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| Sunday, 25 August 2002 |
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'Ari' impetus to one-day team makes mockery of ex-selectors by Srian Obeyesekere The adage, 'old wine matures fine' cannot ring truer than with Sri Lanka's doyen of cricket, Aravinda de Silva. A career, which like a vineyard that feeds the wine industry, has matured over the years through good and bad times. So much so that at age 36, when his career had looked good as over, he is back again in the run making business. Remarkably, de Silva's re-entry after a 3-year hibernation in the wilderness, could be seen as a turning point to a career in its twilight Nearing 37 this October his prowess with the bat has revived his country's flagging one-day fortunes. The timing could not have been sweeter. Dumped by the selectors in the shake-up after the 1999 world cup in favour of youth, there was de Silva back, in his familiar no.4 position lifting his country from the depths of dispair to lift the Morocco Cup while reviving memories of his hey day. What a turn around. Had it not looked good as over for de Silva. Fighting to stay in the Test team since he lost his place in March 2001, and in the eyes of the selectors as one-day material had been a forbidden commodity. So unthinkable until a recent u-turn. Indeed, it was a long road back to the fold for de Silva who had been out of both versions of the game for sometime. First he had to satisfy the selectors as to his fitness. That was after Michael Tissera, who as chief selector in a brief term early this year, recognising there was still more left in de Silva, told him he would be considered for Test match duty if he got back to good physical shape. It was a tall order for one who had virtually kissed goodbye to the game through the desperation of not been wanted anymore. But for a player, committed to the game in which he had insulated himself as his country's greatest batsman yet, who did not wan't to give up because of self belief in his inherent talent, Pinnaduwage Aravinda de Silva indeed made the most of it. A round the clock workout with physio Alex Kontouri saw him shed 13 kilos which was good enough for a call up for the England tour helped by a good run in the domestic tournament. He made an impressive half century in the first Test at Lords in a series where he was not able to find his full measure for lack of match practice. A century in the first Test at home against Bangladesh saw de Silva give a hint of returning to old form. The selectors, headed by former Lanka wicket-keeper batsman, Guy de Alwis, went one step better in recalling de Silva to beef up a shaky one-day batting line-up. As much for the vast experience he could impart in raising the morale of the team. It was not the ideal start for de Silva after a long absence. Batting at No.7 in the first match against Pakistan with a better part of the overs consumed, de Silva went cheaply as Sri lanka lost by 28 runs. But the change in de Silva came in the third match when promoted to his favourite No.4 position, he made two telling unbeaten match winning knocks of 73 and 77 against favourites South Africa to lift his team from the dumps of two consecutive defeats. Once again the confidence had been restored in de Silva by his captain who described the knocks as contributions which `made the difference' where hitherto big scores by frontline batsmen had not been forthcoming. Perhaps, credit must also go to Duleep Mendis whose expertise in his new role as adviser after himself having spent a long period in the sidelines, must have influenced the changes. Importantly, Aravinda, convinced of his merits, had overcome the constraints of form that held him back. Given that confidence and support, a once unwanted, half fit de Silva had been liberated. His bat once again doing the talking as the runs began to flow. Pleasingly, giving glimpses of his former self as once rusty feet responded, the thick of the willow finding the ball to perfect timing. The driving on the front foot looking impeccable. The running between the wickets with the stroke, blade held cross-chested, and looking quite nimble and lithe when in full flow. Throwing solid weight behind the rest of the batting order. The significance of his re-emergence is particularly so in Sri Lanka's build-up to the 2003 world cup to be staged in South Africa some 7 months away. Indeed, de Silva, better known as 'Ari' in cricketing circles, has given new meaning and definition to the batting as the selectors, coach and expertise look to mould the available talent from which the best could be slotted into shape. For a start, Morocco, where the cricket loving millionaire businessman, Bukathir has expanded the game as a venue as he has in Sharjah, has served up as the ground in North Africa to the Sri Lankans getting their house in order. Sorting out the batting order while in the bowling paceman, Pulasthi Gunaratne having been the revealation. Above all, de Silva's balmy influence apparently gave Jayasuriya the freedom to display more purpose in his batting as he blazed to knocks of 93 and 71 to dominate the Morocco tournament. Indeed, for de Silva, it has been a remarkable see-saw of fortunes to a career that has undisputedly seen Sri Lanka's greatest of cricketers yet for his exploits with the bat. Undoubtedly, the greatest in terms of contribution. The most appearances. One-day record - 283 matches yielding 8,667 runs from 273 innings with 11 centuries and 59 half centuries. Average 35.37. A highest of 145. Tests - 93 matches, 159 innings for 6,361 runs. 20 centuries and 22 half tons. Highest - 267. Average 42.97. A feat that has seen the right hander regarded as one of the world batting greats during the prime of his career. Coming good in the short version of the game which once looked out of reach to him for reasons of ability and age akin to an old man image, must indeed raise the question whether the selectors who axed him had played fair by de Silva. Whether his career had resultantly not suffered. As much as Sri Lanka's image. |
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