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 ri Lankan
cricket is currently enjoying a purple patch. The new coach, Australian
Tom Moody, was the icing on the cake that seemed to have given the players
an added incentive. With a hectic schedule of international games in the
offing, it is imperative that Sri Lanka have strong bench strength to
replace injured or out-of-form regulars, and to minimise player burnout.
Whilst exulting in the expected victories
against the Bangladeshis, alarm bells sounded during the Golden Hope
Challenge Trophy triangular one-day tournament for Under-17 teams, hosted
by Malaysia. Twice, the Bangladeshis outplayed the Sri Lankans. However,
in what was described as an “upset victory” – albeit by 103 runs – the Sri
Lankan juniors redeemed themselves, by beating Bangladesh in the final and
securing the trophy. Presumably, Sri Lanka’s think tank would study this
situation carefully and take remedial measures. There is food here for
thought – and action… and the sooner the better.
 No
doubt the star performer and the toast of the cricketing public in recent
months is 20-year-old opening batsman, Upul Tharanga, who lost his all
during the devastating tsunami in December last year. Beginning with a
century against the touring Bangladeshis in a practice game, the dashing
left-hander hammered a half-century and followed it with a blazing century
in the next ODI. That the lad outscored his more experienced and
celebrated opening partner from the south, Sanath Jayasuriya – whilst
putting on a century partnership – is sufficient testimony to his
burgeoning promise.
In fact, when Tharanga reached his 50, on
his way to the century, Jayasuriya was still on 26. Indeed, the more
experienced ‘Matara Mauler’, in what seemed to be an almighty hurry to
close the gap created by his junior partner, lost his wicket playing a
slap-dash stroke!
True, Tharanga has not been tested
against top-class international bowlers, but one can only play against
those ranged against one. Yet, it is obvious that here is a rough diamond.
Though not by any means a finished product, he needs the all-important
cutting and polishing to face stiffer opposition in the future.
It was also refreshing to see the return
to form of middle-order batsman Russel Arnold. The lanky left-hander, in
my view, was pushed into the wilderness too early. Here was a young man
who had played over 40 test matches, who was simply discarded because he
was going through a lean patch. The selectors, however, elected him
captain of the ‘A’ team, to play against the visiting West Indians, which
enabled him to regain his confidence. In this regard, the rebuilding
process may have been made quicker had Arnold not been elected captain,
thereby saddling him with additional responsibility.
Good news has also been received from
England – not only about the sizzling Ashes series, but also about the
doings of leg-spinner Malinga Bandara, who played for Gloucestershire in
the English county circuit. In its recent county game against Middlesex,
the lad from Kalutara top-scored for his team, with a hard-hit 70 off 89
balls, and then went on to capture 5 for 71 in 26 overs – giving his
county a much-needed first-innings win. At the time of writing, Bandara
had captured 36 wickets and was on course to bag 50 wickets for the
season. A leg-spin/googly bowler who can bat into the bargain is what Sri
Lankan cricket sorely needs. Surely, Bandara is the answer to these
prayers.
With a crowded international programme,
there is no doubt the selectors would be looking to nurse the core players
they hope will render yeoman service come the 2007 World Cup. In this
regard, fringe players such as opening batsmen Avishka Gunawardene,
Shantha Kalavitigoda and Michael Vandort, and early-order batsmen Jehan
Mubarak, Thilina Kandambi, Jeewan Mendis, Ian Daniel and Malintha
Gajanayake have ample opportunities to display their wares and nudge the
selectors. In the spin department, left-arm leg-spinner Sajeewa Weerakoon
is a very bright prospect, and right-arm leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi
and off-spinner Suraj Mohamed are other spinners to watch, while
all-rounder Dilhara Lokuhettige has already impressed the selectors.
Paceman and former test player Ruchira Perera may make a comeback – now
that he has made the necessary changes to his action; and youngsters
Charith Jayaweera, Tharanga Lakshitha and Gayan Wijekoon are some of the
many hopefuls in the fast bowlers’ stable. Here’s hoping that the
wicketkeepers Gihan de Silva, Prasanna Jayawardene and Kaushal Silva will
come up trumps and give the selectors food for thought.
So it is patently clear that Sri Lanka is
not short of talent. It is now only a matter of fine-tuning this load of
talent into skilled international players who can do Sri Lanka proud in
the not-too-distant future. Let us all hope that there would be a stable
administration to attain these aspirations. |
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