SA tour has given team confidence - Mahela Jayawardene
By Ranjan ANANDAPPA
CRICKET: With a new feeling under a new captain in Mahela Jayawardene a
Sri Lanka outfit of experience and youth took wing to Australia for
a Tri-Nation ODI limited Over series featuring hosts Australia and
India. True, for Jayawardene it is nothing new being put into the deep
end once again as the selectors blew off the fuse to get a man of
maturity at the helm.
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Sri Lanka cricket team left for Australia on Friday night to
take part in the Tri-Series ODI tournament which begins next
Sunday (5). Here Lahiru Thirimanne (left) assisting his
teammate Thisara Perera to adjust his tie, minutes before
the team's departure. Pix: Kavindra Perera |
Jayawardene talking to the media just before his departure from the
SLC Headquarters to the airport said that the tour is no doubt is an
important one as Sri Lanka has to combat with two of the best ODI teams
in the world.
“We have a well balanced unit and we are hoping to take forward all
the good things we did in South Africa and likewise we should rectify
the weak points and go forward that is the most important factor to
success.” said Jayawardene.
Jayawardene reminded that although India is not faring well against
Australia in a Test series, the limited overs contest could be a
different ball game with the teams injecting younger players and the
mental toughness different from a Test match. So, no side could be taken
lightly with different players coming into the side. So we should
realise that both teams are well prepared mentally and take forward the
positives after winning the last two games in South Africa.
The Sri Lankan captain emphasized the importance of getting used to
the Australian pitches quickly as the first match in Perth is an
important one.
Sri Lankans will be playing two warm up games prior to the main
tournament. Based on that, the final most suitable composition of the
team will be chosen.
“ Farveez Maharoof coming back into the team after a lay-off due to
injury, said that he was happy to be in the side and hoped to cement his
place in the side by performing well.
For the record, Mahela had a very enterprising run as captain from
2005 till he handed over the reigns to his buddy Kumar Sangakkara who
captained the 2011 World Cup held in the sub-continent where Sri Lanka
ended up as runners-up to India losing the final. |
