Calls for Duleep Mendis to be appointed manager

At a recent meeting of the Central Province Cricket Association which was held at its headquarters in Kandy the current sad state of cricket in Sri Lanka was discussed. Accordingly its President Thilina Tennakoon spoke strongly of the need of appointing Duleep Mendis to the dual role of Chairman of selectors and Manager.

“We discussed the current situation of cricket in the country and are extremely sad to witness the current status of Sri Lanka Cricket. I appreciate that the current captain Dilshan has a tough job since Muralitharan and Malinga retired from test cricket.

However, we feel that the poor showing of our team has a lot to do with issues other than cricket where interested parties are upsetting the balance and the harmony of it.

I don’t see Dilshan getting the required support from the team and I feel that it could be due to divisions in the team. Also I am sure that it has a lot to do with the discipline of the team which has to be corrected immediately.

However, I am not sure whether the current management is strong enough to tackle this issue and should not be allowed to drift away as Sri Lanka could reach the point of no return. It is our view that a strict disciplinarian is needed for the job.

Therefore, I strongly feel that Duleep Mendis the highly successful cricketer, coach and administrator should be brought in as the manager of the Sri Lanka team. He should be requested to handle the dual role of Chairman of selectors and Manager of the team.

Mendis doesn’t need any special introduction as he has been a tower of strength in every capacity he served. We don’t need to look too far back as it was his guidance that helped Arjuna and his team to clinch the World Cup in 1996 as they planned it together and well before the event.

His dual role as Chairman of selectors and manager was immensely beneficial to the team’s cause. Besides Mendis has been a highly respected former captain who will be able to crack the whip where it matters and also get the best out of the players.

Also being present on the ground in this dual capacity will benefit the team of his great cricket experience which can be put in to good use. Sri Lanka cricket at the current moment needs a versatile personality such as Mendis who has rescued our country even in the past both on and off the field.

Also he will be a tower of strength to the current captain Dilshan who can set about his game with confidence as Mendis can be a three in one and that is Chairman of selectors, Manager and also coach if needed.

Therefore, I am a strong believer that this appointment should be made without delay as Sri Lanka cricket needs a man of his calibre to handle cricketing affairs.

Thiliana Tennekoon,
President, Central Province Cricket Association