SRI LANKAN CRICKET WITHOUT MAHELA, DILSHAN AND KUMAR! -BLEAK FUTURE AHEAD UNLESS MAHELA, DILSHAN OR KUMAR RECALLED FOR CAPTAINCY
Posted on August 3rd, 2013
By M D P DISSANAYAKE
Sri Lankan cricket is still depending on the great trio of Mahela, Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara to win matches.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ On any given date, theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ failure on the part of the trio to score runs create a vacuum withƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the rest of the Sri Lankan batters succumb like wooden spooners.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Yesterday’s T20 with South Africa ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ was a classic example, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in spite of Kumar Sangakkara was still unbeaten and providing counselling to all new batsmen arriving at the crease.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ None of them listened to the Great Kumar Sangakkara,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ they threw the game away like a bunch of street urchins.
With 3 wickets falling for 44 runs, the remaining 6 batsmen were dismissed by South African for paltry 9 runs.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The wooden spooners “PENGUIN PARADE ” started by Anglow Mathews facing 7 deliveries and scoring 4 runs, followed by Jeewan Mendis dismissed for the first ball for a duck, vice captain Thirimanne faced 9 deliveriesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for 5 runs,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ so-called Big Hitter faced 3 deliveries before going back to bench for a duck, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga were out for 2 successive ducks after facing 6 deliveries.
Once again I repeat that none of the batsmen who came to the crease at the loss of 3rd wicket,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ paid any respect and adhered to the professionalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ advise of Kumar Sangakkara to play sensible cricket.
Anglow Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeewan Mendia, Tissara Perera and Kusal Janith Perera have been branded as the future fire house of Sri Lankan Cricket.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ But the historical evidence of recent results suggests that they are no where near the calibre of players to face the next world cup.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If Jehan Mubarak and Upul Thanranga have been dropped for poor performance, why not give the same punishment to others?
It is widely seen that the appointment of Angelo Mathews, Dinesh ChandimalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for the leadership roles have been rushed through even before they are ready for the challenging roles.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The lack of long term successive planning processƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ is clearly demonstrated by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board in this arena.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The selectors will need to adopt the policy of ‘chop and change’ until the right chemistry is found.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This could only happen by bringing back one of the Trio to Skipper’s role.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ For vice captaincy it is vital to have a rotational system comprising several aspiring batsmen and bowlers, to under-study with the Skipper.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The ability to speak good English at the Toss and the after match Presentation should NOT be the key criteriaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for the future leaders.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If there are future leaders from Schools outside Colombo, then they ought to be given the opportunity.
August 3rd, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Those 3 are too old to be given captaincy. Just because we failed in one match you can’t blame so much on the youngsers. They are good talent. wait and see the next match. Remember we won the 50 over series. Sanah Jayasurya is doing a god job as selector chairman. I think lasith malinga wil be a good 20 – 20 captain
August 4th, 2013 at 6:12 am
I sincerely hope Kosala is right. Yet until he is proved right I agree with MDPD.
What Du Plessis said after the match goes to the essence of MDPD’s argument. Du Plessis said that the Proteas made plans only as regards three batsmen KNOWING THAT THE REST WERE BRITTLE…The three concerned were Kumar, Dilshan and Thissara (though on performance Thissara is highly overrated…he clicks once in a way, but otherwise he is as brittle as the rest).
The oldies are holding the side together: they are class acts. As for the young ones, they have – up to now… been failures. In fact I find it very dismal and disappointing watching our team in action. To my mind, considering the dismal state of our country as a whole, the only feature that has the potential to prop up our drooping spirits and colour our lives with a tinge of happiness is CRICKET. But when that too flops, that really becomes the last straw. In that sense Cricket is more than a game to us. It is the twinkling star in the dark night this country is traversing. But what when that star suddenly becomes a falling star…then we can truly sing
How deep is the night
No moon tonight
No wandering star to guide me with its light
Mario Perera
Kadawata
August 4th, 2013 at 10:17 am
Bringing back either of the seniors named will never be the answer to Sri Lanka’s woes, their time is over. There has to be youngblood infused. Mathews and Chandimal need to be taught leadership , how to set a field without bleeding runs and handle the bowlers properly not at random.Kusal Perera’s continued presence although a failure thus far is indicative of the selector’s mindset. He seems to be still in Sri Lanka A mode.Expose Jeevan a lot more and don’t give up on Tharanga. First and foremost the team needs an assertive and forceful coach through whom they could master art of playing the real quickies.That’s where good coaching comes into play. Atapattu has not infused into the team what it takes to do the job.The ODI series won against SA was without Kallis, Steyn, Philander and Amla, the last mentioned never at full capacity.
Both T 20’s have been squandered through a pathetic display of batting mediocre bowling where Herath and Dishan were missed sorely. And it was SL Vs Morkel really!
Indeed cricket is more than a mere game in Sri lanka, it’s a kind of religion with a huge following who deserve better
“The Night is deep
and not meant for cricket
it’s for the other type of Cricket that chirps!
Play the darned game in daylight
For the players to best enjoy the perks
Let the moon shine bright
when its over
and the stars twinkle at night
unitil the day breaks
where once again the fans and players
will delight
in the warm sunlight!
© SM