Now comes the post Murali era

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It’s back to Test cricket after the slam bang approach of the shorter version. The Indians are here once again to do battle in Tests. Mind you at the end of the series which will be the first week of August, the two teams would have played six Test matches in a matter of nine months! I wonder whether either India or Sri Lanka would have ever had so many engagements with another nation in such a short span! Maybe its becoming a bit too predictable and could be stale to the players and the public too.

The Test series in 2010 would amount to a crucial phase in Test cricket for the Sri Lankans. This would be for two reasons. Firstly it would see the end of an illustrious career of one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketing sons, Muthiah Muralitharan!

Having played International cricket for almost two decades Murali, as he is fondly known, would want to bow out on a high and one way of doing it is to reach the magical 800 wickets and the other is to force a victory for Sri Lanka. However only the events which will unfold during the game will stand to decide the final conclusion and let’s hope it will be memorable for Murali and a fitting finale to him.

But that apart Muralitharan will be remembered for his unparallel record and the humiliation he was subjected to and of course the manner he overcame them all! His act will be a very hard one to emulate and one wonders whether any bowler would ever get close to these phenomenal deeds! Especially with so much of cricket being played at present the bowlers in particular would be the ones hard pressed to maintain themselves free of injury and therefore it is questionable as to whether any one bowler would be able to carry on long enough to get close to the 800 wicket mark.

Muralitharan’s illustrious career is coming to an end

Besides the retirement of Murali, the series will turn out to be a whole new era for Sri Lanka cricket! i.e the post Muralitharan era! Looking back one could recall the days when Sri Lankan bowling was only Murali and Vaas. And without the bowling of the said duo, the Lankans were no match to any opposing batsmen. Hence many bating records were set up against the Lankan bowling, though the situation has been reversed largely due to the great commitment and expertise of the bowling coaches who have been instrumental in Sri Lanka being able to hit back in that area of the game with some world class performers taking the field today.

However, the question that begs an answer is how would Sri Lanka cope with Test cricket in the future? This is an extremely interesting phenomenon which warrants a credible reply. First it was Chaminda Vaas who hung up his boots and now it’s Muralitharan bidding goodbye after the first Test in Galle! On that topic I want to congratulate Murali for deciding to call it a day when people may be still asking him, “Why are you going” rather than “Why not?”

Back to the question of how would Sri Lanka cope without Murali? This again is something only the future would reveal. Maybe the remaining two Test matches against India could give us an indication, though its comforting to note that Sri Lanka has played Test cricket without Muralitharan in the past when injury plagued him and have also been able to do reasonably well even during his absence in the recent past.

Besides India hasn’t won a series in Sri Lanka since 1993 either! But it will be the vacuum that Murali creates which will be tough for any single bowler to fill. Besides his huge ability with the ball the psychological advantage he brings in to the game which he holds over many batsmen around the world will not be lost on the very same players when they play Sri Lanka minus Muralitharan. Further batsmen in the international circuit are sure to breathe a sigh of relief and will not have nightmares when playing Sri Lanka as they had no clue when dealing with the spin of Murali.Though the evidence of the challenges in post Muralitharan era may be real and hard to accept all good things have to come to an end and Murali was definitely one of the greatest things that have happened to Sri Lanka cricket which is ending. It is a good decision that the Chairman and the Secretary of the Interim Committee are part of the organizing committee overseeing the arrangements of the Muralitharan farewell, ensuring that attention to detail is paid besides giving the hero a great sendoff.

And from a Sri Lankan cricketing perspective I must add that all is not lost. Though we may never find another Murali for another one hundred years, we certainly have Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Malinga Bandara, Sachitra Senanayake, Seekuge Prasanna, Saranga Rajaguru, Rushan Jaleel etc all either proven quality or waiting in the wings to show their metal and the list can go on as the talent is enormous!

As any good manager will look to turn a disadvantage to his advantage, I believe it’s up to the Sri Lankan cricketing think tank to now look at using the absence of Murali as an opportunity rather than a threat and blood and permit the potential players with sufficient exposure to ensure that the supply line is not dry.
But as for Murali it’s a big thank you for the entertainment. You will definitely be missed!

Murali bites back

Australia's self confessed "cricket tragic" John Winston Howard has once again been taught the lesson that he should have learnt a long time ago. The last general election had him voted out of office as the majority of Aussie's had had enough of his arroance. Now, seven of the ten full member nations of the ICC have dealt another blow that should finally take his mug off the front pages of all newspapers.

Sri Lanka's spinning sensation - Muthiah Muralitharan- had to cope with little Johnnie's comments about his bowling action at a time when the cross he bore was so heavy - until he was finally cleared of any wrong doing in his bowling action by the ICC itself.

John Howard had every opportunity to apologise to Murali at the Tsunami Cricket Match played in Melbourne in 2005 - instead he chose to ask that the new kid on the block Michael Clarke- be brought up to the President's box to speak to the then Primate Minister.

Murali went on to write his name in the book of legends when he broke every spinning record. John Howard was thrown out of office and now has been thrown out in his attempt to become the Chairman of the ICC. To blame it on Robert Mugabe is like blaming Saddam Hussein for the weapons of mass destruction that have still to be found.

CHARLTON HESTON in INDEPENDENT 21st July 1999 said "The most important thing a man can learn - the importance of three little words: "I was wrong". These words will get you much further than "I love you".

NCC felicitates Kumar Sangakkara

NCC President Camilus Abeygoonawardene handing over a memento to Kumar Sangakkara at the felicitation ceremony.

Amidst a distinguished gathering of past and present Sri Lanka cricketers, officials of Sri Lanka Cricket, family and friends, the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) felicitated Kumar Sangakkara on his appointment as the Sri Lanka Cricket Captain at the Club House on Friday evening.

After a brief welcome address by the President of NCC Camilus Abeygunawardene and a felicitation speech by former NCC President Ranjt Fernando, Kumar Sangakkara captivated the audience with a relatively long but a spectacular speech.

Sangakkara who is known for his eloquent speeches traced back his illustrious cricket career at Trinity College and also recalled as to how he joined the Nondescripts Cricket Club.

“It was my school friend Ashan Welagedara who first invited me to join the Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) twelve years ago. While I was walking to the CCC to get myself enrolled, Asoka de Silva met me and invited me to meet him. I promptly agreed, and at this meeting Asoka invited me to join the NCC. I was delighted as it would give me the opportunity to play along side some great cricketers like Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tilakaratne, Russell Arnold and a few others. I agreed with Asoka and had to disappoint my friend Ashan’s request. And the rest is history now”.

During his speech the Sri Lanka Cricket Captain paid a glorious tribute to his past cricket coaches Upul Jayasiri, Bernard Perera, and Sunil Fernando and many others for helping him during his early years. However he emphasized that it was Dav Whatmore who provided him with the opportunity of batting at the top that helped him to be the batsman he is today.” It was during a tour in South Africa that Dav called me up and asked me to bat at number three. If you need to play for Sri Lanka for long you need to bat at number three, Dav stressed”recalled Sangakkara.

The Sri Lanka Captain had also a word of thanks to his parents, family members, wife Yeheli and some of his close friends who were all present at the evening. In a lighter vein he quipped: “My father was my first coach and he is also my biggest critic. So much so that he tells me that sometimes I bat like a ‘donkey,” ” even today.

Sangakkara speaks on ultimate ‘hat trick

As India and Sri Lanka prepare for the Micromax Asia Cup final - Captain of the Sri Lankan team Kumar Sangakkara and bowler Muthiah Muralitharan took time off to speak to children from Matale, about good nutrition, sanitation and girls' education.

