CricLover
After England beat India yesterday, the world cup door was surely closed to Sri Lanka. The next two matches will decide the position of Sri Lanka in the point table which will be somewhere between 5 to 8.
Is Sri Lanka successful in the World cup 2019? On the face of it, the answer is a loud “NO”. Basically, Sri Lanka has not experienced a first-round exit for 20 years. However under this big “no”, there are a few success stories. Let’s see what are they and how to build on SL cricket in post-world cup period.
Before the commencement of the World cup, the general cricketing public has decided Sri Lanka’s fate in this World cup. The bottom-most spot in the point table was reserved to Sri Lanka, predicting even Afghanistan would beat Sri Lanka. However, at the middle stage of the tournament, Sri Lanka was sniffing for a knockout spot, beating Afghanistan and pre-tournament favorite England. In fact, the primary objective of Sri Lanka in this World cup is to play for the pride rather than the trophy and It was successfully achieved by the team while beating Afghanistan and England and rain interfered in the game against Bangladesh. Fighting for a knock out spot till the last week of the group stage is a victory too, to a team who was expected to be the first one to exit.
On the hand, the first round exit provides a true nature of Sri Lankan cricket over the last few years. SLC was and still is a ball of yarn. Political influences, administrative jargons, corruptions, power abuse, betrayal, word fights among players, mudslinging between players’ wives, whatever you ask for, you can have it within SLC. A world cup success could have overshadowed all these issues and would have led to more tragedies in the future. Therefore the first round exit, itself is a success story of SLC for the future, as it happened in 1999.
Apart from team-based success, Sri Lanka cricket can take a few positives in this tournament. At the moment we can say, we found a reasonable captain who is 31 years old and hence can carry the team till the next world cup in 2023. However, it is still early days in Dimuth’s captaincy and the job security of the captain is the least thrusted thing in Sri Lanka cricket.
Though we would not know whether it will continue after the world cup, Sri Lanka has found a reliable opening pair, as it seems. One aggressor and one accumulator. In five matches, they have already had two century partnerships, which was lacking in the last few years. However middle order struggle may lead either Dimuth to play at three or Kusal to play at 4-5 position in the future, subject to Avishka’s success. Avishka Fernando is, in fact, another positive in this tournament, impressing most by his fearless big hitting. One can hope he will develop his game with more time and games.
Other than those, we do not have much to impress at individual level except the success of brilliant Malinga, determinant Isuru Udana and Niwan Pradeep, and unfortunately none of them may have not extended careers as Malinga is set to retire, Pradeep is injury prone and Udana is aging toward the mid 30s by 2023.
What is next? What are the key changes that should be taken in the post-world cup period?
The obvious change should change the cricket constitute and overhaul the whole administrative and cricketing structure as soon as immediately. But sadly the probability of happening that is very thin. SO let’s forget of it and will talk on reliable changes.
The first thing that should be done is to clean the Sri Lanka cricket team from all controversy- makers. From coaches to players those who involved in any sort of fights/collusions that disrupted and damaged the team unity should be kept out of the team permanently or for a while. Yes, most of the senior players would have to face the consequences, but unless that bold decision would take, we will not be able to build the next generation. The new captain has to be given the freedom to build up his team with new, peaceful members who are hungry to wins, not to the crown.
The next thing is an assessment of players on their realistic possibility to play for the next world cup. For instance, even if Angelo Mathews had not to sit out from the team based on the above criteria, his chances of contributing the team in a continuous manner are doubtful. Even Isuru Udana is an apparent gem of cricketers at present, with aging his contribution with medium fast bowling can be declined as it happened with Nuwan Kulasekara. The retirement plans for those players should be well discussed and executed.
- New blood should be pumped to the team, as it happened in 1999. It may take some times to give results. But possible options in each position in the team should be identified. A good number 6 and 7, one or two spinners who can spin the ball, fast bowlers who can bowl fast are burning issues that should be solved within a few years. For god sake, a vice-captain should be identified and should give the opportunity to take responsibility from time to time. It will be beneficial to give chances to young players, Kalana Perera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, and see the captaincy skills of players like Charith Asalanka.
The new blood should be pumped not only into the team but also to the selection panel. The game has been changed in big time. Persons in 70s and 80s may not be able to understand the modern demand of the game. Around the world, most successful teams have players in 2000s as sectors, coaches, and managers. So their contribution is must in the future. Let’s forget Mahela and Sanga, if there are fed up or not willing. There are ex-players like Jehan Mubarak, Thilina Kandamby, Malintha Warnapura, and Farveez Maharoof, wonderful cricketing brains. Their service was not taken as players and therefore their abilities should be utilized at the next level.
SLC has two options ahead after this World Cup. One is to go along the same old pathway. We all know it will lead to more disasters. The next one is to take some bold decisions and change the pathway. It will be difficult initially and at least with time, it will save the wonderful game we loved from our childhood.