The same old story

Another overseas Test series has ended and Sri Lanka's dismissal record outside the subcontinent continued with their innings and 38 runs drubbing by a rejuvenated New Zealand team for whom the victory meant a lot after the thrashing they received at the hands of Ricky Ponting's Australians.

The manner in which the Sri Lankan batsmen capitulated in the second innings when conditions were far better for batting than in the first when they were bowled out for 211, once again emphasised the need for a strong domestic competition at home and fast bouncy pitches if we are to overcome our shortcomings overseas.

This point has been stressed more than often after each unsuccessful tour Sri Lanka has undergone in the past, but no concrete effort is made to rectify these mistakes. There was a big hue and cry made when Sri Lanka Cricket constructed around 16 pitches of various pace, bounce and spin at the R. Premadasa Stadium at enormous cost. It was prepared for the benefit of all teams at national level to make use of the facilities and benefit by it.

But sincerely speaking has the maximum use been made of such facilities by the senior team before they embark on a tour outside the subcontinent? There was a time that the national side was accused of shying away from practicing on such surfaces lest the players get injured prior to the tour.

Irresponsible Dilshan

Then take the shot that Tillakratne Dilshan played in the second innings at Wellington that led to his dismissal. Having made a good 73 runs and got his eye in, he played a totally irresponsible stroke which was described as an 'ugly and reckless leg-side slog that took the gloss off an entertaining innings'.

Being one of the experienced batsmen in the side Dilshan should by now realise that he has a great deal of responsibilities on his shoulders when representing his country. With Chaminda Vaas batting so well at the other end, all what was needed at that stage was a big partnership between them to save the Test.

The stroke that led to Dilshan's dismissal showed how casually the players regard their place in the national side. This situation has arisen because of the absence of a strong second team to put enough pressure for places on the seniors. A strong selection committee would take Dilshan to task for that stroke and drop him from the side and replace him with someone who shows more commitment and dedication towards a national cause.

Cricinfo reported: "The need of the hour was for a disciplined approach, but the procession of loose strokes on display was scarcely believable. Sri Lanka appeared to be on a fishing charter, not at a cricket ground."

Why not Prasanna?

The other point that needs to be raised is, what was Shantha Kalavitigoda doing batting at no. 7? Throughout his career for Colts whom he has represented now for seven years Kalavitigoda has either opened the innings or batted at first drop. Let this be understood. Kalavitigoda won selection for the New Zealand tour after be made scores of 39 and 83 against Egnalnd 'A' in the second unofficial test at the NCC grounds.

On that occasion he opened the batting with Ian Daniel. If Sri Lanka are going to sacrifice an opener for the no. 7 batting spot they might as well give that place to Prasanna Jayawardene who in the recently concluded 'test' series against England 'A' and Pakistan 'A' proved how good a batsman he can be if he is not pressurised.

Jayawardene no doubt is the best glovesman in the coutnry today and his exclusion from the national team was due to the fact that he did not make enough runs to warrant a regular place.

The 360 runs he made at an average of 60 with one century and two fifties cannot be overlooked by the national selectors when the next Test series againt the West Indies come by in July.

Jayawardene's presence will also allow Kumar Sangakara to concentrate more on his batting at no. 3 and make a huge contribution which he is capable of to his team's delicate middle order.

In colder climes

Sri Lanka were warned by Sri Lankan expatriates before they embarked on the tour to New Zealand that it was not the right time for them to play Test cricket because of the cold weather which they will experience at this time of the year.

With only one 3-day warm up game to prepare ahead of the two Tests (that too reduced to one-day of action due to bad weather), Sri Lanka were not properly prepared to encounter the conditions and the pitches they would encounter in Kiwiland.

Although they came off well with a high scoring draw at Napier, when faced with their backs to the wall, Sri Lanka painted a poor picture of themselves. Cricinfo reported that "playing in temperatures as low as 13 degrees Celsius had an unsettling effect on Sri Lanka," at Wellington. When will we ever learn?