Atapattu Slams Selectors

[vic_orthdox]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/atapattu-slams-selectors/2007/11/10/1194329570266.html

Atapattu slams selectors
Chloe Saltau
November 11, 2007

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SRI LANKA'S tour of Australia was in crisis last night after former captain Marvan Atapattu described the chief selector as a joker and his fellow selectors as muppets, while Australia's new-look bowling attack pushed the tourists within eight wickets of defeat in the first Test at the Gabba.

Having weathered a Brett Lee-led onslaught for more than four hours in the first innings, only to be forced to bat again, the 37-year-old opener, who was included in the squad only after government intervention, launched an extraordinary attack on chairman of selectors Asantha de Mel and his representative on tour, Ranjith Madurasinghe.

"I must tell you that Sri Lankan cricket at this point in time, I don't think it is going in the direction it should be going, especially with a set of muppets basically headed by a joker. I don't give credit to the way they have handled things," Atapattu said.

He accepted an invitation from Sri Lankan sports minister Gamini Lokuge only after checking that the two-Test tour fitted in with his plans and was his team's highest scorer with a defiant 51 in the first innings despite not having played competitively since a stint with English club Lashings five months ago.

He insisted Sri Lanka's was a harmonious dressing room in spite of the selection controversy.

"I think we should have a good back-up, but for some reason we don't and at the age of 37, 38 people have to come and play for Sri Lanka on tough tours like this. If selectors are only there for going on tours and getting whatever they are getting, it's a waste of time," Atapattu said.

"We are a happy dressing room at the moment, I'm telling you. People from outside are trying to create this unpleasantness from media and non-playing ex-cricketers giving statements to displease us, but I don't think they have succeeded."

Sri Lanka will start the fourth day at 2-80, trailing by 260 after Australia coped admirably without retired champions Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne with impressive contributions from their direct replacements, debutant Mitchell Johnson and Stuart MacGill.

MacGill removed Chaminda Vaas to claim his 199th Test wicket, and could today become the 13th Australian to join the elite 200 club in his attempt to bowl Australia to victory.

But it was Lee, in his new role as spearhead of the Australian atttack, who was the most dangerous of the Australians, taking 4-26 from 17.5 overs in the first innings and unveiling a new celebration in which he turned to umpire Rudi Koertzen and raised his finger in a pistol-like gesture.

Ricky Ponting enforced the follow on for only the second time from six opportunities in his captaincy, hoping to move in for the kill and wrap up the Test inside four days. Lee and Andrew Symonds heaped more pressure on the tourists by dislodging openers Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya before stumps.

"Everybody did their jobs. We tried to bowl in partnerships today. The key was to stay patient … on what is a flat wicket," Lee said.

Atapattu lamented his side's lack of fight in the first innings, but said the Australians seemed to have managed a seamless transition into the post Warne-McGrath era.

"They are getting together and putting up a collective effort. It's hard to replace two world-class bowlers like that but I'm sure in times to come these guys will stand up and become as good as Warney and McGrath," he said.

"We didn't do justice to our talents … in the first innings. We got some good early balls but that's not a good enough excuse. It is much easier in the second innings, it's only the variable bounce to be careful of. We should get a good partnership going and hopefully be in a better position tomorrow."

 

[Jono]

Yeah was mentioning it in the official tour thread. I reckon he took the perfect opportunity to say what was necessary, and the fact he brought it up in Australia puts even more pressure on the SL selectors because its getting international attention. With it being discussed on C9 commentary, the Cricket Show etc. its allowing Atapattu achieve exactly what he wanted.

Plus, it may well be the last time Atapattu is interviewed in a press conference, and he has/had absolutely nothing to lose.

 

[vic_orthdox]

First time anyone's ever argued against their own inclusion?

 

[Jono]

Lol. Only someone as clearly nice and un-egotistical as Marvan would do that one thinks

 

[Craig]

Does anyone think any action will be taken against Atapattu like being sent home like it has mentioned? Look I have to admire him for saying what he thinks, wished more sports people were like that.

 

[Jono]

I don't think they will, because it'll bring even more publicity to the SL camp, in particular the selectors and other higher cricket authorities.

Even if it does occur, I don't think Atapattu will care too much.

 

[pup11]

I don't think they will, because it'll bring even more publicity to the SL camp, in particular the selectors and other higher cricket authorities.

Even if it does occur, I don't think Atapattu will care too much.

I think the Lankan selectors will take action against him because they are a bunch of dickheads!
Anyways i admire what Marvan said and he choose the perfect platform to do so and the points he has raised are some really valid one's and his only motive is the betterment and welfare of Sri Lankan cricket so really nice to see that blokes like Marvan still exist in sports.

