Monday 5th June, 2006 11 Poor selection and impatience has been team's downfall

he game's wide open and way the series has gone; 2-0 athlete he was, but he still packs then and we're playing catch up. in the nets and not much has Sri Lanka has every would be a travesty, 1-1 would a hell of a punch. One-day crick- Paul Collingwood exemplifies changed. He is going to cause Tchance of levelling the reflect how finely balanced this et suits him better now but this someone who maximises every anyone problems. The first few series. Finally, on the Trent series has been. Test is just about one more day ounce of ability,whereas we're so deliveries from Malinga, I found Bridge wicket in comparison to Sri Lanka can do it. Not just with the bat. He's always been the wasteful. it hard to pick up his length the stodge of Lord's and through Murali – Sanath kind of player who feeds on con- We'll always throw up eye- because all the instincts you rely Edgbaston, the bowling strate- Jayasuriya has been picked to fidence and a good run with the catching talents - Murali and on for reading a bowler in his gies of Sri Lanka are starting to play at 7 in the order, not just to ball is going to do wonders for Malinga, Sanath and Kapugedera delivery stride have to be dis- work. take on the second new ball but him in the second innings. but we've got to have a lot more carded. Malinga started on the Kevin Pietersen's not been for his left-arm spin. He's win- Poor shot selection and impa- behind our eyes if we are to keep beach down south in Sri Lanka, gifted runs and forewarned of kled out close to a 100 Test wick- tience have been the downfall of moving ahead. Even with our where there's no point in trying his aggression, and his big shots ets at a better average and strike the Sri Lankan batsmen this handicaps in this series, I've been for bounce and perfected a zippy have not been deflating to the Sri rate than the sometimes unfairly series, as has been the inability impressed with our fighting spir- yorker from the start. No one Lankan spirit. All of Sri Lanka's maligned Ashley Giles. England to exploit the conditions by our it. Chaminda Vaas hasn't given ever told him he was wrong. bowlers are in the hunt, but it haven't played someone like seam-bowlers. It should not be up, Malinga doesn't know how to Which was right. Still young, he's does depend on the batsmen giv- Sanath in a long time and he'll overlooked that England's side is be anything else than a trier and a couple of variations short of by Aravinda de Silva ing them something to work definitely continue to cause prob- as callow as Sri Lanka's in many Murali of course reckons he being a match-winner, but I with. lems. ways and it's been the grown-ups anymore. Imitation's the sincer- could take all the necessary wick- expect him to have an excellent A lot depends on Sanath's become the old man – Flintoff, Hoggard and Pietersen est form of flattery, yes, but I ets by himself. At Trent Bridge, career. Muralitharan of course and if in the dressing-room now, (a feel- who've made the difference as wish we in turn had learnt more Vaas has found reverse swing in With so many wickets falling Sri Lanka lead by anything over ing I knew well) and in have Mahela, Murali and of the bloody-mindedness that England for the first time since over the first two days, if our 200 with England batting last on demeanour and movement he's Sangakkara for us. Graham Thorpe and Nasser the 1999 World Cup and Malinga batsmen just show enough grit to a wicket that's going to turn more become a lot like how Sonny Our boys used to have so many Hussain used to beat us in that has found his groove too. stay in, the runs to seriously and more, then England are real- Liston was with a young more shots than England. You come-from-behind epic series in I faced a raw Malinga a few threaten England will come. I ly going to struggle. 1-0 down is Muhammad Ali buzzing around look at Alistair Cook and even Sri Lanka five years ago. England years ago when word was that think it will happen. perhaps a fair reflection of the him. He's not the blithe-spirited that advantage is not apparent have moved on even further since there was an absolute tearaway (The Observer, London) Celebrating 20 years of HNDE Big challenges ahead for at Campbell Park interim chiefs ell now, Yahaluweni, you that left many bleary eyed from aim for the presidency. And if the really would not believe it switching from the Tests in England number of clubs who have asked for Wunless you were checking to the limited overs games in the the interim committee to make them- the second day's play of the third beautiful West Indies islands. selves available are transparent Test at Trent Bridge. Apart from an The point here is that unless any- enough in this belief, then there is a administrators delight of posting one is certain of their facts as well as chance for some members to con- house full signs (something you'll not having firsthand knowledge, do not tribute for at least another year for see in Colombo) there were indica- make assumptions. It can leave the welfare of the game in the coun- tions of the real reason for the team those who are caught short, embar- try. management's decision to play rassed. Ghosts of the metaphorical And this, Yahaluweni, is where it Sanath Jayasuriya. slip of the tongue often have the is all too important. To have total It is because of his bowling. He habit of haunting those who make transparency is important locally as it put as many ineffectual runs on the them. is internationally and from comments The Sport Fiesta