Jayasuriya to continue till next World Cup

Chris Dhambarage

Sri Lanka's dashing opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya was yesterday given the green light by the national Selection Committee to continue playing until the next World Cup which will be staged in the sub continent.

The Chairman of the national cricket selectors Ashantha de Mel said that they have been forced to re-consider their selection policy after Jayasuriya hammered the second fastest century in the ongoing Indian Premier League Twenty20 limited overs tournament.

The former Sri Lanka opening bowler said that initially they had a long term plan to groom a set of youngsters who would have been a major force in two to three years time. But he said that looking at the IPL Twenty20 tournament the most significant factor is that the older players were performing well compared to the much younger players.

In fact Sanath Jayasuriya was able to force himself back into national recognition by scoring a brilliant unbeaten century for the Mumbai Indians. De Mel assured that Jayasuriya will definitely be playing in the next World Cup as long as the veteran left hander maintains his fitness and form in the important games.

De Mel stated that they have not given up hopes of looking into a long term policy of building up the team but will also keep a close eye on the more senior players who are reaching the twilight of their illustrious career. De Mel said that the selection of Jayasuriya for the Asia Cup tournament in Pakistan was a unanimous decision by the entire selection committee comprising of Ranjith Madurasinghe, Jayantha Seneviratne and Don Anurasiri.

The selectors felt that as Upul Tharanga is not in his greatest form at the moment the presence of Jayasuriya would lift the team in this important event where Sri Lanka are hoping to retain the title having last won in 2004 under the captaincy of Marvan Atapattu..

De Mel said that the IPL Twenty20 tournament has proved that age is no barrier to steal the limelight and Jayasuriya has led from the front with some outstanding contributions with bat and ball. However De Mel hoped that players who are currently involved in the IPL Twenty20 tournament would continue their same form when representing their country in future international assignments..

Meanwhile Chairman Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee Arjuna Ranatunga said that he never interfered or influenced with the selection of Sanath Jayasuriya after the opening batsman was initially left out from the original squad for the Asia Cup limit overs tournament which begins on June 23 in Pakistan.

Ranatunga said that a national selection policy is to be implemented shortly in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports. He noted that domestic cricket is the most important part for the development of the game and all contracted players will need to play at least 75 per cent of cricket at home to be selected for the national team.