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| Sunday, 8 December 2002 |
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Raw deal for Kaluwitharana as selections run into question by Srian Obeyesekere The chucking out of wicket-keeper batsman, Romesh Kaluwitharana must add to the musical chairs of selection disarray. Kaluwitharana, a hard hitting batsman,is one of the notable discards from the 30-member provisional pool announced by the national selectors ahead of next February's World Cup. "I am very disappointed at not being included in the 30. To be not in the 15 is understandable, but not in the 30. I expected to be there", were the hurt words uttered by little Kalu when contacted by the 'Sunday Observer'. "Making runs and form in domestic tournaments I understand is a criteria for selection, and I feel that it is unfair not only by me, but by any player who performs and finds his talent is not considered", said a dejected Kaluwitharana. Kaluwitharana, a member of the 1995-`96 world cup winning team, took one-day batting to innovative heights with the new dimension of hitting over the top in the first 15 overs, opening with Jayasuriya. He was dropped early this year after the tour of England where he had a half century in 3 one-dayers and 140 in a warm-up match. But Kalu came into contention in the ongoing domestic one-day tournament scoring 389 runs in 6 matches for his club Colts C.C. including an unbeaten 98, and 99. Selections to the national team have run into controversy with Sports Minister, Johnston Fernando having to step in after Skipper, Sanath Jayasuriya voiced his dissatisfaction over the squad to South Africa. Since the wrangle has continued with Jayasuriya having publicly stated his dissatisfaction ahead of the tour. The latest it is understood is in regard to off cutter, Kumar Dharmasena whom Jayasuriya wants in the squad to Australia, but which is on the line. The axing of Kaluwitharana, who also has the most number of dismissals in international cricket in both Tests and one-dayers, and whose wicket-keeping had improved tremendously in recent years, has become the talking point in cricket circles both at home and abroad. More so in view of the fact that the selectors have named Tillekeratne Dilshan and recalled Hashan Tillekeratne as the two reserve keepers to Kumar Sangakkara in view of the Aussie tour and the world cup. But these selections are questionable with neither of the two being specialist wicket-keepers. Furthermore what noteworthy performances has Dilshan shown with the bat to warrant selection as much as Hashan's drafting is questionable. There is a strong consensus that Kaluwitharana should have been an automatic choice since there should be a second specialist wicket-keeper and considering his experience counting some 179 one-day internationals notwithstanding his batting. |
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