Gerry's record

Though the First World Cup, Prudential Cup, was played in England in 1975, and now the Asian Test Championship; it was Gerry Vaidyasekera of Potuhera, who first mooted the suggestion of a World Cup Cricket Championship for cricket countries not playing Test cricket then. As far back as 1957, forty two years ago he mooted this idea because he was certain that Ceylon would win the championship.

In 1956, he was appointed as first Wisden Correspondent for Ceylon. He now holds a World Record, as the one with the longest service of 42 years as Wisden Overseas Correspondent.

His correspondence with the M.C.C. secretary then, is given below. The Secretary threw a wet blanket; because Gerry Vaidyasekera is from Ceylon, a country not recognised as playing first class cricket then. He did so because he was certain that Ceylon would win the championship and would be a stepping stone to Test status.

Five years later, the Imperial Cricket Conference considered his suggestion. And now others from outside Sri Lanka claim this distinction.

The then M.C.C. Secretary, Mr. R. Aird, who played for Eton, Cambridge University and Hampshire, has played his last innings.

His letter to the M.C.C. Secretary, dated October 9, 1957 is as follows.

"As one who has been interested in cricket for the past twenty seven years, since Sir Don Bradman monopolised the cricket firmament with tall scores, I beg to submit the under-mentioned suggestion for consideration both by you as the cricket governing body of the whole world, and the members of the Imperial Cricket Conference.

"With a view to promote the game among smaller nations and other nations that are unable to meet the seven Test countries on equal terms, this Conference resolves that a Minor Test Competition, similar to that of the Minor Counties.

Championship of England be played between these countries and that these Tests be recognised as such by this Conference. Also these Test playing countries be admitted as members to the Imperial Cricket Conference."

"If this suggestion be accepted, countries like Ceylon, Canada, Fiji, Malaya and Hongkong can take part in this competition. Such a competition will naturally bring these countries close together."

R. Aird, the M.C.C. Secretary's reply of October 15, 1957.

"Thank you for your letter of October 9. I am afraid that the rules of the Imperial Cricket Conference in their present form, would not allow your suggestion. Much as one likes to encourage cricket tours amongst all countries, I doubt whether representative teams from Malaya and Hongkong could be regarded as First Class. I wonder too whether from a financial point of view any of the countries you mention could afford to send teams to each other, especially as I think it is very unlikely that such tours could hope to be a financial success.

Please do not think that I do not like your idea, but I feel that it would not prove a practical one."

Speak your heart out...

About turn this year?

Our pride as World Champions in Cricket is going to take an about-turn this year. The reason: the Sri Lanka Select Committee has not seen daylight. Although Dave Whatmore brought a new thinking method to capture the World Cup last time, our selectors are still playing with the old strings, selecting a band of dot ball specialists based on their Test experience. They have not realized that all other countries taking part in the 1999 World Cup had taken a cue from Sri Lanka and introduced a hit squad as the game is limited to 300 balls or less if the weather interferes and unlike in Tests where a result could be forced to be drawn but not in One Dayers where only the win matters.

In contrast, the Sri Lankan Squad of 15 selected for experience consist of Dot ball Specialists - Attapattu, Mahanama, Kalpage and Hathurusinghe - all of whom were unable to turn the tide for a win in any One Dayer they have taken part. Playing long innings without scoring is good for a Test. We have seen how difficult it was for any of them to play placing shots except to an opposing fielder and thus frustrate their stroke making partners to push the run rate up to a total worthy of our cause.

Tillekeratne also comes within the same rating but he has one additional qualification of a reserve wicket keeper in an eventuality.

