s keep the good name of the administration, the country and the game going, keeping in mind that winning the World Cup 2011 is the bottom line.

Gigantic undertaking

The Interim Committee is saddled with a gigantic undertaking of having to successfully co-host the World Cup 2011.It is a world eye catching tournament that comes once in four years with the blessings of the International Cricket Council.

Then it requires that we put our best foot forward, combine and show the world now that the dreaded war that was the scourge of the country for the past 30 years is behind us, thanks to the admirable leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and that we are now a flourishing nation and conduct the World Cup that would be an example.

Getting into internecine feuds by hurling brickbats at cricket administrators and selectors will only discredit the country and our hard won reputation as a nation of cricketing greats.

At the same time the Interim Committee should be mindful that the headlights have been turned on them and the ‘on switch’ will remain on from now till 2011 and beyond…and they will be held accountable to deliver a spotless administration of Sri Lanka Cricket. This column will be joined by others in the media to keep a watchful eye

Vote of confidence

Sri Lanka Cricket who will be hosting 12 of the matches in the 43 day ICC World Cup tournament next year were given a vote of confidence by ICC structural engineer Eugenne van Vuuren and Dhiraj Malhotra, ICC’s World Cup co-ordinator.

But ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson expressed a bit of worry that the pitches at the R. Premadasa Stadium are not complete.

But Atkinson need not worry because the pitches will be tickety boo come World Cup playing time. Sri Lanka Cricket is spending around eight million dollars to renovate and re-lay the pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium and 10-million dollars on the Pallekelle Stadium. Suriyawewa Stadium in Hambantota is other stadium penciled to conduct World Cup games. Watching and keeping a close eye on what is going at all Stadiums is the irrepressible Chairman, Sri Lanka Cricket and former Sri Lanka captain and leg spinning all rounder D. Somachandra de Silva who has been working like a beaver from the time he took high office.