The victorious Sri Lankan team arrived in the Island this afternoon after an exuberant English tour. The media was invited today to the Sri Lanka cricket headquarters to share the thoughts on the concluded tour.
It was a disastrous start to the English summer for the Brits but not so for the Lankans securing series wins in all three formats; T20, ODI and a nail biting test series. Present at the media conference held today were many distinguished Sri Lanka Cricket executive committee members. First to speak was the Vice president SLC, Mr. Mohan De Silva who extended his wishes to Angelo Matthews and the team and went on to thank and congratulate the newly appointed coach, Marvan Athapattu who proved justified his appointment in his first tour as coach. “Angelo and the boys played wonderful cricket beating the English in England and winning a test series in England for the first time in history” said Mr. De Silva also adding that “ It was a true team effort starting from the players to the coaches, selectors headed by Sanath Jayasuriya, the SLC executive committee and the whole management team”.
It was a moment of pride and happiness for skipper Angelo Matthews who said “the early English summer conditions were tough but we fought through as a team and ended up victorious”. Matthews gave credit to the players for sticking together and facing challenges thrown at them throughout the tour and said “if it wasn’t for the team spirit we couldn’t have achieved what we did”.
T20 captain Lasith Malinga too shared the limelight as he said “conditions in England are always tough but the players were ready mentally as well as technically before departing”. Having won a test series in England for the first time and also winning an ODI series after 1996 the T20 skipper said he was very happy with the team’s performance under him and Matthews and is looking forward to the upcoming Pakistan series and South African series.
When a question from the media was raised as to if the presence of ex Sri Lankan head coach Paul Farbrace in the English camp posed a disadvantage or have an effect Skipper Matthews said “there are no secrets in International cricket nowadays. There are videos and other technology so there’s nothing to hide. Besides most of the English have already faced many of our bowlers so they know what to expect” making clear that Farbrace’s foot in the opposition camp did not have an effect on the team.
Speaking about the preparations for the tour Matthews said they conditioned them mentally as well as physically even before leaving to England. “We had early morning practice sessions to get use to the cold conditions and tried to have an idea about the swing that we should be expecting in England”.
On the most discussed dismissal of Butler by Senanayake which questioned Matthews and the teams sportsmanship by the British media Angelo said ‘”if it is in the rule book then I don’t see how it’s a captain’s decision so, you shouldn’t judge a captain or what he does through it. If people have an issue with it they should remove it from the rule book” making his statement clear. The inpiring captain said that the criticism they received especially by British media only encouraged them and made them stronger as a unit, “you’ve got to take it and take it as an encouragement” added the test and ODI skipper.
Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews cutting the cake on behalf of celebrating the team’s victory against England
The newly appointed head coach Marvan Athapattu said that he is very lucky to be a part of this team and to have an opportunity to work so closely with this team. He said that team was a “gifted” bunch with a very accomplished leader and sees a well comprised leader in Matthews, “It’s hard to find someone these days who copes with pressure better than Angi and who works closely with his team mates, as the coaching team we only had to work on the approach and the minds of the players” said Athapattu.
On a final note to the conference Manager Michael De Soyza said “It is an honour and privilege to be a part of this team. It is a very talented team, not just the Sangakkara or the Mahela but talent in the likes of young Silva, Chandimal, and Karunaratne who are knocking on the door for greatness”. He ended by mentioning that this team does not give up easily which was exhibited in the test series where the decision of the game came in the penultimate ball.
As Sri Lanka cricket celebrates a successful English tour they are to prepare for the forthcoming Pakistan tour and the South African tour which is to start in the near future. All we hope is that, the winning streak of this young and gifted team continues in the tours to follow.
