Still experimenting after twenty five years

Just as it was in the opening ODI the Sri Lankans won the 5th ODI against England in convincing style. In between they won three games and with it went the series.

I recollect reading the headline in one of the English newspapers after the first game. It mocked the Englishmen saying that Sri Lanka had taught them a lesson in cricket. A week later the writer and sub editor responsible must have had a hearty meal eating their own words!

The lesson that Sri Lanka has to learn is to be consistent. That is the difference between Australia and all other international cricket playing nations. Take the performances of Sri Lanka over the past year. They beat an England team who were starting on team building handsomely at five to zero. They drew even with New Zealand. Then travelled to India and lost the series. The world cup was a great success. They played well throughout the tournament. This was followed by a defeat in Abu Dhabi, with a weakened side. The home series against Bangladesh provided no difficulties. Now, after a sound start there were three indifferent performances and back to the winning form.

Sri Lanka’s strength has always been their batting. Then again, whenever they have failed, it has been their batting that has let them down most often. On this occasion too, as a unit, the batsmen did not produce sufficient, to lift the team. On all occasions two batsmen must at least get big fifties, in one day cricket. That did not happen. On one occasion T.M. Dilshan, on another Chamara Silva, got runs, but lacked support and no partnerships were built and with it the ship sank.

There is no question that the current lot of players ranking from good to excellent. The team is the most experienced in both forms of the game when compared to the rest of the world. The results cannot be faltered. The question is -- are they the best that we can produce?

My opinion is that there must still be a greater search for excellence. Australia came to India for a series of ODI’s. They have a team which has had a few retirements during the course of the year. Those who retired were some of their leading figures in their running success however their transition has been smooth. They beat India 4 – 2 in the seven match series, with one game affected by rain. That is being excellent.

They have an advantage in that their domestic first class tournament and district cricket which supply players for the first class game of high standard. The infrastructure helps players take the next step easily. They are well prepared and are always looking for opportunities.

This year Sri Lanka is trying a new format of ten clubs for their major tournament. It’s sad to see that they are still experimenting even though twenty five years have gone by since the country got test status, anyway let us look forward to a season of purposeful cricket. A season which will hopefully be the beginning, where the preparation is good enough to produce players who will offer a serious challenge to those who are already in the national squad.

The one area that has prospered in recent years, is the ‘A’ team fixtures, both home and away. There have been plenty of opportunities and some players have definitely benefited. Two factors to keep in mind. The ‘A’ team should not be a place for those dropped from the national team to go and graze. If they are in with a definite chance to comeback, ‘yes’, play them not otherwise. Secondly, give those who are performing, the opportunity at the top whilst in form, not a couple of years later. Having shadow players is one way to keep all interested all the time. To have batsmen, pace bowlers and spin bowlers in the wing, ready to step in and ensure the transition happens smoothly, to ensure the momentum is not lost. To be hot most of the time should be the goal, not hot and cold!