Troubling Jayasuriya by Lalchand Rajput | IPL Flash Back

If there's one seat that gets you the best view of the action, it is the place right near the boundary ropes. This area is occupied by the ball boys who return the ball back to players once it crosses the boundary so that play can resume without much wastage of time. Ball boys are generally budding cricketers and are chosen from local coaching camps.

While most ball boys are satisfied with autographs and photographs, we spotted one eager player Lalchand - a nets bowler for the Mumbai Indians who was making most of the opportunity.



The young pacer saw his fortune catapult at the prospect of bowling to one of the most destructive batsmen in the world - Sanath Jayasuriya. "I could not believe my eyes when Sanath Jayasuriya stepped on the practice pitch where I was supposed to bowl," says Lalchand animatedly. And was he nervous at any time? "Yeah I was, initially but started with some good length deliveries and he was effortlessly creaming me with his drives." Lalchand later reveals the biggest moment of his life. I decided to surprise him and bowled a short one. It bounced considerably and hit him on his chin. He never expected it from a nets bowler like me." The Matara Mauler has spared no bowler the world over and this must have hurt his ego if not his chin though. "Yes, the next ball I bowled to him disappeared in the stands," the cheeky bowler says with a grin on his face. He also had a brief interaction with Shaun Pollock who passed on some of his tricks which he mastered over the years to the youngster. "I could only swing the ball one way, he taught me to do it both ways." Lalchand could not have chosen a better venue to implement what he had just learned. "The next day, were the selection trials for Mumbai U/19 team and I decided to try that out. It came good and I am hoping to get picked for Mumbai." If this wasn't enough, he somehow made it to Sachin's nets the next day where the master blaster was busy setting up the bowling machine. "I completely froze when I saw Sachin next to me. There were just three of us - Sachin, Rajput sir and me. I was gathering the balls and handing them over to Rajput sir who in turn was putting them in the bowling machine." This is indeed a special moment as Sachin, who still follows conventional training methods seldom practises with the bowling machine. Lalchand signs off by saying that all this is done to get into the Mumbai Indians team for the next season and one person who can make it possible is the one with whom he shares his name, Lalchand Rajput, the coach of Mumbai Indians.

Master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya to lift KZN Dolphins

THE Dolphins, after slipping to last on the SuperSport Series log this past weekend following five forgettable draws in five outings, receive a timely boost today with the arrival in Durban of Sri Lankan master blaster, Sanath Jayasuriya. And the former Sri Lanka captain was immediately included in the KZN franchise’s side for their opening MTN 45-over match against the Highveld Lions in Potchefstroom on Friday. The 39-year-old Jayasuriya was honing his renowned big-hitting skills at the Hong Kong Sixes over the weekend and will need to play a key role in uplifting the intensity of the Dolphins’ game. He has played a world record 421 one-day internationals for Sri Lanka, scoring 12 785 runs in the process with 27 hundreds and 66 half centuries to his name. Only India’s “little genius” Sachin Tendulkar is in the running to break that record and could well do so once his country’s impending seven ODIs against England are over. Jayasuriya, however, has still not hung up his bat for his country’s one-day side, so his personal duel with Tendulkar is not over. A 1996 World Cup winner with Sri Lanka when they beat Australia in the final in Pakistan, Jayasuriya is also a useful left-arm spinner with 310 ODI wickets behind him, and his presence could well put paid to Morn´e van Vuuren’s chances of making the Dolphins’ limited-over side this season, as the man regarded as one of the best one-day players in history is also contracted for the Standard Bank Pro20 Series that follows the crowded MTN schedule in late January. SS SERIES STANDINGS (halfway stage): 1. Northern Titans 54,62 points; 2 Free State Eagles 49,92 pts; 3 East Cape Warriors 42,24 pts; 4 Highveld Lions 39,22 pts; 5 West Cape Cobras 29,52 pts; 6 KZN Dolphins 26,54 pts. KZN Dolphins: Ahmed Amla (capt), Imraan Khan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Grant Rowley, HD Ackerman, Jon Kent, Pierre de Bruyn, Daryn Smit, Johann Louw, Saidi Mlongo, Yusuf Abdullah, Quinton Friend. KZN Coastal - to meet Boland in Paarl: Darren Govender, Myren Pillay, David Miller, Martin Bekker, Sarel Erwee, Greg Fotheringham, Bradley Barnes, Keshav Maharaj, Vyash Gobind, Ugasen Govender, Emanuel Mkhize, Craig Woods.

