Sanath Jayasuriya Blogspot

It hurts most when your people turn against you - Jayasuriya

2011-09-22T08:47:00.001+05:30

More than five and a half months after the event, Sanath Jayasuriya still struggles to hide his disappointment. He attempts to put on a brave, philosophical face, but it is obvious that being left out of the team for the World Cup still rankles the 42-year-old.

As much as his own absence from the Sri Lankan team that worked its way to the final of the competition, the former skipper is also upset at the loss Kumar Sangakkara’s men suffered in the title round at the hands of India despite having put up a big total on the board.

“It was disappointing not to play in this World Cup,” Jayasuriya concedes in a chat. “People like the then chairman (Aravinda de Silva) said the team picked for the competition was the best team that could have been selected. Yes, I am disappointed personally for not having played in the World Cup, and I know it was very disappointing for the Sri Lankan people when the team lost in the final.

“At the interval, we all felt the team had a great chance of winning the title. When you have 270 on the board in a Cup final, it is as good as having the game in your hand. But I don’t think the defence of that total was planned properly, and I feel the bowlers were not used properly.”

Does he think he would have made a difference, with his vast experience, in a game as crucial as a World Cup final? “You can never say with any certainty exactly what would have happened,” he laughs. “But whenever I have got the opportunity, I have always done my best…”

Jayasuriya eventually called time on his international career a couple of months back, afforded a farewell in the limited-overs series in England. “It was a bit tough,” he recalls of the walk back to the pavilion after his last day in international cricket. “To have played 20 years of cricket and then to call it quits, it is a bit tough. But that is a reality you need to face some day. I took the decision to retire, and I have taken it in the right spirit.”

The destructive left-hander admits to a few regrets, and while he does throw up a few hints, he refrains from targeting individuals. “When you play as long as I have done, definitely there will be a few things that will not go your way,” he offers, measuring his words with great care. “What hurts most is when your own people turn against you.

“These are the people you have played with for a long time. Sometimes, when people who you have played with hit you in a different way, it becomes hard to digest. They have their own articles to write, and if they have something to say about you, they don’t do it straight up but go in a roundabout way in their criticism. That hurts. That’s something I will never do. But I have played enough and been around long enough to be able to take it in my stride. I feel if you want to make a point, come out in the open and make it directly,” he continues, leaving no one in any doubt which current players he is talking about though he pointedly chooses not to come up with names.

Jayasuriya says he hasn’t found juggling his multiple roles of a politician, a businessman, a commentator and an occasional cricketer difficult at all. “You can manage all these if you want to, and if you have a plan,” he shoots back. “I have some kind of a plan, and that makes it easy for me. I am very happy that I do a bit of everything.”

Source: DHNS

CLT20 2011: Age No bar for Sanath Jayasuriya

2011-09-18T23:51:00.003+05:30

As Ruhunu Eleven embark on their journey in the Nokia CLT20 Qualifiers with a game against Trinidad and Tobago, legendary opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya spoke to the media.

On playing his first CLT20

It’s nice to get this opportunity, especially of representing my provincial team. We are the domestic champions in Sri Lanka and we’re all happy to be here.

On Ruhunu being the underdogs

Yes, we are the underdogs. We’ve got a young team with exciting players who have been playing good cricket at the domestic level. Now they have got an opportunity to replicate that at the big level and they’re keen on doing well.

On playing T20 cricket at the age of 42

If you’re playing well and your team is happy with you, age doesn’t matter. I was a part of this team when they won the T20 domestic championship and did well there. I also played a lot of T20 games outside Sri Lanka, which helped me stay in shape. I want to share my experience with the youngsters and I hope it helps them.

On comparing the standard of competition between IPL and CLT20

The standard doesn’t matter. We just need to perform at our best as a team and as individuals. I just want to give my 100 per cent to my team as a batsman and a bowler.

On the absence of world class bowlers

It takes time. You cannot produce Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan overnight. You need to give youngsters time to prove themselves and that’s how great cricketers are made.

Source: CLT20 Official Website

Sanath Jayasuriya's creaking spin destroys Stuart Broad's England

2011-06-28T10:30:00.000+05:30

Here was a reassuring reminder for cricket purists: at the highest level, no matter how short the format, class will usually out. This was certainly the case in a disappointingly one-sided Twenty20 international, which ended with Stuart Broad's England being roundly defeated by Sri Lanka, who barely had to break sweat or, in Sanath Jayasuriya's case, into a trot. England lost by nine wickets with 16 balls to spare. It was a horror show.

The match was decided during an ugly period of play between the 12th over of the first innings and its conclusion, during which England contrived 41 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Thus they ended up with a paltry total of 136. Charlotte Edwards' women's side wereable to defend that target earlier in the day against Australia, Broad's had no chance once Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara set to work.

England, with Broad in charge for the first time, faltered at the start as Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter, hopefully reunited, both holed out tamely. However, Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan, England's class acts, soon restored the situation. Together they added 83 in fewer than nine overs with few alarms and five sixes. A proper, competitive total was on the horizon, whereupon the old boys of the Sri Lankan side intervened.

First Lasith Malinga induced Morgan to be caught on the leg-side boundary.Then England were undone by someone who first played international cricket in 1989 against Allan Border and Dean Jones. Jayasuriya will be 42 this week and is supposed to be here only for a grand farewell. Yet his creaking left-arm spinners inevitably accounted for Pietersen, who tried to cut a skidding, straight delivery and was bowled. The MP would also dispatch Ravi Bopara during a miserly three-over spell.

Until then Pietersen had batted fluently and England had advanced steadily. Now they looked a bit of a shambles and in need of a bit more class. It was a surprise that Ian Bell, in such sparkling and impish form, had been omitted from the side. Once again the established pecking order – Bell has rarely been included in recent Twenty20 teams – took precedence over the concrete evidence of the last few weeks.

Samit Patel endured something of a nightmare, except that he had probably wrestled in his sleep with every other calamity bar the one that overtook him. Still, to get off the mark, he punched the ball square of the wicket and wandered a few feet out of his crease. Jayawardene flung the ball back and hit the stumps and the laggardly Patel, turning slowly, had not quite regained his ground. Moving slower still he trudged back to the dug-out with his ignominious duck.

The tail were equally tame. No one could fathom Malinga to such an extent that in the last over of the innings England were reduced to scrambling three byes from three separate balls as flailing batsmen failed to make contact.

The blame for England's predicament – about 30 runs short of par – could hardly be laid at the captain's feet. But neither Broad nor anyone else could threaten Sri Lanka as they set about knocking off the runs. Once again those with a touch of class prevailed. Jayasuriya could not quite defy the years with the bat in his hand. Soon he drove to mid-off to allow Jade Dernbach his first international wicket. But by then Jayawardene was already in full flow.

Chris Woakes, trying to be too elaborate, was taken for 17 runs in his second over. Occasionally Jayawardene backed away to give himself room to hit on the off side. Most of the time graceful orthodoxy was all that was required. Dernbach's wide range of slower balls did not disturb him greatly; these types of delivery are only effective when a batsman is under pressure to score quickly. The Sri Lankans never were.

At the other end loitered Sangakkara nonchalantly dashing the ball through mid-wicket against Graeme Swann. It looked as if he was enjoying being back in the ranks.

Loyally the fans stayed on to admire Jayawardene flicking more boundaries off Woakes, but, by then, any tension or any uncertainty about the outcome had long since disappeared.

As for the debut captain: well, it was a doddle – for Thilina Kandamby of Sri Lanka. He hardly had to put his pads on or his thinking cap.

For Broad it was all a dire disappointment. He now discovered the agony of the post-match interview. We were informed that "we didn't execute our plans; we didn't hit enough boundaries and that Jayawardene and Sangakkara played fantastically well".

All Broad can hope for is that his batsmen do not leave him in the lurch again when his second game in charge comes around on 31 August. It is a long time for him to wait to exorcise a nasty experience, albeit against the likes of Virender Sehwag and Mahendra Dhoni.

'I hope to be selected for the England one-day series' - Jayasuriya

2011-06-04T01:06:00.000+05:30

Veteran Sri Lankan batsman Sanath Jayasuriya said that he is eyeing a comeback and hopes to be selected for the upcoming ODI series against England.

"I was disappointed when I was not picked for the World Cup. I have been part of the team and also in the [30-man preliminary World Cup] squad and when I missed it, I felt very disappointed," Jayasuriya told Gulf News in an interview.

"Our chief selector Aravinda De Silva said that he picked the best 15 players for the World Cup, which I don't think was the best. However, I don't want to comment on that much."

The 41-year-old, who has 444 ODIs under his belt, made his debut in 1989 and is now also a member of parliament. He last played an ODI for Sri Lanka in 2009, but appeared to be nowhere close to contemplating retirement.

"I hope to be selected for the England one-day series. I have been playing in the provincial series and have played well and got most runs in the domestic season," Jayasuriya said.

"If I get a chance I will give my best again for my country or I will continue with my preparations for the coming Sri Lankan Premier League (SPL) in July, which is going to be a big and interesting tournament."
The ODI series between England and Sri Lanka gets underway with the first ODI at the Kennington Oval in London on June 28.

© Island Cricket

Jayasuriya to captain Ruhuna in SL-T20-PL

2011-04-30T20:11:00.001+05:30

Six national captains, including four from Sri Lanka, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardane, Kumar Sangakkara and T. M. Dilshan, will lead seven Provincial teams in the forthcoming Sri Lanka T20-Premier League (SL-T20-PL) Tournament.

The seventh captain will be former Sri Lanka vice-captain, Chaminda Vaas. The Sri Lanka T20 Premier League will feature almost 35 international cricketing stars and will be the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.

The event organizers, Somerert Entertainment Ventures (SEV) have found a window for the tournament which is sandwiched between Sri Lanka's tour of England and Australia's tour of Sri Lanka.

The event will kick off on July 15th and will go on for 18 days. Twenty four hotly contested matches, including the two semi-finals and the final, will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium. There will be two matches on certain days.

Dashing opener T. M. Dilshan will lead Basnahira while Kumar Sangakkara (Kandurata), Mahela Jayawardane (Wayamba), Sanath Jayasuriya (Ruhuna) and Chaminda Vaas (Uva) will be the other captains.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi (Nagenahira) and New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori (Uthura) have been chosen to lead two provinces that were isolated from the game for ages due to the civil war.

Five overseas players could be registered to a provincial team but only four will be allowed to play in a match. Sri Lankan national selectors and cricket authorities have agreed to blood as many youngsters and almost 70 Sri Lankan cricketers will be registered in the seven team tournament.

Almost all Pakistani national cricketers will be invited to play in the SLPL. Factually, Sri Lanka was Pakistan's adopted home in the 2011 Cricket World Cup concluded last month as they played all their first round matches in Sri Lanka.

In addition to that, Chris Gayle and the Bravo cousins (Dwayne and Darren) from West Indies, Pathan brothers (Irfan and Yousuf) from India, Herschelle Gibbs, David Warner and Shaun Tait will be seen in action on Sri Lankan soil.

The availability of retired great Muttiah Muralitharan is not yet confirmed but some unconfirmed sources revealed that he is eager to play in the series.

Milind Rege, the tournament manager of the 2011 cricket World Cup will be in charge of all cricketing matters of the tournament. Rege is a former Ranji Trophy captain for Mumbai and recently retired from TATA corporation as a managing committee member.

Sanath Jayasuriya dancing in IPL 2011 after KXIP victory

2011-04-14T04:37:00.000+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya danced to the tune of Punjabi beats after Kings XI Punjab chased down an improbable 189 against Chennai Super Kings, thanks to Paul Valthaty's brilliant innings of 120 not out.

Jayasuriya, who is an expert with the official broadcaster Sony, had predicted that Kings XI will beat Chennai Super Kings and if that happens he will dance.

Adam Gilchrist reminded Jayasuriya of his promise in the post match ceremony. "I hope to see Sanath Jayasuriya dancing, he said he will dance if we win today," said the Kings XI captain.

True to his word, Jayasuriya shook his legs in the television studio.

"They (Kings XI Punjab) were being criticised by everybody. I had the confidence that they will win today," said Jayasuriya.

Peoples Sportsperson of the year 2011 - Sanath Jayasuriya

2011-04-09T13:13:00.004+05:30

Master Blaster Sanath Jayasuriya recently won the ' Peoples Sportsperson of the year 2011 ' award.