"We are very excited to lend our voices to this noble effort and create awareness about what is happening to our children because we don't just care about cricket, we are fathers, we are husbands, we are brothers and we really care about our communities. This for us is the ultimate Hat Trick - it goes beyond everything, said Sangakkara.

Last week at a joint press conference held by the Asian Cricket Council and UNICEF, the captains of the four nations competing for the Micromax Asia Cup, endorsed the Healthy Hat-Trick: invest in good nutrition, sanitation and girls' education, three critical interventions to save children's lives.

UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative, Philippe Duamelle, said: It was great to see Sri Lanka's Farveez Maharoof take the first Hat-Trick of the tournament. When it comes to the Healthy Hat-Trick for children, Sri Lanka has made great progress - investing in girls' education and sanitation, however, challenges in nutrition still rema

‘We are ready’ - Sangakkara

Our cricketers should be ready to perform with great skill at the T/20 World Cup in the West Indies – This sentiment was expressed by skipper Kumar Sangakkara on the eve of Sri Lanka cricket team’s departure to the Caribbean’s yesterday.

Sri Lanka cricketers hold the ‘pirith noola’ as they are blessed for success before their departure to the Caribbean at the Cricket Board Headquarters yesterday – Pic by J. Weerasekera

“We have a set plan for the contest. When we face New Zealand in the first competition game on April 30, we will field a team that could match the New Zealanders,” said Sangakkara. “We will not take any game lightly, even Zimbabwe,” quipped Sangakkara.

When asked about Dilshan’s opening partner, Sangakkara said that there are four players – Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardena and Dinesh Chandimal – who could be the openers but they have not finalized the openers but will decide on them after considering the conditions in the West Indies.

“We will not put pressure on the new comers. There are others to shoulder responsibilities,” said Sangakkara.

Former skipper Mahela Jayawardena said that he had performed as an opener in competitions held in Sri Lanka and is prepared to take on the job if the team management decides so.
Sri Lanka will have a practice game against South Africa on April 28.

Sangakkara guides Kandurata to second win

Sanga once again proved why they have rated him as No. 1 - Pic by Ranjith Perera

MAS Holdings Kandurata skipper Kumar Sangakkara put in another superlative batting display when he cracked an 84 ball knock of 96, with six boundaries and two sixes. This score helped Sangakkara to guide his side to an easy 192 run win over E-Wis Basnahira North at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Sangakkara was supported by two fine knocks. In the first he was associated with opener Tharanga Paranavithana with whom he added a valuable 118 run partnership for the third wicket. The other was an unbeaten 60 by Chamara Kapugedera who shared a 80 run stand for the fourth wicket. This helped Kanduarata to reach a formidable 296 for 5.

Basnahira North having won their two previous games was no where close to their old form. They lost their first four wickets for 40 runs in the ninth over. These included batsmen who cracked half tons in the previous game - Avishka Gunawadena, Ruwin Peiris and Shanuka Dissanayake - with the last two going for ducks.

In the early stages skipper Sangakkara only used his pacies Akalanka Ganegama, Kaushalya Weeraratne and Thilina Thushara. This trio obliged the skipper to obtain the much needed breakthrough.

Muttiah Muralitharan was brought in only after 24 overs with Basnahira North struggling at 92 for 9. Ultimately it was Muralitharan who finished off the innings. Murali dismissed Dhammika Prasad and Basnahira North were bundled out for 104 in 26.3 overs.

MAS Holdings Kandurata 296 for 5 in 50 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 96, Tharanga Paranavithana 75, Sajith Fernando 18, Chamara Kapugedera 60 n.o.)

E-Wis Basnahira North 104 in 26.3 overs (Dhanuka Pathirana 20, Gayan Wijekoon 19; Thilina Thushara 3 for 18, Kaushalya Weeraratne 2 for 19, Akalanka Ganegama 2 for 35)

Ruhuna crash again
Hirdaramani Ruhuna succumbed to their second defeat of the inter-provincial limited over cricket tournament when they were beaten by 39 runs by Lanka Bell Wayamba in a rain shortened encounter at the Welagedera Stadium in Kurunegala yesterday.
No play was possible in the morning session due to heavy rain. When the green light was given after the lunch session, the match was curtailed to 22 overs.

Wayamba sent in to bat first lost two quick wickets. They were however propped up by a third wicket partnership of 56 runs between Mahela Udawatte and Jehan Mubarak. This helped them to make an imposing 143 for 5 in their 22 overs. Mubarak was the top scorer with a 47 ball knock of 47 which included four boundaries.

Ruhuna sans skipper Sanath Jayasuriya in their run chase, struggled as pacies Farveez Maharoof, Ishara Amarasinghe and Ajantha Mendis broke the back bone of the top order batting to send them reeling at 60 for 5 at the half way stage. The batting was a repeat of their first game with none of the batsmen being able to make any useful contribution. Spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi put the finishing touches to end the Ruhuna innings for 104. Lokuarachchi ended with figures of 4 for 24 while Maharoof took 3 for 19.

Lanka Bell Wayamba 143 in 22 overs (Mahela Udawatte 26, Jehan Mubarak 47 n.o., Farveez Maharoof 23 n.o.; Sachitra Senanayake 2 for 28)

Hirdaramani Ruhuna 104 in 20.4 overs (Anil Ridigammanagedera 26, Kosala Kulasekera 20, Gihan de Silva 15; Kaushal Lokuarachchi 4 for 24, Farveez Maharoof 3 for 19)

Premier league cricket- Big guns boom

Angelo Matthews who scored 168 for Colts in action yesterday. Pic by Ranjith Perera

It was a week where most of the national stars shone. Beginning with the effort of young Angelo Mathews who made a brilliant 168 against CCC, there were several other good performances by the ‘big guns’.
At Maitland Place national captain Mahela Jayawardena who had a bad patch in Zimbabwe came up with a typically fluent knock of 60 runs against arch rivals NCC while medium pacer Nuwan Kulasekera bamboozled the CCC batting to capture 6 for 31 for Colts in their match played next door.

At Panagoda left arm spinner Rangana Herath celebrated his recall to the national squad in style for Moors against Army. First Herath scored 32 and 55 and followed it up with a haul of 6 for 28 to guide his side to a narrow first innings win.

‘Keep fighting on’ seems to be the motto of forgotten national leg spinner Malinga Bandara. Bandara turning out for Ragama CC captured 3 for 8 and then followed it up with a breezy half century to help his side to a first innings win over the strong Chilaw Marians.

Besides Bandara, Harsha Witharana also contributed well for Ragama when he hit 101 runs facing 248 balls with eleven fours.

At CCC grounds
Colts - 328 for 7 cont. 379 (Dilruwan Perera 48, Malinda Warnapura 21, Nuwan Kulasekera 21, Angelo Mathews 168, Sajeewa Weerakoon 46: Sujeewa de Silva 2 for 74 Jehan Mubarak 2 for 78, Chaminda Vidanapathirana 3 for 68, Ishan Ratnayake 2 for 75)

CCC 133 (Jehan Mubarak 42, Bhathiya Perera 31, Nisal Randika 33n.o. Nuwan Kulasekera 6/31, Ishara Amerasinghe 2/32) and 28 for no loss (Michael Vandort 16n.o., Daminda Ranaweera 12n.o.)

At P. Sara Stadium
Tamil Union - 336 for 6 cont. 349 (Gihan Rupasinghe 84, Ashan Priyanjana 74, Sajith Fernando 49, Lanka de Silva 39, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara 46: Duncan Arnolda 5 for 79, Niroshan Bandarathileke 2 for 62) and 36 for no loss (Jeewan Mendis 16n.o. Sajith Fernando 18n.o.)

