Sri Lankans raise Asian hopes (Article in Qatar's Leading news paper "The Peninsula")
Web posted at: 4/6/2007 11:12:57
Source ::: The Peninsula/ by Kamran Rehmat
DESPITE the defeat that sent them crashing out of the World Cup, there is little doubt the Indians like the rest of their Asian neighbours would love to see Sri Lanka bring home the Cup.
In Pakistan, cricket fans are not just rooting, but praying for Sri Lanka. Fan support for the island nation is not new here; Pakistanis celebrated Sri Lanka’s greatest hour in the game when they upset Australia in the 1996 World Cup final at Lahore like their own.
I recall being probably the only scribe at the time, who had predicted they would go on to win the trophy in the lead-up to the tournament. There were not just cricketing reasons for making what seemed like an audacious statement to make.
The fierce determination in Arjuna Ranatunga’s men could be seen from far after a harrowing tour Down Under where Muttiah Muralitharan was no-balled for his action and the tourists became victims of abuse, which took on racial undertones.
Ranatunga’s resilient army had a point to prove and came to the Cup with that extra hunger and zest that makes all the difference.
Once again, Sri Lanka looks ripe for an encore though it would take a brave man to bet against the formbook. If they stave off competition from New Zealand to keep a date with destiny for a repeat of the 1996 World Cup, they would have to play out of their skins. And, then, also hope they catch Ricky Ponting and his merry band a trifle napping. Tall order? Yes, but you never know.
Their performance in what has looked like a Caribbean cruise minus the Proteas hiccup gives Asian fans a lot to cheer about. They have been thoroughly professional and like all great sides have shown a tremendous fightback spirit.
In two close encounters, against South Africa and England, they showed nerves of steel associated with only the likes of Australia. The cruel hiccup against South Africa notwithstanding, they are also peaking at the right time — brushing aside lesser mortals and really taking on the big boys with gusto.
But then, it’s a known yard in cricket: a captain leading from the front often finds willing takers in the team. Mahela Jayawardene is fast becoming one of the best in the business. To think that he’s still in his early days makes the effort all the more remarkable.
Jayawardene’s shrewd marshalling of troops — from strategic bowling and fielding changes to getting the best out of his much senior teammates including former skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, his calm under pressure and above all, the decisive ability to lead from the front means Sri Lanka has a bright future.
It speaks volumes about the man’s ability that most of us seem to have forgotten that Marvan Atapattu was the regular captain and Jayawardene was only filling in for him until last summer! Atapattu can’t seem to find even a place in the team now.
Doubtless, Sri Lanka has the most exciting bowling attack in the competition.
Veteran left-arm pacer Chaminda Vaas teases the batsmen with accuracy and Lasith Malinga simply takes the breath away with his slingshot action, throwing thunderbolts that are fast and very difficult to hit. Dilhara Fernando, third fastest in the business behind Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar and Australia’s Brett Lee, makes the ball talk. Murali needs no introduction to what he can — and is — doing. Sanath Jayasuriya with over 200 wickets gives him more than valuable support in the middle overs.
It is this formidable attack that makes any Sri Lankan total in excess of even just over 225 challenging for the chasers. No other attack in this competition, including the much-vaunted Aussies, matches this armoury. It might well propel them to the zenith again, provided of course the batsmen don’t flatter to deceive.
This brings me to two observations about their batting. Jayasuriya has discharged his responsibilities admirably so far, but in the event of the odd failure, what it has done is to prise open the middle order.
It would not have been cause for much ado, but for Kumar Sangakkara’s surprisingly poor show.
He has got starts but then thrown his wicket away. Twice, Jayawardene’s rearguard action has covered up for the wicket-keeper batsman’s slump, but he needs to pull up fast.
The other chink is the inexplicable role of Russel Arnold. If he is there to anchor the innings then it makes no sense for him to come so late in the order. It doesn’t help that he appears to play for himself, which does not sit comfortably in a team’s team like Sri Lanka.
He cost his team the match against the Proteas and nearly, so England. If he has to play, he must be given a tight rope. Other than that, Sri Lanka is looking pretty.
