ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Vol. 42 - No 02
Sports

Oh! To be in England

Other players with international caps on tour are, Gayan Wijeykoon, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Akalanka Ganegama and Ishara Amerasinghe. For Wijeykoon and Amerasinghe it will be a make or break tour. Wijeykoon has excelled in domestic cricket for a while now and Amerasinghe, although not to the extent of Wijeykoon has a good record at that level. Lokuarachchi (leg spin) and Ganegama (pace) have to prove that they can take that next big step and perform up there consistently.

Talented Ganegama should make the maximum out of this opportunity. Pic J. Weerasekera

A tour of England is the ultimate experience for any cricketer. Visit that country a few times or play professionally at a reasonably high standard; it provides tremendous growth in any player’s career.

The Sri Lankan ‘A’ team now have plenty of cricket. There are many regular tours at home and away, giving aspiring players adequate opportunities. Perhaps Sri Lanka, together with India are the two countries that so regularly engage in ‘A’ fixtures.

For all of that, not enough has been made of the opportunities. Of the recent entries into the national team, Lasith Malinga came out of nowhere. Fervez Mahroof and Upul Tharanga skipped over went from the under nineteen into the first team. Chamara Kapugedara also leapfrogged the ‘A’ team, but has now come down to be on this tour. He was played in all three ODI’s in Abu Dhabi. On each occasion he got a start but failed to go on. It was a string of chances not made use of. This is the reason Kapugedara is on this tour. He is on a learning expedition on “how to bat for long periods of time and play big innings.”

It is a team that comprises of seven players who have played for the national team but have not been able to establish themselves. Tilan Samaraweera and Jehan Mubarak, the captain and deputy are the two players with most experience at that level.

Samaraweera’s record is pretty impressive as a test player, with 37 games and he has also played 17 ODI’s. He has scored a majority of the test runs in home games and on pitches that are more batsmen friendly. He has an opportunity of setting that right on this, where the pressure will be less.

Five years ago Jehan Mubarak was a young hopeful, who was expected to clinch a regular place in the Sri Lankan top order. He failed to live upto that, giving his wicket away too often, too early. His has been a case of true potential not being realized. The other player with much experience is the left arm spinner Rangana Herath. He has played in twelve test matches, getting off to a good start, then getting less penetrative as time wore on. Finger spinners don’t have it easy these days at the highest level. They must either possess deliveries of many variations with the ability to spin the ball sharply and/or be very tall so that there is the ability to get extra bounce. At this stage of his career can Herath reach that level?

Michael van Dort falls into the rare category of player not to play first eleven regularly for his school, but to have played for his country. He has also been unfortunate not to have got more opportunities to play at test level. Being classed only as a test batsman has not helped the cause. It was about an year ago that he hit a test century against England. Now he returns and gets another opportunity to serve notice to the selectors.

Other players with international caps on tour are, Gayan Wijeykoon, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Akalanka Ganegama and Ishara Amerasinghe. For Wijeykoon and Amerasinghe it will be a make or break tour. Wijeykoon has excelled in domestic cricket for a while now and Amerasinghe, although not to the extent of Wijeykoon has a good record at that level. Lokuarachchi (leg spin) and Ganegama (pace) have to prove that they can take that next big step and perform up there consistently.

Two youngsters who have grabbed the opportunities they have got are opening batsman Mahela Udawatte and wicket keeper batsman Kaushal Silva. Both have shown steady improvement over the past two seasons. They have to continue in this fashion and this opportunity to play in England is a big break for them. It is challenging itinerary for Samaraweera and his team. They play five three day games and four one day games. An opportunity for all on tour. It is upto each one to make the maximum.

 
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Copyright 2007 Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka.