ICC honours list found wanting

The consensus is that the most deserving have conveniently been left out in the International Cricket Council’s move to honour people who have served the game of cricket voluntarily in every Test playing country.

In the list of 50 such personalties picked in Sri Lanka by a committee comprising Anura Tennekoon, Ranil Abeynaike, Nishntha Ranatunga and Nuski Mohammed, some of the most deserving have been left out.

Now we are not trying to start a quarrel or take the committee to task. At the outset we must mention that the committee was entrusted with a job that not many would have liked to perform.

Having said that, had the committee been a bit more careful and advertised and made it public that a list to honour those having voluntarily helped the game, is being prepared and those with the necessary credentials could apply, then there could have been transparency and a lot of ill feeling could have been avoided.

It was great to see the only lady who had been involved in game over the years Gwen Herath not been forgotten but given her due. She has been the President of the Puttalam District Association, served the game in many capacities and women’s cricket is what it is today thanks to all her hard work. She also served on the ICC committee for women’s cricket. If invited to serve on Sri Lanka Cricket she will have a lot to offer.

But now as it stands, the committee is being rubbished and that’s how it will remain for a long time to come. Even the credentials of the committee are being questioned and the question is who appointed them? Then it was amusing to read that Arjuna Ranatunga’s name had not been included in the original list submitted to the ICC and that the ICC sheiks in Dubai had included the former Sri Lanka captain’s name.

Now we would like to ask the committee how such an illustrious name and one who helped Sri Lanka win the World Cup tournament came to be ignored, omitted or conveniently forgotten? That was a sacrilege committed by the committee.

And hurt Ranatunga would have been that he skipped the presentation ceremony. After all his inclusion was an after thought. He certainly did not deserve this kind of poor treatment.

Then we come to former President of Sri Lanka Cricket Thilanga Sumathipala. Now it is reported that his name was included in that list and that the ICC had chopped it. Now how come the ICC have the power to do what they did. The moment that was done the committee should have resigned.

Sumathipala’s story has been one of allegations and nothing but allegations. He has been stoned, rubbished and taken to the cleaners only by allegations and nothing has been proved. Why must Sumathipala suffer this ignominy?

Then among many who have been left out an injustice that cries to the high heavens for redemption is the omission of Dr. H.I.K. Fernando who was at one time known as the best wicket keeper in Asia. Now knowing the unassuming doctor, he would not worry much about his omission. But then he deserves honour and not dishonour.

Then how come that former skipper Ranjan Madugalle who has brought great honour by being appointed the chief of match referees and Roshan Mahanama who is now a match referee and done so much for the game ignored or forgotten?

Now the damage has been done and the committee will not receive kind words.

Chaminda Vaas retires

At the time this is being read, the first day’s play in the final Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the SSC would be over.

While the series has already been decided with Sri Lanka winning, the final Test will be of little significance as to the outcome with Sri Lanka looking to clean sweep and Pakistan looking to salvage lost prestige, but the Test can help rewrite record books in all departments of the game.

What is interesting however to note is the retirement of opening bowler Chaminda Vaas from the established game after a chequered career. He was recalled for the final Test against Pakistan probably with the selectors wanting to see that he gets a farewell and Vaas did right in announcing his retirement before the selectors could dump him which would have been an insult to him.

At the height of his career he was one, if not the best of his kind going in world cricket. He carried all before him and he was a wonderful team man and always served the cause of cricket like a true sportsman.

With a lovely run up, pace giving jump at the time of delivery and a superb follow through, he was a model for all budding fast bowlers. He has over 300 wickets in both Test and 50 over cricket which is a truly great effort.

Like Glen McGrath and Shane Warne for Australia, Vaas and Muttiah Muralitheran carried Sri Lanka’s cricket to great heights and now that he will be playing his final game, one thing is certain and that is that he will endeavour to got out in a blaze of glory.

It is said that all good things must come to an end and this saying rings true for Chaminda Vaas.