Nominated Names:

1.Sanath Jayasuriya
2.Kumar Sangakkara
3.Muttiah Muraitharan
4.T M Dilshan
5.Susanthika Jayasinghe

Winner : Sanath Jayasuriya

For more details click on Peoples awards official website and Nielsen Official website release.

Why Jayasuriya & Vaas are essential for World Cup 2011

2011-01-01T01:45:00.000+05:30

With the dawn the New Year, players of all countries contesting the 2011 World Cup are hard at practice. The countries have named their provisional squads of 30 players, from which the selectors will pick a squad of 15 by January 15 according to the rules of the International Cricket Council.

The Sri Lanka 30-member squad is being put through their paces by the coaches comprising Trevor Bayliss, Stuart Law, Champaka Ramanayake and Ruwan Kalpage.

Bayliss and Law are concentrating on the batting techniques, while Ramanayake and Kalpage are watching the bowling and fielding drills.

The squad is made up of tried and tested players who have been in the constellation of either Test, one-day or Twenty20 cricket. So there is not much to correct in them except the fine tuning of techniques for the Tests and the psychological finesse that goes with the terrain.

Talking situations

No doubt the preparations within the training squad should include discussions on various scenarios that range from the strategies of our teams and those of our opponents, from the type of wickets the curators will prepare and those that they will not prepare, from the quality of bowling to aggression of batting and …of course in these times of the effects of global warming, the vagaries and impacts of the weather.

Having played the game and being involved in writing about the game for over four decades, and having followed the failures and successes of our cricketers, we make bold to hazard a guess of the likely squad of 15 should be for the 2011 World Cup. We do so with all due respect to the selectors led by former batting great Aravinda de Silva, Ranjit Fernando, Amal Silva and Shabir Asgerally who when they sit to pencil the final squad will do so with none to fear.

Their target is to pick the squad that will deliver and bring the big prize in one-day cricket home. They have been in selection game before and are thick skinned enough to receive bouquets or the brickbats that await them after selection with equanimity. These selectors are gentleman of repute and neither fear nor favour affects them.

Arm chair critics

The brickbats will come from arm chair critics many of whom may not have handled a bat or know neither a chuck from legitimate delivery. And so thick skins and a sense of humour is what the Selectors and Sri Lanka Cricket led by D.S. de Silva need.

The selectors have made it known that they will look for the complete team. Translated, this means that they will mix youth with experience. With the World Cup not a pitch for the timid, there is no substitute for experience.

That is where the experience of Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas is essential. The selectors are all men of honesty and great integrity and who knows what it is to play a straight bat. Like in a team where only 11 can play, the ICC rules require that they name only 15. They would love to name more. But it is 15 and that’s it!

So here we go and here’s our 15. Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Matthews, Thisara Perera, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitheran, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekera, Ajantha Mendis, Malinga Bandara, Lasith Malinga.

The one player we would have loved to include was Dinesh Chandimal. But with only a squad of 15 allowed, it was with great reluctance that we had to leave him out of our radar.

J and V essential

Jayasuriya and Vaas are essentials in the team. They have been in World Cups and finals before and know the frying pan heat that exists and are the ideal foam and hoses to douse the fire.

Jayasuriya need not allow the political tag that he is carrying worry him. As usual he will have the green-eyeds baying for his ouster. Cricket is a different ball game and he has the all round experience and the talent to prove his worth, value and necessity in the team.

Jayasuriya has been tops at training. He has shown that age has not slowed his reflexes nor dimmed his enthusiasm and hunger. He is performing every drill like he did a decade ago and is looking ferocious like a lion in hunger and waiting to pounce and devour. He must be let loose.

Chaminda Vaas too has shown that he has not lost his ability, although he has slowed in pace. He is now concentrating on line, length and movement and pushing batsmen into the run drought zone. His batting skills have improved tremendously and he has shown an opening batsman’s flair in recent times.

Different stroke

The choosing of the final eleven to take the field we leave that to those who will have to execute a different stroke which will be no easy task, because they will be on a sticky wicket. However the playing eleven will be known, only after a look at the wicket. If it is a green top then it is obvious that Sri Lanka will go in pace heavy. If it is a dry strip, then it will be spin-heavy.

However everything will depend on the winning of the all important toss. What ever the playing eleven, if skipper Sangakkara has luck with the toss everything could be fine. But losing the toss could put us in a tricky situation. Sub continent pitches are notorious for assisting spin. With this in mind Sri Lanka will go in with spin reducing the pace battery. Sri Lanka will be playing most of their matches on home soil. With this being the case, with the home advantage of preparing the wickets, although there is no written law, it is likely that the curators will concentrate on wickets assisting spin. The home team must take advantage when preparing pitches. We have the world’s best spinner in Muttiah Muralitheran and the other spinners in the squad are equally good and the opposing batsmen will not find it easy coping with them.

With final 15-member squad picking time nearing all eyes will be focused on the four-member selection panel waiting to see the squad that they will toss out to carry Sri Lanka’s challenge in winning the biggest one-day cricket prize the 2011 World Cup. We have made our informed guess and prediction, but like all should, we shall take the selectors’ decision with grace as we have confidence in their collective wisdom. We wish them well.

(Source)

Jayasuriya, Murali among greatest - Clive Lloyd

2011-01-01T01:38:00.000+05:30

Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd has named two Sri Lankan veterans Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan as candidates to form the greatest One Day International team of all time.

Dashing left hander Jayasuriya and legendary off spinner Muralitharan both members of the 30 members World Cup squad are slotted in the opening and spin category respectively to form the greatest One Day International team of all time.

The other Sri Lankan players who are included in the list of players are Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Romesh Kaluwitharana and Chaminda Vaas.

The International Cricket Council's official website is asking supporters from across the globe to select their choice of the greatest One Day International match and team of all-time to mark the 40th anniversary of ODI cricket.

In his Greatest ODI Team of All Time, Lloyd believed quite a few West Indies players would make the cut. "Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner and Malcolm Marshall, would be some of the contenders for sure."

Lloyd named some of the candidates for the team: Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralidaran, Daniel Vettori, Sanath Jayasuriya, Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, Javed Miandad, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Adam Gilchrist and Wasim Akram. "I would love to lead a side like this. It will be dream come true. If I cannot lead, then there is no one better than Imran Khan for the job,"

As ODI cricket celebrates its 40th anniversary in January 2011, Lloyd went down memory lane about his side which is rated the best ever in cricket history.

"I think the approach we had, showed the way. We played quite a few shots and enjoyed our cricket. I am sure some of the teams picked it up from there. Sri Lanka certainly did with Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana in 1996.

'It was our thinking that shots must be played and the paying public must be entertained. That is the reason the crowds enjoy watching one-day cricket," said Lloyd.

Lloyd acknowledged that one-day cricket has changed quite a lot since his time at least in terms of batting.

"At least now they are playing a lot more shots. Now they innovate a lot. You have the Dilscooop, the reverse sweep, slog sweep and a lot more. That's what crowds want, entertainment. All this makes one-day cricket exciting," added Lloyd.

Lloyd calls one-day cricket the greatest innovation for the sport.

He was part of the early years of the format in the 1960s in England when it was played on Sunday afternoons between a select side called International Cavaliers and retired and current county cricketers.

"Whoever thought this format up deserves credit. As the craze grew everybody realised it was a bonanza. It started off as a 40-over game, went to 60 overs and we even played 55 overs a side in county cricket. It (ODIs) has improved the standards of fielding, raised tactical awareness and also brought in innovation."

Lloyd was also part of the other key moment in history when World Series Cricket (WSC) brought in new things like day-night cricket, white ball and coloured clothing in the late 1970s. "We have to thank Kerry Packer for these things.

He was instrumental for that. We owe him a great debt of gratitude," said Lloyd.

So dominant was Lloyd's side in that era that it made the final of the first three ICC Cricket World Cups with absolute ease and even won two of those editions (1975, 1979).

All-round fear by evergreen Sana‎th

2011-01-01T01:33:00.001+05:30

Penetrative bowling from paceman Nuwan Pradeep and veteran Sanath Jayasuriya helped Bloomfield beat Saracens CC by 51 runs in their SLC Premier limited overs cricket tournament Tier match worked off at Reid Avenue today.

Bloomfield: 209 in 46.3 overs (S. Jayantha 53, P. Jayawardena 27, C. Silva 48, M. Ranasinghe 2 for 28, L. Dias 3 for 32, E. Gangoda 2 for 11.)

Saracens CC: 158 in 38.2 overs (A. Suranga 35, E. Gangoda 19, D. Randhika 48 n.o, N. Pradeep 5 for 30, S. Jayasuriya 3 for 15)

Jayasuriya will be considered as a specialist batsman for WC 2011 - Aravinda

2010-12-15T11:16:00.000+05:30

Chairman of National Selectors Aravinda de Silva stated that his committee will weigh more on experience when naming the final squad of 15 players for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The national selectors on Monday named a 30 member preliminary squad in preparation for the World Cup and it will be pruned down to 15 by the first week of January next year in keeping with the ICC regulations.

Strong combination

The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will be worked off from February 19 to April 2 and will be co-hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Aravinda de Silva a member of the 1996 World Cup winning team said that all players in the preliminary 30 member squad have justified themselves to be in this position as they look to form a powerful combination of youth and experience.

Specialist batsman

He said that veteran Sanath Jayasuriya will be considered as a specialist batsman and experienced left arm seamer Chaminda Vaas as an opening bowler. However their selection for the final 15 member squad will depend on how well they could balance the team.

De Silva regretted the fact that they missed out a great opportunity of seeing some of the players in action who were earmarked for the probable final squad following the postponement of the five match one day international series against the West Indies.

As a result they were forced to consider the past performances and the international experience of some of the players before naming them in the preliminary 30 member squad.

De Silva stressed the importance of the players having some exposure at international level ahead of the World Cup and said that Sri Lanka Cricket are exploring the possibilities of playing at least a couple of matches against Bangladesh.

Training sessions

He noted that with no competitive cricket at the moment the players have organized a series of training sessions both at day and night at all World Cup venues namely Hambantota, Pallekele and R Premadasa International Stadium.

No passengers

De Silva further noted that there will be no passengers in the final 15 member squad and each player will need to play a specific role given the occasion.

He recalled an example how Upul Chandana even as 12th man played a decisive role on the field during the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal match against England.

Chairman national selectors also believed that the final 15 member squad should include a variety of players who are capable of turning around the game during different match situations.

(Source: Dailynews.lk)

Jayasuriya, Vaas in list of WC 2011 probables

2010-12-13T23:01:00.000+05:30

Sri Lanka has picked veterans Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas in a preliminary squad for next year's World Cup.

Sri Lanka Cricket released a list of 30 players on Monday, of which 15 will be selected for the final squad.

If selected, Jayasuriya will be playing in his sixth succesive World Cup. The dashing opener took the world by storm in the 1996 edition, when he along with Romesh Kaluwitharana took the opposition bowlers to the sword during the field restrictions. Jayasuriya was declared the player of the tournament on that occasion.

Out of favour medium pacer Vaas has been a useful contributor for the Lankans over the years and at 36 will be hoping to feature in yet another World Cup.

List of probables:

T M Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Taranga Paranavithana, Lahiru Thirimanna, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardena, Thilan Samaraweera, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilina Kandamby, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedara, Angelo Mathews, Tissara Perera, F. Maharoof, Jeewan Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Hearth, Malinga Bandara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekera, Dilhara Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Dhammika Prasad, Chaminda Vaas, Chamara Wellagedara, Nuwan Pradeep, Thilan Thushara

Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas included in World Cup final thirty

2010-12-05T00:59:00.001+05:30

Sidelined veterans Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas have been included in the World Cup final thirty which the Sri Lanka Cricket has to forward to the ICC by the 10th of this month, the Sunday Times learns.

Vaas, the 36-year-old left arm seam bowler who had a brilliant stint with Worcestershire during the English summer this year, was a strong contender for a comeback with the slacking fast-bowling arsenal in the local stores.

Vaas who has 400 international one-day wickets to his credit played his last ODI against India at the R. Premadasa Stadium on August 8, 2008 and has been overlooked since. Vaas was a member of the 1996 World Cup winning Sri Lankan squad.

