Champions League beckons us next - Jayasuriya | Mauler's Notes IPL 2010

The final result will be known by the time this article appears, but something tells me that we will be on the right side of the result. Getting into the semifinals and now the final for the first time has been a big thrill for all of us, particularly the final because we now are also going to be part of the Champions League T20 later this year.

It was one of the first things that struck many of us, and we as a team are confident that we will do as well in the CLT20 as we have in this tournament. Last year it was felt that the IPL teams were not as well-knit as the other teams because those teams played as a unit right through the year. The IPL teams, according to many experts, looked like an assortment of players rather than a team.

I can tell you that this Mumbai Indians team has really gelled well, and we have great team spirit and camaraderie within the unit. Speaking from the cricketing point of view, we know we have a side that has a good variety in its foreign players and a lot of talent within the Indian players. Our bowling is also one of the strongest in the IPL and I
am confident that we have the quality to take on the best teams in the world.

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings are the other two sides that have made the cut for the CLT20 and I am sure they are also pretty chuffed about representing the IPL in this tournament.

I like the concept of domestic champions playing each other because it is a good way to judge the bench strength of various national teams. It also gives domestic teams all over the world an added incentive to play for when they turn out for their domestic T20 tournament. It’s a concept that will only grow in the future.

Coming back to Mumbai, we now know that the tournament will be held in South Africa, and that’s pretty good news for us because we have a good pace attack in the form of Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga. They will be a handful for the opposition on the hard bouncy tracks. It will also be a good exposure for our young Indian batsmen who have been exceptional in this tournament, as it will give them a good exposure on different tracks.

Mumbai Indians will now be going from strength to strength and our strong showing at the IPL this year is only the start of the great future this franchise has. We plan to move ahead as a team and CLT20 is our next target.

 

- SANATH JAYASURIYA

Jayasuriya star attraction at T20 World Cup 2010

First assignment after becoming an MP in Sri Lanka’s parliament

Sanath Jayasuriya has a tendency to set up records both on the field as well as out of it. His a latest record is that he will become the first Member of Parliament to ‘don’ pads and bat in the forthcoming T20 World Cup to be played in the West Indies starting on April 30.

Last Thursday when he walked into Parliament at the opening ceremony, he was given a rousing welcome by all Parliamentarians acknowledging his great achievement in the field of cricket. Sanath Jayasuriya, newest sensation is in politics in Sri Lanka.

It was one of the best things that happened to me in 1988 when I won the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in the Outstation Section,” said Jayasuriya.

“That’s an experience I will never forget. It was a good achievement and it is still in my memory.

“That was the stepping stone for me, to continue playing the game. I must thank the Observer a lot for giving the Matara schools and school cricket the much needed push”. Jayasuriya said playing for St. Servatius College, Matara brought him immense joy. The Matara stalwart said that the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest should not be the end, but the beginning of better things to follow when playing in big company as against the top - notch cricketers from other countries.

A contest of this nature means a lot to young cricketers. When I was picked as the Best Outstation Cricketer in 1988, it gave me a lot of satisfaction and spurred me on and I am what I am now, because of inter-school cricket and the encouragement it gave me,” Jayasuriya said. Jayasuriya said that ANCL and the SUNDAY OBSERVER should continue with the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest to unearth talent from the outstation schools in the years to come.

(Source)

We’re favourites, but can’t be complacent - Jayasuriya | Mauler's Notes IPL 2010

After two years we’ve reached an IPL final and everyone in the franchise is determined we top six fantastic weeks with the winners’ crown. There is a lot of confidence in the squad, and we now hold our destiny in our own hands.

If we play with the commitment, discipline, intelligence and skill that has been the hallmark of our cricket this season, we should win. We deserve the favourites tag by virtue of our performance and we should be proud of that. However, we can’t afford to be complacent. In T20 cricket everything rests on performance.

You can have the best team with the most in-form players on any given day, yet you can lose if you don’t perform. We all realise this.

 

- SANATH JAYASURIYA

Jayasuriya takes oath in Sri Lankan Parliament

Apr 22, Colombo (Sanath Jayasuriya Blogspot): The newest members of the parliament, veteran cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya, Namal Rajapaksa, and Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe took oaths along with the seasoned members at the first session of the 7th Parliament.

