Are the selectors to be blamed?
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There was much controversy over the Teams selected for the 20 Over Cricket Matches against South Africa. No Selection Committee is faultless all the time when selecting players to win matches. I know this for I had the same experience when I was a National Selector in 1981 and 1982.
Just to recall, Sri Lanka cricketers had lost to New Zealand and Australia. Our next fixture was against England in a one-off Test Match at Lords Cricket Grounds in England. Before selection of the team, there was a big hue and cry over who should skipper the side. Many people known to me were against the same skipper being selected again. However the Selection Committee, including me, decided to appoint the same skipper. Our National Team, including our skipper, gave a wonderful display of cricket at Lords. Thus the public had to accept what the selectors did was correct.
As a former selector I say it is not correct to blame the selectors when a match is lost. If those selected are not performing, it is not the fault of the selectors. Whatever side is selected, every member of the team has to perform for cricket is a team game.
I would like to advise the present cricketers, to play as the situation demands, and bowl, field or bat with confidence, irrespective of what the crowd wants.
Lasantha Rodrigo
Moratuwa