Umpiring not up to the mark

The Micromax one-day international triangular series was well contested with Sri Lanka finally carrying away the trophy beating India in the final at the floodlit Rangiri Dambulu International Stadium in Dambulla.

While everything went off without a hitch, the umpiring was not up to the mark and left enough reasons for adverse comment. It was a pity that it had to be so, considering that some of the best umpires were tasked with performing the job.

The job of an umpire is no easy task. While admitting that, had the umpires been a wee bit more alert and not succumbed to the pressure brought on them by the demanding and unnecessary incessant appealing they could have done a better job.

Loggerheads

Those who appoint umpires will do well to see that they do not appoint Pakistani umpires when India is playing and vice versa. Doing that leaves a bad taste in the mouth. These two countries have always been at loggerheads and it is well and good to avoid that situation.

To the triangular and it was amazing to see all rounder Thisara Perera performing as a match winning bowler. When the Lankans needed to beat the Indians to stay in the contest, it was the excellent medium pace bowling by Perera that saw Sri Lanka beat India, enter the final and then achieve victory thanks to Perera's unplayable bowling.

None of the Indian batsmen could play Perera with any semblance of certainty. He came into the fray late and if not for his bowling, Sri Lanka would have been also rans or just made up the numbers.

One of the best

Perera has what it takes to be one of the best seam bowlers produced by Sri Lanka. In addition to his penetrative seamers, he is a brilliant fielder and a batsman who can maul any attack.

What Perera needs is to be a regular member in the team and not one of those 'in', 'out' players. Consistency will give him the confidence to be an integral part of the team. With the World Cup looming, he must be given the needed exposure to progress.

Sri Lanka's next engagement will be a tour of Australia in October/November for three one-day internationals, Twenty20s and a few friendlies. The selectors who are doing their best to finally settle for a squad that will help us win the World Cup must send the best available and keep a close watch on how they perform.

Accolades for Thomas

The likeable Brian Thomas, Media Manager of Sri Lanka Cricket came in for high praise from the army of Indian journalists who were here covering the Indian tour for the newspapers, radio and Television for his splendid handling of their every need.

His experience with Sirasa Television where he served with great aplomb came in handy and he was able to serve every need of the sometimes troublesome Indian journalists.

At times not only the visiting journalists, but the local ones too proved troublesome. But the cool and composed Thomas did not lose his temper, but handled them with great care and concern.

Hectic series

The Indian series was hectic with more than 60 Indian journalists, including media, radio and newspaper in attendance. It is no secret that the scribes and TV men were very professional and demanding.

Thomas was able to catch up with some of his old pals and colleagues like Balaji, Venkatchalan of Deccan Chronicle, Nihal Koshi of Indian Times and a host of other Indian journalists friends who were burning the mid night oil filing their stories which included pre and post match conferences.

Many journalists were heard saying that the media unit of Sri Lanka cricket has easily the best media manager and also the best unit that they have worked with. That is because Thomas is an absolute professional having experience working in the media.

An asset

One journalist told me - 'that guy Thomas is so professional and accommodating and is available any time of the day. We love the way he speaks, his charisma and the efficient manner in which he handles the press conferences. He certainly is an asset to Sri Lanka Cricket'.

Some Indian TV journalists were seen getting tips from Thomas. He shared his experience with them and when I asked Thomas said that he was eternally grateful to Chairman of the Maharaja Organization R. Rajamahendren who gave him the breaks to learn and master the trade when he was Media Manager at Sirasa Television.

Incidentally Rajamahendren was one time Vice President of the then Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka during the tenure of late Gamini Dissanayake and was one of those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes with Daham Wimalasena, Abu Fuard and Vasantha Coomaraswamy to help Sri Lanka break the shackles and enter the white dominated portals of the International Cricket Council as a full Test playing nation in 1982.

Sri Lanka Cricket could certainly be proud of Brian Thomas. Thomas has an able lieutenant in Vajira Wijewardena who was always at hand to help. Together they formed an efficient duo.

Seneviratne passes away

It was sad to note the passing away of former 'Times of Ceylon' and later 'ANCL' photographer Oliver Seneviratne after a brief illness. He was 82.

Seneviratne in addition to being a news photographer also excelled when it came to covering sports events.

He was a photographer who had a nose for human interest pictures and he produced some excellent pictures for the then popular 'Times Annual' that was edited and produced by the irrepressible Subbiah Muttiah.

What Seneviratne remembers most and which he is to always talk about is how he enjoyed covering the Queen's visit to the country in 1953. 'It was one helluva enjoyable experience', he used to say recalling that once in a life time experience. His work with the camera are things of admiration and beauty.

It has now fallen on his son Vishan who is carrying on the good work of his father as photographer.

The crowds that kept flocking to his residence and to the Kanatte cemetery was ample testimony to his popularity.

May he attain Nibbana.