23rd March 2015
Mr.Jayantha Dharmadasa,
President
Sri Lanka Cricket,
Dear President,
Explanation from Coaching Staff of World Cup 2015, Manager &, Selectors on Sri Lanka’s Downfall at the World Cup 2015
As you are aware the performance of the Sri Lanka team during the World Cup was not up to the expectations of the cricket loving public of this nation. Unfortunately this has been due to some of poor decisions taken by SLC for the best interest of few individuals and with the support and influence of the previous Sports Minister. You may recall when we appointed the National Coach most of EXCO members were not in favor for the selection of the present National Coach. Even Santh Jayasuriya openly told at the EXCO that he was of the view that SLC should appoint a Foreign Coach, at least until the end of World Cup 2015. However some individuals at the EXCO strongly supported for the appointment of present National Coach. As many experts say, now I also believe that loosing of the World Cup hopes started on the day when SLC appointed the present National Coach. After his appointment, some of coaching staff were not happy and even now Chaminda Vaas openly has mentioned that his side of the story will be made available in due course. To counter some of the problems at coaching we had appointed Consultants during the World Cup, but we have been unable to achieve results as excepted.
The way the Selection Committee acted during selection process to the World Cup was also questionable. Many people thought whether we had selected right combination for the World Cup. We all came to know by media due to political influence some of the players have been selected to the national side. It is regretted that the national selectors did not select the right combination due to reasons best known to them. This is the first time that national selectors had selected potentially six opening batsman’s for a single tour . Unfortunately it has happened at the World Cup and as many argued it is not the right place to experiment.(Dilshan,Thirimanne,Upul,Kusal,Mahela,Dimuth) The originally selected players were on the bench and replacement players played in the quarter finals. (Koushalaya Instead of Sachithra, Kusal instead of Upul and Dushmantha Instead of Suranga ) . This selection process has messed up all hopes of Cricket loving public in the country. This is the first time such incident happened during World Cup in Sri Lankan cricketing history. This is the highest number of replacements by a country during the World Cup 2015. Even the processes of selecting replacements were questionable. Sri Lanka was rated at the World Cup 2015 as one of the favorites for a semifinal berth. The National Selectors and Coaching staff of World Cup 2015 are totally responsible for this catastrophe for Sri Lanka at the world Cup.
It is necessary to mention that SLC spends big money for Selectors. Their salaries and perks are more than Rupees 1 million per month. This is without their cost of travel during tours where we send one Selector on tour. There are 2 full time Selectors paid by SLC. The results of the World Cup which event everybody looks forward, do not justify this system and we should scrap this system in the future and have a different system at less cost as the selections were questionable both National and ‘A’ teams.
You May also recall that the Indian tour in November arranged by some individuals with utmost hurry and with the blessing of then Sports Minister. This tour was not at the agenda of SLC. At the time of this tour hastily arranged the National team was undergoing a special physical training program and fitness program aiming at the World Cup. Even Players like Kumar Sangakkara was not in favor of above tour and even had commented in face book on the suddenly arranged tour to India. If Indian tour was not on the cards, it is certain that a different side would have been selected for the World Cup. After Indian tour selectors suddenly change their thinking and the process where they practice for last time for selections aiming at World Cup 2015. Therefor I still feel some parties strategically put Sri Lanka into the deep end and early exit of Sri Lankan team from World Cup.
The EXCO, under section 22 e (vi) of the Constitution it has powers to summon the National Selectors, Coaching Staff of World Cup 2015 and the Manager to investigate and get a full report on the above mentioned process. It is also worth to get the views of some Senior players like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawerdana. This will definitely help SLC to get correct picture and to take remedial measures in future to avoid such wrong doings. Therefore I request you to call Emergency EXCO meeting and examine above with calling explanation from above mentioned people as this is urgent please.
Thanking You.
Shammi Silva
EXCO Member/Chairman of Umpires Committee SLC
Copy: Hon. Minister of Tourism & Sports
All EXCO Members of SLC
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by (2015-03-23 22:43:01)
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4 discussion on this news
Shammi Silva has some valid points, the main one been why 6 opening batsmen? However, looking at the overall picture my thoughts are that the team selection initially was off balance. The selectors must instil confidence on new players so that they feel secure to play a normal game without fear of losing a slot in the team. This was the basic issue in my mind that toppled the balance of our team. Except for skipper Mathews, Sangakkara, Dilshan, Jayawardena, Thirimanne, Malinga, Herath - no others were assured of permanent places in the final eleven. For a World Cup, this uncertainty is a morale buster. My conclusion is that the selectors should have decided firmly on Kusal Perera and Dilshan to open the innings. Followed by Sangakkara, Jayawardena, Thirimanne, Mathews, Chandimal, Thisara Perera, Kulasekara, Herath, Malinga. Sadly, players were moved around the batting order and no one was comfortable in their positions other than the regulars. In my humble opinion this was main issue with the error in judgement by the selectors.
-- by Ranjan de Silva on 2015-03-23
My observations are based on the SL team's performance over the last 3 months. After watching the games in the TV I wish to comment as follows:
1. Some players did not demonstrate mental discipline to achieve concentration and focus in order to play against world class cricketers.
2. Inconsistent performance due to lack of self confidence and patience.
3. Some players did not demonstrate that they had an individual plan for the match or a team target.
All the above can be attributed to lack of adequate mental preparation prior to each match. The BCCSL should seriously consider addressing this issue by implementing an effective mind training programme. Natural talent has to combined with a trained mind. Mental clarity and focus is crucila at this level of the game. If this is not addressed the same problem of inconsistent performance will continue and SL will be behind other leading nations.
-- by GAMINI SETTINAYAKE on 2015-03-26
I submitted a statement about 2 weeks ago - so far not published???
-- by Ranjan Weerasinghe on 2015-03-27
Need to pick best players, it doesn't matter how many player can open the batting, Even in Sri Lanka Test team some occasion there were 3-4 wicket keeper (Kumar, Kaushal, Chandimal, Dilshan..!!
-- by drt on 2015-04-20