organized by the tournament was played between the board as has sadly out of touch Tilan Just what sort of squad De Mel among some countries, there were Sports Committee, HNDE Students' teams from Colombo University and Samaraweera in the first two Tests, and his selection panel are going to serious doubts expressed by some Association, saw the participation of University of Moratuwa. After four but his bowling made the difference. cook up for the NatWest limited overs boards about the honesty of those universities and higher educational exciting rounds, University of Two wickets for 19 runs in 11 overs is series will be of immense interest. As running SLC. institutions, islandwide. It was the first Moratuwa eventually won the final 3-1. of a series of events organized to com- The netball final was between a lot more than even chairman of it is, consultation with the touring Sri Lanka is about the only Test memorate the 20th anniversary of the University of Sri Jayewardanepura and selectors Ashantha de Mel had team management has, hopefully country where politics plays a direct HNDE programme in Sri Lanka. HNDE. University of Sri hoped for. been made over who should and who by Trevor Chesterfield or indirect role in the running of the The following universities and high- Jayewardanepura won. Unless of course the worthy for- should not be considered for the game and as the country's one sport pressed with what is on offer in Sri er educational institutions participated The chief guest at the Sports Fiesta mer Test opening bowler will decide slogs. But unlike selection panels that is genuinely wealthy, the political Lanka. in the Sports Fiesta: was former Sri Lanka cricketer to also claim that is the genuine rea- from most other countries, Sri Lanka tag is a serious harbinger that not all This is one area where the com- University of Moratuwa, University Tillekeratne. son for sending him to England – that seem to be reluctant to have a selec- is well and meddling can be carried mittee planning the CWC011 event of Colombo, University of Ruhuna, Director General, Sri Lanka Institute is to boost the spin department. Well, tor on tour and this is where there out to suit those who are jealous of need to look seriously at those University of Sabaragamuwa, Institute of Advanced Technological Education nothing really surprises in the land of are added problems as well as those running the administration. offered abroad. A comfortable, well- of Indigenous Medicine, University of (SLIATE), Kamal Padmasiri, Director of serendipity does it? understanding the conditions. Part of the administration plans is planned media center gives the visi- Buddhism and Pali, ATI Labuduwa, HNDE, P. D. S. Udakara, were the other Now he will try and place his On another track, it wasn't too to have a provincial series next sea- tor a better view of the country. Dehiwala and Naiwala. special invites. thumbprint on the selection policy of surprising, after last week's column, son, along with reducing the number Those that are available at present, Campbell Park, Borella, was crowded Among the guests at the opening cer- the side for the limited overs series. when the South African friend sent an of premier league clubs to a man- including the cramped facilities at with students from universities and emony of the Sports Fiesta were the Just what he has in mind will be email with the dates for the South ageable 14. But it is the provincial Premadasa Stadium, are pretty shod- higher educational institutions on May Convener of the Inter-University interesting to discover. Hidden agen- African tour of Sri Lanka. For those programme that needs encourage- dy and leave a poor impression on 27. They had come to see their teams in Students' Federation, Duminda das aside, he was at least open who don't read the Indian Express, ment and act as a nursery for the cutting corners to save on costs. action. Of the many tournaments Nagamuwa and the presidents of all enough on Friday night to admit he the nuts and bolts of the story that future. organized, the most captivating were university student unions. The Sports Of more interest perhaps are the blundered in not informing the cap- appeared in the Indian daily said that Sidath Wettimuny, when inter- the men's volleyball and women's net- Fiesta concluded with the presentation impending board elections early next tain, Mahela Jayawardene of his India are to play back to back games viewed earlier this year for a maga- ball tournaments. of prizes and certificates to the partici- month. Certainly before the South decision to haul the 'Matara Mauler' in the slogs series in Dambulla in zine, offered a sincere prayer for The final of the men's volleyball pants. African's arrive on July 20. It is going out of Test retirement and shuttle him early August. the future of the game in the coun- to be quite a challenge for Jayantha off to England to join the squad. More to the point, however, is the try. Here is a man who feels that Dhamadarsa and those of the interim At least the touring team manage- complaint how South Asian sides are the game's development has been committee who have decided to put ment has had the foresight to contin- going back on promises of playing sacrificed by the in-fighting and themselves up for nomination as part ue with the policy of blooding young- three match Test series to squeeze in regional squabbles, instead of look- of an elected board. sters in the position instead of pan- more limited overs games. It is a two- ing after the overall welfare of the In the past, the sports minister dering to De