Another Lankan mess-up and another huge debacle
It was only the other day, a senior spokesman of Sri Lanka Cricket had stated that they are contemplating to sustain the present under 19 squad and train them to be the inputs to the national grid in the future.
Ironically this under 19 squad made a mess of itself in the last Junior Asia Cup as well as the present Under 19 World Cup tournament in Dubai.
Action at the U-19 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and England
Yet, the question is whether the best squad of players really made into the final team that took their respective seats in the team bus to the Katunayake International Airport.
There were reverberations and pointing of fingers even prior to the team left Lankan shores. However, once the team achieved the lowly eighth place and in the run losing also to Afghanistan the whimpers of anger has turned into a scream.
Following are some charges levelled and these have reached us from persons who have been with the game and have played it and now follow it. Then at an occurrence of this nature the public seek answers from those who are responsible.
The following are the charges that have reached us:
Charge 1: – Trials to pick the under 19 squad was held one year back during the peak of the big match season –March /April 2013 in preparation for tournament in February 2014.
Charge 2: – While some were given more than one opportunity some others were over looked despite being among the runs during last season. As a result some players who scored well during last season were over looked.
Charge 3: – In the initial squad of 30 which was picked during the 3rd term in 2013(Sept/Oct) there were those who failed miserably during the 3rd term games. The names are — Hashen Ramanayake, Minod Banuka, Hashan Dumindu and Kavindu Kulasekera. All these players made it to the final 15 and as expected failed at the Under 19 World Cup tournament.
Charge 4: -Players in the likes of Shanuka Dulaj (1100 + runs and 30 + wickets – Prince of Wales ), Janith Liyanage (600+ runs and 30 + wkts, St Peters – who scored 150 runs in a under 19 trial game against an Indian Ranji trophy side -Madhya Pradesh at the Oval ), Dineth Thimodaya (1000 + runs- St. Peters), Minhaj Jaleel (1000 + runs Thurstan) , Nikshy Mohamed (1000 + runs Zahira College), Dulash Udayanga (800 + runs Mahinda College) Sahan Nanayakkara (80+ wickets – St. Peters) Sangeeth Cooray (St. Sebastian’s), Ron Chandragupta (Trinity), Kavin Bandara ( D S Senanayake), Pasindu Isira (Ananda), Shashin Dilranga (Gurukula), Prasansana Jayamanne (Maris Stella), Malith Mahela ( 80 + wickets Mahinda) and Ravin Sayer (100 wickets, Trinity) who have all done well during this season and have been in terrific form were over looked.
Charge 5: -Hashen Ramanayake (son of Champaka Ramanayake – a member of the national coaching panel) was parachuted to the squad in place of a player from Gurukula MV Kelaniya — Roshan Anurudha who has performed well internationally at this level. They were so adamant to prove Hashen’s selection as just, he was given a chance to play in all 3 games against the Australia U-19 team which toured Sri Lanka in January. He failed in all 3 games. He was included in the second and third games at the World Cup and failed again.
Charge 6: – In Kavindu Kulasekara we had a passenger in the World Cup squad (Did not play a single game despite being included as a specialist batsman).
Charge 7: – Having Trials one year back to pick the WC squad was shocking to say the least, as there were batsmen in form scoring good runs this season.
Charge 8: The Lankan team ended in the 8th position. Yet, how many officials were on the tour? Were they all necessary or else they were on a $350 per diem ‘santhosam’ courtesy Sri Lanka Cricket.
It is the same argument. Is this the system that Sri Lanka is trying to pursue and sustain its international vibrancy and live among the best?
Once again over to you Mr. Jayantha Dharmadasa, Nishantha Ranatunga and the rest of the cricket company, who may know the answers.