Cricket Stadium & Academy vital for Jaffna

Richard Dwight

Ardent lovers of cricket in Sri Lanka must surely be having their fill in cricket, watching the Aussies perform here and, as well following the now formidable English team, overhauling the Indian side without much difficulty. (has the IPL been responsible for the Indian slide) We refrain from commenting on the English team, for the reason that they are forging ahead with an exemplary team effort with everyone throwing in their weight.

The performance however of both the Aussies and the Sri Lankans, were inconsistent and far too individualistic, to lack a collective, contributory approach.

As we take note of Sri Lanka's batting, it rests heavily on Mahela and Kumar.

Dilshan and Tharanga are aggressively attractive to make runs - but must be careful not to misdirect their shots. They must be steady to mix aggression with caution to see them through.

The all rounders were far too inconsistent, to be devoid of commitment, be it batting, bowling or fielding where alertness counts. Apart from Kulasekera, who has slowed down a bit in bowling, does make useful contributions with the bat the other tailenders do not count.

Prasanna, the debutant leg spinner spun a web around the batsmen to be tentative and hesitant, a few close in fielders could do the rest. Eranga the paceman was quite impressive, while spinner Ajantha Mendis must show continuity.

The bowler who stood out for Sri Lanka with his heroics, was the pace bowler Lasith Malinga, who took his third ODI hattrick, inclusive of his 4 wickets in 4 consecutive balls in Guyana against the South Africans in May 2007.

The Aussies are in the process of team building with four senior batsmen in Watson, Ponting, Clarke and Hussey whilst the bowling was mainly handled by Brett Lee, Doug Bollinger, Johnson and a very promising spinner in Doherty. Having watched international cricket in the recent weeks with Sri Lanka Cricket at heart, I was attracted by the Pace bowling of the Englishmen, T Bresnen and the Aussie awesome pacie, Doug Bollinger.

Bresnen had a mild, smooth run up, nothing to suggest fear. But his forte lay in being dead accurate. He was strictly focused on the batsman and the wicket, his length did not wary, he bowled wicket to wicket and at the edge of the bat hoping for a catch in the slips or hit the timber.

The aussie Doug Bollinger, is a contrast to Bresnen, in that he runs with speed breathing fire and keeps sending down intimidating steeple high bouncers at regular intervals.

Quite a few batsmen have been dangerously struck by his bouncers. His strategy is to make the batsman lose his cool, rock him a bit, to shake him up and follow it up with a purposeful delivery, that invariably gets him a wicket especially of those who aren't able to handle him.

Let us remind you in the pre-war years, when peace reigned, Jaffna under Rev Fr Long, Rev S K Bunker, Rev C A Smith, Fr Weber and yet others produced competent sportsmen.

But with the ongoing conflict for 30 years a sportive mind amongst the young was lost. With the war now something of the past, we could make use of the young, strong, sturdy, well set youngsters to take up to intimidating fast bowling.

This would not be difficult for they have lived through a war torn, hostile environment. They should be rehabilitated and nurse them well to use their hostile temperament with care. For this Jaffna will have to have a modern cricket stadium and an up to date academy.

This will not only lift the morale of the cricketers, but the morale of the people as well.

There are potential Hostile Bowlers out there, let's go out and find them.