Sunday Sep 22, 2024
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Sanath Jayasuriya
THE OVAL: When Sanath Jayasuriya was appointed interim Head Coach of the Sri Lanka cricket team many questioned his credentials as a coach and asked whether he was the right man for the job.
Certainly, Jayasuriya didn’t have any qualifications as a coach and neither had he been in charge of a side other than captain his country and devote 20 years of his lifetime to the national team.
Undertaking the job of head coach was not an easy one. You were putting your neck on the line, for failure meant a host of critics hounding for your blood. But Jayasuriya’s passion for the game even at the age of 55 got the better of him. It was as strong as it was when he was playing. He took up the challenge and in the two series he was appointed to play the role of interim head coach he has produced two stunning results – an ODI bilateral series win (2-0) against India after 27 years, and a Test victory against England at the Oval after 26 years.
“In Sri Lanka we started the Indian series with a 3-0 loss in the T20I and after that we came back and did well and won the ODIs. Here in England from the first game in Manchester we started to play good cricket. We knew that it was a lot of pressure for the boys from the start,” said Jayasuriya after Sri Lanka’s eight-wicket win in the third Test at the Oval.
“Test cricket is not easy in England. We planned a little bit by sending about 8-9 players, 12 days ahead of the tour to practice and get used to the conditions. We had one practice game which was not enough. When you are playing three Test matches in England you need more than one game. But from the first Test in Manchester, we started to do well. The bowlers and batsmen were determined to perform whenever they got the opportunity because the lengths and conditions are different. The bowlers find it difficult with the weather and the batsmen with the seam and swing because England bowled really well under these conditions.”
“But we never gave up. We came back in the second innings in Manchester capturing five wickets when England chased 200. When we came to Lord’s everyone thought that we should have batted first, but bowling first we got six wickets by tea before the game drifted away from us. The batting let us down in the first innings. The first innings was the issue for us.”
“We came to the Oval 2-0 down but we knew we had played good cricket. We didn’t start well here again but we discussed during breaks on the first day and, on the second day, the bowlers came back and got England out in one session. We got 263 but it was not the best because the batsmen got out to 50s and 60s which was not enough. But on the third day we bowled well to a plan and got England out in 34 overs. Pathum Nissanka was unbelievable coming back from all the injuries that he had. He played a brilliant innings and we won.”
“It was the first time we went with four fast bowlers because of the conditions and it worked well for us. Asitha (Fernando) was outstanding right throughout the series, Lahiru Kumara, I was very happy with his attitude. We couldn’t play him in the first Test because of his injury. That attitude I wanted the players to display in the middle because that is how we play our cricket. (Milan) Rathnayake, the newcomer bowled really well, and Vishwa (Fernando), the way he bowled in the second innings is what we wanted. All four pacies put in a fantastic effort and I am proud of them.”
Jayasuriya was all praise for some of the players who shone individually during the series.
“Kamindu Mendis, in pressure situations he batted like an experienced batter. That’s what I like. He gave his best to the team. Dhananjaya (de Silva) as captain took on a big responsibility every time he went out to bat. Without putting too much pressure on himself he gave his 100 percent. On a tour one or two batsmen can go without scoring runs which is quite common. Pathum did not play in the first Test but in the second and third he showed what type of player he is. Angelo Mathews after his first innings dismissal, the temperament he displayed to win the match I liked very much.”
“Regardless of the number of matches you play, enthusiasm and passion is what I look for. If we are to take Sri Lanka cricket forward you need to have that passion, you must have a love for your country and give 100 percent when you play. It doesn’t matter if you lose, but play good cricket. I saw that in all the players including the reserves and the support staff. I don’t have words to describe the contributions they made at all times.”
“Being with them was really good. I always share my experience and tell them what I feel and what I went through as a player. In the technical and coaching part, I have a nice bunch of support staff (Thilina) Kandamby, Ian Bell and Aqib Javed. Sanga (Kumar Sangakkara) and Lasith Malinga helped out as well.”
Having done so much in such a short time for Sri Lanka cricket when Jayasuriya was asked whether he would like to continue in his present role he replied, “When I got this job, I was not the most experienced coach but I did my best with the team with the experience I had. If Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wants me to continue for the New Zealand series I will do it.”