Badureliya CC 203 (70) (Chanaka Withanage 33, Rasika Priyadarshana 14, Alankara Asanka 75n.o. Malinga Surappullige 3 for 25, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara 3/15)

At SSC ground
NCC - 194 (Kanchana Gunawardena 40, Chanaka Wijesinghe 33, Sahan Wijeratne 28, Kosala Kulasekera 25, Lasith Fernando 20: Sachitra Senanayake 6 for 61) and 39 for 1 (Upul Tharanga 31n.o. Thilina Kandamby 1/1)

SSC - 38 for no loss cont. 308 for 7 dec. (Dimuth Karunaratne 28, Naveen Perera 20, Kaushal Silva 54, Mahela Jayawardena 60, Thilina Kandamby 32, Kaushalya Lokuarachchi 68, Shalika Karunanayake 24n.o., Tharaka Kottehewa 2/72, Kosala Kulasekera 2/36, Damith Indika 2/68)

At Panagoda
Moors - 161 (Anil Ridigammanagedera 40, Rangana Herath 32, Shameera Weerasinghe 30: Seekkuge Prasanna 3 for 48, Navantha Ratnayake 2 for 32, Asela Gunaratne 2 for 36) and 189 for 6 at close (Damith Hunukumbura 61, Rangana Herath 55, Wesley Fernando 25, Dhammika Sudarshana 21, Seekkuge Prasanna 4/60, Damith Balasuriya 2/22)

Army - 50 for 1 cont. 154 (Asela Gunaratne 45, Chandima Prasad 21, Damith Balasuriya 21, Rangana Herath 6 for 28)

At Braybrooke Place
Chilaw Marians - 170 for 7 cont. 214 (Gayan Wijekoon 26, Suresh Niroshan 25, Milinda Siriwardena 20, Nimesh Perera snr. 77: Malinga Bandara 3 for 8, Kaushalya Weeraratne 4 for 79)

Ragama CC 309 for 7 (Harsha Witharana 101n.o., Indika de Saram 53, Malinga Bandara 50, Hemantha Wickremasinghe 46, Dinuk Hettiarachchi 4 for 113, Janaka Gunaratne 2/48)

Premier Cricket Tier B
At Panadura Esplanade
Panadura - 101 (Nilantha Cooray 18: Lasantha Manoj 5 for 35, Rashmi Jinan 2 for 34) and 293 for 9 (Shamika Ruwan 66, Pramuka Liyanage 90, Dinusha Fernando 43n.o., Amila Perera 28, Mahesh Priyadarshana 6/33, Lasantha Manoj 2/50)

Police - 130 for 6 cont. 167 (58.3) (Rashmi Jinan 31, Tharindu Weerasinghe 25, Nihal Soysa 22, Dhammika Rajapakse 45: Nilantha Cooray 6 for 36)

At NCC ground
Moratuwa SC - 126 (Harsha de Silva 50, Rashimal Mendis 22, Milinda Sepala 22: Neville Liyanage 5 for 48, Sameera Vithana 3 for 16) and 87 (Sudeepa Perera 26: Neville Liyanage 4 for 26)
Singha SC - 137 for 6 cont. 156 (Thilina Rajakaruna 17, Asela Wewalwala 82: Lakshan Rodrigo 4 for 12, Charith Fernando 3 for 42, Lakshan Rodrigo 4/12) and 59 for 1 (Thilina Rajakaruna 27n.o. Denver Faux 17n.o.)

At Royal ground
Seeduwa/Raddoluwa CC - 129 (Umesh Karunaratne 36, Manjula Priyantha 25: Malinda Pushpakumara 4 for 32, Prabhath Priyankara 3 for 57) and 180 (Tharaka Waduge 36, Ranil Dhammika 41, Gihan Dilruk 24, Malinga Pushpakumara 4/62, Prabhath Priyankara 2/37) Saracens SC - 81 for 6 cont. 197 (Samith Dushantha 19, Chamara Soysa 68, Shashrika Pussegolla 58: Umesh Karunaratne 3 for 24, Ranil Dhammika 4 for 66) and 24 for 3 (Umesh Karunaratne 2 for 10)

At De Zoysa Stadium
BRC - 230 (Dilhan Cooray 52, Jehan Perera 39, Romesh Eranga 28, Manoj Fernando 21: Gayan Sirisoma 3 for 44, Praneeth Jayasundera 3 for 54, Hemantha Boteju 2 for 15) and 108 (Rathika Wimaladharma 27n.o., Romesh Eranga 21, Pubudu Seneviratne 21, Praneeth Jayasundera 2/11, Dhammika Perera 2/26, Chathura Athukorala 2/20)
Sebastianites - 21 for 2 cont. 144 (65.4) (Lahiru Peiris 34, Ruvin Peiris 31, Lakmal Fernando 20, Bradman Ediriweera 18: Romesh Eranga 4 for 38, Marlon Madhushanka 4 for 28) and 5 for 1 at close (Romesh Indika 1/5)

At Rifle Green
Air Force - 240 for 8 cont. 276 (Madhawa Warnapura 51, Abuthahir Rizan 48, Ajith Kumara 31, Yasith de Silva 64, Chamila Gamage 32: Selvin Perera 5 for 90, Mangala Kumara 3 for 53)
Lankan CC 366 for 8 at close (Heshan Tillekaratne 47, Dasun Ariyaratne 23, Chanaka Wannakuwatte 64, Sashan Silva 38, Raju Gayashan 51, Pishan Hewage 51, Mangala Kumara 50n.o., Yasith de Silva 3/58, Suwanji Madanayake 2/91, Rizan Abuthahir 2/72)

Battle of equal wits

By the time this article appears the 1st test in Galle barring the weather should be on the way. The test itself will be an important one for both teams, with skipper Sangakkara leading Sri Lanka in a test match for the first time and both teams meeting ach other for the first time yet again in a test match after the unfortunate incident in Lahore. Despite all that and if the weather turns kind, cricket should be evenly contested.

The Sri Lanka team named for the test match looks a balanced unit with both the batting and bowling departments looking good and strong. On the other hand let’s not forget that Pakistan too is a very strong outfit and with the recall of Mohammed Yousuf the batting in particular is looking very impressive and strong.

The probable weakness in the batting line up could be the lack of experience in the opening combination with Salman Butt being the one opener with some experience. But the middle order of Skipper Younis Khan, Misbah Ul Haq, Mohammed Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and wicket keeper Kamran Akmal are a strong combination and will be a tough challenge to the Lankan bowlers. In the bowling too Pakistan look formidable with the pace attack spearheaded by Umar Gul backed by the quality spin of Danesh Kaneria and Ajmal will be a tough proposition for the Lankan batting to handle and will always be a threat.

Sangakkara leads Sri Lanka in a Test for the first time

For Sri Lanka obviously the squad announced has an excellent blend of youth with experience with obviously the young all rounder Angelo Mathews looking the most exciting of the new brigade. It’s good to see another young and a highly talented wicket keeper batsman Kaushal Silva being picked as the only wicket keeper as a replacement to the injured Prasanna Jayawardane.

Whilst still not in the same class of Jayawardane as a keeper, young Kaushal Silva is a more than capable batsman who could look after himself against the best of bowling. Despite the youth available the Sri Lankans however could be tempted to go in with an experienced XI rather than making too many changes with the possibility of only Angelo Mathews in the starting line up.

For Sri Lanka they have no problems with the top order with Malinda Warnapura now by far Sri Lanka’s most established opener being partnered by Tharanga Paranavithana. The next four slots in the order select themselves. Skipper Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardane, Thilan Samaraweera and Tillakaratne Dilshan are four of the best batsmen in the world and could be termed as solid and formidable to any opposing attack.

