Everyone Please Calm Down…

So the DM has struck again portraying Sanath Jayasuriya, the Chief Selector, as being entirely miffed at the so-called ‘leaking’ of team plans to the press. Sangakkara and Mahela have previously fallen foul of the establishment for their utterances, but the due have had a peaceable relationship with Sanath upto now, after the whole ‘retirement’ saga was dealt with.

You can read the article here http://www.dailymirror.lk/56379/jayasuriya-miffed-at-seniors-spilling-beans

At a time when all parties need to work together to optimise strategies, combinations and personnel, this is one thing we can ill afford. A rift, if it indeed a rift, of this nature is not something that bodes well and I really hope this is something that can be ironed out without becoming too much of a battle of egos.

I can see Sanath’s point, in that it can be disturbing if the teams don’t play their cards close to their chests, but at the same time having read and watched the so-called offensive interviews, the two senior players didn’t exactly say that these were finalised plans. They just gave their opinion as to what the best strategy should be. The fact that it coincided with what was discussed at the meeting is obvious, but did it really make a difference?

There is also a question of protocol, and Sanath is correct that no final decisions could be taken until he had met with the other selectors who will discuss the teams’ suggestions. So to that end, he will feel like his function has been usurped when plans are reported as final, when they are not. Any changes that Sanath wishes to make then may not go down well with the public.

There has been a pattern recently though, which Sanath also has to be mindful of. Mahela in his interview said that all he has not done ‘is got down on his knees’ (for what Mahela, for what?) before the selectors and ask to open the batting. That is a pretty strong statement, and one can understand why Sanath would be upset if the public now blame him for not allowing Mahela to open. Opening may not be the best thing for the team, although I have repeatedly advocated that it is, but Sanath’s opinion is what counts. And it is reasonable for him to be a little upset about it.

Also recently, Mathews referred by name to Mendis after a test match and accused him of bowling badly. Mendis was duly dropped. Similarly on this tour he questioned the ‘intent’ of the openers, and the pedestrian Tharanga was dropped for the next game as well. So it appears that sometimes players maybe resorting to the media in order to influence the selections, which doesn’t show an open honest dialogue between players and selectors. That needs to improve, and Mathews shouldn’t feel the need to send messages via the media, and Mahela also shouldn’t feel the need to make such strong statements about his preferred batting position.

I have asked him the very same question about opening innumerable times, but he has remained stoic in saying he will do what’s best for the team. But this time he departed from that in this interview http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-sri-lanka-2014-15/content/video_audio/798815.html. Which goes to show that he desperately feels opening will give them the best chance of winning the Cup. It is a statement which Sanath will find difficult to ignore.

The chief selector probably feels that his has been pinned down into submission by these statements from Mathews, Sangakkar and Mahela and Sanath will not like to feel like he is complying with the cricketer’s orders. That is not a good dynamic at all.

There is no doubt that Sanath, Mahela and Sangakkara are three of the best cricket brains Sri Lanka have produced. Jayasuriya’s analysis in his short stint as a commentator was excellent, despite linguistic limitations. He has always read the game brilliantly. I hope therefore, that this will not lead to another furore and that everyone can pull together to find the best combinations in the lead up to the Cup.