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World Cup debacle is not the reason for my ouster: Ranatunga

Deposed Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has vowed to make public the people working underground to tarnish his image.

''The debacle in the World Cup is not the reason for my ouster. If it were so, captains of other countries which couldn't win would have been sacked. No other country has made such a hue and cry as Sri Lanka," he said.

Ranatunga made these observations last night during a public debate which was telecast live on a private channel.

Former vice-captian Aravinda de Silva and team manager Duleep Mendis, who were sacked by the new selection committee last week, were also present.

Replying to a question why the selection committee took the drastic step of changing the captain, vice-captain, coach and manager, Ranataunga said, the selection committee members know more about cricket than me. I have nothing to say or find fault with their decision.''

Asked whether he would feel humilitated by playing under captain Sanath Jayasuriya, he replied: ''Why should I? I have played under Aravinda and earlier also under Sanath. Now again I will play under Sanath.''

On the appointment of relatively young Mahela Jayawardene as vice-captain, Ranatunga reminded the youngsters that there is a lot of difference in playing a school cricket and Test match.

''I gained experience by playing under many veterans from the age of 18 and during the last 17 years of my service I got full confidence.''

To a question whether the age factor was one of the reasons for the poor performance, he quipped: ''After the 1996 World Cup, we have grown three years older. Naturally, it will have its effect.''

Ranatunga prefered not to comment on the charges of coach Bruce Yardley that he and Aravinda treated the teammates as servants.

''Sanath (Jayasuriya) had already replied to the charges,'' he said.

Earlier, Jayasuriya had refuted the charges levelled by Yardley and said they were not true.

The former skipper said Sri Lanka was known to the world only after the 1996 World Cup.

''The players only have brought the country fame. At that time it was Arjuna Ranatunga. Now it is Sanath. The change doesn't matter. It is the country and I am playing for my country,'' he said.

UNI