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Forget the past, go for the kill
By Bernie Wijesekera
Forget the past. It's just a memory. Sanath Jayasuriya, the Captain and his team must forget their on-off performances in Australia and must make a concerted effort to bring back Sri Lanka's cricketing pride. Its a Herculean task for Jayasuriya no doubt to lead a team who had failed to show consistency if one went by records barring an odd win here and there.

There was no planning for this great happening since 1999, when Sri Lanka were the defending champions after their historic World Cup Final win over Australia in Lahore in 1996 under Arjuna Ranatunga. The administration was more concerned in a power struggle off the field than trying to uplift the game while other cricketing nations were planning well in advance.

With all these setbacks all Sri Lankans from whatever quarter wish and cheer them to the hilt to make an impact in S. Africa. The team is held in high esteem among the S. African fans and admire them including Dr. Ali Bacher, the Chief Executive Officer of the World Cup Organisation. Jayasuriya, Murali and Marvan Atapattu have been the key players in the side for the team's success if one went by figures and consistency. Other players have not shown consistency or acted with much responsibility. Facts are stubborn - some of the players who are picked are lucky to be there.

Despite given the opportunity they have not shown total commitment. No Captain could perform miracles with a side which lack balance. Where are the bowling all-rounders in the team especially in the lower-order batting line-up to overcome a batting crisis?. Jayasuriya will be under tremendous pressure besides his batting exploits to handle the team.

In an overs game there is no question of coming back unlike in a test match. Otherwise it's going to be "double trouble" with an attack which lack fire and spark barring Vaas. The medium pacers have to be on target than giving unwarranted no-balls and wides. A 50 over game could be 54 to the opponents - with their wayward bowling. Dilhara Fernando should do well to take note of this. Sangakkara, a young talented player has the skills, but must concentrate more on wicket-keeping.

The present team can't be compared anywhere near to the '96 W.C. under Ranatunga, which also had Aravinda. Of the players surviving from that team - Jayasuriya, Murali, Tillekeratne, Vaas, Atapattu - are in the tour party. Players like Mahela, Arnold, Avishka Gunawardena, Mubarak must make use of this opportunities to help the country to uplift its morale.

The team must show total commitment. The 1996 team had the likes of Asanka Gurusinha, Kaluwitharane, Roshan Mahanama (a world class fielder). Imran Khan, the former Pakistani Captain said after watching Roshan that he would include him in any team for his fielding.

Sri Lanka beat the high-riding Australia on sheer guts and commitment. The present could do likewise and take others by surprise if they could display the never-say-die approach.

The dark horse in the coming W.C. are New Zealand with whom the Sri Lankans are playing their first match tomorrow. The young team led by the energetic Stephen Fleming have done their homework sans big names. The best bowling all-rounder in the World, Chris Cairns, if he's fit, will add more pepper and salt to the team.

The Aussies, who are the defending champions without the two Waugh brothers - Steve and Mark - will not have an easy time to defend the title. The middle order batting will be a source of worry to them under pressure. It will not be all that easy for McGrath, Gillespie, Warne and Bret Lee to skin their opponents.

The S. Africans under Shaun Pollock, with so many bowling all-rounders will be raring to go before their home crowds. They have tuned themselves under Eric Simmons. Bowling all-rounders Jacques Kallis the best, followed by Lance Klusner, N. Boje, Pollock in the lower order has much batting depth. Pakistan has a similar formula under Waqar Younis. They have left behind their past records and look forward to a better future. Both India and Pakistan along with Sri Lanka may keep the Sub-continent hopes alive.

Don't forget the West Indies team, drilled by legendary Viv. Richards. They have a battery of fast bowlers who could revel on lively pitches. The team is fast improving. If Lara could bring back his old strings to play - then it's going to be lovely cricket joined by Chandrapaul, Sarwan, Carl Hooper, Ridley Jacobs and Chris Gayle.

SLTA to host another Junior Int. tournament
The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) have geared themselves up to stage the Junior International Championship starting tomorrow (February 10) and scheduled to end on February 16. This will be the 20th successive international junior championship that the SLTA will be conducting and the second ITF tournament for 2003. The annual event which was first staged in 1983 is an ITF recognized tournament with points counted for world ranking.

The tournament has attracted entries from USA and Australia apart from Japan, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Maldives and India. The boys singles has attracted 55 players which includes 23 Sri Lankans while in the girls category consist of 32 players which has ten Sri Lankans.

In the boys event the main draw will have 32 players of which 10 are from Sri Lanka and 14 from the overseas contingent. The balance 29 will have to play in the qualifying rounds to fight for four places to the main draw and the other four are wild card entries which will complete the 32. The qualifying round is scheduled for February 8 and 9 at the SLTA. The girls singles will not have a qualifying round as 32 players have entered.

Highest ranked player of the tournament India's Chatwinder Singh ranked 96th in the ITF world junior rankings and Japan's Isubara Morizane ranked 280 will be the players to watch in this championship. Among the Sri Lankan players Harshana Godamanne (311) and Amrith Rupasinghe (386) are to be seeded by virtue of having the third and fifth best respectively in the line up.-MSA

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