Former paceman Opatha slams selectors

by Ranjan Anandappa

Former Sri Lanka paceman Tony Opatha slammed the cricket selectors for lacking in consistency while selecting teams and for not permitting sufficient time for the youngsters to settle down and play, instead changing players frequently to their own whims and fancies.Opatha played for Sri Lanka from 1972 when he was the 12th man when the Aussies toured Sri Lanka underBill Lawry.

He was soon in his stride and from 1973 was an automatic choice in the Sri Lanka team while playing against every country prior to Sri Lanka gaining full Test status. He was never dropped from the side and played till 1981 which included two World Cups in the inaugural tournament in England in 1975 and in the subsequent one also played in England in1979.

Opatha was in the company of some illustrious Sri Lankan players as well as some foreign Test players of the caliber of SriLankans ,Michael Tissera, Anura Tennekoon, Ranjith Fernando,Bandula Warnapura, Sunil Wettimuny,David Heyn, Roy Dias, D.S. de Silva Lalith Kaluperuma, Mevan Pieris and Ajith de Silva who were some of his contemporaries.

In an era where representing the country was considered the toppriority rather than financial gains ,Opatha took great pride in playing for his country with a set of great players whom he enjoyed every minute. Sri Lanka being a non-Test playing nation in 1979 stunned Indiabeating them in a World Cup match.

After his playing days, Opatha coached in Holland, South Africa, Bangladesh. He has also coached his alma mater St. Peter's which hadRumesh Ratnayake, Vinothan John and Amal Silva as a 15 year old andlater St. Joseph's College which had Ashley de Silva. Opatha was critical of the present day selection policy bringing in players like changing clothes and not allowing them to settle down and play their game.

"This will certainly hamper building astrong team for the future. Bringing back players like Upul Tharanga and Farveez Maharoof into the team is not good for the future.They were very good players during their prime but now time has caught up," said Opatha. "We have so many young cricketers we must give them time to develop.

The youngsters have been selected because they are good. We should give them confidence. That's the only way we can build the team. But the moment the selectors feel that the youngsters are not good, they havebeen thrown out.

This spells disaster where the future of Sri Lanka is concerned." Commenting on winning the Test series against the Aussies, Opatha said,"It is excellent, of course on turning wickets, but I would like to see Sri Lanka winning a series abroad in similar fashion.

Not at home, because we are preparing wickets to suit our bowlers. I like to see our team performing and winning Test matches outside the country thrashing a team like England in their own backyard (3-0 ) which is a fantastic effort. In other countries we come across 'greentops' and playing on those surfaces and performing well is the hallmark of a champion outfit. But I must say beating the Aussies 3-0 in a Test series is very creditable," said Opatha.

He lamented that by making too many changes the selectors are making the players nervous. "You have to give them time to settle down to build their confidence which willmake them strong players and personalities. Every match we see two or three players coming in. There is no meaning in bringing in old players who were top performers in the past. Why not try a youngster which is far better for Sri Lanka cricket in the future. "I am not criticizing SLC cricket. but these comments are only for the development of the game which nobody seems to be concerned." Talking about the rebel tour of South Africa which took place in 1983 Opatha said that everyone was blaming him that it was Tony Opatha who did it. "But it is definitely not.

The team was selected by a committee which included Test players. The tour was also approved by those players who were representing the country at that time with the consent of those senior players who were aware of the move," said Opatha.

"Why did we do it because therewas no cricket in the country due to the JVP insurrection.

We were getting old and did not have any money and thought that charity begins at home. No one will come to help us, even members of your own family. So when we got the opportunity to go and earn some money we did it. Many others wereinvolved in organizing the tour.

I have documents to prove. In that tour the payments were made differently according to the experience and the status of the player like the SLC does now," he said. Opatha added that today whatever the sport is played the name of the game is money in millions.

Because the players are pitted against top professionals and needbig money to maintain their status. He also said that the present day cricketers are not fit because they indulge in physical fitness in air conditioned gymnasiums with ear plugs on."It will not serve the purpose.

The players should be exercising outdoors. Get into the sun, run on the beach and strengthen their legs and calves.

After being in the airconditioned gym they can't bowl a ten over spell. You get tired because of the weather and climate,"said Opatha.

"I have spoken to the players about this factor. You should be physically fit to perform. When you run three runs you should be able to concentrate to face the next ball. Even players like Angelo Mathews are not fit enough. When he took over the captaincy I called him and said, "Angelo you are captaining wrongbecause you are not behaving like a captain.

You will have to act more tough, your captaincy should be more strict. I also spoke to Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Zoysa about their actions predicting that their careers will not last long. Likewise it had to be cut short," he said.