Highs and lows of Sri Lanka’s WTC campaign

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Sri Lanka Performance World Test Championship

Given Sri Lanka’s red-hot form at home in recent months, you’d hope they could knock the Aussies off their perch in the upcoming Test series. A win would see Sri Lanka finish third in the WTC table – a position obviously tantalizingly close to earning a spot in the finals at Lord’s this June. This, in the third edition of the WTC, is as close as Sri Lanka has come to the promised land.

 Yet, as the dust settles on the preliminary rounds, a few missteps will linger like thorns in the side. The ill-fated decision to bat first on a damp Old Trafford pitch and the comedy of errors in the field against Pakistan in Galle proved costly. These lapses were the nails in the coffin, derailing what could have been a dream run.

>>Sri Lanka left to rue missed opportunities<<

The campaign began in 2024 with Sri Lanka’s Test hopes scraping the bottom of the barrel. A humiliating 2-0 home defeat to Pakistan left fans shaking their heads in disbelief. That series loss was a bitter pill to swallow, particularly since Sri Lanka’s fielding was abysmal – dropping catches like hot potatoes. Add to that the fragile batting line-up that folded under pressure, and you had a team staring down the barrel of mediocrity.

Planning, it must be said, was off the mark. The selectors, fumbling in the dark, failed to plug glaring gaps. Dimuth Karunaratne had signaled his intention to step aside as captain after the previous cycle, reasoning that a fresh leader with new ideas was the way forward. However, the selectors, seemingly stuck in quicksand, insisted on Dimuth continuing. The batting collapses persisted, and a promising player like Kamindu Mendis, waiting in the wings, was ignored.

>>That one hour in Durban could prove costly for WTC final<<

The turning point came with a shake-up in the selection committee. Upul Tharanga, as the new Chairman of Selectors, brought a fresh broom to sweep away complacency. Decisiveness became the order of the day. Kamindu Mendis was finally given a shot, and boy, did he seize the moment.

Kamindu has been nothing short of a revelation, holding the innings together when all seemed lost and stitching crucial partnerships with the tail. His heroics have been instrumental in scripting several memorable wins, both at home and abroad.

Sanath Jayasuriya’s entry into the coaching setup added the icing on the cake. The maestro demanded higher standards in fielding, running between the wickets, and overall focus. The transformation was dramatic. If Sri Lanka finish third in the WTC table, Jayasuriya’s fingerprints will be all over that success.

The turnaround has been nothing short of a phoenix rising from the ashes. Where once self-doubt plagued the players, now brimming confidence fuels their performances. Sanath’s bold decisions—like promoting Kamindu to number five despite his success at number seven and slotting Dinesh Chandimal at on down paid off handsomely. Such calls could have backfired spectacularly, but Sanath’s belief in his players has been rewarded.

Sri Lanka’s 2024 campaign sparkled with milestones. Winning three Tests overseas is a feat rarely achieved, and going unbeaten at home throughout the year is the cherry on top.

Kamindu Mendis has been the talisman, amassing over 1,000 runs at a Bradmanesque average of 74. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva isn’t far behind, poised to cross the 1,000-run mark within weeks. His three centuries and eight fifties underscore his consistency – a bedrock for the team.

On the flip side, Dimuth Karunaratne’s returns were a shadow of his former self. With a paltry average of 25 and only four half-centuries in this cycle, his future in the squad seems as uncertain as a weather forecast.

Among the bowlers, Prabath Jayasuriya was the shining light, claiming 49 wickets and scripting match-winning spells. The fast bowlers, however, deserve a standing ovation. Asitha Fernando led the charge with 34 wickets at an average of 28. Lahiru Kumara was a revelation, breathing fire with pace and bagging 30 wickets at a jaw-dropping average of 23. His ability to turn games on their head when Sri Lanka seemed down and out was nothing short of miraculous.

Vishwa Fernando chipped in with 26 wickets at 25, proving his mettle despite limited opportunities. Such was the dominance of the pace trio that a reliable performer like Kasun Rajitha barely got a look in.

All in all, Sri Lanka’s WTC campaign was a rollercoaster, filled with moments of brilliance and a few gut-wrenching setbacks. Falling short of the finals by the skin of their teeth will sting, but the team can hold their heads high. The corner has well and truly been turned in Test cricket.

As for white-ball cricket? Well, there’s still work to be done. But if this campaign has taught us anything, it’s that this Sri Lankan team has the grit and determination to rise from the ashes.