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Message: <blockquote data-quote="kingkong619" data-source="post: 16895052" data-attributes="member: 372898">A leader, people person and go-to guy       Former Sri Lanka  cricketers, coaches and team-mates pay tribute to Mahela Jayawardene,  who will retire from Test cricket in August <img src="/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/default/confused.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":confused:" title="Confused    :confused:" data-shortname=":confused:" />"As a leader, and a team man, there is no one you would rather have  around than Mahela. Even when he's not captain, he's the leader of that  Sri Lanka team, and I think Angie [Angelo Mathews] has learned a lot  from him over the past few months. Everything he does is always for the  team and for Sri Lankan cricket. There is not a selfish bone in his  body. For any overseas coach he's your go-to guy, because he's thinking  about everyone in the team - the seniors, the juniors, support staff -  everyone. He's a real people person and that's his great strength. He is  a world-class player and a world-class person. Sri Lankan cricket will  not realise how much he means to the team, until he's gone."Paul Farbrace, former Sri Lanka coach  "Mahela has given outstanding service for Sri Lankan cricket, and even  when he was captain, he was someone who would always back the young  players in the team. They learn a lot of things from him, and that  experience he shares will help them do well in Test cricket as well."Sanath Jayasuriya, current Sri Lanka selector  "He was always good off me, and I preferred him to be at slip because he  had very fast reflexes, a good technique and good hands. I think taking  slip catches off spinners is one of the hardest things, but he was the  best at that. He started off at short leg, and he took a lot of catches  there as well, before moving into slip. I always felt comfortable with  him there."Muttiah Muralitharan, former Sri Lanka spinner  "Sad to see @MahelaJay retiring from two versions. Easily the best  captain I have played under. Lucky to have played alongside you!  #legend"Farveez Maharoof, former Sri Lanka allrounder  "He is a truly great player and one of the nicest guys. I think what Sri  Lanka will miss most is his mentoring of the youth. It's good to go  when you have a little left in you - you'll always miss a player more  when he does that. I think he's made a sensible decision."Sidath Wettimuny, former Sri Lanka batsman  "Mahela was less of a planner - he was a man who made decisions on the  ground. That made him an innovative captain who would come up with new  options when things didn't go well. His influence in Sri Lankan cricket  is phenomenal. He might not have been the most consistent player around,  but there were matches where he would win a game off his own bat, so  you've got to make an allowance for that. He will also go down as one of  the most elegant players going around."Ranjit Fernando, former Sri Lanka cricketer  "When I walked into the national team, he was my first captain. I learnt  a lot by looking at him, and by what he is doing on and off the field -  the way he handles situations. He's been tremendous for us in the past  15 years and I am very thankful to him."Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka captain  "I first saw Mahela when he had just come out of school, and apart from  his batting, he had a great attitude and always read the game  brilliantly. I've enjoyed talking with him over the years and he's  always happy to share his experience with other players. When I was  coach of Nepal and I brought some of the Nepal players to Sri Lanka,  Mahela would always come and talk to them and give some advice. He is  that kind of person."Roy Dias, former Sri Lanka batsman   "Mahela has been an amazing servant for Sri Lanka cricket. In his last  four Tests, I'm sure he will represent them as honourably as he has done  over the last 18 years. Definitely, he is one of the all time greats  for Sri Lanka."Hashmin Amla, South Africa's Test captain</blockquote>

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