All eyes on Sanath and Chaminda on Kiwi tour
 

Elmo Rodrigopulle from New Zealand

CRICKET - Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas are two of the elder statesmen in the Sri Lanka cricket team touring New Zealand for a Two-Test Series Two Twenty 20 Games, Five-one day internationals and a four-day side game.

On their broad shoulders rests a big responsibility in that they have a stellar role to perform, if Sri Lanka is to raise its game after the slight hiccup they suffered in the ICC Champions Trophy in India.

Both are aware of this and have pledged full support to skipper Mahela Jayawardena to help resurrect the sliding fortunes in the game, after their phenomenal success in England.

I caught up with power house Sanath Jayasuriya in the gym at Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters. Jayasuriya a fitness fanatic and who is fitter than most got talking when I asked him about his role on this tour.

Said the man, who most bowlers in cricket fear. 'Firstly I am a team man. Whether I am captaining or playing under another is the same for me. What matters is that I perform in all aspects and help the team raise its game.

'At 37 I am still having the hunger for runs and wickets. I am seeing the ball well. My reflexes are like when I first took to the game.

The thirst and the hunger to devour the opposing bowling still runs strong and I am looking forward to putting the Kiwi bowlers to the sword.

'I enjoyed my stint as captain. When the team was tasting success, everyone claimed a piece of the cake. But when the slide began, the blame was put on me and there was no one to take or share the responsibility with me.

'When that happened, I thought long and hard and decided to shed the captaincy and be a part of the team. I have played under Marvan Atapattu and now continuing under Mahela Jayawardena.

'I am enjoying the game now and hopefully looking forward to contribute when Sri Lanka goes for the World Cup next year in the Caribbean', said Jayasuriya with a twinkle in his eye.

Vaas looking for First Test 'ton'

Chaminda Vaas who has turned out to being one of the best allrounders in the game, promised me that he was going to notch up his first three figure score in a Test and he is going to target the Kiwis.

Vaas in a tele-talk with me, said that his ambition now is to chalk up the three figure that has been eluding him for so long.

At the moment the way he is batting there is no reason why he should not achieve this ambition.

'I have had a big haul of wickets in both versions of the game. Recently my batting has hit a purple patch and I am looking forward to take that form into the Test against the New Zealanders.

'Hopefully I am looking to get a push up in the batting order. If that happens it should give me more confidence to realise my ambition.

I am enjoying my allrounder part in the team. I am now middling the ball well, getting into line and executing my shots with good timing. Timing is what batting is all about', said Vaas who promised to be among the wickets and runs on this tour.

The conditions will favour the home team. In Stephen Fleming they have a shrewd leader who can read the situation and the game well, and inspire his team.

Sri Lankan spectators who are connoisseurs of the game will be glued to their TV set following every ball and the fortunes of the team. The cricketers took a bit of bashing after the failure in India.

It is now up to them to perform and win back the lost confidence.