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All hail superman Sanath Jayasuriya

CRICKET: Records in every aspect of the game seem to come naturally to Sanath Teran Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya’s made for records. That is how best one can describe this proud son of the South.

Over 12,000 runs and 300 wickets in one-day internationals is something impossible and unbelievable. But that Everest has been conquered by Jayasuriya and all Sri Lanka must celebrate and enjoy that effort that is going to stand the test of time in the game.

Playing in the manner born, this southpaw has achieved greatness from the time he began to handle a bat and ball.

When he captured the final wicket of Syed Rasel caught by Jehan Mubarak at mid off, he danced the jig and punched the air and did not his teammates too join in the celebrations and hug and kiss this gutty cricketer who has always performed for team and country, caring little for individual records although they were coming naturally.

It is not our intention to ink in his records. That we leave to statisticians. But suffice to say that the records are amazing and Bradmansque.

There are batting, bowling and catching records set up. But not in two aspects by one individual.

He is the only cricketer and will probably be the only cricketer to hold two records in the annals of the one-day game. President Mahinda Rajapaksa who also has sport at heart was quick to appreciate this magical feat by Jayasuriya and sent in a message congratulating the ‘black superman’ for his amazing feat.

Two cyclops who were selectors forced Jayasuriya to quit the game, although he was confident that he had much, much more to offer the game and country.

His selection to England when he came out of retirement was for the benefit of the game. He had his critics. But he banged them over the ropes as he does the ball with the bat and in this aspect former Sri Lankan allrounder Asantha de Mel and his team of selectors can pat themselves for bringing him back from premature retirement and he has repaid the confidence they reposed in him with compound interest.

When he came into this game he needed four more wickets to reach the exclusive 300 wicket club. And his skipper Mahela Jayawardena who is always ready to help and encourage a worthy cause, tossed the ball to him and persisted with him until he entered that hall of fame.

All countrymen must join in and hail this record which has been achieved by a Sri Lankan, beating some of the others in the game. Jayasuriya first served notice when as a teenager he notched up two double hundreds on a tour of Pakistan. Once in the elite league he has not looked back and one of his crowning moments has been his 300th scalp.

At 38 when most other cricketers would have given it up because of ware and tare, Jayasuriya is performing like a teenager and as the saying goes is fit as a fiddle.

Chaminda Vaas another magnificent performer predicted that Jayasuriya could go on playing until he is 40. And at the moment the way Jayasuriya is going that is a certainty. The game needs entertainers such as Sanath Jayasuriya and may he continue to entertain.

 

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