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After quite a while many players have been given the opportunity to play for Sri Lanka. Partly because there has been plenty of cricket including test matches, one dayers and a T20 team game, partly because the results of the team has been inconsistent. It is time the selections are based on performances that influence the team to achieve results.
Many players get selected on potential initially and continue to stay with occasional good showings and inadequate consistent performances. There must be a consistent dialogue and monitoring of a players progress to ascertain who are contributing towards team victories or helping to get the team within site of victories. Players who score twenty or thirty runs or bowl an adequate spell now and then but do not make major contributions regularly towards the team’s success must be weeded out.
India is enjoying success at the moment because they have all players contributing towards the team effort. Until a few months ago they had a number of good players, but performing in bits and pieces. Not all players will go through an entire career being exceptionally productive. Muttiah Muralitharan and Sachin Tendulkar come to mind immediately as prime examples. They had the batting and bowling records in test and ODI games because they have performed brilliantly throughout their careers.
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| Dilshan getting used to his slot at the top. |
The Australians were successful for well over a decade because they kept unearthing talent. It began with Alan Border, Mark Taylor and the Waugh twins and continued with Shane Warne, Glen McGrath and Ricky Ponting while there were a host of others who contributed towards that era of success. Today they are struggling to rebuild. That is to be expected. No team can go on and on for all time brushing aside oppositions. Their infrastructure is capable. Their domestic game is the best going. Their administration is not affected by petty politics. They will come back.
In the recent months its been good to see two of Sri Lanka’s tried players, play with a lot of maturity. Thilan Samaraweera has always been a great trier. He had a great start to his career, making lots of runs, though he was selected as a bowler who could bat. Then after a mid career dip in progress, he lost his place in the team. He came back an improved player, tighter in technique and more determined to succeed. Since then he has had a permanent place in the test team and the runs are coming consistently off his bat.
T.M. Dilshan has also performed with consistency in the last couple of months. Although having a regular place in both forms of the game, the scores were not consistent. Being a utility player he was able to get into the action and be in the frame as part of the unit. However, losing his place in the one day team for the Zimbabwe tour last October and then for the one day triangular in Bangladesh has proved an eye opener. The added responsibility given in opening the batting has also helped him. His career has restarted. He is playing more within himself and being patient. While not loosing the attacking form he possesses, correct shot selection should see him score many more runs for Sri Lanka.
There are other hopefuls who must deliver. Upul Tharanga, Jehan Mubarak and Chamara Kapugedara amongst the batsmen and Fervez Mahroof, Thilina Thushara and Dhammika Prasad amongst the bowling all rounders. One aspect that must be dealt with immediately is playing as much domestic cricket. Often many players hang around as reserves in the national team doing nothing. When there are home games its far better to release those not playing to go and play domestic cricket, than spend time carrying drinks!
The above mentioned players must look to brush up technique, improve their mental toughness and be intent on performing with distinction regularly. This must begin with domestic games. Run making and taking wickets must become a habit. That is the requirement in all forms of the game.
The message must be driven into all who enter the ranks, including the likes of Angelo Mathews, the latest addition, that only performances will do the talking and help maintain a place in the national team.
= Ranil Abeynaike is a former Sri Lanka cricketer and one time curator of SSC |
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