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Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Marvan Atapattu has made sporting head- lines in the cricket world recently. His bold remark for Sri Lanka cricket selec- Murali.. Again.. SL in Australia ODI tors as Muppets and Jokers creates food for chat among cricket circles. Immediately after these comments Australian cricket pandits predicted that Shedule Atapattu would be sent home from Australian tour on the next day. But it wasn't to be. Fixtures What was the story behind this drama? What stirred up this quiet unassuming character to become aggressive and outspoken? Commonwealth Bank Series, 2007/08 February 2008 Farewell Marvellous Sun 3 - 1st Match - Australia v India Brisbane Cricket Ground Tue 5 -2nd Match - India v Sri Lanka Marvan Brisbane Cricket Ground Fri 8 - 3rd Match - Australia v Sri Lanka Sydney Cricket Ground This saga has been a result of a personality clash started in 2004. Atapattu Sun 10 - 4th Match - Australia v India was Sri Lankan cricket captain then and the chief selector during that tenure Melbourne Cricket Ground was also the current head Tue 12 - 5th Match - India v Sri Lanka of selectors. Former Sri Manuka Oval, Canberra Lankan fast bowler Fri 15 - 6th Match - Australia v Sri Lanka Asantha de Mel has been W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth appointed as the chief Sun 17 - 7th Match - Australia v India selector of cricket by the Adelaide Oval sports minister according Tue 19 - 8th Match - India v Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan norms. De Adelaide Oval Mel wanted to bring in Fri 22 - 9th Match - Australia v Sri Lanka young blood to the Sri Melbourne Cricket Ground Lankan team in a bid to Sun 24 - 10th Match - Australia v India focus on future. During that Sydney Cricket Ground tenure de Mel led selectors Tue 26 - 11th Match - India v Sri Lanka picked and sent some Bellerive Oval, Hobart upcoming young players Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan unsuccess- Fri 29 - 12th Match - Australia v Sri Lanka for overseas tours with the fully appeals for the wicket of England's Melbourne Cricket Ground experienced players. When Paul Collingwood , unseen, during the first they return home after the day of the second cricket test match March 2008 tours without having to between Sri Lanka and England in 1st Fina play a single game, de Mel Sun 2 - l - TBC v TBC Colombo, Sri Lanka, criticised the captain in a Sydney Cricket Ground This is the 62nd time Murali has taken five 2nd Final press brief. During the next Tue 4 - - TBC v TBC wickets in an innings in Tests. At the SSC Pakistan serious in 2004, Brisbane Cricket Ground alone, the bowler has taken 11 five wicket 3rd Final de Mel axed Tilekeratne Fri 7 - - TBC v TBC Dilshan for a new young hauls. Adelaide Oval (if required) player. Captain Atapattu Photo/Eranga Jayawardena was furious about it not so much of the young policy but the manner in forcing ix.laldr ms;slrejka w;r uq,a ;ekg the decision upon him without consultation. This time Atapattu said to the nx.a,dfoaY ixpdrfha isg bksu yhl§ ,l=Kq 901 la media that de Mel was operating through the press not with the players. wka;¾cd;sl ,nd.;a ix.laldrf.a ,l=Kq /ialsßï igyka jQfha l%slÜ iNdfõ fkd±ù 200" fkd±ù 222" 57" 192" 92 iy 152 jk Unfortunately Attapattu had to leave the captaincy and the team for treatment fgiaÜ ms;slre- mßoafoks' Tyqf.a tu bksu yfha bksul idudkHh ,l=Kq for his injured back for a prolonged time. During that period Mahela jka fYa%‚.; 222'25 ls' Jayawardene was given the helm as an interim leader. Jayawardene excelled lsÍfï m DECEMBER 2007 www.sannasa.net 27