We know now try outs like Avishka, Naveed Nawaz, Russel Arnold were in for reckoning along with 2Jayawardane, but although Nawaz was showing a better form he was not given the same opportunity as Jayawardane for fear that their favourites had to be dropped from the team. Nawaz was a communal bias too. Arnold and Nawaz are in ripping form and both are capable bowlers too and should have been selected in place of Mahanama and Kalpage. If the selectors are banking on fielding, we wonder what the coach was doing all these days. A batsman coach could not do anything by way of batting, fielding or bowling in the Carlton Series which Sri Lanka lost terribly and also in the Indian Triangular where additional Manager and a Reserve Coach were sent at considerable expense as the Sri Lanka Cricket Board had enough money to send on joy rides. What a shame!

Duleep should have been retained as Manager right throughout whether some liked it or not, and with our present excellent physio, Bandula Warnapura should have been selected as the Coach, though not liked by senior members of the squad, being a strict disciplinarian.

The old string is selected by a Board only as a personal favour and not on national interest. They are banking on Muralitharan to save their face with the batting strength of Sanath, Kalu, Arjuna, Aravinda, Jayawardane and Upul Chandana.

Where bowling is concerned, our average speedsters should learn the art of bowling in-swingers, out-swingers, Chest-high bumpers, yorkers, slow-balls, and especially wicket to wicket.

Similarly the slow spinners - off-breaks should be bowled half foot outside off-stump (Whether left hander or right hander) without allowing the batsman a free hand with close-in fielders. Of course, an off-break will be a leg break to a left hander.

Slow balls pitched middle and leg and breaking off, is easy meat for a right hander; so is leg-break to a left hander.

In the Carlton series, 7 skiers falling about 10 feet inside deep mid-off or mid-on by Promodaya Wickremasinghe were never attempted for a catch, although he runs with the bowler. A catch is better than saving a boundary.

In batting, both Vaas, Wickremasinghe have a weakness in trying to turn a straight ball pitched middle and leg and getting yorked.

Most of our batsmen when facing speedsters never follow the footsteps of our maestro Aravinda who stays a foot outside the crease so that even if they miss, an LBW decision is remote in that position.

Jayasuriya, Kalu and Aravinda should avoid dragging the ball to the stumps when batting.

A batsman should be capable of hitting a six to put the opposing bowlers out of gear. This has been proved by our batsmen - Jayasuriya, Kalu, Mahela, Chandana, Arjuna, Aravinda but not by Mahanama, Atapattu, Kalpage, or Tillekeratne. Hathurusinghe is not steady in batting or bowling.

If we fail this year due to the folly of our selectors, they are not worth being called cricketers.

All luck, despite these short-comings, to our Sri Lankan Eleven for World Cup 1999.

- H.A.M. Samsadeen

Thrills on the hills

By Channaka de Silva

"Improved !"

It was the stolid response of Suranjith Premadasa, probably the proudest father at the Nuwara Eliya Holiday season as the public address system at the Mahagastota Hill Climb last Sunday announced the timings of his son Aravinda who had just set an unbelievable course record.

Suranjith understandably was the only one present there to have reason not to be enthusiastic about it because he is the only man ever to have finished the course in a faster time.

Suranjith's course record stood at 35.84 achieved on a Formula car in 1995 while Aravinda almost had a brush on the record with a timing of 36.29 last Sunday. However the fact that Aravinda achieved his timing not on a Formula but on a normal car makes the achievement more creditable and the youngster was confident about breaking his father's record on 600 metre course after the race.

However Suranjith had his reservations about it "It is not that easy on a car. a second of a record is worth an hour" he said. However he was delighted with Aravinda's achievement. "It was fantastic." he said after agreeing that Aravinda's was a superb run, having watched it right through from the top of the climb.

It was a welcome victory for Sri Lanka's most promising young talent on the motor racing circuit having gone through rather an ordinary period in the recent past when he had to be satisfied with second or third places in venues such as Matara, Katukurunda and Pannala. In his own lofty standards, any position below first was not good enough for Aravinda.