Mel's wishes of playing way street as well: Pakistan now game. has controversially stepped in and the other option and delay yet again want to play only two Tests in South As he explained, too many curtailed the longevity of interim com- the decision to give Michael Vandort Africa instead of the planned three changes in administration along mittees. A case in point was that of or Jehan Murbarak a chance to prove and have asked for an additional two with a succession of ad-hoc com- the 1999/2000 committee of five that their ability at this highest level of the limited overs games. The reason, mittees have retarded the develop- did so much to bring respectability to game. argue the Pakistan bosses, is simple. ment progress; futuristic thinking administration in the game. This, Anyone who watched last Friday Being played as it is in December and planning at various levels of despite the backstabbing efforts of night's gentle grilling of De Mel by and January, the extra slogs are the game has suffered as plans laid certain outstation regions to get those Arjuna and Sidath could not have but needed as part of the build up down are disrupted by a new com- they want into power. wondered at the reason for the sports towards CWC07 in the West Indies. mittee that rejects the strategies of Sure, there are those who are ministry to opt for a new selection Now dates for South Africa's two others as egoism is allowed to get going to lay claim that the IC, in their panel, so soon after the side had Tests in Sri Lanka next month and in the way of long-term ideas. efforts to help South Asia secure the departed for England. But let us early August are July 26-30 and “This is worrying, as it is all rights to hosting the World Cup in SLIIT won the Plate Championship, 14-12, beating University of Colombo, at the Moratuwa leave that for the moment. Rather, August 3-7. While logistical reasons about what can we do for today and 2011, had usurped the role of past Rugby Sevens held at the Moratuwa University grounds. The winning team was captained ask again the question of whether De are being given for not hosting a Test not think about tomorrow. We are administration efforts. Well now, on by Yasiru Weeresekara. The champion team comprised Chamath, Buddhika, Kumidu, Mel stayed up late enough (or in Kandy, the horror of playing the not thinking about tomorrow or the making enquiries, the word coming shouldn't that be early enough in the two Tests in Colombo is a matter of year after and how to move the Nipuna, Jude, Yasiru, Dushantha, Chaturanga, Isuru, Esala and Gayan. out of Dubai is that until about the morning?) to watch Brian Lara fling the Indian board wagging the tail and game forward," he said. "It is a seri- middle of last year, Asia's bid to host himself around the field in the limited Sri Lanka bowing to their demands ous problem and until the govern- CWC011 was more of a dream on overs series against India that West over the limited overs series. ment and the sports ministry realize paper than a reality with Australia Indies easily won 4-1. Initially the Test series was to the importance of this game to the and New Zealand well advanced in Had he done so, the head selec- have been of three matches with the country, the importance of what it Sanath Weerasuriya appointed drawing up their strategic plans. tion panel honcho might not have first in July and two in August fol- brings to Sri Lanka by way of good- The club grapevine, if there is attempted to be so glib with the lowed by the triangular in August and will, tourism and exposure, my fear such a reliable guide in this country, Director of Sports, CMC 'Sanath being fitter that Lara' com- September. Okay . . . escaping the is that nothing will happen." suggests that there are any number ment. Those of us who did watch the prehistoric confines of Asgiriya's so- These are the words of a man of clubs who have asked members Sanath Weerasuriya has been Superintendent, Sugathadasa Stadium series could not but understand called media center is a blessing, but who cares about the game's long of the Interim Committee to stand appointed Director Sports, Colombo and R. Premadasa Stadium. Lara's drive and personal ambition. that at P. Saravanamuttu is not much term and someone who is prepared and have their credentials tested in Municipal Council. Thereafter, he was appointed He has a chance to redeem himself better. Although CWC011 is still some to gaze into a crystal ball and look an open forum. It is a good opportu- An old boy of Thurstan College, Assistant Director of Sports and later, as a player, or better still as a cap- five years off, the planning for better at the future with a clear vision. nity at least to display the sort of Colombo, he has actively taken part in Deputy Director. tain, of the Caribbean side in need of media facilities in this country is a Wettimuny is a man of the future cricket, football and badminton at school At the SAF Games held in 1991, he transparency so often missing in inspired leadership. And it is this necessary requirement. Foreign jour- and hopefully those who do take level and captained some of the teams. was a commentator and at the Asian administration. It appears, however, facet of his game that showed nalists, and this includes those from control after the board elections will He was earlier a Playgrounds Advisor Games, he was the CMC Co-ordinating that not all members are available. strongly during the one-day series Pakistan and India, are left unim- heed what he has to say. and later was the Sports officer. But Dhamadarsa will get a chance to