By Champika Fernando
Bolstered by the Sri Lanka team’s excellent performance against England and Pakistan, Marvan Atapattu will stake a claim for an extended run as head coach when Sri Lanka Cricket finally decides on a full-time coach later this month.  

QYou are among those nine shortlisted for the head coach position. Having had a brief but a highly successful stint with the national team, where do you place yourself among those shortlisted candidates?

I consider my self as to be at the top of the list. The reasons being that the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has already shown confidence in me by progressively upgrading me from the position of batting coach to assistant coach and as head coach for 3 tours , England, South Africa and Pakistan. I have achieved close to 70 % success rate as head coach in these tours .Secondly being a Sri Lankan I have got the best rapport possible with the players, staff and the administration specially with no language barrier. I also understand the Sri Lankan mentality, the culture and also know the idiosyncrasies of each player as I have known them from the beginning of their cricketing carriers. Also having had the exposure as batting coach and head coach for a fair period of time, I have already identified the requirements for the future short and long term strategic plans for cricket development.

Q Do you think the selection committee will give you a fair hearing this time specially after your successful stint?
The selection committee has always given me a fair deal. I cannot see any reason why they would not be fair by me now.

QYou have been involved with the national cricketers for almost five years in various capacities from the batting coach to interim head coach. Do you think you have justified your position?

I am satisfied with my achievements as batting coach and interim head coach and this has been affirmed by the recognition given to me by the SLC administration .However the challenges in this does not end the process of my improvement is continuous.  

QHow did you feel when you were snubbed for the post of head coach in 2013?
I don't consider my self as having been snubbed by the SLC on that occasion. To explain, I must say that the post of head coach was advertised and I was one of the applicants. Interviews and presentations were held where I too participated. The panel selected an individual whom they thought is the best and it had the right to do so.

QWhat can you do for the country that other candidates can't?  
As a Sri Lankan all my work as head coach will primarily be based on feelings of patriotism and loyalty to my country. In this I will do what is best for Sri Lanka cricket as well as for the country.

QHow would you compare a foreign coach to someone from the same country?  
In a comparison with a foreign coach I am at an advantageous position, the reasons for which I have already detailed in my answer to question 1.   

QYour relationships with SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga seem to be a great disadvantage for you? How do you look at this?
 Personnel or relationships otherwise have no barring advantages or disadvantages in administrative issues when viewed professionally. Actions can not be based on relationships and personnel agendas but on professional thinking with a view to doing best for Sri Lanka cricket and for the country.

QHow is your relationships with the senior players in the side?
 My relationship with all senior players has been good. They have extended their co-operation to the captain and to my self at all stages. They have also guided the juniors, encouraged them when necessary and overall made my job as coach much easier. They have always inculcated a sense of discipline amongst the juniors both in and out of the field.

QWhat do you see as the role of a coach?
This depends on who he is handling, whether it’s a U-13 cricketer or an elite cricketer. At the top level it’s more to do with player management, lot to do with team environment, lot to do with taking the pressures, lot to do with grievances and not so much to do with technicalities. It’s lot to do with option and how well you can sell an idea for a player to understand. But it’s all up to the player to make the choice. We need to understand that players have reached a certain level and that’s why they are in the national team. So we must respect this.  

QWhat realistic chance does Sri Lanka have in terms of winning the world cup?
It’s good to win a series or two to boost our confidence up but we need to put down a very good management plan for the next six months to get the best out of the available talent.  If we play the way we are now, I think we’ve got a very good chance even though we will be playing in New Zealand and Australia. We need to keep the same team spirit and the momentum going for the next six months.