Web posted at: 4/6/2007 11:12:57
Source ::: The Peninsula/ by Kamran Rehmat
DESPITE the defeat that sent them crashing out of the World Cup, there is little doubt the Indians like the rest of their Asian neighbours would love to see Sri Lanka bring home the Cup.
In Pakistan, cricket fans are not just rooting, but praying for Sri Lanka. Fan support for the island nation is not new here; Pakistanis celebrated Sri Lanka’s greatest hour in the game when they upset Australia in the 1996 World Cup final at Lahore like their own.
I recall being probably the only scribe at the time, who had predicted they would go on to win the trophy in the lead-up to the tournament. There were not just cricketing reasons for making what seemed like an audacious statement to make.
The fierce determination in Arjuna Ranatunga’s men could be seen from far after a harrowing tour Down Under where Muttiah Muralitharan was no-balled for his action and the tourists became victims of abuse, which took on racial undertones.
Ranatunga’s resilient army had a point to prove and came to the Cup with that extra hunger and zest that makes all the difference.
Once again, Sri Lanka looks ripe for an encore though it would take a brave man to bet against the formbook. If they stave off competition from New Zealand to keep a date with destiny for a repeat of the 1996 World Cup, they would have to play out of their skins. And, then, also hope they catch Ricky Ponting and his merry band a trifle napping. Tall order? Yes, but you never know.
Their performance in what has looked like a Caribbean cruise minus the Proteas hiccup gives Asian fans a lot to cheer about. They have been thoroughly professional and like all great sides have shown a tremendous fightback spirit.
In two close encounters, against South Africa and England, they showed nerves of steel associated with only the likes of Australia. The cruel hiccup against South Africa notwithstanding, they are also peaking at the right time — brushing aside lesser mortals and really taking on the big boys with gusto.
But then, it’s a known yard in cricket: a captain leading from the front often finds willing takers in the team. Mahela Jayawardene is fast becoming one of the best in the business. To think that he’s still in his early days makes the effort all the more remarkable.
Jayawardene’s shrewd marshalling of troops — from strategic bowling and fielding changes to getting the best out of his much senior teammates including former skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, his calm under pressure and above all, the decisive ability to lead from the front means Sri Lanka has a bright future.
It speaks volumes about the man’s ability that most of us seem to have forgotten that Marvan Atapattu was the regular captain and Jayawardene was only filling in for him until last summer! Atapattu can’t seem to find even a place in the team now.
Doubtless, Sri Lanka has the most exciting bowling attack in the competition.
Veteran left-arm pacer Chaminda Vaas teases the batsmen with accuracy and Lasith Malinga simply takes the breath away with his slingshot action, throwing thunderbolts that are fast and very difficult to hit. Dilhara Fernando, third fastest in the business behind Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar and Australia’s Brett Lee, makes the ball talk. Murali needs no introduction to what he can — and is — doing. Sanath Jayasuriya with over 200 wickets gives him more than valuable support in the middle overs.
It is this formidable attack that makes any Sri Lankan total in excess of even just over 225 challenging for the chasers. No other attack in this competition, including the much-vaunted Aussies, matches this armoury. It might well propel them to the zenith again, provided of course the batsmen don’t flatter to deceive.
This brings me to two observations about their batting. Jayasuriya has discharged his responsibilities admirably so far, but in the event of the odd failure, what it has done is to prise open the middle order.
It would not have been cause for much ado, but for Kumar Sangakkara’s surprisingly poor show.
He has got starts but then thrown his wicket away. Twice, Jayawardene’s rearguard action has covered up for the wicket-keeper batsman’s slump, but he needs to pull up fast.
The other chink is the inexplicable role of Russel Arnold. If he is there to anchor the innings then it makes no sense for him to come so late in the order. It doesn’t help that he appears to play for himself, which does not sit comfortably in a team’s team like Sri Lanka.
He cost his team the match against the Proteas and nearly, so England. If he has to play, he must be given a tight rope. Other than that, Sri Lanka is looking pretty.
