2005 - Year of turmoil!

Following the Boxing Day Tsunami, Sri Lanka’s most loved game submerged into oblivion with the wake of 2005. The Test and One-Day series against New Zealand taking place at that time was adjourned indefinitely… the tragedy and the devastation made Cricket irrelevant…

An year later, with the memories of the waves slowly but surely fading, so are hopes of a bright 2006! With a new administration and a new coach, Sri Lanka enjoyed a short honeymoon, trashing the Windies, Bangladesh and even India with no sweat, but a disastrous away series with a resurgent Indian team has plunged Sri Lankan cricket into a depression.

Shortage of talent, incompetence, lack of self-belief and to a certain extent politics has thrust the game into a desperate, deplorable situation. Only time will tell if we can get out of it?

New men in the block
Lasith Malinga, Upul Tharanga, Malinda Bandara and Farveez Maharoof are the rising young stars to keep an eye on. The selectors will do well to give them every opportunity and preserve them in the long run.

‘The moment’ in 2005 (for ME!!!!!!)
Tuesday 9th August, Indian Oil Cup finals between the SL and India. Chasing 280 plus to win India got off to a flyer. Virender Shewag thrashed Dilhara Lokuhettige for 26 runs in one over. Vaas gets the ball and Ganguly gets a single off the first delivery. Shewag on strike! The crowd goes “Vaasi… Vaasi….. Vaasi..” in unison! Vaasi strikes! Shewag gone….. bowled!!!!! What a moment!

What does 2006 hold?
Unless the shortcomings cannot be addressed immediately, possibilities of a resurgence look blurred. It’s all about the players themselves improving their own game and to support it, a flawless administration. Tough series beckon against Australia, Pakistan and England.

One last hurrah!!

The team leaves to Kiwi land to resume the One-day series from where it stopped. The first of four remaining One-dayers will be worked off on the 31st of December. One last hurrah for 2005?