Sanath Jayasuriya - New Dolphins signing heads for SA

Sri Lanka star Sanath Jayasuriya arrives in South Africa on Thursday, and will join up with the Dolphins squad for their opening MTN Domestic Championship match against the Lions at Senwes Park, in Potchefstroom, on Friday. Dolphins supporters will have their first opportunity to see Jayasuriya in action at Kingsmead next Wednesday, November 19, when the Durban-based franchise take on the Eagles. The domestic scene will be dominated by limited-overs cricket from now until the end of February, beginning with the 45-over format (November 14-January 16) and then the Standard Bank Pro20 competition (January 21-February 20), before the completion of the SuperSport Series. Meanwhile, a 12-man squad for the Lions match was announced yesterday afternoon. It is a powerful, well-balanced team with H D Ackerman returning from his three-match ban, while Johann Louw is back in the franchise fold after playing for the Proteas in the limited-overs series against Bangladesh. Despite a disappointing run of form in the SuperSport Series, big-hitting Grant Rowley keeps his place in the team for Friday's match. He has been preferred to David Miller, who will play for the Amateur team in the South African Airways Provincial Challenge matches against Boland in Paarl this weekend. The selectors have chosen four specialist pacemen in the squad - Louw, Yusuf Abdullah, Saidi Mlongo and Quinton Friend - with Jon Kent and Pierre de Bruyn providing back-up. The Dolphins will also have the option of using the left-arm spin of Jayasuriya and the right-arm wrist-spin of Daryn Smit. The Dolphins played a practice match at Kingsmead on Friday night. Bowling all-rounder Alfonso Thomas, who is contracted to the Dolphins for limited-overs cricket only this season, is getting married in England next week and will miss the first two matches. Dolphins (v Lions on Friday): Sanath Jayasuriya, Imraan Khan, H D Ackerman, Ahmed Amla (capt), Grant Rowley, Jon Kent, Pierre de Bruyn, Daryn Smit (w/k), Johann Louw, Quinton Friend, Saidi Mlongo, Yusuf Abdullah. KZN Amateur team (for 3- and 1-day matches v Boland on Nov 13-16): Darren Govender, Myren Pillay, David Miller, Martin Bekker (capt), Sarel Erwee, Greg Fotheringham, Bradley Barnes (w/k), Keshav Maharaj, Vyash Gobind, Ugasen Govender, Emannuel Mkhize, Craig Woods.

FlashBack | Sanath Jayasuriya's Double century at The Oval - Sri Lanka's first Test Victory Against England

WORLD Cup winner Sanath Jayasuriya came back to haunt England once again and pound Alec Stewart's side into The Oval dust.
Jayasuriya has made a habit of giving England a miserable time and it was the same old story as Sri Lanka eased into command on the third day of the one-off Cornhill Test.

By the close they had raced past England's total, with seven wickets still standing - England having been blasted for 367 runs in the day while taking just two wickets.

Five years ago Jayasuriya smashed Phil Tufnell for six in Colombo to give Sir Lanka their first Test win over England and in 1995 he hammered 82 off just 44 balls to send us crashing to a dismal World Cup quarter- final defeat.

And by the time Jayasuriya reached a faultless double century just before tea, England's exhausted attack would have been understandably sick of the sight of the little left-hander.

Only a year ago Jayasuriya broke down in tears after narrowly failing to beat Brian Lara's Test record score of 375.

He couldn't believe that he had missed out after reaching 340 against India . . . but this time the powerful opener clearly set his stall out to make another massive score.

Backed by Aravinda de Silva, Jayasuriya hammered away at England's bowlers to lead the way as the pair set a new third- wicket record for Sri Lanka.

Yet England's day had started well enough. Resuming at 79 for one overnight, Sri Lanka soon lost No 3 Mahela Jayawardene for only nine.
He aimed a loose drive at a wide delivery from Angus Fraser to give Ben Hollioake a head-high catch in the gully.

