Sanga’s choice of openers upsets Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya questioned the wisdom of Kumar Sangakkara making his choice of batting line-up for the World Cup public, saying as skipper, Sangakkara should be more responsible about the statements he made.

''You can have your opinions as an individual, but when you are in a position of responsibility, you must be careful of what you say in public,” the most capped one-day player in the history of the game told Deccan Herald. Sangakkara’s preferred line-up does not include Jayasuriya, the current captain plumping instead for younger guys like Dinesh Chandimal and Jeevan Mendis who are not in the squad for the tri-series under way. “I am not disappointed, it’s just an individual making a statement,” the 41-year-old Jayasuriya reiterated. “Anybody has the freedom to do so, but we must remember that there is a system in place, there are four selectors whose job it is to pick the team. Yes, the captain must have a say, I agree, but at the end of the day, the players must play the game and the administrators must run it. “There are six months between now and the World Cup, anything can happen in that period. For the captain to come out and make his choices clear and public is not in good taste. What are the selectors there for?” Jayasuriya, an elected member of Parliament, questioned. The explosive left-hander hasn’t played for Sri Lanka since the World T20 in the Caribbean, and his last 50-over game for the country was in India last December. “I am still fit, and I have the same enthusiasm as before,” the former skipper went on. “I have been training with the domestic season in mind. I have come up the hard way, taken several knocks along the way and therefore I value playing for Sri Lanka. I feel I still have what it takes to succeed at the international level. “Now that I have retired from Test cricket, I am managing my cricket better, too,” he observed. “Age is just a number, I don’t think it has affected my fitness in any way because I work really hard to stay fit. And I don’t give up. I know that eventually, it’s performances that will count, and that once the provincial tournament starts, I must grab my chances and make runs. I was happy with the runs I made for Worcestershire this season in England, and I am confident I will deliver in the domestic competition too.” Massive stage Only Javed Miandad has played in six World Cups. Jayasuriya and his Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar have been part of five campaigns, with a sixth beckoning. “The World Cup is a massive stage, and I personally feel the future of 50-over cricket is secure,” Jayasuriya pointed out. “It’s a bit disappointing that the fans aren’t flocking the grounds to watch one-day cricket like they used to. Now, it’s all about T20 cricket – the combination of cricket and entertainment. Plus, you get a result in three hours. The administrators must find ways of bringing the crowds back to 50-over cricket.” One of the pioneers of making the most of the first 15 overs, Jayasuriya agreed that the face of the 50-over game had changed. “There aren’t too many destructive openers. Of course, there is Sehwag who is a unique player. There is no doubt he is the most explosive opener now. But with the introduction of the batting Power Play, there is scope to make quick runs in other positions too.”

Jayasuriya tipped to open in today’s encounter

Sri Lanka, who emerged as runners up in the 2009 ICC T20 World cup in England, has not been impressive in the Caribbean this time around. Mahela Jayewardene has been the only player who has caught the eye of all international commentators, experts, pundits and even the general public. The rest of the players have not lived up to expectations so far.

The old cliché “Form is temporary class is permanent,” let’s hope this comes to pass, since most of the senior players barring Jayewardene look rusty, tired and out of sought. Let’s hope the toll of the recently concluded IPL is not playing her part with the players.

If Sri Lanka has to live up to her reputation, she needs a one hundred percent turn around in all three departments of the game. Jayewardene seems to be the sole bread winner in the batting department. He needs support not only at the top of the order but also in the middle and to some extent, extended support in the lower order as well. Living with past glories does not help at this level. The bowling must get tighter and the fielding must get disciplined both in catching and at ground level.

West Indies are an improved out fit with the likes of Chris Gayle, Chandrapaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Kiron Pollard looking in great nick. Darren Sammy has showed clear signs that he is a utility all rounder. Sri Lanka must take into account that Dwayne Bravo and Jerome Taylor put their hands up when it matters. The challenge for Sangakkara and his men this evening will be awesome.

Muttia Muralitheran bowled at the nets yesterday. This is good news from a Sri Lankan perspective. He, one reckons will be rested today, most probably the selectors on tour will play him in the next game against the mighty Aussies this Sunday. It is envisaged that Sanath Jayasuriya will open the batting, with Mahela Jayewardene. Jayasuriya will be given a free license to go after the bowling and this spells danger from a West Indian point of view.

Sanath has nothing to lose now; his mantle of being the sole run accumulator at very quick pace which he did so successfully in the yester year has changed hands now. It’s high time he goes out their bat with his instinct and enjoys the game that brought him so much glory. If Sanath succeeds he will not only quench the thirst of his countrymen, but also will silence those who were critical of him being selected for this tour.

Dilshan will need to get back to the drawing room. He had an excellent 2009, but 2010 has not been a bright beginning for this talented cricketer. “The darkest hours of the day are before dawn”, hope Dilshan will keep that in mind and not lose hope.

Sri Lanka will decide on the playing Eleven after looking at the pitch at Bridgetown Barbados today. Barbados has more bounce and carry, unlike rainforest Guyana where the wickets were sluggish and slow.

Jayasuriya is my preferred opening partner - Dilshan

Tillakaratne Dilshan and wife actress Manjula Thilini were on a Sinhalese language talk show on Swaranavahini this past Sunday. It was an interesting show with several questions thrown at them both, but it was Dilshan's response when asked who he would like to open batting with, that really drew me into the interview.

Although Upul Tharanga has been Dilshan's opening partner of late, Dilshan told the presenters of the show that he preferred opening with Sanath.

When Sanath Jayasuriya made public his decision to enter politics, the Sri Lankan fans were immediately divided. Even Sanath's long time fans found it unpalatable. There were those who claimed it was a dirty trick by a selfish player to try and get back into the team. This is of course if you thought he was out of the team.

Sanath has been an important cog in Sri Lanka's Twenty20 team and the ODI team since his retirement from Test cricket. He was sent down the order during Sri Lanka's tour to India in late 2009, and due to a loss of form he was not selected for a tri-series in Bangladesh. But, that never meant Sanath was out of the picture, or that he needed to become a politician to get back into the ODI side. Don't forget he has not lost his place as opener in the Twenty20 side. Therefore, his performances in Twenty20s for Sri Lanka, and the fact that he is still a contracted player, means that he is just a knock away from selection.

Dilshan didn't mince his words, he told the talk show hosts on Sunday morning that he felt a great degree of confidence just seeing Jayasuriya at the other end. But fans will never get it. When you are a professional athlete trying to win games, words like the "future," "youth," and "giving youngster a chance," all become non-relevant words.

Every player wants to win and they want match winners in their team. In a player's eyes, the youth can work their way up just as hard as all the seniors did. Players themselves feel that if you are good enough you will make it, and Sanath isn't holding anyone back.

Due to his age Sanath Jayasuriya has always been the first name on the chopping block, every time we loose we think that changing the team and sending inexperienced youth into the firing line is the answer.

Sure, Jayasuriya's move to enter politics is ridiculous. But that's his call. Everyone one of us is entitled to make our own mistakes.

Those who are crying foul at Jayasuriya's entry into politics usually don't see eye to eye with the ruling party, so they continue to tarnish the legend's reputation. The misguided think that Sanath is trying to make his way back into the team.

For Sanath, this uncertainty and criticism has been part and parcel of his career.

Dilshan relishes brief stint with Northern Districts' Knights

When asked about his stint with New Zealand's Northern Districts, and how it felt to be flown into the venue by helicopter moments before a match, Dilshan said it was an outstanding experience and the treatment he received by the Knights gave him a lot of confidence and reinforced his own belief in his abilities.

(Article by gavin at Island Cricket)