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A case of no-confidence on
Selectors? If Sri Lanka were to send a squad of 18 bowlers as a team for the tour of England, Roshan Mahanama would surely be not in that squad. If Sri Lanka were to send a squad of 18 wicket keepers, Roshan will not be picked into the squad either. However, if 18 fielders only were to be picked, not only would some of the senior players indeed be hard pressed to find a berth, but Roshan will surely be the first to be picked even by the present lot of Selectors. Being the fourth man in the history of One day International cricket to take 100 catches Roshan must be a great fielder even statistically. That is not all if only 18 batsmen are to be sent, Roshan will again find no difficulty in securing a place. After all, a man who is the co-holder of the world’s highest Test partnership for any wicket, whilst scoring a double century less than a year ago must be taken into reckoning. Even in One-day cricket, hasn’t he scored 4 centuries, a feat equalled by skipper Arjuna Ranatunga — having played most 50 matches more than Mahanama — when he scored a century against New Zealand just a few days ago? Incidentally, Mahanama had to sacrifice his wicket — without scoring a run — to Ranatunga during their alliance in the final round match against India, in the Nidahas Trophy, when taking a suicidal run. Proving what a team man Mahanama is. The problem however seems — at least for the Selectors — is to pick Mahanama when a proper team is being selected for a tour. Judging from the majority of public opinion including knowledgeable observers of the game, the problem has been, in the main, only for the Selectors. Sadly, they are the people who really matter. Perhaps Mahanama rubbed it in at the Nidahas Trophy finals. Importantly, it is the first proper innings he has had at international level for sometime. Yet, many questions remain unanswered. True the Selectors do not have to publicly announce the reason for their selections. Only the Minister of Sports who appoints them, has to ratify their selections. A situation without parallel in any other test playing nation. The first question that can be posed from the selectors is if Mahanama is good enough to be in the final to play the Nidahas Trophy, how come the same player is not good enough to take part in a tour of 18 players taking off just 2 days later. Naturally, being sent all over the order would have upset Mahanama’s batting of late. Mahanama, who excels in the covers is also being made to field in the slips a position that is for a different type of the specialist. When questioned on this issue over radio, a national selector stated that it is not possible to always place him where he is needed because it would mean too much movement for the fielders. Then how come South African Skipper Hansie Cronje never places Jonty Rhodes in the slips? Board President, youthful Thilanga Sumathipala, in another radio interview mentioned that Mahanama is one of our handful of important players. Still he fails to be selected into a squad of eighteen! Also, the President mentioned that a foreign coach such as Barry Richards should be consulted to iron out Mahanama’s deficiencies. May I ask what contribution Richards made when he was consulted just before the South African tour? Roshan has played over 50 Test matches and almost 200 One-day games with fair distinction. How come he suddenly requires ‘looking into’ by a foreign coach, who — for the record — played just 4 Tests? What is the logic behind this type of thinking? What about our local coaches? Are they merely ornaments? Why are such stringent standards set for Mahanama? There is surely a case for a vote of no-confidence on the selectors. The Minister certainly has the prerogative to intervene in this matter and ensure that justice is done. Sending Vaas to England for acclimatisation is a wasteful exercise. This (July/August) is the height of the summer. The World Cup is due to be played in May next year and, May is cold and damp — when the World Cup will be played. So much for our selectors planning. Eight member squash team for
