Sri Lanka running between the wickets much to be desired (28 January 1999)

28 January 1999

Sri Lanka running between the wickets much to be desired

P Epasinghe

In high tense drama and excitement, Sri Lankan cricketers recorded their best one-day international victory in the annals of their cricket history. They were chasing a victory target of 303 runs and achieved it in the last over with one wicket to spare, beating England in a recently concluded Carlton and United Tri-nation Cricket Series match played at Adelaide thus recorded their second win in the series.

This victory was undoubtedly a morale-boosting victory for the Sri Lankan team. This win must have given them lot of confidence for their future encounters.

In this article, I thought, I must pen a few lines to cover an important aspect that Sri Lankan cricketers should take notice of and take immediate remedial action. It is running between the wickets. I feel that it's much to be desired. If my memory serves right so far in all our matches there were one or two "Fatal run out casualties". Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluvitarana, Upul Chandana and Roshan Mahanama are some names that come to my mind.

This should stop with immediate effect. It's a crime to sacrifice your wicket unnecessarily for a run, which is not there.

If you look at it, great batsmen in the world took a lot of pain collecting and piling their runs, and they did not achieve this feat by simply hammering boundaries. A very component and a complete batsman reaches greatness by a proper method of running between the wickets. In today's context one-day matches are sometimes won on clever running between the wickets. For example, if you collect a single for every ball in an over, at the end of your innings you will collect 300 runs. Of course, this is not practical. But, if you collect your singles, two's and three's properly, you will be able to get more than 300 runs, which is a very reasonable amount for your bowlers to ball at.

There is no other horrible sight than to see a batsman walking to the dressing-room, crest-fallen, after a total mix-up and being ruled out. This will undoubtedly be a "long walk" to the pavilion for him for the foolish act he performed. It reminds me of a stanza from Dhammapada - Bala Vagga (Fools).

Digha jagarato ratti

Digham santassa yojanam

Digho balanam samsaro

Saddhammam avijanatam

(Long is the night to the wakeful. Long is the league to the weary. Long is Samsara to the foolish who know not the Sublime Truth).

(Running between the wickets is also like driving a vehicle. If you follow the road-rules, accidents will be minimal. If you follow the rules in running between the wickets you can avoid these "suicidal" deaths.

To begin with, efficient and well judged running between the wickets helps a team to reach greater heights. The main idea of a batsman should be to get to the non-striker's end as quickly as possible. Rotate your innings with your partner by pushing your singles. When you are taking quick and sensible singles, the fielding side will lose concentration, and bowlers, very often then bowl off target and are in total disarray.

The rules for calling is very simple. What one cannot understand is that most of the Sri Lankan run-out victims have played more than 100 to 200 ODI's for Sri Lanka and therefore, there is no excuse for them to get run-out again. In cricket, you must take pains. Concentrate over the smallest detail. Whether you are a Test cricketer or under 13 cricketer, the basics should be followed in cricket. If you fail to do this, it will be a disaster.

In running between the wickets there is a golden rule you must follow.

Everytime the ball is played in front of the wicket, the striker is responsible for making the call. Everytime the ball goes behind the stumps, calling should be left to the non-striker. If the ball is played exactly square to the wicket on the off-side, then it is up to the striker. If it is square on the leg-side, then it is the responsibility of the non-striker.

The rules for calling are simple. There are only three calls - Yes - No - Wait.

Remember, running for misfields is very dangerous. You have to think twice. Sometimes you may be faster than your partner. There should be perfect understand.

The non-striker should stand well wide of the return crease. You should hold your bat in your left hand, should not move a yard or a yard and half down the pitch till the ball is delivered. Remember, that your partner's run is as important as your own. Another common, simple mistake that even the Test players are making is to carry their bats in the air. A batsman should ground his bat at least two yards short of the crease and run it in along the ground.

Running between the wickets is very enjoyable. Always take the first run fast.

Call loudly, clearly and sensibly. It will help you as well as the team in a big way.

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