Sanga on captaincy, Hobart, and his game
Kumar Sangakkara answers questions from his fans about the Hobart Test, Sri Lanka's new talent, the England tour next year and more
01-Oct-2008
I think Sri Lanka really needs an opening batsman like Chamara Kapugedara to open with Sanath. The main reason is that if the new ball is moving, losing you [Sanga] adds a lot of pressure on everyone, because you are one of the best batsmen in the side. This is just an opinion and no form of criticism. May Jesus be with you and bless you throughout your career.
The strategy worked really well in the Asia Cup but was not a success in India. But was that because I batted badly in the latter series or because the strategy was wrong? At the end of the day, I play at No. 3 in Test cricket and there should be no problems with me opening. I should have scored more runs, and I regret not making a better contribution. In the long term, I think, though, that Mahela and I would prefer a specialist opening bat to develop so that we can bat at No. 3 and No. 4. Kapu can bat in the middle order. I still think Upul Tharanga is a great prospect. He just needs some more confidence. Also, we have the exciting Mahela Udawatte developing fast, and now Malinda Warnapura who has done so well in the Tests. So we do have options.
The strategy worked really well in the Asia Cup but was not a success in India. But was that because I batted badly in the latter series or because the strategy was wrong? At the end of the day, I play at No. 3 in Test cricket and there should be no problems with me opening. I should have scored more runs, and I regret not making a better contribution. In the long term, I think, though, that Mahela and I would prefer a specialist opening bat to develop so that we can bat at No. 3 and No. 4. Kapu can bat in the middle order. I still think Upul Tharanga is a great prospect. He just needs some more confidence. Also, we have the exciting Mahela Udawatte developing fast, and now Malinda Warnapura who has done so well in the Tests. So we do have options.
How was your Hobart match experience when you where given out for 192.
At the time I was very annoyed, as I knew I wasn't out. But that's cricket. I soon calmed down. Rudi [Koertzen] is a good umpire but mistakes happen. I guess it is better to get bad decisions in games like that where you cannot realistically win, rather than in a closely contested game.
At the time I was very annoyed, as I knew I wasn't out. But that's cricket. I soon calmed down. Rudi [Koertzen] is a good umpire but mistakes happen. I guess it is better to get bad decisions in games like that where you cannot realistically win, rather than in a closely contested game.
Do you think Mendis will maintain this exceptional form? Also, do you think the referral system has been successful?
It will not be easy for Ajantha to continue having the same devastating impact that he had against India, but I have a lot of confidence in him evolving as a bowler. He has a great attitude and is a fast learner. He understands that batsmen will get better at playing him, and his challenge is to develop his game like Murali has done for the past 15 years. Staying at the top is not easy and it will take an immense amount of hard work and practice for him to maintain his form. But he is a special talent and he could well do it.
It will not be easy for Ajantha to continue having the same devastating impact that he had against India, but I have a lot of confidence in him evolving as a bowler. He has a great attitude and is a fast learner. He understands that batsmen will get better at playing him, and his challenge is to develop his game like Murali has done for the past 15 years. Staying at the top is not easy and it will take an immense amount of hard work and practice for him to maintain his form. But he is a special talent and he could well do it.
What is it like to open the innings after keeping for 50 overs? Do you do it because the team has no other option? I am sure your performance will get better if you take the No. 3 slot.
It is much easier in a one-day match than in a Test match, where you are in the field for a long time and then have to bat. I am pretty fit these days as I work really hard on the physical side of my game so I can do both jobs. Of course, if you score a hundred and then have to keep wicket, it is tough, but adrenalin helps get you through the game. I also make sure I take on lots of fluids and eat the right foods to sustain my energy levels during a game. The key advantage for the team is that we then get the option of a bowling allrounder at No 7. This helps balance the team.
It is much easier in a one-day match than in a Test match, where you are in the field for a long time and then have to bat. I am pretty fit these days as I work really hard on the physical side of my game so I can do both jobs. Of course, if you score a hundred and then have to keep wicket, it is tough, but adrenalin helps get you through the game. I also make sure I take on lots of fluids and eat the right foods to sustain my energy levels during a game. The key advantage for the team is that we then get the option of a bowling allrounder at No 7. This helps balance the team.
I can't help but wonder why we have lost so many close matches since the World Cup despite retaining the same, or almost the same, squad. With the emergence of the talented Ajantha Mendis, our old pal Muralitharan, Vaas, Malinga and Thushara, should we not be a force in world cricket? Furthermore, should we not be looking towards the 2011 World Cup, and therefore the "older" players, who I shall keep unnamed, be making way for more youthful ones? What is the future of Sri Lankan cricket, and where do you see this team at the World Cup three years from now? And by the way, I am a huge fan of yours. All the best with your batting, keeping and overall well-being, champ. And god bless Sri Lanka.
