Video: I will not bring politics to cricket: Marvan

26 September 2014 09:00 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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New Sri Lanka coach Marvan Atapattu will look to build on the team’s recent success as he eyes glory at next year’s 50-overs World Cup in Australia.

Speaking at his maiden press conference since securing the full time job, Atapattu said his immediate focus was "to manage the players and get them peaking at the right time to have success in the 2015 World Cup".

“ The World Cup is our immediate focus," the 43-year-old veteran cricketer said. "We have had a good run in the past six months and obviously the challenge for me is to sustain the success and build on it."

The former Sri Lanka opener who became country’s first local coach in 15 years to land a full-time position admitted, however, that there was room for improvement.

“ I do not believe we have the edge simply because we have had success in last few series," he explained. "Of course our morale is high but we have to do a lot of work ourselves. We have got another 15 one-day games before we play the first game on the 15th of February."

Sri Lanka cricket has enjoyed a purple patch since winning the T20 World Cup in April as they lapped up series wins against England and Pakistan. But the team lost to world number one ranked South Africa while Atapattu was in charge.

“I have a group of players who are willing to learn and listen," he said. "Their utmost professionalism shows that they are always looking to improve. It’s up to us as a management group to manage these players and get them peaking at the right time for us to have success in the 2015 World Cup."

Sri Lanka will host England in a seven-match ODI series in November before playing away series against New Zealand ( two-match Test and seven-match ODI series) just weeks before the World Cup opener against New Zealand on February 14, 2015.

However, his task has been made difficult by uncertainty over two key bowlers- Lasith Malinga and Sachithra Senananayake.
Malinga has been ruled out for 16 weeks following surgery while Senanayake is serving an international ban for illegal action but Atapattu is hopeful of having both of them back in time for World Cup selection.

"All going well, we'll have Lasith's services around mid-January," he said. "Hopefully he can play a couple of one-dayers with New Zealand and the practice matches before he plays the actual tournament matches in the World Cup. Sachithra has done good work. He has done work locally with Piyal Wijetunge and Jerome Jayaratne. And he has also done work with the lab in Western Australia. Now it's a matter of him getting a date fixed to get it (action) retested."

Atapattu who was part of Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning team in 1996 said there must be more patience with young cricketers who are struggling make their mark.
“There’s a big gap between domestic cricket and international cricket, a big gap between school cricket and international matches. So it’s not easy to bridge that gap. Of course, we all know how good players like Lahiru Thirimanna and Dinesh Chandimal are and how fast they have developed their game.
But they have not been scoring.We shouldn’t panic, because they have developed. We have to try and give them a stable place, and maybe relieve them of some responsibility, and maintain patience with them.,” he added.

Atapattu also said he would have utmost transparency with all his dealings.

“ See, I am someone who likes to have everything transparent," he elaborated. "It’s easier to manage and then everyone knows which path we are taking. I do not wish to bring in any politics if at all and I do not believe it will be there because as a nation we strive towards one and we should be doing that." (Champika Fernando)

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Pix by Waruna Wanniarchchi

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Comments - 26

Phantom Friday, 26 September 2014 12:53 PM

The way to go Marvan, good luck and best wishes!

rohitha udawatte Saturday, 27 September 2014 03:37 AM

Congratulations. Wish you all the best. Motivation and keeping to discipline are key factors. Good luck

nisam Friday, 26 September 2014 03:55 PM

Congratulation , excellent decision you
are a master cricketer my best regards for your future

James Friday, 26 September 2014 03:51 PM

Congrats., hope you bring much success to SL Cricket. Good Luck & wishing all the very best.

fariz Friday, 26 September 2014 03:40 PM

I have been knowing marvan from child hood and we played cricket together . I can assure you he will stay away from politics
If he had used his family relationship he would have been in the 1996 world cup team under his brother in law.
All of you knew his relationship with Ranatunga family only now thru the media ,the family relationship was their even when his was schooling during 80;s .which he never missed used it
All the best my friend-Marvi
Regards- Tuan

Hettigoda Friday, 26 September 2014 03:34 PM

I think you have lot of experience about politics, one of the world cup held in South Africa you were heating the bench. Tharnga was failed several times still you did not get a chance to play. That time you were in good form, but politics played the cricket. I hope these things will not come again. It is not easy for you to stay away from politics, specially in SLC.
Good Luck Marven.

Dee Friday, 26 September 2014 03:19 PM

then you wont last long

Dharshan Friday, 26 September 2014 02:23 PM

Marvan, all the best. Proud of you.

yehiya Friday, 26 September 2014 02:11 PM

You are gentle man in cricket. But need in administration.

Kiris Baba Amaray Friday, 26 September 2014 01:21 PM

Marvan, even Jayasuriya said so, but later he became a slave to Politics and totally neglected his sporting career and brought disgrace for his original dignity.

Lanka Shantha Friday, 26 September 2014 01:19 PM

Sorry Mate, Sri Lanka cricket and politics are twins. How come minister son, politician sons play there? Any way hope you try to at least reduce it

daya Friday, 26 September 2014 01:00 PM

congrats and best wishes show your colours to some donkeys at the cricket board.
we r with u.

ravi Friday, 26 September 2014 06:26 PM

He is a cricketer and is dedicated to the game. So you politicians including you San ath keep the hell away. via DM Android App

zuh Friday, 26 September 2014 02:34 PM

all the best marvan via DM Android App

Mason Friday, 26 September 2014 12:42 PM

In other words what you're saying is that if politics is thrust upon you you'd be helpless. Anyway congratulations and all the best for a job to be done well.

Lasantha Friday, 26 September 2014 12:16 PM

Congratulations Marvan. Honesty, integrity and Disciplene is the key to success. Yes stay out from Politics and commissions. Good luck.

damitha Friday, 26 September 2014 12:15 PM

He doesn't have to bring politics because he is well connected to a political family.

chams Friday, 26 September 2014 11:49 AM

How do you say you will not get involved in politics when you got the job because of politics?

naga Friday, 26 September 2014 11:43 AM

Gentlema(rva)n
wish you all the best.

Kiris Baba Amaray Friday, 26 September 2014 11:41 AM

Mavan - even the great legend Jayasuriya said so, but what happened? Be honest, work for the betterment of Cricket in Srilanka and bring honour for our nation. You are a young talented personality, you could do it Sir.

lkboy Friday, 26 September 2014 11:10 AM

actually you have already. Two of your brother in laws are politicians and another is the secretary of SLC.

halparuwo Friday, 26 September 2014 11:07 AM

Better show in action not mere empty words only time will prove as SLC is den of thieves & crooks with political patronage. Whole world & even the blind can see this

joseph Friday, 26 September 2014 10:50 AM

The catch word is" I will try my level best to keep away from politics" Whether he can do it is a question, especially when a hi-ranking official of the SLC is his brother in law.. Wish you all the best, nonetheless.

kumara Friday, 26 September 2014 09:32 AM

wowowowowow we are proud of you. and best of luck.bring it to us most exiting victories .

aja Friday, 26 September 2014 09:24 AM

All The BEST Marvan

Lucky Weeramantry Friday, 26 September 2014 09:20 AM

At Last We Got A Super Home Grown Coach. Hope He Can Pass All His Batting Technics And Discipline To All The Lads. He Is The Best. Good Luck

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Video: I will not bring politics to cricket: Marvan

Comments - 26

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