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Special Feature
on Sri Lankan Cricket : It's introspection time
folks... |
From
The Cricket Journal, published on Nov 20,
2005
 As
they landed in Mumbai on 18th October 2005, an
echo rebounded from all corners of India and Sri
Lanka alike, on them taking home the Videocon
Cup, the India Vs Sri Lanka ODI Series. But,
things changed from potential delight to a
virtual misery, as they lost their practice
match to a second-rung Mumbai Cricket
Association XI. From likely conquerors to the
conquered, Sri Lanka's plight in their recent
loss to India is truly worth a write.
A keen follower of Sri Lankan cricket that I am,
this series should first be an eye-opener into
the selection policy. Perhaps they can surely
take a leaf out of the Indian book of
introducing rookies into the side and blood them
in first-up. With reluctance being the keyword,
mainly due to their obsession in retaining the
winning combination, the selectors have opted
for results rather than future. This very series
proved to be an eye-opener about the mentality
of the two sides - one trying to put its past
behind and build a new future, and the other
harping upon its past glories by ignoring the
tomorrow. The result should not be read into
very much, but from the Sri Lankan perspective,
it was time to end the year on a high - a series
win in India is surely something worth success.
Introspection is the keyword out here and its
time Sri Lanka try and stare reality on its face
rather than escape it. While Tom Moody might
have enjoyed success against relatively weaker
nations like West Indies and Bangladesh, a loss
against India will surely put him on guard.
Another factor that eludes this cricketing team
is homesickness. Maybe not so literally
homesick, success is something they prefer
leaving at home. Apart from successes in
Zimbabwe and Pakistan in 2004, Sri Lanka has
nothing much to write home about in their
overseas matches. To be frank, Sri Lanka are the
toughest team to beat at home (Australia and
India included). When they are in their own den,
God only knows what makes them such a different
unit as opposed to when they are on their flight
somewhere else. If conditions is something to
brood about, then I feel sorry for them as Sri
Lanka is hardly 55 minutes away from the Indian
mainland. It seems rather surprising that such a
superior outfit like Sri Lanka just could not
compete in this series. As the Indian coach said
"I think they've only played as well as we've
allowed them to play", it seems true that the
real Lions were at a prowl somewhere else. The
lack of youth clearly showed in this unit, which
has an average age of about 30. To put it
straight, there is no lack of talent in the
Emerald Island, but a clear sense of
apprehension as to their belonging in the
International Arena. The time has come for Sri
Lanka to ask itself questions like "What next
after Jayasuriya, Atapattu, Muralitharan and
Vaas ?". Deep down its own conscience, the
answer will take its own time. Youngsters like
Upul Tharanga, Malinga Bandara, Pradeep
Srijayaprakashdaran Champaka Kapudegara (the
19-year old middle order bat), Sanjeewa
Weerakoon, Ian Daniel etc. should be given fair
chances before their adaptability at the highest
level is judged. It's really unfortunate that
these guys almost in every tournament end up
carrying drinks or being passengers and clear
spectators. Talent is in no shortage in Sri
Lanka... just that it is not coming through at
the right time, which is my only concern.
 It's
sad to see the stooping levels of the
much-talked about school cricket structure. A
Royal-Thomas battle, which has a history of
126-years has more aura attached to it than the
actual performance - something the
administrators really need to look into. Kumar
Sangakkara in an interview to an Indian news
channel stated "We have one of the best base
structures in cricket in the world", but sadly
as I observe, the days are getting gloomier than
ever. No doubt there is still some heart and
passion in those matches, but the results are
far and few to be worth a notice. Among the
current crop of youngsters, Farveez Maharoof
comes up as a guy who has really roughed it in
all levels, right from his Wesley College days.
One of the main reasons this school cricket
issue is being raised is to point to the bench
strength or the lack of it in Sri Lanka as of
now. Another reason it is in the downswing is
simply because they are used to playing on flat,
dull and slow wickets, that even the slightest
movement in the air or off the pitch can deter
the defences of the batsmen - a fact in itself
that has come in way of Sri Lanka's overseas
performances. Rather than sulking to harsh
realities, a remedial solution would do wonders
to boost the future of the Sri Lankan team.
Its time to don the thinking cap on for the
likes of Tom Moody and Co. A leadership change
would be a workable solution for Sri Lanka, as
Marvan is slowly experiencing the law of
diminishing returns. Kumar Sangakkara would
surely come across as the likeliest candidate,
as he is the more in-form batsman, who has the
tendency to lead from the front as a player more
often than not. All's well that ends well -
maybe the slogan Sri Lanka might just be using
to console themselves and recover from this big
slump. Perhaps a defeat was all they needed to
get their acts together and take a fresh plunge
into the pool called "International Cricket". I
hope Sri Lanka takes fresh guard for the Test
Series after this defeat and re-establish
themselves in this red-hot arena.
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