It will be the selection of the next five places that will be most interesting. Out of the five slots spinners Muralitharan and mystery man Ajantha Mendis are automatic choices. This would leave us with three slots open out of which one has to be for the wicket keeper or an all rounder. It is obvious that the choice for the no 7 batting spot could be between Kaushal Silva the wicket keeper or Angelo Mathews the all rounder. Judging by the recent past, Sangakkara has always preferred to play purely as a batsman and not with the keeping role combined. If that line of thinking is followed then Kaushal Silva becomes an automatic choice. However my gut feel is that Sangakkara in all probability may opt to keep with Dilshan also used as an option and bring in Angelo Mathews as a 3rd seam bowling option. If that is the case then remaining spots for the pace bowlers will be contested by Kulasekera, Thilina Thushara Mirando and Dhammika Prasad.

Here again Kulasekera should be at least a certainty for this test with the likeliest option to partner him being the faster Dhammika Prasad. True Prasad has been plagued by injuries but at the same time has had an excellent record in his short test career so far. His penetration levels at the longer version has been good and if not for injury could have easily been the replacement for the injured Lasith Malinga. This would be my starting XI for the first test. However I am sure the likes of Suranga Lakmal, Thilina Thushara and Chamara Kapugedara will mount a strong challenge for places in the side. Having said that this line up at its best should be the favourites at Sri Lanka’s happy hunting ground the Galle International Stadium where the opening test match of the series has been won by the home team on most occasions in the past. Let’s wish Sanga and his team all the best and hope history at Galle will repeat itself.

Angelo a matter of concern for the Lankans

With the impressive Lankan victory on Friday, the visitors were hit with yet another injury scare when all rounder Angelo Mathews - one of the main architects of the win - became a subject of scrutiny before the third ODI at the same venue in Nagpur on Monday.

Mathews’ match readiness was a matter of concern to the Lankan camp. He pulled a muscle while running between the wickets on Friday and had to bat along with a runner late in his innings.

Sri Lankan team manager Brendon Kuruppu said the fitness of Mathews, who used a runner late in his innings, can be assessed only after 24 hours. "We don’t know exactly what has happened to him”.

At the very first instance left arm medium fast bowler Thilan Thushara Mirando flew back home after an injury. Then Thushara’s replacement Ranga Dilhara Fernando too flew back home with veteran off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan -both sustaining finger injuries.

Thisara double puts Colts on top

An all round performance by Thisara Perera has put Colts in a strong position on day two in their Premier Tier ‘A’ encounter against Moors played at the Colts ground. Thisara wrecked the Moors batting with figures of 5 for 69 to send them reeling to a score of 168.

TOP- CCC batsman Jehan Mubarak in action (Pic by Ranjith Perera) INSET: Colts allrounder Thisara Perera who came up with a fine double

On day one Thisara slammed a 107 ball 113 n.o supported by half tons from Roshen Silva and Dilruwan Perera amassed a record 411. Moors following on with a deficit of 243 runs were 211 for 4 needing a further 32 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

Colts 411 (Roshen Silva 97, Dilruwan Perera 62, Asela Jayasinghe 39, Jeewantha Kulatunga 35, Kushal Perera 19, Thisara Perera 113 n.o.: Vimukthi Perera 3 for 48, Sameera Vishwaranga 3 for 86)
Moors (19/1 o’night) 168 (Shantha Kalavitigoda 41, Isham Ghouse 29, Dilhara Lokuhettige 28, Nadeera Nawela 21, Rajitha Wickramarachchi 17: Thisara Perera 5 for 69, Dilruwan Perera 3 for 30, Kanishka Elvitigala 2 for 39) and 211 for 4 (Shantha Kalavitigoda 86, Damitha Hunukumbura 78, Nadeera Nawela 28, Rajitha Wickramarachchi 15 n.o.: Dilruwan Perera 2 for 54, Sajeewa Weerakoon 2 for 74)

Chilaw Marians in the box seat

Chilaw Marians were in the box seat in their match against Badureliya Katunayake. Badureliya CC 69 (Subramania Siva 20, Tharindu Attanayake 17: Dinuka Hettiarachchi 6 for 25, Shaminda Eranga 2 for 11, Gayan Wijekoon 2 for 17) and 284 for 5 (Tharindu Attanayake 113, Subramania Siva 64, Dilshan Witharane 41, Alankara Asanka 43 n.o.: Dinuka Hettiarachchi 3 for 136)

Chilaw Marians (264/4 o’night) 359 (Harsha Cooray 89, Milinda Siriwardena 82, Nimesh Perera 51, Janaka Gunaratne 46, Gayan Wijekoon rtd39, Lahiru Weragala 18: Amila Prasad 3 for 87, Niroshan Bandaratilleke 2 for 42, Himesh Silva 2 for 59)

Ragama CC hold edge
Ragama CC held the edge against CCC at the NCC Grounds.
CCC 178 (Jehan Mubarak 52, Nisal Randika 31, Charith Sylvester 30: Nilanka Premaratne 4 for 79, Malinga Bandara 3 for 10, Daminda Dharshanapriya 2 for 35) and 201 (Jehan Mubarak 110, Charith Sylvester 38, Michael Vandort 16, Nisal Randika 16: Nilanka Premaratne 4 for 31, Malinga Bandara 3 for 45, Upul Indrasiri 2 for 47)

Ragama CC (131/4 o’night) 190 (Sameera de Soysa 55, Nisham Mazahir 52, Lahiru Thirimanne 25, Indika de Saram 20: Sachith Pathirana 4 for 53, Sohan Boralessa 3 for 36, Jehan Mubarak 2 for 28) and 7 for 1

SSC takes lead
SSC took a slender first inning lead over Army in their match played at the SSC ground.
SSC 216 (Lasith Fernando 45, Kaushal Silva 36, Sachitra Senanayake 31, Tharanga Paranavithana 26, Kaushal Lokuarachchi 22: Ravindra Palleguruge 3 for 49, Vishwashantha Weerakoon 3 for 55, Seekuge Prasanna 3 for 78) and 185 for 3 (Tharanga Paranavithana 74, Dimuth Karunaratne 64, Kaushal Silva 32 n.o.: Seekuge Prasanna 3 for 60)

Army (103/5 o’night) 209 (Seekuge Prasanna 38, Tharaka Waduge 29, Chandima Prasad 25, Dilan Soysa 18, Damith Indika 74 n.o.: Sachitra Senanayake 6 for 79, Milan Fernando 3 for 42)

Bloomfield in trouble
Bloomfield were in trouble against NCC at Reid Avenue.
Bloomfield 219 (Dilshan Munaweera 60, Chamara Silva 41, Sanjaya Gangodawila 32, Saman Jayantha 28: Chanaka Komasaru 5 for 82, Kosala Kulasekera 3 for 58) and 121 for 9 (Tyrone Gamage 15, Suraj Randiv 66 n.o.: Kosala Kulasekera 4 for 49, Chanaka Komasaru 3 for 51)

NCC (89/3 o’night) 236 (Shashrika Pussegolla 54, Angelo Perera 45, Yohan de Silva 29, Chanaka Wijesinghe 22, Farveez Maharoof 21, Dinesh Chandimal 15, Susantha Pradeep 15: Suraj Randiv 4 for 81, Tyrone Gamage 3 for 45, Tharanga Lakshitha 3 for 48)

Sachitra 126
A knock of 126 by Sachitra Serasinghe was the highlight at the P. Sara Stadium.
Tamil Union (286/7 o’night) 319 (Sachitra Serasinghe 126, Ashan Priyanjan 75, Praboda Seneviratne 37, Sajith Fernando 22: Dilshan Wimaladharma 8 for 107) and 33 for no loss (Sajith Fernando 19 n.o.)
Saracens SC 256 (Dasun Randika 84, Samith Dushantha 49, Rajkumar Rathika 32, Nilakshan Abeyratne 24, Dilshan Wimaladharma 17, Geeth Alwis 15: Jeewan Mendis 4 for 69, Sanjaya Chathuranga 3 for 76, Chamil Sumathipala 2 for 23)