That brought in de Silva and he was away almost at once, straight driving Fraser to the boundary. In the next over Jayasuriya sweetly timed another boundary off Darren Gough before flicking him for four through long-leg to bring up the hundred.

Then de Silva flicked another boundary to become the first Sri Lankan to pass 5,000 runs in Test cricket. The first hour's play had yielded 64 runs and it got no better as Jayasuriya hammered Cork to the ropes to take him to 98.
A few moments later he duly reached his fifth Test hundred - made from just 124 deliveries and including 17 fours.

Fraser's return couldn't stem the flood of runs and a hooked four by de Silva registered the hundred stand in only 119 balls to take the Sri Lankans into lunch at 192 for two.

After the interval, Jayasuriya took over to race away from de Silva and he piled the pressure on England and, in particular, struggling leg-spinner Ian Salisbury.

Cork could do little right when he came back for another spell. His first ball was punched over square leg, the next stroked through the covers before Jayasuriya picked up a wayward leg-side ball to hit him into the crowd and reach his 150.

De Silva was clearly happy to play a sensible anchor role as Sri Lanka ground on towards a mammoth total that would give their spinners something to bowl at on the final day. Jayasuriya was clearly enjoying himself and a deft sweep for four off Mark Ramprakash brought up the 200 partnership.
Jayasuriya - who was once dismissed for 199 in a Test against India - didn't make the same mistake again and when he worked a single off Fraser he raised his arms aloft to celebrate a brilliant double ton.

With 31 fours and one six, it came off only 254 balls - the sixth fastest double century in Test history.

Just before tea, England's tired players thought they had got him at last on 202 as he wafted at Fraser, but Shepherd turned down appeals for a catch behind by Stewart.But Stewart finally got his man as he edged down the leg side off Hollioake to go for 213 after 346 minutes and 33 fours.
But England's misery continued in the last session as de Silva deservedly eased past his century - that "Dream Team" attack from Headingley having a complete nightmare.

Afterwards England coach David Lloyd criticised a pitch which has yielded almost 900 runs for 13 wickets.
"I have been disappointed by the surface," he said. "We would have preferred a pitch with pace, some bounce and a little movement.""
Asked if England captain Alec Stewart echoed his sentiments, Lloyd replied:""Yes, that would be fair.""

Jayasuriya was modest about his fifth Test century, the first double century made in a Test match at The Oval since Pakistan's Javed Miandad struck 260 11 years ago.

He denied he was chasing Brian Lara's world Test record individual score of 374, claiming: "I never go for records - I always play for the team."

SCOREBOARD
-------------------------
England v Sri Lanka
ENGLAND - First Innings
James c & b Muralitharan 36
Butcher c Jayas'a b Wick'inghe 10
Hick c Kaluw'na b Wick'inghe 107
Stewart c Tillakaratne b Perera 2
Ramprakash c Jay'w'e b Mura'n 53
Crawley not out 156
B Hollioake c Atap'tu b Mura'n 14
Cork b Muralitharan 6
Salisbury b Muralitharan 2
Gough c Kaluw'na b Muralith'n 4
Fraser b Muralitharan 32
Extras (b1,lb11,w2,nb9) 23
Total (158.3 ovs) 445
Bowling: Wickramasinghe 30-4-81-2, Perera 40-10-104-1, Dharmasena 18- 3-55-0, Muralitharan 59.3-14-155-7, Jayasuriya 11-0-38-0.
SRI LANKA - First Innings
(Overnight 79-1)
Jayasuriya c Stewart b Hollioake 213
Atapattu lbw b Cork 15
Jayawardene c Hollioake b Fraser 9
de Silva not out 125
Ranatunga not out 50
Extras (b14, lb16, nb4) 34
Total (3 wkts, 110 ovs) 446
Fall: 1-53, 2-85, 3-328

(Sunday Mirror, Aug 30, 1998)

Sanath Jayasuriya kicks India Outta HongKong Sixes

To my surprise when I turned on my TV today morning, I was lucky to see Sanath in full flow against Indians !!

Chasing a target of 71, Sanath started with a six of the first ball. A dot ball , then 3 massive consecutive sixers, and a boundary of the last ball to end the over with 28 runs

, 0 , , , ,

The next over he faced just one ball and hit that for a sixer too.. and as per HK Sixes rules (having to retire once crossing the 31-mark) he had to retire not out - 34 of 7 balls.

