14 Monday 24th May, 2010

Jettisoning players, pulling togeth- The Chesterfield Files er smart planning, behaving with Selectors in wonderland show they have hidden agendas ... on-field panache, discipline and professionalism. They showed a lot of pride in the Caribbean event as Flower, not hidebound by straight- jacket style coaching and thinking, delved into other areas of the game and found the players he wanted to deliver a trophy. More riddles than answers “Don’t get carried away by the success though” is the former so clearly in the past by Sidath Zimbabwean’s euphemistic warn- Wettimuny (1999) and Lalith Kaluperuma (1975), it is hard to BY TREVOR CHESTERFIELD find as the answer to the riddle sought by the Mad Hatter. When interviewed regarding how they saw ’s future, The Hatter opened Wettimuny was trying to piece his eyes very wide on together a transparent policy hearing this; but all he with men who were proud to be part of that panel and in the said was, “Why is a aftermath of the disastrous 1999 raven like a writing- World Cup. The second was in line of a desk?” policy of change and how the for- “Come, we shall mer Bloomfield all-rounder saw the changes; one was the easing have some fun now!” out of the Test thought Alice. “I’m team and aiming for a senior and Teams squads and upliftment of glad they’ve begun ask- the Under19 side for the Youth ing riddles. — I believe World Cup. You were left in no I can guess that,” she doubt how he saw the teams shaping. His one concern was to added aloud. develop the pool of talent and “Do you mean that creating quality players as replacements. you think you can find None of these thoughts out the answer to it?” appear to exist with the current establishment. It is known that said the March Hare. De Mel is a fair man when it “Exactly so,” said comes to selection policy, but he Alice. is one of four and trying to justi- fy the foibles of his co-members “Then you should to a questioning and critical say what you mean,” media is far from easy. It is why their so-called policy statement the March Hare went issued is a sham. on. Four names that come to mind are either missing or mis- “I do,” Alice hastily placed. Not that De Mel’s coterie replied; “at least—at of cronies will explain their rea- sons as they don’t like being held least I mean what I up to ridicule. Yet, maybe they say—that’s the same can explain why first, leg-spinner and Malinga Bandara: victims of a selection ‘firing squad’ thing, you know.” Malinga Bandara has not made any of the sides and what is their squad for Australia, or even the pitches that prevail in that land- won, which some have already ing. He has reason as well, to cau- “Not the same thing policy regarding this talented limited-overs squad for locked central African nation forgotten, so smitten are they by tion against such jingoism you get player. The same could be asked Zimbabwe? these days? the inarticulate and technique a bit!” said the Hatter. when a team not only does particu- about Farveez Maharoof, who it Maharoof ’s batting average in The selectors will thumbsuck dysfunctional T20, Kandamby’s “You might just as well larly well, but also does so to a dif- seems is serving some kind of the provincial limited-overs the story that they are still look- three innings produced 27 runs at ferent, vibrant tune. Winners are say that ‘I see what I inexcusable penance as there is series also needs to be consid- ing at options, as there is the an average of 9.00. This gives him always expected to perform as they no justification for his continued ered. In five innings, he managed Asia Cup to be played in a 135 runs in eight innings, and eat’ is the same thing did when winning the trinket they exclusion from the senior squad. 168 runs at 42.00 and two half-cen- month’s time, which it is under- boosted with two not outs an have paraded with such enjoy- as ‘I eat what I see’!” Whispers from the side now tury innings; this is better than stood is from where the squad for average of 27 – hardly what you ment. in Miami is that Kumar young Dinesh Chandimal with 72 the World Cup is to be built would call international winning (Chapter 7: Alice In Sri Lanka though are on a dif- Sangakkara wanted the lanky all runs at 14.40 in five innings. It around. With the Australian A form is it. ferent path. What should be point- Wonderland) rounder to be flown as a replace- seems that Chandimal is going Team sojourns following the It explains a policy and a phi- ed out here, and which the public ment. The selectors, sans De Mel, though as the side also needs an short Zimbabwe tour, the selec- losophy which England have need to be made aware, are the erhaps not quite the pream- baulked at the needs of the cap- extra wicketkeeper, unless Upul tors are going to be wondering decided to dump and go with a number of limited-overs interna- ble to the opening lines of tain. But time zones from the Tharanga