I was 11 years and 1 month when Sri Lanka won the 96’ World cup. It’s not really my first memory, but I struggle to find a more vivid earlier memory, from where everyone sat in the living room, the tears when Sana was run out attempting a tight second, Gura’s ‘cut, pull, drive’ six off Warne and the iconic dab (not the Pogba kind) to third man for the winning runs and many more.
Free Hit Contributor – Sandeep Rodrigo
It was the underdog victory of epic proportions by the underdog nation and the reason for most people not knowing Volleyball is the national sport of Sri Lanka. It is also the reason my brain is wired to absorb anything Cricket. Having failed actually playing it (to the deepest disappointment of my father and my biggest regret in life), I’m now the self-proclaimed king of armchair critics, selector, coach, statsguru and Cricket psychologist. Enough about me.
It’s been a tough couple of years, culminating in 2017 bringing down so much disappointment, frustration, pain and suffering. 21st of December 2016 I broke my humorous bone in 3 requiring 2 surgeries, an 6-inch metal plate and 6 nails (no prizes for guessing how, taking practice catches before a match).
I celebrated the 1st year anniversary in even worse pain, watching the 2nd T20 with India where we recorded our biggest T20 loss. Thanks to nerve damage, I spent the first 6 months of the year with a non-functional left wrist and fingers (my batting, bowling, throwing arm). Although you did play the full year as if you had a similar injury (yes, I know, HARSH). Enough about me.
Arjuna and Aravinda never had a social media presence, and even the other ‘Greats’ barely had a tweet during their playing days. If anything, the tweets or the ‘insta’ posts were for awareness for a cause, charity or campaign drive. They bought heavy duty medical instruments, developed hospitals and built cities from ground up after the Tsunami.
I must say it is fascinating to see your posts now, the pano shots of the luxury hotels you get to stay in, the expensive sea food dinners, the show of the gym bods and guns to the ladies, the nice tech gizmos you buy, and of course the self-fulfilling, ego rubbing action shots. It’s all a bit Kohlisque, but without the runs, the wickets and the wins. Yes, I post about the holiday’s I had, the lazy Sunday brunch I gorged on, the baked Alaska I baked the other day and my new drone, but it’s not the same is it? I have 12 followers who are my close friends and probably half accidently clicked on follow. Enough about me.
In a time where fitness camps, high performance centres and dieticians were not a thing, Arjuna dragged his big belly around the field, Roshan dragged Sana as his runner but still dived around the field setting the standards. My memory is good but I really don’t recall Sana, Murali, Vaas et all missing a single match let alone a series or two dues to injury or fitness. Sanga and Mahela would bat for days and Dilshan will probably still outrun all of you today.
Some of the belly’s through those body tight jerseys are really a window to the days of Boon, Gooch and Richardson (not Ritiche, Mark). The arm injury kept me out of the gym and any sports activity and the depressed infused binge eating has given me a belly too. At 33, the body metabolism is something that’s long gone, like the glory days of Sri Lanka Cricket. But then again, I’m not a professional sportsman with all the fitness facilities and nutritional guidance at my fingertips. For me its finger licking good KFC. But enough about me.
It was well known that some of the past players refused endorsements and most of them never got to play IPL and other global leagues. They also made peanuts in match fees up until the turn of the millennium. Some would even say that the world cup winning generation planted, nourished and watered the money tree you guys are now seeking shade from.
A few of my friends played club cricket with match fees barely meeting the room rental and daily meals. I’m sure you guys know club team members like that. It was recently revealed that a Sri Lankan playing 1 Test, 1 ODI and 1 T20 will make approx. LKR 1.5 million. Let’s not even mention the annual retainer, endorsements, sponsorships and bonus’s.
Of course, this is not anywhere near what the Kohli’s, Smith’s and the Root’s make and a Sri Lankan national player should earn what you are getting. After all it is your job and you are getting paid according to the times. In 2017, you guys played 29 ODI’s (potential earning approx LKR 13 million) and won 5 games with a win ratio of 17%, lowest I believe since Zimbabwe in 2004 (isn’t that the year all those Zim players left Zim?). Boy if that was me, I’d hate the conversation I’m going to have with my boss during performance appraisal. Personally, part of my life fulfillment is the feeling that I’ve earned what I’ve been paid. But enough about me.
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After a couple of wins in the UAE against Pakistan and a spirited..
I’ve lived the last decade abroad in multiple countries. Back home my friends huddle in group and shed a tear and share a consoling group hug after each loss, and it’s been many these last 2 years. Living abroad, working with other nationals means the long walk of shame in office avoiding eye contact and small talk with the nationals from the countries that have repeatedly trashed us. Note how I said trashed, because honestly this feels a few rungs lower than losing. But enough about me.
But it is about me, it is about us. Being a Sri Lankan means the journey we all take through the trials and tribulations of our Cricketers. For the last 2 decades, we’ve been spoilt by the success of our team and has become the most positive aspect in our lives amongst the carnage of everyday living. Talent has never been an issue for cricketers in our island nation and you all are no different to the behemoth icons in the past.
It’s about us, find your motivation. Be it your drive for greatness, your thirst for records, insatiable appetite to be a serial winner, or just even for riches and fame. Work hard, instill discipline, show commitment, learn from those before you, be a student of the game, never give up, strive to be better and enjoy the journey that you are taking with a whole country behind you.
It’s also about you…. Let 2018 be the year potential turn in to greatness, practice translates to perfection and hard work bares success. Let the Lion flag fly high above the rest and unite us once again. Bring us pride and joy and maybe a few tears. We are behind you, we are committed, we are watching.
Yours Sincerely,
Optimistic and Proud Sri Lankan Cricket Fan
Sandeep Rodrigo (follow on Instagram – sandeep_rod)
*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ThePapare.com
