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Move over Rhodes, here's Mahanama

Who is the best fielder in world cricket?

Ricky Ponting with his accurate throws? Jonty Rhodes with his fleet-footed reflexes? Or Mark Waugh with his soft hands and effortless catches?

The odd man out is Sri Lanka's 33-year-old Roshan Mahanama.

The veteran middle-order batsman is fighting for a batting spot but, as the island's livewire fielder, has been picked purely for his fielding.

The Lankan fielding that set a benchmark during its 1996 World Cup success has begun to wane and the selectors were forced to recall Mahanama, who was not in the intitial shortlist of 19.

"People talk about Rhodes, Ponting and the Waugh. If only we had the television exposure as those countries, people would know who Mahanama is,'' skipper Ranatunga says of the right-hander.

"I think he is easily the best allround fielder -- let it be in the slips, close catches or in the outfield, he is brilliant,'' Ranatunga said.

Mahanama's career as a batsman has suffered a roller-coaster ride. He has opened, batted at no.3 and in the middle and lower order.

During the 1999 campaign he will battle for the no.6 spot with left hander Hashan Tillekeratne.

" With a lot of youngsters coming, it is hard for the senior players to retain their places. But it doesn't hurt to try,'' said Mahanama, who admitted he'd thought about retiring soon after the 1996 success.

"I am conscious about my fitness. I think working on it has helped me on the field. I think my reflexes are the same as when I first came in to the side,'' he added.

He played the anchor innings in Sri Lanka's upset win over South Africa in the 1992 World Cup in Wellington, New Zealand, scoring 68 off 121 balls while Ranatunga hit an unbeaten 64 off 73 balls.

"I have played many good one-day innings but I think I rate that as the best because Allan Donald had knocked out three of our top batsmen for nothing when we chased,'' Mahanama recalled.

"I think i might call it quits after this tournament regardless of the outcome,'' he said. "I will continue to play first-class cricket for my club.''

Mahanama first played for Sri Lanka in 1986 against Pakistan and during his 13-year career has also captained the country in a three-nation tournament in Sharjah when Ranatunga controversially pulled out.

He was forced to face the wrath of Ranatunga's supporters -- he was insulted and threatened, and he had his home stoned.

"It's all forgotten for the team's sake,'' Mahanama said. "I was branded a traitor. When Arjuna pulled out, I was asked to lead the team by the selectors. And I did.''

The ever-smiling right-hander, like the rest of the team, is confident Sri Lanka can retain the title.

"Our win in 1996 was a unifying factor,'' said Mahanama. "I am sure it will help the country immensely.''

Associated Press