He played his first ODI also against India in Rajkot way back in February 1994. The other veteran, Sanath Jayasuriya, is a champion of 444 ODIs and has scored 13,428 runs in 432 innings and was named the Most Valuable Player at the 1996 World Cup which Sri Lanka won.

Jayasuriya made his ODI debut against Australia in Melbourne on December 26, 1989 and played his last ODI against India in New Delhi on December 27 2009. A left arm orthodox spinner, Jayasuriya in his 444 appearances bagged 322 wickets with his best being 6/29 against England. In his last stages with the national team he was used more as a stock left arm spinner and a lower middle order batsman.

The Sunday Times exclusively revealed that both Vaas and Jayasuriya were back at training with the Lankan squad in September 2010. From the very inception both cricketers made it very clear of their intentions of being a part of the 2011 World Cup squad.

Meanwhile, the selectors have named a probe-in-the-dark squad of sixteen for the first two one-day Internationals against the West Indies to christen the Sooriyawewa Stadium on Thursday and Saturday.
Still trying to get their final combinations ready for the World Cup 2011, the selectors have left out their champion match winner Muttiah Muralitharan, thus depriving the legend some much-needed match practice.

The top heavy Lankan batting line up has been cushioned with the inclusion of dependable Thilan Samaraweera, but the unproven talents of Chamara Kapugedera and Chamara Silva have been persisted with while futuristic Dinesh Chandimal has been sidelined again. However the inclusion of Samaraweera should take a lot of pressure off the shoulders of Dilshan, skipper Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena, a batsman who has been going through a lean patch lately.

Once again, the lower middle order has been beefed up by Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera. One also wonders how leg-spinning batsman Jeewan Mendis could fit into the final XI in these two games with the top seven reading Tharanga, Dilshan, Sangakkara, Mahela, Thilan, Angelo and Thisara Perera who has more than proved his worth with some telling contributions in the recent past.
Jeewan also may not be opted only as a bowler as the selectors have put their faith on Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herat and Suraj Randiv.

The three seamers in the side are Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando. Nevertheless the selectors have left a door open for themselves by naming the squad only for the first two games.

(Source)

Jayasuriya & Namal: Two MPs to bat for ICC Cricket World Cup

2010-10-18T05:01:00.001+05:30

MPs, Namal Rajapaksa and Sanath Jayasuriya were present for the opening of the ticket reservations for the ICC Cricket World Cup which was announced at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota yesterday.(Source)

Sanath and Mahela make an appearance at Zig Tech Reebok event

2010-09-30T03:43:00.003+05:30

September 29, 2010: It was a celebrity event for footwear giant Reebok when Sri Lankan cricketers Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayewardene made an appearance at the launch of their newest shoe ‘ZIG TECH’ at their flagship Maitland Crescent store on Tuesday.

Unveiling the new shoe and trying it on themselves, the cricketers thanked Reebok for their commitment to enhancing the standards of cricket in Sri Lanka by ensuring the team has the exact requirements necessary for peak performance.

Other cricketing Reebok brand ambassadors in the Asian region are M.S. Dhoni, Rahul Dravid and Shoaib Malik.

Sanath, Vaas off to the Caribbean

2010-09-26T09:31:00.000+05:30

Batting maestro Sanath Jayasuriya and veteran all-rounder Chaminda Vaas are among hosts of Sri Lankan ex-cricketers who will represent Sri Lanka at the four-nation CLOBI Cup World Master’s Cricket Tournament to be held in Barbados, West Indies.

The tournament, a brainchild of Cricket Legend’s of Barbados is aimed at brining the legends of cricket together for the purpose of providing a world class, exciting and entertaining tournament to Barbados, the region and the world. All matches will be played at the Kensington Oval, formerly known as Pickwick Cricket Club.

The one-week event will commence on October 30 while the finals is to be played on November 5.

Sri Lankans legends will be up against the likes of Mohammed Azharuddin and Javagal Srinath from India, Graeme Hick and Graham Thorpe from England and Courtney Walsh, Courtly Ambrose and Carl Hooper from West Indies. Former Sri Lanka skipper Marvan Atapattu will captain Sri Lanka legends team.

Though Sri Lanka is yet to finalize the team, players Romesh Kaluwitharana, Upul Chandana, and Indika de Saram have all confirmed their participation for the tour.

Sanga’s choice of openers upsets Jayasuriya

2010-08-28T23:49:00.001+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya questioned the wisdom of Kumar Sangakkara making his choice of batting line-up for the World Cup public, saying as skipper, Sangakkara should be more responsible about the statements he made.

''You can have your opinions as an individual, but when you are in a position of responsibility, you must be careful of what you say in public,” the most capped one-day player in the history of the game told Deccan Herald. Sangakkara’s preferred line-up does not include Jayasuriya, the current captain plumping instead for younger guys like Dinesh Chandimal and Jeevan Mendis who are not in the squad for the tri-series under way. “I am not disappointed, it’s just an individual making a statement,” the 41-year-old Jayasuriya reiterated. “Anybody has the freedom to do so, but we must remember that there is a system in place, there are four selectors whose job it is to pick the team. Yes, the captain must have a say, I agree, but at the end of the day, the players must play the game and the administrators must run it. “There are six months between now and the World Cup, anything can happen in that period. For the captain to come out and make his choices clear and public is not in good taste. What are the selectors there for?” Jayasuriya, an elected member of Parliament, questioned. The explosive left-hander hasn’t played for Sri Lanka since the World T20 in the Caribbean, and his last 50-over game for the country was in India last December. “I am still fit, and I have the same enthusiasm as before,” the former skipper went on. “I have been training with the domestic season in mind. I have come up the hard way, taken several knocks along the way and therefore I value playing for Sri Lanka. I feel I still have what it takes to succeed at the international level. “Now that I have retired from Test cricket, I am managing my cricket better, too,” he observed. “Age is just a number, I don’t think it has affected my fitness in any way because I work really hard to stay fit. And I don’t give up. I know that eventually, it’s performances that will count, and that once the provincial tournament starts, I must grab my chances and make runs. I was happy with the runs I made for Worcestershire this season in England, and I am confident I will deliver in the domestic competition too.” Massive stage Only Javed Miandad has played in six World Cups. Jayasuriya and his Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar have been part of five campaigns, with a sixth beckoning. “The World Cup is a massive stage, and I personally feel the future of 50-over cricket is secure,” Jayasuriya pointed out. “It’s a bit disappointing that the fans aren’t flocking the grounds to watch one-day cricket like they used to. Now, it’s all about T20 cricket – the combination of cricket and entertainment. Plus, you get a result in three hours. The administrators must find ways of bringing the crowds back to 50-over cricket.” One of the pioneers of making the most of the first 15 overs, Jayasuriya agreed that the face of the 50-over game had changed. “There aren’t too many destructive openers. Of course, there is Sehwag who is a unique player. There is no doubt he is the most explosive opener now. But with the introduction of the batting Power Play, there is scope to make quick runs in other positions too.”

Sanath Jayasuriya Cricket Foundation win and lose

2010-07-31T12:27:00.001+05:30

A fine spell of right arm off spin bowling (4 for 16) by Yoshitha Atukorale failed to help SJCF beat Roy Dias Cricket Academy in a friendly under 13 match played over the weekend.

Charith Mihiranga contributed a fighting 50 for RDCA, that virtually took them through to a fine win. This was the 2nd match of two matches played on the same day.

SJCF did well to convincingly win the 1st match and thus both sides won one match each.

These matches have been organized in preparation for the cricket tour to Bangalore, India by SJCF as they will be embarking on its 1st tour abroad with Sanath Jayasuriya, himself being present.

In the 1st match, SJCF 175 for 9. Y. Atukorale contributing a top score of 25 and in bowling for SJCF, B. Kumararatne captured 3 wickets to bundle out RDCA for 101.

Chief Scores:
1st match.
SJCF 175 for 6 (Y. Atukorale 25, B. Kumararatne 21, A. Dissanayake 20, D. Sumathipala 15).

RDCA 100 all out (B. Kumararatne 3 for 10, Y. Atukorale 2 for 9, B. Perera 2 for 12).

2nd match.
SJCF 117 all out. (A. Dissanayake 30, B. Kumararatne 17, B. Perera 18, S. Rabukpotha 15, Y. Atukorale 10: T. Kavinda 3 for 13, Pushpika 3 for 10).

RDCA 120/7 (V. Samuditha 20, C. Mihiranga 50, Y. Anjana 23 n.o: Y. Atukorale 4 for 16, B. Perera 2 for 12).

Life without Murali, Jayasuriya and Vaas

2010-07-30T09:29:00.004+05:30

Sri Lankan cricket is bracing itself for life without three of its greatest ever players.

Spinner Muttiah Muralitharan retired from Test cricket after taking his 800th wicket in a victory over India, while Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas - who have already ended their Test careers - are on the verge of bowing out of international cricket for good.

These three veterans, along with Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva, were responsible for transforming Sri Lankan cricket.

Their collective performance brought an unexpected victory at the 1996 World Cup and persuaded the established powers to arrange extended Test tours in Sri Lanka.
In particular it was Murali, under Ranatunga's captaincy, who led the evolution from underdog to formidable cricketing force.

"I think Sri Lanka will be extremely lucky if it gets another Muralitharan within the next 100 years," Ranatunga told the BBC.

Kent spinner Malinga Bandara agrees, saying: "I think Murali's achievements with bowling are equal to Sir Donald Bradman's remarkable achievements from the bat."

Sanath Jayasurya, meanwhile, has harvested his natural talents with bat and ball.

"I think Jayasuriya is a natural player, both batting and bowling, who actually does not need any coaching," said Champaka Ramanyake, Sri Lanka's bowling coach.

Nicknamed "Master Blaster", Jayasuriya was instrumental in introducing an aggressive batting style - together with Romesh Kaluwitharana - as the opening batsman. His unpredictable batting helped Sri Lanka to win the World Cup and made him player of the tournament.

"There have been occasions that fans left the ground when they learnt that Jayasuriya was not playing," said Ramanyake.

Rating Vaas as the best-ever fast bowler Sri Lanka has produced, Ramanyake believes his contribution has been key to Murali's record success.

"In cricket we talk about pairs. Since 1996, it was Vaas who supported Murali from the other end, while Murali was taking wickets," said the bowling coach.
Vaas also contributed with his patient batting style.

"I think Vaas, with his overall performance, was unlucky not to be appointed as a captain. That is what happens when you are surrounded by a very talented group," said Channaka de Silva, sports editor of the Daily Mirror English.

The trio may yet be re-united, for the last time, at the 2011 World Cup, which will be hosted by Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.

Both Murali and Jayasuriya are still members of the national team for the shorter version of the game, while Vaas faces an uphill battle despite his good form for Northamptonshire.

"I have been knocking on the door to get back to the ODI team but the selectors have been coming up with different excuses," Vaas told the BBC Sinhala service.

Beyond that tournament, how will Sri Lanka cope without the presence of three legends in the dressing room?

"I think Sri Lanka won't notice a huge impact in the short term," says de Silva.
"Australia, for example, went through a downward tendency long after the departure of many senior players," he said.

Mahela Jayawardene's 10th Test hundred at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Tuesday may be a clear example of the team's new direction.

"The game won't disappear just because players retire," says Ramanayake. "But of course we may not see similar records and performance in the near future."

While Sangakkara and Jayawardene may feel the absence of three veterans in the dressing room, the younger generation will be assigned with the difficult task of carrying on.

For the moment, though, it seems it is business as usual for the Sri Lanka squad.

Jayasuriya’s exclusion may prove costly for Sri Lanka

2010-07-21T02:09:00.000+05:30

Sri Lankan all rounder, Sanath Jayasuriya has been dropped from the squad. He was not one of the twenty players who were offered new central contracts by Sri Lanka Cricket for the upcoming season. Jayasuriya who is now 41 years old, has been playing since 1989 and played an essential role in Sri Lanka winning the 1996 World Cup. Despite Jayasuriya’s public wishes to play until the 2011 World Cup before retiring, he was not amongst the twenty players who were offered contracts, which could be blamed on his recent poor performance.

Jayasuriya held the record for the highest Test score by a Sri Lankan, 340 against India, and the longest partnership in a Test match, with Roshan Mahanama, where they managed 576 runs in 1997. However, almost 10 years later, the records were broken by fellow Sri Lankans, Mahela Jayawardene with partner Kumar Sangakkara. Jayasuriya also holds the honour of being the first Sri Lankan and the 33^rdcricketer in history to reach the 100 Test mark.

