Friday 8th April, 2011 BY REX CLEMENTINE sort of commitment a senior player like “It’s not the current openers but we Murali has given to the cause.” must look for more solid openers for hairman of cricket selectors Moving forward, Aravinda said a lot Australia and New Zealand. Changes Aravinda de Silva says he opted of tough decisions needed to be taken. have to be made and tough decisions Trevor will be missed Cto step down from his role as head “A lot of changes needed to be made, taken and, therefore, the next chairman of selectors due to family commitments the correct decisions needed to be of selectors must be strong to imple- Trevor Chesterfield was one of a dwin- the current crop of cricket writers can say and a suitable person needs to be taken, both long term and short term. ment them,” de Silva added. dling breed among modern cricket writers that. brought in to take Sri Lankan cricket We have only two more weeks before Former wicket-keeper batsman - he watched the game and formed his own During the recent ICC CWC where I was forward. De Silva, 45, took over from our term expires so us making such Ranjit Fernando paid a glowing tribute opinions. the ICC media manager I even had what I Ashantha de Mel last year and had to decisions is not going to be of any con- to de Silva when he said the latter prob- In an era where reporters can get away called the Chesterfield Test. If the facilities take many tough decisions leading up sequence. We took an overall decision ably had the best cricketing brain in with minimal knowledge of cricket thanks were good enough for Trevor then that was to the just concluded World Cup, during thinking of the future. If Sri Lanka the country. to the multitude of media conferences, fine; anything less was not acceptable. his stint. Along with him, the other wants to take its cricket forward in the “I have been his mentor when he was Trevor relied instead on his own eyes, a Thankfully everything was good enough three selectors, Ranjit Fernando, Amal proper path, we need to implement a a young kid and I am proud to serve deep and long-held passion for the game and that was a credit to the local organis- Silva and Shabir Asgerally also stepped long term plan focused on the next under him. Sri Lanka cricket needs to and a willingness to share his views with ers - and a relief for me! down. World Cup in 2015.” utilise his talents in some form in the anyone who cared to listen. My final and lasting memory will be of “I need to spend some time with my “Emphasis should be on fast bowlers future even if it is not of a selector,” The result was copy that was always Trevor, sat in the press box in the cap of family. Spending two hours with my for the next World Cup because it is said Fernando. stimulating - just like time spent with the his beloved South African franchise team, family makes me happier than sitting being held in Australia and New “His knowledge of every young man himself. the Northern Titans, giving me an approv- through and arguing about teams for Zealand. The opening batsmen should cricketer at under-19 level is virtually My friendship with Trevor stretched ing nod as I reminded media to behave seven hours. But that commitment was not be too flashy but ones who can con- at the back of his brain at any given back 20 years when we first met as he cov- respectfully during a match at the R. an obligation on my part for Sri Lanka solidate being technically more solid moment. That is the type of cricketing ered South Africa’s first ICC Cricket World Premadasa Stadium. Approval from cricket for all what it has given me in because on those wickets the new ball guy we need to take cricket forward. Cup and I can honestly say that in the Trevor never came easy but if you got it the past. At the same time the other assists the fast bowlers. At that time we There are others as well but I am just intervening years he changed little, if at then it was to be relished. He will be three selectors have done the same and should be able to consolidate without talking about one,” Fernando said. all. missed. I appreciate very much the amount of giving away too many wickets. True, his health was less robust in his Brian Murgatroyd work they have put in. We later years, but his wide-eyed passion for Former ICC Media Manager were able to do a clean job our great sport remained undiminished. and be very transparent It was a pleasure, during the recent ICC with whatever we did and CWC matches in Sri Lanka, to see so many for that reason, I am very young reporters eager to speak with him happy. There were no inter- and absorb his years of wisdom. He was ferences and we were able to like a magnet to them in the press box and do a job with a clear con- the media dining areas and they hung on science,” de Silva said. his every word. “When I took over this job, His health was far from perfect during I said I would take it only on the tournament but with typical deter- one ground that I won’t be mination he always made sure he was able to travel with the team present when it mattered, either for a when they are on tour but match or a big media briefing. spend time as much as possi- His old-school tendencies also led him ble at home and be with to insist on proper press box etiquette. them. Over the last eight Not for him the modern jingoism of months, except for the final reporters clapping or cheering if against India I didn’t go on any their side was doing well; to him - of the tours mainly because for as it should be - the press box was that reason.” a place of work for correspon- De Silva also said that he dents and columnists and it couldn’t bear the team losing should be respected as such. the final after setting what Doyens of the press box looked like a stiff target. are in short supply these days “When we took over, I as never-ending schedules remember telling Sanga wear down even the most (Kumar Sangakkara) that I determined writers. But don’t want to be mentioned Trevor was made of sterner that the 1996 team was the stuff, thanks in part, I sus- only one who won a World pect, to his varied background Cup,” said the hero of the from his native New Zealand, 1996 World Cup final with an South Africa and finally Sri unbeaten hundred. Lanka. He covered a war, in “It’s time we changed that. Vietnam, and not many of Trevor Chesterfield This was the best opportuni- ty we had to go out there and give 200 percent and to try BY USSELL ALIPANE and change it. To have not R P Then former captain and later succeeded is definitely a very First it was Kumar Sangakkara. I Kumar Sangakkara’s deputy, Mahela big disappointment for me.” cannot fathom why he decided to relin- Jayawardene, informs Sri Lanka “But at the same time the quish the post of Cricket that he players gave 200 percentage captain of the Sri is stepping down and they were committed. Lanka ODI and T- from the post of People like Murali (Muralitharan) some 20 teams, at this vice captain. would say was not 100 point in time. It is no secret percent fit but we are The following that Sangakkara prepared to take the day, there were Chaos? and the blame because I was two more bomb- Chairman of Sri one guy who told shells. Lanka Cricket’s Murali even on one The Cricket Selection Committee, Interim Committee have not agreed on leg he should play because he would headed by former Sri Lanka skipper certain matters. still be a better Aravinda de Silva writes to the What the heck is happening to Sri bowler. That Minister of Sports that they have Lanka cricket? responsibility we resigned. The truth may be out soon. were ready to take. That’s the Aravinda de Silva Martin Crowe quits NZ Cricket Committee Under-19 Twenty-20 Cricket ormer New Zealand captain Martin members Stephen Boock, Chris Moller, Miandad to consider Crowe has resigned from the New Rob Hart and Sir John Hansen. Pakistan batting coach offer FZealand board's cricket committee "There seems to be a little bit of bad Mahinda edge out St. Peter’s citing conflicts of interest, but said his luck with regards to my best mate Mark decision was not linked to NZC's delay in Greatbatch last December, and now Ross BY RIZWAN ALI BY REEMUS FERNANDO Mahinda 93 for 7 wkts in 18.3 naming Daniel Vettori's successor as the Taylor who is a great friend,"Crowe said. overs (Chalana de Silva 12, Udara ISLAMABAD (AP) - Former Pakistan team's captain, YahooSports reported in "I'm just best being on the outer I Ranasinghe 11, Kaushalya captain Javed Miandad will consider an a story datelined April 7, 2011. think." Greatbatch was replaced by John Sohan Kariyawasam anchored "It's got nothing to do with indecision Wright as New Zealand coach in Gajasinghe 13, Sohan Kariyawasam offer to become the national team's batting the late-order batting for Mahinda coach after the tour of West Indies.