Batting first in Dambulla means wining

In cricket, captains yearn to win the toss and take first strike, unless the wicket has been rain affected or unfit for batting first for other reasons.

Now cricket is played mainly on turf. Today wickets are put under covers during rain or at the end of the day’s play. So the sensible thing to do for a captain winning the toss is to bat first, so that the deteriorating wicket will be helpful to his bowlers and with the batsmen struggling to survive.

The above statement was never better exemplified than by what is happening in Dambulla in the Asia Cup tournament between hosts Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Most sides batting first have seen their batsmen revelling, punching the bowlers to all parts of the field and over it a well, with ease and no undue trouble. Enjoying the luck of winning the toss and striking, the Sri Lanka batsmen have made merry as their big scores and easy winnings show.

Sumathipala did it

When cricket is played in Dambulla, one must not forget the man who made cricket there a reality. He was former Nalanda and CCC cricketer and Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket the one and only Thilanga Sumathipala.

Unfortunately big time cricket was based in Colombo with all the Test playing venues here. When it rains, there used to be no play or the games being called off prematurely.

Sumathipala, once he adorned the high and prestigious office of President of cricket, immediately set in motion the machinery of taking the game to the dry zone and so came into being the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium where cricket is now being played with no hassle and ‘to the strains of that Chitra and Somapala perennial - Dambulu Galey.

Sadly the nobodies whom Sumathipala made somebodies, rebelled against him. False allegations were made, that were lapped up by those in charge of sport then, which prompted the dissolving of SLC and what came in to being was the Interim Committee for Cricket.

Unfounded allegations

Even at the time of writing, the allegations that were slapped on Sumathipala and his committee have not been proved. Those who believed the allegations and gave birth to the concept of cricket being administered by an Interim Committee must be hiding their faces in shame.

From its inception, the wickets at the Dambulla Stadium have always come in for question. It was not playing the way it was made to play and all teams that played on those wickets had bad words to mouth.

But of late the new boss of Interim Cricket, D.S.de.Silva took it on himself to see to the relaying of the wickets and thankfully the wickets are now playing true and the players are enjoying and excelling on the new surfaces.

But while the problems with the wickets have been put to bed, the grumblings now is that the lights installed are not powerful enough and that it is detrimental to the side batting second.

Prestigious tournament

The Asia Cup is also a prestigious tournament and the authorities should have seen to it that no shortcomings existed. It is said that it is better late than never, and the authorities should see to it and even at this late stage put the lighting system right.

At the time of writing Sri Lanka, holders of the Asia Cup are having it their own way and have won their two games against Pakistan and Bangladesh without much difficulty.

The toss has looked benignly on the Lankans and taking first lease have run up formidable scores which Pakistan and Bangladesh batsmen have been struggling to reach. It would be interesting to watch how the Lankan batsmen would go when having to take second strike under lights.

On the aspect of the floodlights the opposing batsmen must certainly be finding it hard to figure out the missiles sent down by Lasith Malinga with his slinging action.

In normal light batsmen have found Malinga difficult to negotiate. Under lights that are not properly functioning, it must be a nightmare for the batsmen and as his figures of 5 for 24 and 2 for 35 show.

In addition Malinga has the swinging yorker which he bowls with great control and terrifying pace and batsmen are more keen on protecting their ankles and toes from being decapitated than staying at the wicket.

The Lankans with their second straight win beating Pakistan and Bangladesh and having earned a bonus point against Bangladesh have booked their ticket to the final.

At the time of writing who the other finalist is not known. Who ever their opponents, the Lankans who are now riding a crest of a wave of success, should have no difficulty of retaining the trophy unless the uncertainties of the game rears its ugly head.

Captain great

After former Sri Lanka captain great Mahela Jayawardena met with success as an opener in the Indian Premier League and in World Cup Twenty20 in the Caribbean, it seemed as though he had cemented that slot and would be asked to take it into the World Cup 50-over fling in the sub continent.

But now with Tillkeratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga excelling as openers, and with Jayawardena asked to bat four down, it looks as though that is how he will remain for the World Cup next year.

It was also nice to see the return of ‘Rawalpindi Express’ Shoaib Akhtar into the Pakistan team and the game. Colourful characters such as Akhtar are the attractions that the game is sadly lacking now.

Looking like a horse with his mane of hair flying as he runs up to the wicket, he was always a connoisseurs delight and a nightmare to the batsmen fronting up to him, because he packed explosives in his deliveries.

Fast men are temperamental as they come, and it was no different with the ‘Rawalpindi Express’.

In saying this we have nothing against those administering the game in Pakistan. But it must be said that had they handled Akhtar with more care, he would have delivered a lot more for their cricket that has always been in quicksand - cricket and administration wise.

Akhtar showed that he has a lot more bowling left in him as his figures of 3 for 31 against Sri Lanka proves. We wish Akhtar many more years in the game and may he continue to delight everywhere he plays. The PCB must look after this treasure.