Jayasuriya also has an impressive record in his One Day International career, he holds the fourth highest One Day International score with Viv Richards, and also boasts one of the four highest individual Sri Lankan scores. He is the current holder of the record for the fastest fifty in ODI’s, which he scored just off of 17 balls. He was the record-holder for the fastest century and the world record for most ODI sixes, both of which he lost to Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi.

He became the fourth batsman in the world to score more than 10,000 runs and the second batsman to score more than 12,000 and 13,000 runs in the history of the One Day Internationals. He also holds the third highest number of centuries in One Day Internationals, with an impressive 28 centuries. In addition to that he heads the most international ODI caps, 444, closely followed by Sachin Tendulkar of India.

Jayasuriya made his mark in Twenty20 cricket as well, in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, he impressed by scoring two centuries in the group stages.

His form started declining and he didn’t impress too much in the One Day International series against England after the World Cup, which Sri Lanka lost 3-2. In 2007, he signed for Warwickshire in the Twenty20 Cup, but only a year later he signed with the Mumbai Indians to play in the Indian Premier League. He now plays with Worcestershire Royals in their Twenty20 cup campaign.

Glenn McGrath said, Jayasuriya was in his list of XI toughest batsmen, “it is always a massive compliment to someone to say they changed the game, and his storming innings in the 1996 World Cup changed everyone's thinking about how to start an innings.” Jayasuriya whose trademark shot is a lofted cut over point, can diversify with both cuts and pulls. Sri Lanka Cricket’s decision to leave Jayasuriya out may prove costly, because despite his age and recent poor form, the Sri Lankan star still has a lot to offer.

I owe my good captaincy record to Murali - Jayasuriya

2010-07-20T00:26:00.001+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya - Former Lankan skipper pays rich tributes to his retiring mate

Sanath Jayasuriya, accompanied by his son Ranuka, share a light moment with Muttiah Muralitharan during a Sports Ministry event in Colombo on January 2, 2010. President Rajapaksa presented tokens of appreciation to Jayasuriya for having completed 20 years in the international arena. Muralitharan was feted for his world records, while retired sprinter Susanthika Jayasinghe was honoured for her silver medal at the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney.

Their careers overlapped for the most part, the marauding batsmanship of the one complemented beautifully by the cunning and guile of the other during the golden era of Sri Lankan cricket.

Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan share a wonderful relationship, one born out of mutual admiration and respect, as well as both individuals’ desire to be the best in their chosen vocations.

The 41-year-old Jayasuriya recently completed 20 years in international cricket and is still available for limited-overs duties. Three days from now, Muralitharan, 38, will bid adieu to Test cricket but will keep his options open so far as the one-day format is concerned, with an eye on the World Cup in the sub-continent early next year.

Both men were crucial cogs in the wheel during Sri Lanka’s triumphant march to the 1996 World Cup, and once Jayasuriya took over the captaincy at the turn of the millennium, Muralitharan played a key role in the former’s successful stint at the helm.

Under Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka won 18 of their 38 Tests. Muralitharan played in 17 of those triumphs, and played a significant part, too. In all, 35 Tests under Jayasuriya brought Muralitharan an astonishing 230 wickets at 20.22, well below his career average of 22.71, with 20 five-wicket innings hauls and nine ten-wicket match collections.

“I have a good record as a Sri Lankan captain, and the main reason for that, I think, is that I was fortunate that Murali was at his peak during the four years I captained the side,” said the former skipper, now a television expert, among other things, as he bides his time hoping for a recall to the one-day set-up.

“Murali is a great character,” he went on, his eyes twinkling with admiration. “There’s never a dull moment when he’s around. He’ll keep all of us going, cracking jokes and giving insights on basically anything. He’s also very positive, hardly gets into a negative mentality and basically it’s fun when he’s around. He’s a very genuine guy as well, and the work he did after the tsunami has been very much appreciated by everyone.”

Jayasuriya was serving apprentice under Arjuna Ranatunga when Muralitharan was called in Australia for chucking in 1998. It is no secret that Ranatunga took on the establishment and steadfastly stood by his star bowler. Jayasuriya provided a ringside insight into those difficult days. “Murali owes a lot to Arjuna for the way he defended him, and he’s been grateful to Arjuna ever since,” Jayasuriya observed. “When he was called for throwing in 1998 in Australia, I was the vice-captain of the side. Some of the measures Arjuna took to defend him will be hard to match.”

Reflecting on his time alongside Muralitharan in the national team, the towering left-hander said, “Our careers ran parallel. The hard times and the good times we went through together… Going on to win the World Cup in 1996 was the pinnacle.

“I also remember the Oval Test with great fondness, when we beat England in England for the first time,” Jayasuriya reminisced. “We both played a crucial part in our team’s success. Murali got 16 wickets in that Test, and I got a double hundred. That victory is a very special moment along with winning the World Cup.”

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[VIDEO] Jayasuriya presenting an IFFA Award

2010-07-19T05:51:00.002+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya Blogspot

Contract snub doesn’t bother Jayasuriya

2010-07-16T21:58:00.000+05:30

Sri Lanka's 41-year-old all rounder, Sanath Jayasuriya has no regrets over missing the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) annual contract. He has been a permanent fixture in the Sri Lanka side after playing a key role in the 1996 World Cup, but found himself dropped from the list.

Speaking exclusively over his mobile from Worcestershire, he said, "I have no regrets. Those who perform well, get contracts. I can not make comments on who have made this decision, but even without contract, I can play for the nation".

In January 2009, during the first ODI against India, he became the second man to cross 13,000 runs in ODIs', and at the age of 39 years and 212 days, he became the oldest man to score an ODI century.

The contracts to the 20 players have been worked out on previous year's performances and found no place for him. Interestingly, Muthiah Muralidharan, who is set to retire from Test cricket after the Galle Test against India, has been retained in the list.

Sanath Jayasuriya will not be able to witness Murali's farewell Test from the VIP enclosure. "I am returning (to Sri Lanka) only by the end of this month and will miss watching him play the last Test. However, I have already sent him a good-luck message for his last Test. He is a great player, who has done lot for the country and not only we, as team mates, but the entire nation will miss him", Jayasuriya further added.

Jayasuriya is likely to be appointed as a guest studio commentator by Ten Sports to air his views on the Sri Lanka-India matches, along with Arun Lal and Dean Jones. He may not play for Worcestershire's final two matches.

Jayasuriya to be a part of Ten Sports Expert Analysis team

2010-07-15T11:57:00.002+05:30

The Micromax Cup between India and Sri Lanka will be telecast live on Ten Sports. The three-match test series begins on July 18, 2010.

Commenting on the live telecast of the series, Atul Pande, chief executive officer, Ten Sports, said, "Ten Sports is committed to bringing the best of international cricket to its viewers. The matches in the Series will also be tied with in-depth pre- and post-match analyses from experts in the cricketing space.”

Some of the guests scheduled to appear on the studio shows include Charu Sharma, Arun Lal, Dean Jones and Sanath Jayasuriya. To promote the series, Ten Sports has launched a 360-degree marketing campaign revolving around the thought “The No.1 Test Team is back”, to appear in print, outdoor, digital, radio and television.

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Jayasuriya may not play for Worcester's final 2 matches

2010-07-14T11:56:00.001+05:30

WORCESTERSHIRE Royals could go into Sunday’s final Friends Provident t20 North Group match without an overseas player after they revealed Shakib Al Hasan will not be arriving until next week.

It was hoped that the Bangladesh vice-captain would join the New Road outfit for the final two games - Warwickshire Bears away on Friday night and Lancashire Lightning at home on Sunday.

However, he will remain with his national side until next Tuesday night before joining up with the rest of his new team-mates in Derby for the LV= County Championship Division Two clash with Derbyshire the following day.

New Road chief executive Mark Newton said Sri Lankan star Sanath Jayasuriya may be released prior to the clash with Lancashire should the Royals’ quarter-final hopes be over.

The Bangladeshi cricket authorities told Newton today that the world’s leading one-day all-rounder will play their two one-day internationals in Ireland before heading north to play Scotland on Monday and the Netherlands, in which County batsman Alexei Kervezee will feature, on the Tuesday before making the near 300-mile trip from Glasgow to Derby.

It is a bitter blow for the Royals as the news comes after Australian opener Phil Jaques headed back home to New South Wales.

“We understand the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s stance,” Newton said. “Of course, we are disappointed, but they regard all their matches as important and they have picked up a number of injuries.

“But when you sign international players this can happen as their boards have first rights, so it’s a great shame that Shakib will miss our Twenty20 campaign.”

Newton said the County will talk to Jayasuriya this week about his involvement in the final two matches of the Royals t20 campaign.

Worcestershire need to win their remaining two games to stand a chance to progression, but the New Road chief executive admits all hopes of a place in the last eight would be all but over should Derbyshire Falcons beat Durham Dynamos tomorrow night.

If the Falcons win in the north-east it would mean, should they lose their final two matches, that progression would go down to run-rate and Derbyshire have a vastly superior one to Worcestershire.

“Sanath will be in the squad on Friday, but we will talk to him this week about the final match if we are no longer in contention,” Newton said.

“The key match is tomorrow’s meeting between Derbyshire and Durham. If Derbyshire win then it could go down to run-rate and we are a long, long way behind.”

Jayasuriya, Vaas to be considered for WC 2011 - Aravinda

2010-07-14T11:33:00.000+05:30

Not only Sanath Jayasuriya, even Chaminda Vaas will be considered for the World Cup 2011, said Aravinda De Silva, Chairman of National Selection Committee. He added they are keeping a close eye on them and if the need arises they will definitely be given a chance to play.

Aravinda De Silva made this statement speaking exclusively to Ada Derana yesterday. He also said that this decision would not hinder the opportunities for younger players as they have enough and more time before them.

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[VIDEO] Sanath Jayasuriya - 54 off 29 balls vs Lancashire

2010-07-11T17:39:00.002+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya smashed 54 runs off 29 balls, playing for Worcestershire Royals vs Lancashire in the Friends Provident T20 County Tournament 2010 which included 4 sixes and 4 fours.

Scorecard: http://www.cricinfo.com/countycricket2010/engine/match/435780.html

Jayasuriya left out of SLC Contract list

2010-07-11T02:31:00.001+05:30

Finally it is curtains for 41-year-old Member of Parliament Sanath Teran Jayasuriya as far Sri Lanka cricket is concerned. The Panel of selectors led by Aravinda de Silva has decided upon the contracts for the 2010/11 season and requested the Lankan cricket hierarchy to omit the Lankan cricketing veteran from the list of contracted players for the coming season.

Jayasuriya who played 110 Tests for Sri Lanka and scored 6973 runs with an average of 40.07 making 14 centuries and 31 half centuries. Jayasuriya made his Test debut for Sri Lanka against New Zealand at Hamilton on February 22, 1991. He is also one of the triple centurions for Sri Lanka making a highest score of 340 against India at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

The left hand opening batsman who was more prolific as a ODI player turned out for Sri Lanka in 444 One-day Internationals and scored 13,428 runs at and average of 32.43. The Contracts for the Lankan players expired at the end of March this year and was delayed owing to logistical reasons. SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga explaining the situation to the Sunday Times said “Now we have ironed out the few creases on the sheet and are ready to sign them up before the first Test against India at Galle on the 18th of July.” He also added that there would be some more names added to the list after the Sri Lanka A tour of Australia.

In category 1 comes the incumbent national cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara along with former skipper Mahela Jayawardena, vice captain Muttiah Muralitharan, Thilan Samaraweera and T.M. Dilshan. However as Muralitharan has retired from Test cricket he will be paid only 40% of his contract, but, still will remain with the top five contracted players.

With Muralitharan calling it a day in Test cricket, the next hurdle for the selectors would be to select a vice captain from the second Test against India which will begin on the 26th of July at the Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds. On the head to head count it would be a toss up between the next most senior player T.M. Dilshan and consistent Thilan Samaraweera, but one could not leave out promising all rounder Angelo Mathews for the job if they are looking for Lankan cricketing fortunes beyond 2011. It is noteworthy that the 23-year-old allrounder had been placed on the category III contract over several other seniors.

