Cricket – what is the best way to make good players?
View(s):If I look through the game of Cricket, my success to break through barrier’s to play for Sri Lanka was due to my own efforts like watching good players playing Cricket, and reading and learning techniques published by Sir Donald Bradman titled Art of Cricket and M.C.C. Book of Cricket Coaching.
I was fortunate to get these two books on Cricket, thanks to my Uncle Professor J.L.C. Rodrigo given to him by the British Council. Another plus factor was my father J.B.C. Rodrigo who pushed me to play Cricket from the age of 14 years.
He took me for cricket practices at the S.S.C. turf practice wickets from the age of 18 years, where I got a chance to practice with stalwarts S.S.C, Sri Lankan Cricketers had and subsequently playing in the S.S.C. Daily News Trophy team and P. Sara Trophy Team.
All this helped me to reach my final target and this was achieved not through Cricket Board Officials or help. If a cricketer wishes to move forward it is the keenness and your own efforts that can make you a top player.
My contention is when developing Cricket all officials concerned should be past Cricketers who go into action along with development methods recommended by them.
There is no purpose in talking only. Also those officials must have time to visit various school matches, club matches and encourage selected players through the Cricket Board how best Cricket can be improved among them.
I cannot see any big names in Cricket can achieve developing Cricket unless they go out to the field to impart their knowledge. Also all financial resources should be given to do this and parents of these players persuaded to play and active role.
Having committees does not bring in results. What matters is every Cricketer Involved in development must spend lots of time to achieve results.
LASANTHA RODRIGO
MORATUWA