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| Sunday, 12 May 2002 |
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Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Too
much one-day cricket - reasons for not producing quality spinners -Michael
Tissera
by PELHAM JURIANSZ Ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will be available only for the Third Test against England and not the second as is widely believed, as he is still recuperating in Australia according to the Chairman of the Interim Committee of the Cricket Board, Hemaka Amarasuriya. The Chairman, spelling out his plans for the next year when he met the press for a briefing at the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCSL) on Tuesday(May 7), was adamant that a greater rapport be encouraged between the press and the Interim Committee and the Board. However, there were various concerns expressed by the press that because of a Board policy that permission was not granted for certain players to give interviews while they were on contract with the Board. Replying to this question, Sidath Wettimuny, a member of the Interim Committee said that it is good that contracted players do not make comments, as such comments in interviews could be detrimental to their playing contract as some of the statements that they make could be misconstrued and that would affect their future. Further, some players are not very conversant in English and therefore in the long run it is better that the policy of the Board be adhered to and players refrain from making comments to the press. It was also pointed out that in spite of the fact that the Board has plenty of funds, the Sri Lanka cricketers in England were deprived of a score book and the Manager had opted to use loose sheets. The selection of Eric Upashantha in spite of his poor showing in recent times was questioned to which the chairman replied that as the wickets would assist the seamers it was decided by the selection committee that Upashantha would be of assistance with the new-ball and also as Ishara Amerasinghe is our fastest bowler and with Dilhara Fernando having back problems he was also included in the squad. The pathetic performance of our under-19 players at the Junior World Cup in New Zealand was also questioned. Two players, however, who performed well on that tour, namely Jeewan Mendis and Charith Sylvester have been rewarded by being selected to represent the Sri Lanka 'A' side against the Indian 'A' side who are on tour, here in Sri Lanka. "Our school cricket needs to be improved and one of the problems that we are not producing enough spinners is that we have a plethora of one-day cricket at junior level and even at club level and the captains don't have faith to continue with a spinner when he gets hit for a few overs", commented former All Ceylon skipper Michael Tissera, Chairman of the Cricket Board Interim Committee. "The void left by Murali's absence will hopefully be filled by the spinners on the present Tour of England and we have some up and coming prospects in Muthamudalige Pushpakumara, Rangana Herath, and even Upul Chandana who have improved from the experience gained from the Kenyan Tour," added Tissera. The appointment of an overaged manager was also questioned as the services of a 52 year old manager was dispensed with and a 72 year old Manager was appointed when the Board had advertised for a manager under 55. Replying to this, the Chairman said that as far as possible even though the BCCSL is only an Interim Committee it still has to honour the policies of the Board since the Interim Committee was appointed by the Minister of Sports, and he did not see any problem in a 72 year- old manager continuing if he was doing a good job. Further questions were asked as to why one man cannot handle coaching and whether the team needs to have so many coaches, one for each department of batting, spin bowling etc. The Chairman replied that one man, Dav Whatmore couldn't handle all aspects of the game as in a company one may have so many different specialised jobs. He felt it was better to have different people. |
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