(Pictures by Nalin Hewapathirana and Chandana Perera)

Sachin will be tempted to play Jayasuriya

With the semi-final line up ready, it boils down to have one bad game to crash out of the tournament and the team that overcomes the fear of failure, will end on the winning side. Bangalore and Mumbai have had chequered fortunes leading into the semi-finals. While Mumbai have been consistent and surging ahead riding on the supreme form of Sachin Tendulkar with the bat, same does apply in case of others From a Mumbai Indian standpoint, the inexperience in the middle order and the fickle form of JP Duminy and Keiron Pollard will give aggravate the anxiety of skipper Tendulkar, while Shikhar Dhawan has thorn his wicket after getting decent starts.

Skipper Tendulkar might just be tempted to unleash Sanath Jayasuriya, apart from winning the match single-handedly on his day; he also offers slow left arm spin to make scoring difficult for the batsman. A good tight spell in the middle overs might just be the difference between winning and loosing, given his vast experience at the international level.

Hope playing in Mumbai will work to our advantage- Jayasuriya | Mauler's Notes IPL 2010

After two seasons of underperforming, we were all determined to reach the semifinals of IPL 3. All the hard work and commitment has paid off and now we have a chance to go all the way. During the past few weeks we’ve played some topclass cricket and no one can deny that we deserve to be in the top four. We are really confident and we believe we have what it takes to beat Bangalore on Wednesday evening.

It’s important for us now to enjoy ourselves. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to play several big semi-finals and finals for Sri Lanka and we’ve always believed that we need to have fun. There is no point in putting pressure on ourselves. We need to express ourselves fully and play our natural game.

There is so much talent in this Mumbai Indians team and we need to trust ourselves, and each other, to perform.One other reason we have to be confident is our team spirit and unity. Unlike some franchises who have struggled to gel this season, we are like a family.

Everyone is committed to the team. That is very important. This is something that has been strength of Sri Lanka for a long time. It is one of reasons why we have often beaten higher profile teams. If you are all pulling in one direction and if you are all crystal clear about your team role, winning is easier. Our confidence, however, should not allow us to be complacent. Bangalore are a very strong side with some extremely dangerous players within their ranks and we will need to be at our very best.

Hopefully, the change in venue will work to our advantage. They’ll be disappointed to not be playing at home as expected on a pitch tailor-made for their attack and in front of a boisterous home crowd. History suggests that we can expect an excellent pitch with possibly some spin. I am sure the batsmen will be able to play their strokes and we should be in for an entertaining contest.

 

- SANATH JAYASURIYA

I’m keen to mark my return with big score - Jayasuriya | Mauler's Notes IPL 2010

OUR Sunday night win against Rajasthan has all but guaranteed our place in the semi-finals, but this Twenty20 format is all about momentum. We are determined to keep winning so we are in the best shape possible come next week’s knock-out phase.

Nevertheless we can allow ourselves some satisfaction for a job well done so far. After two disappointing years we’ve really bounced back this year and played some topclass cricket. We’ve played as a unit and all three facets of the game have gelled.

Having put together a good total, our bowlers have been the best in the tournament. Against Rajasthan we were really clinical. The fast bowlers were terrific up front, especially Zaheer in his first spell. The fielding was also good with catches sticking and a couple of run outs.

On a personal note it was really disappointing to not get a start against Rajasthan. I had been really looking forward to getting a chance back in the playing XI and I was desperate to mark my return with a big score. Hopefully, if I play, that score will come on Tuesday. If we play to our potential, we’ll be difficult to beat at home.

 

- SANATH JAYASURIYA

Jayasuriya back in the Mumbai Indians' squad

Jayasuriya wins Parliamentary Elections from Matara

According to the results declared by the Department of elections, Srilanka - Sanath Jayasuriya has won the parliamentary general election under the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) from his native Matara district.

Earlier Sanath Jayasuriya was allowed to cast his vote a day before as he had IPL commitments in India.

More report to follow..

Jayasuriya casts his vote a day ahead of elections

Apr 07, Matara: Sri Lanka cricketer and ruling party candidate for Matara District, Sanath Jayasuriya cast his vote for the General Elections in Matara today (7) after receiving special permission from the Elections Commissioner.

