Sanath - cricket writers' dream!

Sanath Teran Jayasuriya is a cricket writers' dream. Whenever he takes strike things are bound to happen and when he leaves, failing to score or making a dashing three-figure score, he is good copy.

Jayasuriya from the time he toured Pakistan with the Sri Lanka 'A' team and rattled up with twin double hundreds, he has continued to accumulate runs and forced the statisticians to rewrite the record books.

At 39 plus and with more years ahead of him, he will continue to etch his name in the books and when he ends his illustrious innings, he would be the envy of cricketing generations to come.

His records would not be easily equalled or bettered. Those reading them will freeze in awe, unable to fathom as to now he wielded the willow to such telling effect.

I have been on several tours describing Jayasuriya's phenomenal efforts with the bat for the now defunct `Times Group' and the ANCL Group of Newspapers and can vouch for the fact, that he has had bowlers, fielders and spectators watching goggle-eyes his nerve, sinew and muscular launched strokes that most of the time sailed over the boundary.

When he launches into his now signature shot which is over point or cover, the ball goes missile-like with those watching unable to follow the flight of the ball as it lands well out of the playing field.

Teams are crestfallen when they see his name in the playing list and the first thing opposing captains do is to rally round their mates sit with the bowlers and map out strategy to lure him out.

When in the middle, he most often than not, makes good bowling, meticulously set fields and strategy a mockery as he sets about making mince meat of the bowling, working his magic with his bat as the wand.

In the game at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium which is now devoid of lights, he gave it a special glow and lit it up with strokes that looked like a fire works display. His 106 against India which was his 28th one-day hundred, was a thing of beauty.

Dinesh Weerawansa, in his piece - Matara Mauler still going strong - in the `Daily News' on Friday recalled the premature dropping of the great left hander and the master stroke played by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to have him back in the team.

Chairman of selectors Asantha de Mel and his co-selectors did not hesitate to give him the nod again, after some former cyclopic selectors forced him to quit and rushed him for the triangular series in Australia in 2005.

When Jayasuriya arrived in Australia and was asked to open in the Sydney game with Upul Tharanga, an incident that will remain etched in my memory is this.

I was in the lift that was to take us to the media box at the SCG and with me was former cricketer and TV commentator Mark Nicholas. I said to Nicholas: Jayasuriya is making his comeback and would strike hard at his detractors." Nicholas' response was: "Jayasuriya will be out without scoring before we reach the media box". What Jayasuriya did on that day would have made the Englishman red in the face and rueing what he said.

On that day Jayasuriya just mauled the Aussie attack that comprised Glen McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Warne, showing the lion in him and didn't the packed Sydney crowd and the Aussie team watch helplessly and in awe the big hitting exhibition put on display by the 'Black Superman'.

Selva Saverimuttu, former Sri Lanka ruggerite, Omar Sheriff and their spouses who gave me a lift to the SCG would vouch for the mayhem that Jayasuriya created in that day-night game.

True, Jayasuriya admits that he is not looking for records and that he would take it when it comes every step of the way. But when he is making a big score, he must go for Saeed Anwar's one day batting record of 194 and put his name top of the list.

We wish this loveable and unassuming lad from Matara bags and bags full of more runs.

Bear with Mahela Jayawardena

We have nothing but sympathy for skipper Mahela Jayawardena, this stylish right-hander who, former Indian captain and master batsman Sunil Gavaskar says he would go miles to watch, is having a bad period and a poor run with the bat.

He is being roughed up by his critics who have launched a savage attack on him for his sudden bad trot and even baying for his removal as one-day captain.

Obviously Jayawardena, in the words of the Almighty must be asking forgiveness for his critics, praying that they be forgiven for they know not what they say and write.

Only those who have handled a bat would be knowing the trauma that this gutty cricketer and captain is suffering.

We do not have to reiterate that every great batsman goes through a bad trot at some time in his career. It is no different with Jayawardena.

What he needs now is the blessings of everyone for him to dig himself out of this hell hole that he has fallen into and come good. Confidence is what he requires and once he regains that, runs would cascade from his bat like of old. The selectors must keep faith in him.

He must not be treated like something that the cat brought in. He has done wonders for the game with the bat and as captain, and although not scoring, deserves to hold his place for his clever captaincy, and that we are sure the selectors would do without batting an eye lid.

However, if they decide to rest him for him to come back recharging his batteries, then we see no reason why they should not give the captaincy honour to that off-spinning and record - breaking mesmerising bowler Muttiah Muralitharan who hopefully would have gone past the great Wasim Akram's one-day bowling record when this is read.

With two world records to his name, that would not likely be broken for another 100 years or more, Muralitharan must be allowed to lead his country, so that he could tell his children, grandchildren and god willing, even his great grandchildren that he had the honour or leading the country! which is every cricketer's dream.