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| Sunday, 27 January 2002 |
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Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Third
Innings
by Srian obeyesekere When it seemed he had kissed goodbye to his career Aravinda de Silva finds a new lease from gray years. At 36 which goes beyond the average lifeline of a cricketer's career. Out of the Test team since March 2001, the flame that seemed to have flickered out for the master batsman has suddenly turned bright. It has with a change of the selectors which was as sudden with new Chairman, Michael Tissera, one of the finest of stock in his time, realising the potential yet in de Silva. Without a doubt the greatest batsman produced by Sri Lanka. De Silva, a veteran of 89 matches, has been told by Tissera that he could be on the flight to England this March provided he proves his fitness. Of course to get into shape at short notice would be as stiff a challenge as he has faced with the bat. Just over one month to work overtime the gym and at the nets with team physiotherapist, Alex Kontouri. Heartening being that in the Australian born physics, de Silva can depend to have the excess weight around his tummy reduced. Akin to building an innings from scratch. But the naming of the seasoned campaigner in a 22 member pool from which the final squad to England would be selected looks a step away from returning to his happy hunting grounds. The run making trade. Indeed, by all accounts, the selectors have indicated their faith in the old horse. Influenced perhaps by his vast experience of English wickets and conditions which de Silva gained turning out for Kent in the county circuit in 1995. What must add to those credentials is an overweight de Silva stroking a fighting 65 runs opening the batting for his club, NCC in the limited overs Premier League final against Tamil Union last week. It was a match winning knock that blossomed in a 153-run alliance for the second wicket with the inform Kumar Sangakkara, if he was rusty, he made up for it by squeezing the boundaries with deft wrist work through slips before finding his full measure. The cross batted six was for good effect. Toying with his recall could be the school of thought of blending new wine with the old in an unit built on youth and experience. De Silva like fine wine still capable a warrior of delivering with the bat. The vast acumen imbibed in grafting runs in mellowing years that fetched him more centuries than in early years swaying factor. Nineteen Test hundreds, the highest by a Sri Lankan as his 21 half centuries stand out as his country's highest run getter with 5,952 runs from 153 innings, adding to that stature. As does de Silva's II one-day centuries and 57 half centuries that make up an astounding 50-over record. The epic match winning century against Australia in the 1995-'96 World Cup final making him the third in an elite company after West Indians Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards to do so. Indeed, if the selectors are looking for an old trojan, not just rusty yet with his wares to restore muscle in the batting against rather resurgent Nasser Hussein's Englishmen, Aravinda de Silva is a strong candidate. His 'marriage' to Kent in taking the county to its first championship title in 1995 a solid certificate from the altar. His entry, on the other hand, should encourage healthy competition. If he does make the final squad whom he is likely to replace? An out of form Russel Arnold struggling to stay among the runs in the No. 5 slot? A slot that could in all likelihood be where de Silva might be asked to take guard at considering age. Moreover, just the middle order position de Silva could step into add muscle. Quite a handy part time off spinner, de Silva has chipped in with the occasional wicket and could be an asset with the ball as well. And not short in catching where safe hands could yet compensate for limbs not as agile as his young colleagues. What is remarkable about Aravinda de Silva is that this veteran who made his Test debut in 1984 versus England at Lords, is one hurdle away from reaching back for his boots as the ripe age of 36 by Test cricketing standards, from the end of the road. If he does play for Sri Lanka again in the 3-match Test series, it would be the second such comeback from obscurity. In 2000 he was recalled from the wilderness after losing his place when the selectors opted for young blood, but lost his place again to Hashan Tillekeratne, his last Test match being against England. Interesting Chairman of Selectors, Tissera has struck a chord. That age is no barrier. That healthy competition cannot but augur well. Certainly if de Silva can yet deliver with the bat, there cannot be one more deserving to be back in the business of run making. |
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