Three new cricket selectors

CRICKET: Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge has appointed a new selection committee for cricket, with former Sri Lanka fast-bowler Asantha de Mel, being retained as its Chairman.

According to Minister Lokuge, the other member to have retained his place from the previous selection committee, other than De Mel is former Sri Lanka left-arm orthodox spinner Don Arunasiri.

"I have named the new selection committee for cricket and they will serve for one-year from 1-6-2009 to 1-6-2010," Minister Lokuge said.

Asked what prompted him to retain Asantha de Mel as the Chairman, the Minister maintained that the former SSC stalwart's expertise was invaluable for Sri Lanka Cricket at this juncture. He also emphasised that bringing in former Sri Lanka `caps' Anura Tennekoon and Vinodhan John was done with a similar reason and that it was upto the new selection committee to help the national team to reach even greater height in future.

De Mel, who won 17 Test and 57 ODI `caps' was a product of Isipathana MV and later of Royal College, Colombo and was a one-time regular member of the SSC team in domestic first-class cricket.

Don Arunasiri an old boy of Sri Sumangala College, Panadura was a consistent performer for his club Panadura SC before breaking into the national team in the 1980s.

Anura Tennekoon, 62, an old Thomian skipper, and who led the country during the inaugural Prudential World Cup staged in England in 1975, was one of the most dependent batsmen, the country has produced in the pre-Test era, before he called it a day, when Sri Lanka was on the threshold of gaining ICC Test status in 1981.

Vinodhan John, 49, a tearaway pace-bowler, who played for St. Peter's College, Colombo won six Test `caps' and 45 ODI caps during his short stint with the national team.

Chaminda Mendis, 40, a former Prince of Wales cricketer, has also led Colts CC in local club cricket as a steady opener and won 1 ODI cap for his country.

The new cricket selection committee: Asantha de Mel (Chairman), S. Don Arunasiri, Anura Tennakoon, Vinodhan John and Chaminda Mendis. JK