Lately Mitsubishi Evolutions were getting the better of Aravinda's trusted Subaru Impreza with an alarming regularity. When "Sunday Times" suggested to Suranjith at the horse racing venue on the previous day it's about time that Aravinda also opted for a newer car, he replied that the Impreza was in perfect condition now.

"We corrected all faults. We prepared it specially for the Hillclimbs. You wait and see tomorrow" he prophesied and Aravinda delivered the promise the following day.

Aravinda had clinched it in the first round itself in the Group M&S cars over 1665 cc event when he timed an amazing 36.60 to grab a record lead. The only other competitor to finish in the event Dinesh Deheragoda timed 37.60 on his Mitsubishi Evolution. Though Deheragoda managed a better time in the second round at 36.94 which was better than the record set by Nishan Weerasooriya in the previous year, Aravinda had already clinched it and with the second round timing ensured that his name entered the list of all time greats.

Ajantha de Zoysa, the only other competitor in the event faced an unfortunate accident just 20 metres from the finish when he powered through the final bend. He accelerated the Mitsubishi Evolution a little too much and skidded on to the sand bags which resulted in the side of the car brushing against the mountain. The car was heaved out but was out of the race.

Another one to face misfortune was Thusith de Silva whose Mini turned 180 degrees before rolling over towards the slope dangerously at the same bend.

However it happened in the second round and his timing in the first round which stood at 41.68 was enough to earn him the second place in the 1040 upto 1350 cc event.

Veteran Rohan de Silva was the fastest on Formula cars, returning a timing of 36.95 to win the Modified event while he claimed a Formula double with his victory in the Formula Ford event clocking 37.33.

Romani de Silva was second to Rohan in the event but won the Cars up to 6.0 including 8.0 kg/Hp on a Suzuki Swift GT.

Dinesh Senanayake won two events Driving a Mazda Familia in the upto 8.0 including 10.0 kg/Hp event and a Toyota Starlet in the Group T Cars.

Shanaka Ambrose extended his superiority on motorbikes for another year when he survived a tough challenge from Udesh Wedisinghe to win the Over 125 cc upto 250 cc event by twelve one hundreths of a second.

Wedisinghe on his second run clocked 38.82, the fastest timing ever by a rider at Mahagastota and Ambrose had to produce something extraordinary to maintain the lofty status he enjoyed for a long time. However like a true champion, Ambrose clocked a stupendous 38.73 on his Honda CR 250 to keep his reign for another year and secured his place in history with the all time best.

However at Mahagastota, the ugly phantom of organising blunders came to haunt the print media men again when journalists were ignored by the authorities. The indifferent attitude towards media by motor racing organisers were a major problem some years back and died down thanks to right thinking organisations such as SLARDAR and Southern Motor Sports Club and the Air Force. But Mahagastota proved that it was not a thing of past and sent a reminder that it could raise its head again whenever journalists are caught unawares.

Horse racing this year saw a revival. The appeal was slipping away from the local sport as the competition was getting lukewarm during the past years.

Turf Club's Shirani de Fonseka said there was a remarkable improvement in racing from the last years. She declined to reason why the standards were going down in the past saying it would not help to make her many friends. But she said this year, races were marvellous.

"You can say these undoubtedly were the best races held in Sri Lanka for years" she said. The reason-the arrival of new generation of thoroughbreds from Poonawalla stud farms in India.

These horses brought down by Sri Lankans proved their money's worth and clinched both races with considerable ease.

Another feature which added lustre to the event was the drafting in of Indian Jockeys who added a new dimension to the competition.

Rajah Sinnathuray, the secretary of the Sri Lanka Turf Club also agreed that these were the best races for at least ten years and said the reason was the inclusion of so many thoroughbreds in the races. He said this year's number of entries was unprecedented.

Sinnathuray also paid a tribute to Poonawalla Farms for coming forward with their sponsorship for the Governors Cup, the plum of racing in the country.

Club's president Dhammika Attygalle was delighted with the outcome and said betting was extremely high this year which he said was a factor underlining the success.