 

[chaminda_00]

I didn't hear him have a go a pretty much the same selectors that made him vice captain ahead of Jayawardene a couple years. The same selectors that made him captain ahead of Jayawardene. The same selectors that kept him in the Test and ODI side when he was struggling to make runs at the back end of his career prior to getting dropped.

The whole thing is a joke, the selectors get attacked when they try and make some tough decisions and drop some under performing older players and try and build a new side. In 2005 before he got dropped he averaged a massive 32 with bat.

The players love the selectors when they do what they want and they can get what they want for them. But as soon as they fall out of favour, they attack them from every corner possible.

The issue is not the selectors, its the whole structure of Sri Lanka Cricket with too many people trying to control the game. Both polictician, former players, selectors, board players and now current cricketers.

The real problem with the selectors if anything is lack of communications. I'm sure we wouldn't have had the problems with Jayasuriya, Atapattu, Zoysa, Chandana and Dharmensena with the lack of communication of why they got dropped.

Both Dilshan and Samaraweera mentioned when they captained Sri Lanka A, they had info why they dropped. Kapu has never been told the areas of the game he needs to work by the selectors. I'm sure Vandort will tell you he never been informed why he was left in the wilderness for so long, same with Chamara Silva.

But at the end of day if everyone could stop trying to put forward their two cents into Sri Lanka Cricket it might get run better.

 

[archie mac]

What did he mean by 'Muppetts"? Is that slang for something in SL or are we talking Miss Piggy?

 

[Son Of Coco]

What did he mean by 'Muppetts"? Is that slang for something in SL or are we talking Miss Piggy?

It's actually British slang as far as I know...I heard it a fair bit over there. He's saying they're idiots.

He's probably right...there seems to be a lot of politics in play.

 

[archie mac]

It's actually British slang as far as I know...I heard it a fair bit over there. He's saying they're idiots.

He's probably right...there seems to be a lot of politics in play.

Okay thanks mate

 

[JASON]

Reproduced my post from SL in Australia thread -(in response to 'Should Atapattu be selected for Hobart' )

He should , because he has a good defensive technique even if he doesn't score too many runs a 40 or 50 is more than what others have managed....But not sure about Team morale and discipline...Was this the Right time to make these comments...Did he want to be a Hero to all those people from the Press who were affected by the Blackout ..Was he trying to get his 15 minutes of Fame here ?

IMO he could've waited till after the Test or better still after the Series...Even if these comments are not directed at the Team it does impact team morale when someone goes out on a loose cannon like this...

Having said that, I agree with most of what he said..but not the entirety ....The selectors were damn stupid even in this Test by keeping a guy like Malinga in the sidelines when he could've made a real difference on the opening morning and afternoon...

I think the selectors were right in recalling Atapattu for this series because of the inexperience and poor form of guys like Tharanga and worse still the poor form of 38 year old Sanath...I think the selectors and the Sports Minister panicked after their poor showing against England and in particular by Sanath's poor form and quite rightly called for or begged Atapattu's return, for which he has repaid him very nicely last night...

As far as SL's long term planning goes...I agree with Atapattu, SL selectors have no vision...they have been under frequent Political interference ...frequent changes of Board Chairmen and their Hoons...each board lasting 1-2 years only and consequently each bunch of selectors last that amount of time only ...Thugs and Mafia elements in SL have tried to control SL Cricket in the past and surprisingly when they controlled SL cricket these issues were not there ...more by luck and co-incidenace rather than any visionary things done by the mafia people..

Combined with these the frequent changes of Coaches...Moody was damn good ...he was more worthwhile holding onto than the entire Cricket board and their hangers on...The dummies failed to realise this ...or in their damn short sightedness let him go without offering him adequate incentive to stay....Bayliss is ok but he seems just an ordinary coach ...he can't pull anything exceptional like Moody...Its what you get for what you pay...Moody should've been retained...and If SL lose this series 2-0, I will be happy...because of that reason alone...

SL cricket boards have had Political interference for over 15 years...Politicians have wanted to control it and have their dummies in positions of power at SL cricket...and the SL Sports Minister by some constituitional decree has total control of the Cricket Board as it is today....So he can dismiss Cricket boards..He can dismiss Selectors ...He can appoint selection committees at his fancy whenever it pleases him to do so...there lies the fundamental flaw ...and there lies the Politicians desire to appoint their Cronies to control SL Cricket...this then flows onto Team selections too....

On top of this When Politicians have not been involved, and whenever free elections have been held ...the contests have seen Mudslinging , membership stacking by different opposing elements...then Mafia bosses and Book Makers have been controlling SL Cricket followed by Business elements with vested interests .....The decent Educated Professionals and other smart Clean living Sri Lankans have run away from participating in SL Cricket's activities for fear of these above mentioned elements.... Can you blame them...The Educated , Decent , Intelligentsia in Sri Lanka in general and Colombo in particular keep away from SL Cricket ...because of fear of being targeted by these people...