Thanks for the support. I can assure you that we hate losing as much as you do and we are working very hard to build the team for the 2011 World Cup. I agree that the bowling is shaping up well, though the injuries to Malinga, Dilhara and Maharoof definitely hurt the team. Crucially, though, our batting has failed to deliver. The form of our batsmen has been inconsistent since the World Cup. But we also need to be patient. Chamara [Silva] averaged nearly 45 in 2006-07, so although he has had a leaner 2008, he clearly has something to offer. Upul Tharanga is a player with huge potential but he lacks confidence. We need to get him back to his best. I have had some relatively low-scoring periods in one-day cricket and so have Mahela and Sanath. So the key is to get the group all firing together. I am sure that will happen. We also have some exciting young players knocking on the door so there is some healthy competition for places.
Thanks for the support. I can assure you that we hate losing as much as you do and we are working very hard to build the team for the 2011 World Cup. I agree that the bowling is shaping up well, though the injuries to Malinga, Dilhara and Maharoof definitely hurt the team. Crucially, though, our batting has failed to deliver. The form of our batsmen has been inconsistent since the World Cup. But we also need to be patient. Chamara [Silva] averaged nearly 45 in 2006-07, so although he has had a leaner 2008, he clearly has something to offer. Upul Tharanga is a player with huge potential but he lacks confidence. We need to get him back to his best. I have had some relatively low-scoring periods in one-day cricket and so have Mahela and Sanath. So the key is to get the group all firing together. I am sure that will happen. We also have some exciting young players knocking on the door so there is some healthy competition for places.
Sri Lanka needs quality young batsmen with good footwork. Tharanga Paranawithana (first-class batting average 42.00) Angelo Mathews (first-class batting average 46.00) and Khausal Silva (first-class batting average 39.00) are three such good players. Sachithra Senanayake (first-class bowling average 16.00), who is as good a player as Mendis, is not even considered for the 2nd XI team though he took 110 wickets in the last season's Premier Division and U-23 Tournaments.
All those players are quality prospects and are in the various A team and development squads. They'll come through but you need to judge when the time is right for them and for Sri Lanka.
All those players are quality prospects and are in the various A team and development squads. They'll come through but you need to judge when the time is right for them and for Sri Lanka.
I have been a keen follower of Sri Lanka cricket from the 80s. Whether we win or lose has not bothered me at all during the last 28 years. However, the fact that a group of you went to the president to bat for the IPL has been the most disgusting thing I have observed during all these years. I wonder what was the rationale for that? International commitments should have priority, and you all should want to play for the glory of the nation rather than the monies.
Don't believe everything that you read in the newspapers. We are unable to comment a great deal on the issue. All I can say is that this is not about money. If it was, there would be an easy solution and it would not have dragged on for weeks. This is about contractual obligations made over a year before. We hope a solution will be found in the best interests of Sri Lanka's cricket.
Don't believe everything that you read in the newspapers. We are unable to comment a great deal on the issue. All I can say is that this is not about money. If it was, there would be an easy solution and it would not have dragged on for weeks. This is about contractual obligations made over a year before. We hope a solution will be found in the best interests of Sri Lanka's cricket.
I think bad captaincy cost Sri Lanka the ODI series against India. Isn't it high time the board decided to give you the captaincy?
Captaincy did not lose us the series. Bad batting did. Mahela is the best captain in world cricket right now and I am very honoured to be his deputy.
Captaincy did not lose us the series. Bad batting did. Mahela is the best captain in world cricket right now and I am very honoured to be his deputy.
I hope your surgery went well. I was wondering how long you will need to rest. I hope you recover fast. Best of luck. Take care.
The surgery went well and this week I am having the pins removed from my hand. This means I should be able to resume training in October. I doubt I'll be fit for Zimbabwe but I hope to play some club cricket in November to be ready for Bangladesh.
The surgery went well and this week I am having the pins removed from my hand. This means I should be able to resume training in October. I doubt I'll be fit for Zimbabwe but I hope to play some club cricket in November to be ready for Bangladesh.
Hi Sanga. Hope your surgery went fine in Aussie and you will be fit for the Twenty20 tourney in Canada. I just want to know: what's happening with the England tour during the IPL time? Are you guys willing to tour or what? Is the financial aspect more appealing than representing your own country? Also hope that the recent India ODI series was just a bad patch in your career and you'll come out firing and be the Sanga of old. And in ODIs do you prefer opening or coming down the order?
This is not about choosing money over playing for Sri Lanka. It is about untangling a contractual mess as the England tour is not an FTP tour. The players' association is handling it and I am confident they will find a solution that is in the interests of Sri Lanka's cricket
This is not about choosing money over playing for Sri Lanka. It is about untangling a contractual mess as the England tour is not an FTP tour. The players' association is handling it and I am confident they will find a solution that is in the interests of Sri Lanka's cricket