Nuwara Eliya Mayor Bandula Seneviratne was impressed by the show put up by the club and promised that he would take measures through the Municipal Council to clear up the flower plantations and other installations in the middle of the track to make the country's only horse racing venue spanning through an area of more than 100 acres more attractive.

He said that the idea would help to attract more people to the sport. He said the development of the Grounds in the middle of the Track and the re-capturing of the other area to the Turf Club was a major plan on their schedule.

"When there are obstacles in the middle you can't see the running on the far side.

Clearing up the middle part would help to make watching racing a more pleasing experience.

The most exciting of first day's races was the thoroughbreds' division II race which saw Chandran Rutnam's "Aragon" brought down from India specially for the races winning by just inches from Suranjith Premadasa's "Baroness". Baroness was ridden by local jockey S. Kogulan who showed that what Indians could do was not beyond reach of the locals.

Although Indian jockey R.B. Shinde on "Aragon" managed to scrape through ahead of Kogulan he finished ahead of another Indian jockey S. Kapoor who rode Ajantha de Zoysa's Rampage to third place.

With the Indian contribution breathing a fresh life to the sport and the sport's ruling authorities showing the correct attitude, the sport of kings may be gearing up for a grand show in the next millennium.

Briefly

Soccer official honoured

Five past players, administrators and referees were duly recognised at the annual general meeting of the Football Federation held at the Galadari Hotel. Referees T. H. Bongso, E. Vethanayagam, players Nilam Hassimdeen, K. A. Premadasa, Administrator M. Wahab of Kandy received gifts from the President Manilal Fernando.

Ronnie heads power lifters

Ronnie Abeysinghe the former President of the Sri Lanka Physical Culture Federation and reputed physical culturist was unanimously elected President of the Sri Lanka Power Lifting Federation to lead and guide power athletes at the annual general meeting held at Havelock Sports Club.

Abeysinghe, the former Sergeant-at-Arms, takes over from M. A. M. Nilam. Siridasa Liyanage another household name in the sport was elected as the secretary.

The others elected were; Vice Presidents : G. Don Samaraweera, Earl de Mel, Kapila Perera; Assistant Secretary : I. P. Nandasena; Treasurer - R. R. Henricus; Committee : Marshal Fernando, H. Nasoordeen, Desha Prabhsa Liyanage, Major B.M.G. Bandara, Dammika Herath, M.D. Palitha Perera, D. Anthony; National Coach - D.M.U. Jayatilleka.

Pandithage heads Mercantile Football

Ranjith Pandithage was re-elected uncontested as the President of the Mercantile Football Association's annual general meeting for 1999/2000. Chryshantha Perera was re-elected as the Secretary.

The others appointed and elected were; Patron - The Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce; Vice Patrons - J.L.B. Kotalawela (Chairman, Ceylinco Group), Mahendra Amarasuriya (Chairman, United Motors Lanka Limited), Manilal Fernando (Managing Director Puttalam Cement Company Limited), Ken Balendra (Chairman John Keells), Aloy Ratnayake (Chairman, Lake House); Vice Presidents - Lucian de Zilwa, T.N. Raheem, Sumedha Pandithage; Assistant Secretary - Muhiseen Ariff; Treasurer - S.K. Stanley; Assistant Treasurer - Anton Atapattu; Council members - Commercial Bank, Grindlays Bank, John Keells, Hotel Ceylon Intercontinental, Seylan Bank, AirLanka, Ceylon Tobacco.

