Sana, Murali, Vaas answer well

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

CRICKET: The three elder statesmen of World Cup 1996 when Sri Lanka won the trophy in Lahore - Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan faced the media at the Hilton Hotel where the teams are housed and answered questions fired at them with great aplomb.

They went down memory lane of that wonderful night in Lahore where the Lankans showed their capabilities to the world and made them take notice.

Muttiah Muralitharan who faced most of the questions said that in 1996 he was just 22 years and did not know much about the game. But now that he is longer in the tooth, he knows how to face situations and perform.

He said he has the ability to dismiss the best batsmen in the world. But at times that they have got on top of him.

When asked why he, Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga skipped facing the Aussies in the Super 8 game the off spinner replied: “We had been playing a lot of cricket and as we had already made it to the semifinals, it was a team decision that we rest.

He also said that the Aussies had been dominating the game for about 15 years. We don’t try to emulate their style and we play a style of our own and that has brought us success.

He said when Sri Lanka won in Lahore they did not have to face Australia and West Indies but this time round they had to face tougher opposition, winning all three group stage matches and games in the Super 8 that booked a slot for them in semifinals and now the finals.

When I asked Sanath Jayasuriya as to how is it that he is still batting like in 1996, he said that it was due to a lot of hard work and staying supremely fit.

Jayasuriya was chosen the ‘Most Valuable Player’ of that tournament.

When asked as to how is it that all the West Indies love the Lankans and give them good support. Shrugging his shoulders, the Matara mauler said probably it is because they play the same style as the West Indies.

Chaminda Vaas who has been carrying the new ball attack on his shoulders for long said that his success is because he has cut down on his pace, looks for movement and bowls in the right areas.

He also said that he would like to pressure the opponents batting by taking early wickets.

To a question as to the umpiring in the semifinals, Jayasuriya concluded by saying: “I would not want to answer that question.

KENSINGTON OVAL, Barbados, Friday