The Jayasuriya factor

On the eve of the 3rd test to be worked off in Ahmedabad, it’s pertinent to focus attention on the overlooking of Jayasuriya for the test series. Jayasuriya is the country’s most capped player with 100 Tests and also the highest run getter in both forms of the game. Jayasuriya is by far the greatest player ever produced by Sri Lanka, and everybody knows that he can be a nightmare for even the best bowlers in the world, when he’s on song. A tremendous amount of attention is evident in the media (print and electronic) on the theme that how Jayasuriya would have been a major factor. My opinion is that the selectors made the initial mistake of forcing a half-fit Jayasuriya into the one-day series, which lead to his repulsing in the Test series. He had a dismal series in the ODIs scoring less than 100 runs in 6 outings. But that’s understandable isn’t it? – He’s only 50% fit! What the presence of a half-fit Jayasuriya did for the series is simple – first of all, it deteriorated his injury, his confidence level was forced into a rock bottom state, and most importantly gave the Indians the upper hand early in every game. (Jayasuriya’s wicket early in the game is half the battle won!). Jayasuriya would have easily been rested for the ODIs in order to have him fully fit for the Test matches.

Back in Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya is getting his act right and putting quick-fire fifties for his club – Bloomfield. It’s clear that Jayasuriya has a lot more cricket left in him, though he’s 36. Maybe he’s not the hurricane we saw in 1996, but he’s matured over the years to form an integral part in the line-up. His mere presence in the team can be a psychological boost. Under any circumstances, it’s the duty of the cricketing authorities to preserve Jayasuriya until the World Cup in 2007.