New Mercantile Hockey head

Dennis De Rosayro was re-elected President for the 22nd consecutive year along with V. Ganesh, a senior vice president at the annual general meeting of the Mercantile Hockey Association held at the Havelock Sports Club for the year 1999/2000. Kenneth Beekmeyer was re-elected as the Secretary for the 13th consecutive year. The others elected and appointed were;

Patron: Hemaka D. S. Amarasuriya - Singer (Sri Lnaka) Ltd., Vice-Patrons: Malcom F. Dias - Smith Kline Beecham Mackwoods; Brian Baptist - Bartleets; J. Chrisantha R. Cooray - Browns; J.D. Bandaranayaka - Ceylon Tobacco; Michael J. De Zoysa - Unilever, Tea Division. Vice Presidents: V. Ganesh (Unilevers), M.L.Z. Wijayaratne (Suntel), Kenneth Beekmeyer (Unilever, Tea Div.), T.M. Lameez (Ceylon Tobacco), M.T.Swangsa (Bartleets). Treasurer: Mahinda Wijayaratne (Suntel); Asst. Secretary - Noel Rupasinghe (Lipton & Brooke Bond); Asst. Treasurer: G. Thivakaran (Hatton National Bank) Auditor: Mr. Sunil Karunanayake (Unilever, Tea Div.) General Committee: AirLanka, Airport & Aviation. Browns GRP., Ceylon Tobacco, Commercial Bank, John Keells GRP. Janashakthi GRP., Singers, Smith Kline Beecham Mackwoods, Seylan Bank.

Selection Committee: T.M. Lameez (Chairman), M.T. Swangsa, B.L.V.S. Perera. Co. Opted: L.Ittapana & M. Iqbal Jumar.

Aravinda leads Wisden rankings

Sri Lanka's vice captain Aravinda de Silva continues to lead the latest Wisden ranking for batsmen.

The rankings which are compiled from the Tests played in the last two years has de Silva on top with an average of 65.10 followed by Rahul Dravid (54.32), Sachin Tendulkar (53.33), Sanath Jayasuriya (52.60) and Steve Waugh (50.25) Allan Donald leads the bowlers' list with an average at 19.12 and is closely challenged by Jason Gilespie (21.13), Glen Mcgrath (21.20) and Curtly Ambrose (21.24) . Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan is placed 8th with an average at 22.27. (MF)

Eurythmics to sing at World Cup

Eurythmics a popular band of the 1980's has offered an unreleased song as the "official single for the 1999 World Cup."

Titled "Life is a Carnival" the song will be sung by Eurythmics star David Stewart at the opening concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The Lyrics of the song makes no reference to the game or the tournament but he track was chosen because it went with the World Cup's carnival of Cricket theme.

As reported in the Wisden, Stewart is said to be a big fan of cricket. According to the Cricket Magazine the World Cup organisers are putting together a World Cup compilation album to celebrate the occasion. (MF)

SA, Australia to visit Zimbabwe

South Africa and Australia will visit Zimbabwe later this year to play a solitary Test against the minnows of Test Cricket.

The Zimbabwe - Australia Test will be the first between the two countries and will be followed by three one dayers in October.

South Africa will play Zimbabwe on a home and away basis in a two Test series in October/November this year. (MF)

When India stunned the world

Kimberley Hughes was optimistic even now, 14 years afer Kapil Dev's Indians beat the mighty West Indies to win the Prudential World Cup. It's a mattter of conjecture as to what prompted the then Australian captain to say, "India will be the dark horse" a few days before the Prudential World Cup III. At the door of the Garware Club House, Wankhede Stadium, Manager Peter Man Singh was trying to gather his players before boarding a bus to the airport."That's his (Hughes) opinion, we will try our best. Maybe we will," trailed off Man Singh.

The Prudential World Cup III was to be the foremost sporting event of the English summer, and for a team like India, with no memorable performance to reminisce from the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, it appeared to be, on the face of it, going through the motion of taking part in the event. But one man among the Indians skipper Kapil Dev, was not short of confidence. Nor was he inconsiderate to his players whom he thought had the required wherewithal to take India to the semi final stage, at least. In fact Kapil Dev was desperate to make an impact, prove the pundits wrong, by winning the cup. Kapil Dev's self assurance had germinated from India's win against Clive Lloyd's West Indies at Berbice a few months ago. If the kings of one day cricket can be shocked in their own backyard, why not in England, was Kapil Dev's rationale. Well, the Captain aspired to rock the West Indies boat once again.