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Worcs fall four runs short after Jayasuriya fireworks

2010-07-10T05:49:00.000+05:30

WORCESTERSHIRE Royals' hopes of reaching the Friends Provident t20 quarter-finals are all but over after a nervy three-run defeat to Durham Dynamos.

Set 145 to win at New Road, Steve Rhodes' side took the match to the last ball but, having slumped from 51-1 to 67-4, were always behind the run-rate and lost cheap wickets chasing the target.

Despite 45 from Sanath Jayasuriya, it was a disappointing effort with the bat from a promising position and the Royals now go into tomorrow's match with Leicestershire Foxes at HQ bottom of the North Group.

It had all looked so good for Worcestershire after their decision to bowl upon winning the toss saw Durham openers Phil Mustard and Mark Stoneman stifled by Moeen Ali and Imran Arif before Jack Shantry bowled Mustard in the third over.

There were, though, a few nervy moments with Shaaiq Choudhry, making his Twenty20 debut, letting a Mark Stoneman drive slip through his fingers.

Choudhry also put down Stokes on 36 off Moeen as he juggled what seemed a certain catch before allowing it to squirm from his grasp.

Stokes was finally dismissed for 44, following a second-wicket stand of 85 with Stoneman, to a fine catch by a Moeen at long-on.

Stoneman was stumped by teenager Ben Cox off returning skipper Vikram Solanki for 46, but Durham's progress remained pedestrian. From there, the visitors lost the wickets of Dale Benkenstein, Albie Morkel and Gordon Muchall for 12 runs as they closed on 144-6.

In reply, Jayasuriya was quickly into his stride and plundered two successive sixes off Morkel in the fifth over.With Phil Jaques, the pair eased passed 50 but the Australian was soon on his way as he skied Ben Harmison to Gareth Breese.

The Royals then lost two wickets in the eighth over to Breese, Moeen chipping to Will Smith and Jayasuriya going leg-before five short of his half-century.

Having made such a prom-ising start, the Royals had only reached 67 at half-way and things got worse when Alexei Kervezee was well caught at mid-wicket by Stoneman, again off Breese, who finished with 3-14.

Solanki hit the first six of the innings in the 13th over but, when he was caught by Muchall for 25, his team's chances deteriorated.

There was a late moment of controversy as a wayward Steve Harmison delivery was given as a wide despite the ball appearing to slip out of the seamer's grasp.

Clearly riled, the former England paceman sent Daryl Mitchell's stumps cart-wheeling with next ball and with it went any realistic chance of a Royals victory.

Jayasuriya & Worcester Royals facing do-or-die time

2010-07-07T22:22:00.000+05:30

WORCESTERSHIRE Royals head to Leicestershire Foxes this evening (5.40 pm) requiring snookers if they are to stand a chance of qualification for the quarter-finals of the Friends Provident t20.

While the New Road side can overhaul everyone in the North Group except leaders Nottinghamshire Outlaws, most teams have four matches remaining, meaning a 100 per cent record in the five remaining games for Steve Rhodes’ outfit might not be enough.

The Royals are looking to bounce back from their crushing 46-run defeat at Lancashire Lightning on Monday night.

Worcestershire’s failure to come to grips with the 20-over game has not been made any easier due to injuries to some of Rhodes’ key performers.

Skipper Vikram Solanki has been missing since the third match of the competition with a pelvis problem and is unlikely to be fit until late next week when the Royals could be just playing for pride.

Seamer Chris Whelan, a bowler Rhodes says would be first on his teamsheet, has not featured at all due to a number of injuries.

Alan Richardson has only been able to play twice due to an on-going elbow complaint, while fellow paceman Matt Mason pulled up injured two balls into his second over at Old Trafford with a groin strain. He is facing at least a fortnight in the treatment room.

“It has been hard — but you have to get on with it,” Rhodes said. “We have given some good opportunities to some young guys to try and gain experience.”

But injuries have only been one of the problems with the County’s t20 campaign.

Dropped catches, miss-fields, loose bowling and batsmen crumbling under pressure have been the story of another disappointing 20-over campaign. The positives have been few and far between.

Worcestershire will welcome back seamer Richard Jones for the trip to Grace Road after the quick bowler missed the visit to Lancashire through illness.

But the 23-year-old has gone at 10.5-an-over in the five matches he has played, picking up just two wickets.

However, the other seam options, Imran Arif and Chris Russell, are either more expensive or yet to be tested.

Worcestershire Royals: (from): Jaques, Jayasuriya, Moeen, Kervezee, Mitchell (capt), Manuel, Cameron, Cox (wkt), Andrew, Jones, Shantry, Choudhry.

Jayasuriya to replace Vaas at Winchmore Hill cricket festival

2010-07-07T21:29:00.002+05:30

Chaminda Vaas has cancelled his special guest appearance at the Festival of Cricket at Winchmore Hill Cricket Club, this Sunday.

Organisers announced that Vaas is now not able to attend the event at the Paulin Ground, in Ford's Grove as he has a cricket game to play which clashes with the festival.

So organisers have enrolled Sri Lanka cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya to appear instead.

For more information, call organisers: 020 8952 2105

Worcester lose despite Jayasuriya's 54 of 29 balls

2010-07-06T01:26:00.002+05:30

Lancashire Lightning moved up to third in the Friends Provident Twenty20 North Division with a convincing 46-run win over Worcestershire Royals at Old Trafford today.

A blistering 54 off just 29 balls from Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya gave the Royals a great start, but Glen Chapple claimed three wickets in four balls and Stephen Parry took three for 19 as they lost seven wickets for just 20 runs.

Jayasuriya, who had a short spell at Old Trafford in 2007, hit four of the first 13 balls he faced for six and was dropped by Simon Kerrigan, who failed to hold onto an easy chance off Daren Powell's bowling as Worcestershire started their reply well.

At one point the Sri Lankan was 30 off ten balls but Kerrigan made amends in the ninth over as he claimed the catch to dismiss the opener off the bowling of Parry.

The Royals were still ahead of the rate at the halfway stage, but then fell foul of some devastating Lightning bowling as Chapple - who accounted for Daryl Mitchell, Jack Manuel and Ben Cox in a four-ball spell - Smith and Parry blasted through the Worcestershire middle and lower order.

[PIC] Sanath Jayasuriya celebrates 41st birthday with a cake

2010-07-05T22:44:00.001+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya celebrates his 41st birthday with a cake. Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas to his right are currently in England playing in the English county season.

(Source)

Happy 41st Birthday Sanath Jayasuriya !

2010-06-30T23:50:00.000+05:30

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to the Gem of Sri Lanka, Sanath Jayasuriya !

Jayasuriya, Vaas can come in any moment - Aravinda de Silva

2010-06-30T23:39:00.002+05:30

Speaking exclusive to Gulf News in an interview, Sri Lanka Cricket's Chairman of the selectors Aravinda de Silva has said that Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas may make a comeback to the national squad anytime as long as they keep themselves fit and keep on paying.

When asked on, How tough was it as a selector to drop your team-mate Jayasuriya. Do you think there is still cricket ahead of him?

Aravinda answered : It was a tough decision to take as he had done so much for the country. He was putting a lot of pressure on him and the team to keep him in the system. However, we haven't put him completely out of the combination for the 2011 World Cup. We need to see how the current players perform and position themselves in the team. Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas are two players who can come in any moment and do the job as long as they keep themselves fit and keep on paying competitive cricket.

De Silva admitted leaving out former teammates Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas from the current squad had been hard, but said: "Whatever decision you take, you have to do the right thing. I can't see any problem as long as you do it with a clear conscience. I'm sure they will accept what I say for the simple reason that I played with them and they know me well enough to know I would do them no injustice."

Jayasuriya played an unbelievable innings - Andrew Hall

2010-06-28T15:43:00.003+05:30

Just days after Sanath Jayasuriya blasted his way to 87 as Worcester eased their way to a nine-wicket win over Northamptonshire Steelbacks to end their run of six successive defeats, the Steelbacks captain Andrew Hall praised the Sri Lankan Legend.

"On Friday night Sanath Jayasuriya played an unbelievable innings against us, the world-class player that he is," said Hall.

"He took that game away from us and we really didn't have an answer to the way he was hitting the ball.

Jayasuriya mainly contributed in the Royals win smashing 87 off 45 balls which saw him hit 10 fours and five sixes.

Sanath Jayasuriya smashes 87 leading Worcester to a comprehensive win

2010-06-26T06:32:00.003+05:30

IN A SPIN: Sanath Jayasuriya shows his value with the ball before leading Worcestershire to a convincing nine-wicket victory over Northamptonshire with 87 at New Road.

Sanath Jayasuriya rolled back the years to guide Worcestershire Royals to their first Friends Provident t20 North Group victory in seven matches.

The 40-year-old Sri Lankan legend blasted his way to 87 as the New Road side eased their way to a nine-wicket win over Northamptonshire Steelbacks to end their run of six successive defeats.

While the County remain bottom of the group, the manner of the success, ach-ieved on a balmy night at headquarters, will have undoubtedly boosted their confidence ahead of Sunday’s clash with Derbyshire Falcons (2.30pm).

But this night belonged to the ‘Master Blaster,’ who in just four days will turn 41. Having only scored 21 runs in his three previous innings, Jayasuriya smashed his way to a 28-ball 50, which included hitting Jack Brookes for two fours and three sixes in one over before firing Elton Chigumbura for 30 in another.

His partnership with Australian Phil Jaques had, in previous matches, looked a shaky one, but having suffered their heaviest ever defeat in this competition on Tuesday night at Yorkshire Carnegie, Worcestershire bounced back in superb style.

Jayasuriya’s innings came to an end as he was caught on the boundary by David Willey off Nicky Boje for 87 off 45 balls which saw him hit 10 fours and five sixes, while Jaques hit a season’s Twenty20 best of 47 as he played the supporting role to his partner’s pyrotechnics.

The County had seemed to have been set a testing target of 141 after the Steelbacks 140-5, but Jayasuriya made a mockery of that and showed why Worcestershire brought him to New Road.

Moeen Ali and Jack Shantry shone with the ball for the Royals as they put in one of their better displays in the field.

Off-spinner Moeen was the pick of the County attack as he claimed career-best figures of 3-25 which included two wickets in two balls to remove opener Niall O’Brien for 34 and David Sales for five with a superb catch from youngster Jack Manuel.

But it was the miserly Shantry who had set the tone from the start. His opening three overs went for just six runs and included a maiden in the first.

His spell also saw former County star Chaminda Vaas run out for five by James Cameron, who had put the Sri Lankan down twice in the corresponding fixture.

However, director of cricket Steve Rhodes would have been concerned that his two senior seamers Gareth Andrew and Richard Jones saw their five overs go for 60 between them.

Zimbabawe international Chigumbura was the pick of the Steelbacks batting as he hit 39 off 20 balls including two fours and three sixes.

BBC Radio Northampton's Geoff Doyle:

We wondered whether the wicket was a bit sticky and doing a bit whilst Northants were batting as they didn't quite fire.

But Jayasuriya showed off his supreme class to prove that the wicket was just fine.

A masterclass from the veteran and Northants couldn't handle him. It was a pleasure to witness it.

Northants head coach David Capel told BBC Radio Northampton:

"We posted 140 and that was an inadequate total. Sanath Jayasuriya made it look inadequate. It was an exceptional display.

"There were quite a few dot balls in our first six overs, and we didn't score enough runs.

"Although Elton Chigumbura did well, it took us until the 17th over to get past 100. That's not our target. We want to get there after 12 overs."

Jayasuriya felicitates Afridi for world record

2010-06-24T17:34:00.000+05:30

Sri Lanka’s 40-year-old all rounder Sanath Jayasuriya earned the name of the pinch hitter at the 1996 World Cup. He was unaware until this scribe told him that his world record of most sixes in career was broken by Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi on Monday.

Speaking from Worcester where he was preparing to play the Day / Night Twenty20 match for the English county, he said, “Oh, is it so ? I am happy to learn that my record is being broken in my own country”. In his 20 year of ODI career, Sanath Jayasuriya hit 270 sixes in 444 matches.

Afridi, playing his 296th ODI (148 matches less than SJ) against Bangladesh in Dambulla (Asia Cup) has two sixes more to his credit. “It is up to the individual’s skill and I have no regrets on this,” he further added. In January 2009, during the first ODI against India, he became the second man to cross 13,000 ODI runs.

In February, Jayasuriya became the MP for his home town Matara standing for the United People’s Freedom Alliance party.

