Up to the captain to calm things down - Mahela

By Harry Jayachandra

Be within the law says Mahela

Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Mahela Jayawardene says that one should play the game hard and if not your opponent will walk all over you. But the true spirit of the game is to confine oneself within the peripheries of the law laid down in cricket.

Jayawardene who won ‘the spirit of the game award’ presented by the International Cricket Council (ICC) was answering questions posed to him by The Sunday Times about the spirit of the game or the lack of it and questionable umpiring decisions which nearly led to India calling off their four test tour of Australia.

He said: “One must be aggressive or you will get rolled over in the context of today’s cricket. Each player reacts differently to situations and decisions. But it is up to the captain to calm that individual down. One must do one’s best and play hard on the field. But at the same time must also be able to have a laugh after the game.”

Sri Lanka will leave for Australia to participate in the VB Triangular One Day Series along with India and the host nation on January 24. But the tension between Australia and India could be cut with a cake knife following a highly contentious and dramatic second test.

Asked if this development would affect the Sri Lankan team Down Under, Jayawardene said: “We have to put all distractions aside and focus on our own game plan. And though we have not practised we have been playing in the Provincial Tournament and all the guys have also been doing weight training. Touch wood, we have no major injury concerns ahead of this series. Thus it is up to each player to give his best regardless of the circumstances. If you let something said to you affect your game, then you become the loser in the end.”

The team to tour Down Under will be selected tomorrow and today sees the Provincial Final between two teams led by Jayawardene and his National deputy Kumar Sangakkara. When asked about today’s game and Sri Lanka’s chances in the VB Series, Jayawardene said:

“Yes today’s game should be interesting weather permitting. As for the VB series, we intend to win it. All the guys are in good touch and it’s up to us to collectively perform well and consistently”.