The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka [BCCSL] is at present in full stride.

Recently it had made three glaring changes and one wondered as to how many more changes there would be in the near future.

To start with the five gentlemen on the Board’s Selection Committee failed to consider one of our senior cricketers for next month’s tour of South Africa. When the decision was made, cricket fans around the country said that it was unfair as that senior cricketer was too good to be dropped from the tour. That cricketers experience in the game is such, that his presence in the team will certainly be an asset to our young ‘uns in the side. His current form may be disappointing, but he is such a gifted player that he could turn the tables in our favour when least expected.

However, none of us would challenge, the decision more by the Selection Committee as those five gentlemen know what is best and what’s required at the present moment.

One of the selectors did say that the squad chosen for the South African tour consisted of young ones and that the policy of the Cricket Board was to groom youngsters for the future. That individual also maintained that the present team was in good trim and most of all blending as a team. Substituting one of them with a veteran campaigner or even a world class player will only create a disunity in the team which has done well in recent times.

The second stand taken by the Board was to bring in a new Team Manager [a high ranking serviceman], and the authorities should be congratulated for an excellent job done. Actually there couldn’t be a better chance. Everyone of us could be assured that the new broom will sweep well and also to perfection. He is a member of military discipline, and our national cricketers should certainly benefit by his presence and guidance. Many would remember that individual play with success for his school and later, for two top clubs in the Cricket Board’s Division I tournament and subsequently for his military team also in the same tournament.

The third blast by the Board was to send its Chief Executive on an indefinite period of compulsory leave for disciplinary reasons. His place has been taken by a former national captain.

Match fixing is at present the talk of the town and the plague has tarnished the world’s cricket scene in no uncertain manner. Our very own sphere too has been affected by it and one wonders as to how many more local victims there would be.(RLF)