By Roshan Abeysinghe Sri Lankan cricket broadcaster

Victory in the first Test against Bangladesh provided a timely lift for Sri Lankan cricket after a dismal show in England.

The team completed their task with the greatest of ease, but once again problems have surfaced off the field.

Since no-nonsense Test wicket-keeper Guy de Alwis became chairman of selectors, little has gone right.

In England it appeared that all was not well between the tour management and the selectors, but that was only a warm-up for the controversy over the squads chosen for the two Tests against Bangladesh.

Many newspapers carried reports of a heated argument between de Alwis and coach Dav Whatmore at a recent meeting convened by the Minister of Sports, Johnston Fernando.

Dav Whatmore: At odds with the selectors

Arguments and disagreements can be healthy, if they are conducted in the correct spirit.

But the attitude of the chairman of selectors has left many people mystified.

"I think the selectors have made a big mistake. I am not against (bringing in) youngsters, but this is not the way," said former Test cricketer Jayananda Warnaweera.

Making do

Team captain Sanath Jayasuriya too was pretty open with his views about the selection.

"I do not agree with the resting of six seniors, especially Muralitharan... Having said that, I have to go with the team the selectors give and that is what I will do in the second Test."

Minister Fernando also queried whether Muralitharan should play in the second game, having taken 10 wickets in the first, but de Alwis stuck to his decisions taken by his committee.

De Silva made a double century in the first Test

This could be interpreted as a slap in the face for the Minister, but de Alwis has supporters who are willing to stand in the corner of the selectors.

Leslie Hewage, the president of the Nondescripts Cricket Club, said: "I think they are right. They have been bold and they have had the courage to take strong decisions.

"How do you otherwise expect our young ones to prosper? We cannot rely on Murali every day. we need replacements," he said.

Veterans remain

But how is it that the likes of Aravinda De Silva and Hashan Tillekeratne were retained, both of them in their mid-30s, when younger batsmen like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were left out?

No-one doubts the value of Aravinda and Tillekeratne to the Sri Lankan side, but it is players such Jayawardane and Sangakkara who will be doing the bulk of the scoring for the next decade.

Naveed Nawaz: One of the new faces in the Test squad

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, it is clear that Sri Lankan cricket is in a state of upheaval at the wrong time.

A Tri-Series in Morocco follows the Bangladesh series and they will then host the ICC Champions Trophy before embarking on tours to Australia and South Africa, the last with the World Cup at stake.

No doubt all decisions are made to improve results and of course, soem don't work out as intended.

But communication has always being important in team building and it is sadly lacking in this instance.