The Serendip sensibility

Writes Ashok Malik on Cric Info …..

Murali-Mendis combination: a great mix of experience and youth

For an Indian cricket fan, the first Test match of the series in Sri Lanka was a humbling experience. The Indian cricket community and media not being given to patience, inevitably the attack will begin – on the captain, the poor spin bowling and the ageing middle order.

Frankly, that is an issue I don’t want to touch upon for the simple reason that one Test match is too little time in which to decide that entire careers are over and wholesale changes are needed. If the rest of the series proceeds like this, then perhaps there may be long-term issues to address. Even so, that is meat for another post, another time.

The point I want to focus on today is how Sri Lanka, for the past 20 odd years and certainly since the mid-1990s, remains the most underrated and under-appreciated top quality cricket team in the world. To an attack led by a fine fast bowler and one of the greatest spinners in history, they’ve added a lethal new weapon. Their cricket system has this enviable ability to churn out a series of elegant and/or devastatingly destructive batsmen, one after the other.

How do they do it? I’m no expert on Sri Lankan cricket and its infrastructure. I can only refer to what I’ve read and heard. One story never fails to make an impression. I read it years ago, shortly after the 1996 world cup was won by Arjuna Ranatunga’s men – by the blazing opening pair of Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana – when Rohit Brijnath wrote a piece in India Today on Sri Lanka’s cricket nursery.

I can’t recall the entire article but do remember a reference to the integrity and honesty of the Sri Lankan cricket work ethic. I think it was in Brijnath’s article that I read about the Wettimuny brothers, Sunil, Mithra and Sidath (Sri Lanka’s first test centurion). reproducing a fraying, century-old English coaching manual, page by page, painstakingly drawing the illustrations, copying the text.

It was an age before ubiquitous photocopying machines and scanners, I suppose, and being classicists, the brothers felt the young cricketers in their charge must learn cricket the right way. The romantic in me would like to believe that some of the young men in the team that smashed India on July 26 were beneficiaries of the Wettimuny way.

It is an unusual anecdote but to my mind a memorable one. The Wettimuny brothers’ act was perhaps the most moving tribute an international cricketer had ever paid to his art form, a reverential prayer to “Mother Cricket”, to borrow an expression South African coach Mickey Arthur used recently, albeit in another context.

I wish I could rattle off names of Indian cricketers who would gladly do the same to pay their dues, pass on their skills to another, less endowed generation. For me, that sentiment, that sense of obligation sums up cricket more than statistics, razzmatazz and other trivia.

I’ve never seen a cricket match in Sri Lanka – though I do want to go there for a test some day – but have visited Colombo three times. I’ve discussed cricket with auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, government officials, hotel waiters, bookstore managers, bartenders, you name it. The Sri Lankans love their cricket, are fiercely proud of their cricket team and badly want it to win.

Yet, it’s struck me that their pride and passion is never overdone or overaggressive. It’s not as if they’re trying to tell you that not only is the Sri Lankan team good but the Indian (and every other) team is bad or otherwise less than reputable. There is no deliberate running down of the other guy. Perhaps he exists, but I’ve never met the Ugly Sri Lankan Cricket Fan. I’ve encountered his equivalent in or from India, Pakistan and Australia more often than I’d want to.

To me, the best cricket tradition is one that plays the game hard, speaks in the contemporary idiom and yet salutes cricket’s glorious, unparalleled heritage. Among the three major Asian countries, I think Sri Lanka has it just right. Indian cricket swings wildly between (usually imagined) victimhood and overweening arrogance, including telling English county clubs whom to select or drop. Pakistan’s is another cricket establishment with just too many chips on its shoulder.

Sri Lanka is different. It fights and fights fiercely when it has to. Ranatunga was the prototype of the assertive, tough-as-nails Asian captain when he defended his star bowler – accused of chucking – through a gruelling tour of Australia. He took on the umpires, the other team, the unfriendly press – because he believed in his cause, his team, his country.

Even so, Sri Lankan cricket does not believe in a permanent war theory. The past is over; the mid-1990s are dead. The team and the country have moved on. The Indian and Pakistani cricket boards, on the other hand, are continually fighting yesterday’s wars.

If you’re ever in Colombo, visit the Cricket Café – at least that’s what I think it’s called. Among other things, it serves great sea food but that’s not the only reason I have fond memories of it. In its own manner, it’s a delightful little cricket museum, with memorabilia from, well, Old Blighty to New Ceylon. It has place for Hutton and Hobbs but, equally, for Murali and Mendis.

To me, this signified a small but important lesson. Sri Lankans love their cricket team and also love cricket. They don’t see the two emotions as either synonymous or mutually exclusive. I’ve never visited an Indian restaurant with a similar sensibility. Sure, I could go to one with posters of current Indian cricket stars – but would that be a celebration of cricket? There is a difference.

