Chinks in Lanka's cricketing armour

The Sri Lankan cricketers returned home suffering another series defeat, this time round 2-1 to India, in a four-match one-day series.

The Lankans seem unable to beat the Indians on their home soil. They previously lost a series 6-1. But the Lankans need not be disappointed, because as an excuse they can say that they were sans their match winning bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitheran.

Had Vaas and Muralitheran been around, probably the result could have been reversed. Anyway the Lankans had nothing to prove by winning this series. They went to India and played the four games as preparation for the more important World Cup beginning in the Caribbean in March. But as this tour of India showed they have a few chinks in their armour that they must endeavour to put right before flying out in quest of the WC.

What was obvious was that if the Lankans were to win, Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara must make big runs. If they were to fail, the chances of winning keep receding.

To the credit of Jayasuriya and Sangakkara, it must be said that they are always great triers. Failure is anathema to them an they always endeavour to get among the runs and put the Lankans in a winning way.

But it is customary for all great batsmen to keep failing and it is no different with the two left-handers.

When they fail the other batsmen must stand out and be counted. But what we saw on this tour, was Tillakeratne Dilshan and Russel Arnold making runs, but not big enough.

In the final game Chamara Silva was an example and showed how to build, not only an innings for himself, but for the team as well. One wonders why he was not persisted with in the earlier games.

In addition to his excellent batting he is also one of the better fielders in the team, and one hopes that with this brilliant maiden hundred in one-day cricket that he has cemented his place in the World Cup playing eleven.

Silva proved his value in New Zealand and I thought that, that tour was enough for him to be a permanent fixture in the team. But that does not seem to be the case. He must be persisted with, to gain more confidence. Silva as he showed in the final game has the ability, the temperament and the strokes to take any attack apart. Then why ignore him?

Skipper Mahela Jayawardena, sadly continued with his wretched form. He seems to have completely lost his confidence. The Lankan camp must be praying that he would regain his form come World Cup time.

Former captain Marvan Atapattu, too, for his experience is not making big runs. Twenties and thirties and even fifties, are not runs that are expected from him. He has to stay long at the wicket, act as an example and score big, big runs. Instead of opening with Atapattu in the final game and with the Lankans looking to beat the Indians and win the series, it would not have been a bad idea to have opened with the big hitting Farveez Maharoof.

Maharoof shows a liking to wield the long handle and hit over the top. Desperate situations, requires desperate measures and had Maharoof been given the nod, who knows he could have given the Lankans that explosive start with Jayasuriya.

If the Lankans are placed in situations, batting Maharoof at the opening slot or one drop in the World Cup could pay off.

Aussies struggling

World Champions Australia must certainly be a worried lot and be wondering as to what curse has hit their cricket.

After having rubbished England in the ashes series and starting the Commonwealth Bank one-day series in style winning their early games easily and showing that they are the frontrunners to retain the World Cup, their game suddenly tumbled and dropped their ratings.

Now comes the news that the dashing Adam Gilchrist would not be playing in their early World Cup games, what with having to be near his wife who is expecting their third baby.

Then the fearsome fast bowler Brett Lee suffered knee and ankle injuries during a practice session in New Zealand.

He failed to do the slide properly and one hopes that it is not similar injuries that has cut short England's paceman Simon Jones's career.

Their woes started with the injury to allrounder Andrew Symonds.