[PIC] Jayasuriya in Worcestershire colours

2010-06-22T22:32:00.000+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya poses for a photograph wearing his Worcestershire Royals jersey. The 40 year old veteran is currently playing for Worcestershire in the Friends Provident T20 tournament.

Courtesy: www.islandcricket.lk

Another failure for Jayasuriya and Worcestershire

2010-06-22T22:27:00.000+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya bettered his two runs off three balls in his Worcestershire debut with nine runs off 12 balls against Derbyshire today.

The 40 year old veteran who was expected to reverse Worcestershire's fortunes could not prevent his side from slumping to their fifth consecutive defeat in the Friends Provident T20 - North Group.

Worcestershire finished their 20 overs with 127/7 which Derbyshire surpassed in the final over.

Jayasuriya picked up his first wicket of the tournament when Wes Durston hit the ball straight back to him. He finished with figures of 1/26 in four overs.

Scores:

Worcestershire innings: 127/7 (20overs) MM Ali 67, AN Kervezee 17.
Derbyshire bowling: CK Langeveldt 2/19, WJ Durston 2/18.

Derbyshire innings: 128/4 (19.2 overs) GT Park 41, LL Bosman 34.
Worcestershire bowling: MM Ali 2/14, ST Jayasuriya 1/26.

Jayasuriya is hoping to learn from short stay

2010-06-21T22:19:00.002+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya is looking to make the most of his County stint.

In a team that lacks experience, Worcestershire’s youngsters can turn to a man who has done it all in the world of cricket.

Capped 440 times by Sri Lanka in one-day internationals — only India’s Sachin Tendulkar has represented his country more — Sanath Jayasuriya has had a career most can only dream of.

The 40-year-old made his debut for his country way back in December 1989 — before New Road youngsters Jack Manuel and Ben Cox were even born.

But even in the twilight of his career and a surprise omission from the Sri Lanka squad for the on-going Asia Cup, Jayasuriya has not given up hope of returning to the international fold and is looking to impress during his short-stay at Worcestershire.

“This is an opportunity for me to get back into the side,” the 1996 World Cup-winner said. “I need to work hard on my game with both the ball and the bat, then hopefully I can get another opportunity with the Sri Lanka team.

“I didn’t play that well in the World Twenty20 tournament and that is why I missed out on the Asia Cup.

“There isn’t much time left in my cricket career — I just take it series by series — if I can do well in one then I hope that I can get another opportunity.”

Jayasuriya focuses on trying to earn a recall to his national side that he has represented a staggering 580 times in all forms of the sport.

With players in the Royals side barely able to walk when the ‘Master Blaster’ began his career, there is plenty of experience for the Worcestershire stars to tap into.

“I want to share my experience from playing a lot of one-day and Twenty20 cricket and go and enjoy our cricket,” Jayasuriya said.

“Twenty20 is an exciting game, but at the same time it is not easy. I have played enough and hopefully I can use that to help the players.”

Jayasuriya says that he has not spoken to his compatriots Chaminda Vaas or Dilhara Fernando, who also played for the New Road side, about his move to Worcestershire. But the veteran is hoping that he can take a lot from his short stay with the County.

“Hopefully I can take my experiences from playing here back to Sri Lanka,” he said.

“Everyday you learn something in this game — even now, playing with the youngsters here I will learn something.”

With his sporting career on the final straight, the explosive batsman, who also bowls tidy slow left-arm spin, has recently been elected as a member of the Sri Lankan parliament.

In February, Jayasuriya became the MP for his home town Matara standing for the United People’s Freedom Alliance party.

“The country’s president (Mahinda Rajapaksa) wanted me to go back to my home town and work for my people who live there,” Jayasuriya said.

“They needed someone from that area to help, I got that opportunity and I was elected.

“I must thank them for having faith in me and I have to look after them.”

‘Door is not shut on Jayasuriya’ - Aravinda

2010-06-21T12:30:00.001+05:30

The last time Australia went home without the World Cup was way back in 1996 and it was the enigmatic legend of Aravinda de Silva that spoilt the party for Mark Taylor and Co. As Sri Lanka commence their journey to regain the title, Aravinda is wearing a crucial hat that of the chairman of the selection committee. The maverick batsman settled for a elucidate chat.

Excerpts:

Q: Asian teams have not been able to recreate the magic after winning the World Cup. How do you see this?

A: In international cricket, it's not only about talent. Commitment and discipline also play a major part deciding success. Talent has also got to be carefully nurtured. Many good players are coming through but it is the attitude towards the game that has to be right.

Q: What is your take on the Aussie dominance coming to an end and their chances in the 2011 World Cup?

A: Recent results suggest that they have slipped a bit. They have also lost a group of good players and that can hit any team hard. Having said that they are still a good team. Other teams especially from the sub-continent have started playing better. As all major teams have been visiting Asia often these days they are used to the slow surfaces and heat and know what to expect. Frequent trips by the sides have also helped them do well here. Australia, South Africa and England all have a good chance of winning the title.

Q: Kumar Sangakkara had recently said the selection committee has to ruthless. As chief selector how close are you to picking the final combination for the World Cup? Is Sanath Jayasuriya still in contention?

A: Yes, we have to be ruthless at times in order to get the best combination. It's our duty to give the players all the confidence before a major tournament. Everyone knows what Sanath is capable of. The door is not shut on him, not on anyone for that matter. There is still time left for the World Cup and performance will be sole criterion for selection.

Q: Looks like T20 is taking over other formats, Does Test cricket and ODIs have a chance to survive?

A: It’s important for all three formats to do well. T20 provides the money and it cannot be overlooked. With proper planning by the administrators all three formats can co-exist. There is scope and space for that to materialise. Players will have to make the required adjustments. And with what we have seen in the last three seasons, the players don’t seem to have a problem.

Jayasuriya fails in his debut match for Worcestershire

2010-06-19T08:51:00.008+05:30

SANATH Jayasuriya’s debut at New Road was rather like his new team’s performance — a damp squib.

The Sri Lankan legend faced only three balls in the first over for Worcestershire Royals and bowled four wicketless overs as they slumped to their fourth consecutive Friends Provident t20 North Group defeat in a half empty ground.

Rivals Warwickshire Bears eased their way to a nine-wicket victory with 22 balls to spare on a drizzly night at County headquarters.

But it was not just Jayasuriya who under performed last night — it was a disaster from start to finish for the Royals as they slumped to 10-3 by the end of the second over before limping through to 118-9 at the end.

Had it not been for the efforts of Phil Jaques and 19-year-old Jack Manuel things would have been a whole lot worse for Steve Rhodes’ side.

The Australian opener fired 29 off 23 balls to give the Royals a slight air of respectability before he was trapped lbw by the leg-breaks of Imran Tahir.

Manuel, who made his debut at Northamptonshire Steelbacks opening with Jaques, looked more assured coming in down the order and he hit the only six of the Royals' innings on his way to 31.

The Royals, desperate to boost their tally, tried some pointless runs that saw both Ben Scott, in his final home match for Worcestershire before returning to Middlesex next week, and Richard Jones run out in the last over.

Despite a blistering start from England star Jonathan Trott, Alan Richardson made the breakthrough against his former club in the third over as Neil Carter looked to drive him out the ground only to edge the 35-year-old to Jaques at first slip for one.

But Trott, left out of England’s World Twenty20 winning squad, continued the onslaught as he reached his 50 off just 35 balls and was unbeaten on 72 at the end with Darren Maddy 44 not out.

The great Sanath Jayasuriya : reaching the end of the road

2010-06-18T22:12:00.003+05:30

Left out of the Sri Lankan squad for the Asian Cup, one of the greatest one day international careers could well have reached the end of the road. Andrew Hughes looks back at the career of Sanath Jayasuriya.

On Friday, less than a fortnight before his forty-first birthday, Sanath Jayasuriya will make his debut for Worcestershire in the Friends Provident T20. Whilst this is a boost for the hapless Royals (currently around 66.0 to win the competition) it is something of a come down for a man once regarded as the most dangerous one day batsman in the world. He joins Worcestershire as a replacement for Aussie youngster Steven Smith and is only available because he it seems he is no longer required by his country, having been left out of Sri Lanka's Asian Cup squad, a tournament for which they are 2.74 second favourites.

It looks as though this is the end of what has been an extraordinary international cricket career. He had expressed a desire to take part in next year's World Cup, but the writing was on the wall in January when Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss said Jayasuriya would no longer be selected as an opener and would have to earn his place as a spin bowling all-rounder. Those who have watched his struggles in the last two Twenty20 World Cups will have seen that the reflexes have gone, the hand-eye coordination has deserted him and by carrying on, he can only tarnish his considerable reputation.
So if this is the end of the international road, how will we look back on Jayasuriya's career? One aspect of his career that is often overlooked is just how effective a Test match player he was. He retired from Test cricket at the end of 2007, with an average of a little over forty and a top score of 340. It was after this innings, against India back in 1997, that Sachin Tendulkar was moved to say that he had not seen a better batsman in his career till that point. Compliments don't come much bigger than that.
Yet there is no doubt that Jayasuriya will be best remembered as a limited overs superstar. He has played more one day internationals than any other player in the history of the game and scored more runs in that format than anyone bar Tendulkar. Though he made a slow start, taking forty games to notch his first half-century, when he moved up to open the innings during the 1996 World Cup his career took off in spectacular fashion.
Jayasuriya is credited with revolutionising the way that teams played in the fifty over format. Taking advantage of the new fielding restrictions, he set about bowlers with hitherto unforeseen ferocity. But unlike many of the over-promoted sloggers who attempted to imitate him, he was a genuine batting talent. And he could bowl too. A Test match bowling average of 34.34 is pretty impressive and his nagging left arm spin stifled many a batsman. He remains the only player to score 10,000 runs and take 300 wickets in one day internationals.
But stats can't really communicate the full effect of watching Jayasuriya bat. Forget the Sanath of 2010, go back and watch him in his pomp at the 1996 World Cup. He destroyed bowling attacks, his quick hands and powerful forearms slamming through the ball with lacerating cut shots and brutal pulls. Any width at all was punished with ferocious relish. It didn't matter how many men were on the boundary, he would clear them. Like Virender Sehwag, he was an instinctive force of nature and he deserves to be considered amongst the most exciting batsmen who have ever played the game.

Jayasuriya out to lift County Twenty20 bid

2010-06-18T19:36:00.000+05:30

SANATH JAYASURIYA: All set to make his Worcestershire debut against Warwickshire.

SANATH Jayasuriya has landed at New Road determined to use his 21-year international experience to kick-start Worcestershire Royals’ stuttering Friends Provident t20 North Group campaign.

The Sri Lankan legend goes straight into the side to face Warwickshire Bears this afternoon (4.40pm) at County headquarters.

The 40-year-old is likely to bat at the top of the order after skipper Vikram Solanki was ruled out with a pelvis injury.

Jayasuriya, who will play a minimum of seven matches for Steve Rhodes’ side, has a wealth of experience in limited over cricket.

With 1,785 Twenty20 runs to his name in 82 matches, Jayasuriya has played in all three World Twenty20 tournaments and in the Indian Premier League.

That experience will be vital for Worcestershire having suffered three successive defeats last week.

“Everyone wants to do well when you play your local rivals, it is going to be a tough game but one that we can enjoy,” said Jayasuriya.

“The big club games back home are really tough and it will be a similar against Warwickshire.

“Having played for more than 20 years I want to share my experiences with the youngsters in the dressing room and I’m looking forward to playing alongside them.”

With Solanki out injured, the veteran of 444 one-day internationals says the Royals team will have to work that little bit harder.

Solanki missed the final two games of last week with youngster Jack Manuel replacing the County captain.

Worcestershire have also seen Steve Smith join up with the Australia one-day side and had all-rounder Gareth Andrew ruled out for a week with a back injury.

“It is a big blow for the team that Vikram is out,” the Sri Lankan said.

Rhodes is likely to retain England Under 19 international Manuel in the starting XI given that the injuries to Solanki and Andrew mean the Royals will be missing vital runs at both ends of the innings. The 19-year-old, who went to New Zealand for last winter’s Under 19 World Cup, is expected to come in down the order with the County chief expected to name three seamers.

The Bears will be on a high after their five-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire Outlaws and have only lost one of their five group matches.

