A pose for the Cricket Committee

Outside of the rain hampered games in Australia, focus on the game was on new appointments. This includes additions to the Interim Committee and, another cricket committee assuming duties.

It is in a line-up of star studded cricketers from the nineteen fifties to the early part of this century. No miracle can now bring them back to their playing days but had they all stepped onto the field together, it would have been a very strong line up! Now they have all gone past the forty mark. The senior citizen of the lot, Michael Tissera, is ready to celebrate fifty years since leading St. Thomas’ college, in less than six weeks from now!

Sri Lanka has had the fortune unearthing many, many talented players over the years. It is such talented players who with minimum facilities represented Ceylon and proved more than worthy opponents for visiting test teams. Never in the history of the game has a non test playing nation (Sri Lanka excluded) beaten a test playing nation. Of course Sri Lanka did it twice. Now just twenty five years after being accepted into International Cricket playing nations, they have achieved a tremendous portion of success. Natural talent, personal sacrifice and self discipline have gone a long way to reach these heights.

For this body of past champions, there are three areas that require urgent attention. First, heaps of coaches must be developed with the proper avenues of the subject instilled. Second, there must be at least five academies in different parts of the island. Third, at least twenty five grounds with centre turf and practice facilities must be constructed outside the Colombo district.

Ask Arjuna Ranatunge, Michael Tissera, Aravinda de Silva, Muttiah Muralitharan or any other player who has reached the top in the game and they would admit that there was a coach who taught them the basic techniques with commitment, when they were young. In the past there were many past cricketers who coached for the love of the game, with little or no financial gains. Today, all over the world that has changed and professional coaches have come to stay. Coaches must not drive players to simply win matches. While winning is important, what is more important is to grow steadily in learning the techniques of the game and physically and mentally growing to face the battles at the next level. There must be hundreds of coaches throughout the country working on that principle.

Many youngsters play the game with plenty of enthusiasm whilst at school. Thereafter much greater responsibilities weigh on their shoulders, even as teenagers, they give the game away. Few of the outstanding worm their way up. Some are prepared to stay in the game for while. A vast majority fall by the wayside. There aren’t enough avenues and competitive cricket for them.

Currently there is one academy in Colombo. That is inadequate. In areas where there is sufficient activity such as Galle, Kandy, Kalutara, Negombo and Kurunegala, academies must be established. Players can be drafted from nearby towns and also ease the demand on Colombo. Finishing schools of this nature are essential as attractions to keep youngsters in the game while they strive to get to the next level.

Good turf pitches breed good cricketers. Outside the Colombo district there are only eleven turf pitches. One of them – Radella – is hardly played on. It is amazing with such inadequate facilities this small island with a twenty million population produces cricketers to match the best in the world! It is time to awaken before the production line runs dry, like what has happened in the West Indies.

The need is to construct at least five grounds each. Had this need been addressed by the governing bodies during the past seven to eight years much would have been done. It’s no good cry over spilt milk, it is a urgent requirement, get twenty five turf playing grounds in the next five years.

Then, it’s reported that Rs.500 million has been spent recently on two grounds and SLC are in financial difficulties. Development requires money. It is the task of the Interim Committee. They sure are on a sticky wicket!!