da fezbet： Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga, never one to mince his words,believes that national coach Dav Whatmore has become too powerful a figurein Sri Lankan cricket
CricInfo30-Aug-2001Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga, never one to mince his words,believes that national coach Dav Whatmore has become too powerful a figurein Sri Lankan cricket.Ranatunga, who captained in 56 out of his 93 Tests, used to lead Sri Lankawith an iron fist and still ardently believes that the captain should be theultimate authority in the side. He thinks that Whatmore has assumed too muchpower during Jayasuriya’s two-year tenancy.In an article for Yahoo.com, he says: "I have heard that Sanath (Jayasuriya)is not at all willing to play with four pacers. And, if he has to do so, he(Jayasuriya) wants to do it with Liyanage. But Whatmore is not allowing him.This happens when you give the coaches more power than the captain. I alsohad the same problems with, but I stood firm on my ground.""He (Whatmore) was not given as much importance as he is being given now. Sothe problem didn’t take such a shape. But now he is not allowing Sanath toperform his captain’s duties and a day will come when Sanath will opposehim. What will board officials do then?" asked Ranatunga."It is, however, unclear as to who forced the selection of Suresh Pereraduring the Kandy Test. After the player had been reported for having asuspect action in Galle both captain and coach were believed to be inagreement on the eve of the Test that Suresh Perera should be rested.Ranatunga also took a dart at the national selectors for leaving starbatsmen Aravinda de Silva out of the squad even though the player himselfhas publicly admitted that his hunger for international cricket hasdiminished."Look how the middle order is breaking down after Sanath is out," he said."You need the experience of Aravinda out there. A man with more than 6000Test runs and an average of over 40 can never be out of the team forpersonal reasons. He should be brought back