Why dump Geoff Marsh?

By: Prasanna C. Rodrigo

Jan, 24th, 2012 (News360.lk)  There are several reports which say Sri Lanka Cricket is planning to dump the national team’s coach Geoff Marsh and bring-in South Africa’s Graham Ford to take over the job.

Graham Ford undoubtedly is a credible figure and has all the credentials to handle the job.

However the question is why Sri Lanka Cricket wants to send Geoff Marsh out?

After all Marsh was in charge of the national side for just two tours and especially under a new captain who was also new to the role.

It is true Sri Lanka lost the two series under Marsh, but Sri Lanka started losing even before Marsh arrived.

On the other side, has the SLC given Geoff Marsh enough time to work with the national side?

It is difficulty to understand why the so called cricketing experts in the SLC can’t understand the concept of team building.

Team building needs time and patience as it is an evolving process. So in this case Marsh deserves a longer stint to transform the national side into a formidable unit.

I don’t think Marsh, after he arrived had enough time to take stock of the national players on an individual basis by talking to each member and also looking at their records in-depth.

To take a good assessment of a player, team and specially the inner workings of the country’s cricketing system, a coach needs some time

After Marsh took the team under his charge, he had to undergo two back to back tours and the schedule was hectic.

This definitely would not have given him the chance to take stock of every player individually.

Therefore it is important for Sri Lanka to give Marsh a longer stint rather than just dumping him after two overseas tours.

Even though Sri Lanka cricket has not officially announced his sacking, it has also not denied media reports about the possible sacking of the Australian.

There was also a news report circulated on Tuesday morning which said, Graham Ford is in Colombo to discuss matters pertaining to taking charge as the coach of the national team.

We all know Geoff Marsh coached Australia to win the 1999 world cup where Australia won 7 matches in a row.

He has coached the Australian team to win a test series in the West Indies, Ashes triumphs and also to a historic win in Pakistan.

SLC also should remember the presence of Marsh in the team during the upcoming tri series in Australia will be vital for the Lankans.

This is because, it is in Australia Marsh has played a major part of his cricketing career.

He knows the ins and outs of each player, grounds and even the inner workings of the Australian team.

Also remember, during the last two one day games played against South Africa the Lankans chased 300 plus runs in two, back to back occasions.

It was done while Geoff Marsh was in the Lankan dressing room marshalling his troops.

May be that was the much needed turning point the Lankans needed, not removing Marsh unceremoniously.

Contact the reporter on “news360@sltnet.lk”