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Affects of inactivity
By Ranil Abeynaike
Day one of the first test match between Sri Lanka and the West Indies indicated how not playing regularly at the highest level affects the Cricketer. It was even more evident on day two when the Sri Lankans batted.

Fingers were pointed at their inability to wipe aside the weakened tourists. That did not materialize because physically and mentally the players had not got into the groove. Whoever the opposition whatever their strength is, a test match is a test match. Naturally, the top teams will be more demanding and every skill will be tested and nothing but the best performance is what is required.

Whatever, you are capable of producing on the day the opposition will be attempting to do better. They should be prepared not to be overawed by the names in the opposition.

It was good to see a nearly full strength Sri Lankan team taking the field. Looking at the team just at the start of the season there are three positions which will be challenged in the next ten months. Number of batting positions could be up for grabs.

The openers should be secure unless Atapattu or Jayasuriya suffers a severe loss in form. Number three Kumar Sangakkara has to go on, either with or without the responsibility of wearing the keepers gloves. Depending on the playing surface a spin bowling and pace bowling position is also bound to be challenged.

There is a lot of cricket coming up in the next ten months that it is important to get the correct combination. Three already well known players Russel Arnold, Nuwan Zoysa and Dilhara Fernando are around and very much knocking on the door. Zoysa and Fernando are much younger than Arnorld, but as pacemen their lifespan is shorter. Zoysa and Fernando must be made use of because they are bowlers who could go out and trouble batsmen at the highest level.

Two other players who are knocking pretty hard on the door are Sajeewa Weerakoon and Prassana Jayawardena. As spinners are meant to do, Weerakoon is maturing with each season. He is now bowling consistently well at "A" team games. It would be apt to give him an opportunity to play for Sri Lanka in the near future.

Another player that must be mentioned is Kushal Lokuarachchi. He is a good prospect as a leg spinner, useful batsman and a good fielder. Should he need some assistance to organise himself off the field then that assistance must be given, by the governing body. He should be brought back into the fold.

These days all teams get a seven to eight week period in the twelve month season. Then they get a complete break. That break must be taken. The mind and body needs it. Beyond that nothing should get into the way of tour programmes. It is a backward step and affects the players and the team.

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