Sports

Sports

Keep on moving
Sri Lanka's win at the Asia Cup and the performance against South Africa in the test matches and one dayers was a consistent best in many years. There was a spell in the middle of Sanath Jayasuriya's tenure as captain when the team enjoyed continued success in both forms of the game.

All the success then was at home or in the neighboring countries. The team was performing at its best. They had mastered the art of playing at home and in fairly similar sub continent conditions.

Then they ran into hot water. First the early season conditions in England and the home team's pace and swing bowling undid them. After thrashing the Bangladeshi's they embarked on a long tour of South Africa. Again the results were sub-standard, with the batsmen succumbing to quicker, bouncier pitch conditions.

On their return to contest the World Cup they fared much better reaching the semi finals of that tournament. A loss to Kenya soured their achievements. Following a short tour to Sharjah, the combination of Jayasuriya (Captain) and Whatmore (Coach) was dismantled for fresh legs.

At present Sri Lanka have just reached the crest of a wave. Now the challenge is on for them to remain on the top of the wave. They are in the first of 3 overseas tours. They are brimming with confidence as the ICC Champions Trophy unfurls. The opening game against Zimbabwe should not pose too many problems.

Then the sudden death situation arises. Playing England in England is the next challenge. England under Michael Vaughn could be classified as the most improved side in the past eighteen months. Although there is plenty of one day cricket played in their domestic tournaments the longer game is their strength. They lack an outstanding spin bowler, but the rest comprises of a very good 'test' outfit.

That confidence has rubbed-off on the one day players and in recent games they have played mush better. The encouraging factor for Sri Lanka is that it has been a very dry and warm summer in England and in the run-up games it was noticeable that the pitches were taking spin.

In August of 1998 Muttiah Muralitharan bowled Sri Lanka to victory at the Surrey Oval, after the home team had scored four hundred plus in their fist innings. Then the conditions assisted and so it should do, this September. Unless the English weather which is known for its fickleness changes for the worse in a hurry.

Should that hurdle be cleared the next obstacle is a brick wall! Australia are drawn to play the USA and New Zealand and are expected to triumph over these two teams. That is getting into the thick of the cricketing world. It's a knock out and to produce the best team performance on the day is the key.

The challenge continues after the ICC Champions Trophy onto Pakistan in October. A tri-nation one day series and then test matches against Pakistan. The home team are an emerging lot and with their mixed form of recent times will be more then determined to win on home soil.

Shortly after, it will be an even stiffer challenge in December, going onto next year, when they tour New Zealand. Expect to play on green seaming pitches. The Indians were subjected to such surfaces early last year, and failed miserably. The going will be tough, but Sri Lanka must keep moving on from the position of strength that they are in right now.

Top