What an occurence?
View(s):Definitely the worst nightmare any Lankan cricket lover would ever want to wake up is to read in the morning that Angelo Mathews is leading a side to “blighty” for a Test series against England and Lasith Malinga is leading a side “Down Under” for a T-20 series against Australia, with all matches scheduled to be played during the same period! The ‘Powers That Be’ in this hallowed place of learning decided that St. Joseph’s would play two 1st CI matches on February 19 and20 at different venues just a few kilometers apart. In their infinite wisdom they decided to play the century old traditional Bens fixture at Kotahena and Richmond, Galle in the on-going Schools U/19 tournament at Darley Road.
The result – well you guessed it – was a disaster! Joes lost by an innings (I believe for the first time in history!) to it’s friendly neighbours and lost on the first innings to Richmond, proudly boasting of three Sri Lankan youth players who stood out in the recent internationals with both bat and ball. The question is – who made/agreed to this decision and who should be held accountable? It was just a few years ago that we had the Head of this institution appointing himself to a Cricket Selection Committee! A group of old boys took up cudgels and he has since been transferred. But not before the Joes lost the traditional Joe-Pete, (and the actual transfer was considered a routine necessity!)
Now what….? A whispher is floating that there are too many cooks and thus the broth is spoilt! There is a ‘Sports Council’, a a ‘Cricket Advisory Committee’, a ‘General Manager for Sports, a ‘Cricket Manager, several coaches for different disciplines of the game and several Masters-in-Charge for senior and junior level. And all have played the game at different levels! It is ironical that none had the common sense to avoid the unfortunate clashing of cricket matches, which compelled the Joes to split the squad! Some of these “office-bearers”did not hesitate to engage in a ‘witch hunt’ to remove the then cricket coach who performed adequately in 2014, merely because he was considered a lackey of the previous Head! Now who will take the responsibility to boost the morale of the team and keep them focused on the game, especially with the ‘Big One’ just a few days away? Or do they think that ‘green backs’ can achieve this? Woe be on to St. Joseph’s if it allows itself to be used by egoists in various guises to use the institution, merely to flaunt it!
Rukshan Fernando Rajagiriya