Dilrook Kannangara

Mahela is correct. It is the unpalatable truth. Team Sri Lanka did play the best available players. They performed at their actual capability level (albeit 11 runs short on their batting average) and crashed out of the tournament. Based on batting averages, the achievable total in 50 overs is 257 runs. However, within 50 overs they’d concede 274 runs to the opposition. That is how the team would perform at the optimum level on an average day’s play and the outcome would be a loss. Mahela is also correct that another 30 runs on average per match would have dramatically changed the outcome. SL Team batting average was 246 runs (adjusted for matches won before 50 overs). Another 30 runs would put it at 276 which edges out the number of runs conceded to the opposition by the bowling unit which is 274 runs.

Blaming Mahela is malicious and foolish. He did his best with available talent, sacrificed his higher earnings potential elsewhere for the country and accepted the challenge when other past cricketers shied away. I commend Mahela for his courage, honesty on the matter and his down to earth approach. Lankan cricket lovers must be reasonable in our expectations. A team that qualified to play for the World Cup at the last moment after beating minnows wasn’t expected to be ranked higher than teams that automatically qualified to play in the World Cup. They were there for a reason and SL had to battle it out with minnows for a reason.

Batting statistics based on Cricinfo.com download and calculations.

Highlighted players were not in the squad. It’s assumed each player will score their average and based on their strike rate the number of balls they take to get there can be calculated. When their runs are added the total is 257 runs subject to 300 balls for all.  Extras are excluded. On the other hand, the above averages and strike rates were accumulated by playing against minnows as well. They didn’t play for the World Cup. The exclusion of extras and the higher average and strike rate advantage of previous matches against minnows are assumed to be similar.

Bowling performance was also calculated based on their strike rate (balls per wicket) and the runs conceded based on the average. Bowlers were ranked on their wicket taking ability and economy rate. Matthews is assumed to bowl only 5 overs as it relates to reality. Based on their average performance subject to 10 overs’ limit they will concede 274 runs and take 9 wickets.

Bowling statistics based on Cricinfo.com download and calculations.

However, not all is bad news for the Sri Lankan team.

Sadeera and Asalanka individually have a better ODI strike rate and average (combined) than all Sri Lankan batsmen ever played. Nissanka and Avishka Fernando (didn’t play) also have very high potential.

In the bowling department Madushanka comes at the fourth best ever Sri Lankan bowler in terms of taking wickets at an acceptable average. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanidu also come on top.

These seven (7) players have potential and others can be replaced. The sooner they are replaced the better for future prospects.

Sri Lanka’s cricketing history shows the team is resilient. Early 1980s saw the sudden end to a number of cricketers with great potential over their South African tour. Politics also played a role in disrupting cricket. However, the team came together in 1996 to win the World Cup. They also came into the Final in 2007 and 2011 after a disastrous performance in 1999 and lukewarm performance in 2003. There is no need to dwell in the past. Move on and things will fall into place!