Sri Lankans, as a society, understand that difference. That’s why it’s impossible to grudge them victory, even when they’ve hammered your team.

Courtesy : Cric Info

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IPL or Eng Tour?

This is all the debate these days…

The English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently announced the schedule for Sri Lanka’s tour to England in 2009. It had been finalized only couple of days back by the Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, Arjuna Ranatunga and was said to fill the void created by ECB’s cutting down of ties with Zimbabwe cricket. Incidently, this tour clashes with the schedule of next season’s Indian Premier League(IPL), which a majority of Sri Lanka’s star players are part of. So, if the Eng. tour was to go ahead as planned, it would only leave 10 days for the players to play for their respective teams in the IPL. Thus, it has given rise to the question, as to whether to play for the Eng tour over IPL or play for IPL over Eng tour?

There are many sides to this story. From the players’ side, they are contracted to the IPL for 3yrs and also the Eng tour was unexpected. They had planned to play for IPL next season as there was no international committments and they would prefer the IPL over the Eng tour. They also complain that they were never consulted before finalizing the tour. Given the higher financial benefits of the IPL, and the relatively low pay for the SL cricketers, it seems justifiable on their part to prefer playing for the IPL.

On the other hand, the ECB has taken maximum use of a depleted SL Cricket (Board) to fill their void of the itinery. This tour was not there in the 2009 itinery for SL, it was created out of no where. But, it would help SL Cricket get out of the current bankruptcy. At the same time, it needs to be said that although the board is not required to consult players before they finalize tours, in this particular tour SL Cricket could well have done that, because they were aware that a number of players are contracted to the IPL and it would run concurrently. But, because Ranatunga had equalled the IPL to a sort of instant “maggie noodles” during the IPL, this doesn’t seem that surprising. In that case, though, it is ‘yet another’ poor administration effort on his part.

SL cricket fans are somewhat different to most other nations. We have not seen them throw stones at their cricketers, no matter how humiliatingly they may lose. It is a national obligation for cricketers to be committed to their international cricket schedules. As SL cricket fans we would love to see that our beloved cricketers pay back. Of course, personally, I’d love to see international cricket over IPL any day, no matter how exciting it may be. This, therefore, becomes a testing ground for patriotism. Which tournament would the cricketers go with – proudly representing Sri Lanka at the England tour or play Twenty20 for a higher pay at the IPL ?

On a lighter note, I’ve seen some blaming the IPL for this fiasco. Well, what we must understand is that IPL has both the good and bad, and it cannot be blamed for everything happpening. Furthermore, its administrators have never demanded the players to give the IPl priority ahead of their international commitments. Last time, we saw both Australia and WI play for some matches and leaving India early to play in the test series in WI. Also, if the players were to play for IPL and the tour was to go ahead as planned, it would look like a joke to have an under-par team sent to England – with a new captain, wicket keeper, etc.

Whatever it may be, I hope all of this ends in a good way- where there is a compromise between the cricketers, SL cricket and also ECB. That would ultimately do the game a wonder of good !

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Mahela’s exemplary leadership

… helps Lanka win Asia Cup

Ranjan SAMARASINGHE

Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup for the first time outside our country on 6th July 2008. This will soon be history.

Mahela

Mahela Jayawardena was put on the chopping block by many local pundits who called for his removal a few months ago, after the Windies tour. Where are these critics now? Why don’t they identify themselves and admit their ignorance and stupidity, where cricket is concerned?

They remain silent as they have no guts or backbone to face reality. They are not gentlemen. They will remain silent until they get another opportunity to decapitate someone, in fact anyone, to get some recognition in the cricketing world. An achievement which probably has eluded them in real life (as cricketers).

Those who followed and watched the Asia Cup will recollect comments made before the event.

Even Arjuna Ranatunge, the President of Sri Lanka Cricket had stated that India and Pakistan will go in as favourites. Maybe, he wanted to lure them into a false sense of confidence which would in the end benefit Sri Lanka through complacency.

Mahela Jayawardena maintained that every tournament that we participate, we go to win. If we think otherwise, it will not be a positive attitude for the team to embark on a tour of importance.

A statement well made, and by the person who knows his team best, and a person who has full confidence in himself and his players. That is why he is Captain. That is why he commands the respect of his team, and they give him more than 100%.

That is why, when Sri Lanka was down, in the finals with 60 odd runs for 4 wickets ( with Sangakkara, Mahela, Kapugedera and Silva back in the pavilion) the last two recognized batsmen, Sanath Jayasuriya and T.M. Dilshan staged a match winning recovery.

