Letters

Sri Lanka losing the T20 to Pakistan

C. Warnasuriya in the Daily News of June 24 says that inclusion of Mubarak and Chamara Silva was the reason for our losing the T 20 to Pakistan. In the same paper Fernando from USA too says that Mubarak and Chamara had been given so many chances.

In your issue of June 27 Dion J. Walles says that changing the batting order was incorrect and blames Sangakkara. He also blames changing of the bowling. When we won all the matches then whatever bowling changes done by Sangakkara was correct and he is a wise captain. We must congratulate Sangakkara for having come to the semi-finals without losing a single match.

Even in the 1st Semis against West Indies we won because he did not allow a batsman to face the bowlers third time. Sangakkara had to defend the selectors and he had to play the match with the team given to him so that no blame whatsoever should be attached to Sangakkara. Even in the last moment he stood by the team scoring an unbeaten 53 runs with Mathews. Now the T 20 is over and the chapter is closed. I convey my wishes to Sangakkara, Dilshan for their gallant efforts.

But readers you will be surprised to hear that Jehan Mubarak is leading the T 20 team to India consisting of players like Mahela former skipper and Ajantha. They represent the Wayamba that won the Champion League T 20 and they play against India in the Champion League T 20. Let us hope that Chamara Silva too is included to this team.

D.W. Wijegoonawardena Mawanella

The game of cricketThe game of cricket

It would be prudent for the International Cricket Conference Board to fix a ceiling on the age of Test cricketers in the interest of the very young and upcoming talented cricketers who remain frustrated as some of the 'overgrown' senior cricketers hang on in their places regardless of their obligation mainly due to the attractive prize money, awards and other perks on offer. Some senior players who are not young and inconsistent in their performance hang on to their positions with the help of various elements who are unconcerned of the pride of the country and of the young players on the threshold. In many other test playing countries national players retire even prematurely on their own volition to make way for the younger talented players.

Many of them are from the disciplined Australian team and some of whom are Mathew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Glen McGrath and Shane Warne. Even our World Cup winning Captain Arjuna Ranatunga and a few other Windies and Indian Players. It is the fervent hope of the cricket loving masses that our relevant players emulate them.

D.W. Wijegoonawardena Mawanella

Twenty20 - World Cup Finals

Our loss to Pakistan in the final instantly reminds one of the maxim: Win all the battles and lose the war. The events conformed in every detail: our five wins in a row without a single loss were against three of the favourites and also Pakistan to boot. In all these victories, factors like luck or fluke or 'the glorious uncertainties of the game' did not come to our assistance.

It was excellent team effort and brilliant captaincy that saw us through up to this stage at the start of the tournament we were not even in the reckoning. And so to lose by a huge margin of 8 wickets is truly distressing.

Kumar Sangakkara's leadership was really revolutionary. When in one decisive game he opened bowling with Jayasuriya(!) and immediately 'rested' him it confused everyone. One commentator, with his partner agreeing, observed that the tactic does not allow the bowler to warm up or find his rhythm. However, when the game progressed and we finally won things began to dawn on them. The ploy was meant to bamboozle the batsman more than anything else. Just imagine his predicament when he has to face a different bowler every other over and each bowler of the calibre of Murali, Mendis and Mathews (The 3Ms) doles out his share it will drive any batsman crazy.

When these strategies became evident Sangakkara's leadership qualities were highly commended. He was variously described as daring, brave and above all a thinking captain. This latter quality was quite evident to even a layman and a very encouraging one too; not many captains can earn that recognition or do so easily.

The decision to send Mubarak in at number 3 when Dilshan was out cheaply does not seem sound. (Incidentally it was also unfair by him). He is essentially a hitter, certainly not equipped to handle the situation where technique and experience were asked for. Also with Sanath Jayasuriya at the other end and with just one over gone there was no hurry at all. The obvious choice would have been Mahela Jayawardane or Sangakkara himself.

So when Mubarak got out cheaply too, (for 0?) responsibility became a burden for Mahela. And when he too got out cheaply with the scoreboard reading some 30 odd runs for 4 wickets and with 6 overs gone we reached panic situation. So Sangakkara had to bat with a veritable millstone round his neck.

Anyway, he did rise to the occasion with a superlative exhibition of batting that showed talent, discipline and above all, temperament. One will have to watch cricket for a long time to see an innings of that calibre: its not just the score or the run rate, but the desperate circumstances in which it was achieved. Another 15 or 20 runs and the trophy would have been ours. Anyway, well done Sangakkara, well done!

Finally, without detracting one bit from his performances, but in sincere recognition of his capabilities, one is tempted to ask did Sangakkara, like Homer, nod just this once?

M. Z. Abdeen Kandy