After losing the World Cup final there are so many talks on Sri Lanka Cricket There is no point in worrying about what happened in the past. Now what we have to do is to learn from the past and plan for the future to be the number one team in the world. When we look at the wealth of talent we have in our country, it is not an arduous task to be the best team in the world.
In this article I am going to give our cricket Board certain strategies to work out to raise our standard high arid make our national team to be formidable. If they execute what I put forward definitely Sri Lanka cricket will flourish and go from strength to strength.
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The cricket Board has to take the trouble to form cricket Academies in every province. Over 19 players who finish their school cricket career can be absorbed into these Provincial Academies. Under a provincial coach they could be given a solid training. Every year a tournament could be organized among these Academies. Every now and then our main selectors can visit academies to harness the cream of players from these trainees. They can bring the very best players to Colombo to form a feeding pool to Sri Lanka National team and “A” team.
These players could be accommodated in one place and go through their practices Sri Lanka selectors, coach and captain can have an eye on them. If they are good enough they could be given a place in the national team. Also we must not expect them to perform miracles as soon as they are exposed to international cricket. They should be given a fair chance to show their mettle.
When you plan it out that way even the senior players know that these up and coming players are a threat to their places. Then they know that they have to perform well to secure their place. Then our veterans are given a warning, if they want to remain in the side it should be by merit and not by their past glories. To carry on in the Sri Lanka National team every player has to deliver goods. If not there are enough youngsters to walk into their shoes.
Selectors have to take the responsibility to give places on merit. They should never select players who play for their favourite clubs. In the past to a certain extent some talented and skillful players were overlooked because they did not play for the blue eyed clubs of selectors. Our country must always play the best available eleven players.
If you win only in Sri Lanka you cannot be considered to be the best in the world. We must show to the world that our lads can win even in other countries. Any foreign tour, our team should go there at least two months ahead of time. Then our lads can get used to the pitches and conditions. Some may argue that a lot of finances will be involved if our team goes there in advance. When we see how our men in authority waste money on unwanted things, why cannot they spend that money to improve our standard.
Once the selectors assign a number of players to captain and coach others should not interfere with them. Let them discuses and plan out a strategy and play that series. Let the captain and coach select the final eleven for every match in the series. If others go and influence them, they have no freedom to give their best. If we have chosen a captain and a coach we must have confidence in them. They should not be treated like babies.
In cricket mental fitness of players is very essential. To play any game and produce, effective results players have to be mentally tough, especially when you play under pressure. Our cricket Board should see to this aspect of our national team before they play any series.
What I have suggested is not impossible. I hope men in power will try to implement them. If they do so very soon Sri Lanka cricket will climb the ladder.
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