All star team won the match with some 8 balls to spare.. Well done Sanny & Team !!

Sujan Rao (sanath189)

Sanath Jayasuriya haunted me when I was playing - Stephen Fleming

England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard has no intention of pulling on his pads and walking out to bat at this weekend’s Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

For the Yorkshire pace ace is part of an All-Stars team that boasts the best batting line-up in the history of the tournament.

Leading the way will be the world’s highest ranked batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies.

Also featuring for the All-Stars will be the great Australian opener Justin Langer, Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya, former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and big-hitting Twenty20 king Tyron Henderson from South Africa.

And captain Fleming is hoping his new teammates play as well as they did when he faced them during his illustrious 111-test career.

“If they don’t bowl like they used to bowl to me, or bat the way they used to bat when I was fielding against them, I’ll be disappointed,” he said.

“Sanath Jayasuriya haunted me when I was playing and Chaminda Vaas used to get me out with his eyes shut, so if we don’t get wickets and runs then I’ll be upset!”

The All-Stars have been drawn in the Sobers group alongside defending champions Sri Lanka, Australia and hosts Hong Kong.

All Stars banking on Jayasuriya fireworks | Hong Kong Sixes

Sri Lankan great faces compatriots in clash of the day

Sri Lanka star Sanath Jayasuriya once played second fiddle to compatriots Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga at the Hong Kong Sixes in the early 1990s but he is expected to hog the limelight at Kowloon Cricket Club this weekend.

Jayasuriya will not be in the colours of his country, but for the All Stars in the US$200,000 tournament.

"I don't remember when exactly I played here. It was a long time ago, in the early days," Jayasuriya said after a short training session yesterday.

Then, he walked in the shadow of De Silva and Ranatunga. But all that has changed, ever since the 1996 World Cup triumph over Australia when Jayasuriya made his mark as the pinch-hitter to transform the nature of one-day cricket.

Now pushing 40, Jayasuirya is also still pushing the boundaries. He was one of the stars in the Indian Premier League for Mumbai and last month spearheaded Sri Lanka to victory over Pakistan in the final of a Twenty20 tournament in Canada.

"I have given up test cricket and only play the short form of the game now. I have no regrets at all and I'm still enjoying myself hugely," Jayasuriya said. "I'm really looking forward to the Sixes."

All Star captain Stephen Fleming, a former New Zealand skipper, is hoping his two teammates from Sri Lanka - fast bowler Chaminda Vaas is also in the side - will lead the way in batting and bowling.

"If they don't bowl like they used to bowl to me, or bat the way they used to bat when I was fielding against them, I will be disappointed," Fleming said. "Sanath Jayasuriya haunted me when I was playing and Chaminda Vaas used to get me out with his eyes shut, so if we don't get wickets and runs, then I'll be upset."

The pair will face their countrymen and defending champions Sri Lanka in a mouthwatering clash this afternoon. "It will be kind of strange playing against my country," Jayasuriya said.

Sri Lanka, led by Indika de Saram, have come back with four players who were part of the Cup-winning team last year. Apart from their skipper, the others are Jeewantha Kulatunga, Kaushalya Weeraratne and Dilhara Lokuhettige.

"We have got a strong squad of all-rounders, five of whom bowl medium-pacers with one off-spinner. These guys are all in good form, having played in a Twenty20 tournament back home recently," said manager Ranil Abeynaike. "This tournament is being shown live in Sri Lanka and the public are expecting the boys to do well again."

The All Stars, Sri Lanka, Australia and hosts Hong Kong are in one group, while the other comprises India, Pakistan, England and South Africa. The top two from each group enter the Cup competition tomorrow. "We are in a tough draw, but I expect us to do very well," said England skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas. "We have a good all round side with a number of young blokes who are all keen to do well."

Saving Sanath Jayasuriya | Back pain completely cured !!!

Saving Sanath Jayasuriya

Dr. White on the rare essentials for his concoctions

By Ranee Mohamed

Sri Lankan Cricketer Sanath Teran Jayasuriya is the picture of good health as he stood before us. There was no sign of any ache or pain.

