Past cricketers feel sorry for pathetic batting

By Ranjan Amandappa

CRICKET: Some past Sri Lanka Test stars expressed their sadness and dismay about the unbelievable manner the Sri Lanka batting succumbed to the extreme pressure inserted by the South Africans in the first ODI where the Sri Lankans were out for lowest ODI total of 43 in 20.1 overs.

The Sri Lanka batting was simply blown off by the South African pace attack comprising Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe who shared seven wickets between them in a blistering attack.

After losing the 1st Test badly to South Africa in Centurion Park, the Lankans hit back winning the 2nd Test in Durban,but the Lankans again entered the losing streak by going down to the Proteas in the third Test and now in the first match of the ODI series.

Here’s what Sri Lanka’s Champion opener in the past – Sidath Wettimuny had to say ... Batting debacle a combination of reasons.

Being a member of the Cricket Committee he did not want to comment on the batting performance of the side. “ The batting debacle is a combination of lot of reasons which I do not want to elaborate. Hope they will do better in the next match.” he said.

Batting was a disaster but should come-up – Duleep Mendis

There was former Sri Lanka captain Duleep Mendis too, who refrained from commenting as the Chairman selection committee. He admitted that the batting performance was a disaster, but was positive that the team should fare better in the remaining four ODIs.

Mendis, the Chief of selectors when asked about the non-inclusion of middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera who had struck two centuries in the concluded Test series, said that there was no place to accommodate Samaraweera in the ODI side.

“Samaraweera did not play in the two previous ODIs against Australia at home and against Pakistan in the UAE. For him to play in the present one-day side either vice captain Angelo Mathews or Dinesh Chandimal should be left out from the side. True, Samaraweera scored two superb hundreds in the Tests against South Africa” said Mendis who will be closely monitoring the rest of the matches and will not hesitate to make a few changes for the up and coming Triangular Series featuring host Australia, India and Sri Lanka to be held in Australia from 13 of March, 2012.

Lankan players should settle down - Jayasuriya

There was master-blaster Sanath Jayasuriya who lamented about the sorry display by Sri Lanka. While shocked at the disappointing batting performance, did not intend to say anything negative which will further demoralise the players.

“The batting performance, hitting rock bottom is obviously disappointing. Being critical while the team is down is not the right thing as a past captain.

The players are experienced enough to rally around and get back into their normal form. The players should have discussions the way they did after losing the first Test and find remedies.

Jayasuriya said that the players should get the fullest backing by the management. The coach also should give the fullest backing to the team while moulding the side into one unit.” said Jayasuriya.

Mental affair – Aravinda de Silva

There was Sri Lanka’s former dashing right-hander and Chairman Selectors during the last year’s World Cup, Aravinda de Silva who had not followed the proceedings of the match as he was away in Australia, said from what he had gathered that the whole thing seems to be a mental affair.

“The players may be lacking the confidence, and it’s the duty of the people around them to instill that confidence in the players. They should specify the role of each player and what is expected from them.

The management must clear them off from all worries and give the players clear directions so that they will be able to get back their confidence.