Premier Tier ‘B’ BRC on course
BRC was in line to record an outright victory over Air Force at the BRC ground.
Air Force 141 (Marlon Fernando 33, Sandun Dias 22, Mohan Wickremasinghe 17, Sanjeewa Bulathwala 16: Marlan Madusanka 5 for 39, Chandika Thirimanne 3 for 21) and (7/1 o’night) 270 (Mohan Wickremasinghe 72, Sandun Dias 58, Marlon Fernando 33, Chamila Gamage 21, Abuthahir Rizan 15: Marlan Madusanka 5 for 89)

BRC 168 (Raju Gayashan 67, Dilan Sandagirigoda 39, Dilhan Cooray 31: Abuthahir Rizan 4 for 49, Ajith Kumara 3 for 13, Akila Isanka 2 for 34) and 221 for 8 (Dilhan Cooray 60, Nimesh Perera 40, Raju Gayashan 39, Gihan Perera 25, Chamil Perera 15: Akila Isanka 4 for 76, Abuthahir Rizan 3 for 61)
Dhammika 124

A knock of 124 by opener Dhammika Rajapakse helped Police make 314 at Police Park.
Sebastianites 183 (Kelum Fernando 35, Dananjaya Fernando 25, Rashimal Mendis 21, Buddika Janith 15: Malith Kumara 4 for 36, Charith Bandara 2 for 54) and 101 for 2 (Anjula Perera 35, Rashimal Mendis 33, Kelum Fernando 29 n.o.: Dhammika Rajapakse 2 for 38)

Police (27/0 o’night) 314 (Dhammika Rajapakse 124, Amila Mendis 47, Malinda Abeyratne 34, Harsha de Silva 26, Supun Nirmala 26, Tharindu Weerasinghe 17: Suwanji Madanayake 3 for 63, Dananjaya Fernando 2 for 39)

Sara Trophy Antonian SC on top
Antonian SC were in top against Kurunegala YCC at Kadirana.
Antonian SC 318 (Dinesh Nilanga 133, Neil Priyantha 59, Shehan Aravinda 37, Safraz Farook 39 n.o.: Ajith Ekanayake 4 for 107, Mahesh Godamullage 2 for 51, Upul Bandara 2 for 64) and 91 for 3 (Shehan Aravinda 26, Shalinda Madusanka 24, Sean Mackay 23 n.o.: Ajith Ekanayake 2 for 26)
Kurunegala YCC (3/1 o’night) 230 (Chinthaka Jayabandara 141, Mahesh Godamullage 24, Ajith Pradeep 22: Safraz Farook 4 for 40, Chamath Chinthaka 2 for 4, Vinod Selvarajah 2 for 51)

Hans and Thilina tons put SSC on top

Tons by Hans Fernando and Thilina Kandamby put SSC in the box seat on day two of their Premier Tier ‘A’ cricket encounter played at the SSC ground.

Hans made his 103 in 110 balls which included 14 hits to the ropes. He was involved in a valuable partnership of 143 runs with skipper Tharanga Paranavithana who made 78.

Thilina’s 102 came off 153 balls which had 11 boundaries while Kaushal Silva made 75 with nine boundaries.

SSC (377/6 o’night) 466 for 7 (Hans Fernando 103, Thilina Kandamby 102, Tharanga Paranavithana 78, Kaushal Silva 75, Kaushal Lokuarachchi 23, Shalika Karunanayake 53 n.o)

Moors 135 (Nadeera Nawela 40, Damitha Hunukumbura 28, Hasantha Fernando 23; Kaushal Lokuarachchi 4 for 15, Sachitra Senanayake 3 for 36) and 64 for 2 (Nadeera Nawela 41 n.o.)

Bold reply b Tamil Union

Tamil Union made a bold reply of 308 for 8 in reply to Ragama CC’s 361 at the end of the second day at the NCC ground.

Ragama CC helped by a knock of 107 from Lahiru Thirimanne and another knock of 98 by Indika de Saram came out on top against Tamil Union.

Ragama CC (332/9 o’night) 361 (Lahiru Thirimanne 107, Indika de Saram 98, Kaushalya Weeraratne 43, Upul Indrasiri 41, Sameera de Soysa 28; Muthumudalige Pushpakumara 5 for 79, Ashan Priyanjan 2 for 43, Malinga Surappulige 2 for 89102)

Tamil Union 308 for 8 (Jeewan Mendis 77, Ashan Priyanjan 66, Gihan de Silva 66, Sajith Fernando 61; Daminda Dharshanapriya 4 for 69, Nilanka Premaratne 2 for 50)

Bloomfield’s Suraj Randiv on his way to a century. Pic by Ranjith Perera

Chilaw Marians on top
Chilaw Marians were top against CCC on day two at the CCC ground. The Marians resuming on their overnight score of 127 for 3 went on to amass 403 for 7 declared after bowling out the home team for 161.

CCC 167 (Jehan Mubarak 36, Bathiya Perera 36, Nisal Randika 24, Gamini Chandrakumara 17; Dinuka Hettiarachchi 3 for 26, Gayan Wijekoon 2 for 17, Ravi Karunaratne 2 for 43) and 40 for 2 (Daminda Ranaweera 16, Jehan Mubarak 18 n.o.)

Chilaw Marians (127/3 o’night) 403 for 7 declared (Janaka Gunaratne 88, Gayan Wijekoon 35, Harsha Cooray 25, Nimesh Perera 37, Suresh Niroshan 15, Milinda Siriwardena 151 n.o.,Chiinthaka Perera 20 n.o; Chaminda Vidanapathirana 3 for 80, Sohan Boralessa 2 for 88)

Colts fight back

Colts after being bowled out for 170 fought back to bowl out NCC who were 142 for 3 to a score of 200 at the Colts ground.

Colts 170 (Roshane Silva 32, Chaminda Vaas 32, Dhanuka Pathirana 27, Mapa Bandara 26, Kosala Kulasekera 4 for 52, Akalanka Ganegama 3 for 44, Farveez Maharoof 2 for 32) and 203 for 8 (Dilruwan Perera 61, Roshane Silva 31, Thisara Perera 31, Mapa Bandara 4; Chanaka Komasaru 4 for 33, Kosala Kulasekera 2 for 61)

NCC (142/3 o’night) 200 (Dinesh Chandimal 50, Farveez Maharoof 41, Upul Tharanga 34, Akalanka Ganegama 27, Chanaka Wijesinghe 22; Ishara Amarasinghe 3 for 38, Ruchira Perera 2 for 50, Chaminda Vaas 2 for 57)

Army stun Bloomfield

Army despite a ‘ton’ by Suraj Randiv Army stunned the strong Bloomfield on the second day’s play at Reid Avenue.

