What are the responsibilities of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka?
View(s):Our recent performance in England let down the Sri Lankan cricket fans. They are unhappy and disappointed with our cricketers. Many fans, from left and right, criticize our lads. Cricket lovers expect very high standards from their national cricketers and want them to carry all before them in every match. But it is not an easy task to remain on top all the time. At one time the West Indies were cricket kings but they could not remain on top for ever. Likewise with Australia. It is an arduous task to be repeatedly the top of the world. In order to remain on top our players have to deliver the goods whenever they encounter another country.
In 1996 Sri Lanka won the World Cup. In 1999 the national team went to England to play in the World Cup with seven players who represented the country in the 1996 World Cup. We all know what happened – they were eliminated in the first round, even though the team was the most experienced side in the tournament. It is easy to blame our players. But it is difficult to find out their problems in order to help them perform well in any part of the world. If you analyze our performance away from Sri Lanka then the only thing that can be said is that it is very mediocre. Even with experienced veterans in the team we have not done well.
From the outset our Board has to accept that fact. We have yet to win a Test Match in India and Australia. With so called ‘high class’ players we are unable to do so. This shows that our players do not know the art of playing on alien soil. Therefore, this situation must be remedied. Our players have to be trained to play on fast, bouncy pitches. They should be able to play where the bowl is swinging. They have to master the bat and bowl on those pitches. Conditions differ from country to country. Our Cricket Board should expose our lads to play in such conditions. If we have to make a tour to a cold country, then why can’t we go to Nuwera Eliya Radelle and practice?
When a foreign team comes to Sri Lanka for a tour our Board should prepare one or two matches according to their conditions. In Sri Lanka we have to prepare fast, bouncy, swinging pitches for our players to play their domestic tournaments. This will help our players to face the real test when they go abroad to other countries. The Board should select some up-and-coming players and send them to other countries to participate in their domestic tournaments. In this way our players will become used to playing in any situation. Another point I want to stress here is that players should be given a fair chance to show their class.
If they are removed after only one or two matches then neither the players nor the national team will gain. As well as this, players should be given a free hand to play their natural game without interference from any quarter. If the selectors give a player a chance to play in the national side, then they should not expect miracles from the very first match itself! The player must receive encouragement and gain confidence in order to give his best for the country. If players are being continuously changed then Sri Lanka will never produce a solid team.
The selectors must tour the country and select talented, young players. They should then be brought to Colombo and given a solid training. These players can become a ‘feeding pool’ for our national team. Our inter-provincial tournaments will help this task. There is a Cricket Board in the country to oversee the improvement of our national cricket team. Simply having meetings and discussing things will not take Sri Lanka cricket anywhere. Members of the Board, as well as the selectors, must be practical and help our players to climb the ladder of success.
- Rev. Bro. Nimal Gurusinghe F.S.C.