This time at Old Trafford, Big Cat Lloyd's second home ground. It happened. Yashpal Sharma's stoical 89 just about reflected the right initiative and spirit. The two time World Cup winners lost for the first time in the quadrennial event, the result at Old Trafford perplexed the rest of the teams. The Indians, Kapil Dev in particular were delighted.

Kapil Dev had started the campaign on the right note. The English as much as the rest of the cricketing world were baffled. Some 25 years ago that quarry digger and England fast bowler Trueman had called an Indian team as a "Rag, tag and bobtail" side,. The positive outcome against the West Indies at Old Trafford had shown that the Indians had the nerve to take on the best.

There were more instances than one that suggested that the Indians had come to grips with one day cricket. They were on the right track and were clicking as a team. But there were some hiccups too. The defeat against Australia at Trent Bridge showed the Indians in poor light, especially on the fielding and catching front. And it required a fantastic batting effort from Kapil Dev to save the day at Tunbridge Wells.

Kapil Dev's brilliant 175 with his team on 17 for five revealed that the skipper would leave no stone unturned.

The second round league started with the West Indies taking sweet revenge, but the Indians sensing a great opportunity rebounded to notch a facile win against Australia at Chelmsford with the medium pacers Madan Lal and Roger Binny taking four wickets each.

This win confirmed India's entry into the final. The team which had responded with gusto to Kapil Dev's plans put its mind now on the semi final. It was a mismatch with the home team being trounced.

Once again Kapil Dev's decision to use Amarnath and Azad for 24 overs was critical to India's comfortable win. India won by six wickets with Kapil Dev hitting the winning stroke. The ambience at the Lord's Nursery was wholly odd. The Indian's remarkable run in the double legged league had stunned one and all as it was not a West Indies England final as anticipated, but one between the two time winner and under-dog India. The sentry with a long salt and pepper beard at the Grace Gates was cold but was forced to let in a few Indian journalists to get the accredititon card from the MCC office.

The Indians were in an upbeat mood at a party at St. James Court. The hard work and perseverance had paid. Kapil Dev expected a miracle for his team to defeat the West Indies and win the cup. But the Indians were once again written off as no hopers before the final.

The West Indies were seen as the overwhelming favourites, on the eventful day everything pointed to a West Indies win after the Indians were shotout for 133.

When Kapil Dev led his team out, he must have known that the target would be hard to defend. But it was a World Cup final and the Indians showing resourcefulness, creativity, fought every inch. Gordon Greenidge's fourth ball dismissal off a 'dream ball' from Balwinder Singh Sandhu happened just at the right moment to resuscitate the Indians. But unmistakably the dismissal which startled the West Indies and the crowd at Lord's was that of Vivian Richards.

The master blaster smacked six fours and seemed in the mood to finish off the match in quick time. But his reckless shot against Madan Lal ejected him from the middle. The moment the ball went up over mid wicket Kapil Dev saw it as the last opportunity for the Indians to be back in the final. In the event, Kapil Dev's spectacular running catch, opened up the possibilities of an Indian win. The West Indies simply caved in after Kapil Dev took another catch, on this occasion Lloyd's.

The West Indies were shaken and humiliated. A third straight win had been baulked by the Indians, Lloyd and Kapil Dev differed in their opinions on the standard of the pitch for the final. Lloyd said his batsmen played poor shots. It did not matter to the Indian how the West Indians batsmen played. The result came as a personal disappointment for the Windies skipper Clive Lloyd. What pleased the Indians most was the fact that they had defeated the West Indies to win the World Cup.

