Ranatunga critical of Whatmore and selectors

Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga, never one to mince his words, believes that national coach Dav Whatmore has become too powerful a figure in Sri Lankan cricket.

Ranatunga, who captained in 56 out of his 93 Tests, used to lead Sri Lanka with an iron fist and still ardently believes that the captain should be the ultimate authority in the side. He thinks that Whatmore has assumed too much power 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 also had 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. So the problem didn't take such a shape. But now he is not allowing Sanath to perform his captain's duties and a day will come when Sanath will oppose him. What will board officials do then?" asked Ranatunga."

It is, however, unclear as to who forced the selection of Suresh Perera during the Kandy Test. After the player had been reported for having a suspect action in Galle both captain and coach were believed to be in agreement on the eve of the Test that Suresh Perera should be rested.

Ranatunga also took a dart at the national selectors for leaving star batsmen Aravinda de Silva out of the squad even though the player himself has publicly admitted that his hunger for international cricket has diminished.

"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 6000 Test runs and an average of over 40 can never be out of the team for personal reasons. He should be brought back