Sri Lanka needs to be patient
View(s):After the test retirements of Thilakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka test team is trying to find their rhythm as a batting unit. These three cricket icons had tremendous run for Sri Lanka over the last 15 years. They broke so many cricket records while they were together for the national side.
We all experienced totals excess of 500s and 600s in test cricket over the years thanks to these guys. Nowadays we rarely see anything over 500 in test cricket from Sri Lanka. It is quite important score big runs in test cricket to win matches. Especially in test cricket, the first innings score is so vital for a team. Sometimes it decides a win or loss for the side. It is quite evident that in last two test series, Sri Lanka’s first innings scores were quite poor. It played a big part to loosing those two series. Certainly, we have an issue of filling those batting shoes through our young cricketers who don’t have much experience in international stage. It is not an easy task to be done. It will take some time to see them perform like that. Everyone should be patient since we are experiencing this transition period.
Sri Lanka had back to back test defeats against Pakistan and India respectively in recent times. The results would have been favour for us, if the batters did little bit better. But that is to be expected by a young side like this. They are finding their ways to cement their places in the national side. They need to learn from their mistakes and look to improve every game they play. Now it is about being positive and looking to do well against
West Indies in this month
The challenge of West Indies might not be that difficult since they are also experimenting with a young side. The coach of West Indies, Phil Simmons expressed that they haven’t put the best side for this tour. It will be a good opportunity for us to win the series in home conditions and get back to the winning streak. It will do a lot of good for these youngsters and build up lot of confidence among them. They will start believing that they can win the matches without greats.
On the other hand selectors, coaches and all the support staff have a big responsibility of creating a healthier environment for players. Selectors need to select the best possible XI to win matches rather than experimenting with these players. They need to find right combinations and put them at the right time.
It is not about putting so many young players to the side at once to test them whether they are capable of handling the international stage. We see a lot of young players coming to the side these days. That is not the way to move forward. It is about putting the best XI on the ground. Authorities should look to manage our resources well. The players should be given specific roles to play, because sometimes the players have to play unusual roles where they had no experience before. For an example, sometimes the openers are asked to bat middle order and middle order batsmen are asked to bat as openers. This is not acceptable from selectors. That puts so much pressure on players.
That is why it is important to let them play the specific roles assigned to them. Otherwise it will let the players down and therefore the whole team will suffer.Coaches need to help out players as much as they can.They need to prepare them physically and mentally to handle the occasion. If all the related parties play their part, we will see the improvements in future. Important thing is about being patient with this young blood.
Kanishka Sanjeewa
Moratuwa