But this was not how he was about eight months ago, says the public figure and celebrity sportsman who did Sri Lanka proud. Having suffered his nagging pain in private, Sanath Jayasuriya says that his back problem brought him more than pain — it brought him misery and a feeling of helplessness.

"I suffered from a pain in the back for along time — maybe about eight months. I took various medicinal drugs and treatment but the pain would not go away. I am a believer in ayurveda and tried various ayurvedic cures with the firm belief that the pain would go away," said cricketing sensation Jayasuriya.

Scans to physiotherapy

His life had been a game of musical chairs — from scans to physiotherapy, but the pain went on. "There was a time when I was suffering from a stiffness and could not run. Sometimes when I did run I felt the pain shoot down my back," said Jayasuriya explaining that all sportspeople do experience muscle waste and wear and tear.

But what happened to Sanath Jayasuriya was more than a muscle tear. He cruised from applauses in public to the agonising whirlwinds of backpain in private and none of the medication had promised him a permanent cure.

Laid down thus, Sanath Jayasuriya was in search of two things — a relief from pain and a permanent cure. And it came out of the winds — and to this gifted cricketer it was truly like a gift from the universe.

Finding a cure

"President Mahinda Rajapakse personally inquired after my well-being and was disturbed to learn that I was suffering this way. Despite his multitude of duties, he did find the time for finding a cure for my condition," recalled Sanatha Jayasuriya.

"President Mahinda Rajapakse was very concerned about me. So was his son Namal Rajapakse who personally inquired into my well being at all times," said a grateful Sanath Jayasuriya. For this is the way his cure came — through President Mahinda Rajapaske who instructed his personal physician — Dr. Eliyantha White, the man who treats humans with a power from the universe to put Sanath back on the green.

The treatment had lasted three days and Sanath Jayasuriya felt the pain disappear. Now there is not even a pin-prick, no sign at all of how much he had suffered.

There are doctors and hospitals — accepted treatments that are reliable and we quite rightly rely on.

Mysteries of the universe

And there are the mysteries of the universe in the form of the unexplained healing powers of Dr. Eliyantha White. How he treats his patients and the herbs he uses, we will never be able to understand. But the people who have had their lifetime ailments cured with three doses of a herbal concoctions says ‘the pain has gone away, and we do not know how…."

And there is not even an inkling — no sign, no relapse or reminder of how much they suffered. Such is the power of the universe and such is the power of Dr. Eliyantha White whose power to cure will always remain a consoling reminder that the universe is aware of our pain — and encompasses a compassion within — to take our pain and suffering away.

"Herbs and essentials are hard to find…." - Dr. Eliyantha White

Sanath Jayasuriya had a small crack in his back region. I was able to repair it. Today even a scan will not be able to show that there was any disintegration," said Dr. Eliyantha White. "This has happened before. The patients I have treated for various breakages shown in scans have later found that the pain has disappeared and the conditions are not captured in scans thereafter," said Dr. White.

"I want to treat everyone who approaches me, but the herbs and essentials are hard to find. I am made aware of these ingredients by a power from the universe and some of the names by which they are identified are ancient names. Some of these herbs are from places in India, Nepal and Bhutan," said Dr. Eliyantha White.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Dr. White went on to say that President Mahinda Rajapakse has, in the midst of all his stately duties looked into the possibility of establishing a link to get these herbs so that we can treat as many people as possible. "Sometimes the President is talking about the ailments of various people and their herb and medicinal requirements from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. But it is not easy to get these herbs," explained Dr. Eliyantha White. "I am not from any political party, but I have never met anyone as kind-hearted as President Mahinda Rajapakse who is concerned about the suffering of other human beings," said Dr. Eliyantha White.

"Sometimes the said herb is identified by an ancient name. It is like telling an international school child to sit in an asanaya. If the term sofa or chair is used then he would have understood better. Identifying herbs by their current names is also under study," said Dr. White.

There are also rumours being spread that my medicine is harmful and that it is mixed with unknown medicines. I have treated several athletes and medical regulations lay down that they do not consume certain chemicals, steroids. My medicines have been tested for all these and have been found to be free of such ingredients. Infact, far from causing harm, it has been found that my herbal concoctions have no side effects," explained Dr. Eliyantha White. "I am able to treat conditions such as cancers, thalaesemia, spine problems, migraine, gastritis etc. Now I have found a cure for AIDS too," said Dr. White.

