25.11.2007

Marvan Atapattu made his final goodbye to Sri Lankan cricket on today(25) with another scathing attack on the selectors he had earlier described as "muppets headed by a joker."

The 37-year-old Atapattu, a former Test captain, told local media on Sunday the selection process had to be overhauled.

"The entire process of selection is highly subjective," Atapattu, who had a running feud with chief selector Asantha de Mel over the past year, was quoted saying.

"An objective selection process needs to be adopted. Personal feelings and vested interests should be set aside and cool judgements made.

"For that to happen, the selection committee should constitute of honourable personalities with cricketing knowledge and administrative ability.

"We presently lack this. The concept today is, 'Show me the man and I will show you the rules'."

Atapattu, who finished with 5,502 runs from 90 Tests, was annoyed with the selectors for not playing him in the World Cup, in which Sri Lanka reached the final.

He was not picked initially for the Australian tour but was drafted into the side at the last minute on the intervention of Sri Lanka's sports minister Gamini Lokuge.

Atapattu slammed de Mel and the selectors during the first Test in Brisbane, calling them "muppets headed by a joker," before announcing his retirement.

Asked on Sunday why he retired, Atapattu said: "I did not wish to continue in a system where I don't have faith and belief.

"I said what I have said for the betterment of Sri Lanka cricket. I have no intention of bringing the country down or bringing disrepute to the game."

Courtesy - LeN