Indian skipper Dhoni in poor light

When an international cricket event is being conducted, the host Cricket Board organizes a media conference to announce to the world that an event is being held and seeking wide coverage in the print and electronic media.Then it is paramount that those who sit at the head table,and especially those who are the focus of attention come neatly clad,because the cameras would be focused on them with visuals and pictures being taken to the world.The other day Sri Lanka Cricket held a media conference at the Taj Samudra ‘Ballroom’, to announce the Indian cricket team’s tour to the country for an international one-day series.

Cynosure of all eyes

The cynosure of all eyes was going to be the two skippers, Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene and India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni. This being a high profile event, it was essential that the two skippers come properly clad for the occasion.But while Jayawardene was examplary, the same cannot be said of Dhoni.

Dhoni came in his practice kit – shorts and a skinny. Aware of the importance of the event,he would have been appreciated had he come better dressed. He sure looked funny when pictures of him, posing with Jayawardene and the trophy appeared in the print and electronic media. Like his Cricket Board, he must not think that he is greater than the game. He is what he is today because of the game.

Not a pavement show

The launch was not a pavement show. The manner in which he came dressed was an insult to the organizers, the Cricket Boards and the sponsors. We hope he will learn and not repeat this behaviour. He needs also to remember that he is portraying the inage of his country and we all know that the Indian elite present themselves well. But not Dhoni in this instance.

A few years back a Sri Lanka skipper walked out to toss in a Test match with his practice kit while the opposing skipper was well attired with playing flannels, cap and blazer.The local skipper looked a sad sight and came in for a bit of stick. I took the skipper to task in my column and my chairman of that time Ranpala Bodinagoda came to the Sports Desk and thanked me for highlighting that sad event, saying that a captain, especially of the host country should know better. Captains in particularly, must set examples.

Kapugedera a marked man

The whipping boy these days seems to the right hand batting artist Chamara Kapugedera for his failures with the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team in Zimbabwe and Kenya and inclusion in the one-day squad to play India.Not only Kapugedera, but the coach former dazzler Romesh Kaluwitharne and the selectors have also not been spared.We have no grouse with Kapugedera’s critics.

They are also doing a job of work. But a bit of ‘go slow’ on the talented batsman who is unfortunately having a wretched run could inspire him and give him the encouragement to come good. That ‘Kapuwa’ is a highly talented willow wielder there is no doubt. It must be remembered that form is temporary, class is permanent. Jayawardena, the Sri Lanka skipper said the other day that ’Kapuwa’ has the credentials to be included in the one-day squad.

Promising batsman

For a promising batsman or a bowler to come good it is essential that he be given consistency. Dropping him if he fails in one game, is not the correct approach. He must be persisted with keeping in mind that – failures are the pillars of success.Talking of failures becoming pillars of success brings to mind the current batting coach Marvan Atapattu and former all rounder Ravi Ratnayake. Atapattu’s first five innings produced four ducks and a single, if my memory serves me right.He was persisted with because he was highly talented and what he did after need not be reiterated here. Similarly with Ratnayake. He too was persisted with and did he not come good?

So let’s not keep whipping Kapugedera. Let’s be a bit sympathetic to this highly talented batsman from Dharmaraja College,Kandy.

Battle for top slot

England, the number one Test playing nation are, at the time of writing battling to keep their top slot alive in a Three Test series against South Africa at home.These are the two countries dominating the scene and tight and tense cricket will be on show. If England loses the series, South Africa will go top. So England will be playing from out of their skins to maintain prestige and stay top.England who gave the game to the world has won the top slot, by playing some great cricket under the captaincy of South African born Andrew Strauss and Zimbabwe born and former captain Andy Flower as coach.South Africa on the other hand is studded with some exciting players who can beard the Brit Lions in their own den under the astute leadership of Greame Smith. So the end of the series will tell who the better side is and whether England will remain top or make way for South Africa.

Push for top slot

In their push for the top slot, South Africa suffered the loss of their best wicket keeper Mark Boucher to a freak accident. A bail that was dislodged hit Boucher in the eye which also prompted his premature retirement from the game.Initially it was thought that the wicket keeper would lose the sight of his left eye.

But thankfully after a second operation,doctors have said that his injured eye is less severely injured than initially thought.‘The important parts of the retina were intact, confirming previous findings,’ the medical team of a Cape Town clinic said in a statement. That was great news. But whether he could get back to wearing wicket keeping gloves again is in the balance.

Old Ben as volunteer

Although not being a participant at the London Olympics, an Old Benedictine from my school Lalith Perera and his family will be proud volunteers joining 7000 other people from different countries helping at the London Olympics 2012.

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