Fielding takes center stage as new selection panel takes charge  

by Rex Clementine

The national cricket team’s poor fielding standards became a focal point as the new selection panel headed by former captain Upul Tharanga took charge yesterday, introducing their selection policies after three years of mediocracy for Sri Lankan cricket.

Tharanga’s predecessors guarded selection policies like state secrets and didn’t attend even a single media briefing during their disastrous tenure. They were masters of backdoor moves and were answerable to no one. The new panel promised to be transparent after a testing period for the national cricket team.

Tharanga explained that his policy is to work with seniors while encouraging young talent and highlighted several areas that needed to be addressed. He put down his long-term goal as the 2027 World Cup while short term goal as the upcoming T-20 World Cup in the US and West Indies. Into the bargain, there is a three match Test series as well in England.

“Our fielding has been a letdown. Modern day cricket is very challenging and for 50 overs cricket, your fitness levels have to be up there. We are discussing with High Performance Center (HPC) as to how we can keep the intensity levels high. I am sure HPC will make the necessary changes,” Chairman of the new panel Upul Tharanga told journalists.

Former opening batsman Tharanga Paranavithana, veteran First Class cricketer Indika de Saram and former spinners Ajantha Mendis and Dilruwan Perera form the new selection panel along with Tharanga.

Another area that Tharanga highlighted was that wickets prepared for domestic cricket seemed to be well below par. Throughout the domestic tournament in recent years there have been some low scoring games.

“The wickets we get in domestic cricket aren’t ideal as when you go overseas for international games, usually white ball cricket, you get flat wickets. We need to address this issue urgently. We have discussed a method whereby we will have five national curators who will monitor the wickets from next season on.

Tharanga insisted that indiscipline will not be tolerated among players. Poor behaviour is rampant among Sri Lankan players and often they get away with slaps on the wrist.

Less than a week after being appointed captain of the ODI team, Kusal Mendis was in the news as he had smashed the dressing room door of Bloomfield ground after being dismissed for a duck and then later had allegedly scolded the club manager in filth.

Tharanga said that Sri Lanka Cricket had asked Sinhalese Sports Club to look into the matter and an inquiry is on.