Perhaps the biggest surprise of recent weeks – a period packed withresignations, sackings and appointments – was the appointment of Aravinda deSilva as a selector

Wisden CricInfo24-Apr-2003Perhaps the biggest surprise of recent weeks – a period packed withresignations, sackings and appointments – was the appointment of Aravinda deSilva as a selector. The cricket board was uneasy but the sports ministerwas insistent. It’s too early to pass judgment but one conclusion isunavoidable: there is now a refreshing openness over the selection process.© ReutersThe selection panel, headed by Lalith Kaluperuma, a former Sri Lankaoffspinner, but dominated by de Silva, have pledged media conferences afterevery major squad is picked and so far they have been mighty impressive,talking frankly and intelligently about a world previously shrouded inmystery.On Wednesday, answering questions about the squad selected for the testseries against New Zealand, they promised a greater say for the captain andcoach in the selection process, explaining the rationale behind theselection of two captains and the introduction of youngsters and urging tothe Cricket Board to quickly end the uncertainty over the new coach andphysio.de Silva started by arguing that the time had come for the captain to havehis way: “It is very important for them to go according to a plan and theyneed to have confidence in whomever we pick. They are the ones who are goingto perform out there and take the decisions. It is our duty to give them,whom they feel they are confident with.””When I was vice captain I was never called upon for any selection meetings.Even when I was part of the team, I don’t think that was how things weredone,” he said. “As a person who has played the game and been involved withthe team and, through the experiences I’ve had, we thought it was best weinvite the captain, vice captain and coach to ease their pressures on thefield.”Of immediate concern to the selectors was the bridging of the divide betweendomestic and international cricket. They argued that immediate action wasrequired, that the Academy, now being set-up, must be run by competentpersons and that more A tours should be arranged.© Reuters”There is a lot of potential available in the reserves, but they are not upto the mark yet and they cannot immediately replace the seniors. We haveadvised the Cricket Board to expose them to playing more ‘A’ team matchesbecause we can see a vacuum being created,” said de Silva.He said that they had spoken to the New Zealand team management of apossible exchange of ‘A’ tours on a reciprocal basis and they (New Zealand)had sounded very keen. We have requested our Cricket Board to follow it upwith a letter to New Zealand Cricket. And if all goes well we can have a NewZealand side here in August-September and a Sri Lanka ‘A’ side going therein January-February,” he added.de Silva further argued that it was essential for the national team torecruit a suitable replacement for Alex Kontouri, as soon as possible.”I don’t think it is fair by the players specially in these sort ofconditions to go without a top physiotherapist for a test match or a one-dayseries. We have requested the Cricket Board to appoint someone as soon aspossible because it is a priority,” said de Silva.The selectors moved on to the issue of youngsters, explaining that the likesof Kaushal Lokuarachchi, a young legspinner with great potential, needed tobe introduced to the international scene carefully.”Kaushal, we feel, has got a lot of potential and are looking at him as along term investment. We need to groom a leg spinner for the future tosupport Muralitharan and whom we feel can take over in the future. We haveto try and give him an opportunity when the conditions suit him rather thanplay him in conditions which are not too familiar,” said de Silva.He said that both Prasanna Jayawardene and Russel Arnold have not beendiscarded, but would be given the opportunity to play themselves back intothe team on form.”It’s a game of confidence and Arnold is lacking that at the moment. He’s astep away from a big score and once he gets that I am sure he will take offfrom there. It’s all a matter of getting a big score. It is the same withPrasanna. In Mahela’s (Jayawardene) case, we all knew it was only a matterof time because of his class. There are certain players who need time,” saidde Silva.He said that discarded fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa has been given a fitnessregime and a target to achieve fitness in three months before he would beassessed and considered for selection.© ReutersExplaining the reasons for picking two captains for the upcoming test andone-day series, de Silva said that the selection committee decided torestrict Atapattu only to the one-day captaincy because they wanted him togive off his best in the Tests.”Marvan has been playing really well over the last few months and we wanthim to be at his best during the Test series. We don’t want to put too muchpressure on him at this stage and burden him with responsibility because wethink he is young enough to carry on for a long period,” said de Silva.”We want to try and divert pressure into two areas so that Marvan can takeover gradually. That was the whole idea behind appointing two captains,” hesaid.de Silva said that former Sri Lanka Test batsman Roshan Mahanama should beconsidered for the national coach’s post: “Roshan’s knowledge on the game isimmense and players like him should be made use of. It’s a waste not to usecricketers like Roshan who know the present day needs of a cricketer toperform at top level. It is time to throw away differences and get thesepeople involved in the game. Roshan will be as good as anyone.”