is to perform those what depth is the provincial sys- new brand that was unveiled at tionals Sri Lanka have, starting Pthe conversation among Sri scene of action, their campaign duties in Zimbabwe as well as tem in Sri Lanka in producing the ICC World T20in the West with the Zimbabwe tour until the Lanka’s selectors last week when has been metaphorically to place Australia. the talent needed to win major Indies. The driving force behind start of the World Cup and their they went about deciding which him in front of a ‘firing squad’. This now begs the question of events. it is Andy Flower, a former Test pipe-opening first game, at players would fit into which team Sure, he has been selected for the the future of players such as It is interesting how the 21- and ODI captain who Hambantota on February 20 for tours of Zimbabwe and limited overs squad for the Kaushal Silva, whose batting year-old Dilshan Munaweera, placed his life on the line during against Canada. It works out to Australia, but the end result is Australian A Team tour, but how skills are all too often overshad- with 471 runs an average 60.14 the 2003 World Cup by wearing a about fifteen or sixteen in which to just as big a riddle. many games will he be called on owed by his wicketkeeping tal- and two centuries has also been black armband decrying the fashion a World Cup-winning In their second attempt, to play? ents. At provincial level, he ignored for the A Team ‘Test’ death of democracy in Zimbabwe. squad. Is this going to be enough Yahaluweni, at transparency It is the same as Bandara. scored 357 runs at 89.25 with two squad and Tharanga Should a local club adminis- preparation for the major event since they issued a so-called Earlier this year, in a gesture centuries and a half-century. Paranavithana from the trator, or a journalist turn up at nine months down the line? fancy document designed to where you could almost see the Instead of being part of the Zimbabwe tour. It would also be Maitland Place wearing a similar Six days after Hambantota, Sri explain their policy, Ashantha de selectors smirking, he was Zimbabwe squad, he is pushed interesting to find the reason black armband protesting at the Lanka face Pakistan at the Mel’s band of merry obfuscators included in the squad for the tri- into the A Team ‘Test’ squad and behind Thilina Kandamby’s death of transparent administra- revamped Premadasa Stadium in have ignored form and gone for angular series in January, yet ignored as a one-day player. This selection for the limited-overs tion by continuance of not only Khettarama, and that is when the those they hope will achieve form when it came to playing, was is where the riddles continue to side in Australia. the government run ad-hoc inter- first genuine test of the team’s while on tour. And as such allowed one game against perpetuate their mystery. If anyone would care to check im committee, but also the selec- ability and strength will be put on moments of satirical humour or Bangladesh. Since then, despite Is there any point of taking his record for the India series tors, a white van with is mob of trial. It is why questions of what hypothetical situations, as you consistent performances in the and Thilan and the Bangladesh triangular, paid thugs would follow whoever is squad will be finally chosen to rep- find in “Alice In Wonderland” or provincial tournaments, he has Samaraweera to Zimbabwe while they might wonder as well. In protesting and then shout ‘mistak- resent a hopeful nation, now free even “Through the Looking been snubbed, without reasons class is being shoved off to India, his average of 36.00 is en identity’ to hide behind the of the dastardly terrorist LTTE Glass, are not always understood given, as has Maharoof. Australia in what is seen as little boosted by two not outs in scor- barefaced lies they spew when fundamentalists, will be selected or appreciated, the need is to Bandara, as an example, has more than a dismissive sympathy ing 108 runs in five innings with news is released of another shame- and on what basis. point fingers at the selectors and taken 22 at 19.86 four selection, as has been Maharoof ? a top score of 27. Chamara ful incident. Anyway, what are the As Alice said, “I’m glad they’ve to ask them to justify what they games and with two five Going to Zimbabwe with a clutch Kapugedara was even more lam- qualifications of these people to begun asking riddles. — I believe I have achieved and what are they hauls. If the selectors are going of fast bowlers and no recognised entable: 17 runs in two innings at hold such positions of power, can guess that.’ hoping to accomplish. on form and performances, why wicketkeeper is not only weird an embarrassing 8.50. whether they be interim commit- If they have a clear selection is he not in any of the teams but makes you wonder if the In the triangular series in tee or selectors? (email: philosophy, as those spelled out selected? What is their justifica- selectors know anything of the Bangladesh, and which Sri Lanka How so different are England. tion to keep him out of the ‘Test’ [email protected])

