Sri Lanka Cricket is in crisis again! When all other cricket playing nations have almost finalized their core group of players for the next year world cup, Sri Lanka have changed the captain again. Angelo Mathews, who had been virtually dragged to captain Sri Lanka at the time of crisis few months ago, now has been removed. Same ‘so called’ professionals Graeme Labrooy and Chandika Hathurusingha, who bagged Mathews to take over, now have forced him to resign! The big question is, as Mathews himself pointed out in his resignation letter, why only he is the responsible for Sri Lanka poor show in recent months, especially in Asia Cup?
The story goes to few months back. In December 2017, Thilanga Sumathipala, a man who has completely ruined Sri Lanka Cricket in almost every aspect, was battling for survival. Match fixing charges, national team’s below per performance and corruption charges within SLC. So, he played a master stroke – by bringing Chandika Hathurusingha as head coach! The kind of a shrewd tactician Sumathipala is, he knew that Hathurusingha would hide all his wrongdoings at least for few months.
That’s where, Sumathipala committed a big mistake! In order to hide behind Hathurusingha, he ended up giving him all the powers and complete Authority to high profile Coach.
As per the SLC constitution, the national team manager becomes selector on overseas tour. After arrival of Hathurusingha, Sumathipala changed this clause. Moreover, he gave Hathurusingha the additional power of being the chief selector on overseas tours. So now, whenever Sri Lanka goes on overseas tours, Hathurusingha runs the show – he selects the team as chief selector on tour, he coach the team, and he direct the team on field as well. For example in Asia Cup. SLC sent one of the selector Eric Upashantha with the team. But, with that new clause, he turned out only a spectator.
Not only selectors, in this scenario, captain, manager and all other coaching staff comes under Hathurusingha!
Then, the most obvious question is : why only Mathews is responsible for Asia Cup debacle, when Hathurusingha has all the power and final say in everything?
“I am Willing to take part of the blame but at the same time, feel betrayed and let down if the blame is solely put on me. As you know all decisions are taken through a mutual understanding with selectors and the head coach” Mathews said in his resignation letter.
The reality is that right from the beginning, Hathurusingha is running the show! He has become one man army. In his last few months with Bangladesh, then test captain Mushfiqur Rahim cried in a Press conference by stating that he is just following the orders of the coach and is not allowed to take decisions.
The same thing happened with Mathews! He followed, whatever Hathurusingha decided.
So, when Hathurusingha is enjoying all the power, why he is not taking the responsibility? Why he made Mathews a scapegoat?
“Though I was initially surprised, it was immediately felt that I have been made the scapegoat in the entire saga of Sri Lanka’s dismal performance against Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the Asia Cup” Mathews said on his removal is shorter formats captain.
It is quite evident that more than Mathews, Hathurusingha is responsible for Sri Lanka debacle. He came with big reputation, made promises. Now, eight months away from the world cup, Sri Lanka Cricket is on ventilator. Reason, Sri Lanka Cricket expected him to coach Sri Lanka. Instead he became a manipulater!
