Losing streak ‘Hoodoo’ smashed, time to focus on T20 WC 2021
Greys, led by Dasun Shanaka won the SLT Invitational T20, a fitting prelude for the South African tour
In a philanthropic gesture, Sri Lanka’s white-ball skipper Dasun Shanaka has donated his Man-of-the-Series prize money of Rs 200,000 of the SLC Invitational T20 League to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila. It had been brought to his notice that the national cricketers are planning to set up a special unit at the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital with a fixed ventilator for the benefit of the COVID-19 patients. Dasun Shanaka had confessed that it is the responsibility to contribute for worthy causes like this as the situation of the country is critical.
The newly knit Sri Lanka’s T20 team recently triumphed the series 2-1 in the completed white-ball series over the ‘formidable’ Indian team all with IPL experience including five Test players. In order to recognise this triumph, the Executive Committee of Sri Lankan Cricket had awarded a sum of US$ 100,000 to the national team.
Before our team leaves to Abu Dhabi in October for the World T20, the South Africa tour is scheduled in September for a three-match ODI and T20 series from September 2 to 14, all matches to be played once more at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
Before the commencement of the Indian white-ball series, a five-bench judge panel elected for the inquiry by the SLC authorities into the breach of the Bio Bubble, by the trio Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Dhanushka Gunatilleke, during the tour of England. The fine imposed was Rs.10mn each and handing over a one-year ban from international cricket. It is learnt that the trio had appealed to the SLC authorities to reduce the ban and fines imposed.
While the SLC Invitation T20 League tournament was ongoing, the selectors named a 30-man squad targeting both South African series and the T20 World Cup to be held in Abu Dhabi commencing October 24. Of course, in phase one between October 18 and 23, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Netherlands and Ireland will play each other in Group A to earn one of the two qualifying spots from the group while Bangladesh, Oman, Scotland and Papua New Guinea fight in Group B to earn other two slots.
The SLC Invitation T20 has now been completed where most key players had fared well with consistent performances which augurs well. The white-ball series against touring South Africans is scheduled between September 2 and 14 after which the selection committee will select the final squad for the T20 World Cup in October.
Despite losing three key players — Kusal, Niroshan and Dhanushka — the selectors did not panic in selecting a squad for the white-ball series against India as there was potential, needing only to deliver. The success of the T20 triumph over India was regrettably not highlighted in the local media. It needs to be reminded that all international teams have had their lean periods and had come out to perform well to their peak subsequently. It should be emphasised that all international teams consisted of famous skilled cricketers, including Sri Lanka in relation to the teams of today in the decades of the 1980, 1990 and 2000. Hence the standards of the present cricketers worldwide are much lower in the present context.
The whole team contributed towards this historic series win which baffled and dumbfounded all Indian commentators and sports journalists, who are usually biased and foretold with utter prejudice for whitewashes in both white-ball contests. Although it was said that it was a second string Indian outfit, it was not so. All were veterans in Indian Premier League tournaments and about five had played Test cricket. But on the other hand we had fewer Test players with many of our players viz, Charith Asalanka, Praveen Jayawickrema were debutantes in T20 format. It is regretted that this triumph in the T20 series was not highlighted in the local media at a time when the losing streak ‘hoodoo’ was broken sans the luxury of the suspended three senior players. This is ample testimony that no cricketer is indispensable.
It should be emphasised that the winning team played as a determined unit fielding enthusiastically taking some blinders while fielding. With the T20 World Cup approaching the white-ball series against South Africa is vital to gain more experience. It is suggested that after this tour T20 practice matches should be organised between the probable teams including the seniors before the selection of the final squad for the World Cup in Abu Dhabi in October.
The postponed meeting chaired by sports minister with the participation of past captains and administrators of SLC was held on August 2. According to sources the need was to implement a short term plan to win matches, the present situation, future of Sri Lanka’s cricket was taken for discussion. Citing the recent losses several past captains had also raised concerns questioning the current selection criteria. The minister of sports had tweeted that a fruitful discussion was held which augurs well for our cricket.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane