Jayasuriya gets the nod (8 July 1999)

8 July 1999

Jayasuriya gets the nod

Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Deposed world one-day champions Sri Lanka will look to Sanath Jayasuriya to lift their cricketing fortunes to its former pristine glory after the 'Matara Mauler' was named the new captain to succeed Arjuna Ranatunga.

Jayasuriya will captain Sri Lanka in the one-day triangular tournament from August 22-31 which also features world champion Australia and India, and the three-Test series against Australia beginning on September 9.

Mahela Jayawardene was named Jayasuriya's deputy for the two series.

These appointments come in the wake of Sri Lanka's disastrous slump in international cricket in the last ten months. During the period they lost 18 of their last 25 one-day matches and also two of the three Tests in the Asian championships.

Their failure to defend the World Cup which they won in 1996, under Ranatunga's captaincy successfully in England last month, brought forth a public outcry for changes at the top.

Ranatunga, who was held in high esteem till then became the disgraced skipper and a new selection committee under the chairmanship of Sidath Wettimuny decided the time was opportune to commence a new era in Sri Lanka's cricketing chapter.

The first signs of the changes to come has been affected by replacing Ranatunga and his long-standing deputy Aravinda de Silva with Jayasuriya and Jayewardene respectively.

Jayewardene's appointment is looked at as a long-term investment. The 22-year-old stylish right-hander from SSC is potentially the best player to emerge from the younger generation of cricketers. He won't immediately take over the captaincy should Jayasuriya become unavailable, but remain as vice-captain till such time he is ready to takeover.

Jayewardene's presence also puts some pressure on Jayasuriya to perform because unlike in past practice, the present selection committee is totally against having captains and vice-captains who come and go out in pairs.

Jayasuriya (30) became the popular choice for the captaincy despite facing some opposition from Bloomfield club mate Roshan Mahanama, who is three years his senior.

If there was anything that went against Mahanama, it was his batting form which in comparison to the players he would replace was not outstanding. If he was to be picked as captain, Mahanama had to justify his place in the team. With a current one-day batting average hovering around 18 that was not possible. Mahanama has also not played in Sri Lanka's last seven Test matches, his last appearance being against South Africa in 1997-98.

By adopting the long-term route by picking Jayasuriya, the national selectors have adopted the right line because short-term options can always be available to them if the need arises.

Chairman of Selectors Sidath Wettimuny said he had a two-hour chat with Ranatunga on Tuesday which were 'friendly and cordial', but gave no further details.

After his team was knocked out of the World Cup, Ranatunga said that he firmly believed he had a few years of cricket left in him and that he was willing to represent his country in whatever capacity. He said his future as captain lay in the hands of the selectors.

Ranatunga and De Silva were retained as players in a 30-member squad which will begin preparations for the one-day and Test series against Australia.

Source :: The Daily News