Class act by the security team

Now that the 2011 World Cup is over bar the shouting with India crowned the champions and Sri Lanka being satisfied with the gallant loser tag, it is time to do a retreat and ruminate as to how the tournament was conducted.

The International Cricket Council had no qualms in awarding the 10th Edition of the World Cup to be conducted in the sub continent - India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Pakistan sadly missed out because of the uncertain security situation in the country.

Firstly the ICC and the hosting Cricket Boards can take a bow for conducting one, if not the best World Cups in its history. Nothing was left to chance, with special emphasis laid on the security of the players, officials, visitors and the conducting of the tournament.

High profile

The security people of all three countries conducting the high profile tournament, burnt even the mid night oil and put in play a water tight security system that stood the duration of the tournament.

With rumors filtering down that the terrorists were planning an attack, similar to what they enacted against the Sri Lankans in Pakistan, there was no way that the security people were going to leave anything to chance.

The security provided to the teams especially came in for a lot of stick from frustrated and disgruntled quarters. Even Editorials writers were taking digs and mocking at the security people and the security provided.

Lax in security

Had there been a lax in security and if there had been a terrorist attack, not only would the security people have been skinned, President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Government too would not have been spared.

Such is the fickleness of the critics. These critics who have agendas to work for, for their supper need not to only have their vicious motives questioned, but need a cure for their warped minds.

From us go out our congratulations to the security people in all three countries for a wonderful job done under trying circumstances and being an example, so that others conducting other sports tournaments can take an example from.

Grand job

Having handed over a bouquet to the security people I would be failing in my duty if I do not do similarly to everyone who, to use a rugby parlance, scrummed togther to see that the three stadiums - Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Suriyawewa, R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the Pallekelle stsadium in Kandy were comleted in time for the playing of the matches.

There were the hollow critics who were shouting themselves hoarse and wishing that the Stadiums would not be completed when 2011 World Cup playing time comes around.

But those who were put in charge of this onerous task - Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket D. S. de Silva and ICC Tournament Director Suraj Dandeniya, with the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the behind the scenes efforts of Member of Parliament and ruggerite Namal Rajapaksa worked a miracle in completing these stadiums.

Showered praise

The ICC representatives, visiting dignitaries and those who know the sweat and toil that went into these stadiums showered praise on the people concerned, with a special word for President Rajapaksa and said that sport in Sri Lanka is lucky to have a sports loving President.

But while everything was tickety boo for the 2011 World Cup, it was sad that the Sri Lankan cricketers did not play out of their skins and deliver by winning the World Cup for country and President.

Had the cricketers who are now playing like tigers in the Indian Premier League, showed quarter of that urgency and determination, The Lankans would have easily have defeated the Indians and brought the Cup home.

Blasted selection committee

Former Sri Lanka skipper Marvan Atapattu may have had his skirmishes with the hierarchy, but D.S.de Silva's Sri Lanka Cricket has made the correct move in appointing Atapattu as the national batting coach.

Annoyed at not being given a game in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, the former skipper blasted Asantha de Mel's selection committee during a tour of Australia later.

His anger could be understood and that he spoke his mind out is commendable rather than engage in backbiting.

But now alls well that ends well and it looks as though there has been mending of fences and Atapattu has done well in agreeing to be the batting coach of the national team. He joins bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake and fielding coach Ruwan Kalpage.

Technically correct

Marvan Atapattu was one of the most technically correct batsmen that the country had produced. The technically correct batsmen that I can remember are Michael Tissera, Anura Tennekoon, now manager of the national team, and Roy Dias.

Atapattu played a straight bat and he was a treat to watch when in full cry.

His every stroke was from the book and was an example to all youngsters watching.

Today when the limited overs games have gone to force batsmen to forget technique and make the bizarre or wired strokes to score runs, the appointing of Atapattu would help bring back the techniques of batting that was fast losing its values.

Along with coach Stuart Law, Atapattu, Ramanayake, Kalpage and Manager, yet another former Sri Lankan captain they should form a formidable foursome and would certainly be an inspiration to the team which will be England bound for a three Test and five one-day international series starting in the second week of May.

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