It was a splendid team effort but if anyone among the Indians deserved more praise, it was skipper Kapil Dev for his brillant 175 at Turnbridge Wells and for the catch of Richards in the final.

Back home in India the cricketing (diwane) were upset that the BBC did not film Kapil Dev's 175 against Zimbabwe. But they were not denied the chance to see India winning the final. The millions of supporters at home went euphoric. A young customs officer was awe-struck by an incident two days after India's win. It was 9 am, an odd time for the immigration and customs officials to be on the alert at their desk. What with international arrivals being cleared before sunrise. But it was June 27, 1983 and the Singapore Airlines! London-Bombay flight with a few passengers had landed at the Santa Cruz International airport. There were not trace of hustle and bustle. The young official at the customs desk browsing through the morning newspaper, was palpably distracted when a journalist friend, working for (Maharashtra Times) politely asked to be attended to (Avre ethe yaa - hellow, come out yancha dole bagaa - look at his eyes) roared the customs official urging his colleagues to come out and even dragging one by his hand and thrusting the passport close to his eyes.

Yaani India cha World Cup vijayi bahitala aahe you cha dole bagatha (he has seen India win the World Cup. Look at his eyes)

Well the mood had changed in a jiffy. The journalist friend had nothing to declare and hence expected a quick exit. But here he was short of being mobbed by officials and fellow passengers. And minutes later he was out of the terminal, the baggage, unopened and unchecked. India's World Cup win had done the trick.

-Thushara Kumar asinghe

(Courtesy Sportstar)

Pana-Eye

Next month's World Cup will feature an innovative 500,000 camera system designed to assist the third umpire.

The England and Wales Cricket Board hope International Cricket Council members will donate around 200,000 for the Pansonic Pana-Eye idea, with the electronics giant contributing the rest of the money needed.

The system has been used in South Africa in recent years and involves the placing of four fixed cameras level with the stumps at either end of the wicket, meaning line decisions are easier to make.

It will be used in conjuction with cameras provided by TV companies and World Cup event manager Michael Browning said: "The introduction of the Pana-Eye system, coupled with an increase in host broadcaster camera numbers, will enable us to deliver best practice and to ensure we get the decisions right.

"We have always recognised the fixed camera option would add value to the tournament and it has always been our intention to use the system if it could be done in a cost-effective way."

AFP

Where does our cricket stand?

Sri Lanka cricket in depreciation in the World scenario.

The Critical Questions thereby:- Where does Sri Lanka stand currently in World Cricket?

What have we seen, heard and read recently about performances by players in-field and out by non-players? Can fitness be brought about in the senior players by short-term remedial action and SL standing restored?

Will it be possible to recuperate in time for the World Cup in the days ahead? IF SO HOW?

(Let me analyse - the present position, declare our wishes/hopes and suggest remedial action short term for May '99)

The Current Position: Let us be open and transparent and do a constructive criticism of all players in field and also out aiming at rejuvenating our World Cup team of players and exhort our non-playing players-managers and coaches.

True, once upon a time Sri Lanka was the World Champion in cricket - it had the finest, if not the best, fielders, the master batsmen and the most united/super disciplined team led by the coolest of cool Captains. This is now an old story, a sort of a fairy tale as - S.L has now plunged down to rock bottom among the ICC grade nations - with the poorest fielding side, the most unreliable batsmen, the 2nd Class bowlers and non-effective coaching exercises.

15 of the 20 matches played recently have been lost - the international gradings in the CEAT honours list has SI in a low-down 6th position, with the danger of going below the last line to partner the associates, Kenya, Bangladesh... The often victor is now an always loser. SL players showed little effort and fight for the country at large at the recent Asian, Sharjah, Carlton and Pepsi tourneys - by being regularly outplayed by England, Australia, India and Pakistan. It looks mysterious how one of the best fielding and also batting teams of yesteryear has plummeted to being one of the poorest teams. Comments made by Boycott, Tony Greig, Gavaskar etc. the world's specialist commentators recently in India showed greater surprise in remarking - "Butter Fingers", 'Batting is casual, shows lack of staying power and effort', 'Bowling is no class even below county level', 'bowling directions/changes and field placements are ineffective', 'the right/wrong people from among fielders with bowlers are respectively in the wrong/right places'; throwing at the wickets and fast run-outs, the once strong points, are beyond the Sri Lankans now. Leadership, motivation of the bowlers/ fielders, strategic moves by regular consultation among seniors were scarce.

