School Cricket – Dead and Buried!
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The Sri Lanka Under (U)-19 team made an unceremonious exit from the U-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, after recording just a solitary win against minnows Ireland, while going down to Afghanistan and Pakistan. After making it to the last four in the previous World Cup, this year the team recorded one of its worst performances in the recent past, despite preparing 18 months ahead, largely due to the bias in the Selection of the Junior Selection Committee and the ignorance of the present Senior Selection Committee. As a close follower of School Cricket, the performance of the current team was no surprise. Here is why?
The Captain of this team was selected/earmarked 18 months ago. Kamindu Mendis is not a great performer with the bat or ball. However, he has the ability to perform big against the minnows and hogs the headlines for his ability to bowl with both hands.
n The Best Batsman in the squad is made to sit out in the crucial games against Pakistan and Afghanistan, despite being the highest scorer in the warm up game. (And now he scores a massive 191 in a Plate Quarterfinal to prove his worth and add insult to injury!)
n A middle-order batsman is promoted to open, and fails in all attempts, while a specialist opener bats at No.9.
n The highest run scorer in schools to date is not selected for the squad, while he continues to score runs heavily in Colombo
n The highest wicket taker in schools to date is selected, but fails to find a place in the final XI for all 3 games
Can we expect a better performance?
Senior Cricket is in shambles! And now Junior Cricket is no better!
SLC needs to Review the Selection policy and appoint Selectors with knowledge, integrity and a passion for their Country and Cricket, rather than a passion for their school, province or bosses! If not, School cricket will be dead and buried very soon!
M. Fernando Kotahena