The only way forward for SL Cricket is to make it Constitutionally independant of control from the Sports Minister for one....To get rid of rogue and undesirable elements amongst them ...or make some fundamental law making it illegal for people with book maker interests and the like from holding office... The Minister and the Government should get Educated , Decent clean living Sri Lankans and past Cricketers to participate or become part of SL Cricket board...

As for developing talented Cricketers...they are already there ...in the schools and rural areas of Sri Lanka...they need to be nutured and developed... and perhaps additional funding and even having a committe of ex-cricketers involved in this may be the way to go...

WRT ageing Cricketers in SL , Atapttu's career by his own admission must come to an end after this series...and perhaps Jayasuriya's too...

 

[vic_orthdox]

Seems like you ended up changing your tact on Moody a fair bit, JASON? You were very quick to write him off, and I think you've been very quick to write of Bayliss as "just an ordinary coach".

 

[archie mac]

Reproduced my post from SL in Australia thread -(in response to 'Should Atapattu be selected for Hobart' )

He should , because he has a good defensive technique even if he doesn't score too many runs a 40 or 50 is more than what others have managed....But not sure about Team morale and discipline...Was this the Right time to make these comments...Did he want to be a Hero to all those people from the Press who were affected by the Blackout ..Was he trying to get his 15 minutes of Fame here ?

IMO he could've waited till after the Test or better still after the Series...Even if these comments are not directed at the Team it does impact team morale when someone goes out on a loose cannon like this...

Having said that, I agree with most of what he said..but not the entirety ....The selectors were damn stupid even in this Test by keeping a guy like Malinga in the sidelines when he could've made a real difference on the opening morning and afternoon...

I think the selectors were right in recalling Atapattu for this series because of the inexperience and poor form of guys like Tharanga and worse still the poor form of 38 year old Sanath...I think the selectors and the Sports Minister panicked after their poor showing against England and in particular by Sanath's poor form and quite rightly called for or begged Atapattu's return, for which he has repaid him very nicely last night...

As far as SL's long term planning goes...I agree with Atapattu, SL selectors have no vision...they have been under frequent Political interference ...frequent changes of Board Chairmen and their Hoons...each board lasting 1-2 years only and consequently each bunch of selectors last that amount of time only ...Thugs and Mafia elements in SL have tried to control SL Cricket in the past and surprisingly when they controlled SL cricket these issues were not there ...more by luck and co-incidenace rather than any visionary things done by the mafia people..

Combined with these the frequent changes of Coaches...Moody was damn good ...he was more worthwhile holding onto than the entire Cricket board and their hangers on...The dummies failed to realise this ...or in their damn short sightedness let him go without offering him adequate incentive to stay....Bayliss is ok but he seems just an ordinary coach ...he can't pull anything exceptional like Moody...Its what you get for what you pay...Moody should've been retained...and If SL lose this series 2-0, I will be happy...because of that reason alone...

SL cricket boards have had Political interference for over 15 years...Politicians have wanted to control it and have their dummies in positions of power at SL cricket...and the SL Sports Minister by some constituitional decree has total control of the Cricket Board as it is today....So he can dismiss Cricket boards..He can dismiss Selectors ...He can appoint selection committees at his fancy whenever it pleases him to do so...there lies the fundamental flaw ...and there lies the Politicians desire to appoint their Cronies to control SL Cricket...this then flows onto Team selections too....

On top of this When Politicians have not been involved, and whenever free elections have been held ...the contests have seen Mudslinging , membership stacking by different opposing elements...then Mafia bosses and Book Makers have been controlling SL Cricket followed by Business elements with vested interests .....The decent Educated Professionals and other smart Clean living Sri Lankans have run away from participating in SL Cricket's activities for fear of these above mentioned elements.... Can you blame them...The Educated , Decent , Intelligentsia in Sri Lanka in general and Colombo in particular keep away from SL Cricket ...because of fear of being targeted by these people...

The only way forward for SL Cricket is to make it Constitutionally independant of control from the Sports Minister for one....To get rid of rogue and undesirable elements amongst them ...or make some fundamental law making it illegal for people with book maker interests and the like from holding office... The Minister and the Government should get Educated , Decent clean living Sri Lankans and past Cricketers to participate or become part of SL Cricket board...

As for developing talented Cricketers...they are already there ...in the schools and rural areas of Sri Lanka...they need to be nutured and developed... and perhaps additional funding and even having a committe of ex-cricketers involved in this may be the way to go...

