World Cup winning former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga says he will not attend a briefing called up by Sri Lanka Cricket this afternoon to discuss proposed changes to the ICC structure.
In a media release earlier this week, SLC had called all former Presidents, Secretaries of the board and Past captains to brief on revised position paper forwarded by the International Cricket Council.
“Cricket board never gives a hearing to what the past captains say. They hardly listen to us. Then why are they all of a sudden interested now to get our viewpoints?” Ranatunga asked in a brief interview.
“They want to use us as the cat’s paw and tell the three boards (Cricket Australia, England and Wales Cricket Board and Board of Control for Cricket in India) that our past captains and stakeholders don’t want us to agree to the proposed draft. Did SLC consult past captains when they put up stadiums that have created the current financial crisis of the board?”
Although the proposed changes to the ICC were confronted with strong opposition earlier on, several boards have softened their stance since supporting the move. Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa have resisted the move with lukewarm response from Sri Lanka.
“Why can’t the Executive Committee take a decision and say that we are against this move. SLC has asked the ICC for a loan and if the ICC agrees to provide the loan, will SLC agree to the proposed draft?”
“We have a President who can’t take responsibility. The Ex-Co has no confidence in the President and the President should step down. Being President of SLC is not like being President of the Film Corporation. You don’t deal with pretty actresses here. At global cricket meetings you deal with experienced cricket administrators.”
