Sanath Jaysuriya was the right choice (14 July 1999)

14 July 1999

Sanath Jaysuriya was the right choice

Elmo Rodrigopulle

The Cricket Selectors headed by one of Sri Lanka classiest opening batsman Sidat Wettimuny assisted by T. B. Kehelgamuwa, Asantha de Mel and Brendon Kuruppu have done right in appointing 'black superman' Sanath Jayasuriya as captain and to take our cricket successfully to the new millennium.

Although there was speculation as to who should take over from Arjuna Ranatunga, it was obvious to the knowledgeable that the selectors had no need to look beyond Jayasuriya.

Jayasuriya had a taste of what captaincy is all about when he led an under-24 side to South Africa early in his career and then led the Board XI by example against Zimbabwe. In that match Jayasuriya notched up a dashing hundred and led the team to victory in a one-day international.

Jayasuriya has been in the highly competitive cauldron of one-day and test cricket for long now, to realise that the nation will be looking to him to resurrect Sri Lanka's fallen image in the game and restore it to the levels it was when the country won the prized World Cup.

Jayasuriya served notice of his prowess when on a tour of Pakistan with a youth team he rattled off two unbeaten double hundreds. Now two double hundreds, especially in Pakistan against some of the best bowlers is something extraordinary.

But after this historic tour, Jayasuriya was conveniently forgotten for sometime. But finally when he got his opportunity, he grabbed it with both hands to hit back with a vengeance and what he did in the previous World Cup in Lahore and the record breaking 340 he made against the best of bowlers that India had to offer are spoken of in awe.

Of late, bowlers have studied the vulnerable areas in his batting and tucked him up. In his attempt to cut loose, Jayasuriya has lost concentration and most times gifted his wicket.

But now that responsibility has been cast on him, he is sure to come good with the backing of his team mates.

Last year when there was a cry for a captain to be groomed when the New Zealanders were here, I suggested that the selectors name Sanath Jayasuriya as vice captain to Arjuna Ranatunga, so that when Ranatunga decides to quit, Jayasuriya would have gathered the necessary experience to take over.

The selectors did just that and named Jayasuriya vice captain for the First Test against New Zealand. But subsequent pressure from the dressing room made the selectors retract and bring back the former vice captain.

Then when there was a cry to remove Ranatunga, I once again suggested a few weeks back in this column that the selectors should appoint Jayasuriya because he is the only one with the right credentials. I am glad that the selectors have agreed with me.

Jayasuriya, nine times out of ten has been out caught hitting between point and third man, or between square and fine leg. It is time that he realised this weakness and endeavoured to hit the ball in front of the wicket. Another weakness is his poor running between the wickets.

With Whatmore expected soon he is sure to put Jayasuriya right.

Mahela Jayawardena's appointment as vice captain came as a surprise. We have nothing against the youngster. The selectors should have given him at least a couple of more years to mature, before slotting him into this position.

A vice captain should be one with experience so that the captain could in times of need go to him for advice. What advice could Jayawardena give Jayasuriya?

In this aspect the selectors would not have been faulted had they given this honour to Romesh Kaluwitharne, the wicket keeper/batsman. A wicket keeper is in the best position to judge how the wicket plays, how the ball moves and the weakness of batsmen. He would have been the ideal man for Jayasuriya to go for advice.

How Jayawardena with his tremendous talent cannot command a regular place in the team is also baffling. He is one who is stylish, safe and with the correct temperament for any type of game. His bat is always straight and his timing and footwork are things of beauty. In fact he is a role model for youngsters.

One hopes that the responsibility of vice captain will not strangle his batting. He too will find coach Whatmore a god send.

The appointing of Jayasuriya and Jayawardena also saw the end of the reign of Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva, two great cricketing heroes the likes of whom will not easily surface. Ranatunga and de Silva served the game with great distinction for nearly a decade.

Can one forget Ranatunga's lovely debut 50 odd against the Englishmen in the inaugural Test at the Oval as a schoolboy? Also when he partnered Asanka Gurusinha for one whole day at the wicket that deprived Imran Khan's Pakistanis of a certain test victory? Can one forget the blazing 50 odd in the Lahore World Cup final and the amazing six he hit off Shane Warne and his excellent leadership that won us the World Cup in 1996?

Can one forget the many hundreds that De Silva reeled off his bat. The wonderful century he stroked in the World Cup final. De Silva also showed England and New Zealand his prowess playing in their domestic tournaments.

From us who have closely followed their illustrious careers - as the famous 'ABBA song goes - Thank you for the music ... for on their day their elegance and brilliance was music to all of us.

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