Former Sri Lanka cricket coach Tom Moody feels years of frustration
was most likely behind Marvan Atapattu's extraordinary 'muppet' attack on national
selectors.
Recalled Test batsman Atapattu caused a stir in Australia and his homeland when
he branded Sri Lanka's national selectors 'muppets' during the first Test in Brisbane.
Moody, who coached Sri Lanka to the 2007 World Cup final before returning to
guide home state Western Australia, said Atapattu was at the "peak of his
frustrations" after years of involvement in Sri Lankan cricket.
"He was captain for the first year, I was there and he was an honest,
hard working guy. But he, like lot of Sri Lankans, have their frustrations with
what goes on," Moody was quoted as saying in 'The Age today.
Moody did not think Atapattu's comments were born out of selfishness but his
passion for Sri Lankan cricket.
Atapattu was added to the 17-man squad for the tough Australian tour when Sri
Lanka's Sports Minister intervened late last month.
Atapattu has endured a running feud with chairman of selectors Ashanta de Mel,
branding him a joker who held a personal grudge.
The pair's history dates back to 2004-05 when Atapattu, then captain, attacked
the newly government-appointed de Mel by accusing him of blocking his attempts
to blood new players.
"Sri Lanka Cricket at this moment in time, I don't think is going in the
direction it should be going, especially with the muppets, headed by a joker,"
Atapattu had said.
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