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| Getting down to the job |
It is not everyday that the Indians get beaten in two games out of three in the sub continent by any team in the world. And that too after a closely fought series in India which could have easily gone Sri Lanka’s way had the “luck factor” worked. Sri Lanka winning the Idea cup with almost an unknown and an inexperienced team couldn’t have come at a better time for Skipper Sangakkara and Sri Lanka cricket. It conveyed a very strong message to the rest of the world with regards to cricket in the Island nation!
It would have never been easy for Sangakkara and his men traveling to Bangladesh with a team largely made up of very inexperienced players. Just Dilshan, Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga possessed the experience in batting whilst the rest of the team had hardly played enough to warrant that status. It wouldn’t have helped to be without Mahela Jayawardane, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muthiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Angelo Mathews and Ajantha Mendis. It had reduced the strength in almost half. The bowling department with exception of Kulasekera, Bandara and Mirando didn’t have a player with more than ten games!
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| Sri Lankan cricket team captain Kumar Sangakkara (L) hugs his teammate Suraj Randiv (R) with the champion trophy after wining the final against India in the Tri-Nations tournament one-day international final cricket match at The Sher-e Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on January 13, 2010.. AFP |
In that backdrop to win the tournament when competing against a very strong Indian team is an achievement that should be commended. I think a high percentage of the credit should go to the Captain Sangakkara for the way he batted and led the side and to Dilshan for the amazing innings he made when he was free from injury. Upul Tharanga too without any doubt has definitely cemented his place in the side whilst Thilan Samaraweera contrary to some school of thought made good of the chances he had and definitely deserved a place in the starting line up. What about Mahela Jayawardane then? One felt he answered his critics in style. Not that he had to prove anything but Jayawardane returning from injury had the skipper doing him a huge favour by prompting him to open. True it was unfair by young Thirimanne who hadn’t done badly in the previous game. But lets not forget that at the current moment Sri Lanka needs an inform Jayawardane to bat in the middle and they will back him all the way. His innings in the final was ample proof what a great finisher the experienced Jayawardane is. Contrary to the school of thought that Jayawardane shouldn’t be playing ODI cricket, it is ample evidence that his experience alone is worth a weight in gold! Surely Sri Lanka would have struggled to beat India without his innings!
Besides the blooding of young Thirimanne, who in almost every knowledgeable eye looked a player of exceptional class, the finds of this tour were surely Thisara Perera, Chanaka Welagedera and Suraj Randiv!
Whilst Welagedera and Randiv simply confirmed their class young, Thisara took the cricket world by storm with his all round cricket. Be it hitting massive sixes, bowling sharp and lively seam or throwing himself around on the field, he always gave his best. In the game against India despite Samaraweera’s solid century Sri Lanka would have been anxious if not for Perera’s clean hitting. As a bowler I am sure he could bowl much faster but he was more content in keeping it on a tight line and I thought he was successful.
Then what about Randiv? Sri Lanka surely has discovered a very fine player who could not only rub his shoulders with the best in the business with his off spin, but can bat very effectively in the lower order. His half century against India showed his fighting and never say die attitude. And fielding in the covers young Randiv was able to make some great saves and also pick up catches coming his way.
As for Welagedera this young unassuming lad from Matale has finally come of age. Bowling with great control and accuracy. Welagedera had troubled the top order of both Bangladesh and India regularly and has so far dismissed some top batsmen in the world displaying his class as a fast left-armer. Now free from injury and other technical deficiencies one hopes Welagedera will be continued with by the selectors for a longer time.
Sri Lanka’s next assignment will be the Asia cup and the recent performance in Bangladesh will surely give them all the confidence to compete with the rest! What is interesting is to find out the policy of the selectors! With almost all the players who were injured, rested or dropped being available what would be the composition they would go for? Will they want to continue their youth policy with the likes of Randiv, Thirimanne, Thisara Perera and Chandimal or will the experience be a factor? It is a positive problem or a positive headache rather than not having many options! I don’t think the selectors will be complaining when faced with such a problem.
Let’s also not forget that Chamara Kapugedara who hasn’t had a mention in the line up too is available. He is without any hesitation a class act, though unfortunately he is still to full fill his true potential.
With such a background it is clear that Sri Lanka’s cricket is healthy and well. Despite a few setbacks the team is back on rail and surely looking good. A factor that seems to emerge strongly is the style of Sangakkara as captain! From an anxious and a worried leader Sangakkara appears to have developed a cool head. Watching him put an arm around his bowler despite being punished or applauding him from behind the stumps has suggested to me that he has understood the finer points of leading a side and is fast developing his man management skills. This will definitely augur well for the future as Sangakkara the captain is as important to Sri Lanka cricket as much as Sangakkara the batsman!
Sri Lanka cricket has erased the bad ending of 2009 with a superb start to the New Year. One hopes that the trend will continue.
Roshan Abeysinghe is a leading cricket promoter and an international cricket commentator |
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