Sport

Signs of vulnerability

Sri Lanka has arrived down under as a team still striving to rediscover the ambition and confidence needed to turn defeat into victory. It does not bode well. Australians eat nervous nellies for breakfast. Visitors must come with hard heads, bulging hearts and settled plans or they may as well remain at home.

At full strength, with everything in proper working order, it is hard enough to beat these hosts. Alas! Mahela Jayawardene’s side is showing signs of vulnerability. And the first Test is a mere fortnight away.

Jayawardene’s problems started before the enterprise had even begun. The first blow was the loss of Tom Moody’s sagacious and calm guidance. Together captain and coach had forged a strong partnership and turned a previously mercurial side into an outfit capable of putting up a fight anywhere and in any form of the game.

Under their stewardship Sri Lanka reached a World Cup final, and they were not responsible for subsequent bleats about squash balls. Nothing lasts forever, and the time came for Moody to go home to take care of his growing family. As is the fashion, he has been replaced by another Australian in Trevor Bayliss, a likeable fellow yet to prove himself in this company. Australian coaches are spreading faster than gossip on the internet.

Arriving two weeks before the first Test and playing only a couple of three-day matches by way of preparation has further compromised Sri Lanka’s cause. Infinitely to their cost teams are giving themselves little time to become accustomed to conditions.

Sometimes it seems that Boards regard tours as obligations and not opportunities. Certainly they don’t give their players much time to settle. India has made the same mistake and will pay the same penalty. Moreover it is foolish to play short practise matches and not full scale Test trials because they tolerate softness, exactly the reverse of the requirement.

Sri Lanka’s next problem has been with the construction of the side. Indians might think they can create a stink about selections but beside the Lankans they are mere amateurs. Government ministers became involved and trenchant editorials were written. At one stage Arjuna Ranatunga said things were so bad that he might have to step in. Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease.

An outcry arose at the omission of Marvan Atapattu, a solid batsman whose best days are behind him. Upset at his treatment by the selectors, Atapattu had withdrawn his services but that did not still the storm. Eventually the dusty veteran was lured back as public demand overrode the chairman of selectors. His reward could be a place high on the list.

Whether, the 37-year-old can strengthen the top order batting remains to be seen. In terms of form, it is the team’s Achilles heel. Amongst the incumbents, Sanath Jayasuriya has averaged 19 in his last ten Test matches whilst Upul Tharanga has fared even worse, scoring 341 runs in his last 18 innings. Woe betide the team that starts badly down under.

But all is not lost for the Lankans. Jayawardene’s team is also strong in important places. Jayawardene’s daring leadership has surprised those previously inclined to cast him as a charming and sometimes contentious lightweight. Kumar Sangakkara is another fine batsman prepared to stand his ground against the Australians.

Sri Lanka’s bowling is also varied, and contains an ageless left-armer, a fiery paceman and a great spinner. Even so, these visitors will be hard pressed to subdue an opponent determined to prove there is life after Warne.

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