Daily News Online

DateLine Friday, 20 April 2007

News Bar »

News: Enhanced healthcare for IDPs ...           Political: No money printed to maintain Cabinet - State Revenue Minister ...          Financial: Tight monetary policies to keep economy trim ...           Sports: Vaas, Murali did everything for the team - Mahela ....

Home

 | SHARE MARKET  | EXCHANGE RATE  | TRADING  | PICTURE GALLERY  | ARCHIVES | 

dailynews
 ONLINE


OTHER PUBLICATIONS


OTHER LINKS

Marriage Proposals
Classified
Government Gazette

Vaas, Murali did everything for the team - Mahela

Mahela Jayawardena, the Sri Lankan captain who is the darling of the media was a delighted man when I met him after the game against Ireland and spoke to him.

Jayawardena who is ready to answer any question, first gave his reasons as to why Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitheran were left out of the game against Australia.

Look, I have to manage with the men I have. Up to now we have played a lot of cricket and we have been giving of our best. That is why we have reached the semi-finals of this World Cup.

‘Vaas and Muralitheran have been bowling a lot. Every time I have called on them, they have ungrudgingly given their all. ‘These two bowlers are our match winners. They have to be nursed, what with the all-important semi-finals and final ahead.

‘In the circumstances, they badly needed a rest, so that they can comeback with their batteries recharged. That was the reason for them being left out’, said Jayawardena. That was sound reasoning. Jayawardena also revealed that he had to give Dilhara Fernando, who is nursing an ankle injury a rest, fearing that if he played he could further aggravate the injury.

‘He is also a vital cog in our attack’, said the captain. Jayawardena said that they are looking forward to meeting New Zealand in the first semi-final in Jamaica. ‘This is the first time that we will be playing in Jamaica. From reports reaching us the wicket there is also similar to what we have been playing on.

‘by having a look at the wicket, we might probably be able to gauge how it would be played, said Jayawardena.

With opener Upul Tharanga unable to maintain consistency with the bat,

I asked Jayawardena whether he would be contemplating making a change.

‘While admitting that it was a cause for worry. Tharanga’s inconsistency Jayawardena said that for the last 12 months Jayasuriya and Tharanga have been a formidable opening pair and gave us good starts.

‘When we sit to pick the team for the semi-final, we will see if this question needs addressing’, said a non-committal skipper.

Jayawardena also said that the team has been playing good cricket and that has led to their success. ‘We take it match by match. We have a game plan. We try to execute it. So far it has worked beautifully and successfully. And we are looking to maintain the same momentum’, said Jayawardena.

Jayawardena has instilled on his players to do the basics right.

‘The team spirit is high. Every member gives me 100 per cent. Now that we have come so far in the tournament, every member is determined to go the full hog and carry away the trophy’, said the skipper.

From the way the Lankans are playing, and the manner in which they ruthlessly mauled the Irish, is an indication, then there is no reason why they should not realise their hopes of taking away the World Cup 2007.

What is also soothing is the return to form of Jayawardena at the right time. He had a poor run with the bat and is now peaking at the right moment.

The knowledgeable here are also amazed at Jayawardena’s excellent captaincy. His every move has been well thought out and is all the time thinking how to lure a batsman to his demise. They reckon that he richly deserved the ICC captain of the year award.

EMAIL |   PRINTABLE VIEW | FEEDBACK

Gamin Gamata - Presidential Community & Welfare Service
Villa Lavinia - Luxury Home for the Senior Generation
www.lankapola.com
www.srilankans.com
www.greenfieldlanka.com
www.buyabans.com
www.lankafood.com
www.topjobs.lk
www.army.lk
www.news.lk
www.defence.lk
www.helpheroes.lk/
www.peaceinsrilanka.org

| News | Editorial | Financial | Features | Political | Security | Sport | World | Letters | Obituaries | News Feed |

Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2006 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

Comments and suggestions to : Web Editor