Sri Lanka need to pile-up big score in 1st innings

By Kasturiarachchi Warnakulasuriya

CRICKET: The greatest barrier for Sri Lanka at times is to pile up at least a respectable total in the first innings. It is because of the uncertainty of the opening stand and at the closing stages of the innings, to wag its tail, the problems have arisen over the years.

There was a time when Sri Lanka team could score nearly 100 runs for the first wicket when Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana were in the middle and well on the way for a massive opening partnership within the first 15 overs.

After that miracle faded away, Sri Lanka teams could not produce such partnerships. Sri Lanka had to test opening pairs employing Jayasuriya, Atapattu, Upul Tharanga and Saman Jayantha from time to time.

It was at the beginning of his career that Upul Tharanga was able to deliver the goods. But on the whole, he failed to rise to the occasion, though lot of faith was placed on him by the selectors. The selection committee had no other option but to continue with Upul Tharanga in this mission, as there was no other choice for that spot. Being a failure as an opener, now the selection committee and the cricketer himself are at a loss today.

It is under these pathetic conditions that Sri Lanka cricket should go ahead to produce a good opening pair.

Take a lead for instance from Australia. Today, Australia is quite confident about their seasoned pair to open an innings. It is time to think of this necessity as ageing Sanath Jayasuriya has also bade farewell to Test cricket.

Sri Lanka should now be able to think of allrounders and not only about batsmen.

According to my experience of cricketing journalism, a player in the calibre of Kaushalya Weeraratne can be an obvious choice for this, if he is given a chance and if his talents are to be improved in domestic and 'A' team performances by cricketing authorities - selection committee and tournament committee with the help of national coaches for batting and bowling.

Kaushalya Weeraratne has the potential to go for a good score while claiming a wicket or two as a utility bowler. He had that ability when he was given a chance but it faded out due to negligence of selections. His domestic cricket performances have been somewhat bright.

Another barrier to pile up a fairly high total comes from the tail-end as it has happened over the years.

In this instance, it is heartening to see Dilhara Fernando could stand at the crease to collect a valuable 39 at the last Test match. Chaminda Vaas is a another capable batsman.

If Nuwan Soysa, Prmodaya Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Kulasekera, Upul Chandana, Ishara Amarasinghe had improved their batting, they could have made it to the team.

Cricket authorities should make it a point to review the cricket set up so that Sri Lanka would be able to cement our laurels without any further delay.