Winds of change indicate surge in Sri Lankan cricket. Windies crushed in one- day rout. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
Sri Lanka’s white ball game has finally turned the corner with a comprehensive blitz of the West Indies in Pallekelle.
Brimming with confidence after a series win in the T20 format, the cock-a-hoop Lankans rammed home their new found belief to reduce the Windies to non competitors taking a unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series.
Two 5-wicket thrashings in as many games strongly suggests Sri Lanka has now stepped up to be noticed as a worthy competitor once more.
The sudden swing in the winds of change, is a significant step in the right direction for Sri Lanka cricket, which like the country’s plight, was on a downward trend.
Things overall appears to have changed for the better as the country, and cricket have done a U turn for the better.
The direction under recently confirmed head coach Sanath Jayasuriya appears to have deliverd decisive change from a talented squad that just needed serious commitment and discipline. Jayasuriya is learnt to have laid down the law with no compromise from his charges which has made a miraculous difference to the results.
Reports reaching here indicate that indiscipline, and laid back training for those perceived the ‘untouchables’, was torn up and binned with rigid demands replacing it.
The dividends are very evident from it.
Jayasuriya will need to continue with an iron hand to ensure continuity of the current progress. It has already proven it can produce the next generation of stars that can trouble the best teams going around.
Recent results in all formats reveal a new winning culture that promises a very competitive squad building experience and able to take on the best.
A dead rubber left, will reveal whether they have developed a killer instinct to complete a clean sweep and set up important future engagements with the upper echelon.
Charith Asalanka has proved to be a popular choice as Skipper of the one- day side leading by example on several occasions with the bat and ball. The team around him have rallied around his leadership after Wannindu Hasarsnga de Silva handed over the reins.
Sri Lanka’s exceptional spin attack has been mostly responsible for the West Indian demolition, with Hasarsnga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dinuth Wellalage and the skipper bowling tight lines to curb the often dangerous Windies batters. Paceman Asitha Fernando chipped in with three wickets in the series decider.
The often suspect batting woes appear to have been rectified by picking horses for courses rather than perceived experts who have not delivered to expectations. There’s still a bit of tinkering to be done to close the gaps.
But the overall directional change promises joy for long suffering Sri Lanka fans at home and around the globe.