‘I can say with confidence that it is a power — it is a power from the universe that has been given to me. How else can I treat this way, how else can I make the pain go away?" queried Dr. Eliyantha White.

My advise to the people is to live a honest life, free of sin. Causing hurt and pain to others has its repercussions. The ill we do in one life — we pay for in another. Many of our sufferings — as cancers and other conditions are due to grave misdeeds in the past. Another very important facet is that the killing and eating of animals must stop. There is no greater ill than that," stressed Dr. Eliyantha White.

Flash Back | Jayasuriya butchers Indian bowlers enroute to 189 | Sharjah

SHARJAH, OCTOBER 29:

Sanath Jayasuriya hit a swashbuckling 189 off 161 balls to lead Sri Lanka to a massive 299-5 against India in the final of the triangular one-day series here today.
Electing to bat, Jayasuriya came close to bettering the all-time best individual score in limited overs cricket as he thrashed the Indian bowlers all over the ground hitting 21 fours and four mighty sixes in his scintillating knock.
He was just five runs short of Pakistani Saeed Anwar's 194 and well on course of scoring the first individual double century in One-day cricket when he was stumped off a wide ball from Saurav Ganguly.
Russel Arnold, who gave his captain fine company with an unbeaten 52 runs, was left being a spectator as Jayasuriya plundered runs from the other end.
None of the Indian bowlers, with the exception of Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Joshi, had any clue to the battering they received from the master blaster.Jayasuriya made his intentions clear right from the word hitting Zaheer Khan for a boundary off the very first ball of the innings. Romesh Kaluwitharana responded hitting him for another four as 10 runs came off the opening over.
Kaluwitharana, however, could not stay for long as he played on a Zaheer Khan delivery to his stumps to be out for 15 with the score on 44.Jayasuriya thereafter carried the innings single-handedly totally unmindful of few fall of wickets at the other end racing to his 50 off 53 balls with the help of nine fours.
He reserved his worst punishment for Venkatesh Prasad who was hit for five fours conceding 24 runs in two overs. Sachin Tendulkar brought a dramatic change with his slow off-spinners giving away just 13 runs in his first seven overs and also was instrumental in two dismissals.
A firm straight drive by Jayasuriya saw the ball brush Tendulkar's hands and hit the stumps finding Maravan Atapattu (9) out of his crease.
Tendulkar then bowled Kumara Sangakkara (8) off a low delivery to have Sri Lanka 116-4 after after Mahela Jayawardene was caught by Yuvraj Singh off Sunil Joshi for 3.
Jayasuriya then combined with Arnold in a 166-run stand off just 123 balls to take the wind out of Indian bowlers.
Jayasuriya was lucky to survive a caught and bowled chance off Joshi when on 93 in the team total of 157-4.
He never looked back and compiled the highest innings ever seen in 17 years of international cricket at Sharjah.
For the Sri Lankan captain it was his first hundred from 40 matches in Sharjah, his ninth overall, as he also crossed 6,000 runs in One-day internationals.

Scoreboard Sri Lanka:

S Jayasuriya st Dahiya b Ganguly 189

R Kaluwitharana b Khan 15

M Atapattu (run out) 9

M Jayawardene c Yuvraj b Joshi 3

K Sangakkara b Tendulkar 8

R Arnold (not out) 52, C Vaas (not out) 1;

Extras (nb6, w5, lb7, b4) 22; Total (for five wickets in 50 overs) 299Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-90, 3-98, 4-116, 5-282Bowling: Khan 10-1-53-1, Agarkar 10-1-67-0, Prasad 7-0-73-0, Joshi 9-2-33-1, Tendulkar 10-0-28-1, Yuvraj 1-0-6-0, Robin 2-0-13-0, Ganguly 1-0-15-1

