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 Sinking spirits Sri Lanka battles low morale ahead of World Cup
Posted: Saturday April 24, 1999 11:12 AM
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) -- Buddhist priests chanted hymns and tied holy threads on the wrists of Sri Lankan cricketers as they left for London on Saturday to begin their World Cup defense. Captain Arjuna Ranatunga and his team will take on England in the first match of the World Cup championships on May 14 in a bid to become only the second nation ever to retain the title. The odds are stacked against the world champions, but Sri Lankan cricket officials said the team, which has had a poor run in recent months, had a few new tricks that might help them retain the title. "We have a few surprises up our sleeve, which we hope to put into operation in England," said team manager Duleep Mendis. But few could hide the team's low morale in the face of a court wrangle that for some time made Sri Lanka's cricket board redundant, froze its bank accounts and nearly made it impossible for the cricketers to get their visas and tickets for London. The court imbroglio over the election of a new executive body in March is yet to be resolved, but Sri Lanka's powerful sports ministry stepped in earlier this week to set up an ad hoc committee with financial powers to enable the team's departure. A Colombo district court issued a restraint order last month barring board president Thilanga Sumathipala from carrying out his duties after losing candidate Clifford Ratwatte alleged that gun-toting intruders prevented officials from casting their vote. The court judgment is due Monday. Meanwhile, cricket authorities have issued newspaper advertisements and various sponsoring companies have organized special events to boost the team's morale. "We were underdogs three years ago. Remember where it got us?" read one of the advertisements. "The World Cup. They'd all like to have it, but we intend to keep it. They all fancy their chances, but we don't believe in the odds," read another of the glossy advertisements. "If I say it [the court wrangle] will not have an effect on the players, I'll be lying," said board chief executive Dammika Ranatunga, elder brother of the Sri Lanka captain. The board also sought services of a Pakistani psychologist Omar Shah to motivate the team. "The team was low in morale and in confidence because they had lost a few matches. Omar worked mainly with the mind and mentally...so they could overcome obstacles," Mendis said. Former Australian cricketer Trevor Chappell has been hired to help the team improve its fielding. Officials say lapses on the field were mainly responsible for Sri Lanka's 15 losses in 20 one-day matches in recent months. Mendis said Sri Lanka's performance in England during last year's tour when it won a one-off test and the triangular one-day series has given the team a mental advantage. "When you have performed very well in a particular country you will always get back to that place with a lot of confidence."
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