Sports

Suddenly, Sri Lanka’s squad for the next years World Cup seems settled. The performances in England have helped players cement their spots. A number of the fringe players have proved their worth and the seniors have gone from strength to strength.

Most significant and encouraging is skipper, Mahela Jayawardena’s move to the number three spot and the immediate success. To some the burden of captaincy affects their playing form. In Jayawardena’s case he is revelling in the situation and the responsibility is bringing the best out of him.

Any team is lifted when the captain performs. The Lankan skipper does not get ruffled; neither does he go into a shell when the team fails. In the home series against Pakistan and in the early games in England he remained positive and objective in the midst of failure.

He put the finger on where the team failed and they in turn have responded to his call. Following the captains example the batsmen have piled on the runs. Upul Tharanga is one who has cemented a place in both the test and one day side. A solid technique and a hunger for runs has driven him on to score on a variety of surfaces. In a short spell of time he has played in India, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, England and at home. That is a rare opportunity and experience for a twenty one year old youngster. To his credit, he has not let go of the opportunity.

Deputy skipper Kumar Sangakkara has looked set to explode with the bat on occasions on this tour, but he has got himself out. Now is the time he should be piling on the runs when at his peak. Should his concentration be lapsing as a result of the burden behind the stumps, then once the World Cup is concluded he must assess his role as keeper/batsman. Sri Lanka need his batting and needs him to score big runs; having said that, his glove work has been excellent in recent times. The spinners in particular have been lifted, due to the excellence of Kumar Sangakkara’s keeping. All is quite well for the moment.

The progress of youngsters Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara and Fervez Mahroof has been steady. Paceman Malinga continues to improve and grow in confidenc. As a leg spinner and lower order batsman Malinga Bandara seems to be improving by the day.. Mahroof has been hot and cold but holds promise for bigger achievements with both bat and ball in the future.

Top order batsman T.M. Dilshan and Russel Arnold, have survived in the shadows of Jayasooriya, Tharanga, Jayawardena and Sangakkara. Both Dilshan and Arnold have played heaps and the experience should carry them through in the coming months. Should a replacement be needed, young Chamara Kapugedara waits in the wings. He too must be given playing opportunities when possible to ensure that he develops and does not stagnate.

Dilhara Fernando is the player who needs to raise his bowling by a couple of notches. He has got it all to be a very effective pace bowler but has not been able to put it all together consistently. He has the very experienced Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga alongside him. Fernando should use pace and accuracy as his weapons to blast a few in the top order and then come back to destroy the tail.

The plan from here on should be to work with these players. Only injury should warrant change. Plan precisely how to beat all opposing teams and this set of players have the ability to deliver the goods.