___________________________________________________________________

Jayasuriya could not have given a better birthday gift to his wife Sandra than a magnificent innings of 189 against India in the coca cola cup final at Sharjah on Sunday to take the islanders to a massive victory.''Yes, it is a grand birthday present for me though I don't think I inspired him,'' Sandra was quoted as saying in 'Khaleej Times'. It was virtually love at first sight for Sandra, a former Sri Lankan airlines employee, when she met the Sri Lankan captain. ''I have been a cricket fan and I liked him a lot after first seeing him,'' she admitted.This is Jayasuriya's second marriage, with the first lasting less than a year. This time, however, Sanath and Sandra opted for a quiet wedding in January and for the two of them, the marriage seems set for a long innings.Sri Lankan coach Davenell Whatmore, elated over the team's huge victory over india, smiled and said "behind every great player, there is a wife". A blushing Jayasuriya agreed with his coach and said "yes, what Davenell says is true". Jayasuriya's wife was present at the Sharjah Stadium to cheer the Sri Lankan team during all their matches. "I have watched all the matches in Sharjah but I miss him a lot when he goes on tours," she said.

So long Sanath !! | A View on Sanath Jayasuriya's Retirement form Test Cricket

Sanath Jayasuriya was not the most elegant cricketer of all time. Yet he was was great athlete. He was not classical by any stretch of the imagination, and yet he had a lot of class. Whats more, he performed one of the most specialized roles in a cricket team - that of opening the batting. This exalted position, which in Rohan Kanhai's opinion was the domain of only the very brave and slightly mad batsmen, was occupied with great distinction by this marauding powerhouse from Matara. Jayasuriya began his career as a lower middle order spin bowling all rounder. He batted at number 6 or 7, and among his early scores were half centuries against Pakistan and South Africa - two of the best bowling attacks of the early 1990's. He was soon promoted to open the batting, and made a century at Adelaide in only his 3rd Test as opener. From then on, he was a fixture at the top of the Sri Lankan order and made nearly six thousand test runs as an opener at a healthy average of 41.48. He made test hundreds in Australia, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. India and Pakistan were his favorite opponents and he made nearly two thousand of his 6973 Test runs against these two nations. Jayasuriya was one of the mainstays of the Sri Lankan Test line up for almost 15 years. As good as he was in Test cricket, it was One Day Cricket which gave him his stature and his fame. He was a pioneer of modern ODI batting at the top of the order. With his powerful bottom hand and brilliant eye he could loft any length anywhere at his best. He was impossible to bowl to as many bowlers around the world will testify and there was no area of the ground which he ignored. He played spin brilliantly inspite of his predominantly bottom handed method. His ability to square cut spinners and pacemen alike off a good length outside off-stump enabled him to hit good balls for four. Indeed, Jayasuriya changed the definition of a good delivery in One Day Cricket. Many other batsmen followed his lead. He had a distinctive superstitious method of preperation as he set himself to face up to the bowler. He tugged at all his equipment as if to remind to protect him as he went into battle with the bowler. Usually it was a worried bowler and even more worried fielding captain that he went into battle with. His little superstitious routine also drove many bowlers to distraction, but it was part of the Jayasuriya legend. It is difficult to pinpoint any one great innings in such a long and illustrious career. Jayasuriya's record speaks for itself. With 12,207 ODI runs and 6973 Test runs, made with the aid of 39 international hundreds, all of them at breakneck speed there is little doubt that he was one of the most important cricketers of the contemporary era. Add to this his underrated bowling which brought him 307 ODI wickets and 98 Test wickets, and it is easy to realise why Sri Lanka valued him so much, especially in the ODI game, where he gave Sri Lankan captains that extra option. His bowling was central to Sri Lanka's well oiled spin bowling strategy which caused them to go undefeated for a period of 5 years in ODI games where they had more than 250 to defend with Murali in their ranks. Jayasuriya and other bowlers would bowl around Murali. They could not match Murali's wicket taking genius, but were not easy to score off.


Sri Lanka will miss his all round prowess. That his retirement from Test cricket was eventually a happy, match winning occasion (match winning thanks largely to Jayasuriya's brilliant 78 in the Sri Lankan second innings at Kandy) is a fitting tribute to the man who by his very play confirmed Sri Lanka's place at the cricketing top table in the mid 1990's. As he walked off, escorted by Percy Abysekera, Sri Lanka and world cricket will wonder if they will ever see his type again. Actually, they may. He gave legitimacy to a belligerent method, which spawned a whole generation of batsmen all over the world who sought to play like him. But then again, may be not. The original as they say, is one of a kind.... We will miss you Sanny :(

- Sujan Rao (sanath189)