The head above the water line
Sri Lanka lost the recent ODI series with India 4-1, but the manner
in which they won the 5th and last match, just managed to bring a
semblance of respectability which was missing till then. They can now at
least hold the head above the water line and use this as an
encouragement to swim ashore for better things. The nature of the
wickets for the series also proved that Sri Lanka would have fared
better if the luck of the toss (proved vital) was distributed evenly.
Also remember the first two matches had brief moments that could have
swayed things either way.
One of the heaviest defeats in Sri Lanka in recent times was from the
3rd ODI played at the R. Premadasa stadium, the margin being 147 runs
with centuries from Virendra Shewag and Yuvraj Singh who were associated
in a partnership of 221 runs. But much worse was the defeat I witnessed
at Taunton, Somerset in the World Cup in 1999 (Group A match), where
India emphatically blew away Sri Lanka's hopes. There the Sri Lankans
were also defending the World Cup they won in 1996. Two Indians Ganguly
and Dravid notched brilliant individual hundreds. Sri Lanka did not know
what hit them, possibly something akin to the 'Tornado' which was
painted on the Indian cricketers' coach that day.
Winning and loosing is part and parcel of life. In sport, nations go
through ups and downs. We sincerely hope that this is the bottom that
Sri Lanka will reach and deep within us we are certain that Sri Lanka
can once again achieve the balance for future success. Human nature is
such, we abandon losers. Many are of the opinion that recent
performances show the team is at the brink.
They are faltering, but not fallen. Part of their strength is our
faith in them. We all must therefore be with our cricketers and coaches
and lift their morale through this loosing streak and soon the victories
should follow.
Knowledgeable cricket commentators the world over often mention
Mahela as a class act. But Mahela must also not forget that 'you are
only good as your last innings'. All I say is that 'Class is permanent
and Form is temporary' and sincerely hope he comes out of the blinds. My
personal message to him is that he has to hit the straps soon.
- Premasara Epasinghe |
