What measures should Sri Lanka take after the World Cup?
View(s):All Sri Lankans expected our lads to win the World Cup and bring it to Sri Lanka. But, on March 18, 2015 this expectation became just a pipe dream. They were very sad and unhappy with the performance of our team. It was a very pathetic batting display by our national players. They were tamed by the fast and spin bowling attack of South Africa. After putting 132 runs on the scoreboard could our bowlers produce a fight back against the mighty South African batting line up? No. As far as Sri Lankan bowling is concerned, such an attack is impossible, especially on alien soil. To be frank, if we analyse our performance objectively then Sri Lanka is not up to the mark. Whenever we play away from our country we have not performed well.
During the first round we lost to both the host nations, namely, the Kiwis and Kangaroos. Some people say that we put up a good fight against Australia, even though we lost the match. But our defeat margin was 64 runs! In my estimation we lost to the finalists and third best team in the tournament. With such mediocre performances can our cricketers win a tournament of this nature?
Last year, prior to the New Zealand tour, our lads had a physical fitness programme. During this time our Cricket Board undertook an unwanted tour to India. This meant that our players could not complete their fitness programme. Due to this foolish act of our authorities it became obvious during the World Cup that most of our cricketers were unfit to play. When players are not physically fit then, naturally, they are unable to deliver the goods.
When we compare our bowling attack with some world class teams it becomes clear that we are not in the same league! Our bowlers are not fit to hold a candle with their bowlers. As long as we do not produce a bowling side that could perform well in different conditions then we will never be able to win outside Sri Lanka.
For the Quarter Finals we exposed Kusal Janith as an opener. He had played 15 matches and not even scored 250 runs. Can we send a fellow of that nature to open an important match!!! Obviously he became a prey to the South African attack. To add salt to the wounds, veteran Dilshan got out early. Naturally our star batsman had to play slow and he became over cautious. Anyhow, both Thirimanne and Sangakkara tried their best to consolidate things and post a good score on the board. But after the departure of Thirimanne wickets started falling like nine pins. The South African bowlers bamboozled our batsman and sent them, one by one, to the pavilion. We were shot out for 132 runs. The pitch was bouncy and turning and our lads had no answer neither to the pace nor the spin.
Our Cricket Board and selectors should understand and accept the fact that our players are not prone to perform well on foreign soil. This issue must be addressed if we want to be a threat to other nations in their own den. In 1996 we won the World Cup in the Subcontinent. In 1999 we went to England to play in the same tournament with seven of the players who had won the competition in 1996. But, on that occasion, we did not even reach the second round! Our players are not prepared to play well on pitches in other countries. Therefore, this issue has to be remedied. If not, then history will repeat itself again and again.
In this article I have put forward my opinion as to why we did not do well in the World Cup Tournament. It is up to those in authority to take the necessary action and give the best to our cricketers.
Rev. Bro. Nimal Gurusinghe F.S.C.