All hail superman Sanath Jayasuriya
Elmo Rodrigopulle
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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