CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

SYDNEY, Australia, Tuesday-The Sri Lankan cricketers who played themselves out of the Carlton and United one-day series competition with some lack-lustre displays on the field, will paly a depleted side in their penultimate game against England under lights at the Sydney Cricket Ground here tomorrow.

The Sri Lankans have only themselves to blame for being knocked out of the finals. They had every opportunity of figuring in the best of three finals when they were in winning positions, but threw it away as they lacked application and commitment.

The Sri Lankans once they get back home, will have to seriously apply themselves and improve in every aspect of the game if they are to offer a serious challenge and retain the World Cup trophy in England in May. As their game now stands it is in the dumps, allround.

When they flew in from Perth, the cricketers were greeted by the rains and had to confine themselves to practise at the indoor nets. They will be without Sanath jayasuriya and Muthiah Muralitharan for the remaining games. Aravinda de Sivla who played in one game in Perth is also out.

Jayasuriya had a successful operation on his wrist and will be out of the game for about two months. Muralitharan who suffered a shoulder injury in Bangladesh during the mini World Cup will be operated on Wednesday.

According to President, BCCSL Thilanga Sumathipala, every cricketer suffering from injuries will be shown to specialists here, so that they will be cured and be in peak fitness when World Cup defending time comes around.

'The retaining of the World Cup is our first priority. Everything will be done for the players and I am confident that they will not let us down in the World Cup', said the president.

In the absence of Jayasuriya and Muralitharan, the doors are open for another exciting batsman, left hander Avishka Gunawardena and promising off spinner Thilan Samaraweera to grab the opportunity and stake their claims to be regulars in the squad.

Gunewardena and Samaraweera have not played in the competition and will be making their first appearance. It is now up to them to show their capabilities and come good. Gunewardena is in the mould of a Jayasuriya and if he gets going cricket fans here will see another Sanath Jayasuriya in full cry. Samaraweera too, is a talented off spinner and if he could bowl a good line and length, should keep the England batsmen quiet.

There is also the possibility of another allrounder Suresh Perera also playing in this game at the expense of left arm paceman Ruchira Perera. Perera made a sensational debut against England in Perth in the first game but failed to maintain the same consistency in the second game against Australia. He shows a lot of promise, but in trying to bend his back a little too much he conceded many no balls, which proved expensive. Coach Roy Dias will have to do a lot of work with him once they get back home.

The selectors will have a look at the wicket and decide between Suresh Perera and Upul Chandana.

Romesh Kaluwitharane was a big draw when he last played here, but has disappointed his fans by not being in the runs and not playing the flowing and audacious strokes he is capable of. Many fans make it a point to come for the games, especially as they want to see 'little Kalu' as Tony Greig describes in full cry. But surprisingly and disappointingly he has not delivered the goods.

It is hoped that the Lankans will get their act together at lest in the last two games against England and Australia and win them, so that they can fly back home with something to show for their troubles.

The Sri Lankan cricketers have been verbally and in print flogged by the spectators and the media wherever they play and they must at least now be determined and make it their business to ash England and Australia in these two games and turn their backs on their critics and detractors.

Let's hope they will do just that.