WRT ageing Cricketers in SL , Atapttu's career by his own admission must come to an end after this series...and perhaps Jayasuriya's too...

Did not agree with all of that, but a good post Jason I for one enjoyed the cricket today, good tough stuff, and I was happy the SL team did not capitulate

 

[JASON]

Seems like you ended up changing your tact on Moody a fair bit, JASON? You were very quick to write him off, and I think you've been very quick to write of Bayliss as "just an ordinary coach".

Moody was a bit slow at the start to make his mark, but then he really made a difference...And it was a shame he was allowed to leave...

Bayliss is ok, but he starts with a Team expected to perform far better than when Moody started ...and he has really so far not made much impact as can be seen in the 6 months he has been there - as evidenced by 20/20...peformances v England ...and here v Australia ...

One of Moody's great achievements was how (with Trevor Penney) he made SL fielding as good as the Aussies...or close to it...you can see in this Test already the standards in fielding have gone down hill ...the 2 dropped by Samaraweera and Jayawardene would have been unheard of under Moody..

 

[JASON]

Did not agree with all of that, but a good post Jason I for one enjoyed the cricket today, good tough stuff, and I was happy the SL team did not capitulate

Thanks mate.

 

[lionheart]

Did anyone else laugh out loud as Mark Nicholas mentioned how 'talented youngsters' such as Jehan Mubarak were being kept out by the selection process? What an absolute joke. He only keeps getting selected for tours because of his family's considerable clout. How many years has his selection robbed Sri Lankan cricket of Chamara Silva? I don't think there has been a single cricketer who’s so consistently proven his utter lack of talent and resolve, yet remained a contracted national player for as long. He'd struggle to get picked for Bangladesh.

Marv is an absolute hero. Sure Runatunga has said the same thing on many occasions but he said all those things after he retired. There couldn’t have been better circumstances for Attapatu to take a stand. I haven’t enjoyed a press post-match press conference as much since Wayne Bennett’s refused to acknowledge the Bronco’s form slump.

The bureaucracy is destroying SL cricket. The team should be selected by the coach and the captain. SL cricket does not need a panel of corrupt politicians, corporate lackeys, hired goons and charity cases to pick the best 11 players in Sri Lanka. If you flew to Sri Lanka tomorrow and decided you wanted to discover the cream of SL’s cricketing talent - you'd be done within a week. These people have been a scourge on the game since 96 when the money flooded in and the bastards have had their hands in the kitty ever since.

Attapatu had to be recalled for this tour given the state of the SL batting stocks. Tharanga simply cannot continue to be selected simply because he is the 'future'. He has to perform and he hasn't done that in either form of the game consistently and most worryingly in the last 12 months.

In an ideal universe, we would have been able to Warnapura, Kapugedera or Perera in place of Atapattu, Jayasuriya and Samaraweera. But we can’t because the selectors haven’t give them the opportunity, and when they have been thrown a bone, it's against Bangladesh or Zimbabwe.

Hopefully this will change because of Attapatu stand, but I doubt it.

 

[chaminda_00]

Isn't the selectors team made up of former cricketers, yeah they played politics to get into their positions. But didn't Vaas and Tillerkeratne use politics to get the captaincy ahead of Atapattu and Jayawardene.

Then Atapattu goes and uses polictics himself to get him on tour, so he can finish his Test career the way he wants to. Irony at its best IMO.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Moody was a bit slow at the start to make his mark, but then he really made a difference...And it was a shame he was allowed to leave...

Bayliss is ok, but he starts with a Team expected to perform far better than when Moody started ...and he has really so far not made much impact as can be seen in the 6 months he has been there - as evidenced by 20/20...peformances v England ...and here v Australia ...

One of Moody's great achievements was how (with Trevor Penney) he made SL fielding as good as the Aussies...or close to it...you can see in this Test already the standards in fielding have gone down hill ...the 2 dropped by Samaraweera and Jayawardene would have been unheard of under Moody..

I find it utterly incongruous that you can attribute Mahela Jayawardene dropping a catch to there being a change of coach.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Moody was a bit slow at the start to make his mark, but then he really made a difference...And it was a shame he was allowed to leave...

Bayliss is ok, but he starts with a Team expected to perform far better than when Moody started ...and he has really so far not made much impact as can be seen in the 6 months he has been there - as evidenced by 20/20...peformances v England ...and here v Australia ...

One of Moody's great achievements was how (with Trevor Penney) he made SL fielding as good as the Aussies...or close to it...you can see in this Test already the standards in fielding have gone down hill ...the 2 dropped by Samaraweera and Jayawardene would have been unheard of under Moody..

I find it utterly incongruous that you can attribute Mahela Jayawardene dropping a catch to there being a change of coach.