|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 6 April 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Ready to 'serve with love' by SRIAN OBEYESEKERE For all his superman achievements on the cricket field, Sanath Jayasuriya's decision to give up the captaincy must surely be the most endearing of all. A decision which Jayasuriya has been asked to put on hold by a few months. His record feats come on the trot. From the `Man of the Series' in the 1995-`96 World Cup, fastest hundred (subsequently bettered), fastest one-day fifty, third highest individual test score. Achievements with the willow which transformed the youngster from down South Matara, a relatively unknown hamlet to Colombo's cricket infested nerve centre, into an overnight sensation as the `Master Blaster' to the world a few years ago. But which would be relegated to a back seat for the straight bat Jayasuriya played in saying somebody else could take over from him. It was a magnanimous, forthright gesture, one seldom heard of in our cricketing arena and for that matter in any sport in Sri Lanka. And what! When modern cricket keeps fetching the goodies. All in a long string of dollars. Tour by tour earnings raked in from match fees to other incentives such as `man of the match' awards notwithstanding the monthly wages of around Rs. 250,000 in local currency. Certainly, landing the job of captain of the national team is not easy. And as such understandably a job which to at least those in the same field would look envious. A captaincy mantle which though in the same breath becomes unenvious considering the enormous burdens it envisages in achieving where the sky is the limit. And it is particularly so here in Sri Lanka unlike other countries outside the sub-continent where even school and club captains go by the dictum, `sweat for it and keep it.' Perhaps, Jayasuriya's gesture was best summed up by the Cricket Board chief itself, Hemaka Amarasuriya, the Chairman of the Interim Committee when he told the `Sunday Observer' that `it was a very good gesture on his (Jayasuriya's) part'. No, not even the fiery innovation which he breathed into the game in redefining one-day cricket which Jayasuriya took by the scuff of its neck in hitting over the top in the first 15 overs, would draw accolades so much than for a great, unselfish decision in handing over his resignation letter sensing that the time was rife for a youngster to be groomed for the next 2007 World Cup. There was the elder statesman going on his 34th year saying he was ready to play under somebody else for the greater good of the team and country. Jayasuriya, born and bred in Matara and educated at St. Servaitus College which first came to be known because of the extraordinary feats of a slightly built lad with the bat who in time evolved into a goliath with giant forearms, might have followed in the footsteps of compatriots Nasser Hussein of England and Carl Hooper of the West Indies who quit after the World Cup. Both of whom who felt they were no more suitable for the job having failed to deliver. Jayasuriya too, by all accounts, felt enough had not been achieved despite taking his team into the semi-finals. An entry which has evoked so much controversy on the merits and demerits of how they made it before being badly beaten by Australia after the hammering at the hands of India in the Super Sixes. It must have revived ugly memories of 4 years ago when Sri Lanka, under Arjuna Ranatunga, made an exit from the 1999 World Cup in the first round after a similar handing from its sub-continent neighbours. Ironically, that defeat opened the doors to Jayasuriya who took over in the shake up that followed from long time skipper, Ranatunga who had however, by that time put Sri Lanka on the world map in bringing home the World Cup in 1996. And ironically, four years hence, Jayasuriya, after a mixed bag including a smashing start in leading Sri Lanka to some 9 straight wins and 3 Test series wins, is ready to follow in the footsteps of Hussein and Hooper. To kiss goodbye graciously like the Hussens and Hoopers and Gowers and Athertons of an earlier cricketing generation when they felt it was time to make way. Ready to serve under a Mr. Junior so that he could continue with his wares of run making. Certainly, looking to be simplified by making that burden the lighter when he will take guard as a batsman upfront. No captaincy loads to carry. Indeed, Jayasuriya's act will make Matara stand tall by his decision to `serve with love' as the cricket think tank looks for the ideal captain in the making as Jayasuriya along with coach Whatmore leave twin voids. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
