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Talent and performance are two different things. It may be that teams are gifted with former, but not necessarily with the latter. It is a fact that performance separates the winner from the loser. But, the real secret behind success in any team lies in fielding. In a recent Janamandali program telecast over the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga stated that they will concentrate more on fielding, as there is a certain drop in this vital department. Even if your team is a mediocre one, still, if your fielding is of a high standards, you can be a champion side.

In the recently concluded Carlton and United Series matches we saw some of our star players dropping easy catches. ``Keep your eyes on the ball'' is a basic principle in any ball game. Unless, you obey this golden rule, you have no chance of success. In fielding, you have to concentrate on every ball. You cannot relax. Sometimes, in the whole match you may have only one opportunity for a catch or a run-out, and it can be missed by lack of concentration, on just one delivery. That moment of dreaming, could cost-your side the match. It is always the case that the moment you start ``wool gathering'' that's the very moment you may get a catch.

There are certain important mental skills. For example, if you lose confidence, you lose your concentration. Remember, concentration is the most vital factor in performance. If you analyse and see many of your mistakes and failures are mainly due to lack of concentration. It is always the case that good players are able to preserve their physical and mental skills in difficult situations. A classic example that I witnessed and commentated was the brilliant and masterly innings of Aravinda De Silva against India (66 runs in 47 balls with 14 boundaries) and against Australia in the finals (107 n.o - 124 balls with 13 boundaries) in the 1996 World Cup. Good players can keep a cool head. It is very important.

You must always take fielding as a personal challenge. Cricket is always played at its best when fielders excel. But of the many good fielders in the past in local cricket two names that come to my mind as outstanding fielders are David Heyn (cover point) and that ``gutty cricketer'' from Nalanda and Bloomfield, Leslie Narangoda (out fielder). Present day, cricketers Roshan Mahanama, and Hashan Tillekeratne, cannot be forgotten. They are superb fielders. Lalith Kaluperuma was an outstanding gully fielder that Sri Lanka produced in the mid 1970's.

Reflexes, anticipation and concentration are three basic essentials for good fielding. Another key factor is the physical fitness. You must always enjoy fielding to be a good cricketer.

New format Test Cricket Tournament began this week. The participating countries are India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This Asian Test championship is a Test series with a difference.

Sri Lanka will play their first match against India and it will be played from February 24 to 28 at R. Premadasa Stadium Colombo. Although this will be a Test series, it will be very useful for the Sri Lankan Cricketers, especially the one's knocking at the door to gain representative honours in the 1999 World Cup Team.

Injured players should be rested

I presume that the national selectors will keep an eye on Ruwan Kalpage, Chandika Haturusinghe, Kumar Dharmasena, Russel Arnold and Sajith Fernando. I feel that they must rest the senior injured players till they are fully recovered. They must be hundred percent fit for the 1999 World Cup. It's not worth risking them playing in the Asian Test Championships. This will be a golden opportunity to ``discards'' and ``new players'' to show their claims. When there is a healthy competition, even the senior players will always look sharp.