Jayasuriya puts value on playing three-Tests in England

The Sri Lanka cricket team underwent the customary religious ceremony at Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters before their departure to England yesterday. From left: Interim Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake, Ramesh Mendis, Nishan Madushka, Vishwa Fernando, and Asitha Fernando

• Sri Lanka had to wait 20 years after Test status to play a three-Test series

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka’s interim Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya put a value on tours to England, saying that it is not often that Sri Lanka gets an opportunity to play a three-Test series in Old Blighty, and the upcoming tour is important for the players to make full use of and make an impact.

“Test cricket is something that you long to play in your lifetime. The players know that, and I hope they will do their best in the series,” said Jayasuriya, prior to the team’s departure to England yesterday.

“It must be mentioned that we don’t easily get to play a three-Test series in England. The support staff will give a 100% to the players whom we expect will also give that much on the field and give a good contest in the three Tests. If we play to our potential, the results will come our way. We must perform well in all three departments; batting, bowling, and fielding, and move forward. The rankings will take care of itself.”

Sri Lanka first got to play a three-Test series in England only in 2002, 20 years after gaining Test status. Since then, they have toured England three times for a three-Test series in 2006, 2011, and 2016. So it is after eight years that we find Sri Lanka playing a series of three Tests in England.

The series is important to Sri Lanka to move forward in the ICC Test Championships standings. They are currently placed fourth with 50% points behind India, Australia, and New Zealand. England are in sixth position with 36.54% points.

Seven players of the 18-member squad are already in England preparing for the Test series which begins at Old Trafford, Manchester on 21 August. Yesterday, the remaining 11 players, along with the support staff, left for England to join the rest of the team. Sri Lanka have a four-day fixture against the England Lions starting on 14 August at Worcester before they take on England in the Test series.

The series is expected to be Jayasuriya’s final assignment as interim head coach and he hopes to go out on a high. He undertook the job for the two series against India and against England, giving Sri Lanka Cricket time to find a permanent head coach to succeed Chris Silverwood who quit at the end of the T20 World Cup in June.

Under Jayasuriya’s guidance, Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning 2-0 ODI series win against India after 27 years, which has boosted the team’s confidence for the England matches although it is a totally different format and different ball game. 

“We must appreciate the dedication shown by the players in the recent series against India,” said Jayasuriya. “In my first media conference, I said these boys are only going through a temporary setback and requested for everyone to support them because they needed the support. My personal thanks to the spectators. Even for the series against England, although we are in another country, the spectators’ support is important. It will give the team the strength to perform well and win.”

Sri Lanka Test Team to England

Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (Vice-Captain), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Nisala Tharaka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake