Dilshan off to a dream start

The Sri Lankan cricketers, led by new captain Tillekeratne Dilshan got off to the start that they were looking forward to. They scored a confidence boosting victory over Middlesex in their first warm-up game before the more grueling Tests and one-day series against England start with the First Test on May 26 in Cardiff.

This game was of special significance to Dilshan. Not only did he score a century on debut as captain, but also blasted a quick-fire century, that set the platform for this memorable triumph. If he could carry this batting form for the rest of the tour, the Lankans could enjoy a successful tour.

Dilshan was well supported by fellow opener Tharanga Paranavitharne who also made a three figure score. Youngsters Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne who are fighting for berths also made impressive scores and nudged the selectors.

UDRS in turbulence

The Umpire Decision Referral System, the brainchild of Sri Lankan Attorney-at-Law Senaka Weeraratne, which has been accepted by all Test playing countries, has once again run into a bit of turbulence.

At a recent two-day ICC Cricket Committee meeting in Lord’s, it was recommended that the review system be used across all international games. The decision on whether to extend the use of the technology will now be taken by the ICC’s Executive Board in June.

But as usual the, Board of Control for Cricket in India, the most powerful board has made it known that it would oppose the system, despite a recommendation for its use in all international games.

BCCI averse

India has always been averse to this system from the time it was first trialed during their tour of Sri Lanka in 2008. This system allows teams to question an umpire’s on-field decision.

When the Executive Board meets in June, N. Srinivasan, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India will put forward their position which was very clear from the start.

The BCCI has always known to call the shots and it will be interesting to see how the Executive Board will go. Will the Executive Board have the guts to ratify the recommendation or will they concede defeat? The meeting in June will tell.

Pietersen disappointed

Former England captain and South African born Kevin Pietersen was disappointed that he was not considered to captain one of the England teams. The Test team will be led by Andrew Strauss another South African born, while Alastair Cook will lead the 50-over team and Stuart Broad the Twenty20 side.

Pietersen who had to leave the 2011 World Cup mid-way requiring surgery for hernia, is back in the middle but is struggling for form in the county scene. Unless he is fully fit and in the runs it is not likely that the England selectors will want to ink him in the Test squad for the First Test against Sri Lanka starting in Cardiff on May 26.

Pietersen was given the England captaincy slot when Michael Vaughan quit as captain. But was stripped of the leadership after his relationship with former England coach Peter Moores deteriorated, which also saw the sacking of the coach.

Exit paved the way

Pietersen and Moores exit paved the way for Andrew Strauss to get the captaincy and it also led to former Zimbabwe captain and opening batsman Andrew Flower being appointed coach. Strauss and Flower have hit it off well as their success in the longer version of the game and against their bitter rivals Australia will show.

England will now front up to Sri Lanka in a Three Test series looking to give continuity to their Ashes triumph against Australia by winning all Three Tests and later beating India and becoming the best in Test cricket which tag has eluded them.

England captain Andrew Strauss opening the batting for Middlesex against Sri Lanka in a practice game at Uxbridge was off to an ideal start blasting a big hundred, which should give him the necessary confidence to pile on the runs in the Tests.

Warne fades away

Leg spinning sheik of tweak Shane Warne has announced that he will quit all forms of the game after the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament that is now nearing its end in India.

Warne who is the second highest Test cricket wicket taker, is still showing his prowess of old in the IPL when he mesmerized many a batsman with his variety of tweak. His career was not without blemish. But it was always colourful.

Captaining the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL Warne was in a bit of trouble after a complaint was lodged with the IPL about alleged abusive behaviour following his team’s defeat to the Royal Challengers Bangalore, He is alleged to have been involved in an exchange of angry words with Rajasthan’s State CA’s secretary Sanjay Dixit.

What had upset Warne was that the playing surface that was selected for the Rajasthan’s last two matches against Chennai and Bangalore, both of which was lost by Warne’s team. Dixit has stated that Warne was putting pressure on him to provide a suitable wicket for Rajasthan’s home games.

Greatest leg spinner

With Warne deciding to quit, it will see the end of one, if not the greatest leg spinner that the world of cricket has seen or will see. When he was the sheik of tweak, he was simply marvelous. He had a wide repertoire of deliveries and with it he mesmerized all batsmen.

Leg spinning is the most difficult in bowling. It requires tremendous patience, sweat and toil and the skinning of the spinning fingers. Once leg spin is mastered, adding to it the googly and the skidder, it makes life difficult for all batsmen.

Australia had many leg spinners. Those we can remember are Doug Ring, Richie Benaud, Kerry O’Keefe and Terry Jenner. They all seemed imitators, but Warne alone was monarch. Benaud in addition to his spinning prowess with ball was easily the best captain produced by kangaroo country.

Now that the great Shane has decided to quit, one hopes that he would not be lost to the game. Cricket Australia must take him on board and even endeavour to make him their spinning coach, so that he could give to the country and the world great leg spinners like him.

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