Lankan cricket will suffer once seniors retire, says Ranatunga

Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga says a lot of his country's cricketers are putting money ahead of nation and should take inspiration from Australian skipper Michael Clarke, who has shunned lucrative Twenty20 events such as the IPL to focus on Tests.

Arjuna Ranatunga feels Sri Lankan cricket would be in doldrums once senior players such as Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan retire © Getty Images

Melbourne: Sep 7, 2011

Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga says a lot of his country’s cricketers are putting money ahead of nation and should take inspiration from Australian skipper Michael Clarke, who has shunned lucrative Twenty20 events such as the IPL to focus on Tests.

“I’m really impressed with the way Michael Clarke has been captaining,” Ranatunga told The Herald.

“His passion for cricket, rather than thinking of earning money and focusing on other areas – not only the IPL but all these shorter versions – is admirable. There are lots of cricketers today who will sacrifice their country for money,” he added.

Ranatunga criticised the Sri Lankan team, which lost the opening Test at Galle to Australia by 125 runs.

“I’m not really sure if (Sri Lanka) are focused enough to play the longer version. I am very disappointed with the commitment of most of the players, in particular I am really worried about a couple of the batsmen and their commitment to the longer version of the game. I think we look much better than Australia on paper, but they are more committed.”

Ranatunga said Sri Lankan cricket would be in doldrums once senior players such as Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan retire.

“We will really struggle after Mahela, Sangakkara and Dilshan retire. They will all go at the same time,” he said.(PTI)