After a surfeit of the cowboy game where the Sri Lankans failed to pocket the fortunes that were on offer, they now take strike on a wicket which is what cricket is all about -- Test cricket or as it is also called - the established game.
It must always be remembered that there never was nor will there ever be a substitute for the time honoured game of TEST CRICKET!
The SL cricketers have been put through the entire gamut by coach Bruce Yardley, physio Alex Kountouri and medically cleared by Dr. Githanjan Mendis, with manager Mendis monitoring it all. They have been knocked into shape and if they play true to form and if that all important luck too plays for them there is no reason why they should not come back with the stuffings of the Kiwis.
It is hoped that the Whatmore and Gurusinha sad tales have been forgotten and put a side for posterity and that the men who carry the country's challenge will put everything else aside and concentrate on coming back victors, thereby adding credence to the aim of being the best test playing nation by the year 2000.
As the saying goes there is no use in crying over spilt milk. Ad- mitted that Whatmore and Gurusinha were part of the winning com- bination. They played their parts to perfection and Sri Lanka's cricket will always remember them and will always be grateful to them.
Having done so much the way they went out unceremoniously was sad. But it is said that there is always two sides to a story and while not wanting to raise the dust that has settled, it is best that the sad part of the cricketing story is forgotten.
It is now up to the men who have been selected to give skipper Ranatunga 100 per cent and more and see to it that we give continuity to the victory that was achieved when we previously toured New Zealand and chalked up our first test and series victory abroad.
Cricket is a team game and unless the squad pulls like one, little or nothing can be achieved. To have 'camps' in the team would be courting disaster. If there are individuals with differences then it is best that they talk it out and iron out the differences rather than carry it with them on to the field and making it unsettling and nauseating to the others.
Reports have it that Aussie Bruce Yardley and the team are working harmoniously and are determined to give of their best. Every aspect of the game - from the medicals to mentals and physicals, to batting, fielding, bowling, running between wickets etc., have all been mastered and when they take the field in Kiwiland they will be lacking in nothing.
If they work hard and apply themselves to their tasks ahead there is no reason why their act should not come good out in the middle. In addition the team picked was been the best and so nothing but the best will suffice.
One thing that our men must guard against is COMPLACENCY.
COMPLACENCY has proved the down fall of many a team. Sri Lanka learnt this bitter lesson when they were up against the Kiwis in Sharjah. No team should be taken for granted. No team should be thought as inferior or easy beats. There should be no relaxing till the final ball is bowled and the match is won.
The Sri Lankans must always remember that a match is not won or lost till the final ball is bowled.
The Kiwis then they came to Sharjah and on previous form were there only to make up the numbers. But what they finally did under new coach Steve Rixon is history now.
In the series against England that is now on in New Zealand, the homesters are proving more than a match to the more experienced Englishmen. England although winning the Second Test were given many anxious moments.
It is apparent that after disasters under their own coaches, they are a different kettle of fish under Aussie coach Steve Rixon. Rixon had been in kiwiland for some time and if we are not wrong had been the coach of Canterbury.
During his stay he would have had an insight to where things were wrong in the Kiwi get up and after taking over the unenviable job as their coach has done wonders with them.
So it will be seen that Sri Lanka will be not have things on a platter. They had better watch out and play sensibly unless they want to come undone.
We will be in Kiwiland and at the scene of action describing what goes on not only in the middle but out of it as well.