Selectors should pick Atapattu Over Tharanga

[shehanwije]

Article in todays Sinhala press attribute comments from Ashantha De Mel (SL Chair of Selectors) that Marvan will not play at the expense of Tharanga.

[SJS]

I voted Atapattu and am amazed at the support for Tharanga.

Agreed Atapattu is not your made-for-the-limited=version cricketer but what has Tharanga done so far to gain precedence over a very fine player for Sri Lanka - even in ODI's despite his style?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by SJS

what has Tharanga done so far to gain precedence over a very fine player for Sri Lanka?

Scored runs against Kabir Ali, Stephen Harmison and Liam Plunkett...

[jude_aus]

Originally Posted by simmy

Tharanga is a class player IMO and will eventually come good

Some times its better to drop a player for his own good. Tharanga is not a bad player. but he is not playing up to his expectations in this word cup. He needs to be dropped. Then he might come good.

But it’s unfair for Atapattu to be on the bench when Tharanga is failing. They really need to give Atapattu a chance before its too late.

[SJS]

Originally Posted by jude_aus

Some times its better to drop a player for his own good. Tharanga is not a bad player. but he is not playing up to his expectations in this word cup. He needs to be dropped. Then he might come good.

But it’s unfair for Atapattu to be on the bench when Tharanga is failing. They really need to give Atapattu a chance before its too late.

Thats a very fair comment indeed.

[SJS]

Originally Posted by Richard

Scored runs against Kabir Ali, Stephen Harmison and Liam Plunkett...

You forgot James William Murray Dalrymple and Timothy Thomas Bresnan, two leading England bowlers in his best series.

He has done reasonably well against New Zealand too.

[honestbharani]

I rate Tharanga as high as anyone here but seriously, it is high time he is dropped. All good players can and do tend to get dropped when not in form. IT is not a slight or an insult (which is how it is taken in India) but just an indication that at that particular time and place, there is someone else who can do a better job. It doesn't mean that Tharanga cannot go on to be a very good batsman at all. But keeping ATapattu on the bench is bordering on stupidity now.

[JBH001]

Only problem is the timing. I really do not think that Atapattu should come in at this stage of the proceeding with hardly any match play under his belt. I do think that Tharanga should be dropped, but I think this is the wrong time to do it - hopefully he will find some form in the semi-finals, he is due for some decent runs.

[Davey]

NO

Especially not now!! its too late, Tharanga is a good player, he can come good we saw how devastating he can be, how bout against England when we had the series over there.
Atapattu is a test player when he plays in the ODI he plays like he is playing a test match.....


Furthermore he is YOUNG, quicker and a better fielder! , why are we trying to discourage young players??? Look how much it has benefited our side! especially in this world cup

Poor fella, he must be feeling the pressure now

[jude_aus]

Didn't I tell you guys!! Another duck from Tharanga. Sri Lankan selectors must be blind..

"Ashantha De Mel (SL Chair of Selectors) insists that Marvan will not play at the expense of Tharanga."

What a silly comment by the chairmen of selectors!!!!!

[SJS]

Originally Posted by JBH001

Only problem is the timing. I really do not think that Atapattu should come in at this stage of the proceeding with hardly any match play under his belt. I do think that Tharanga should be dropped, but I think this is the wrong time to do it - hopefully he will find some form in the semi-finals, he is due for some decent runs.

Sri Lanka lost the last chance to give Atapattu a hit in the last game even if against the minnows. It also shows that they have no intention to drop Tharanga irespective of poor run and Atapattu can only come in if there is an injury problem.

[NUFAN]

No point at all in dropping Tharanga, he's had a great start to his international career. Atapattu while still a good option in Test Matches isn't that in ODI's so I would be leaving the top 7 as is for the rest of the tournament.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by NUFAN

No point at all in dropping Tharanga, he's had a great start to his international career. Atapattu while still a good option in Test Matches isn't that in ODI's so I would be leaving the top 7 as is for the rest of the tournament.

Tharanga has hardly had a great start to his international career. He scored some runs against useless England bowling on flat tracks, and had a good series against NZ. Aside from that, he's actually been pretty awful so far. One of the most over-rated players going around.

[NUFAN]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

Tharanga has hardly had a great start to his international career. He scored some runs against useless England bowling on flat tracks, and had a good series against NZ. Aside from that, he's actually been pretty awful so far. One of the most over-rated players going around.

So you think Atapattu should open the batting in the Semi Final?

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by NUFAN

So you think Atapattu should open the batting in the Semi Final?

It's a tough one. I probably would have brought Atapattu in a little earlier than Tharanga - now that they've stuck with him and given Atapattu no gametime, bringing him in for the semi final would be silly. So they're stuck with Tharanga now basically - but to say he's had a great start to his international career would be wrong.