Worcestershire Royals (from): Jaques, Jayasuriya, Moeen, Kervezee, Mitchell (capt), Cameron, Manuel, Scott (wkt), Jones, Richardson, Shantry, Imran.

Jayasuriya aims to stop Worcs T20 losing run

2010-06-18T11:57:00.000+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya is confident he can help his new Worcestershire team-mates turn around their FP t20 campaign.

Speaking on his arrival at New Road, the Sri Lanka star was looking forward to getting into the action in the home game against old rivals Warwickshire.

"Unfortunately, the boys have not done well in the last few matches, so we need to do well in this one," he said.

"If you enjoy your cricket, then you will perform. So, I hope the boys will come out and play their natural game."

After an encouraging win over Yorkshire Carnegie in their opening game of the T20 this season, Worcestershire have since lost four successive matches.

Jayasuriya has arrived at New Road as a replacement for the Australian all-rounder Steve Smith whose international commitments meant his stay with Worcestershire was a brief one.

The Sri Lanka star is a keen fan of the T20 format and feels it has become increasingly important to the top players.

"If you look at the IPL, it is a big tournament in India and the boys have been playing really good cricket," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"At the same time the cricketers can earn some good money.

"T20 has a big role to play at the moment as far as the players are concerned," he said.

Jayasuriya is of the view that players are starting to adapt to the shortest form of the game and the different skills that are needed to be successful in T20 cricket.

"Basically, it is a batsman's game but it is sometimes tough for the batsmen, too," he said.

"The bowlers are getting sharper and they need to bowl yorkers really well.

"So the bowlers are getting sharper and they are improving every day," he added.

Uncle Percy escorts Jayasuriya at the IIFA Cricket match

2010-06-17T06:04:00.001+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya walks back after his dismissal during a charity cricket match between Indian Bollywood actors and Sri Lankan cricketers during the three-day International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards events in Colombo on June 4, 2010. Bollywood actors have flocked to Sri Lanka for the June 3-5 IIFA awards and surrounding events being held in Colombo. Percy Abeysekera is seen behind Jayasuriya holding the Sri Lankan flag and escorting him back to the pavilion in his customary style. The flag wielding Percy has escorted batsmen off Sri Lankan grounds for over three decades and has secured his own place in Sri Lankan Cricket history.

Source: Island Cricket

Jayasuriya's experience vital for Worcestershire Royals

2010-06-17T01:13:00.001+05:30

WORCESTERSHIRE captain Vikram Solanki has been sidelined for up to four weeks with an injury to his pelvis.

Solanki is expected to be replaced at the top of the Royals’ batting order by new overseas signing Sanath Jayasuriya.

The Sri Lankan legend is expected to arrive tomorrow and is likely to go straight into the side for Friday’s derby clash with Warwickshire Bears (4.40pm) at New Road.

The arrival of the 40-year-old could not have come at a better time for director of cricket Steve Rhodes following three successive Twenty20 defeats.

“With no Vikram in the side we have got an ideal international class opening batsman to come in who can also bowl some left-arm spin,” Rhodes said.

“Sanath might be the shake-up we need with the batting and give us some sparkle.

“I think Sanath himself will admit that he has got something to prove, having been left out of the Sri Lankan set-up for the Asia Cup.”

The experience of Jayasur-iya will be vital to the Royals following the loss of Solanki, but also the departure of Australian leg-spinning all-rounder Steve Smith.

Jayasuriya dropped for 2010 Asia Cup

2010-06-17T01:00:00.002+05:30

Sanath Jayasuriya has been dropped from Sri Lanka's Asia Cup squad by the new selection panel headed by Aravinda de Silva.

The 40 year old veteran who is also an MP in Sri Lanka's parliament has been out of form and has only managed to score more than 50 runs once in his last 16 ODI matches. Twenty20 cricket has been no better for Jayasuriya, his last half century was back in June 2009 during the ICC World Twenty20 in England.

Speaking to the press on Jayasuriya's omission, Aravinda de Silva said: "We left Jayasuriya out on form."

Sri Lanka's Mystery Spinner, Ajantha Mendis, has also been dropped. With just five wickets in his four games at the recently concluded tri-series in Zimbabwe, the ineffective Mendis has been replaced with the inclusion of left arm spinner Rangana Herath.

Herath played his last ODI for Sri Lanka in 2004 but has been a regular in Sri Lanka's Test side.

Muttiah Muralitharan, meanwhile, has made a return to the side after a groin injury he picked up during the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean and resumes his role as vice captain.

Centurion from the recently concluded Zimbabwe tri-series Dinesh Chandimal and all-rounder Thissara Perera will miss the Asia Cup having been selected for an A-team tour to Australia.

Dinesh Chandimal, Chamara Kapugedera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thilina Kandamby, Jeevan Mendis and Farveez Maharoof were originally named in a Sri Lanka A-team squad for a tour to Australia in June.

However, Kandamby and Maharoof have since been included to the Asia Cup squad. While Chamara Silva and Thissara Perera have been named as their replacement for the A-team tour to Australia.

Squad: Kumar Sangakkara (captain/wicket-keeper), Muttiah Muralitharan (vice-captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Farveez Maharoof, Chamara Kapugedara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welegedara, Lasith Malinga, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Thilina Kandamby.

Jayasuriya playing perfect host to Vivek Oberoi

2010-06-06T15:06:00.000+05:30

Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi is all praise for Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya, who has been showing him around in this capital city.

"Well, ever since I have landed here, I have bonded really well with Sanath. We have been hanging out together and he is showing me around. He is great company and I am having the time of my life here," said Vivek.

There was a charity cricket match between Bollywood celebrities and the Sri Lankan cricket team here on Friday as part of the ongoing International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards event and Vivek dropped in to cheer both sides.

Sanath Jayasuriya at IIFA Charity Cricket Match 2010

2010-06-05T06:18:00.001+05:30

Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty, left, and Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan chats as Sanath jayasuriya looks on during a charity cricket match between IFFA XI and Sangakkara's XI as part of the three-day long International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, June 4, 2010. Some of India's top movie stars converged in Sri Lanka on Thursday for Bollywood's annual roadshow despite calls to boycott the event because of the alleged killing of Tamil civilians during the final stages of the country's decades-long civil war.

Jayasuriya & Sangakkara are Bollywood movie buffs

2010-06-01T12:58:00.001+05:30

Kumar Sangakkara, current captain of the Sri Lankan Cricket team, opined that the IIFA 2010 Awards, that would be held in Colombo, is a “big opportunity” to promote Sri Lanka in Bollywood and building a better relationship between two countries.

He said to a media, “Bollywood is a great hit in

Sri Lanka

and all over the world. I think everyone in the world has sat up and taken notice of how big Bollywood is, how attractive it is and how talented the stars are.”

Kumar Sangakkara who is also the captain of Preity Zinta's IPL (IPL) team, Kings XI Punjab, said that Bollywood actors’ presence will create lots of excitement among the people of

Sri Lanka

Sangakkara, who is a wicket keeper and left handed batsman is also a big Bollywood movie fan. He first saw Mani Ratnam’s super hit movie, Bombay, which stars Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala. His other favorite movies are- Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in

India

, Monsoon Wedding, Water. Sangakkara likes these films because they carry a message.

Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Sahrukh Khan are the favorite Bollywood actors of Sangakkara. He also likes Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah. He also likes Bollywood actresses. Sangakkara would like to see Aishwarya Rai Bachchan perform in IIFA 2010.

The IIFA Awards 2010 will take place in Colombo starting fromJune 3, 2010 to June 5, 2010. In between, there will be a friendly cricket match between Indian celebrities and Sri Lankan cricketers. The money collected will be used in rehabilitating former LTTE child soldiers. A village for 100 families will be built. The children will be re-educated, rehabilitated.

Sanath Jayasuriya, another Sri Lankan all-rounder cricketer, said, “It's a big opportunity to promote

Sri Lanka

among the film fraternity here. Sri Lankans are very big fans of Bollywood and the film industry is very popular in

Sri Lanka

,……Sri Lankans are looking forward to this big event. It's nice for our country and good for the relations between the two countries.”

Jayasuriya saw few Shahrukh Khan movies on local channels. He likes Shahrukh Khan very much and never misses his movies.

Aravinda de Silva defends Jayasuriya's place in the team

2010-06-01T12:36:00.004+05:30

Aravinda de Silva, Sri Lanka's former captain andnewly-appointed chairman of selectors, has singled out winning the World Cup in 2011 as his "primary responsibility" in his latest role. de Silva, who scored an unbeaten century to take Sri Lanka to their only World Cup win, in 1996 against Australia in Lahore, said the national team had to win some major tournaments in its preparation for the ultimate prize, admitted it needed improvement at the top of the order and defended the 40-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya, who had a forgettable World Twenty20.

There has been plenty of criticism surrounding Jayasuriya's performances in the recent past, with many calling on him to quit. de Silva, however, said Sri Lanka had to consider all options for the World Cup. "We know what Jayasuriya is capable of. We must have a proper replacement for every position. We have nine months to prepare for the World Cup and we have not discarded anyone so far and decided on the positions they should play.

"You have to be fair to Sanath. He's shown what he is capable of and he has performed over the years and done so much for the country. We should respect that. It's fair that we look at every player the same way whether it is the youngest player or the most senior player. Anyone who gets out of hand which will affect the team, that is where when we will step in."

Worcestershire swoop for Jayasuriya

2010-05-25T22:14:00.002+05:30

Sri Lankan allrounder Sanath Jayasuriya has signed with Worcestershire as their overseas player for five Twenty20 matches this summer. He will replace allrounder Steve Smith, who was called-up to Australia's limited-overs squads for the forthcoming tour of England.

"Sanath will bring a wealth of experience to the squad during a critical part of the forthcoming T20 campaign gained from playing all around the world, including the IPL and the recent World Twenty20 in the West Indies," Steve Rhodes, Worcestershire's director of cricket, said. "His left-arm spin and powerful batting can only benefit our efforts in this competition and there is no doubt he is still one of the most exciting cricketers in world cricket. He is a proven match-winner and I have no doubt he will prove to be a great entertainer for our supporters."

Jayasuriya will depart for England after obtaining a clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket. At 40, Jayasuriya is one of the oldest international cricketers on the circuit, having played 110 Tests and 444 ODIs since his debut in 1989. However, he hasn't been able to hold his place in the Sri Lankan limited-overs teams recently after hitting a rough patch with the bat. With the reputation of being a destructive opener, his inconsistency has led to him dropping down the order to No.7, and being used primarily as a bowler.

He recently entered politics and won a parliament seat in the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Worcestershire failed to make the semi-finals last year's Twenty20 Cup, finishing fifth in the Midlands/Wales/West Division.

Jayasuriya to play for Worcestershire

2010-05-22T23:40:00.002+05:30

All-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya, who has been the subject of much criticism in recent weeks, will represent Worcestershire in the upcoming English county season

Jayasuriya, has been heavily criticized for his failure with the bat in the recent T-20 World Cup. While the former captain is expected to play only the T-20 tournament in England, Vaas is expected to play a bigger role in Northants campaign. He’s expected to join the county in a few days time.

This will be Vaas’ fourth English county having already represented Worcestershire, Hampshire and Middlesex since the turn of the new millennium. Jayasuriya, meanwhile, has had short stints with Lancashire and Somerset.

We need Eleven Sanath Jayasuriya's

2010-05-16T02:05:00.003+05:30

Sri Lankan cricket rankings have been fluctuating like Japanese Yen currency, for the past several years. This is a reflection of our teams overall performances in all forms of cricket. It is sad to notice that the team hasn’t got the “killer instinct”. On a good day, the team is extremely good and on a bad day, they are like wooden spoons.

In contrast, teams such Australia and New Zealand have maintained consistency in their performances in all three departments of bowling, batting and fielding. Australia did suffer series of set backs during past 2 years, yet they grouped themselves quickly and adapted to the situations. It is an amazing team, their tactics are by far the best in the world. They never press the “panic” button, placing confidence on all batters. Even in a worst case scenario, Mitchell Johnson can be relied upon to score runs and reach the target. Loss of early wickets is not a worry for Australia in most matches. They do not rely on few “big names”, everyone in the team is a “big name” in all three departments.

