Despite finishing as runners-up for the second consecutive time in a Cricket World Cup tournament, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken a proactive approach (some may say bold step) in revamping critical aspects of its cricket operation.
A few weeks ago, skipper Kumar Sangakkara gave up the captaincy of the limited overs’ teams so that young players could be groomed to lead the country into the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The same day vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene relinquished his post.
Less than 24 hours after, the entire Selection Committee, comprising Chief Selector Aravinda De Silva, Ranjith Fernando, Amal Silva, and Awzer Ali, appointed only in June 2010, demitted office.
The Selection Committee’s term was to end on April 30, and the decision to stand down in advance was, it said in a statement, to allow the new Selection Committee “an opportunity to make short- and long-term plans in ways they think is best for our cricket.”
Former player Duleep Mendis has since been elevated to head the new Selection Committee, while Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews are being tipped to take charge of the limited overs’ sides, and Thilan Samaraweera is being considered as an option to lead the Test team.
“I would like to announce that, after careful consideration, I have concluded that it is in the best long-term interests of the team that I step down now as national captain, so that a new leader can be properly groomed for the 2015 World Cup in Australia,” Sangakkara announced just after the completion of the World Cup competition on April 2.
“This was a decision I made prior to the 2011 World Cup. I will be 37 by the next World Cup, and I cannot therefore be sure of my place in the team. It is better that Sri Lanka is led now by a player who will be at the peak of (his) career during that tournament.”
Clearly, the SLC has a vision for its cricket. The radical changes after a relatively successful World Cup in Asia were surprising to many, but the explanations given were sound and sensible, and have demonstrated the profound interest the island has in its cricket development.
The Sri Lankans have reached the final of the last two World Cups in the Caribbean and Asia, but on both occasions they finished second best. From all indications, that’s a worry for authorities there, and they have taken positive steps to ensure the coveted trophy lands in Colombo next time around.
With Lasith Malinga, their premier fast bowler, announcing that the 2011 World Cup was his last, and Sangakkara and Jayawardene at the tailend of their careers, it’s obvious that the SLC would have to groom new, young and energetic blood to pose a serious challenge in four years’ time.
The changes of the past few weeks are a clear indication that they are cognisant of what is required. Rather than lambaste the team for what can now be dubbed a ‘World Cup final jinx’, the authorities sat, objectively assessed the situation, made recommendations, and set systems in place in the best interest of the game.
Sangakkara must be commended for being ‘man enough’ to vacate the captaincy the way he did; it was very professional of him. It was as if he was saying ‘I can’t do the job, let someone else have a go.’ Maybe, the current West Indies skipper can learn a thing or two from him.
But we all know Darren Sammy would never do such a thing; it would mean the end of his career, for he’s not a Sangakkara, who would command a place even in the World XI, much more the Sri Lanka team.
The next four years are critical to Sri Lanka’s cricket…the success or failure of the team at the next World Cup tournament would give a clear indication of the progress or regress made in the ensuing 48 months.
While only time will bring us to that realisation, what’s certain is that a clear path has been set. A new Selection Committee has been appointed, new captains are to be installed soon, and all focus is on the next 50-Over showpiece ‘Down Under.’
The only worry for the SLC right now is that the building and renovation of stadiums for CWC 2011 have left them with debts amounting to a whopping US$23 million (2.5 billion rupees).
But even that doesn’t seem too much of a concern for them. “We are not in a serious cash crisis,” said Sport Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. “Building new stadiums cost a lot of money. [But] you must look at it as investments for the future development of the game.”
