da lvbet： Ok, we lost, but the result was of less significance than the performance ofKumar Sangakkara, who played his finest one-day innings, fully justifyinghis last-minute inclusion into the squad
CricInfo05-Apr-2003Ok, we lost, but the result was of less significance than the performance ofKumar Sangakkara, who played his finest one-day innings, fully justifyinghis last-minute inclusion into the squad.© ReutersSangakkara never deserved the chop. His wicket-keeping was at times raggedduring the World Cup but his form with the bat improved steadily throughoutthe tournament – the lingering feeling was that he was batting too low inthe order.Nevertheless, the jolt he received when he was first omitted from theSharjah squad appears to have had a positive impact, making him determinedto prove his worth to the side.”I needed to score some runs today after the loss of two wickets. Battingand wicket-keeping are two very different jobs and, I suppose, mentally itis easier to just do one job.”
Kumar SangakkaraWhether the lifting of the wicket-keeping burden contributed is a mootpoint. Many will say so but the statistics suggest otherwise – he averages31.22 in 54 matches with the gloves and only 23.04 in 32 matches as aspecialist batsman.Of greater consequence is his position in the order and it is hoped that hewill now be given an extended chance to bed down at number three or four,positions that allow him to build an innings in orthodox fashion.© ReutersHowever, apart from Sangakkara, and Kumar Dharmasena later, who looked atease on his return to the international fray, the batting was once again aconcern. Clearly, Mahela Jayawardene needs to be slotted back in as soon ashe has freshened up and forgotten his horror run in the World Cup.Prasanna Jayawardene also had a nightmare start to his international career,playing all around a quick leg-stump yorker. There is no doubting hisefficiency behind the stumps but he must prove his batting or make way – yousimply cannot afford to have a specialist wicket-keeper in the modern daythat cannot sit comfortably in the top seven.We needed to put more runs on the board. It was very important that Kumar(Sangakkara) got runs and he batted really well today. We have to do betterin the next two games.”
Sanath JayasuriyaThe absence of Aravinda de Silva and Russel Arnold (who must be hankeringafter an opportunity higher up the order) certainly reduced options with theball and that is a serious concern with Sanath Jayasuriya is now overlyreliant on five bowlers. If someone has a bad day then there will beproblems.Probably, Sri Lanka would have preferred three seamers with the dew causingsuch problems later on. But with Chaminda Vaas crook the only option was forPrabath Nissanka to play ahead of Dharmasena and that would have involvedconsiderably more risk with no part-timers to chip in should his radarmisfire. Moreover, such a move would have weakened the batting.”I am very pleased with the performance of Hafeez and Faisal as they stuckto the gameplan. This young side has come in from various places and havenot played together much – their coordination will improve and we will avoidsome of the mistakes that were made today.”
(Rashid Latif)Indeed, Sri Lanka are a side grappling with issues, including the balance ofthe side and the best personnel. That is inevitable as they try to look tothe future but it does carry a price. Unfortunately, matches will be lostthat could have been won.But, in this tournament, the end result is off secondary importance.Yesterday, Sangakkara gave Sri Lankan fans something to cheer, on Sundaylets hope someone else raises their hand.