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Comment on 'Mr.S K's recent opinions expressed.

The person SK who responded to my recent article on the woes of SriLankan cricket seems to have misconstrued the term 'Marriages made in heaven' as it was a mere metaphorical allusion to the marriage between captain and team and nothing to do with the personal life of Sri Lanka's Skipper for whom I have a great deal of respect as a magnanimous and charismatic gentleman.

The connotation has been taken totally out of context and hence the need to address it.His personal life is no concern of mine or anybody's for that matter!.

Somehow it is hard to perceive that a team with talent such as the present SriLankans could be humiliated in the manner as recently seen although they've done better in the recently concluded ODI though defeated and with Aravinda de Silva arriving in time for the Third Test there is still time to salvage some lost pride which however means little as the prognosis for the future seems promising regardless of the outcome of this fortcoming Test.

Once more I reiterate the need to standardise in some manner the playing surfaces whether they be Tests or one day games and criteria regulated by the ICC, a matter which has been at an investigative level for sometime now in case Mr.SK was unaware of it as otherwise the very essence of the game of cricket is headed for dire straights.

A Test match in the West Indies was called off due to the apalling state of the pitch in the not too distant past to merit the safety factor which was quite questionable and to quote the admission of Colin Croft that it was to say the least, dangerous.

Indeed I agree that even Steve Waugh at times may not be able to influence the result of a game in his favour and Arjuna is fast becoming a memory but they should stand out as shining beacons and superb helmsmen as examples for the current Cricketing Ships heading towards disastrous reefs.

Howzat!! S.P. for SightScreens Unlimited, Canada

Sunil Perera's comments on Sri Lankan cricket

In reply to Sunil Perera's comments I would like to make a few points about the present state of Sri Lankan cricket.

The current Lankan team is a fair - good, not a very good - great team, when measured against the best teams in the world. This is not a great shame when one considers the length of time we have played cricket at the highest level.

It is unfair to expect them to win every match or even to do well every time they play. We will win some, loose some (at times very badly) and all this has to be taken in stride in the effort to build a truly great side.

It is not fair to blame every thing on the captain. Even if Steve Waugh (most successful captain at present) was our captain, I don't think he could have done much.

The captain can only do so much, he must have the players to dominate other teams. Any country "doctors" the pitch to suit their bowlers, it is nothing new or illegal (SL does it for Murali). I don't think Sanath would have decided to bat on the spur of the moment when he won the toss, I am sure he would have talked it over with the coach and the team beforehand.

Arjuna did a great job, but it is time to move on. Sanath hasn't done badly as a captain; he won a series against Australia and Pakistan, and nearly won one against South Africa. I think the selectors and the coach have done a good job with what they have, so give them a chance to gain experience.

If Sunil used the the word 'marriage to hint at Sanath's marriage, it is quite uncalled for, it has nothing to do with cricket, it is his personal business.

SK

Comments On Some Responses To My Recent Articles On The Sri Lankan Tour of South Africa.

Regrettably I have had a few negative responses to the above mentioned articles probably because the point I was trying to get across was not fully comprehended by the parties who responded. They have unfortunately questioned my credibility and and thrown a few insults on the side as well, which I as a seasoned journalist will grin and bear, all in stride.

However, I would like to point out that I was merely echoing the sentiments of many cricket lovers around the world who are quite dismayed and saddened at the sorry performances of the highly talented Sri Lankan team who are held in high esteem internationally and wish them well in the future.

I would like to further point out that the analogies made with the Teams previously led by the great Arjuna Ranatunga were made in the hope that they will be an example for better future performances and not intended to undermine the present team in any way who incidentlly are heading for a humiliating defeat at this very moment.Aravinda, Arjuna prepare to return to the fray at short notice,your cricketing days may not be over.

Nevertheless, some of the comments I made were endorsements relating to the unquestionable fact that there is a fair sized difference between Test Cricket and the One Day Game and captains should be able to adapt differently to each game and not have the 'One Day Approach' to a Test Match.Perhaps I did not emphasize this and hence the responses I received.

In any field, whether it be Sports,Industry or other, constructive criticism is often misinterpreted and construed as derogatory only by persons who are self-opinionated and is unfortunate but they should bear in mind that often, something which is re-constructed based on constructive criticism often produces a far superior product than the original and there have been much harsher critics than myself whose criticism has helped augment the present day quality of Sri Lankan cricket and probably even elevate it.

Ritchie Benaud the former Australian Test Captain and broadcaster once said that the Sri Lankans under Duleep Mendis "were a sluggish,week legged bunch who needed to supplement their diet judging by the manner in which they moved about on the field and ran between wickets" quote unquote, a rather harsh comment which probably was well taken. Look at the accomplishments of the Lankans since then! Tumultuous are they not?

Hence the chagrin and dissapointment by their fans at their present performance to which I beleive most ardent Sri Lankan Cricket Supporters are entitled to, and I am one of them too!!.

TO STAY AT THE TOP, ONE DOES NOT REST ON THEIR LAURELS BUT STRIVE HARDER TO MAINTAIN THEIR POSITION AT THE TOP, AS OTHERWISE THERE'S ALWAYS THE DANGER OF CRASHING TO GROUND LEVEL.

Sunny For The SriLankan Cricketing Beacon. California,Montreal,Vancouver,Toronto

Editor (lankaweb.com)

This is regarding the article published on 03/01/01 Titled as Sri Lanka's cricketing woes, a remedy by sunil Perera Montreal CANADA.

It is a disgraceful comments by him. Actually I believe even he doesn't know what he has written and also hard believe place like Lankaweb.com allow this article to published.

The way he has written thing in the article people who knows Cricket can justify his cricket knowledge.

Cricket is game of true Gentleman's. He is way away from this category. He is reporting from Canada. I believe he can't watch this match in Canada. No Cricket showing channel there. Even the Satellite transmission is questionable. Nevertheless at least editor you are in Srilanka and match is on live in Sirasa.in his comments saying Sanath's personal life. Who the idiot is he to comment any others personal life? Neither he is not a national selector nor a Sri Lank an Living Cricket knowing public.

It is understandable we got out for 95 and we are in desperate situation.any one can't say now what will going to be the result. That is how game goes. Few months' earlier we displayed terrific performances in the sharjah cup. This is altogether different conditions and very young team still they are maturing. These are the situation everyone should behind them and support them. Not by commenting is he commented. According to the editor he is trying to replace the players. Those were meaningless. All one who knows cricket will accept my comments and we have to think of future not the present to compete in the world as cricket playing country.

Editor now I am in Ottawa Capital in Canada. I came here month ago. I watched the last tournament in sharjah. And I was in Sri Lanka past 28 years, as we all know what happened in the past and what is happening now. As a very keen knowledgeable cricket lower this is Stupid. So please make understand him what this and particularly editor some one who commenting like this you should be able justify this is correct. They're for here after before publishing anything read and understand and put it in black&white.

I hope if Srilankan team sees this article they will not make even to a fake. They are professional enough to understand the shallowness about the Cricket Pundit Sunil Perera.

Sri Lankan Cricket Lover

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