| The
legend of our times
The Sunday Times caught up with
the former Captain, now the icon of Sri Lanka Cricket at his residence
in the outskirts of Colombo. In a wide ranging interview with our
cricket correspondent Marlon Fernandopulle, Jayasuriya spoke of
his test debut, pinch hitting, his ascendancy from an ordinary middle
order batsman to a prolific test opener, captaincy and its effect
on his batting and a host of other issues.
On
the cricket field he has proved to be Sri Lanka's greatest all-rounder.
Recently during Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan mercurial Sanath not
only became Sri Lanka highest scorer in both forms of the game,
but also became the most capped player surpassing Aravinda de Silva
de Silva's tally of 93 Tests and 6361 runs scored. Sanath's present
tally stands at 6388 runs scored in 94 Tests and 9853 runs scored
in 332 ODI's.
Sanath
may be the dashing batsman who has sent chills in their spines on
many a bowler in the recent past , but off the field and at home
he is an all-rounder of different sorts. With his wife Sandra expecting
their second child shortly and his domestic helper indisposed, back
at home on a short break from his gruelling international itinerary,
Sanath has more than a handful. From playing with his 2 ½
year old lovely daughter Keshini and attending to all the nitty-gritty's
at home, Jayasuriya has hardly any time to relax and rest. Nevertheless
the 35 year old who is perpetually with that customary broad smile
enjoys every moment of the break he has got to the hilt.
Test
debut
"I remember it was in Hamilton, New Zealand in 1991.
I was named in the squad of 12 on the day before the test match.
I was not certain of playing, but I thought I had a good chance.
When the team was announced on the day of the test I was delighted
and was very proud to be playing a test match for my country. I
was a bit tensed as I had never played a test match I batted at
number seven and I must admit that I was a little nervous. But Asanka
Gurusinghe who was on the other side kept on telling me to forget
that it's your first test match and just play my natural game. I
scored 35. My first scoring stroke was a boundary between cover
point and third man. Yes, It was my favourite stroke that brought
me my first runs in test cricket".
Moving
from a middle order batsman to a test opener
"After my test debut I was in and out of the team
mainly because of the balance that was needed to the team. Sometimes
we played with six batsman and sometimes seven. However during the
Australian tour in 1995 Roshan Mahanama who used to be the regular
opener was injured, and the Management wanted me to open. I gladly
accepted the offer and scored 49 and 112 in that test match at Adelaide.
Since then I have opened in tests for my country and I must say
that I am very comfortable in this position as an opener'.
Playing
the role of a pinch-hitter
"In the one dayers also I started off batting in
the middle order at number six and seven. But during a tour to Pakistan
in 1994 when Roshan was injured I was asked to open and I scored
three fifties in the three one dayers. From here on I started opening
in the one dayers. During the Australian tour in 1995 when I opened
with Romesh Kaluwitharana I was asked to attack as the management
realized that it was my natural style. This I must say I did very
successfully and continued it during the world cup in 1996 and thereafter".
On
being appointed as the Captain of Sri Lanka
"It came to me at the least expected time. I myself
was surprised, but I took up the challenge. It was not easy taking
up the captaincy from someone like Arjuna Ranatunge who had done
so much for Sri Lanka Cricket. There was a lot of pressure on me
at that time. But I must say the team rallied round me, the team
spirit was great, and I got a lot of support from the players as
well as from the selectors at that time. This helped me a lot during
that period where eventually we won 10 tests in row and a host of
one day tournaments as well".
Effect
of captaincy on batting
"Initially captaincy did affect my batting. I went
through a lean patch but before long I managed to overcome the situation.
All I did was forget that I was a captain when I was batting. I
wanted to just concentrate only on my batting and not on the captaincy
when I was at the crease. This helped me to overcome the pressure
of captaincy when I was batting".
Overcoming
a bad patch
"I have had a few bad patches in batting in both
tests and one dayers. At a time like this I spend more time with
my coach and with people who are close to me and also view a lot
of my videos. It's not only the mistakes that I view but I also
take a look at some of the innings where I have scored. I also try
to play more with a straight bat and concentrate on scoring within
the V. I think batting is all about confidence. So what I try to
do is get that confidence back".
Resigning
as the Captain
"I did the job for about 4 ½ years and I thought
that someone else should captain the world cup in 2007. It was an
individual decision that I made at that time. But, like always I
got the consent of my wife and a couple of other guys who are very
close to me. All of them agreed with me and I must say that today
I have no regrets over that decision".
Emergence
as a spinner
"When I was a captain I was a little reluctant to
bowl and I think during this period I under bowled myself. However
now Marvan feels that I should bowl a little more and so does John
Dyson. This has boosted my confidence and as a result I think I
am bowling better and getting more wickets".
Technology
and the game
"I think we have the right balance now. If we increase
the technology from the current levels you are bound to lose the
uniqueness of the game. Umpires do make mistakes, they are also
human, but I think technology that is used right now is just about
right".
Future
of Sri Lanka Cricket
"Today the selectors are looking at giving a few
youngsters a break which is very good. We have some talented youngsters
like Ian Daniel, Maharoof, Jehan Mubarak and Kandambi. Given the
opportunity these youngsters should make full use of. There is a
big gap today between test cricket and club cricket so it's not
easy to fit in but the youngsters must be able to adjust quickly
to this change and prove themselves. I am of the view that sometimes
these guys fail to capitalize on the opportunities given".
Private
life
"It's not an easy task. I love to be with my wife
and daughter Keshini all day. But it's not possible. Whenever I
am not on tour I am at home with them or I go out for a short holiday
to a nearby place. This girl Keshini misses me a lot, but that's
the life of a cricketer.
Being
a popular figure
"Yes, its not easy to go out to public places. They
recognize you at once. I visit the temple regularly, but try to
go when the crowds are less. After all they are all my fans who
are out there and I owe a lot to them so I don't mind being mobbed
by my fans".
On
his own future
"It will all depend on my performance. I would like
to go upto the world cup in 2007 but I would like to take it series
by series. Thanks to all my trainers and Physios today I am fit.
I will continue with my fitness schedules and prescribed diets to
maintain my fitness levels. I am currently employed at NDB Bank
(as a senior manager) and they have been very supportive to me.
In fact even after quitting the game I intend to continue my Banking
career with NDB".
Penning
his thoughts to a book
"This is something that I have thought and I hope
to start on it someday. My wife keeps a diary of all that happens
so I guess it's a matter of getting the right person to do the job".
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