Selectors have played straight in picking WC T20 squad

The Sri Lanka Cricket selectors selectors led by Asantha de Mel along with Don Anurasiri and Hemantha Wickremaratne,and supported by Captain Mahela Jayawardene and Coach Graham Ford. have done a laudable job in picking a side with much promise.

While it is said that it is hazardous to count the chickens before they are hatched, I do dare count them as the risks seem worth taking.

Although the bets are on India as favourites to win the Cup Sri Lanka could well give the Indians a torrid time. This is an appropriate occasion to reflect on the credentials of our Selectors.

ASANTHA DE MEL: Learning to bowl at a blistering pace from the early days at Isipatana College before moving on to Royal. Asantha had the good fortune of playing under Chief of Match Referees Ranjan Madugalle in the Centenary 'Big match' against S.Thomas College.His cricket came of age when he joined the Maharaja Organisation.

At that time Mercantile Cricket was at its best with fierce competition between Ceylon Tobacco, Browns, Maharajas and Richard Pieris. The cream of Sri Lanka cricketers were employees of these firms and they generated much excitement in the matches they played.

De Mel opened bowling in the Inaugural Test mach for Sri Lanka against England at the then Colombo Oval, and had the honour of claiming the first ever Test scalp when he had the wicket of Geoff Cook.

Then in 1983 World Cup in England played at Derbyshire he captured five wickets against New Zealand. Your columnist was there to watch and savour his excellent seam bowling that flummoxed the Kiwi batsmen. On that tour he captured 17 wickets.

Then in a Gopalan Trophy match against Madras at the P.Sara Stadium he butchered the opposing attack coming low down in the order to blast one of the memorable hundreds seen on that hallowed ground.

In recent times this amiable gentleman has come in for some scathing criticism, some arguaby justified but most of it unfounded through ignorance and petty mindedness.

But de Mel is made of tough fiber and the criticism just bounces off his skin because he knows that the criticism comes from the frustrated who have no claim to call themselves as legitimate critics.

DON ANURASIRI: He was the 'don' of left arm spinners during his time and won his Sri Lanka cap with some fine bowling for Panadura. He made many tours with national team.

Once his playing days were over he took to the job of selector like a duck to water and has been doing a clever job of it and his wisdom is much sought after.

HEMANTHA WICKREMARATNE: Was a talented batsman playing for Nalanda and the SSC. He was a punishing batsman, but sadly did not get many opportunities to show his classic batsmanship. He played one limited over international.

As for the selections its is clear that meritocracy has ruled the roost with the deserving have been picked, thus leaving no room for the critics to fire their poisoned darts.

Obviously Captain Mahela Jayawardene would have been given the fighters or the marksmen he wants in this Twenty20 which is going to be a cricketing war once the action starts.

It is the Captain who has to shoulder the responsibility. When his team wins, critics will want to give praise to the team, but if the team loses, the captain is taken to the cleaners.

But Jayawadene is used to being in the venomous cauldron that is stirred by frustrated critics who have agendas. Jayawardene has confounded them by his performance and one only has to reflect on those sixes at the Palekelle Stadium the other night to be amazed.

The selectors have righlty dared and tossed in two young and promising cricketers in Dilshan Munaweera and Akila Dhananjaya Perera.

Whether they find a place in the playing eleven will depend on a lot of factors. But it gives these youngsters the opportunity to experience the 'do or die' competitive spirit in international cricket.Experience is the best teacher it is said.

Munaweera who shone for Nalandan and Bloomield is just 23 years old and is a dashing opening batsman ideally suited for this style of game. Unless Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal decide to open, Munaweera could partner Tillekeratne Dilshan. Munaweera has met with success in the ongoing SLPL.

A bowler with a variety of deliveries who has shown his talent also in the SLPL is 19-year old Akila Dhananjaya. He has earned his reward.

A find of exuberant Captain Jayewardene, if given the opportunity Akila could turn out into being a match winner. But then what can a bowler do with just four overs!?

The skipper must also be happy with the return of another bowler with a variety of deliveries, Ajantha Mendis who has been in the freezer for far too long with a nagging back problem.

From now on the squad must train in earnest. They have it in them to win the Twenty20 Cup for the first time and winning for the game and country should be the bottom line.

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