By Srian Obeyesekere
Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s most explosive batsman in history of Master Blaster fame who turned the game on its head influencing its keepers to adopt the Sri Lankan’s now famous hay day New Dimension pinch hitting over the top present day Power Play dictates of the short formats, has by and large succeeded in imparting his high end virtues in his new role as Interim Head Coach of the Sri Lanka Cricket Team.
Stepping into his new role as a coach since his halcyon days when the left-handed icon shredded bowling attacks, Jayasuriya has hit winning ways to bringing back the country’s cricket in the big business international firmament from a slumber. What took off with a resounding home series ODI hammering of high riding India has resonated with a 2-0 home test series thrashing of New Zealand following an in-between mixed fortune 2-1 away test series loss to England. A bad start two straight losses to England by a comeback hurrah third test hammering of s top of their game English in their own backyard was heartening from a hollow with the Sri Lankans raising their game in giving England an own dose of their medicine finally. The final winning result did lend credence to Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva voicing concern that his team did not have the freedom of adequate acclimatization with just the one warm up game.
Performance is all about skill, flair and as much will power mind set in today’s highly professional lane of the game, and indeed, Sri Lanka’s legendary Master Blaster has instilled that yardstick in his charges. This he has achieved but in a few moons in a sun shine of the country’s cricketing fortunes ever since he was put in charge of the Sri Lanka Cricket teams as Interim Head Coach in all three fomats. What took off on a casual course since Jayasuriya was entrusted the job by Sri Lanka Cricket since the departure of English coach Chris Silverwood following a zig zag journey with the T20 World Cup fling a disaster,. has suddenly begun to reap fruit..
It is pertinent that Jayasuriya has imparted to his players the essence of the aggressive go getter approach he once fronted in wringing the desired change.
The pay off has plummeted Sanath Jayasuriya to winning the confidence of the Sri Lanka Cricket hierarchy headed by its dynamic President, Shammi Silva to been elevated to Head Coach for one year in the wake of the results delivered in a short run in charge.
It is relevant that Sri Lanka is following the Indian example of placing faith in home grown expertise. Significantly, Indian cricket has been on a successful roll from the longtime job handled by Ravi Shastri in the big coaching boots to passing on to Rahul Dravid and currently Gautam Gambir. All of them have been weather-beaten tried and tested former super polayers who have done India proud during their prime.