Ranatunga had a good tour as captain and batsman in South Africa and with his consistent batting he proved that he has not lost his touch with the bat.
His captaincy too, considering that he had only Muralidaran and a half fit Vaas to rely on was executed efficiently and this was acknowledged and admired by past South African cricketers who were on radio and TV.
Now that Ranatunga is safe and sound as the rock of Gibraltar, it is the appointment of a vice captain that must worry the new squad of selectors appointed by Minister S. B. Dissanayake.
As for us the selectors need not look beyond Sanath Jayasuriya to be the future captain of Sri Lanka. The selectors will do well to appoint him vice captain starting with the New Zealand series and then give him the confidence necessary to step into Ranatunga's boots by giving him continuity.
Aravinda de Silva Sri Lanka's batting legend will we are sure not be bothered that the captaincy had not been given to him. He has always been a team man, giving to the game 100 per cent and more and he will be only too glad to play under anybody, because he too will probably quit with Ranatunga or after a few more flings.
Jayasuriya has proved himself a good captain. He first did so when he led the under-24 team to South Africa in 1993 and then when he captain Board XI against Zimbabwe last year, where he dazzled with the bat and led his team admirably to victory with a debut 100.
Critics might say that if he is appointed captain, his batting might falter. That argument may be adduced by his detractors. But we who have followed Jayasuirya closely and watched his rise to fame, have no doubt that he will tighten up his batting once entrusted with responsibility.
For his standards Jayasuriya did not have a successful tour of SA with the bat. That is because the opposing bowlers were not giving him the width which he relishes to send the ball flashing to the point or third man boundary. They tucked him up by bowling at his pads and Jayasuirya found it difficult to come out of that web.
He also has the bad habit of adjusting most of his gear while the bowler is running up to deliver. He looks up only when the bowler is about to deliver. New coach Roy Dias will have to talk to him and make him realise his fault.
Against the Kiwis Jayasuriya has a score to settle. He failed against them in their land and must be looking to thrash the Kiwi bowlers around.
Now that the Cricket Board has appointed a new coach and manager, it will do them a lot of good if they tell the coach and the manager what jobs they are expected to do.
As for us the coach must coach and the manager must concentrate on off the field activities. Let not each of them step into the others territory.
Rain
It is now accepted that if Sri Lanka requires rain then they must invite a cricket team. And that norm seems to be holding true with the Kiwis here and the rains coming down very heavily with indications that it will interfere with the cricket.
It is every cricket fan's hope that the rains will relent and allow the Test and One-Day Series to be evenly contested.
It is important that we rub the Kiwis in, in the test and the one-dayers as well. Not to do so will be a calamity not only for the Cricket Board but the new coach and manager as well.