Colombo (Sri Lanka) - Sanath Jayasuriya put on a brave face under the harsh spotlight of media attention last night and from his quizzical expression was unable to decide whether the question was a leg pull or made in all innocence by some junior unaware of the controversies how the Sri Lanka team had been selected.

Not for the first time had the national selectors decision to overlook the former heroes of the nation, Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva, surfaced in open forum. But on the eve of the three nation Aiwa Cup tournament, and after what has been written and debated it was not a time to jest.

``Do you think the side you are leading,'' came the loaded query of the new Sri Lanka captain, ``is perhaps a little short on experience?'' Perhaps it was deliberate mischiefmaking designed to get under the skin of the new leader who has a tough enough job without having to go through the discussions yet again.

``There are fifteen players in the squad and we will have to select the side from that squad,'' was about as much as he was going to divulge. Then came the obvious question of was he feeling any pressure? And the equally obvious reply of doing something for the first time was always a challenge.

But the persistent questioning of Jayasuriya and the selectors, led by Sidath Wettimuny, of the issue shows how Sri Lankans have been unable to grasp the simple fact; both, as great as the have been, now belong to the past. It is time to move on, yet allow them to offer guidance when it comes to Test matches. The dilemma, however, is more than a simple identification of finding the players to fill the gaps.

Wettimuny, a former top-order Test batsman was confident Sri Lanka had the young players who could help bridge the gap between the A Team and the senior squad. He did express, however, some concern the gap existed at all. Between 1995 and 1998, a particularly fecund period in terms of talent and results a number of top young players found themselves on the fringe of the side. Now the selectors have drafted in ten youngsters in the LOI and Test squads, which underlined the selectors faith in youth. It meant there would be a chance to give more young players exposure at the right level.

``What worries us is that there is this gap between A team and Test level and it can be fairly obvious when some young players, talented as they are, are going to battle.

``Then again, we are confident the opportunities were are creating is going to have some affect, especially from those players from outside Colombo. They know they will not be overlooked,'' he said.

At least it is casting off the ugly pernicious cloak which had slowed the growth of the game during a generation brought up on the on the success of the World Cup success at Lahore in 1996 and an invincibility which has finally run out of the two men who had made it possible, Ranatunga and De Silva.

It really is time to move on and for the youngsters to discover new idols, role models or heroes.