Jayawardena – 9000 one day runs

With Sri Lanka finally tasting victory after a string of defeats in finals, winning the Micromax Trophy defeating India in the final under lights by 74 runs at the Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, it was heartening to note the reaching of 9000 one day international runs by Mahela Jayawardena. He becomes the third to do so after Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva.

Captain of Sri Lanka who steered his team to the World Cup finals in the Caribbean in 2007 and being the first Sri Lanka captain to win a Test against the Windies in the Caribbean and many other memorable achievements, he had to abdicate the captaincy for no fault of his.

Marvellous Mahela from the time he sported the national cap has been doing wonders for the game as batsman and later captain. Above all he has walked the hallowed playing fields, playing the game the way the Britishers wanted it played according to the rules and above all added a new dimension by playing it in the true SPIRIT which is what the game is all about.

Jayawardena has a lot more cricket in him and as his career tends to unwind should add more batting records to the glittering records that he already possesses. Be it in batting, captaining, on field and off field matters he has been a beacon and above all walks the field like a colossus with EXAMPLE being his hallmark.

In batting he has always been a stylish executioner, playing some elegant and stylish strokes with out of this world timing which sees the ball speeding to the boundary leaving fielders standing and watching in amazement the master in action. His simplicity is for sportsmen and women to copy.

Even after relinquishing his captaincy it is interesting to watch bowlers and batsmen seeking his advice and instructions when they are in a situation and benefiting and succeeding.

Mauler of bowlers

The selectors headed by Aravinda de Silva who was a mauler of bowlers when he was king with the willow, Ranjit Fernando one of the country’s best wicket keeper batsman, Amal Silva scorer of a Test century at the Mecca of cricket Lord’s and Shabbir Asgerally, made it known in no uncertain terms that they have him in their radar by appointing him vice captain for the Indian series.

If this a sign of things to come, then it will be for the betterment of the game all round which in recent times has seen an alarming slump with many a final being lost and only the one victory in the Micromax Trophy to crow about.

In recent times, Jayawardena has shown his immense and great talent by accustoming himself brilliantly to open the batting when asked. He showed his prowess in the Indian Premier League and now in the two games in the Micromax Trophy triangular.

Jayawardena has a lot more to offer the game all round, especially in the 2011 World Cup to be played in the sub continent and it is the cricketing public’s hope that his talents would be put to better and more profitable use.

Now that the Micromax Trophy has been won and pocketed and on the playing field of the picturesque Rangiri Dambulu Stadium, the brainchild of former cricketer and President of Sri Lanka Cricket and Asian Cricket, the irrepressible Thilanga Sumathipala, a different ball game will be played inside the four walls of Sri Lanka Cricket.

And that game will be the inquiry SLC and the Cricket Selectors will initiate against skipper Kumar Sangakkara for talking out of turn and naming names he will want to have in the squad when 2011 World Cup time comes around. The selectors quite rightly say that Sangakkara had no right to name names, because they reckon that he has still not been named captain for the next World Cup team.

Immense good

Sangakkara would have done so in his anxiety. But it would do him and the game immense good if next time round he thinks before mouthing. Selectors feel bad because by Sangakkara mentioning names, it could demoralize those knocking on the door for inclusion.

Sangakkara will also do well to curb his unnecessary excessive appealing. He was lucky to have the wicket of Dinesh Karthik given caught behind in the Micromax final.

To Sri Lanka’s victory after losing many a final and the foundation for that victory was laid by the superb opening stand by the controversial Tillekeratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardena who put on 121 runs in 20 overs which took the game away from the Indians.

The openers installed the launching pad and Sangakkara and Chamara Silva contributed lavishly to take the team to a formidable 299 for six in 50 overs which was going to be a big ask for Dhoni’s Indians.

Dilshan the perpetrator of ‘the ugly’ no ball’ incident, in making his first one-day three figure score at home, batted with great responsibility and ease as he put the Indian bowlers to the sword.

It was one of his better one day knocks and was beautifully carved out and it was a treat to watch him batting. Quick of eye he has the ability of spotting the delivery very early and is beautifully positioned to execute any stroke he wishes.

Terminator

No Indian bowler could bowl line or length to him as he was the terminator. Some of his strokes were rocket launched like Sanath Jayasuriya of old used to shoot during his hey day. Responsible knocks like this is what is required more often from Dilshan.

Mahela Jayawardena was his guide and philosopher during his masterly innings. Jayawardena too looked on the trail for a big score. But after striking well for 39 mistimed and lofted a ball to be caught on the cover boundary.

With the fall of the first wicket at 121 it would looked more sensible and added more muscle to the batting had Sangakkara come in one drop as he usually does. When on top, Sangakkara is experienced enough to know to tighten all screws and not let the opponents off the hook.

He sent Upul Tharanga in and he failed. Sangakkara entered next wicket down and batted like a champion and some of the strokes he played were exquisite with the ball scorching to the fence and over as if remote controlled. His 71 was invaluable.

When the Indians batted the early silly dismissal of the executioner of bowlers Virender Sehwag was the beginning of the end. Winner of two cars for being man of the Test series and man of the One day series, had he stayed the story could have been different.

Sri Lanka’s discipline in bowling line and length and wicket to wicket which are the essentials in this style of game is credited to former Sri Lankan paceman now back after a stint with Bangladesh Champaka Ramanayake. Keep up the good work Ramanayake.