Lankan Loss A Shocker!
Suni The Seeing Eye - Sightscreens
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One must now bring into perspective that this astounding loss to Kenya
by the Sri Lankans does in someway have something to do with what many
have expressed as the negative side to Sanath Jayasuriya's captaincy,
sad as it seems. Facts sometimes are darned stubborn and many of the
more discerning have attributed the resounding wins by Sri Lanka in
recent games to team talent rather than captaincy and the demoralising
losses in the not too distant past indelibly to Jayasuriyas captaincy.This
at a time when Jayasuriya seemed to be gathering momentum towards astute
decision making where the real test is surely to come.Although it may
seem rather unkind to salt his wounds it seems rather apparent that
the motivation needed and a killer instinct to match somehow evades
the 'sunny gentleman' whose other talents are awe inspiring and the
need to rally round and inspire him seem imperative at present!
If it was to be surmised that Arjuna Ranatunga would be saying to himself
"What a pity this buddy of mine was not primed to be more like
myself in attack rather than being a lamb to the slaughter in appearance
at times!" there would be more than a ring of truth to it as Jayasuriya's
approach so different from the former great, winningest Lankan skipper
has cost Sri Lanka dearly in recent times. There are no redeeming factors
in this loss except the consolation that there are more games to make
amends in but there will be many 'hyenas' now waiting in the shadows
for their turn to cash in on Sri Lanka's inconsistencies despite the
bookmakers odds which seemed at times to favour their chances!
It has nevertheless added a touch of speculative excitement and lustre
to the tournament considering the many upsets thus far and the eventual
lifting of the cup now fair game to anybody with the few obvious exceptions.There
are many loud voiced aspirants to the final glory where some of them
have also been ignominiously dumped despite carrying a star studded
repertoire. The glorious uncertainties of cricket certainly a banner
being waved towards the conclusion of the World Cup which now comes
into focus with a bang!.
The start to this disaster was fair enough albeit the burning question
about the decision to send the Kenyans in with such an array of Lankan
batting in dire need of practise and if the indications favouring the
side batting first were to be a criterion then Jayasuriya surely missed
the bus.The wicket seemed very likely to take spin early as the final
result proved with the Kenyan spinners on the spot and absolutely relentless.
Complacency, resting on the laurels of recent wins against minnows with
the exception of New Zealand and undermining their opponents have landed
the Lankan Lions rather undignified on their rear ends as they need
to scramble in their next two games against the WIndies and the Safs
with only the unpredictabilities of the game of cricket in their favour
together with many dormant stars yet to shine! The glut of experience
and talent which seems to favour the Lankan backburner todate with a
few odd exceptions are in dire need to get hyperactive in the next few
games.
The forecast of doom for Sri Lanka has already been predicted by a wise
old sage of Lankan cricket, the much respected former great Stanley
Jayasinghe who has continued to be skeptical about Sri Lanka's chances
while wishing them the best and if his wisdom is any indication of worse
to follow the boys can only learn from it.This loss indeed is something
to learn from as S.J. the Bard of Tanamalwila has proved credible about
his soothsaying through this latest Lankan demise and all cautions now
to be heeded without compromise.Stanly has been cautiously pessimistic
all along that Sri Lanka were not upto lifting another World cup so
now its upto the boys to prove him wrong.
There are certain advantages a side could make payable in their favour
both psychologically and environmentaly with the accent on being familiar
with the type of wickets and surroundings combined with a tad of luck
which the Kenyans had in turning this game around .The valiant efforts
of Muralitharan 's career best in the WC and Vass' were for naught in
the desparaging end as the heads were hung low in the dressing room
as well as amongst the Sri Lankan audiences around the world with the
rather speculative "What Next?" a nagging afterthought.The
advantages refered to incidentally are the wickets on which the Kenyans
play regularly which seemed to have been 'African Friendly' this time
around and a cause for caution which the Lankans need to heed in their
game against South Africa.Perhaps the African Lions are more given to
attack than their Asian counterparts! as they have proved in the past.This
has been a game which should never have been taken lightly.
The Lankans let themselves down after dismissing the Kenyans for 210,
seemingly easy pickings despite the rather tentative fielding and erratic
bowling where 28 extras were conceded and some chances dropped and to
accredit the Kenyans for their brilliant display of concentration in
how they attacked the Sri Lankans they were phenomenal and indeed giant
killers! The old guard of Jayasuriya, Atapattu and Tillekeratne throwing
caution to the winds set off the usual panic button to which the response
was as usual and procession like.This time around there are no excuses
and if there need to be exclusions of big names who have failed continuously
and chances given to others then so be it, Sri Lanka needs to rally
for the next two games with the WIndies and Safs which will now prove
to be a shade tougher.The replacement for the injured Guneratna too
should be considered with wisdom and a likely candidate either Upul
Chandana or Nuwan Zoysa whose presence just might infuse a bit of energy
into the side.
Otiene and Odumbo sparkled for the Kenyans with the bat and the resilience
shown by them rather remarkable despite the heroics of Muralitharan
and Vaas and in general the Kenyans must have sensed a whiff of victory
on seeing the lackadaisical performances of the early Sri Lankan order
as they moved in for the kill and the rest is history. Aravinda de Silva,
Kumar Sangakkara and Russel Arnold did offer some resistance although
in the end it was the Lankans who have themselves to blame for the defeat
which was a shocker to say the least and totally unexpected.
" But Out Of The Ashes Of Defeat They Shall Rise Again As Did The
Phoenix, To Vanquish Their Tormentors And What A Force It Would Be That
Motivates And Drives Them To The Ultimate Victory If Such Is Their Destiny
!"
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