WHOLESALE change is required to reinvigorate the state of Sri Lankan cricket – and not even the legendary Kumar Sangakkara is exempt.
Whatever the result of the Australian tour, these changes need to be implemented.
With captain Mahela Jayawardena this week confirming he will step down after the current Australian tour, the time has come for Sri Lanka Cricket to ’blood’ its next generation. Those in power need to get tough, make some big calls and employ a sweeping ‘Youth Policy’ at Test, ODI and T20 Level.
With a series against Pakistan and only four Tests against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe scheduled in the next 12 months, Sri Lanka has the perfect opportunity to give its rising young players more responsibility – particularly at ODI and T20 level. The time is now. Of the current squad, eight players are over 30 . . . and Australia have already shown with the recent departure of Ricky Ponting that there is no place in the game for sentiment.
Among the sweeping changes are to have Angelo Matthews installed as Test captain, Sangakkara stood down from T20 and more money dedicated to the development of the game.
Other changes include . . .
TESTS
While the current bowling attack is new and can be afforded more time, the team’s batting line-up needs to be shuffled. Ideally make the decisions before the end of the Australian Test series so players know where they stand.
Mahela and Kumar have the most to offer but decisions on who to retain should be made based on their form, body and the players’ plans. With Matthews as captain, as Mahela also suggested, I think Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne should open the batting with Dinesh Chandimal to slot in to the middle order.
It may also be worthwhile having another look at Upul Tharanga. He is an experienced international player, having matured since he initially played Test cricket. If Tharanga is brought back, he can open the batting and Thirimanne can slot into the middle order.
ODI’s
To win the 2015 World Cup Down Under, Sri Lanka will need the seniors like Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela and Sanga in this format. Build the team and plan around this trio.
T20’s
This is the opportunity to blood the younger guys. There is no point in Sangakkara batting at six or seven. His game doesn’t suit that position. So do you keep playing him out of position or do you free up his spot to blood a youngster? Sanga should not bat up the order as that role should go to a younger player. As such, Sanga should be released, freeing up a spot to accommodate the next generation. Mahela also needs to decide if he will continue playing T20.
Those new to the team currently play a supporting role. It’s time that also changed. The senior players should assume the supporting roles whilst the new talent should be the core of this team.
ADMINISTRATION
Change here is needed as much as the batting order. Haroon Lorgat, in his report, has stated that player payments are very high with approximately 60% of Board earnings going toward these payments (mind you, SLC is not exactly one of the big earners when comparing cricket Boards). Finances are stretched and changes are needed to protect the future of the game in Sri Lanka.
To start, 2013 contracts should be based on the ODI and T20 representation with so little Test cricket scheduled.
Senior players will grumble. However, with tours adjusted by the Board to accommodate players participation in other leagues such as the IPL to maximize earnings, I see no issue with such a move.
Emphasis should be on the development of cricket in Sri Lanka. Redistributing funds from these changes can enable development through other areas such as providing more “A” Tours.
Many companies bring in and promote younger talent, at a lower cost, to replace senior hands. All things considered, it’s a great opportunity to make the tough business decisions.
COACHING
An eye must be kept on the coaching department as no one should be allowed to become too familiar. Whether at the junior level or within the SLC, coaching positions shouldn’t be allowed to become stagnant. Staying sharp and keeping fresh ideas flowing is critical for the system. Not only around the national team but through the junior teams as well. This will only help cricket in Sri Lanka.
All this may seem unfair to some individuals but, hey, that’s life. We have seen many great players moving on, it’s something that players need to accept. It’s not the first, nor will it be the last time.
Similar sweeping changes were implemented in 1999, providing Mahela with extra responsibility and freeing up spots for Dilshan and Sanga.
If your best team can only come up with performances like we saw against New Zealand, why not look to the future and use this period to groom youngsters? Have them play along side a couple of greats and reap the rewards in a couple of years.
(Published at Round8 on 19th December 2012)
