Susantha Jayawardena
In the last match played against Australia, although two of the intended selection changes were made by not playing Dasun and Matheesha, the most wanted change that was necessary to improve no 6 and 7 batting slot weakness was not carried out. This change was required to boost up the net RR during the last 20 overs which was the main cause for the defeat due to the late middle order collapse in this match as well as in the previous matches played so far.
We, the cricket fans are highly disappointed why the selectors are not picking aggressive and inform batters or batting allrounders for the very crucial no 6 and 7 slots
Selectors must realise that this change should have been done to improve the lower middle order batting strength i.e. by replacing the weakest batting links in the current lower MO (middle order) by an inform specialist batter or a batting allrounder. They must also realise that Chamika’s inclusion has only improved the fast bowling strength as he is basically a fast-bowling allrounder who is not yet able to contribute much in his batting.
So in reality SL were short of two inform (02) lower MO batters and the bad effect of this selection mistake was clearly exposed in all three matches SL played and lost so far.
What about my earlier proposal of replacing the notable weak link in the lower MO batting, i.e. Dhananjaya DS ? DDS’s capability for playing in a ODIs is clearly explained in the below Table on Strength Analysis of SL ODI Batters. iIn the first place he shouldn’t have been in the squad. How can our selectors select a batter having an awful average of 26.0 overall and 21.7 current when a batting average of 35.0 is required when compared with the strengths of batters in all other 9 nations. I can provide these statistical records to any one if requested. This strength analysis was done by using the live Stat Guru Statistical Records of Cricinfo.
Also a replacement for Dasun’s failure as a lower MO batter. Dasun at some point was the greatest of finishers we had, who blasted 16 sixes in a single inning (which is still a record). That was the time when he was in his peak, achieving over 120% SR on regular basis. We have a different Dasun now, probably a lower order bowler can bat better than him. We can see how he is struggling to make contact with the bat. If he is not in the squad why he is still in India. Its a blessed in disguise that he has some injury. Otherwise selectors wouldn’t have dropped him due to his poor form but play him in all 9 matches. Our main worry is if Dasun is recovered from thee injury before end of WC our blind selectors will play him again in the team. If he is in India with the team definitely there will be disunity among the playing squad.
Do our selectors have any basis on how our firstt six batters are picked for a white ball team. We as cricket fans dont have to teach or guide the three highly paid selectors on selection criteria which I am presenting here.
THEREFORE I STILL MAINTAIN MY EARLIER STANCE (as explained in my last blog) THAT DHANANJAYA MUST NOT PLAY IN THE FINAL XI. This crucial factor is proved statistically as shown in the following table. Important parameters which are used to identify the strength of batters are shown highlighted in blue color. I doubt very much whether our selectors are aware of all these criteria. Please read the notes given below this table for complete explanation on some unfamiliar parameters. Figures provided in columns not highlighted are taken from Criinfo Live Statistics, and figures in highlighted columns are produced automatically