- Charges money motivates players and administrators
- Notes Rs 600 million spent on lawyers since 2023
- Berates SLC for lack of prep ahead of England tour
Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga says neither the President nor the Minister of Sports were clueless on the direction for cricket in Sri Lanka, and bemoaned the current parlous state of the national team.
Speaking during a recent event, the ex-Minister who has been a vocal critic of the sport said a situation has been created for some time in which those who speak their mind on cricket or even for that matter reveal the truth, were forced to face legal hurdles.
“Today, I don’t know whether even the President or the Sports Minister is concerned about the direction of cricket in this country,” the 62-year-old 1996 World Cup-winning skipper stated.
“It (cricket) is in such an abysmal state. It's no surprise that we continue to stumble from one loss to another.”
Ranatunga, remarked that a sum in excess of Rs 600 million which ought to have been channeled for the upliftment of the game at rural level had been incurred as legal costs during the past three-year period alone.
“During the past three years over Rs 600 million had been spent on lawyers by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC),” he pointed out.
“This is a staggering amount that has been wasted, which otherwise could have been utilised for the development of cricket at grassroot level. What action is taken against those administrators for this wanton wastage of public money, nobody knows.”
Ranatunga, then rounded on the sport’s domestic governing body, and rapped them for failing to ensure that players returned from the West Indies playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL)-a domestic T20 franchise tournament-in time to prepare for the current England tour.
“I heard that the team had only gone to England 10-days ahead for training,” he said. “However, half of the team had been involved in the CPL in the West Indies. This type of thing was not heard during our playing days. Thank God, T20 cricket was not in vogue then, as it is now.”
He further charged that the current administration helming SLC under Eran Wickramaratne, had failed to send the full-compliment of the national squad for an important bilateral series, and insisted that alone underscores where the priorities lay of the powers that be.
“It's plainly obvious as to what the priorities are of these administrators and the players. The country does not come first anymore. It’s the filthy lucre that motivates all of them, and this is the stark truth and reality.”
Ranatunga questioned why several players joined the national team late despite the team travelling to England approximately 10 days early for preparations.
He argued that national commitments should take priority when scheduling franchise cricket participation, but lamented that lack of proper direction from the top has been the malaise afflicting the game.
When Sri Lanka departed for England, only one group of players travelled from Sri Lanka, while others joined separately, some after the first practice game.
A significant number of coaching staff members, including head coach Gary Kirsten, were also not part of the group that departed from Sri Lanka on its ongoing white-ball tour of England.
Ranatunga also blamed repeated administrative bungling for Sri Lanka’s declining performances, urging the public not to hold the players solely responsible for the dismal results on the field.
He further alleged that previous cricket administrations had influenced certain sections of the media through overseas tours and financial payments.
The charismatic ex-captain stressed that Sri Lanka still possessed talented cricketers but noted that the country was in dire need of a professional administration, steadfast leadership and efficient preparation.
Sri Lanka were blanked 3-0 in the three-match T20I series by Harry Brook’s team and currently trail England 1-0 in the three-match ODI series at the time of writing, after being thumped by 89-runs in the series opener at Chester-Le-Street on Tuesday (22).