Lanka will meet their Waterloo (31 December 1998)

31 December 1998

Lanka will meet their Waterloo

P Epasinghe

Sri Lanka will meet Waterloo in Australia early next year. One-day world champions Sri Lanka, who faced certain hic-cups in the last few international matches played this year will definitely fight tooth and nail to gain their lost prestige. Therefore, Carlton and United one-day cricket series between Australia, England and Sri Lanka will be an acid test for Sri Lanka, and the results of this series will be a yardstick to measure our true strength when we battle to retain the world cup in May- June 1999 in England.

To begin with, I personally feel that this Tri-Nation series is the toughest assignment that Sri Lanka will face before the world cup. According to paper and form, Australia is riding high and undoubtedly a well-knit side the best in the world at present. Unpredictable England can turn-tables. Experienced Sri Lanka, if they click as a team, concentrate in their batting, bowling and fielding with determination they can be the team of watch.

The key-factor for success will be the fielding. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka's fielding is not at its best. Arjuna Ranatunga has to hide one or two players in the field. This is what I felt when I was commentating Colts- SSC match on ITN. Hence, its this vital department that coach Roy Dias and Manager Rangit Fernando have to concentrate more. Further, our pace attack look very ordinary, when Colts beat SSC handsomely.

It was heartening to note that Romesh Kaluvitarana and Chaminda Vass in form.

One advantage that Sri Lanka will have is their experience. Lot will depend on their commitment, determination and application of the players. There are seven players who have played more than hundred ODI's and that's experience - they are Arjuna Ranatunga (250), Aravinda de Silva (247), Roshan Mahanama (201), Sanath Jayasuriya (170), Hashan Tillekaratne (167), Romesh Kaluwitharana (102), Muttaiah Muralitharan (101). Comparing to Australia, our experience is more, but the fact remains, that this series is played in the Australian soil, which will be a plus factor for Australia. Further, Australia and England have played many matches in Australia, these few days, where as Sri Lanka lacked match practice, even in the home soil.

Consistency is a dream of every player. It is the trademark of champions. When, Sri Lanka won the world cup it was clear as crystal that every player gave its best to skipper Ranatunga to win the Tri-Nation Series in Australia in the true team-spirit is very essential.

Sri Lankan cricket fans do not want lame excuses when they do not perform well. Such as "we cannot win all the time", "too much of cricket" "we are stale." If you analyze and see our players, are now more than "professionals". Therefore, in return, they must bring results. Its true that you cannot win everyday. But, remember, even losing, you must fight hard to the last, and lose honourably.

Determined and committed young out fit, ably lead by that unassuming Sri Lankan pace bowler Chaminda Vass, outplayed S.S.C. in all departments and were victorious by 60 runs. I feel the secret of their success of Colts is the team-spirit and the determination to beat SSC who possessed seven or eight Sri Lankan Test caps and ODI players, including their 12th man Suresh Perera, who was good enough to represent Sri Lanka in the coming Tri-Nation Tournament, but not good enough to play for Singhalese Sports Club against Colts. I feel the cricket committee of Colts, and specially two persons who did lot of hard work behind the scene for Colt's success were Carlton Bernadus and Upali Warnapura.

Kaluwitarana (70), was at its brilliant best and the Sri Lankan pace men Pramodhya Wickrmasinghe, Nuwan Soysa and Ruchira Perera looked mere pedestrians. Hope "Kalu" as usual will maintain this form in Australia and our paceman will bowl better line and length and worry the Australian and English batsmen.

I saw a very rare sight in this match - A southpaw wicket keeper - Hemantha Wickramaratne, who was trying to keep wickets as a novice. He had a miserable time, and was partly responsible for the SSC's debacle. Poor fellow should not be blamed. He became a victim of circumstances, and as a good team mate he took up the new role. For reasons best known to the SSC, the regular wicket-keeper, I presume its Malintha Perera who did not play. Out of SSC players Upeka Fernando and future Sri Lanka Lap, and Mahela Jayawardene and experienced Marvan Attapattu showed in their batting for Colts Chaminda Vass (41 n.o.) and Duleep Samaraweera (57), J. Kulatunga (34) excelled.

Being a wicket-keeper, I know that wicket keeper is the fulcrum (point on which the lever is supported) of the fielding side and can transform the whole appearance of it. Wickramaratne, found it difficult to gather certain balls cleanly when moving outside off-stump for a right hand batsman as he was a south-paw.

Sri Lankan selectors should have a close look on two young cricketers from Colts. Sajith Fernando and left arm spinner Dinuk Hettiaratchi, they, I feel is Sri Lanka material for the future.

Wish our readers a very happy and prosperous new year! 1999.

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