Let meritocracy reign over all barriers

Two of the greatest cricketers that Sri Lanka has produced after being admitted to the elite league of Test playing nations are Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas.

Jayasuriya has been an electrifying south paw who along with another dasher Romesh Kaluwitharne gave new meaning to the ‘cowboy’ game and made others follow their example by going over the top in the first 15 overs and accumulating the maximum number of runs.

That was in the 1995/96 when Sri Lanka took the cricket world by storm and shook it winning the World Cup when it was previously played in the sub continent. Although we entered the final of the last World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean led by Mahela Jayawardena, squash ball in the glove kangaroo Adam Gilchrist blasted a 149 that deprived us from winning.

Established game

Jayasuriya and Vaas quit the established game but are still convinced that they have it in them to deliver in the limited over game and help Sri Lanka make it to Utopia by winning the 2011 World Cup in sub continent in February/March.

Jayasuriya used his bat like a magic wand to mesmerize and plunder bags full of runs in the limited overs version. His achievements in this form of game are too numerous to mention.

Then left arm seamer Chaminda Vaas is second to Muttiah Muralitheran in the wicket taking chart in both forms of the game. He too has records to show in this style of game with even a hat-trick to his name.

The Sri Lankan cricket selectors headed by another former dazzler with the bat and only Sri Lankan to join the greats in scoring a century in a World Cup final Aravinda de Silva, is on record saying that the doors are open to all cricketers who perform, with age no barrier in being picked for the World Cup.

Domestic cricket

And the opportunity comes the way of these veterans and others with the starting of the Sri Lanka Cricket organized inter-club domestic limited over tournament from tomorrow.

If these two veterans deliver, and they have it in them to deliver as all rounders, there is no reason for the selectors not to consider them for inclusion in the squad for the 2011 World Cup.

Experience is what the present squad lacks.

Jayasuriya and Vaas are determined to make the 2011 World Cup their swan song. Sri Lanka cricket is what it is today, chiefly due to the efforts of these two lion hearted cricketers and it is hoped that they will perform, get selected and help win the 2011 World Cup and then say cheers and cherio.

Fitness fanatics

Jayasuriya and Vaas are fitness fanatics. They are hard at training and do not seem to have lost their hunger and zest for the game. They can still take on a challenge by the younger players and do a Usain Bolt and beat them in a 100 or 200 metre dash.

It is everyone’s hope that while younger cricketers shine, that age is no barrier if the experienced hands show their mettle. After all if they merit it, let meritocracy reign and let them help us engrave the nation’s name in the glittering trophy, because like in the advertisement of Sri Lanka Mobitel who are the proud sponsors of the game I AM SRI LANKA

Rain plays spoil sport

The Second Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka ended in yet another stalemate, this time with rain taking charge and playing the role of spoil sport at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Khettarama.

The inter-monsoonal rains due to low level disturbances in the Bay of Bengal is batting and expected to last till the middle of December which means, if the forecasts could be believed, will spoil the final Test in Pallekelle beginning tomorrow.

This series was keenly looked forward to by both teams, especially the Windies because they were bringing out a new team under a new captain in Darren Sammy who had a job to perform in taking the team to the heady days their teams of the 1970s and ‘80s enjoyed humiliating all opposition.

Magnificent Gayle

The Windies surprised the Lankans in the First Test in Galle, grabbing all honours thanks to a magnificent 333 by that ‘man mountain’ the effervescent left hander Christopher Gayle who seemed to enjoy his innings now that he has been relieved of the captaincy burden. The Lankans smarting under the humiliation in Galle, panicked a bit by dropping their two fast men Dhammika Prasad and Thilana Thusara who went wicket less. With Gayle in the form that he was no fast man on earth could have curbed his explosive stroke play.

The selectors brought in the tall and lanky right arm paceman Suranga Lakmal and gave him his national cap which is the longing of every cricketer to proudly sport. To Lakmal’s credit it must be stated that he has tremendous potential.

At the present moment the Lankan fast bowling cupboard is full up and it will be interesting to watch as to how the selectors will go with Lakmal and how many Tests he will be given to develop and take Lanka’s pace fortunes forward. He had the dream debut wicket of Gayle which should serve as the elixir in his career.

Under pressure

While skipper Kumar Sangakkara made his 24th three figure score under pressure, his opposite number Darren Sammy was found wanting in his captaincy. He over bowled.

Now this is an inexplicable short coming in bowlers who are made captains. Coach Otis Gibson will do well to have a long chat with him and get him to read situations in the game and bowl when necessary and not just keep pegging from one end over after over with no success.

One bowler and captain who was an example and who would bring himself on judiciously and at the right moments in the game and meet with success was former Aussie champion all rounder and my idol Richie Benaud.

Good if the West Indian Cricket Board could get Sammy to have a chat with Sir Garfield Sobers or Benaud and solve his problem.

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