The committee headed by Eran Wickramaratne, which has taken charge of cricket governance, has certainly taken several steps in the right direction. When discipline, accountability, honesty and transparency become the cornerstones of administration, those values inevitably filter through the entire system. Do not be surprised if better governance eventually translates into improved performances by the national team as well.

The selection process in particular has been impressive, marked by bold decisions and some refreshing out of the box thinking. Promoting Kamindu Mendis to open the batting was a gamble worth taking. Few players have enjoyed the kind of success he has achieved over the last two years and spending time alongside players such as Pat Cummins and Travis Head during the IPL would only have broadened his cricketing horizons.

For reasons known only to the decision makers, Sri Lanka had refrained from naming vice-captains for several years. It created unnecessary confusion and highlighted the absence of long term planning. There was little effort to groom future leaders. On occasions when the captain had to leave the field, even umpires seemed unsure who was in charge. The selectors have now put an end to that uncertainty by appointing vice-captains across all three formats, creating a clear line of succession.

While many of the recent decisions deserve praise, the selection and appointment of Niroshan Dickwella as vice-captain of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team has left a bad taste in many mouths. As the popular local saying goes, they have added a smidgeon of cow-dung to a pot of milk.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ cricket is meant to be a finishing school for emerging talent. It is the final stepping stone before players graduate to the national side. Dickwella, meanwhile, turns 33 in two weeks. He is firmly in the twilight of his career. Where is the logic in this selection and appointment?

The ‘A’ team series is against India. The Indian squad includes 15-year-old wonderkid Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Here we are, pitting a veteran of 54 Test matches against a teenager who is more than half his age. That fact alone should drive home the point.

This is not an attempt to run down Dickwella. If anything, it is a lament about how Sri Lankan cricket has failed to maximise a rare talent. Sampath Perera, the highly respected coach of Trinity College who has nurtured countless cricketers, had little doubt some 12 years ago that Dickwella was destined for greatness. Yet even then he issued a warning when speaking to the press.

“I hope he keeps his discipline,” Sampath said.

Dickwella made his Test debut at the age of 21 in a star-studded side featuring Sanga, MJ, Mathews and Rangana Herath. Yet he was the centre of attention. He blazed his way to 72, taking on Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel with remarkable audacity. A century on debut seemed inevitable.

South Africa looked clueless until Dickwella gifted away his wicket. He challenged, of all people, Quinton de Kock’s arm and paid the price. There was no dive. No visible frustration at missing out on a milestone. There was a hint of cockiness even then. Yet there was no doubt we had witnessed a special talent.

The Test hundred, however, never came.

Not in 54 Test matches.

Cockiness proved to be Dickwella’s Achilles’ heel. At times, James Anderson would tempt him mercilessly, bowling wide outside off stump with cover and extra cover strategically placed. It was a trap laid in plain sight. Dickwella would invariably take the bait and hit the ball exactly where Anderson wanted. He never seemed to learn.

Yet there was never any doubt about his skill.

A couple of years later in Durban, Kagiso Rabada was steaming in at express pace. Dickwella responded by scooping him over the wicketkeeper’s head as casually as if he were batting in the nets. Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford could scarcely believe what he had witnessed. Later that evening, Ford told reporters that this was the player who could change the fortunes of Sri Lankan cricket.

Sadly, Dickwella never reached the promised land.

As his seniority grew, so did the tattoos and the controversies.

He was sent home from England for breaching Covid protocols. It was a golden opportunity to send a powerful message. The retired judge who conducted the inquiry recommended a lengthy suspension. Yet the punishment was significantly reduced despite the judge noting that the players had shown little remorse during the hearing.

Cricketers have committed all manner of offences over the years. Some have been punished. Others have escaped sanction altogether. But cocaine use was something almost unheard of in Sri Lankan cricket. Yet Dickwella tested positive not too long ago. Once again, the punishment was reduced.

This time, however, a different set of learned men have gone a step further.

They have made him vice-captain.

So now a dressing room full of aspiring young cricketers is expected to look up to him for guidance and leadership.

Good luck to our cricket.

by Rex Clementine ✍️