Army 251 (Indika Karunatilleke 48, Chanaka Withanage 28, Ravindra Palleguruge 27, Manjula de Soysa 26, Damith Indika 65 n.o; Suraj Randiv 4 for 78, Tyronne Gamage 2 for 33, Tharanga Lakshitha 2 for 43) and 102 for 4 (Manjula de Soysa 33, Thilina Masmulla 28, Chanaka Withanage 19; Suraj Randiv 4 for 45)

Bloomfield (11/2 o’night) 216 (Suraj Randiv 112, Sanjaya Gangodawila 27, Shanuka Dissanayake 17, Nilushan Nonis 17; Seekuge Prasanna 4 for 82, Indika Karunatilleke 3 for 54, Ravindra Palleguruge 2 for 25)

Badureliya CC dominate
Badureliya CC dominated the second day’s proceedings against Saracens SC at the Panadura Esplanade.
Saracens SC 200 (Geeth Alwis 65, Dasun Randika 26, Eranga Gangoda 22, Ishan Ratnayake 17, Romesh Kaluarachchi 17, Rajkumar Rathika 15, Sahan Palihakkara 16 n.o; Alankara Asanka 4 for 38, Niroshan Bandaratilleke 3 for 47, Amila Prasad 2 for 55) and 96 for 3 (Geeth Alwis 34, Nadisha Fernando 27, Eshan Abeysinghe 17 n.o.: Alankara Asanka 2 for 36)
Badureliya CC (160/6 o’night) 366 (Dilshan Witharane 53, Hemantha Wickramaratne 53, Alankara Asanka 48, Himesh Silva 48, Ranesh Perera 123 n.o; Eranga Gangoda 5 for 126, Sahan Palihakkara 3 for 103)

Getting down to the job

It is not everyday that the Indians get beaten in two games out of three in the sub continent by any team in the world. And that too after a closely fought series in India which could have easily gone Sri Lanka’s way had the “luck factor” worked. Sri Lanka winning the Idea cup with almost an unknown and an inexperienced team couldn’t have come at a better time for Skipper Sangakkara and Sri Lanka cricket. It conveyed a very strong message to the rest of the world with regards to cricket in the Island nation!

It would have never been easy for Sangakkara and his men traveling to Bangladesh with a team largely made up of very inexperienced players. Just Dilshan, Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga possessed the experience in batting whilst the rest of the team had hardly played enough to warrant that status. It wouldn’t have helped to be without Mahela Jayawardane, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muthiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Angelo Mathews and Ajantha Mendis. It had reduced the strength in almost half. The bowling department with exception of Kulasekera, Bandara and Mirando didn’t have a player with more than ten games!

Sri Lankan cricket team captain Kumar Sangakkara (L) hugs his teammate Suraj Randiv (R) with the champion trophy after wining the final against India in the Tri-Nations tournament one-day international final cricket match at The Sher-e Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on January 13, 2010.. AFP

In that backdrop to win the tournament when competing against a very strong Indian team is an achievement that should be commended. I think a high percentage of the credit should go to the Captain Sangakkara for the way he batted and led the side and to Dilshan for the amazing innings he made when he was free from injury. Upul Tharanga too without any doubt has definitely cemented his place in the side whilst Thilan Samaraweera contrary to some school of thought made good of the chances he had and definitely deserved a place in the starting line up. What about Mahela Jayawardane then? One felt he answered his critics in style. Not that he had to prove anything but Jayawardane returning from injury had the skipper doing him a huge favour by prompting him to open. True it was unfair by young Thirimanne who hadn’t done badly in the previous game. But lets not forget that at the current moment Sri Lanka needs an inform Jayawardane to bat in the middle and they will back him all the way. His innings in the final was ample proof what a great finisher the experienced Jayawardane is. Contrary to the school of thought that Jayawardane shouldn’t be playing ODI cricket, it is ample evidence that his experience alone is worth a weight in gold! Surely Sri Lanka would have struggled to beat India without his innings!
Besides the blooding of young Thirimanne, who in almost every knowledgeable eye looked a player of exceptional class, the finds of this tour were surely Thisara Perera, Chanaka Welagedera and Suraj Randiv!

Whilst Welagedera and Randiv simply confirmed their class young, Thisara took the cricket world by storm with his all round cricket. Be it hitting massive sixes, bowling sharp and lively seam or throwing himself around on the field, he always gave his best. In the game against India despite Samaraweera’s solid century Sri Lanka would have been anxious if not for Perera’s clean hitting. As a bowler I am sure he could bowl much faster but he was more content in keeping it on a tight line and I thought he was successful.

Then what about Randiv? Sri Lanka surely has discovered a very fine player who could not only rub his shoulders with the best in the business with his off spin, but can bat very effectively in the lower order. His half century against India showed his fighting and never say die attitude. And fielding in the covers young Randiv was able to make some great saves and also pick up catches coming his way.
As for Welagedera this young unassuming lad from Matale has finally come of age. Bowling with great control and accuracy. Welagedera had troubled the top order of both Bangladesh and India regularly and has so far dismissed some top batsmen in the world displaying his class as a fast left-armer. Now free from injury and other technical deficiencies one hopes Welagedera will be continued with by the selectors for a longer time.

Sri Lanka’s next assignment will be the Asia cup and the recent performance in Bangladesh will surely give them all the confidence to compete with the rest! What is interesting is to find out the policy of the selectors! With almost all the players who were injured, rested or dropped being available what would be the composition they would go for? Will they want to continue their youth policy with the likes of Randiv, Thirimanne, Thisara Perera and Chandimal or will the experience be a factor? It is a positive problem or a positive headache rather than not having many options! I don’t think the selectors will be complaining when faced with such a problem.

Let’s also not forget that Chamara Kapugedara who hasn’t had a mention in the line up too is available. He is without any hesitation a class act, though unfortunately he is still to full fill his true potential.
With such a background it is clear that Sri Lanka’s cricket is healthy and well. Despite a few setbacks the team is back on rail and surely looking good. A factor that seems to emerge strongly is the style of Sangakkara as captain! From an anxious and a worried leader Sangakkara appears to have developed a cool head. Watching him put an arm around his bowler despite being punished or applauding him from behind the stumps has suggested to me that he has understood the finer points of leading a side and is fast developing his man management skills. This will definitely augur well for the future as Sangakkara the captain is as important to Sri Lanka cricket as much as Sangakkara the batsman!
Sri Lanka cricket has erased the bad ending of 2009 with a superb start to the New Year. One hopes that the trend will continue.

The Mendis maker

“I told the national cricket selectors to take a look at Ajantha Mendis prior to the Australian tour. They were not interested because the Army team was playing in Division ‘B’. I am sure he would have been successful. However on a latter date former Sri Lanka captain and now head of Sri Lanka Cricket Arjuna Ranatunga called and told me that had he been the captain of the Sri Lanka team, he would have taken Mendis to Australia, said” Major General VR Silva who is largely responsible for converting this spin sensation to what he is today.

Speaking to The Sunday Times; the affable Silva who is called the king maker in many circles, recalled how he discovered Mendis. He said; “I was appointed Chairman of Army Cricket some years ago. The then head of the Army was keen that we get back to sports. For some years prior to that we had stopped taking part in any sports due to the ethnic conflict.”

‘At first we managed to get a group of players, but it was very ad hoc. We had no proper place to practice and we were not as competitive as we wanted to be. I knew there was no way any cricketer from a Colombo school was going to join the Army. Thus I put a strategy into place whereby we would scout the less privileged schools. Back in the year 2004 we were playing an under 23 Division Two match against Moratuwa SC.

Ajantha Mendis

That was when I first spotted Mendis. I do not know whether he was the captain or not, but I was impressed by his demeanor on the field. He was giving his best and he was also able to get the best of the players around him. I knew then and there he was the kind of player we were looking for. I also knew with the right training he could be the long term replacement for Muttiah Muralitharan.”
He added; “I sent a message through one of my non commissioned officer’s (NCO) asking Mendis whether he would like to join the Army. Mendis said he would have to ask his mother. This is because what I did not know was that his father had passed away only a week before. After some time I sent another message though one of my soldiers. At first his mother was very reluctant. But finally we managed to convince her.”

