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| Sunday, 7 September 2003 |
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Marvan Atapattu to take over captancy overall in near future by SRIAN OBEYESEKERE While England, after some initial highs, are being floored by South Africa at home, here in Sri Lanka already the juggernaut is in motion for the November-December sojurn of Michael Vaughan's new look cricketers. Already, word has it that the hotels in Colombo and suburban towns where England are down to play have been booked 'house full' in advance. The Englishmen will be here with a 3,000 strong cheer sauad - the 'Barmy Army' ready to cash in among the faithfuls, who are looking forward to the cricket when the tail-end of the year is expected to mark a tourist boom. The game will come alive in the festive month. The expectant fare of a one-day series and a 2-match Test series make up the wrappings of what will be a lead up to re-assessing the strengths of the two countries at that level. For the Sri Lankans, the take off which begins next Tuesday the 9, carries a new aura. It will be new coach John Dyson's baptism with his Lankan charges at the NCC's indoor nets. That it will be the build-up to what will be his first assignment which will be against the English is a significant baptism for the Australian born coach who replaces compatriot Dav Whatmore. Of course, the trappings carry a marked similarity for both countries in terms of the infusion of the 'new' when Sri Lanka and England lock horns after that 2001 home series when then captain Nasser Hussein's Englishmen came trumps up. Since, Sri Lanka has adventured on the concept of separate captains which has found approval as well as disapproval by critics as the country is in the throes of re-building necessitating with it new blooding. England, on the other hand, as well have changed hands at the top with Hussein, who took over in troubled waters, abdicating after a run of some 4 years to young blood in opening batsman Vaughan. Vaughan, with a penchant for run making, has insulated himself as the ideal choice for the job to take England on a new voyage of a ship steadied by Hussein. But which like Sri Lanka has an Australian dose in Rodney Marsh who has been entrusted to re-shape an outdated 'old school'. It is such a new moon that Lankan cricket looks at with a new Australian physio Paul Clarenaar taking over from Alex Kontouri in an area to which is to be added new muscle in the advent of a foreign fitness trainer in Australian born Shane Duss in Sri Lanka's curriculum where the cricketing think tank is centering on physical fitness to go with performance. This is a concept stressed by Dyson which the local cricket authorities feel needs as much honing in as do the Australians in their success story. The fitness trainer will join the team on September 15. Meanwhile, the separate captains theory will hold with the Sri Lankans atleast in the short term, according to Chairman of Selectors, Lalith Kaluperuma, who while in favour of one man for the job, however, does not see anything wrong in its implementation as far as Sri Lanka is concerned since the change after Sanath Jayasuriya stepped down early this year. "Australia has fared successfully with separate captains as the strongmen in both versions of the game which is the best example of it", said Kaluperuma when asked for his comments by the 'Sunday Observer'. But the chief selector hinted that the selectors were unanimous that both teams would in time be handed to Marvan Atapattu who is currently captain of the one-day team which could be sooner than later. "Age-wise Marvan has the credentials to go with performance to take over the Test team as well from Hashan Tillekeratne. But we feel that Hashan, who has all the qualities of a captain, should be given a fair chance", said Kaluperuma who indicated that the selectors would assess the upcoming Test series in looking to the future. "We must atleast look at the coming series before we decide", said Kaluperuma. |
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