Unpredictable wicket cause for concern:

Selectors must use the scalpel and infuse new blood

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

IT CERTAINLY must be galling to Mahela Jayawardena and his team to have lost a one-day series to England for the first time on home soil. When one considers that Sri Lanka stuffed the Englishmen in their own backyard last year 5-0, it becomes unpalatable that the Lankans capitulated this time round.

The final one-dayer is today at the R. Premadasa stadium under lights. On paper Sri Lanka had the better cricketers well versed in this style of game and from the conditions to the playing surfaces all favoured them.

Then what was the reason for their defeat? To simply put it, the Englishmen were playing some tender cricketers and isn’t it tender cricketers that are required for success in this game?

Not only that the visitors did the simple things right. They bowled wicket to wicket, attacked the ball when fielding, batted sensibly on the umpredicatable wickets and their running between the wickets too, was admirable and an example.

And success had to come and when it did come, the Englishmen would have savoured it and been singing and enjoying themselves into the wee hours of the morning, delighted that they bust the Lankan invincible bubble.

Now what the think tanks in the Sri Lankan camp must do is to show that they have the guts and the courage to be different and infuse new blood. The series have now been confined to history.

The opportunity has knocked by way of these defeats and the selectors would not be faulted if they use the scalpel and give skipper Mahela Jayawardena an infusion of new blood.

When asked if changes would be made, this is what chairman of selectors Asantha de Mel, who it is apparent is not having a smooth ride said: ‘The bowling is not a cause for bother, but definitely the batting is. The big guns have gone silent. Had the big batting guns fired, the bowlers would certainly have performed even better.

‘As for the question on changes, there is no reason to press the panic button. We will have a chat with skipper Jayawardena and see how best we could come up with a team that could chalk up a win and redeem some of the lost prestige.

‘The squad would not be finalised till the morning of the match. But there certainly will be some changes,’ said de Mel.

De Mel in saying that the big batting guns haven’t fired, must be giving thought to the sub standard wickets that have been provided at the Rangiri Stadium and also the R. Premadasa Stadium. True, the wickets are the same for both teams. But that’s beside the point.

What is unacceptable is the unpredictable nature of the wickets. This style of cricket was mainly meant to be played on wickets that would give the batsmen and bowlers equal chance, so that the spectators who flock to see the entertainment would have their monies worth.

But what has happened in the four games, the less said the better. But to the credit of the English batsmen it must be said that they proved the better players on these slow and unpredictable wickets.

That the Lankan batsmen failed to adapt is a sad indictment on their technique.

It has also now come to pass that if Sanath Jayasuriya fails to play his destructive batting blitz, then the game is good as over for the Lankans.

The English bowlers realising this strive for this big wicket and have been successful. But that the other experienced batsmen have failed to strike and repair the damage is inexplicable.

While Collingwood’s men would want to rub further salt on the wounds of Sri Lanka cricket and inflict another defeat today also under lights at the Premadasa Stadium and gain revenge for what they suffered last year at home, it remains to be seen whether the Lankans have tightened their game and could launch out on a consolation and a face saving win.

Although one-dayers and Test cricket are two different ball games, another loss could dent the Lankan confidence, what with a Two Test tour of Kangarooland looming.