Our Hopes at the World Cup in May '99: Some of us seniors among SL patrons still feel that Sri Lanka can (I say CAN - not must) do well, at least win in the group and come a close runner-up for the next World-Cup. We endorse what Chris Lewis, one of England's best pace bowlers, and also Tony Greig, the cricketing expert said in their speculation on the possible victors at the World Cup, Greig anticipated that with Sanath J. and Muralitharan back and with Aravinda etc. Sri Lanka can cause a surprise to the favourites S. Africa, Australia, Pakistan. However fitness, physical and psychological, and patience (staying power) and planned run-making will be match winners. Let me state the recent case of SL showing superiority to the ultimate Champions. Paksitan by winning the 2nd match and had 90% chances of victory in the 1st match, being 217 for 3, to score 30 runs more with 7 wickets in hand - so what happened:- Aravinda cried out and the others tried to hit out and failed.

SL's effort to maintain Championship class - Can it be repeated at the impending World Cup?

Can SL match the potential champions - S Africa/Australia/Pakistani? If so, HOW?

True - not only diagnosis and medication some amount of surgery, removal and injecting new blood, may be necessary as time is short - some amount of revolutionary changes may be essential; let the non-aligned mass-media Editors mobilise the services of a team comprising a few of the best past cricketers and managers, who in practice are non-aligned, who can give mature advice, short term, on how to win or at least do the best possible to Arjuna and the seniors on actual ground play in UK before they leave. Ranjan Madugalla, Tissera etc., can dispense a lot of cricketing wisdom/strategy.. Now its my turn to bat and also bowl on a sticky wicket and preach - yes, may be some type of book cricket. In my simple way using my cricketing commonsense, in watching personally several Tests in S.L., Australia, and England and seeing most matches in the recent past on the TV, let me make some constructive comments.

Fielding: This department needs a thorough revamping in ground fielding and in holding catches, being ready always especially in the outfield, intelligent placement in catching positions and in throwing at the wickets. The Pakistanis were excellent in this respect - even Wasim Akram, the oldster threw the ball accurately. The SL fall off is perspicuous and the main cause for the losses. Let me do a brief review of our players on target in UK in evaluating recent doings on the field the 'plus' player was Upul Chandana - among the 'negative' fielders Wickramasinghe, Haturusinghe take a major place while Mahela, Atapattu, Aravinda, Vaas etc. need more practice in holding running catches and throwing at wickets.

Now that Mahanama as an excellent close-in fielder (also a fine bat preferably at about 6/7) and the always agile Murali will be on the field, SL fielding status can be restored.

A word on the crucial wicket-keeping position Kaluwitharana, is the best wicket-keeper batsman among all ICC teams. However he needs be extra attentive especially when a very good stroke maker like Kallis, Tendulkar , Waughs etc is at the crease.

Batting: The SL batting side individually is world class; - yet in combination and staying power it is class 3, take the Paks there are only 3 top notchers - yet one from among Ijaz or Inzamam or Anwar stays at the crease and guides others for the runs. Aravinda, Sanath, Mahela are not second, if not better than Paks and even Kallis, the world's No. 1. Aravinda and the over 30s have to remember that ageing can affect desired reflexes and it is necessary to slow down in cross-hitting and fast scoring. We noticed that Ijaz, Inzamam played very carefully in singles and fast running until they got a respectable score on the board.

- George Mendis

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