Mendis content despite losing selection job
Sri Lankan cricket legend Duleep Mendis was dragged through the mud in recent times by critics who incessantly questioned the judgment of his team of selectors for the recent string of losses the national team suffered, and has paid a heavy price just for doing a great job, but is a contented man today though he has lost his job.
“I have no regrets. I knew all along that I was doing the right thing. It is for my country and I know that when you are doing a service to the country, personal attacks are negligible. The country always comes first for me. I endured all attacks and humiliation because they all were a small personal price I had to pay for the greater cause. Today I am a satisfied man. The perfor mance of our boys in South Africa proved beyond doubt that we picked the correct players,” Mendis said yesterday as Sri Lanka kept their heads high ending the tour of South Africa despite losing both Test and ODI series.
“The way our boys fought back and the spirit they showed in the face of all adversity was phenomenal. I believe we had it all even in the ODI series. Just how they chased 300 plus scores successfully in the last two matches shows the character of the new look Sri Lanka. The match that was decided on Duckworth-lewis after rain could have gone either way, and I believe we had a great chance if it went for full 50 overs. That was the difference between winning and losing the series.” Mendis said.
“Three new boys Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Sachitra Senanayake were picked by us because we saw their potential and promise for the future. Today they have proved themselves beyond doubt. Those who criticized the selectors conveniently forget all the good things we did,” added Mendis.
Mendis also said the first Test win in South Africa achieved by the team was no mean task and said that he was glad to make his contribution by picking the correct players.
“I feel vindicated after all that rain of criticism we received and I also salute my fellow selectors for doing a great job,” said Mendis who has been an exceptional influence on Sri Lanka cricket for past forty years and has a unique record of holding so many positions – almost all – in addition to being a star player who entertained the crowds with his swashbuckling batting.he has been the national captain, coach, manager, chief selector, SLC CEO and even the SLC Interim president in the past.
By Channaka de Silva
you have not mentioned anything about Thilan Samaraweera??, keeping him out of the team was biggest blunder
He is financially better off so why worry but he has not stated the reason Ajantha mendis has been sideline after being the best economical bowler in the world cup economy rate 3.33 to Murali’s 4.00 also bowling in power play and in the depth
Duleep you are a n experienced and awell reputed cricketer than De Mel.. If De Mel is a good as the Chief Selector,why did the Board accept his resignation soon after the world cup.During De Mel’s period SL had the services of good Seniors”,Now they are retired.Dulep had to do the selection with a limited number of players.among them were freshers without much experience,When compared to the previous SA tours of SL, this time they did extremely well.No body compares those staticstics.
It’s not the selectors’ problem.I think it is the Foreign Coach’s problem.Foreign coaches speak only Enlish and that too in a accsent not used to Sri lankans.Most of the SL players are not fluent in English.Hence, they cannot fathom understand what the Coach says.I think a SL coach can do a better job.
Finally, I think the subject cricket should be taken out of the Present Sports Minister.The Coach Captain, Selectors all change but not the Minister.For a Change why not take the subject Cricket out of him place it under some other Minister.
I
what a muppet!!!!!!!!
The test win was because of Thilan Samaraweera’s century. this muppet was the guy who dropped him. Out of the youngsters only Dinesh Chandimal’ was in the original squad. Lahiru Thirimanne, Sachitra Senanayake were replacements
The spirit of cricket should be that no one can be a batsman, selector nor and administrator forever. That does not in anyway undermine Mr.Mendis’s capabilities, however changes are a necessity for the betterment of the game.
I was disturbed to see a Daily Mirror middle page article stating that Ashantha De Mel’s hedging deal and his capabilities of being a selector. That only reflects the lack of knowledge of the writer, i wish my comments are published for others benefit. I am in no way supporting Mr. De Mel but if one reads the sports comments in the Sunday Leader he will know the Mr. De Mel was the only ‘Strait talk’ selector we had. Hedging and cricket has nothing in common cricket is what he loved, Hedging was what was not a decision made solely by Mr. De Mel. So I guess the writer should get his facts on cricket before writing such comments,let this be for Mr. De Mel or any other person.
Mr. De Mel may last long or may be for a short period but you should be able to capitalize on his expertise and then take the game forward. I am sure he is not there to stay for ever.I am not a great supporter of Mr. De Mel but even before he assumes his duties this is not the way to encourage him.
Mendis is correct with the selection of Chandimal, Thirimanna, Senanayake. All of them contributed to the wins SL achieved in South Africa.
But Mendis has forgotten one thing, The second test SL won against South Africa, Thilan Samaraweera was the main contributor from the bat. Mendis dropped him from the squad initially.
Thanks Duleep for all what you have done to SL cricket and for the country as a great cricketer. What has happened now to SL cricket is appalling.All are bent on making money in the name of cricket. Some jokers have taken over the cricket administration and playing pucks. What is happening to Internal audits that were done on the board accounts. As Sri lankans everybody has a right to know the true situation.Choping Marsh is like cutting nose to spite the face. We will wait and see how things will change for better or worst. I watch everything from down under as a true SL cricket enthusiast.
Long live SL cricket without the present set of Jokers including the non cricket played Sports Minister andCo….
i think mendis is right about one thing winning and losing… playing the full game of 50 overs if it hadnt rain that day series could ‘ve been for us.. about the test games diffrent pitches and the new captaincy from dilshan was transition through.. more over he did well .. despite the boyz anamosity internaly,,,,
some body should make them understand its one family and the board stop critizing and give them the best courage and the support for the team it is allways about winning and losing’ we cant win allways ……that what cricket is all about…….cheers sri lanka looking over in the next game with australia///
Duleep, all said and done, you and the team of selectors have had to cop a lot of flak for various shortcomings but the sad aspect of Sri Lankans is that they tend to forget the good that you and the selectors have done to uplift the game. Like you said, players like Dinesh, Lahiru and Sachitra may not have been given a chance had a different set of selectors being in your places.
You need to be able to face up to adversities on the playing field and stick by your convictions and I feel that you have done an exceptional job – initially as a dashing batsman when you were at St Sebastians (hope I am correct here), then at St Thomas’ and latterly as a player/captain for the national team. I remember the two innings that you played at Lords (you were out caught off Ian Botham’s off spin in the second innings going for twin centuries – what a feat that would have been on your debut at Lords) were absolute stand out innings which had the hardiest of British cricket commentators swooning over your batsman ship. Anyway, Duleep, take a bow for an excellent job done to serve Sri Lanka Cricket and hope the new committee would be as adventurous as the one gone by.
Three cheers, Duleep.
Cricket greats of Sri Lanka proved themselves as national treasurer in every respect. I do remember Dulip Medndis and Ranjit Gunasegara but only met the later in 1977 for the purpose of obtaining a job in the Middle East.
At a time Sri Lanka was struggling to get admitted to international level, Mendis brought about recognition through his batting and fielding skills. But, I still question myself about my intergrity for missing a great Cricket Match in in Sharjah, in late 1970s in which Mendis played a key roll to win against the West Indies.
Thank God, Dulip Mendis, our great hero, is still living amongst us and it is our duty to make use of his experience and his determination to form a great team to represent our island nation.
What I am proud is that he was unbiased all the time.
Ifthikar & pillai have said what I wanted to say.No comments of our GREAT cricketer who opened the eyes of then ICC to award us test status.We should make use of his valuable experience,who was the manager of the team who brought the
world cup to Srilanka.