Sri Lanka cricket on rise again under Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya has brought the passion of Sri Lanka cricket into the dressing room

• Cricketing legend brings into the dressing room what has been missing

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

When Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) appointed Sanath Jayasuriya as interim Head coach of the Sri Lanka cricket team many doubted his capabilities because he had not handled a team before and had no qualifications as a cricket coach. 

But what Jayasuriya had was his ability to get the best out of the players and to play the game hard to win which was his motto when he was a player.

Those qualities are what made him a world class cricketer and a legend. He has brought those virtues to the dressing room of the current Sri Lanka team and the players have responded so well that it is easily proved by the results he has achieved in his brief tenure as interim head coach. SLC has been so impressed with his performance that they have put him in charge of the team as Head coach for one year. In the past two months Sri Lanka has won an ODI series against India after 27 years, a Test match in England after 10 years and a Test series against New Zealand after 15 years.  

“When I undertook the coaching for the Indian series there were questions raised whether I could play the role of Coach as I have no previous experience. It was a big challenge so I told the public and media to be patient because the boys are good and I had a lot of faith in them, and that they will perform,” said Jayasuriya. “These boys have proved it. We gave them understanding and kindness. I told them to go and play without any fear. In the three series they gave more than 100%. That is why I am so happy. I cannot do it alone. My support staff (Thilina) Kandamby is working tirelessly with the batting unit to make it perfect. Likewise, we have our fast bowling and spin bowling units. One area where we need to improve is that our bowlers must be able to bat as well. We are working on them but their output is still insufficient. I want the bowlers to bat and put a good score on the board.”

Asked what he has brought to make the team successful, Jayasuriya replied, “Mainly I have given them the confidence and for them to trust me. Trust and confidence is very important. When you come into the team they look at you and they know that I have played enough cricket more than them, but still, if they don’t respect you it is difficult. They have the trust and the respect and I am giving them the full confidence and the freedom. They can come and talk to me anytime on any subject, cricket or any other matter. I have told them to go and play their natural game and our brand of cricket which is what I always want.”

“I talk to them and give them the proper information, after analysing and discussing the opposition. With this information and what we are doing as a team they are very happy. If a happy environment is there, they will definitely perform. I am getting all the support from SLC otherwise it will be difficult to do this job. I am very happy with the way the team has responded.”

“Slowly they have started to feel better, they are relaxed and enjoying themselves. The dressing room is a very happy environment. It’s the little basics we need to do, not miracles. We practice very hard, but when they want to rest I give it to them. The bowlers have to be looked after. For instance, Asitha (Fernando) is playing in all three versions, so we have to look after him. I have a support staff, all of us discuss and make decisions. I meet them very often and discuss before a match what should be done. It’s a team effort. There are some loose areas in our batting and bowling. We discuss and rectify all these and make sure we practice and we execute the plans in the middle.”

Inquiring whether there has been any instances where he’s had to put his foot down on players, Jayasuriya said, “Whenever I want to tell them I tell it to their face, but I always call them to a side and speak to them. They know the way I handle the team and they are responding well. There are no issues at the moment. I speak to the senior players and get their opinion and tell the other players don’t hesitate to come and talk to me. You have to give that confidence all the time because when you play for a long time, sometimes you don’t feel right. A player like Ramesh Mendis for instance, after taking 6 wickets in the first Test he was dropped. We made the change for the team and for Sri Lanka cricket. We explained to him and he had to understand. We will support him in the future.”