Is the best eleven playing in the National Team? This is a million dollar question. Once in a while it is good to discuss and argue this point. In order to play the very best there should be a criterion for selection. I am going to put forward twenty points as to how we could choose the very best players who could deliver the goods in the National Team.

1. Every player who represents the country should be totally loyal to Sri Lanka. He must be prepared to play for the National Team at any time.

2. He must be a very disciplined player. Such players have the guts to perform well.

3. Each player has to be physically fit. If not, then he lacks the stamina to perform right through the match.

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4. Psychologically, he should be a balanced player who will not become upset when things are not going well.

5. To enter the National Team he should be a very technically sound player. If not he will be unable to remain in the team for a long period.

6. A cricketer should not be selected for one or two matches only. He should be given at least six matches to prove his worth.

7. Have a selection committee in every province. These committees should forward a few talented players to the main selection committee which then decides on the best National Team.

8. There are players who perform well in local tournaments. But when they are exposed to the national side they become nervous and cannot perform well. These guys should not be in the Sri Lanka eleven.

9. Every player on the side should be required to contribute either with the bat of the ball. He cannot be on the side because of his fielding ability only. However, every batsman or bowler must be an excellent fielder.

10. Newcomers to the National Team should be brought from the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team. They should play in the ‘A’ team for sometime and walk into the national side.

11. Only players who have team spirit can be included in the team. If they are selfish and play solely for their own glory, then they should not be selected.

12. Seniors cannot remain in the team on the basis of their past glories. They have to prove their worth right now if they are to remain in the team.

13. Political influence, or any other influence, should not be the criteria for the selection of the players. Selection should be based on merit only.

14. We ought to have enough replacements in the pool. When any player retires or becomes injured there should be enough players to take his place.

15. If a player is not behaving well or is harmful to the unity of the team then he should be removed from the team immediately. Such action will do immense good to the rest of the players.

16. In order to get the best out of the players, the Cricket Board has to see to the welfare of the players. This approach will keep the players’ morale high.

17. The selectors must always have a consultation with the head Coach, the batting Coach, the bowling Coach and the fielding Coach before they select the final pool. Such an approach will help when selecting the best players.

18. The Final eleven has to be selected by the Head Coach and the Captain. They should be given a free hand to play the best team. Others should not interfere in this process.

19 If the selectors try to select players from their clubs or old schools then they will not select the deserving players. Once you are a selector you are a neutral person and you should try your best to do justice to the cricketers and the country.

20. When a series is in progress and we have already won it, then it is better to rest some seniors and expose young blood to the team and give them experience.