Sangakkara, Jayewardene quitting T20 cricket, bow out on a high

That Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayewardene retired from Twenty20 cricket was anticipated and was certainly no bone crushing or breaking news. That the twosome had finally decided to quit is sad simply because their going will leave a void that will not easily be filled, certainly not in the near future. There is talent and more oozing in the local cricket circles and it is now up to the selectors and Sri Lanka Cricket to grab the talent that is available, chisel it and give it the right edge and finish. Chief Selector Sanath Jayasuriya and Sri Lanka Cricket have expressed their displeasure that Sangakkara and Jayewardene had not had the courtesy to inform them.

Matter of courtesy

As a matter of courtesy, repeating courtesy, Sangakkara and Jayewardene should have informed Jayasuriya and SLC. Both are gentlemen of the highest class and they must be having their reasons and good reasons at that for not informing them. We are sure Jayasuriya and SLC would have got the message.

Sangakkara and Jayewardene quitting the Twenty20 format is not the end of the cricket world. The game will go on. It is now up to those who matter, instead of brooding to find the talent to replace the duo.

And as for talent, the selectors need not be told that talent is oozing. It is now up to those who matter to identify it, groom it, give it direction and play them in the big league. Earlier Tillekeratne Dilshan quit the Test format. His absence was not felt because Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne grabbed the opportunity and have now cemented their places.

Dilshan’s fractured thumb

Then when Dilshan fractured his thumb and could not play, Janith Kushal Perera and Lahiru Thirimanne formed a deadly combine and what they did in helping Sri Lanka win the Asia Cup is history now and needs no reiteration.

Retirements are not only in cricket, it happens in all other sport. Sportsmen and women are also human and there is a certain amount that a body can take. The human body has a mechanism that will relay the message when it has had enough. Although the mind is willing the body is not and that is when the body pushes for quitting. As for us and on their fitness and form, Sangakkara and Jayewardene could have kept on batting. But they must be applauded for shedding Twenty20 bats and are going at a time when everyone is asking why and why not.

It won’t be big news

And it won’t be big news when Tillekeratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayewardene and Kumar Sangakkara quit after the next World Cup 50 over tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Sangakkara and Jayewardene, while they were in the middle served Sri Lanka cricket like true sportsmen. They have no black marks against their careers which could be best described as ILLUSTRIOUS.

Sangakkara’s achievements and records with bat and gloves in all forms of the game and Jayewardene’s with the bat are legion, need not be reiterated and we leave the records for the statisticians and for posterity.

Now that Sangakkara and Jayewardene have served notice, it is the duty of their supporters to rally round and wish them well in the current World Cup Twenty20 and that they will perform at peak and help Captain Dinesh Chandimal and his team bring the elusive trophy home.

Every team has suffered - sub head

Every team has suffered when their experienced and big names quit. It has happened to Australia, England and West Indies to mention three countries. Australia have now recovered and are on the right line to be the best in world cricket like they were once. England and West Indies are rebuilding and will rule again.

When this column is being read Sri Lanka would have played South Africa in the Twenty20 opener and here’s hoping that Sangakkara and Jayewardene would have made their presence felt with telling performances.

We would like to leave the Sangakkara/Jayewardene saga and move on to the Twenty20 World Cup where Sri Lanka has been grouped with South Africa, England and New Zealand.

Captain Chandimal exudes confidence

On the eve of leaving to Bangladesh in a press briefing, Captain Dinesh Chandimal exuded confidence saying that they are well used to the conditions and wickets having played in Bangladesh for a near two months and are well equipped to go places. What he was implying was that South Africa, New Zealand and England would be easy meat, being new to the conditions and wickets. While it is good to be confident, wishful thinking could spoil his voyage.

South Africa, New Zealand and England have recorded wins in all conditions and Chandimal should guard against complacency.

SL cricketers unsigned contracts

It was sad and worrying the Sri Lanka cricketers taking wing to Bangladesh in their quest for the World Cup Twenty20 that has eluded them twice without consenting and signing their contracts.

The cricketers are insisting that they be paid a percentage of the monies granted to Sri Lanka Cricket by the International Cricket Council for playing in their tournaments. Now we feel that request is a just and reasonable request and instead of dilly dallying SLC should comply. It is hoped that the cricketers will not make the refusal by SLC as an excuse if they fail to win the Twenty20 World Cup.

What’s happened to Ramith Rambukwella?

Of spinning and batting all rounder the strongly built Ramith Rambukwella making his debut in the big time against New Zealand in Pallekele in a Twenty20 International had a beginning that showed great promise.

When ignorant critics queried

When ignorant critics queried his inclusion in the above game ahead of Sachitra Senenayake, he hit back with a performance that silenced his critics. Called into the attack early by Captain Dinesh Chandimal, he did not seem to be unnerved by the situation and bowled four economical overs conceding just 19 runs for a wicket which was admirably, considering that he had the Kiwi batsmen who were threatening to break free, under control. Sri Lanka won that match and with his tight off spin bowling, varying his deliveries cleverly, his contribution helped in the victory.

In the mould of Thisara Perera

Rambukwella is big hitting batsman in the mould of Thisara Perera. He did not get a bat in this game. But in the manner in which he bowled one expected to see him given more opportunities to grow and stamp his class. But sadly after that game young Rambukwella went missing. Now this is inexplicable. But Rambukwella has taken his dropping in good grace and is continuing to nudge the selectors with some telling performances for the Tamil Union.

Today when Sri Lanka cricket is starved of all rounders in all forms of the game, it is confusing the continuous ignoring of this rare all rounder. Accepted that the selectors can field only a certain number of players in a squad and that only 11 can take the field.

While respecting that call by the selectors, had they managed to fit Rambukwella into the Twenty20 World Cup squad now contesting the trophy in Bangladesh it would have done the youngster’s confidence and game a world of good. He is too good an all rounder to be sidelined.

We hope the selectors who have all played the game at the highest level and who know the pains that a player suffers when dropped, will have a change of heart and keep him in their radar.

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