While most would remember Ian Botham, one of game’s superstars, for his cricketing deeds and eccentrics, some also fondly remember him for his magnanimous charitable activities. We Sri Lankans too have benefited by them when he walked from Point Pedro to Dondra Head.
In 1986, returning to the England side after serving a drug ban, Botham took a wicket off his first ball against New Zealand at The Oval and equaled the World Record for most wickets in Test cricket. Graham Gooch, Botham’s teammate wondered, ‘who writes your scripts, Beefy.’
You must be wondering the same about Wanindu Hasaranga. The star leg-spinner is sidelined for six months with hamstring injury and subsequent surgery and on his return, he picks up career best figures and the best figures ever in an ODI at RPS.
Watching Hasaranga operate at RPS was sensational. Zimbabwe were cruising having reached 43 for no loss and Sri Lankans were scratching their heads. It had done quite a lot while chasing during the second ODI and a total of about 250 would have put the game away from them. Zimbabwe were on course to do that and square the three-match series.
When captain Kusal Mendis introduced Hasaranga, the game turned on its head. From 43 for no loss soon it became 47 for three and the tourists were bowled out for 96 inside 23 overs. Hasaranga was all over them. The opposition had no clue what to do with his googly. It must be a nightmare to know that they have got to put up with him for three more games.
Hasaranga obviously didn’t feature in the first two games. When he finally played the third ODI, he unleashed hell, and the opposition batsman weren’t well equipped to tackle him.
We must not get carried away because Zimbabwe have had a tough time since of late in white ball cricket. They were beaten by Ireland at home in their last series and then shock defeats at the hands of Namibia and Uganda saw them being knocked out of this year’s T-20 World Cup. They are the only full member country not to feature in the T-20 World Cup this year.
However, you still feel that Sri Lanka’s attack would have been better off in the World Cup with Hasaranga in the midst. One problem that the Sri Lankan attack faced during the World Cup was lack of experience. Wanindu being the most experienced spinner could have been handy and obviously his vast experience in Indian conditions too would have helped.
Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera too weren’t available for the full World Cup and it’s a pity that the Sri Lankan attack is not hundred percent fit when they go for these global events. At least let’s hope the team is firing on all cylinders at this year’s T-20 World Cup in the US and the Caribbean.
>>පහුගිය දේවල් වැඩක් නැහැ ඉදිරියයි වැදගත් – Wanindu Hasaranga #SLvZIM
Although it’s been a tough few years for Sri Lankan cricket in white ball formats, since of late, the team did show some improvement in T-20s. Victory in the Asia Cup in 2022 was indication that the team was on the right track but we were back to square one later that year when we went to Australia for the T-20 World Cup.
One thing that we need to sort out is get our batting unit sorted. While bowling has won us many games batting has been a huge letdown. The line-up needs a bit of overhaul, and we need to somehow find some clean strikers of the ball.
While there are players who are capable of going over the top and clearing the boundary, something that is very much required in T-20 cricket, most of these batters qualify as top order batters when fielding restrictions are on.
But what we need is finishers. Batters who are capable of clearing the boundary when it is well protected. We have failed to produce players of that caliber.
It remains to be seen what Hasaranga has to offer as a leader. There are obviously very good reports following his success in the Lanka Premier League. He is supposed to be a no-nonsense captain. It seems that he will be quite vocal about key aspects of the team such as support staff and players and the moves he makes will be interesting to watch.
>>Just how did Sri Lanka manage to win in South Africa?
While there is excitement with a new captain around the corner, Hasaranga has got to look after his fitness as well. At the moment he looks overweight, and fitness has been one issue that has hurt the team quite a lot in recent years.
As leader, if Hasaranga sets the standards the rest of the team will follow. It is quite evident that neighbouring countries like India have taken their fitness to next level and enjoying tremendous success. We are struggling because we have not taken things seriously. Hopefully all that will change under a new leader. In Hasaranga we believe.
