Sports

Sports

Hashan and Marvan to continue as captains?
Tennekoon calls it a day with cricket
By S.R. Pathiravithana
The Chief Executive Officer of 'Sri Lanka Cricket' Anura Tennekoon has decided to call it a day with Cricket Administration. A press release to this effect was issued by him on Friday.

The one-time Sri Lanka Cricket captain who led Sri Lanka's first contingent to the inaugural World Cup in England was a stylish right hand batsman and a prolific run getter during his hay-day. Speaking to the the "Sunday Times" the Sri Lanka Cricket CEO said, "Although my contract with them ran up to the end of March 2004, I made this decision purely on personal reasons and it will take effect from 31, December 2003."

When asked if he will further be involved in the game that he loved and help develop it to this present status Tennekoon said, " No, not in the foreseeable future".
President of Sri Lanka Cricket Thilanga Sumathipala too confirmed this. He said, "Anura has taken this decision as he has some personal problems." Commenting on a successor to Tennekoon Sumathipala said: "Right at this moment we do not have any one at hand, and we are working with an open mind. We have mooted a five-year Business Plan and the person who takes over has to blend into this situation and take the game into the next millennium"

Meanwhile it is also reported that the four-member selection committee along with new coach John Dyson who met last week have put their faith in incumbent cricket captains Hashan Tillekeratne (Test ) Marvan Atapattu (Limited Overs) to continue for the forthcoming England Tour of Sri Lanka.

Speculation was rife in the cricketing circles that the 35-year-old Tillekeratne who is still to win a Test match in four attempts as captain was to be removed from the pedestal. Marvan Atapattu too fell out of favour after Sri Lanka failed qualify for a final berth in a triangular limited overs series for the first time early this year.

The selection committee chairman Lalith Kaluperuma commenting on this said: "Yes, we have taken a decision and sent the names that we decided on to the Ministry of Sports for ratification. We should hear from them by Monday".

Back to Sports