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| Saturday, 15 November 2003 |
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Are our cricketers fully prepared to meet England? by Richard Dwight: If in the preceding months, many looked forward to the tour here of the English cricketers with eager anticipation - the same however cannot be said now, for the reason that the enthusiasm and zest that one prevailed has begun to somewhat wane. Especially in the light of that which is being presently bandied about our cricket structure - which has found quite a few wondering, as to how things could be sorted out. Many a segment is binded together to make up our broadbased cricket structure, and if there be a segment or two found wanting and lagging behind, then it could certainly have a detrimental bearing on the entire cricket scenario in our country. And so this gives rise to the thinking, as to whether our cricketers could be fully focused to give of their best in a purposeful manner against fast improving English team where cricket is on the rise. This is one amongst other questions, engaging the attention of cricket lovers, whose passion for the game knows no end. All this and more, stems from the fact that allegations rightly or wrongly has been brought against the Sri Lanka cricket chief which precipitated a special meeting of the Ex:Co. and the subsequent resignation of the SLC-CEO for reasons best known to him. Then there is the situation of cricketers adjusting and adapting themselves to a new coach and a new physio, not forgetting to mention as well the general happenings, within the environment in which the Sri Lankan cricketers find themselves in. As we see it, the conditions that exist does not appear to provide a conducive atmosphere for the cricketers to gear themselves to perform to the best of their ability, when the going gets tough. It could be argued however, that the cricketers should have an independent mind of their own and not be deterred or influenced by all that is taking place around. This is ideal or utopian thinking, but we must not lose sight of the fact, that cricketers too are human and not divine. For at a crucial moment in the game, when the chips are down and the batsman is striving to grapple with the situation, a dismal depressing thought concerning the environment, as stressed upon earlier, will surely add to his misery. This is why it's important that a cricketer must have an undisturbed trouble free mind, without extraneous issues coming into play. Any cricket encounter between England and Sri Lanka evokes much interest, mainly because many follow the progress made by the one time pupil and master. For the age-old story tells us, that it was the English who introduced the game to us and taught us how to play it. Notwithstanding all that has been negatively laboured upon, if the Sri Lankan cricketers could keep their heads, when all about them are losing theirs, and have trust in themselves when others doubt them - then there is every possibility, of their coming out on top to live out the 'kipling' message. |
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