|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 4 August 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
'Michael rows the boat' by Srian Obeyesekere A faultless century and Michael Vandort has turned on the heat on the selectors as much as he has on some of the senior batsmen in the national team. The 22-year old could not have looked for a better opportunity which is what the youngster had been waiting to come along. "I consider it a fine opportunity for me to extend my career", a starry eyed Vandort told the `Sunday Observer' after reaching the magical three figure mark. Words of hope he would be given the bigger nod by the selectors where he could explore the wide road of Test cricket and achieve. For Michael Graydon Vandort, it is the second opportunity that has come his way. The first being last year also against Bangladesh in the Asian Test championship when he made 36. The arrival on the blocks of a new hopeful cannot come at a better time. At a time Sri Lankan cricket needs a shot in the arm. Smarting from the coldness of a 2-nil thrashing by England in a 3-Test series in cold conditions. A near whitewash in the game the Sri Lankans know best - the one-day form except for a solitary win. Certainly in need of new. Whatever the bangladesh bowling attack might measure up to, young Vandort answers the perfect script in terms of concentration and application which seem forgotten cardinals among most of our senior batsmen. What is more another lefthander. In the wake of many more of that species that Sri Lanka has not been short of. Arjuna Ranatunga, Asanka Gurusinha and Hashan Tillekeratne of an older generation who have served with distinction. And more recently Russel Arnold and Kumar Sangakkara. Indeed, Vandort, who has been fighting for a permanent place in the Test team, infused the type of warmth to batting at that level in terms of building an innings on his way to a compact 141 runs in the second innings of the second Test match against Bangladesh at the SSC grounds last week. His 61 in the first innings with the exception of one chance illustrating the same positive aspect of his batting. It was against minnows Bangladesh. A country that slid to its twelfth defeat in 13 Test matches since being accepted to the fold by the International Cricket Council. But Vandort played the innings of his life. Copybook stuff. Solid in defence. As much the middling of the ball. His trademark shot being handsomely driving the ball. His 6 ft. 5 ins. height lending leverage to footwork and reach. It had t.v. commentator former England captain, Tony Greig likening Vandort's driving to that of legendary South African batsman Graeme Pollock. The arrival of van Dort in a cloud of controversy with the selectors coming in for much flak for omitting as many as 7 senior players for the second Test could be the silver lining in it. It must serve up as a message to the seniors that they cannot live on past laurels. That form is the name of the game as demonstrated by countries like Australia and South Africa from whom England have begun to take a cue. That the Aussie selectors did not wan't the out of form Waugh twins in their one-day team. That Steve's herculean efforts in leading Australia to the world cup in England wewren't good enough credentials to even remain in the team. The only son in the van Dort family, Michael, who has cricket in his blood having followed in his father Patrick's footsteps, has made a timely reminder to the selector to give him the chance of fulfilling their needs where others fail. Has he understudied any big name on the world stage ? "No, I haven't", came the answer from this younngster for whom it has been a fairytale rise to the top. It was not one of those slap bang beginnings at school. In fact he quit playing for his school after only one match when he found himself dropped for the `big match' after a satisfying 50 in that `first'. A disgruntled Michael, however, found all the encouragement from his father who was determined to help his son flaunt waht he saw was an inherent talent. At age 17 Michael joined the Colombo Cricket Club from where he cut his teeth going on to make the big grade at that level. His best came in the last two years with some telling performances with the bat which earned him a national cap last year. But since he has had to be content in the sidelines. Once carrying the drinks when he was reserve in the Test series against India last year. Has Michael arrived to `row the boat ashore?' |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
