Every match is important, says skipper Mahela

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE from New Zealand

KIWI TOUR: "To me every match is important. Be it a one-day international or a Test match, I approach it with the same determination and the bottom line is victory. I have stressed the importance of this on all my team-mates and they too would approach the games with similar determination in New Zealand", said Mahela Jayawardena, the Sri Lankan skipper on a eve of departure interview with the "Daily News".

It was a confident and business like looking team that left the country with determination writ on their faces and if they take the field as we know they can, then there is no reason why they should not finish the tour on a highly successful note.

To a question whether he has got the best men, the skipper said that he has been given the best possible with in-form players and that he would be urging them to give of their best, so as to bring glory to the game and the country.

"The conditions in New Zealand will favour the home team. I am sure they will get us to play on green tops. In Shane Bond, Kylie Mills and James Franklin they have pacemen who could revel on wickets of that nature.

But we have batsmen in Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, myself, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera and Chamara Silva who can rise to the occasion and score a lot of runs", said Jayawardena.

The skipper went on to reiterate that the proper thing to do is to always play the men in-form. "That would give them confidence to do well," he said.

A question that has been posed to him times without number is the dropping of leg spinner Malinga Bandara. "It has been done with the best interest of the spinner at heart.

On the Kiwi tour Bandara would not have got enough opportunities to bowl. In going to the Caribbean, he would have opportunities to bowl a lot, which would stand him in good stead when World Cup time comes around," said the skipper.

However Bandara and Ruchira Perera would be joining the team in New Zealand for the one-dayers.

"It is good that we are playing more of the instant games. All teams are concentrating on this style of game, because it would be important when World Cup time comes around.

Although we would be keen to perform well in the one-dayers we would for certain not neglect the established game - Test cricket, is what the game is all about", said Jayawardena.

The captain has been given a squad that can adopt to any style of game. All are aware of what is expected of them and if they believe in themselves and play the way we know they can, then there is no reason why they should not meet with success.

Chamara Silva a dashing stroke player and superb fielder and Akalanka Ganegama have been rewarded for their success in India with the "A" team.

Now that they have been afforded the opportunity, it is for them to perform and cement their places.

In today's context no one is indispensable. Many young players are knocking on the door. As chairman of selectors Asantha de Mel said in-form players would be given the breaks.

The only cause of worry has been the sudden loss of batting form of Tillekeratne Dilshan. Every great player has experienced a sudden slump in form, and it is no different with Dilshan. He has enough experience to ride this slump and come good.

Jayawardena had no excuses for not obliging in the ICC Champions trophy in India. "We played badly on that particular day and it was sad to be out of the tournament and disappoint the big following here.

"Every team has a bad game at some time or the other. Our nemesis were the South Africans who we would have liked to beat and make further progress and win the ICC Cup", said the skipper.

Sri Lanka Cricket is pleased to inform that the National Selectors have selected the following Test Squad for the forthcoming New Zealand Tour 2006/07.

Mahela Jayawardene (Capt), Kumar Sangakkara (V. Capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, T. M. Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Prasanna Jayawardene (WK), F. Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Akalanka Ganegama, Muttiah Muralitharan.