Captain Cool takes on the ICC

Former Sri Lanka captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, affectionately known as "Captain Cool" has the knack to also heat things up, especially by revelling in controversy when it comes to cricket and its administration.

To his credit is the historic win of the 1995/96 World Cup when it was conducted for the first time in the sub continent and, in which final, he led the country to victory against the rampaging Australians in Lahore.

That achievement not only made the country proud it made other countries acknowledge the emergence of Sri Lanka as a veritable powerhouse. He paved the way for the country to gain respect and high esteem.

He helped bring about a fundamental revolution of the game here and a reawakening that traversed the length and breadth of the country.

Committee stage

Ranatunga, now a DNA Member of Parliament, speaking during the committee stage debate of the Budget of the Ministry of Finance hit out a fierce set of strokes that carried the ball, as it were, across the parliamentary aisles as well as the airwaves to strike the International Cricket Council where it hurts.

He was reacting to their decision to pay the Lankan cricketers direct instead of channeling it through Sri Lanka Cricket.

Now Ranatunga is on familiar ground like when he was wielding the willow or leading the country to victory receiving thunderous cheers. Those cheers should resound again for his fearless and forthright comments on the arrogant action of the ICC.

There is no doubt that the ICC sheiks in Dubai had acted in a high handed manner in paying the cricketers direct and not directing it through Sri Lanka Cricket, effectively questioning the ability of the Government to manage matters.

ICC irresponsible

The ICC in acting in such an irresponsible manner has not only set a precedent, but also slapped SLC by acting on their own.

A responsible body such as the ICC cannot find excuses for their arrogant behaviour.

Would the ICC have acted the way they did if it was some other country No. Had they acted like they did against SLC, all hell would have been let loose and the ICC would be asking for forgiveness on bended knees.

Ranatunga has asked Minister of Sport Mahindananda Aluthgamage to act. The Minister must stand up and ask the ICC to explain. He has every right to do that. Like India, the Minister must not fear to act and show the ICC who is boss here.

Act immediately

The Minister needs to act. And act immediately. He needs to ask the ICC to explain their high handed act.

The other day at the under-14 cricketers' award ceremony held at Bishop's College, Captain Cool, extolled on the youngsters to turn their backs on money and play for honour and pride.

Ranatunga was spot on here too. Today cricketers are more keen on the money they make and are less concerned how they perform. For them playing for the sake of the game and the country appears of little or no concern at all.

Not grumbling

We are not contesting the right of cricketers to earn money. Cricket is their profession and they must be paid. But in earning, they must remember that country comes first.

There have been instances where cricketers have said no to representing the country but showing their fondness of playing in the Indian Premier League and the Indian Champions Trophy which pays mind boggling sums of money. That's why it is said that money is the root of all evil.

From Ranatunga we move on to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board elections to be held on January 3 next year. The contest for the top and most exalted post is a race between Upali Dharmadasa and Sumith Perera. From the looks of it Dharmadasa should romp home an easy winner.

Opting out

Though Thilanga Sumathipala is opting out, some members of his team will be in the fray. The post of secretary is being contested by the former Interim Committee Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga with the experienced Michael de Zoysa and Irwin Jayawardena also in the cauldron.

It is hoped that whoever is finally appointed, they will play as a team and forget differences and work for the improvement of the game, restore financial stability and ensure an efficient administration.

Personal agendas should be shed. When this column is read the first day's play in the two Boxing day Tests matches between Sri Lanka and South Africa and Australia versus India would be over.

No respite

As for the Lankans there will be no respite. The wicket in Durban is expected to have more pace bounce and movement than the wicket at the Centurion where the Lankans were swept aside by innings.

Accepted that the South Africans are a formidable team playing in their own terrain. To expect the Lankans to win is close to an utopian dream.

Yet if they can redeem themselves by standing up and taking the game to the final day and giving a respectable fight they would erase sad memories of the poor showing in the First Test. They would then gain some of the lost credibility from the sponsors and the cricket fans.

From Durban to the Melbourne Cricket Ground where the Aussie spectators will pack the venue, guzzling the beer they love and cheering wildly for their team and victory against the Indians.

As for the Indians they too will not lack for want of crowd support. There are a lot of Indians domiciled in Melbourne and they too will be baying for their team.

The previous meeting between these two teams in Australia saw a lot of controversy. It won't be any different this time round. But sadly the men who set alight that series with their sledging - Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh would be missed.

But the field is open for two other cricketers to emerge and play the roles of Symonds and Harbhajan and fire up the series. It will be interesting to watch what talent emerges to the fore.

Fast bowlers are temperamental as they come and it would be safe to hazard a guess that the new actors could well be two pace bowlers from either side.

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