Dissanayake who helped Sri Lanka gain Test status honoured

The President of Sri Lanka Cricket who helped Sri Lanka to enter the portals of Test cricket the late Gamini Dissanayake was honoured with the opening of the refurbished cricket indoor nets at Maitland Place on Friday. Generally the good that men do are buried with their demise and forgotten. But it was encouraging to note that Dissanayake who did wonders for the game being remembered. The nets were opened fittingly by Mrs. Srima Dissanayake, who was a tower of strength to her late husband.

Sri Lanka were knocking on the International Cricket Council doors demanding inclusion into the big league. The lords at Lord's asked us to go away and grow up every time we asked for Test status. Watching the rebuke from the boundary line was Dissanayake. But once he was installed in the hot seat as President of Sri Lanka Cricket by that man who cannot be forgotten Abu Fuard, Dissanayeke donned pads and took on the lords at Lord's and what he did could be best described as incredible.

Sadly lacking

Egged on by men who the game is sadly lacking today - Abu Fuard, R.Rajamahendren, Daham Wimalasena and Vasantha Coomaraswamy, Dissanayake took apart the excuses the ICC was making to keep us out. Speaking off the cuff at a after dinner hosted by the ICC, Dissanayake put on show his brilliant oratory skills and had the Lords dumbfounded in the manner he presented Sri Lanka's case.

Stunned and taking a long time to recover by this lumba punch delivered by Dissanayake, the lords who were red in the face, cowed down and with no escape route, had to grant the country Test status and when the news reached Sri Lanka there was great rejoicing in the country.Dissanayeke was provided a red carpet welcome.

It was the good work done by these gentlemen that sowed the seeds for Sri Lanka to win the 1995/96 World Cup in Pakistan and it was a moving moment when skipper of that winning team Arjuna Ranatunga took the trophy to Dissanayake's residence and presented it to Mrs Dissanayake in respect and admiration for what that man of men did and achieved for the game.

Formidable squad to Aussie

The Sri Lankan 16-man squad to Australia to contest Three Test matches against Australia is a formidable squad and if they play true to form, there is no reason why they should not come back having won their first ever Test down under.

The Lankans have made many tours to Australia, but have not been able to beard the Aussies in their own den in a Test match. In their ownbackyard the Aussie will certainly not be easy prey. But like in life and even in sport, luck is essential and if luck looks benignly on Captain Mahela Jayewardene and his doughty fighters, then the Lankans could fly back having achieved their dream.

The Sri Lankan selectors have picked a side that can adapt to Australia's conditions and their bouncy wickets. What the cricketers need to do is to perform the basics right, disciplining themselves and the pieces will fall right.

No different

Selectors in any sport are known to act in mysterious ways. It is no different in this part of the world. However near perfect a job they do there is bound to be criticism and questions will abound.

Questions being asked are: why were not the experienced openers Lahiru Thirimanne and Upul Tharanga picked, and why did the selectors have to plonk in rookie Dimuth Karunaratne?. Fair questions.

Both left handers Thirimanne and Tharanga have proved themselves in the cauldron of Test cricket. When the Lankans were struggling against England on their previous tour of England at Southampton, Thirimanne obliged with a century to rescue Sri Lanka. Tharanga too has proved his credentials as an opener. He hit it off well with Tillekeratne Dilshan and many were the grand stands they hoisted for the batsmen following to take charge and build on.

Change of heart

But surprisingly Thirimanne and Tharanga have been used in the limited over bashes and that is how they remain and will remain until either Dilshan retires or the selectors have a change of heart.

But Thirimanne and Tharanga and their supporters need not be disappointed. They will make it to the squad once the one-day and Twenty20 international are played after the Three Test series in Australia. In favour of Dimuth Karunartne who was preferred over Thirimanne and Tharanga, it must be said that he has immense potential, is young and a tour of Australia where he will get a feel of things could be to his benefit.

When the youngster making his debut against New Zealand in Galle was out for a duck in the first innings, any idea the selectors would have had of including him to Australia would have evaporated.

Run a ball blast

But the stylish left hander hit back with a vengeance in the second innings with a run a ball blast of 60 to get the selectors to change their minds and slot him to Australia.

At the time of writing, the Australians are dominating the series against the World Champions South Africa in Australia and is an indication then the Lankans too are in for a torrid time.

Having a ball

The man making mincemeat of the South African attack is Australia's excellent and charismatic captain Michael Clarke who is, pardon the pun, having a ball with the bat!

In the Two Tests he has rattled up two double tons. Early in the year he had two double tons and rewrote the record books as being the first batsman to notch up four double hundred in a calendar year.

In addition, Clarke is leading the team very cleverly and what is interesting is that he seems to have regained confidence in his bowling and is having a great time and taking vital wickets.

Another batsman who is thriving and putting the South African attack to the sword is 'Mr. Cricket' Michael Hussey. He has rattled up back to back centuries. He like Clarke hungry for runs and the Sri Lankan attack better watch out.

[email protected]