Elaborating on how Mendis finally got noticed, Silva said; “Two years ago we got promoted to Division Segment ‘B’. We won all our matches, eight outright and the match against Panadura which was marred by rain we gained a first innings victory. Out of a total of 170 wickets, Mendis got 68 wickets and Seekuge Prasanna an orthodox right arm leg spinner who I will speak about later got 38 wickets. Mendis was picked for the inter-provincial tournament and most of Sri Lanka’s top batsmen could not play him. It was then that he was noticed. Some people called me and wanted me to release Mendis so that he could join a Division One Segment ‘A’ team. I refused. And my decision has paid off. I was told that Mendis would get the nod for the West Indies tour. He did and like they say the rest is history. You see at the Army unlike in clubs, there is a spirit of togetherness. The players go for practice together, come back etc.

They are also physically and mentally tough. I would go so far as to say that man to man each one of our players is fitter than any of the club players. I am not surprised that Mendis has done well in pressure situations, as I said earlier it is one aspect of the game we focus on a lot. I am also delighted at the way he has performed”. Silva added; I have spoken to him about giving interviews. Language is no barrier. Even some of the world’s top leaders use a translator. It is better than speaking in broken English”.

We asked Silva in conclusion about Prasanna, he said “I firmly believe he has the potential to be an opening batsman and a very good leg spinner. With all due respect to the national coaches who have said otherwise I beg to differ. I work with this team day in and day out. Keep in mind I played for Maliyadeva, captained Central Province and played cricket for Army until the late eighties. I also played rugby until a bad knee injury ruled me out. Prasanna has all the shots in the book and the right temperament. His bowling is like that of Shane Warne and he is very deceptive.

This might sound strange to some, but we have about 30 players in our squad. And to each of these players I have identified a slot in the nation team and Sri Lanka’s ‘A’ team. I have told all of them that they should be objective in what they should aspire to. It is too early to speak about other potential stars. But I will say this much. There is a left arm leg spinner we are working with because he has not developed as fast as we expected him. As for Army we did not fare too well last year. We are now playing in Division One Segment ‘A’. Let’s just see how we fare this year.”

Mahela's Master Magic

We did it ……..Skipper Mahela Jayawardena and his deputy Kumar Sangakkara compliment each other after they reached that magical figure of 574 – the all time record for any wicket. Pix by Dinuka Liyanawatte

One expects records to be broken, but not to fall like a set of dominoes. That is exactly what happened on the third day in the first Janashakthi test between Sri Lanka and South Africa. History was re-written and the blazing sun was eclipsed by Skipper Mahela Jayawardene and his deputy Kumar Sangakkara.

They broke quite a few records while putting on a mammoth 624 runs for the third wicket. In just the second over after the lunch break an attempted sweep by Jayawardene saw the ball speeding to the fence for a boundary. With that four runs their partnership of 578 went into the history books as the highest in both tests and first class cricket. At the end of the third day’s play yesterday, South Africa had replied with 43 for no loss.

At the post match press briefing, Nicky Boje explaining about the South African chances said; “Mahela (Jayawardene) and Kumar (Sangakkara) played some awesome cricket. They really showed us how to bat on this pitch,” and added that “since Chaminda Vass was not playing Muttiah Muralitharan would have no foothold to bowl in and thus it may be less of a threat”. Jayawardene speaking to The Sunday Times replied by saying; “Muralitharan does not have a foothold to take wickets. Sanath Jayasuriya can bowl into the rough and Murali can bowl at the other end.”

When Jayawardene was given the job of vice captaincy for a couple of years, he was criticized by many for lack of form with the bat. When asked about his consistency both as a Captain and a batsman he said; “I was going through a bad patch at the time and I did not have that much of responsibility. Think the main thing for me is to give 100 per cent every time I play for Sri Lanka and that is what I have been doing,”

Both Jayawardene and Sangakkara said it was great to be together at the crease when they passed the 600 run mark for the third wicket. The pair are great mates on and off the field and were fittingly presented with two Peugeots by Cricket’s controlling body for their heroic efforts over the last two days.

We asked Sangakkara whether the fact that he was not keeping helped his batting. His reply was; “I started out by keeping and batting for Sri Lanka. I do not intend to neglect either discipline. Prasanna Jayawardene made it to the Sri Lankan team on merit. He is a good batsman and a brilliant wicket keeper. But there might be times when we cannot afford the luxury of a seventh batsman. My priority is the team. Whatever the team needs me to do, I will do.” Jayawardene did admit he was elated to have passed Jayasuriya’s score of 340. But he rated his innings of 167 against New Zealand as his best given the batting conditions.

Both Jayawardene and coach Tom Moody emphasized that a lot of work remained despite Sri Lanka’s massive first innings lead. Moody put it in a nutshell when he stated; “I have not known a South African side to just lie down. They will fight to the end.”

Resuming their overnight score of 484 for two, Jayawardene and Sangakkara mixed caution with aggression to take their side to 584 for two at lunch. Jayawardene became only the third Sri Lankan player after Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva to score over 6000 runs in test cricket, when he had made 260 runs.

A trademark cover drive by Jayawardene saw him pass the magical three hundred mark for the first time in his test career. All rounder Andrew Hall finally provided some relief for the visitors when he had Sangakkara playing an extravagant drive, only to be caught by stumper Mark Boucher for 287.

Thus the partnership of 624 runs was broken. The most relieved man on the field would have been Jacque Rudolph who dropped Sangakkra when he was on seven and then again on 99. It was Sangakkara's highest test score and his fourth double hundred in tests. His innings came off 457 balls and contained 35 hits to the ropes.

Following the break South Africa took the new ball which had been due for 16 overs. This paid dividends with Dale Steyn trapping Dilshan is front for 45 to end an entertaining stand of 130 runs for the fourth wicket. Jayawardene suddenly seemed to go into a shell and was deceived by a quicker delivery by Nel.

Jayawardene's innings of 374 is the fourth highest in test history. He faced 572 balls and had 43 hits to the ropes and one over it. Following his dismissal the declaration was made with the Sri Lankan total on 756 for 5.There was gloom for the South Africans. Opener Herchelle Gibbs had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, The latest news from the proteas camp is that Gibbs’s condition is improving and will be monitored overnight

Jayasuriya – still Lanka’s match winner

The world’s best ODI player with a fantastic record not just in ODI’s but in Test’s too, Sanath Jayasuriya may be 40 plus but is still raring to go. Despite a rather modest return at home in the recent T20 games against New Zealand there is little doubt that Sanath Jayasuriya is still very much the Master Blaster and holds the key to a very great extent with regards to the success of Sri Lanka in the shorter version of the game and in the Champions Trophy in South Africa. Known for his attacking batsmanship with his liking for the upper cut and the pull Jayasuriya can be devastating when on song. All Sri Lankans will be naturally hoping that “Sana” as he is fondly known will be able to fire on all cylinders come the big event in South Africa as there is very little doubt that he is one of the most feared batsmen in world cricket.

Looking in to his beginnings Jayasuriya started his game as an aggressive middle order batsman and was always hailed as a future star for Sri Lanka. This was further confirmed when on a tour to Pakistan with the Sri Lanka A team Jayasuriya had the rare distinction of scoring back to back double hundreds, a feat which I am sure will be extremely tough to emulate! Especially for a visiting batsman in Pakistan!
Despite his brilliance in batting in the middle order Jayasuriya’s ascendancy to the openers spot was something totally unexpected. Having been asked to open on the controversial tour to Australia in the mid nineties, the great left hander since then has never looked back. It was on the same tour that both Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana another hard hitting wicket keeper opening batsman started the innovative batting approach to the first ten overs of a ODI game by smashing the bowlers to all parts of the ground giving the game a new dimension and definitely to the rest of the teams some food for thought in its approach to ODI cricket. Come 1996 Wills World Cup Sanath Jayasuriya received a major recognition being picked the most valuable player of the tournament, ahead of some big names such as Mark Waugh, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Sri Lanka’s own Aravinda De Silva, confirming his status as a rising star of the world scene.

