Another act in the Tragi-Comedy that is Sri Lanka cricket was enacted recently with the inclusion of Sanath Jayasuriya in the ODI and T20 teams, and the appointment of Thilina Kandamby as the Vice Captain.This probably is the act that drives the final nail into the coffin of the putrid and corrupt body that is Sri Lanka Cricket.
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| Jayasuriya’s inclusion in the ODI and T20, another act in the Tragi-Comedy by SLC |
The fact that Jayasuriya has the audacity to decide where and when he would play his last International match after over a year in the wilderness, during which period even the IPL caravan failed to pick him, and obviously enforced selection, is indeed a sad indictment on the redundancy of our selectors.
Sanath by his single minded objective of creating an international stage of his choice for his retirement, thereby probably hoping to bask in the limelight for one last time, has made it patently clear that he has little consideration for the team or the outcome of the series, with his blind side move into the team...other than to conquer his own ghosts. The spectre of ominous shadows with dark whisperings of alternative medicines, with magic portions... rediscovering lost youth ...with the safety of grand entrances and quick exits, can yet come to haunt him .
The sentimental old heart says we too would love to see the sparkle of the old diamond, but unfortunately there is no room for such emotions when what is at stake is the future of Sri Lanka cricket.
The appointment of Kandamby after a hiatus of over one year as vice captain of ODI and T20 teams is one googly even the most astute bookie would have been stumped by. The Vice captain ironically has statistics that are even eclipsed by one of the youngest members of the squad, Dinesh Chandimal.
Thilina Kandamby is one inclusion that’s totally unacceptable. After thirty three ODI's Kandamby has the unconvincing average of 32.56 and strike rate of 71.29,the 21 year old Dinesh Chandimal's ODI average of 71.50 is similar to Kandamby’s strike rate, and therein lies a tale .The Vice Captain’s T20 record leaves you in spin , after four matches his average is 3.25 with a strike rate of 61.90 .He is yet to score an ODI century .His unbeaten 93 against the Indians remains his highest score to date, for the record Chandimal already has a century under his belt.
One wonders whether his mediocre fielding too was an added qualification for the selection committee headed by Duleep Mendis.
Let’s hope history won't record these two players together with the present officials, as the pall bearers who carried Sri Lanka cricket to its grave.
- Ivo Keerthipala
Open Letter to Minister of Sports
I am a volleyball enthusiast who is regularly following the developments in the field of volleyball. In fact I have observed a marked up-liftment of the game under the visionary leadership of incumbent President of the Volleyball federation Hon Dilan Perera.
Yet it is with utter disappointment that I pen this article to inform you Sir, regarding the great injustice being meted out to promising young volleyball players at the ongoing national selections to choose players to represent the country at the forthcoming 16th Asian senior volleyball championships.
The classic example being the drop out of HAD Sanjeewani the promising Libero player of the Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club and Kasun Amaraweera of the Sri Lanka Air Force Sports Club from the provisional pool of thirty. These two players have the full potential to be selected to the last twelve of the team and as ‘fellows’ of Volleyball we can’t understand the rationale behind this move.
Further, Hon Sir, I would like to point out that the national selectors were not present to watch any of the super league matches which were worked off prior to the national selections. And this type of selections would hamper the efforts of the President and his energetic officials at the volleyball federation. Sir please intervenes on behalf of the National game.
- A keen follower of Volleyball |
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