Suggestions to revive cricket
1. Interview on Pitch Conditions and Recommendations:
In an interview published in an English weekly, the Chairman of the Cabinet Subcommittee on Cricket, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, has stated that Sri Lankan cricketers find our pitches quite different from those abroad. The primary reason is that Sri Lankan pitches favour spin bowlers, while foreign pitches are more suited to fast bowlers. He noted that Bangladesh had previously adjusted their pitches to favour fast bowlers, as did India a few years ago. Aside from Dubai and a few other locations, most foreign pitches favour fast bowlers. Therefore, it is recommended that Sri Lanka consider making similar changes as soon as possible.
2. Sri Lankan Women’s T20 World Cup Team and Strategy:
A. The captain of the Sri Lankan Women’s T20 team gave two interviews, expressing confidence that after qualifying for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October 2024, they could reach the semi-finals by leveraging their spin bowlers.
B. Prior to the West Indies T20 and ODI series, the team plans to perform well in the World Cup, highlighting their strength in spin bowling. Notably, a fourth spinner took five wickets in the third ODI against the West Indies. The team is expected to use three spinners, including the captain, who is also a spinner, along with one fast bowler for matches on fast bowler-friendly pitches. However, there is a prediction that Sri Lanka may struggle and could even lose to Scotland, another qualified team. Although
Sri Lanka defeated Scotland twice on spinning wickets
in Dubai, the latter may have an advantage with
better fast bowlers in
Bangladesh’s conditions.
C. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had Mahela Jayawardena as a consultant, a renowned figure who successfully coached the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Following the Men’s T20 World Cup, Jayawardena resigned. SLC should avoid repeating past mistakes and should investigate the reasons for Jayawardena’s resignation. Efforts should be made to correct these issues and request him to return to his previous position.
D. I had prepared a document on May 3, 2024, detailing repeated mistakes by cricketers, selectors, and cricket administrators. These errors were observed again during practice and the first two matches of the Men’s T20 World Cup. This document was sent to two newspapers, but no action was taken. As this letter is lengthy, the document’s details are not included here. For those interested in learning about these repeated mistakes, please contact me via WhatsApp at my career’s telephone number, 0778794300.
Additionally, I refer to Rev. Bro. Nimal Gurusinghe’s letter published in the Sunday Times on July 21, 2024, which provides detailed suggestions on how to improve the status of cricket in Sri Lanka. By reviewing this letter, along with my document and other documents published after the poor performances in the Men’s T20 World Cup, the Sri Lankan team could become one of the best in the world.
Thank you,
Eng. D.P. Mallawaratchie