Lanka's batting a grave concern

manager's tour report

by Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka cricket team manager Michael Tissera has expressed grave concern over the future of the country's batting and states that unless action is taken now they could be in serious trouble.

The manager in his tour report on the recently concluded tour to India where Sri Lanka lost the three-Test series 0-2 (1 drawn) states: "The current batsmen are too much in the comfort zone due to a lack of ready replacements and I cannot but feel they are too complacent with some exceptions, of course.

"In a country brought up on spin, the ineptitude to counter good spin and the thought and organization that goes into batting in these circumstances was disappointing. The heart and fight were missing and we went down meekly."

The manner in which the Sri Lankan batting constantly collapsed from strong positions at Delhi and at Ahamedabad, Tissera said was an embarrassment.

"In general the batsmen appeared to lack the temperament, determination and resolve and capitulated meekly which was not only disappointing but sometimes embarrassing too. The first innings debacle in Delhi when 175-2 became 198-6 was for me, the turning point in the series. Had we made use of our excellent start to gain a first innings lead, the whole complexion of the series would have changed."

Tissera suggests that fast tracking the most talented young batsmen is a must and he has recommended to the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket that four to six batsmen be sent to Perth for specialized coaching. Perth has been suggested due to the fast bouncy wickets available there.

Further in his report the manager affirms that three to four key cricketers are getting close to retiring age and the hunt for replacements must start now, although it is already too late.

"Batting, spin and pace bowling replacements should be foremost on any action committee's mind. Sri Lanka cricket is at the cross roads and unless action is taken now we could face serious problems of turning out competitive teams at international level in the future," states Tissera.

The manager has also drawn attention to the fact that serious consideration be given to Kumar Sangakkara's role as wicket-keeper and no.3 batsman in Test matches.

"We lost all three tosses resulting in long hours in the field before batting and on most occasions he went in at the fall of an early wicket," affirmed Tissera. "In my view, wicket-keeping in difficult conditions for long hours had an adverse effect on his batting".

The manager also states in his report that although the conduct of the players and officials and the team work was good throughout the tour, Chaminda Vaas had brought to his notice and that of coach Tom Moody that a few players were not talking to him following his elevation to the vice-captaincy. Vaas succeeded Mahela Jayawardene to the post for the Indian tour and has retained that position for the current tour of New Zealand.