Jayasuriya played an unbelievable innings, explosive at the start in the way only he can perform against the faster bowlers, and later continued in a subdued manner against the spinners to ensure building up of a fighting score for his team.

The experienced Dilshan gave him the much needed support, curbing his natural attacking style for the sake of the team.

Further useful contributions came from Nuwan Kulasekera, Mirando and Vaas to ensure Sri Lanka had a respectable and defendable total. It was indeed a team effort, when the chips were down. This type of effort is only possible from a team which has belief in themselves, have self respect and give of their best to the Captain.

India was not going in to lose either. They have very strong batting line-up, and are a very proud team. They went in as favourites.

But, Mahela had different plans. He rested his new found weapon of destruction ( from SL Army) the smiling, childish looking Ajantha Mendis and the experienced Chaminda Vaas from the previous match two days before. Thus depriving the Indians of getting too familiar with Mendis. He did not mind losing that game, as Sri Lanka were already sure of being in the Finals.

This move would undoubtedly have had a psychological influence on the Indians, instilling some overconfidence, and complacency.

As a result, Sri Lanka lost a battle but won the War. Excellent planning, and preparation indeed. Another quality of good leadership and management. No doubt, with inputs from the Coach and team members.

Sanath

India were going well with Sehwag leading the way and were on target initially. But young Mendis who entered the fray around the tenth over completely turned this match with his flicking finger, dismissing the dangerous Sehwag and then Yuvraj Singh (first ball) in his first over.

Although M.S.Dhoni stuck on to establish some sort of recovery for the Indians, Mendis continued to destroy the remaining Indian batting line-up with effortless ease. He not only confused the batsmen but also the umpires and commentators. Nobody, except may be Sangakkara, had a clue as to what was happening.

Mahela used Mendis in short spells, maybe 2-3 overs at a time, and changed him even though he got wickets. In the end he had bowled only 8 overs,and got 6 wickets for 13 runs. A record breaking performance. He may have got 7 or 8 wickets if he had bowled his quota. People asked why Mahela changed him.

When the last pair was in, although they had no clue to Mendis’s bowling they were just playing him down. They did not try to score off him.

In my perception, Mahela did not want the match to drag on, as tail enders who are clueless can scratch around and get on your nerves. He brought on Kulasekera,and he cleaned up the last man. He did it for the team, and he did not want Mendis to get frustrated.

Ajantha Mendis is a find of a century. When we were wondering as to who will take-up Muralitharan’s role, as he too is a freak and is still causing untold misery to batsmen all over the world, this man Mendis, an uncut gem, yet to be polished, turns up from an unrecognized Army team, to take the cricketing world by storm.

Even the grumpy Bishen Singh Bedi acclaims that Mendis as a revelation, and is a clean bowler. Hats off to the Army, and especially Maj. Gen. V.R. Silva who is his mentor, and Chairman of Army Cricket. He has been responsible for uplifting the image of Army Cricket. A new turf wicket has been laid in Panagoda, and new recruits are being enrolled into the service to play Cricket and all facilities provided by the Army.

But for how long can we hide Ajantha Mendis and expose him only for vital games ? Already, I am certain he must be under a microscope, and his every move and peculiarities studied by scientists, doctors and analysts. Coaches will burn midnight oil trying to figure out what this guy is doing.

Before long, Mendis will also be countered, like Muralitharan, but only by a few exceptional batsmen. Before that Mendis will have to get maximum wickets and win matches for Sri Lanka.

We, as a nation stand duty bound to preserve and protect Mendis, and Sri Lanka Cricket to develop his skills to enable him to achieve the great heights that he is capable of.

Courtesy : Daily News (SL)

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Sri Lanka lift the 2008 Asia Cup

Sri Lanka outplayed the Indians at the National Stadium, Karachi, winning by 100 runs to lift the Asia Cup for a fourth time.

Watching this match, I just thought to myself, “has Sri Lanka rediscovered their mojo?” The past couple of months, in fact since they ended up as finalists at the 2007 World Cup, they haven’t quite played up to the best of their ability in the One-day version of the game. [This was one reason why I had lost some interest in jotting down my thoughts for this cricket blog, but still continued to keep up with the games, simply because, I was an avid fan of Sri Lankan cricket, no matter whether they win or lose. But, hey ! when is it a more appropriate time to blog than this? ] It all began with a series loss to Pakistan in Abu Dhabi (the SL team was not in full strength though) followed by a home series loss to England, and early this year, failing to reach the finals of the CB series that also featured Australia and India and later a defeat at the hands of West Indies. After the selectors decided the drop the sernior pros, Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralidaran for the WI tour, youngsters such as Chamara Kapugedara, Mahela Udawatte and Thilan Thushara made some sort of an impact, but the best was yet to come. It was a 23 year old spinner “Ajantha Mendis” who was picked to the squad from the SL Army team that drew the most attention with his intelligent bowling.

