Selectors : Gag order preemptive announcements

The clock is ticking for World Cup 2011 as time flies. Egged on by sports loving President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) the Selectors and all those running the game, preparations are seriously underway for the big event. While Sri Lanka as one of the co-hosts along with India and Bangladesh are focused on ensuring that all the needed facilities and logistics are in place, our own hope is that we will do well to win the World Cup. This is not an idle dream but one that will turn into reality if we get our act together, leaving no stone unturned to see that the Lankan squad emerges victorious.

The stadiums where the matches in Sri Lanka will be conducted - Suriyawewa Stadium which is the gift of gifts by President Rajapaksa to the game, the renovated R.Premadasa Stadium, and the Pallekelle Stadium are on the critical path to offer the world class standards required. Its not only the reputation of Sri Lanka Cricket that is at stake but also the credibility of our Country. And so much is at strike that requires concerted and coordinated action....and sustained support from the Government as well as from the sponsors.

Unfounded allegations

While Sri Lanka Cricket is doing their best to get the strike force prepared and tuned up to ensure victory, the selectors have a special responsibility to act in a collaborative manner and ensure that prospective players are kept motivated and challenged. They will surely rise to the occasion given their past experience and track record. For there is the selectors' Chairman, Aravinda de Silva, former batting dazzler who is the only Sri Lankan batsman to bash a century in the World Cup; and his team mates Ranjit Fernando, Amal Silva and Shabir Asgerally.

In this context the SLC and the Selectors must not let an individual or individuals derail the bullet train of a team that they hope to front up to their opponents who will take the field, all guns firing.

If any individual is talking out of turn or doing things that could preempt or scuttle selectors, then it needs to stop, however powerful or indispensable the individual or individuals are. The SLC and the Selectors are duty bound to ensure that the code of discipline is observed and that this is not a free market- where anyone can say anything.

Corns of the selectors

It was therefore a surprise when captain Kumar Sangakkara took it on himself to name the batsmen to play in the World Cup, probably unknowingly he was stepping on the corns of the selectors, which, I guess, hurt the selectors no end.

The selectors are appointed by Minister of Sport Chandrasiri Ratnayake and only to him are they accountable. They are expected to be thoughtful and fair, and judicious in making their sections and announcements. Its not going to be a walk in the park-it's a tough job that they have.

Out of hand

There is unease in the cricketing fraternity that things are getting out of hand and beyond control following Sangakkara preemptive or injudicious comments by naming the batsmen he would prefer to have in the World Cup.

What seems to have happened is that already some batsmen are perturbed, others are dissatisfied and disappointed. And bowlers are wondering whether a similar preemptive strike will be made on their group as well!

Clearly this is not the time for comments and announcements. This should be left to the discretion of the Selectors as part of their responsibility. What is also important is that prospective players need to know that they will all be given a fair chance, without fear or favour. There are a lot of talented cricketers knocking on the door. So let them live hopefully and keep performing and catch the eyes of the selectors.

Impose a Gag Order

What the Selectors should do is to impose a gag order in the interests of discipline, fairness and motivational needs. The Selectors will make their comments at a time of their choosing. The captain should mind his own business! And the Selectors have still to appoint a captain and a squad. They will do that after carefully studying the credentials of all claimants for slots in the World Cup squad.

One aspect that is inexplicable is that three of the four Selectors- Aravinda de Silva- Chairman- Ranjit Fernando and Amal Silva are all from the Nondescripts Cricket Club and with Kumar Sangakkara also NCC, the Selectors should not be seen as an old boys club where anyone can get away when they dare to break the code of discipline.

Look who's talking

The question asked in sporting circles is: which is more important - the RULES of the game or the SPIRIT in which sport is expected to be played?

This is a sequel to the deliberate 'no ball' incident that took place during the Micromax Tiangular one-day match between India and Sri Lanka at the Rangiri Dambulu Stadium.

While sport down the ages has been played to the RULES. It is an unwritten law that sportsmen play the game in the right SPIRIT, which is what sport is all about. So it is poor thinking by those who think "to hell with the SPIRIT let us win even by unfair tactics, by hook or by crook"!

The other day there was reportedly Arjuna Ranatunga-a cricketing great- who has now been forced into the lost land, venting his frustrations saying that no rules have been broken, and that Sri Lanka Cricket bent backwards to punish the culprits concerned. He was venting his spleen bashing the officials holding office in the SLC.

Street fighters

He would do well to understand that sport is indulged in by gentlemen. It is not a game for street fighters, nor is it a game played in the street by the underworld. But what was laughable, was to read this spent force bashing the appointment of the present set of officials in the SLC saying that they have been appointed on agendas of the Government.

He will do well to turn the searchlight inwards and ask. "Who appointed me to the high office of the SLC? Was it not the Government?" Now that he is in the land that the game forgot, he will do well to be told that those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...Ouch!

You must from the time you begin to handle a bat be taught to play the game in SPIRIT.Not to point fingers at umpires,threaten to take your team away,refuse to greet opponents and above all not leave room for your opposing captain to tell you - 'for a captain your behaviour is appalling'.