Where are the Gentlemen in Sri Lankan Cricket today?
Exemplary Deeds
When the iconic 96 world cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunge was the Chairman of the interim committee of Sri Lanka Cricket in 2008, he emphasised on disciplining players and inculcating the team player attitude in them. One day, he lambasted Lasith Malinga to have a proper haircut and come. Instead of a haircut, he ran to the Temple Trees. This also inadvertently ended Arjuna’s tenure as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket. Mahela Jayawardene, another Cricketing legend once recalled his memory of an incident when he was playing for SSC. He was in the middle scoring cautiously in a losing battle to save a match for his club which was captained by Arjuna. Fighting in the tail end, he managed to score a half-century before he was ruled out at a decisive time. He walked back to the pavilion rather satisfied with his contribution so he sported a smile on his face. Arjuna who was visibly angry about Mahela’s attitude didn’t allow him to enter the dressing room after a verbal barrage. Mahela later admitted that he learned the importance of a collective team effort rather than individual glory through Arjuna’s action. During his playing time, Arjuan was said to be a strict disciplinarian on and off the field. Since he has a genuine concern for the game of Cricket, he once ran for the presidency of Sri Lanka Cricket. He experienced a humiliating defeat at the hands of the mafia which is holding the Sri Lanka Cricket to ransom. He even couldn’t secure the vote of his own club: SSC.
Devastating Letter from ECB
Sidath Wettimuny was a fine-stroke player of his heyday. He was known for his high standard of self-discipline. He too held the position of the Chairman of the Interim Committee of SLC in 2015. During his time, the Under 19 team toured England for a series. On their return, he received a damning letter of complaint from the England Cricket Board (ECB) as to the undesirable demeanour of the junior players. Apart from the disciplinary issues, the ECB went on to mention that these junior players didn’t know how to use the bathrooms in the hotel where they stayed. He immediately summoned his Head of Human Resources and instructed him to design an exclusive training program for all players from age groups to the national level. He particularly wanted him to include the spirit of the game as a subject. This program was successfully conducted during his period and it came to an abrupt end when the interim committee dissolved in favour of an elected committee. Mr. Wettimuny was of the opinion that nowadays, the players come from all directions of the country unlike in the past. As such, their upbringings were different. Therefore, he believed that training of this kind was a must. He requested his Head of Human Resources to continue this program even if his tenure is over. But, the succeeding committee frowned upon this program.
Reaping what they sow
Today, Sri Lanka Cricket is marred by a multitude of controversies notwithstanding the fact of dismal performances of the national squad. Danushka Gunatilake who was part of the national team campaigning for the World Twenty/ 20 title this year, is being held in Australia for the alleged rape of a Sydney woman. Chamika Karunaratne, another promising all-rounder was axed on disciplinary grounds for defying Team Manager’s orders. It is said that he carried a statue of Lord Buddha and used to worship it in his hotel room. When he was told to stop it, he was said to have carried on regardless. The most recent incidents were of Wanidu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka during the local tour of Afghanistan. Wanidu showed dissent over an umpiring decision in the middle. Later, he was fined $ 1000 from the match fee by the match referee Ranjan Madugale as he admitted to the offence. Meanwhile, Charith Asalanka after hitting a match-winning knock threw the bat and the helmet before walking up to the pavilion without his gear. This is a punishable offence under the ICC Code. It is yet to be known whether any disciplinary action would be initiated against Charith Asalanka. Ironically, both these players are from Richmond College, Galle. Richmond College plays its traditional big match with Mahinda College which is one of the longest-standing encounters in Sri Lanka after Royal-St Thomas’, Colombo, and St Servatius and St Thomas’, Matara. By 2015, Richmond, having tasted its last victory in 1969, was just about to break the 46-year-old jinx. As the crowds of Mahindian supporters invaded the ground in the wake of an imminent win by Richmond, the match was eventually awarded to Richmond College. At this time, Charith Asalanka who was in the middle chose to loosen his pants and showed his naked back to the Mahinda College students and the supporters. So, he had a trail of indiscipline from his school days. This became the topic of the day those days and eventually subsided
What is SLC doing?
Sri Lankan national team won ICC’s spirit of the game in 2007 and 2008 consecutively. Even then skipper Mahela Jayawardene was feted for super-patience in the game and awarded the spirit of the game. Those were the bygone days when our players knew the value of the spirit of the game. Now, the time has changed and we are nowhere close to this title once again. In fact, our national Cricketers are de-facto ambassadors to the world. In this context, what is SLC doing? Are its administrators concerned about this adverse situation? They seem unlikely to do something drastic about this eroding discipline among players. Recently, SLC doled out handsome cash donations to the members of the Asian cup winning netball team. And most recently, a similar cash prize was awarded to the ace athlete Yupun Abeykoon. Those are good deeds, of course. But, SLC needs to understand that it is not the sports authority of the country. Its primary duty should be to safeguard the game of Cricket and its players. Some senior players of yesteryear who are considered to be highly self-disciplined, don’t want to get involved in Cricket administration because of the corrupt people who are in SLC. The best example is past Cricketer Roshan Mahanama who prefers not to step into the SLC premises for any reason. This is the pathetic story of Cricket in Sri Lanka today. SLC administration got priorities mixed up so it continues to hoodwink lovers of the game.
