Stinging attack Warne: Cricket would be better off without Ranatunga Click here for more on this story Posted: Friday May 14, 1999 12:28 PM   Warne: "Ranatunga might be a shrewd, experienced leader but his batting is not what it was and he is terrible in the field." AP LONDON (AP) -- Australia's star leg spinner Shane Warne launched a stunning attack on Arjuna Ranatunga Friday, saying cricket would be better off without the Sri Lankan captain. "Frankly, Sri Lanka -- and the game overall -- would be better off without him," Warne wrote in The Times. Incensed Sri Lankan officials immediately lodged an official complaint about the comments with cricket's governing body, the International Cricket Council. Saliya Ahangama, former test cricketer and board secretary, said he met with ICC officials Friday to officially complain about the comments attributed to Warne. Warne's attack on Ranatunga came as defending titlist Sri Lanka took on hosts England in the World Cup opener at Lord's. Warne blamed Ranatunga for Sri Lanka's poor recent form which have left the team an outsider to win this tournament. "Sri Lanka are not as powerful as the side that won in 1996 and as far as I am concerned the problems stem from their captain," Warne wrote. "Ranatunga might be a shrewd, experienced leader but his batting is not what it was and he is terrible in the field." Warne admitted that "there is plenty of animosity between Arjuna and myself. I don't like him and I'm not in a club of one." Ranatunga took the controversial decision to lead his team off the field in a January one day international against England in Adelaide, Australia, after off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan had been no-balled for throwing. Warne said that England captain Alec Stewart had described that decision as "appalling, and he was bang on." He also said the Sri Lankan side did not always play their cricket in the spirit of the game "and for that you can only hold their captain accountable."   Related information Stories England wins toss, Sri Lanka to bat first Defending champions face daunting task Warne weaves his magic again Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.