SRI LANKA QUALIFIED AS 8TH TEAM FOR ICC WORLD CUP 2019
Posted on September 20th, 2017
By M D P DISSANAYAKE
It has been a nervous waiting for Sri Lankan cricketing fans to see the initial outcome of England v West Indies matches. As a result of West Indies seven-wicket defeat against England in the first ODI at Old Trafford, Sri Lanka squeezed into the top 8 teams, viz. Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
In preparation for the major event, Sri Lanka will have ample opportunities to improve its performances. Its busy schedule of 36 matches (subject to change) expected to be played prior to World Cup includes:
5 ODI against Pakistan in Dec 2017
3 ODI against Bangladesh in January 2018
5 ODI against India in March
5 ODI against West Indies in June
5 ODI against England in October
3 ODI against New Zealand in December
5 ODI against Australia in January 2019
5 ODI against South Africa in March
Of the top eight teams, unfortunately the management of Sri Lankan cricket is in an absolute mess. The seasoned skipper Angelo Mathews resigned under pressure, since then game of musical chairs took place for the position of Skipper. Upul Tharanga, my opinion is the second best to Angelow, yet he seems to have a problem of managing over rate. Upul on the other hand had been a consistent performer with the bat with clever field placements. He also command respect from the team.
Changing Sanath Jayasuriya with Graeme Labrooy is an idiotic move. Bringing Asanka Gurusinghe from Melbourne, was another wrong move. The current Minister Mr Dayasiri Jayasekera and Thilanga Sumathipala have messed up the cricket administration. They failed to motivate the players, instead played the role of Bull in the China shop.
These weaknesses place an additional pressure on the skipper and players. We are still hunting for a Head Coach. All other 7 teams have been able to establish a long term leadership succession with clear career path. Sri Lanka has failed in this key area.
Once again, direct involvement of Mahela, Kumar, Dilshan, Murali, Sanath, Arjuna and Vaas at the top of cricket administration is vital.
September 20th, 2017 at 3:39 pm
EVERYTHING WENT DOWNHILL AFTER ARRIVAL OF GURA FROM FOREIGN COUNTRY. INSTEAD OF SACKING HIM THEY STILL KEEP HIM. NO FUTURE WITH THESE SELFISH TRAITORS HAUNTING OUR CRICKET. IT IS THE SAME IN POLITICS.
September 20th, 2017 at 6:50 pm
Agree. However, the problems run deeper.
Removing Angelo from ODI captaincy is a good move.
Recycling old and slow players in the ODI team must stop. Tharanga and Chandimal must not be in the ODI team. An average strike rate over 85% is a must for any ODI batsman. A batsman (no matter how high his average is) with a strike rate lower than 85% is useless today. Pick a team of high performers and give them plenty of exposure to improve their consistency.
Our players are not very interested in improving their skills which is at the lowest level among the top 8. Their real cricket practice sessions are very short. According to Arjuna, their foreign managers have turned them into money making machines. Playing cricket for the national team is a low priority and is only an enabler to win commercial or IPL, etc. contracts.
Faults of the administration is a nice distraction for players and their foreign managers. They know people blame only SLC and selectors. Players are immune from blame.
Supporters must lower their expectations for 2019. With just 2 years to go, Team Sri Lanka is not going anywhere near the top. I think the average Sri Lankan has done so. Enthusiasm for cricket has dropped drastically in favour of rugby particularly among social classes that can spend money on sport and entertainment.