Captain should go and team be revamped

Cricketing SHAME

Gone are the days when Sri Lanka Cricket was renowned for breaking records in victory.

But now we have another type of record - a record under the dark cloud of defeat. Its not a record that one can croon about but sadly its one that one has to take cover in SHAME. For how else can we describe our spineless showing in Paarl, South Africa where Sri Lankan batsmen crumbled and crashed and for believe it or not a paltry 43 runs.

It was a black Wednesday for our cricket. This batting disgrace was enacted before a full house in Paarl and millions watching it on the 'Box'. It is the lowest ever score by Sri Lanka since the one-day game was introduced.

For Sri Lankans where ever they may have been it was a humiliating experience, considering that not so very long ago we were the World Champions in this style of game.

Foundations rocked

This poor showing rocked the very foundations of the game here with former cricketers and cricket connoisseurs calling for wholesale changes to be made and new emerging blood to be infused if the game is not to suffer further shame and humiliation.

Our batsmen looked like kindergarten cricketers. There was nothing wrong with the wicket nor did the South African bowling look awesome or unplayable. It was simply poor batting. At this level, no excuses could be adduced.

When we surprisingly won the Second Test after being humiliated in the First, the Lankans revealed and attributed their success to former South African captain Keplar Wessels for asking the South African selectors to play a second string side against us.

Danced the jig

They danced the jig saying that it was Wessels who motivated them and paid him a mock tribute after the victory. We wonder what has happened to that motivation!

Mr. Wessels will no doubt have a hearty laugh. It is said that those who laugh last, laugh the best. Its time to ask Wessels do the Lankan cricketers another favour. Having lost the second one-dayer too its time to ask them to take the next flight home.

Such a Wessels act by the great motivator may well motivate Dilshan and his band to save them from being whitewashed in the remaining three games. Lets ask Wessels to do that before the next game which begins today.

The unbelievable collapse was brought about by some irresponsible shots and poor shot selection. After conceding a massive 301 for 8 in the 50 overs, the Lankan batsmen seemed to be in one almighty hurry to get back to the pavilion.

Poor team spirit

In addition nothing seems to be right with the team. Team spirit seems to be at a very low ebb. UNITY seems too a lost word in their cricketing lexicon.

In the circumstances there is no way that they can achieve success. We make bold to say that the remaining games too will be gifted to the South Africans which will be a calamity for the game. We hope the cricketers will prove us wrong.

Respected and admired

In the past the cricket world looked up, respected and admired our style of aggressive play in this version of game. Remember our two opening batsmen Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluvitharne.

These two blasters went for the bowling in the first 10 overs and hoisted a near 100 runs which made other teams take a lesson from them and copy their aggressive big hitting which was later termed pinch hitting.

Today our one day aura is in shambles. The selectors and Sri Lanka Cricket will be taken to task if they do not ring the changes. They will be accused of dereliction of duty if they do not make the changes ditching even the best of cricketers if the need be without fear or favour.

They now need to start with the Captain as good leadership is what will bring about the rallying of the team. The selectors have now to be put to the litmus test. If they fail, then they too will need to bow out.

Soon in Australia

Sri Lanka will soon be taking wing to Australia to figure in the Commonwealth Bank one-day series that will also feature Australia and India. It is paramount that the selectors send a team that could resurrect the game.

Firstly it is time for the selectors to name a new captain. Tillakaratne Dilshan has been an utter flop if his slump in run making, the constant defeats and his poor handling of situations are taken into consideration.

Since taking over the captaincy Sri Lanka has suffered defeats against Australia, England, Pakistan and South Africa. These defeats cannot be allowed to escalate. It is apparent that he is not receiving the support of all members of the team which is so essential to make a captain's reign successful and enjoyable.

Between two worlds

That Dilshan is between two worlds was noticeable the manner in which he committed hara-kiri by running himself out in the second game against South Africa. With this being a 50 over game, it was noon madness to get run out in the fourth ball of the second over. As captain he should set examples. Not madly rush for a run, throwing away his wicket and letting his team sink or swim.

So the selectors will not be faulted if they throw caution to the winds, appoint a new captain and act bold and dare by naming a new squad to Australia with the youngsters already in the present squad.

No sensible reasons

Then the Aristotles in the squad, blundered for no sensible reason by sending in Nuwan Kulasekera ahead of Angelo Mathews to indulge in pinch hitting when the Lankan vice captain Mathews is capable of doing it.

True that Kulasekera made a quick 20. But that is besides the point. Mathews should have been sent in and not Kulasekera. Poor thinking throughout the tour has led to the down fall of the team.

Remember the winning of the toss in the crucial Final Test and asking South Africa to have first go on a batting paradise and seeing the home team rattling up 580 for 4 with Peterson 109, Kallis 224 and A.B. de Villiers 160 not out sending the Lankans chasing leather. New coach former Australian opening batsman Geoff Marsh must certainly be rueing his decision to take on the Lankans. To quit the job prematurely, must be in his mind. [email protected]