Sanath Jayasuriya performed when it was most needed ….

Here it is, the man who made the debut that day in the Caribbean picking up impressive figures of 3-39 from his ten overs, completely turned the tables in Pakistan, leading his team to a comprehensive victory over the Indian team in the Asia Cup finals of the 2008 edition. Winning by a huge margin against Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates in the preliminary round, SL opened their account in the Super Four round with a magnificient victory over Pakistan. Kumar Sangakkara starred in the batting, scoring his 8th ODI hundred but it was Mendis, the ‘Mystery spinner’ as he is now often referred to in the cricketing circles, who removed key Pakistani batsmen to turn the game in Sri Lanka’s favour.

But, the best was yet to come. Having reached the Finals with a win over Bangladesh, they met India for more than the first time, in the history of the tournament. India’s captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl first, not only hoping to get some early breakthroughs but also because he was very much confident of the ability of his batting line up to chase any total. It certainly seemed to have paid off, when the Sri Lankan scoreboard read 66/4, with Sangakkara – 4( run out due to a miscommunication), Mahela Jayawardene – 11(b Ishant c Rohit), Kapugedara – 5(b Ishant c Raina) and Chamara Silva – 0(b Ishant) all headed back to the pavilion at the end of, only the 12th over. Since cricket is a team sport, it is all about taking responsibility and that is exactly what the Master Blaster Jayasuriya did by getting together with Tillekeratne Dilshan for an important 131-run fifth wicket partnership. When the dashing opener raised his century off 79 balls, rescuing Sri Lanka from a precarious situation, he send a strong signal to his fellow critics, as he has done all throughout his career, that the most important thing is to let the bat do the talking. We might never have seen him play in this tournament, had it not been for the Indian Premier League, which provided a efficient platform for the maestro, to not only showcase his rare talent but also to get back to fine form, when some of his own countrymen turned their backs on him.

So, he cracked another century, his 27th before been caught by Ishant Sharma off the bowling of Virender Sehwag in the 35th over. With some small but fairly important contributions from Dilshan(56), Nuwan Kulasekara(29) and Chaminda Vaas(19) down the order, SL managed to reach a total of 273 all out in 49.5 overs.At first glance, it appeared to be an easy target for the Indians not merely because of the extreme batting friendliness of the pitch, but also due to the quality batting line up they got. In fact, they proved it right by getting off to a flying start reaching 30+ in some 3 overs. Although Gautam Gambhir was picked up soon after off the bowling of Vaasy, Viru went berserk getting to his fifty in no time. The smart captaincy of Mahela was quick to introduce Sri Lanka’s newest trump card, the mystery spin of Ajantha (unknown to the Indians till then) in as early as the 9th over. Thereafter, there was just no way that the Indians could ever creep in to the game, because Ajantha tore through the top and middle order over by over leaving the Indians bamboozled. Viru was stumped and Yuvi, bowled in the same over, Raina’s stumps knocked down and Rohit trapped leg before giving the spinner fantastic figures of 4-8 in his first 4 overs.

Ajantha Mendis - successfully appeals for a wicket

Then, just as Captain Dhoni and Robin Uthappa tried to build up a partnership, the master spinner Murali, who had until then bowled superbly to contain the Indian batsmen, struck gold by removing Uthappa. Ajantha returned to continue his good work picking up both Irfan Pathan and Rudra Pratap Singh in one over. The new batsman in, Praghan Ojha appeared to be almost out and if not turned down by the Umpire, Ajantha would have collected his first ever hatrick in only his eighth game. Vaasy then joined the fun by capturing the wicket of Dhoni, India’s last hope of saving the game. Finally, Kulasekara bowled an excellent delivery to not only disturb the timber of Ishant, but also to give Sri Lanka a 100-run win and the Asia Cup trophy.

Sanath Jayasuriya set it up with his great batting and the fantastic bowling 6-13 of a youngster, Ajantha Mendis who showed not a glimpse of nervousness even on the big day, ensured that it was achieved. Jayasuriya was named the Expert Batsman of the Match and (any guesses ???) Mendis, who showed signs of a champion spinner in the making, received both the Man of the Match and Man of the Series award (17 wickets).

What an amazing performance by the Sri Lankans …..

I would say this has been by far, Sri Lanka’s best performance after the World Cup. Would this victory mark Sri Lanka’s resurgence on the field? Would it serve as a turning point to put the team back on track? The answers are not very far away, as SL joins the same opposition for a Test and ODI series, later this month.

Photo Courtesy : Daily News (SL)

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