Fit for inclusion in rugby jokes

For starters we leave the cricket scene and move on to the rugby scene that is Sri Lanka and the boob of boobs committed by the selectors of the game.

We could not believe our eyes and probably all other readers too would have had the same feeling when scanning the morning dailies on Thursday to note that the selectors had picked two captains for the tour of Chinese Taipei for the HSBC Asian Five nations division one tournament from November 12 to 15.

Now if this is not the joke of jokes then tell me what is.

There are books - Rugby jokes - More rugby jokes - Rugby songs - and what Rugby jokes did next. And when the compilers of these jokes and songs next sit to refresh these editions, will we are sure include the two captains joke and give it top billing.

The set of selectors who coined the local rugby jokes - are Rohan Abeykoon (chairman), Hafeel Marso, Chaminda Rupasinghe, Nazeem Mohammed and Rohantha Pieris.

Now in every nook and corner, especially in the clubs and even in the schools, it would be grand if portraits of the selectors are hung prominently, because they must be remembered.

What is the logic in picking two captains is the question posed by not only rugby players and fans, but all other sports fans. And they are right in asking that question.

Now that the rugby selectors have set a joke of a precedent, all other national sports selectors would not be faulted if they too followed the style of the rugby selectors.

Take for instance cricket. When Sri Lanka plays three Test matches, the selectors should appoint three captains. Ditto in the number of one-day internationals played.

After all isn't it the ambition of every player sporting national colours to captain the country. So the rugby selectors have shown how, and other selectors would be cheered and hosannas sung in their honour if they follow suit.

The selectors in picking two captains have apparently admitted the fact that there would a split in the squad. The Kandy Sports Club players objected to their former teammate Dhusanth Lewke being made captain. Now in the game that Lewke captains are the KSC players going to stage a strike and say that they are not going to play under Lewke?

The other captain Dilantha Wijesekera must be wondering why he had to be dragged into and made a part of this joke.

Our sympathies are with Dhusanth Lewke. He served KSC to the best of his playing ability and helping them to many victories and trophies and he had good reason for not playing for them this season.

We wonder whether that has prompted KSC players to hit back and scrum for his blood.

Another question that rugby circles is asking is: Why was the previous selection committee removed from the scrum? Some reckon that it was because they refused to have anything to do with the KSC players.

It must be galling for the original players who were training hard and diligently for a long period to suddenly find themselves kicked to touch by the parachutists.

The two South African coaches Dawnie Snyman and Norman Laker must be laughing their guts out at the mockery that the game is in Sri Lanka and they must also be regretting their involvement here.

Another joke is the turncoat who originally agreed the selection of Lewke as captain and then did a sommersault, putting to shame par excellence gymnasts. Where's the conscience?.

That the selectors resigned was a good thing for the sport. The flimsy excuse they gave was that a player was removed from the squad without their consent and knowledge.

The selectors who boobed by appointing two captains and made the local sport world laugh had to save face and this they did by finding an excuse and resigning.

With all that is not rugby taking place one wonders how the team can perform in Taipei. There obviously will be no team spirit and when team spirit is lacking how can one expect a team effort, which is so very essential for success.

Ranji Trophy cricket

Good that Muttiah Muralitheran, Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof will be seen in action for clubs in India in the Ranji Trophy Tournament. This circuit is very competitive and the action is tough.

This is the first time that clubs in india have signed up players from Sri Lanka.

Being paid for their services the clubs are sure to work them to the ground.

How the two bowlers Muralitheran and Fernando will cope with the heavy work load will be interesting to watch. Fernando is injury prone and will have to stave off any injuries if his career is to gather momentum.

Maharoof has just recovered from injury and his work load will be heavier being an allrounder. However this fling will be an experience for the threesome.

Aussie coaches

Is the sacking of Australian coach Geoff Lawson by Pakistan the first sign that kangaroo coaches are now being shunned?. Lawson had problems from the time he took to showing the Pakistanis now.

With Aussie cricket now losing its appeal, the coaches too will suffer and countries would not want to have them. That is how the game goes.

Pakistan have again opted for former captain and coach Intikhab Alam to put their game right and make it a power once again. He was a good allrounder during his time with clever leg tweakers being his forte.

How he will go and how long he will last will be worth waiting and watching.