"Better late than never"!

S.T. Arasu

I will be failing in my duty if I do not pen a few words of welcoming appreciation to our talented lad mystery, off spinner (and super star) Ajantha Mendis, who was unanimously selected, by the ICC (International Cricket Council), as the "Emerging player of the Year", for his tremendous efforts and fantastic record-breaking feats, in the recent encounters, against West Indies and India, and also, for his debut Test series, with a terrific haul of 26 wickets (total) against India; thereby, lowering a sixty-seven-year-old record, which stood to the personal credit of the former international fame of repute - England, ace fast-bowler Alec Bedser, who had claimed a haul of 24 wickets, in a debut, three-Test series, that too, against India, then!

Ajantha Mendis had proved and achieved the sign of greatness in his debut, or rather, maiden Test and ODI cricket matches, with unique records of recognition in World Cricket, within a very short period of time! Yes Ajantha fully deserves the honour!

A big salute, and my heartiest congratulations, go with this, to Lt. Ajantha, good luck, ahead!

I do feel, that Ajantha will be the ideal off-spinner, to support our senior, wizard and champion, off-spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan (Murali), till he retires, from Sri Lanka Cricket, and thereafter, we do wholeheartedly, wish our lad Ajantha, who will be able to take the full responsibility, in the interest and betterment of our cricket! Ajantha is still young, as he has long way to go and he needs more coaching and proper assistance, in order to groom him well, for a better future, indeed!.

Let this glory that he had gained, be a stepping-stone of his cricket career and let us hope and pray, that he too will achieve distinction of greatness, fame, name and glory, in time to come, just like our matured Murali. Of course, we should encourage this new find talented, lad in all his development! In fact, Murali is reckoned a world-class champion with tremendous world records, to his personal credit, skipped all the struggles and obstacles, that he faced, so boldly and courageously! Today, he is the leading bowler of international fame, who had proved that he was a match-winner for his country, on several occasions (Tests and ODIs encounters)! Moreover, he was a perfect steady bowler, with great determination and grit, that carried him far! Pleasant, Murali is absolutely, well disciplined, patriotic-minded, dedicated, intelligent and a quality player, who brought fame, name and glory (honour), to his motherland! I also, emphasise here, that right throughout Murali, was an asset to our cricket team and confident that he will be still playing, for his country for some more of time, so long, his health permits, or allows! He helps his young partner, Ajantha's improvement a lot and will continue to do so, in future, games, as well! Ajantha is rather lucky, that a senior spinner Murali is just by his side, in the team, to give all the backings I am sure!

If Ajantha and Murali go in combination to capture wickets and click in the spin-bowling, most certainly, our Sri Lanka team will always be victorious, provided our top leading batsmen extend their full support, with more runs, in all future encounters of Tests and ODIs with other nations! Hope for the best!

Well played, Ajantha and Murali!