Why did Chandimal have to follow the fate of Humpty Dumpty?
View(s):
Chandimal, when he was a hero for the young ones...
Sri Lanka made a clean sweep of the three-match ODI series against a fairly depleted Bangladesh side, especially missing their main all-rounder Shakib al Hassan – who was a star in the recently concluded World Cup – skipper Mortaza, along with all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin. Added to this, new skipper Tamim Iqbal had a wretched run with the bat, and middle-order batsman Mahamadulla did not fare any better.
Even without the pace bowling pyrotechnics of Lasith Malinga who played his last game for Sri Lanka amidst a rousing and a well-deserved farewell, and a blazing innings (111) by Kusal Janith Perera in the first ODI, Angelo Mathews (Man of the Series) played a key role in Sri Lanka’s success with an aggregate of 187 runs. Kusal Janith Perera 183 runs and Kusal Mendis 138 were others who helped overwhelm the tourists. Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (97 runs) and new find Avishka Fernando (95) was close behind. It seemed Kusal Mendis is currently batting with more purpose and his shot selection appears well rounded.Only the Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqar Rahim with an aggregate of 175 runs (average of 87.5) showed some resilience throughout the series except in the final ODI. None of their other batsmen even aggregated a three-figure total in the series. That tells the story of their batting depth. With rumours now floating around that coach Hathurusinghe may return to Bangladesh in his former role could well be accurate.
Sometimes victories due to the contributions of a few can camouflage the shortcomings of a winning team. For instance, whilst contributions by Mathews – due to his wide batting experience – should be lauded without doubt. Yet there still seems niggling doubts about his on-field fitness. He kept the Sri Lankan batting in check but the fact that he is unable to bowl at least 6-7 overs, and be an aggressive fielder is in doubt since he has to nurse his problematic leg injury. Gone are the days when he could unleash flashing square-cuts, searing on-drives or exciting hooks and pulls at will. But it is important that he be retained for the ODI outfit and nursed carefully.
Another point is what of the future of Dhananjaya de Silva? Here is a top-class Test batsman with 4 hundreds and 5 half centuries to his credit and his fielding high-class as well. But, he is not a specialist spin bowler by any means as in the case of Akila Dananjaya or for that matter left-armers, Embuldeniya and Lakshan Sandakan. De Silva is a batting all-rounder who can be used to fill in bowling gaps be it in Test or ODIs – nothing more or nothing less.
Otherwise de Silva may soon be forgotten as the fate that befell former skipper Dinesh Chandimal who has now been invited to play Global T20 cricket in the cold (?) of Canada with Montreal Tigers. Here was a top flight Test batsman cum wicket-keeper thrown out of Sri Lanka cricket. Are there reasons other than cricket that befell Chandimal’s early exit from the game?
Look at Chandimal’s ODI career. Playing against India in July 2011, Sri Lanka beat India by 6 wickets and Chandimal’s contribution was 111 runs. On his fifth ODI game played at Lord’s, against England, a scintillating innings of 105* enabled Sri Lanka to win the game by 6 wickets. In fact, in the 48th over, Chandimal sealed victory for Sri Lanka by smacking a six over long-on. This century enabled his portrait to be hung at Lord’s. He was then a mere 21-year old.
His Test career record, which began in December 2011 against South Africa at Durban against a strong bowling attack comprising pacemen, Dale Steyn, Mornie Morkel and Jacques Kallis, and right-arm spinner Imran Tahir. Sri Lanka won this game too by 208 runs. Chandimal’s contribution was two half-centuries 58 and 54. Indeed in 2013, he was appointed captain of Sri Lanka, reportedly, the youngest to be appointed to this coveted position. Here was a star in the horizon or so it seemed. But suddenly his career took a tumble.
Looking at trading the profession? - File pics by Amila Gamage
At the moment, before he took flight to Canada to play T20 cricket, he got to 10 Test centuries well before the others (in 80 innings). His current Test average is 41.8 with 11 centuries and 17 fifties in 53 Tests. In 146 ODI games he has scored four centuries and 22 half centuries at an average of 32.4. Hardly figures to be thrown into the dust heap despite having been sent in to bat from No. 2 to No. 7 in Test cricket. With the fitness of Mathews for 5-day Test cricket in doubt, Chandimal would be the ideal person to step into the breach.
Can Sri Lanka afford to lose such players because of a temporary loss of form? What about the highly paid batting coaches in Sri Lanka’s cricket camp? Cannot they help or are there wheels within wheels?
Now the New Zealanders who are arriving here shortly for a tour including 2 Test matches and 3 T 20’s Thilan Samaraweera will be joining their camp as an assistant batting coach. Interestingly, former Test player, Thilan began his Test career as an off-spinner but could not find a way to make his mark, in this trade, due to the presence of Muttiah Muralidaran. However after working on his batting he then emerged as a top-flight right-hand batsman eventually averaging 48.7 with 14 centuries and 30 half-centuries in 81 Tests. In ODI cricket he played in 53 games at an average of 27.8 including two centuries by the end of his career. In effect the Black Caps have got a coach to suit their needs.
With some facetious comments now in the air (“Sri Lanka does not need a coach”) after the successful result of the 3-0 success that Sri Lanka enjoyed against Bangladesh, let us wait and see how Sri Lanka fare against the visiting New Zealanders.