Vass not made Vice Captain due to his religion?
Cricketislife!
Dont blame them, how can a true christian made 'vice' captain?!
http://thewicket.com/2003_05_08/main_story1.asp
Vaas and Murali furious with selectors
From Rifat Halim
Bangalore India (May 7 2003): A row over religion has surfaced in the
Sri Lankan team after two senior players Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah
Muralitharan were overlooked for the one-day vice-captain's post. The
squad named for the Al Falalah one-day triangular names 25 year-old
Mahela Jayawardene as to be Marvan Attapattu's deputy. With Attapattu's
fitness in doubt, it is likely that the struggling batsman will lead the
side in the early matches.
A close confidante, to Vaas, who is a veteran of over 200 ODIs and the
country's leading fast bowler, claims that he has been unjustly
overlooked. The left-armer has successfully led Colts CC to successive
victories in the domestic ODI competition. At 29, he is at the height of
his power, displaying a shrewd ability to swing both the new ball and
the old ball. He had a terrific World Cup, breaking the tournament's
record for the highest number of wickets. Vaas leadership ambitions have
also been strengthened by the renewed sense of responsibility with which
he bats.
Some critics claim that Vaas, a pious Catholic, has been overlooked due
to his religion. Vaas himself has hinted that Jayawardene has been
picked because the selectors want the leadership positions to be
monopolised by Buddhists, the largest religion in Sri Lanka. The cricket
board has often attempt to bring religion into cricket by organised
'pirith ceremonies' (Buddhist prayers) prior to the departure of the
team. Many cricketers have objected to these Buddhist ceremonies,
including Romesh Kaluwitharana, a born-again Christian.
On the other hand, there is no evidence of religious discrimination in
Sri Lankan cricket. Two Christians Duleep Mendis, the present manager
and Michael Tissera, the former chairman of selectors, have served as
captains in the past. Cricket is the one institution that has
transcended religious and ethnic barriers.
Muttiah Muralitharan also feels agrieved at not receiving the
vice-captaincy. He has useful captaincy experience with Tamil Union and
his status as arguably the world's greatest bowler will add stature to
the side. John Crawley, Murali's captain at Lancashire, has commended
Murali's exceptional analytical ability and his boundless enthusiasm.
Many cricket followers are shocked that Jayawardene whose pitiful
batting form at the World Cup was a leading cause of Sri Lanka's
defeats, has been elevated to this post. In the tests against New
Zealand, Jayawardene fielding was embarrasingly poor. A grand total of
nine catches were grassed by the new vice-captain, most of which were of
Muralitharan's bowling. An embittered Murali, who has just crossed 450
test wickets, has alleged that Jayawardene has deliberately dropped
these catches, to serve his personal agenda.
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Jas
Colin Kynoch
Jas wrote:
> no its because he doesnt look like a captain material
Vice captain does not necessaril;y mean that he is the heir apparent.
Australia has a history of players being made vc while never being
appointed captain.
Three wicketkeepers spring to mind.
Colin Kynoch
logician
position Murali among them. Usually they appoint a younger one for VC
in every country.
About the religion there are no problem with Vaas's religion because
half the Sri Lankan cabinet including the minister of sport is a
Catholic. So in a country where cabinet interfere with every
appointment he has every qualification to be the chosen man as far as
religion concerned. This was the main reason for the present
government give ib everything the Catholic terrorists LTTE asks.
"Cricketislife!" <cricketislif...@web2news.net> wrote in message news:<2938...@web2news.com>...
reg
objected to these Buddhist ceremonies,
I'd like to see some evidence of this. I have a reasonable knowledge
of the SL cricket scene and have never heard anything to this effect.
Additionally, if you look at SL society as a whole, participation in
religious activities which do not match your own beliefs is fairly
common. No one reads too much into it and it's not taken that
seriously.
"Cricketislife!" <cricketislif...@web2news.net> wrote in message news:<2938...@web2news.com>...