Jayasuriya always likes to remain involved (13 May 1997)

Tuesday 13, May 1997

Jayasuriya always likes to remain involved

UPALI RUPASINGHE in New Delhi

Master blaster, Sanath Jayasuriya, in an exclusive interview with a national daily, ``The Telegraph'', at the team hotel in Gwalior, replying to a question ``whether he had aspirations to lead the national team'' has said ``I have never thought about it. At the moment I am content to do my bit with the bat and the ball and at the same time improve my game''.

Asked on how he sees his role in this Lankan line-up, Jayasuriya had said: ``As a full fledged allrounder, of course, batting is my top priority, but I also enjoy bowling and fielding. Basically I like to remain involved.

``Like most of the Sri Lankan teammates, he is a staunch Buddhist. He says his prayers twice a day and generally believes in non-violence (Ahimsa) as Lord Buddha had professed. But, give him a willow and see his eyes light up. And he will seldom rest before savaging the opposition attack. Lanka's `Most Valuable Player' of the Wills World Cup, Sanath Jayasuriya has come a long way since becoming the national hero last year'', the daily said.

`On life as national hero!, Jayasuriya has said: ``The euphoria of having won the World Cup did not quite sink in till we reached home. Celebrations were on, much before we reached Colombo and continued endlessly thereafter. It was heady feeling. My home was besieged by fans. I could hardly sleep with so much excitement around''.

Answering another question `on that fateful evening when he choked India's chase at Eden' Jayasuriya said ``Undoubtedly one of my finest moments in the game. I had failed with the bat and India were cruising when I came on to bowl. Of the three wickets I got, Sachin's was easily the most crucial, for, it opened up the road for the victory. It all happened so fast, I could hardly believe it''.

Sanath Jayasuriya also made some comments on rewriting the grammar of one-day cricket, the tour of down under in 1995-96, that record shattering 48-ball century in Singapore, on being at the receiving end of the Shahid Afridi onslaught in Kenya, his mental state as a bowler during the Afridi Blitzkrieg, his subsequent low-key performances and whether it will be a new Jayasuriya on view.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)