Sanath Jayasuriya had arrived and was ready to stay for a very long time in the game!

Since then Jayasuriya has definitely been the star of many Sri Lankan shows. Be it smashing one day hundreds or scoring the 340 against India at the Premadasa Stadium in that World Record Test score or the breathtaking double hundred against England at the Oval, when Sri Lanka won a test match for the first time in that country, Jayasuriya was simply all class. With his phenomenal record of almost 20,000 plus runs at International cricket with 42 hundreds and 99 half centuries plus his 417 wickets, he will surely be a very strong contender for the title “Sri Lanka’s greatest ever Cricketer”.

The master is still a match winner

It will be with that background and pedigree that Sanath Jayasuriya will enter the ring against the world’s top bowlers, when the ICC Champions Trophy begins with the opening game against the top ODI team in the world, South Africa. Taking a much closer look at Jayasuriya’s skills at the advanced cricketing age of 40 it’s interesting to note the many changes he has adopted in his batting and how beautifully his game has been fine tuned. Sanath Jayasuriya is without an iota of doubt one of the hardest working cricketers in the world. When critics questioned his ability to cope with the short rising ball directed at the body or his horizontal shots at the top of the order, Jayasuriya’s reply was to let his broad bat talk and that he achieved with a lot of dedication and commitment which he still religiously pursues even now. One could only but marvel at Sanath watching him on the cricket field, either fielding so brilliantly with his running, pickups and even accurate throwing or stifling a batting line up with his left arm spin or simply smashing the bowling around.

Jayasuriya has challenged even the fittest men in the cricketing arena of Sri Lanka in that aspect. It is a clear indication that he is still able to deliver. With not many more Everest’s to conquer for this great left hander, I am sure he would want to call it a day when he is on a high. And one way of being on a high is to perform in the Champions Trophy in South Africa. Sanath we know you have done it in the past and we know you can do it again.

Sanath's captaincy should boost his batting

From the deep South to the big city came Sanath Jayasuriya. He was cast in the mould of those colourful cricketers from the Caribbean.

Termed the masterbasher of the willow, his swashbuckling batting in the 1996 World Cup took the cricketing world by storm, and he laid the path in a big way for Sri Lanka's glorious triumph in the 1996 World Cup.

He was honoured for his brilliant performances by being voted the Most Valuable Player in the tournament. Wisden, the Cricketing Bible, picked him as one of the five Cricketers of the Year in 1997. Today he is rated as one of the most dashing batsmen in the international scene. He has proved his brilliance both in the 'cowboy game' and at Test level. He came to the limelight from humble beginnings.

He is not a product of those elitist Colleges like Royal, S. Thomas' and a few others, who produced the cream of cricketers before Sri Lanka attained Test status. He came from a school deep in the South: St. Servatius in Matara, not so well-known in cricketing circles.

Gentle by nature, he won the hearts of all Sri Lankan cricket lovers. If one might call the former skipper arrogant, Sanath is just the opposite. Pride is something alien to him.

The cricket selectors have taken the correct decision by appointing him Captain, in the aftermath of Sri Lanka's miserable performance in the 1999 World Cup. Sanath has proved his capability as skipper on many an earlier occasion. He has the potential to get the best from his players. It was only the other day that I read about Bruce Yardley's comments that Sanath was the correct choice. As Captain he has an uphill task ahead of him, in the wake of the forthcoming tour by the Aussies, the undisputed champions of the game.

He has the grit and determination to inspire his team-mates to counter the strong challenge from the Kangaroos from 'down under'.

He has played in the shadow of one of Sri Lanka's great and controversial captains, Arjuna, and he might have learnt much from that experience. Arjuna's exit was inevitable after his poor performance in the 1999 World Cup, yet he will remain a legend in the annals of Sri Lankan cricket for his great contribution to the game.

Yet his presence and that of Aravinda in the team is a must for some time, there is still much cricket left in them. They could bow out of the game when Sri Lankan Cricket finds batsmen of their calibre to replace them.

Messing up in style

When you have crossed the boundaries of your own native country allegiance to your land notches up by more than a few digits. Then when someone puts across various questions about the happenings of things back home sometimes it puts you in a state of utter despair, especially when you are caught on the wrong foot.n spite of being the height of the Footie season, still there are some Australians who are interested in cricket and are quite keen to learn how the game is progressing in the talented little land of Sri Lanka.

There were some frequently asked questions. One of the leading was “How is Sanath Jayasuriya still representing the country at 40+ while he is failing?” “Is it true that he has a lot of political backing and is using it for his survival in the arena and what is he gaining by doing that except for disrespect?” “How come there is a thing called the interim committee who runs the cricketing affairs in the country and isn’t it done by the politicians whose cricketing knowledge is still far below average?”

For the lower set of the questions I had the answers – I explained that the Interim Committees was a direct result of a law enacted in Sri Lanka many moons ago called the ‘Sports Law’ which came to light for all the right reasons, but gradually lost its sheen at the whimsies of lesser beings.

However on the question of Sanath Jayasuriya plodding along at the age of 40+ and at the expense of young promising cricketers along with the team harmony was a question that I had to bow my head and bite my lip.

The other day I read a statement made by the Hon member of parliament for Matara Mr. Sanath Jayasuriya to a Indian newspaper to the effect that he is in the game because the people of Sri Lanka wants him to do so. I beg your pardon Sir may I take the liberty Sir to ask you about how many people it would be and are every one of them who says that, real cricket lovers?

Jayasuriya walking back to the Pavilion,a very frequent sight in Sri Lanka cricket now. 15 runs in 6 matches at the T20.

It was a bonus for Sri Lanka to come to the semi-final stage of the T-20 World cup. Though in reality T-20 cricket does not come within the pursuits of the purists it is a necessary evil which is played purely for the monetary gains that it could provide for the sustenance of the game.

In the run of play Sri Lanka exploded while Mahela found touch, and then imploded when Mahela failed. However the most intriguing scenario was the continuance of Jayasuriya who came into the side as a number seven batsman and scored 0 not out and then a three ball 3 batting at number eight to gain a promotion as an opening batsman. Then may I ask you how many runs he scored in that slot? Was it fair by skipper Sangakkara to bench in-touch Dinesh Chandimal and perambulate with Jayasuriya whose very presence in the side was an implosion.

Even prior to the departure we learned that Sanath Jayasuriya was not in the original list but was air dropped at the eleventh hour. Then on the same tone skipper Sangakkara threatened to step down in a moment of despair. On the same tone down the grapevine we learned that though included in the squad Jayasuriya was not to be included in any of the games.

Then came the news from the Western end of the World that the worm has changed. The only true member of parliament who was a in field member of the WC playing group had become unmanageable and was openly challenging the team management. The result was the build up in divisions in the side.
Sadly all these ill effects are bugging the national cricket which is the only game that Sri Lanka has gained real international status with the ICC World Cup seven months away and it will be played on our own home soil. Even at that time if Sanath Jayasuriya is still there against the wishes of the majority of its members Sri Lanka is doomed even before the games have begun. The reason with one influential member running against the wind the rest of the team will run out of breath.

Then comes the SLC and its preparation for the World Cup? Can the main venue - the Khettarama Stadium be up and running in time for the World Cup? The SLC is in the red financially. At present it is running on loans and the management even has gone to the extent of asking its employees on their ideas about cutting costs. But, yet we see the secretary of the SLC Mr. Nishantha Ranatunga flying to the United States on board expenses.

There is a new Minister of Sports and we wonder if he is aware of what is going on at the cricket Citadel?
We wonder if the new minister could moot a method that cricket could be taken out of the political grasp and put it on the trait that really it is due on.