Go by merit --Being a politician's son should not rule Ramith out

Last week the cricket scene seemed to be like a storm in a tea cup.The reason being the selection of Minister Kheliya Rambukwella's son Ramith, to play for Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 International against Bangladesh on Sunday in Pallekele. Half baked critics played a game of their own and a game that they are famous for and well versed in, by striking out at the young man's selection and the selectors. While selections could be queried, its patently unfair to infer that the father's power went to get Ramith selected. The record speaks for itself :young Ramith fully deserves to earn his spurs. He is tall, ideally built, brilliant in stroke execution and is an all rounder. All rounders don't came dime a dozen and when they do come they must be nursed and nurtured, because all rounders are what this game requires. And Rambukwella is ideally suited.

Not expected of responsible critics

For critics to crucify the young man, because his father is a politician is not what is expected of responsible critics. The selectors, when they sit down to pencil a squad, delve deep into all credentials of those seeking selection. Although his form was not what it should have been recently, the selectors saw in him the attributes that this style of game requires and had the courage to pick him. The young man is highly talented. While playing for Royal College and CCC he showed that he is a player for the future with big scores as a punishing right hand batsman, lots of wickets with his vicious off spin bowling and safe pair of hands.

Should be helped and encouraged

When a player is selected for national honours, unless he is a complete misfit, he should be helped and encouraged and not criticised and scourged. Not all selections are palatable to the critics. Having batted and defended the selection of Ramukwella, we now take up cudgels with chief of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya for pressing the panic button and calling for a press briefing to explain Rambukwella's selection. Apparently the selectors would have been stung and hurt by the criticism leveled at them. It showed uncertainty in the selectors and in calling for a press briefing and explaining Rambukwella's selection played into the hands of the critics.

Work in mysterious ways

It is old hat that selectors in whatever sport, locally or internationally work in mysterious ways and do an unenviable job. Even if they pick the best, they will still have their share of critics. To run to explain their action shows cowardice. As for us chief selector Sanath Jayasurya as, the Sinhala saying goes- illang kanava - asking and eating. He and his team's future selections will also come in for query and Jayasuriya who has now created a precedent will always have to call for media conferences and explain selections. He is in dangerous grounds. The consensus was that Jayasuriya and his team of selectors were doinga grand job by infusing youngsters into the big game. Twenty20 and 50-overcricket is not for the ageing. It is a young man's game. So the selectors should not fear to plonk in more promising youngsters who will deliver and win the above mentioned trophies.

Bangla bashing in Pallekelle

The Sri Lankan cricketers who were riding a crest of wave of success in the limited over cricketing firmament, were brought down to earth with the thud by a young and inexperienced Bangladesh side at Pallekelle.After the first of two games in Hambantota - winning the first and the second being abandoned due to rain and with no way for that dreaded pair of Duckworth and Lewis to don pads the teams moved to Pallekele with the home team one-up in the Three match 50 over series. When Sri Lanka posted 302, with another blistering century from Tillekeratne Dilshan his second in the series, the stage was set for the Lankans to win and pocket three match one-day series like they did the Test series.

Heavens open up

But with Bangladesh cruising along, the heavens opened up and with play being curtailed, warranted the donning of pads by one cricketer and the other a 'book cricketer' Duckworth and Lewis to settle the issue.And when Duckworth and Lewis set the target, the Bangladeshis grabbed the largesse dished out by D/L, and coasted to victory and with it squared the series 1-all.The Sri Lankan cricketers will want to find solace, stating that if not for the Duckworth/Lewis they would have easily romped to victory. But a victory is a victory be it with a run, a half a run, a wicket or a half a wicket.

Visitors exude joy

What joy did the visitors exude when the winning run was made! And they did deserve to exude joy and celebrate. They can go back having fought the good fight in the Test series although losing it and squaring the one-day series. The Bangladeshis will have a lot of positives to take from this tour of Sri Lanka. They silenced their critics who gave them no chance on this tour.

The Sri Lankan cricketers too thought they will have a waltz.Skipper Mishfiqur Rahim's lament was the paucity of Tests provided them at the highest level. We hope other Test playing countries will look benignly on them and give them more longer versions of the game to further develop.

[email protected]