He cast his vote a day before the general election, as he has to travel overseas to participate in the IPL cricket tournament.

Jayasuriya cast a postal vote at the Matara District Secretary's office. Under Clause 20C of the Parliamentary Elections Act, the vote would be considered a postal vote.

Sanath Jayasuriya Sports Development Fund launched by President Rajapaksa

Apr 01, Matara: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday launched a sports development fund in honor of Sri Lanka's legendary batsman and ruling party candidate for Matara, cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya.

Launching the Sanath Jayasuriya Sports Development Fund at a ceremony Matara Sanath Jayasuriya Ground yesterday, the President said it is intended for the welfare of the youth in the country.

The President said the government has focused on the universities, technical colleges, and vocational training institutes which will assist to mould a future generation of youth who can fit into any role in the world. He promised to create a strong future generation with the development of the country.

At the meeting the chief organizer for the opposition UNP party in Hakmana, Indika Jayathunga crossed over to the ruling UPFA and pledged to support the government's development plan.

Cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya and Minister Dullas Alahapperuma were also present at the event.

Sanath Jayasuriya to play in Sri Lanka's historic maiden tour of USA

Sri Lanka's Daily News confirmed today that Sri Lanka will play a series of Twenty20 Internationals after the World Cup.

"After the World Cup in the Caribbean the Sri Lankan team will also play a series of Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand and the United States of America during their historic maiden cricket tour to the USA," the newspaper wrote.

Daily News also noted that 40-year old Sanath Jayasuriya and 20-year old Dinesh Chandimal would both be part of the squad for the World Cup in the Caribbean and the tour of USA following that.

The full Sri Lanka squad is as follows - Kumar Sangakkara, Muthiah Muralidharan, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardana, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Chanaka Welagedara, Chamara Kapugedara, Sanath Jayasuriya and Chinthaka Jayasinghe.

This latest news report follows last week's report from Pakistan's The Nation, in which Nabeel Ahmed, USACA First VP, was quoted as saying: “Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) - have agreed to send their teams immediately after the ICC Twenty20 final (in Barbados on May 16).”

Although the exact schedule is not yet known, the timing of the matches following the ICC Twenty20 final would be perfect from a logistical perspective.

“The weather condition in Florida is same as in West Indies and two teams playing here will not find any problem as Florida is only one and half hour flying away from West Indies,” Nabeel Ahmed told The Nation.

New Zealand has just finished their tour of Australia and look to get some rest before reassembling on April 18th for a training camp prior to departing for the Caribbean. The following Black Caps squad for the World T20 was announced yesterday: Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Ian Butler, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Aaron Redmond, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor.

In his 'Message from the CEO' dated March 5th, Justin Vaughan, CEO of New Zealand Cricket wrote: "We are pushing ahead with plans for a T20 series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka to be held in Florida in May. If successful, it would be the first time two full ICC members will have met in an official match on US soil and it follows the agreement of a strategic partnership between NZC and the USA Cricket Association."

Jayasuriya selected for ICC World Twenty20 2010

Dashing top-order batsman Sanath Jayasuriya has been included in Sri Lanka's 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

The 40-year-old Jayasuriya is a surprise inclusion in the side which also features promising wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal and all-rounder Thissara Perera.

Jayasuriya last played a Twenty20 International against India in December, but has struggled to seal his spot with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

Jayasuriya featured in the first three matches for the Indians in the IPL before being dropped.

Sri Lanka's selectors have, however, overlooked middle-order batsman Jeevantha Kulatunga - a late addition to the list of probables - as well as opening batsman Upul Tharanga.

Runners-up in the last edition of the World Twenty20, Sri Lanka are drawn in Group B along with New Zealand and Zimbabwe.
They take on New Zealand in the inaugural match of the tournament on April 30.

Sri Lanka squad for World Twenty20: K Sangakkara, T Dilshan, S Jayasuriya, M Jayawardene, D Chandimal, C Kapugedera, A Mathews, C Jayasinghe, T Perera, M Muralitharan, A Mendis, S Randiv, L Malinga, C Welegedera, N Kulasekera.