Sri Lankan teams main weakness is lack of patience and too much reliance on big names. If big names are back in the shed, the rest of the team becomes extremely exposed and vulnerable. Our strengths associated with the “big name “ players have become our weakness. They all come in a queue one after another, and they all go back to the shed with fewer runs on the board. The batting order is not blended with experienced players and young players. In the most recently concluded T20 semi final, Sanath, Mahela, Dilshan and Kamar all came into bat one after another and they all went back to the pavilion in disgust.

With the world cup of ODI only a year away, we need to build on our strengths and reduce weaknesses. The comments before the commencement of a match by the Skipper shows a glorious picture but without deliverables.

Since the appointment of Trevor Bayliss, Sri Lankan cricket team has performed just as badly as some of the other minnows. Trevor Bayliss in his days was never an elite player in Australia, compared many other top class performers. Never played a test match or an ODI. Since his appointment in August 2007, Sri Lankan team has been struggling to win matches. When compared with the tenure in office of Tim Moody and David Whatmore, Trevor’s performances have so far been a disaster.

Today Sri Lanka is ranked No. 6 in ODI, followed by Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Kenya.

Moving to 2011 world cup competition for Sri Lanka is an uphill battle. The current coach need to be replaced immediately, if David Whatmore is available, he is the best candidate. David prefers Sri Lanka, he loves our country. He should be recruited, not just for World Cup, but for a longer duration.

Finally, our current squad is quite capable of delivering the goods. Though some people are bashing Sanath Jayasuriya, I think we need not just One Sanath Jayasuriya, but we need 11 Sanath Jayasuriya’s.

(Source)

On the field, I’m a cricketer, not a politician - Jayasuriya

2010-05-15T01:50:00.001+05:30

Gros Islet (St Lucia): “On the field, I’m a cricketer, not a politician, so there’s no conflict,” is how Sanath Jayasuriya responded to calls from some quarters that he end his career as a sportsman.

The 40-year-old, who started his Sri Lanka innings just weeks after Sachin Tendulkar’s November 15, 1989 beginning, got elected to Parliament last month.

“I’m thankful to the people of Matara... I was busy with cricket, but they stood by me... My mother (Breeda) and brother (Chandana) did all the hard work... They did the campaigning on my behalf,” Jayasuriya told.

Jayasuriya, who won on the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance ticket, is the second cricketer in Sri Lanka, after the 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, to enter Parliament.

They haven’t met after the elections, though.

“It feels good to be in Parliament... This, obviously, is a very different pitch... But, then, I’m passionate about everything I do,” Jayasuriya said.

Having quit Test cricket after 110 appearances (6,973 runs, 14x100), Jayasuriya is now focusing on the ODIs (13,428 runs in 444 matches, 28x100) and T20 Internationals.

“I’m looking to play till the 2011 World Cup, let’s see how things go... I don’t take my place for granted and, so, I’ll have to keep performing and stay fit,” Jayasuriya pointed out.

Laughing, Jayasuriya added: “The people, in fact, want me to play till the World Cup... One reason, perhaps, being that Sri Lanka is one of the hosts... It’s going to be a big event for us and, yes, the expectations will also be big.”

Once through with cricket, what exactly will he do?

“Give all my time to the people... They expect me to deliver and I can’t let them down. I think, through my cricket, I’ve given joy to the people... As a Parliamentarian, I have the chance to actually work for them,” Jayasuriya maintained.

Jayasuriya, incidentally, refused to stick his neck out and predict who’d win the ongoing World Twenty20. “In this format, any team can beat the other... It’s hard to even guess,” he signed off.

The veteran should know — his franchise, the Mumbai Indians, topped the league stage of IPL III, but still lost in the final, to the Chennai Super Kings.

Jayasuriya tipped to open in today’s encounter

2010-05-07T21:40:00.000+05:30

Sri Lanka, who emerged as runners up in the 2009 ICC T20 World cup in England, has not been impressive in the Caribbean this time around. Mahela Jayewardene has been the only player who has caught the eye of all international commentators, experts, pundits and even the general public. The rest of the players have not lived up to expectations so far.

The old cliché “Form is temporary class is permanent,” let’s hope this comes to pass, since most of the senior players barring Jayewardene look rusty, tired and out of sought. Let’s hope the toll of the recently concluded IPL is not playing her part with the players.

If Sri Lanka has to live up to her reputation, she needs a one hundred percent turn around in all three departments of the game. Jayewardene seems to be the sole bread winner in the batting department. He needs support not only at the top of the order but also in the middle and to some extent, extended support in the lower order as well. Living with past glories does not help at this level. The bowling must get tighter and the fielding must get disciplined both in catching and at ground level.

West Indies are an improved out fit with the likes of Chris Gayle, Chandrapaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Kiron Pollard looking in great nick. Darren Sammy has showed clear signs that he is a utility all rounder. Sri Lanka must take into account that Dwayne Bravo and Jerome Taylor put their hands up when it matters. The challenge for Sangakkara and his men this evening will be awesome.

Muttia Muralitheran bowled at the nets yesterday. This is good news from a Sri Lankan perspective. He, one reckons will be rested today, most probably the selectors on tour will play him in the next game against the mighty Aussies this Sunday. It is envisaged that Sanath Jayasuriya will open the batting, with Mahela Jayewardene. Jayasuriya will be given a free license to go after the bowling and this spells danger from a West Indian point of view.

Sanath has nothing to lose now; his mantle of being the sole run accumulator at very quick pace which he did so successfully in the yester year has changed hands now. It’s high time he goes out their bat with his instinct and enjoys the game that brought him so much glory. If Sanath succeeds he will not only quench the thirst of his countrymen, but also will silence those who were critical of him being selected for this tour.

Dilshan will need to get back to the drawing room. He had an excellent 2009, but 2010 has not been a bright beginning for this talented cricketer. “The darkest hours of the day are before dawn”, hope Dilshan will keep that in mind and not lose hope.

Sri Lanka will decide on the playing Eleven after looking at the pitch at Bridgetown Barbados today. Barbados has more bounce and carry, unlike rainforest Guyana where the wickets were sluggish and slow.

Sanath singled out for humiliation?

2010-05-07T21:37:00.000+05:30

With the Sri Lankan cricketers losing to New Zealand and then having to thank batting star Mahela Jayawardena, the rain in Guyana and Duckworth and Lewis for their victory against Zimbabwe it is time to ask questions.

From what every cricket fan can see everything does not seem to be tickety boo with the squad in the Caribbean.

Why this has to be so is inexplicable. One can’t understand the stepmotherly treatment meted out to Sri Lanka’s cricketing elder statesman Sanath Jayasuriya.

In the game against the Kiwis he was sent at the fall of the fifth wicket and then against Zimbabwe he was slotted in at number eight.

Now this is inexplicable considering that he was going to be a vital cog in the team’s attempt to win the ICC Twenty20 this time round after having been runners up in the previous tournament in England.

According to cricket fans it is apparent that Jayasuriya has been singled out for humiliation and ridicule. Cricket fans base this argument on the fact that the master blaster has been in pads, looking to come in to bat early, but having to cool his heels as wickets continue to fall and he is pushed back as far as possible in the batting order.

It must be hurting inside although the great man who has done wonders for the game and country continues to suffer in silence, though not making it public. What wrong has he done to suffer this ignominy? Leading TV commentators doing their thing before and during the game were non plussed and were questioning as to why the Matara mauler is being held back and not being batted at the top.

One can’t also understand why the Lankans are going in with two right hand batsmen as openers. Need we tell them that if a right hand-left hand combination takes strike, the bowlers will be cursing as they will find it difficult to bowl line and length?

Jayasuriya’s slot is at the top and not in the middle order or the tail they, quite rightly say. The commentators know what they are talking about and they are spot on in their questioning.

Sri Lanka Cricket will do well, instead of watching the comedy that is being enacted in the Caribbean in silence, but question the authorities there as to what has prompted this comedy to be enacted in Calypso land.

Cricket fans are convinced that the team seems to be lacking in team spirit that is so very vital for a team to succeed.

They reckon that there is an ‘iron hand’ behind the comedy that is being enacted and they insist that this “iron hand” has to be manacled if the team is to do better than the lackadaisical manner in which they are playing at the moment.

It must be understood that how ever indispensable an individual or a player, he will be of absolutely no use if he thinks he is greater than the game and the team.

Those who matter at the scene of action must not remain deaf, dumb and blind to the ugly scenes that are taking place, but act without fear if the good name of the country is not to be sullied.

The ‘iron hand’ or the one attempting to be a tin pot dictator must be told that cricket is a team game and not a one man show.

If he is refusing to realize and accept this then the authorities there should not hesitate to fly him back in the earliest flight available.

Jayasuriya faced a sorry plight

2010-05-07T21:30:00.000+05:30

Needless to say, luck plays a big role in Twenty20. A dropped chance or a missed run out can tilt fortunes. And that's what happened in the first match of the Twenty20 World Cup between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

A thrilling finish is what cricket fans look forward to from the start of a tournament. It lures everyone into the game and encourages them to follow the fortunes of all teams in the event.

Needless to say, luck plays a big role in Twenty20. A dropped chance or a missed run out can tilt fortunes. And that's what happened in the first match of the Twenty20 World Cup between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Lasith Malinga missed two run out chances as the Lankans failed to lift their game at the right time. Despite their good bowling attack, they failed to grab chances that came their way.

Sri Lanka's history of victories in instant cricket reveals that a whirlwind start is what guides them to victory in most occasions. Their 1996 World Cup triumph was mainly due to the hurricane start from their openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana. The first 15 overs were a treat to watch with both playing unbelievable shots.

But in this match, Sri Lanka mustered only 35 runs in the first six overs with out-of-form Tillakaratne Dilshan consuming 19 balls to score three runs.
Captain Kumar Sangakkara is fully aware that Dilshan managed only 44 runs from six innings for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League and was even dropped from the team. So he should have asked Dilshan to bat down the order or ensured some of his lower order batsmen went for their shots to accelerate the run rate. It was a sorry plight to see their hardest hitting batsman, Jayasuriya, left with no balls to play and remain unbeaten on zero.

Eye-opener

Short and quick knocks are vital in a Twenty20 format. And New Zealand did just that. They too had their star batsman Brendon McCullum falling for a duck but sprightly knocks from Jacob Oram and Nathan McCullum titled the match in their favour.
For Sri Lanka, this defeat can be an eye-opener. They must realise that being good on paper is not enough and that everyone must chip in with some powerful shots if a long innings is not possible.

Let's not be surprised if, from the next match, we get to see their old war horse Jayasuriya open the innings again. Time and again he has proved that old is gold and if he glitters with the bat now then all his opponents may have to run for cover.

Champions League beckons us next - Jayasuriya | Mauler's Notes IPL 2010

2010-04-26T15:52:00.000+05:30

The final result will be known by the time this article appears, but something tells me that we will be on the right side of the result. Getting into the semifinals and now the final for the first time has been a big thrill for all of us, particularly the final because we now are also going to be part of the Champions League T20 later this year.

It was one of the first things that struck many of us, and we as a team are confident that we will do as well in the CLT20 as we have in this tournament. Last year it was felt that the IPL teams were not as well-knit as the other teams because those teams played as a unit right through the year. The IPL teams, according to many experts, looked like an assortment of players rather than a team.

I can tell you that this Mumbai Indians team has really gelled well, and we have great team spirit and camaraderie within the unit. Speaking from the cricketing point of view, we know we have a side that has a good variety in its foreign players and a lot of talent within the Indian players. Our bowling is also one of the strongest in the IPL and I
am confident that we have the quality to take on the best teams in the world.

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings are the other two sides that have made the cut for the CLT20 and I am sure they are also pretty chuffed about representing the IPL in this tournament.

I like the concept of domestic champions playing each other because it is a good way to judge the bench strength of various national teams. It also gives domestic teams all over the world an added incentive to play for when they turn out for their domestic T20 tournament. It’s a concept that will only grow in the future.

Coming back to Mumbai, we now know that the tournament will be held in South Africa, and that’s pretty good news for us because we have a good pace attack in the form of Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga. They will be a handful for the opposition on the hard bouncy tracks. It will also be a good exposure for our young Indian batsmen who have been exceptional in this tournament, as it will give them a good exposure on different tracks.

Mumbai Indians will now be going from strength to strength and our strong showing at the IPL this year is only the start of the great future this franchise has. We plan to move ahead as a team and CLT20 is our next target.

- SANATH JAYASURIYA