A view point from England...

by Gunasiri WANIGARATNE

CRICKET: Now the three-match Test series are over, Sri Lanka will have a postmortem with deep regret at the bizarre two hours in Cardiff where 10 wickets were lost for paltry 82 runs in 25 overs. Our batting wilted away in the thin air tearing plenty to ponder.

The dark clouds gathered and the heavy rain at the Lord's and Rose Bowl for nearly four days of play lost, bringing misery to over well below par performances. Inspite of the rain interruptions, pitches remained of good pace and bounce, akin to English conditions. The English bowlers extracted and thrived, whereas Sri Lankan attack was literally non-existent.

A crystal clear example of a yawning gap left by the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas with over 1000 Test wickets between them.

Dilhara Fernando's selection, especially after extensive usage, as practice bowler for IPL, shows lack of foresight among our selectors where he ended up injured.

One wonders, where our production line of pace and spin bowlers for the future exists. Some serious thoughts for SLC to change tactics and ado--pt fresh strategies to enhance the bowling department, sooner than later, produce bowlers with sustained venom.

Lankan must learn from English bowlers

Perhaps a lesson to be learned from English bowlers, likes of Anderson and Tremlett.

Where they bowled fuller to good lengths with late swing and seam and are to be developed from young ages by our National Coaches. I have long being an advocate of having a practice square at Radella, where conditions similar to England and New Zealand will help our emerging bowlers to acquire the art of swing bowling in contrast to the dry pitches of Maitland Place. The same seam and swing bowling by English bowlers proved a nemesis to many of Sri Lankan batsmen, playing at lot of deliveries outside the off-stump, instead of leaving them, where sound technique as well as discipline comes into play. Further our top batsmen got out playing at wide balls lack of patience and resolution, a must in the Test Arena. All these tantamount to poor planning, preparation prior to a tour, bringing humiliation to the players and Sri Lankans alike.

Performances become lacklustre and lackadaisical bringing the game to a mere non-spectacle.

SLC got lot to answer, by allowing the humbleness and humility of our senior players being taken away by millions of IPL dollars. SLC failed to recognise the paramount and cardinal importance of team building prior to undertaking a tour, a minimum of six weeks together in a camp, engrossed in physical and psychological preparation. After all we are trying to put ourselves in the world map, not merely to take part.

SLC needs rejuv enation

SLC will need a new 'mantra' towards resurrection and rejuvenation from the derision and ridicule earned from this tour. At least in the Test arena, the forthcoming hosting of Australia in August-September will be an acid test and a chance to regain our lost pride. Merely building stadia in Pallekele and Hambantota at a price, poses the question of filling them to capacity, at least to bring some revenue, however small to fill the empty coffers of SLC.

Minister must act fast

The onus falls on the Honourable Minister of Sports to restore some transparency to the accountability and sooner the appointment of independent auditors to monitor the future finances of SLC the better for the game. Cricket comes first and the development of our grass roots cricket at school level onwards to a strong and competitive premier level needs funds. After all, we want to go up the rungs of world rankings and be a leader in both formats. Let SLC gain an appetite to achieve same.