Sri Lanka struggling sans seniors: Sanath

Monday, 6 August 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sanath Jayasuriya, the former Sri Lankan captain, believes that the country will struggle in international cricket at the retirement of the legendary cricketers like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara but he is confident about the upcoming talent.

The islanders are not having a good time in international cricket since the retirement of their premier bowlers like Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas. The Lankans failed to win a Test series for almost two years, before dismantling Pakistan last year at home.

Things are expected to deteriorate for Sri Lanka in the coming years, with their seasoned cricketers, Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan likely to call it a day after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which will be played jointly in Australia and New Zealand.

Jayasuriya, who is considered to be one of the most destructive batsmen of the modern-day sport, admitted that players of such stature are not born every day and their absence will hurt the Lankan Tigers in the coming years.

However, the former left-hander feels that Sri Lanka went through a similar period when Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda De Silva retired from the global arena, but the youngsters raised their game and filled the void left by the great cricketers.

“These three are fantastic players, so it will be very difficult to straightaway find replacements for such men. I remember, when Arjuna (Ranatunga) and Aravinda went out, everyone was asking how we were going to fill the void,” the former captain said. “It took about six months or one year, then slowly Sanga and the others came and we got going.” The Lankans lost Test series last year against England, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa, looking completely out of shape. The former opening batsman however, wants the selectors to show faith on the budding youngsters, who can take responsibility in the coming years.

“Yes, we lost a few matches, but we needed to give the younger players the experience and the exposure, and the same will be the case in the future. At the same time, I don’t agree with certain selection decisions,” the former batsman added.

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