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Sports

The need of the hour
By Ranil Abeynaike
Analyse the overall performance in the recently concluded two test matches against the West Indies and it could be said – not overly impressive. There were shortcomings in all departments of the game. However, as the days passed, the strengths began to emerge.

The proven veterans, Captain Marvan Atapattu and former leader Sanath Jayasuriya were not able to progress on a couple of occasions having made starts. They needed a push start which they got, now they must draw on all their experiences and get back to putting runs on the board. Kumar Sangakkara carved out a brilliant batting performance when it mattered, in the second innings at Asgiriya. It underlined the fact that he is a class player. It was an outstanding innings. His glove work was also consistent. Always alert and active and focused on the job at hand.

Mahela Jayawardena made some runs, but could not go on to accumulate good scores. This would well be the story of his career. He will make very big scores on his day but will have many unfulfilled efforts in-between those big ones. His playing technique of minimum foot movement before the execution of the stroke has betrayed him on many occasions and will continue to betray him.

Tillekratne Dilshan displayed flashes of brilliance and Tilan Samaraweera compiled runs in test batsmanship manner. Neither blossomed to achieve Sangakkara’s feats, but their contribution was noteworthy. Chaminda Vaas proved that his batting is improving. Practice and experience combined, is helping him to score runs. It was a pleasing sight to see Muttiah Muralitharan in action again. He huffed and puffed before settling down and in the final innings blew the West Indians off their feet. His mighty swing of the bat seemed to be making more contact with ball when he wielded! Maybe there is more method to his batting madness these days!

Lasitha Malinga started with a bang in the first innings at the S.S.C. grounds, but then, gradually began to run out of steam. He will have to be monitored and used precisely as a strike bowler and some sort of secret weapon. Gayan Wijekoon and Rangana Herath failed to impress sufficiently. The question with them, is, are they capable performers at international level? The selectors have seen both for awhile now. They have to decide now whether they are blocking entry for more potent players from advancing.

“Bench Strength” is a term commonly used these days after Greg Chapell took over as Indian Coach and made it part of his cricket vocabulary. Proven players Upul Chandana, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Zoysa and Russel Arnold occupy the front row of Sri Lanka’s bench. They are seniors now and should they be in the plans of Captain, Coach and Selectors, to serve the team then they must be fast tracked into the side, be it in the tests or one dayers.

True, only eleven can play, but these are players with a proven track record and whatever opportunity that can be afforded must be given to keep them alive.

It is good to have two young new comers in the one day squad. UpulTharanga and Dilhara Lokuhettige will find this to be a tremendous experience. Fervez Mahroof has at 21 years of age, been part of 17 one dayers. Add other youngsters, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Malinga Bandara, Ian Daniel, Jehan Mubarak, Michael Van Dort, Sanjeeva Weerakoon, Suraj Mohamed and the more experienced Shantha Kalavitigoda, that’s quite a handful of talent. They should be more hungrier for success. That forms a solid squad of players to go on until the 2007 World Cup.

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