Aravinda de Silva pulls no punches as national selector

Perhaps the biggest surprise of recent weeks - a period packed with resignations, sackings and appointments - was the appointment of Aravinda de Silva as a selector. The cricket board was uneasy but the sports minister was insistent. It's too early to pass judgment but one conclusion is unavoidable: there is now a refreshing openness over the selection process.

The selection panel, headed by Lalith Kaluperuma, a former Sri Lanka offspinner, but dominated by de Silva, have pledged media conferences after every major squad is picked and so far they have been mighty impressive, talking frankly and intelligently about a world previously shrouded in mystery.

On Wednesday, answering questions about the squad selected for the test series against New Zealand, they promised a greater say for the captain and coach in the selection process, explaining the rationale behind the selection of two captains and the introduction of youngsters and urging to the Cricket Board to quickly end the uncertainty over the new coach and physio.

de Silva started by arguing that the time had come for the captain to have his way: "It is very important for them to go according to a plan and they need to have confidence in whomever we pick. They are the ones who are going to 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 were done," he said. "As a person who has played the game and been involved with the team and, through the experiences I've had, we thought it was best we invite the captain, vice captain and coach to ease their pressures on the field."

Of immediate concern to the selectors was the bridging of the divide between domestic and international cricket. They argued that immediate action was required, that the Academy, now being set-up, must be run by competent persons and that more A tours should be arranged.

"There is a lot of potential available in the reserves, but they are not up to the mark yet and they cannot immediately replace the seniors. We have advised the Cricket Board to expose them to playing more 'A' team matches because we can see a vacuum being created," said de Silva.

He said that they had spoken to the New Zealand team management of a possible 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 up with a letter to New Zealand Cricket. And if all goes well we can have a New Zealand side here in August-September and a Sri Lanka 'A' side going there in January-February," he added.

de Silva further argued that it was essential for the national team to recruit a suitable replacement for Alex Kontouri, as soon as possible.

"I don't think it is fair by the players specially in these sort of conditions to go without a top physiotherapist for a test match or a one-day series. We have requested the Cricket Board to appoint someone as soon as possible because it is a priority," said de Silva.

The selectors moved on to the issue of youngsters, explaining that the likes of Kaushal Lokuarachchi, a young legspinner with great potential, needed to be introduced to the international scene carefully.

"Kaushal, we feel, has got a lot of potential and are looking at him as a long term investment. We need to groom a leg spinner for the future to support Muralitharan and whom we feel can take over in the future. We have to try and give him an opportunity when the conditions suit him rather than play him in conditions which are not too familiar," said de Silva.

He said that both Prasanna Jayawardene and Russel Arnold have not been discarded, but would be given the opportunity to play themselves back into the team on form.

"It's a game of confidence and Arnold is lacking that at the moment. He's a step away from a big score and once he gets that I am sure he will take off from there. It's all a matter of getting a big score. It is the same with Prasanna. In Mahela's (Jayawardene) case, we all knew it was only a matter of time because of his class. There are certain players who need time," said de Silva.

He said that discarded fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa has been given a fitness regime and a target to achieve fitness in three months before he would be assessed and considered for selection.

Explaining the reasons for picking two captains for the upcoming test and one-day series, de Silva said that the selection committee decided to restrict Atapattu only to the one-day captaincy because they wanted him to give off his best in the Tests.

"Marvan has been playing really well over the last few months and we want him to be at his best during the Test series. We don't want to put too much pressure on him at this stage and burden him with responsibility because we think 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 take over gradually. That was the whole idea behind appointing two captains," he said.

de Silva said that former Sri Lanka Test batsman Roshan Mahanama should be considered for the national coach's post: "Roshan's knowledge on the game is immense and players like him should be made use of. It's a waste not to use cricketers like Roshan who know the present day needs of a cricketer to perform at top level. It is time to throw away differences and get these people involved in the game. Roshan will be as good as anyone."