Asian Squash C'ships An eight-member National squash team will leave today for Kuala Lampur, Malaysia to participate in the 9th Asian Squash Championships from July 11th to 19. The experienced Yasmin Zarook will lead the four-member women's team while N. S. Jayashantha the four-member men's team in the absence of the official Skipper Gihan Fernando due to personal reasons. National Champion from 1994 to 1997 Yasmin's experience is expected to stand the side in goodstead. However, irrespective of winning or losing she hopes to do our best during this tournament. Padmini Samarasinghe, the Manager who is also the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation said "Our team is more confident. We expect to put up a good show. However, the absence of the men's champion Gihan Fernando will be a big loss to our side. She said that 16 countries from the Asian region will participate. Disna Ranjini, Shivanthi Kottage and the baby of the squad, Sulakshana Dias Abeygunawardane are the other women's team members while E. Ravichandran and two new comers Hirantha Goonasena and Prabath Wood will join the men's team along with Skipper N. S. Jayashantha. Lakdasa Cooray will accompany the team as coach. Pen-sketches of the tour squad: Women's - Yasmin Zarook (Capt.) who has represented Sri Lanka before is a seasoned campaigner and has been a National Squash Champion in 1994 and 1997. She has represented Sri Lanka in 1994 and 1996 at the Asian Squash Championships. She is also a Level 1 Coach. She was the first Sri Lankan to win the Plate Championships in Jordan in the Asian Championships in 1996; Shivanthi Kottage has represented Sri Lanka before in 1994 and 1996 at the Asian Squash Championships was National Champion in 1995 and 1996. Shivanthi has made a comeback. Presently at Walkers Tours Ltd., she is an experienced player who should give strength to the team; Disna Ranjini, who hails from Ambalangoda has represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Squash Championships in 1992 and 1994. Presently working in the Army, was the National Champion in 1993. She will be playing as the No. 2 player; Sulaskhana who is an old girl of Holy Family Convent is the 'baby' of the Women's Team. Has represented Sri Lanka in the Junior Asian Squash Championships in 1993 & 1995. Is a fresher to the National Senior Side. Has just completed her finals in CIMA and just commenced her studies in Law. Has combined her studies and Squash and showed much determination to get into the Team. She is expected to play well; Men's - N. S. Jayashantha (Capt.) has represented Sri Lanka before in 1994 and 1996 at the Asian Squash Championships. Has been appointed the Acting Captain in place of Gihan Fernando, Jayashantha who has been the runner-up at the National Squash Championships in Sri Lanka, has never been able to beat Gihan on many occasions. A promising Squash player who is presently working at the Trans Asia Hotel Sports & Recreation Centre and much is expected of him. E. Ravichandran is representing Sri Lanka for the first time. Was on a Squash Training Course in Pakistan with the junior Team and is presently working in the Sports Centre of the Lanka Oberoi. Ravichandran is one of the most persevering players, who has talent and should do well. In the absence of Gihan, Ravichandran who beat everyone else at the trials will be the No. 1 player for Sri Lanka. Young Hirantha Goonasena will be 17 next month. Is a promising player. Born in Kuwait, he has been training in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Hirantha is the baby of the Men's Team. Is a student of Stafford International School and a fresher to the Senior Team. Hirantha was the Under-19 National Champion in December 1997 and is a new find for Sri Lanka Squash. He is expected to do well; Prabath Wood has represented the Sri Lanka Under-19 Junior Boys Team in 1991. Prabath gains National Senior Colours for the first time and has shown a lot of talent during this year. Works at the Sports and Recreation Centre at the Hotel Taj Samudra. Is a keen player and much is expected of him; Padmini Samarasinghe (Manager) has been on the Squash scene from the early 1980's. She is a former National Champion 1988/89 and has represented the country on many occasions at the Asian Squash Championships and World Squash Championships from 1986 to 1994. Is a Level 1 Coach and Referee of the Asian Squash Federation and has attended the 2nd 3rd & 5th World Referees Seminars and the 3rd World Coaching & Development Seminar. A qualified referee she is expected to be called by the Asian Squash Federation to help at the Championships. Presently the President of the Sri Lanka Ladies Squash Association and Secretary, Sri Lanka Squash Federation. Is a professionally qualified accountant and is presently the Director Finance of Brown & Company Limited; Lakdasa Cooray (Coach) has been on the scene from the time he served in the Army and has played squash from the 1970's. "Cooray" is popularly known as a Coach among all Squash players, and many of the young boys and girls who are playing now have been coached by Cooray at some time or another. He has won the Masters Over-45 event on many occasions. Cooray, who has retired from the Army, is presently working at the S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia Gymnasium and Sports Centre. |
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