Ranatunga in run out tangle (17 August 1999)

17 August 1999

Ranatunga in run out tangle

Trevor Chesterfield

COLOMBO (Sri Lanka) - Some of the more important items in a traveller's survival kit in most parts of the sub-continent is a reliable map, an operating theatre style mask to prevent the nose and throat being blocked by thick emission of vehicle exhaust smoke and a first aid box.

And if you are a recently axed national captain throw in a good house keeping guide to batting styles and how to run between wickets. Arjuna Ranatunga was in need of it during a practice match at the Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Barely had Ranatunga set off for what was a gamble of a single when playing for Mahela Jawawardena's XI against the side led by rotund former captain's replacement, Sanath Jayasuriya, than knew he was going to be caught well short of his ground by a direct return from Nemish Perera. At the time he had scored six and was, no doubt, hoping to give the national selectors a bit to chew over with an impressive innings.

Along with Aravinda de Silva, who put together a compact if typically wristy innings of 21, Ranatunga's run-making input was needed to show how the push and touch game is so important in limited overs game as the first match in Aiwa Cup triangular series looms five days away. The way Ranatunga has gathered his runs in the past is a good example of how strike turn over takes pressure off the batting side in a run chase.

Not that Ranatunga or De Silva would have been granted a reprieve had they put runs on the board in a game abandoned by rain in the 36th over of the Jayasuriya XI's innings. Selection convener Sidath Wettimuny has made it obvious since Sri Lanka announced their twin squads earlier this month there would be no change in policy.

What was interesting is that Chandrika Harthurisinghe, a member of Sri Lanka World's Cup squad, who like Ruwan Kalpage, was overlooked throughout the tournament and in conditions which would have suited him, top-scored with 44 off only 57 balls in a total of 175 for six. Jayasuriya was, as usual, in attack mode with 33 off 34 balls.

Whether the selectors learnt anything they are not saying. Avishka Gunawardene's solid up front half-century display for the Jayawardena XI and Marvin Attapattu's forceful driving in a total of 41 were pointers, but far from conclusive evidence the selectors are near finalising the squad for Sunday's game against Australia at Galle Stadium.

Dav Whatmore confirmed barely hours before the Australian arrival last night that a second practice match between two unchanged teams is planned for today. The tourists arrived in cloudy, rainy conditions and were met by several hundred curious locals. Officials for the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka said last night the Australian hoped to have a practice match at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Thursday.

No doubt more accurate details will emerge at tomorrow's media conference, although nothing has been decided whether one has been arranged at their hotel or the Maitland Place headquarters of the BCCSL.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News