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The feeling at the conclusion of the Triangular series is definitely one of elation for Sri Lanka. It was definitely not the case of so close but yet so far as it was in the Asia cup, but instead it was a case of winning and doing it in style! India after virtually being invincible having won the last four series involving Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka has finally been beaten. It must be an enormous respite.
Surely a feather in the cap of the skipper Kumara Sangakkara! After a disappointing end to a Test series which could have been certainly won, Sangakkara and company were bound to breathe a huge sigh of relief that India has been finally piped at the post.The fact that Sri Lanka after languishing in a crowded middle in the ODI rankings have now moved clearly to the third spot overtaking fancied teams such as South Africa and also England who has a shown a dramatic change in their over all outlook in all forms of Cricket, should be a fact to relish! Besides the cricketing glory such improvements in rankings will naturally benefit Cricket in the country with an increase in the value of sponsorships and in TV rights too, which is bound to swell the coffers of Sri Lanka Cricket.
The secret of the Sri Lankan success was obviously the manner they approached the series. After a wash out against New Zealand and a loss to India it was commendable to witness the Lankans raising their game and recording two straight forward victories over their Indian counterparts. The Sri Lankan bowling with Lasith Malinga providing the all important cutting edge, was always going to be a threat. However the disappointment was the batting which was thankfully rectified in the all important final. The opening provided by Jayawardane and Dilshan was definitely the key and the innings of Sangakkara which followed was the icing on the cake.
With Jayawardane opening the innings with Dilshan the Sri Lankans would have plenty of options in their team selections when the all important tour to Australia happens in October! And on the subject of Australia Sri Lanka couldn’t have hoped for a better opportunity to defeat them in Australia than the forth coming tour which would help them to improve on their current 3rd position in the ODI rankings too! A close look at the two teams clearly indicates that Sri Lanka is at its best in terms of the probable combination and the manner they play their cricket at the moment which is not exactly the case with Australia. Whilst the Aussies could never be written off as a team, their most ardent fans are bound to concede that the current team has played some of their best cricket in the past!
Hence the Lankans should use every opportunity and skill at their disposal to conquer a frontier that has been one of the most difficult to over come! Whilst it is bound to be grave injustice to young Upul Tharanga if the Lankans persist with Jayawardane at the top with Dilshan one can not really blame them for such a move as there have been many lambs that have been sacrificed at the cricketing alter in the past as well for the greater good of the team. Whilst the batting line up which includes the likes of Tharanga, Dilshan, Jayawardane, Sangakkara, Kapugedara, Samaraweera, Mathews and Chamara Silva looks the best available in the country, the biggest concern for the Lankans down under will be the back up for the spearhead Lasith Malinga.
The available pace bowling options are quite adequate with the experience of Kulasekera and Fernando being automatic choices on the tour and are bound to play a major role whilst young Thisara Perera who had a wonderful two games against the Indians with his surprise pace off the track should enjoy the faster Australian tracks too. It will be interesting to see who will grab the next pace bowling spot. The choice could be between the left armer Welagedera and the highly promising Nuwan Pradeep though Dammika Prasad too should be in contention. With the Champions League in South Africa happening shortly players of the caliber of Maharoof, Welagedera, Mubarak and Udawatte will have the ideal opportunity to showcase themselves for a National comeback which could turn out be a headache to the selectors though it would be in a positive sense.
The above situation is one of the healthiest the Sri Lankans have had in cricket for a considerable time and it would naturally stand as a real benefit in their efforts to defeat the Aussies in their own backyard which will propel them up the rankings, besides giving them the all important confidence at the eve of the vital World Cup. What's more the World Cup is being held in the sub continent for the first time since 1996 and the Lankans have a more than a good chance of clinching it!
With almost everything in place and the on field performance reaching a level of satisfaction the Lankans would have to ensure that they are fully focused on their task ahead. With the cricketing ability combined with the unity which is the key to the success of any team the day the Sri Lankans will bask in the Australian glory will not be too far away!
Well Done Brian Thomas!
On a completely different note one must congratulate the Media Manager of Sri Lanka cricket Mr. Brain Thomas for a job very well done during the recent Test and Triangular series. The manner he handled a very tough job involving the Indian and Local media was exemplary and came in for high praise from everybody. As a member of the Ten Sports Commentary team I witnessed the manner Brian handled his assignments with great professionalism and assisted the Country Director Ten Sports Mrs. Upekha Nell during the Awards presentation which was commendable.
* Roshan Abeysinghe is a leading cricket promoter and an international cricket commentator |
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