Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Sports Minister Harin Fernando Monday picked a ‘proxy’ Chief Selector In former International Upul Tharanga! Former test opener Tharanga Paranavithana and mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis are the other members of the committee. If survive, Tharanga-led selection committee’s first assignment will be to pick Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming white-ball series against Zimbabwe.
Tharanga was undoubtedly one of the most elegant and successful opener for Sri Lanka, specially in 50 over cricket. However, as a strategist, he was one of the worst and utterly clueless!
Top of that, Tharanga is still an active domestic cricketer! Even in the ongoing 3-day tournament, he played 5 First Class matches, representing Nondescripts Sports Club (NCC). He participates in the Legends League as well, which is designed specifically for Internationally retired players!
Most Importantly, Tharanga lacks strategic skills, that makes him another ‘proxy’ chief selector, like his predecessor Pramodaya Wickramasinghe, who was mere a rubber stamp for a former Sri Lanka Captain!
“How can an active player be appointed on such a high profile post? It’s conflict of interest. Also, Chairman of Selection Committee has to be someone with stature and demand respect. Tharanga lacks these attributes” a Sri Lanka Cricket expert told Cricket Age.
