Why not try other all-rounders?

The Sri Lankan cricketers took wing to Australia for a Twenty20 and three 50 over one-day internationals and as usual pledged that it is important that we beat the kangaroos in their own back yard.

Beat they must, if not it would be somewhat of a calamity considering that in a few months time we would be challenging to win the 2011 World Cup that is to be hosted in the sub continent.

Not to win will be to dent the morale and the confidence which will not be the ideal precursor, what with the World Cup looming. If we get beaten in Australia, it would not be easy to get back on rails and rediscover the form and confidence that was lost.

Final squad

Apparently the tour of Australia is to see how far the players challenging for inclusion in the World Cup squad would go. This tour and the one by the West Indies next month will be the tune ups before the final squad is picked.

However the selectors will not have it easy picking the final squad. That is because two former champions Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas will be doing their best to perform in the domestic scene and stake their claim with the selectors.

While it is admirable to play youngsters, experience too will count in a tournament like this and if the twosome perform and can get back into the picture, then Captain Kumar Sangakkara will have his burdens lessened.

Before going on to describe the Aussies who would be tough to beat at home, a pertinent question that is being asked in cricketing circles is - why did the selectors take the risk of including the injured all rounder Angelo Mathews on tour?

Vital cog

Apparently Mathews is suffering from a knee injury. Mathews with his outstanding all-round ability is expected to be a vital cog in Sri Lanka’s attempt to win the World Cup.

So what is the big deal in risking him. Would it not have been better to have left him at home to recuperate what with the all important World Cup not very far away? Sangakkara has said that if they play Mathews in Australia it would be only as a batman.

But coach Trevor Bayliss is on record saying that if the necessity arises, then they will ask Mathews to also bowl. If that is the case then what is the truth?

Medical opinion

I consulted medical opinion and was told that an injury is an injury and that it has to be given rest and time to heal. Whether one bats, bowls or fields the knee plays an important role. And if Mathews is thrown to the deep end, then you need not be a medic to predict that he would aggravate his injury. And if he aggravates the injury, how long it will take to heal and get back to training and to full match fitness—— only nature would tell.

The selectors and the medics in charge of the team would have closely studied Mathews injury before giving him the green light to proceed. While we are not contesting that, would it not have been

better, had the selectors tried some other all-rounder knocking on the door for inclusion?

Anyway it will be interesting to see how far Mathews will go if he plays. One hopes that he will not break down and aggravate the injury which will be a severe dent in the plans that are being put into place to win the 2011 World Cup.

Aussies outclassed

As for the Aussies, now that they were outclassed by the Indians who beat them in both Test matches, they will be determined and will surely come out firing all cylinders and avenge their defeats in India by snuffing out the Lankans.

On paper, the Aussies do not look that formidable a side. But now that their pride has been dented by the Indians, and their media had lambasted them, they would want to redeem lost prestige and regain their confidence by winning convincingly at home.

Also there is something inexplicable : with the 2011 World Cup to be contested in the sub continent, why is it that the two countries consented and decided to play in Australia?

The teams, had they played in Sri Lanka, especially the Australians would have stood to gain, because they could have got a feel of the conditions and as to how the wickets would play. Wickets in the sub continent are similar.

The kangaroos now that they are in India, after their Test series contesting a one-day series, could have hopped across to Sri Lanka and played the one-day series. Playing the one day series in Australia does not make sense for both countries.

Good on India

The run up to the Commonwealth Games in India was riddled with allegations and counter allegations which was not what India expected when they were given the vote to conduct this prestigious Games.

At one time it looked as though the Games would have to be cancelled, because India were way behind in having every thing ready for the conducting of the Games that is the pride of the Commonwealth.

The allegations would have hurt everyone who is some one in India. But the men who matter did not want to act, lest they be accused of sabotaging the Games. But once the Games ended things began to happen.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the day after the Games ended, ordered a government investigation into construction, equipment leasing and other alleged financial irregularities.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will earn the encomiums from the sporting world for his quick stroke that could expose the miscreants if any and clear the bad picture painted by the critics about India.

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