Play hard and fair says Stanley

By Bernie Wijesekera

With Sri Lanka cricket encountering administrative problems on legal forum, The Sunday Times called on Manager Stanley Jayasinghe. Jayasinghe gave an exclusive interview explaining the malaise that has to be overcome at the eleventh hour. Stanley expressed optimism on the coming tour.

Why did the Board go at the eleventh hour for visas?

A- The team was picked late after the rumpus that disqualified the Selection Committee and other office-bearers on a Court ruling. I think the squad was picked on the 21st (Monday) and then sent to the Sports Ministry for the 'green light'. The passports were collected on the 23rd. So I personally feel that to have gone to the High Commission on 24th was remarkably quick work.

Q- The team was scheduled to leave on 30th. What was the reason for advancing the date of departure to the 29th?

A- That was as a result of my suggestion to the Interim Cricket Board. What happened was that when I went to the Board's practice nets at N.C.C., after being appointed Manager, I was dumbfounded by the poor state they were in. One section of three wickets was devoid of blue grass but had some weeds. The second sector had blue grass and weeds in equal quantities. The third sector, which was the ideal section for a full length practice wicket, had been abandoned several months ago and ideal for grazing cattle! Water - the most important ingredient for the preparation and maintenance of turf wickets - was available in a trickle off a 1/2 inch hose The wickets were under-prepared and batting was risky. So we shifted our practising to the S.S.C.

Q- But the Board has a fully trained Curator, who had been to Australia, and England. Couldn't he ensure that the wickets are well maintained?

A- That question should be posed to the Board. As far as I am concerned, head groundsman Nandasena has been left to his own devices and his requests for potclay ignored. Nobody had bothered.

Q- But we have been informed that even the Sri Lanka World Cup team practised on these wickets. How come?

A- Yes, quite possible. You saw how our batsmen performed in the World Cup, didn't you? Any batsman who could face up to an average fast bowler on such strips without flinching deserves the Victoria Cross for bravery! I was not prepared to risk injury to the 'A' team youngsters so close to the commencement of the tour.

Q- You went across to the S.S.C.? But why did you advance the date of departure?

A- Yes, the S.S.C.'s Curator Ranil Abeynaike very kindly accommodated my request after I had explained my plight. but then I found that those wickets were better but lacked pace and bounce! As Manager it was my duty to enlighten the Interim Cricket Board of the futility of practising on wickets that behaved contrary to English wickets and suggested that we leave for England as early as possible. I also pointed out that the youngsters would benefit by acclimatisation too.

Q- So how did you get practice wickets in England?

A- I was extremely lucky I had the services of the Board's M. Rajasingham. We faxed my former club Leicastershire and the English Cricket Board seeking their co-operation. The response was immediate from both parties and favourable. Actually we were to have left on 28th but as there was a minor problem to our hosts we delayed departure date till 29th. Then the visa problem arose, and now we are compelled to leave on 30th.

Q- So the boys will continue to practice until then?

A- Yes, of course. At least they can improve further in their fielding, which compares very favourably with what I saw of the South Africans. For this I am grateful to Trevor Chappell who has done an excellent job during his short stint. The batsmen will plod on the S.S.C. ground under Hemantha Devapriya.

At least the batsmen will not run the risk of fracturing their fingers or losing their teeth!

Q- Are all the players fit and well to undertake the strenuous tour?

A- Yes, that I made sure of with our physiotherapist Lal Thamel. It will certainly not be a repeat of New Zealand in 1991 where five players declared themselves unfit or partially fit before the first match!

Q- Are you sure of the Visas for England on 29th morning?

A- Well I anticipate no problems because all the documents are duly signed. It is now entirely in the hands of the Embassy. But we continue to have a question mark regarding the Visas to Denmark. As their High Commission is in Delhi we have requested the E.C.B. to kindly assist us in this regard, which I am confident they will attend to .

Q- So after all this are you confident of a successful tour?

A- Most certainly. Overall we may lack a degree of experiencd players but with application and dedication coupled to a disciplined approach we will certainly not disgrace ourselves and try and regain lost ground by playing it hard and fair.

You can be sure of one thing. The chaps have been told in no uncertain manner that they should act as ambassadors for Sri Lanka and play it hard and fair, just as we did during our time!

Selectors to meet Arjuna

By Marlon Fernandopulle

Sri Lanka Cricket Selectors will meet early this week to appoint a captain and vice captain for the forthcoming Australian Test series and the one day triangular with India. Prior to the appointment, the new selectors will speak to captain Arjuna Ranatunge and vice captain Aravinda De Silva.

Speaking to the Sunday Times Chairman of Selectors Siddath Wettimuny said,"We will appoint a captain and vice captain with a long term view as that is our overall policy on selections".

Wettimuny is also of the view that he and his co-selectors must speak to Aravinda and Arjuna.."I think it is nothing but fair to speak to the captain and vice captain of the World Cup in England before we make these important appointments".

The Sunday Times learns that Vice Captain Aravinda De Silva returned to Sri Lanka yesterday.However there was increasing speculation that Captain Arjuna Ranatunge is expected early this week.

After Sri Lanka's pathetic performances in the recent past and the World Cup it is very likely that a new captain and vice captain will be appointed to resurrect the fortunes of the game. According to informed sources dashing left hander Sanath Jayasuriya is tipped to captain and opener Marvan Attapattu likely to be the vice captain.

Howzat!

Pradeep Hewage, the second highest scorer in this year's Premier Cricket Championship tournament has been surprisingly left out of the Sri Lanka A team.

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