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| Sunday, 6 October 2002 |
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Failure in crunch game stirs Waugh controversy by Srian Obeyesekere Getting the right blend to next February's World Cup 2003 is every country's concern. In that build up the just concluded Mini World Cup in Sri Lanka has been looked to as a forerunner. If the ICC Champions Trophy is anything to go by there must be concerns for some of the leading contenders though of course conditions in South Africa where instant cricket's extravaganza will be showcased, will differ. Notably defending world champions Australia, more than any other, must have headaches if their semi final showing against Sri Lanka is anything to go by. It was a crunch game and conspicuously Australia lacked the guiding experience of Steve Waugh in its ranks. Difference Much as the side had experienced campaigners like Shane Warne, Glen McGrath and Michael Bevan, when it came to marshalling the team, the presence of veteran Steve Waugh could have made a world of difference. Undeniably Waugh has been a tower of strength to Australian cricket. He has been the envy of many a country for his wealth of experience. Still more significantly his ability of lifting his side from hopeless situations it is that has seen this colourful cricketer as a colossus to the game. Many are the traits he has imparted among which some fighting innings against the West Indies and that now famous quarter final world cup match against South Africa decorated by a hurricane century against South Africa which stand out loftily. Significantly, Waugh's axing from the Australian one-day team smacks of controversy. Reasons of form and age had been offered by the selectors while it was also attributed to reasons other than performance. That it came in the wake of a fall out he had with the Australian media. Whatever the reasons, if it was form, the failure of the Aussies to deliver when it mattered must certainly give the Australian Cricket Board's Chairman, Trevor Horns some `food for thought'. Not the least that form is temporary, but class is permanent. More so when it is such an illustrious player like Steve Waugh who had been given the marching orders. While on Waugh, what must be heartening to cricket lovers in Sri Lanka is that this great is currently leading the Australian Test team against Pakistan on Lankan soil in making a bit of history. It is the first time Sri Lanka is figuring in the staging of a Test match on a neutral venue at the P. Saravanamuththu Stadium. Interestingly, the 3-match series with the next two to be played in Sharjah, comes as a make or break one for the Waugh twins with reportedly both needing to have runs before their names to remain in the Test team. Gambling with new blood in S. Africa Meanwhile, locally, Sanath Jayasuriya's Sri Lankans can consider themselves a mite lucky to have got away with sharing the Champions Trophy with India due to bad weather. The Lankan batsmen looked a mite in a hurry with some throwing away their wickets against an Indian outfit which looked better organised. Meanwhile, the announcement of a new look 16-man Test squad to South Africa makes interesting reading. It is based on youth and experience. For experience, there are nine seasoned campaigners. Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, Vice captain Marvan Atapattu, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Hashan Tillekeratne, Russel Arnold, Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando. The blend of youth the national selectors have placed their faith in is in the form of Hasantha Fernando, Thilina Thushara, Tharanga Lakshitha, Chamila Gamage, Sujeewa de Silva and Jehan Mubarak. Indeed, blooding youngsters sounds exciting in looking to the future. It is a bold gamble Chairman of Selectors, Guy de Alwis has themed on at the expense of Kumar Dharmasena, Pulasthi Gunaratne and Tillekeratne Dilshan while the failure of pacie Nuwan Zoysa to win back a recall is conspicuous. Chucked out Left armer, Zoysa has shown depth in ability for his height and ability to generate speed and bounce and could have been ideally suited for the South African wickets though what must have gone against him is his lethargic fielding at times. But here the question arises what are the coaches and experts there for but to brush up the weaknesses. The failure of pacie Ruchira Perera too to get the nod after being cleared for chucking must raise some eyebrows considering he did impress in the one Test match he played in South Africa and having the ability to exploit the South African wickets. Notably, left hand batsman, Jehan Mubarak, the former Royal College cricketer from Colombo Cricket Club gets his chance after knocking on the door with some good performances at domestic level and for the Sri Lanka `A' team. Hasantha Fernando from Chilaw Marians, who made his debut for the one-day team in the Morocco triangular, is an allrounder while young Thilina Thushara, rural find from Balapitiya and representing the NCC, is said to be the fastest bowler in Sri Lanka. The other newcomer is pacie Tharanga Lakshitha. The rest are also fast bowlers Chamila Gamage from the Air Force and Sujeewa de Silva from Sebastianites. Importantly, the South Africans will be no pushovers in their home territory and it is left to be seen whether experimenting with raw talent will be rewarding against giants in the game. |
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