BY RAVI NAGAHAWATTE ed as President at the recently said. Speculation is rife in the conducted AGM because his At the rugby AGM held last Lasantha resigns rugby fraternity that moves are nomination hadn’t been for- Friday, former Sri Lanka play- Twenty-20 World Cup and Sanath afoot to bring in a top forces warded. Rugby union officials er Lasitha Guneratne was as SLRFU council couldn’t appoint a secretary for elected as vice-president. personality as the President of England has won with improve- pointed out by an interested reader. the Sri Lanka Rugby Football the same reason. Tuan Dole and Lasantha member Union (SLRFU). A former President of the Wijesuriya were elected as ment in all aspects of the game by At his age, Sanath fielded well and A source, who didn’t wish to SLRFU, who spoke on condi- committee members but it is the English cricketers. It is unbeliev- took a good catch near the boundary BY RAVI NAGAHAWATTE be named, said that this top tions of anonymity, told ‘The reported that the latter had ten- able, because a few years back they line in a previous match. Tendulkar ranked official in the Sri Lanka Island’ that he welcomed the dered his resignation. were relegated to the status of once said that he had not seen Former Sri Lanka rugby player move to bring in this forces The new committee of the Armed forces has been Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Nobody Bradman but had seen the batting of Lasantha Wijesuriya, who was approached and he had shown personality because Sri Lanka SLRFU plans to have a Special thought that England will ever rise Jayasuriya. Have you ever seen a elected a council member of the interest to fill in the post of needed a strong administrator General Meeting shortly and up in international and today photograph of Bradman at the age of President of the appoint a President Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union SLRFU, which is still and Secretary to its they have a formidable 40 taking a catch near (SLRFU) at the SLRFU Annual vacant. Top Armed Forces executive committee. team. Letter the boundary line? General Meeting, held last Friday, The source however Senewiratne Though we lost Sanath had failed has rendered his resignation. said that the first pref- when contacted said badly,the Sri Lankan team against several times while batting in cru- Wijesuriya told ‘The Island’ erence for the post personality to head SLRFU? that his plans to England was the best on paper. cial matches during his younger that he had forwarded his letter of serve the SLRFU as would be given to bid- Sanath’s poor form is tragic and days. He is supposed to retire after resignation to the SLRFU ding president Asanga for rugby with Sri Lanka now President depended on whether shocked millions of his admirers. playing in the World Cup in 2011 to because he felt the AGM was not Senewiratne, who has the bless- in a challenging group at the the AGM was held in keeping ings of all the provincial Asian Five Nations tourna- with the Sports Law of the The commentator said he felt be played in India, Bangladesh and properly conducted. unions and the majority of the ment. “There is so much plan- country. very sorry for Sanath, because in Sri Lanka. Sangakkara has said that “There was no quorum and clubs to take over as President. ning to be done and rugby “Rugby has suffered enough previous matches Sanath used to his presence is an asset to the team. the appointments made didn’t The source said that in the needs a good leader at this and whatever way we chose to whack the English bowlers to all Therefore, let him carry on as he is a conform to the rules and regula- event Senewiratne doesn’t juncture,’’ he said. take rugby forward must be parts of the ground. During this very fit person for his age, instead of tions of the SLRFU constitution,’’ There were similar senti- done with the best interest of come forward as President, match against England, not only replacing him with a 20-year-old. he elaborated. then the personality from the ments from another stalwart in the sport at heart. I also plan to Sanath, but the whole team fared Good Luck To You Sanath! He said that he wasn’t present Sri Lanka Armed Forces will rugby for the move, who added, meet all the representatives of at the AGM when the office bear- be invited to head the adminis- “we need someone who has no the provincial unions this badly except for Angelo Mattews. trative arm of Sri Lanka rugby. agendas to take over rugby and week, regarding the AGM,’’ The solution is not to replace Ranjan Goonetillake, ers were elected for the year Senewiratne wasn’t appoint- show us the way forward,’’ he said Senewiratne. Sanath with a 20-year-old player, as Panadura. 2010.