After I wrote the other day about the plight of West Indian cricket, the side immediately went and thrashed Pakistan in an ODI and Chris Gayle was at his blistering best in the IPL. Now let's see what I can do for Sri Lanka!
On the face of it, not a lot is wrong with performances on the pitch. Reaching two consecutive World Cup Finals is hardly a description of failure, and they also pushed Australia and India all the way in each of those matches. Third in the ICC world rankings and fourth for Tests (ahead of Australia) also gives no hint of obvious problems. Yet suddenly, in the aftermath of the Mumbai showdown, things have begun to unravel.
First, their popular skipper Kumar Sangakkara, also one of the top batsmen in the world - his Test average is superior even to Tendulkar's - resigned apparently in order to prolong his playing career. That raised a few eyebrows. His predecessor and vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene also stepped down, so the Sri Lankan cricket board selected Tillekeratne Dilshan as Sanga's replacement, presumably on the basis that he has experience and is also their best player. However, at 34, he is a year older than the man from whom he has assumed the reins.
Then there is the issue of Lasith Malinga. He is perhaps the most recognisable cricketer in the world, not only because of his highlighted hairstyle but also his round-arm 'slinging' bowling delivery, which shouldn't work but does. However, a chronic knee problem has led him to retire from Test cricket, but only after his commitment was questioned by the Sri Lankan authorities. In a way, I don't blame them, given that he had claimed he was too injured to report for touring duty but was seemingly fit enough to play in the IPL where he has been by far the most effective bowler in 2011. However, I wouldn't want a great player to be reduced to a wheelchair by the age of 50 because he was forced to bowl 20 overs a day in his mid-20s knowing what long-term damage it could do. In any case, he has only a moderate record in Tests, and one-day bowling suits his strengths best. Nevertheless he is 'box-office' and without him, will the team still attract crowds away from home?
Now comes the allegations of match-fixing by former players. Always a sore issue, especially in the sub-continent, former captains Tillakaratne and Ranatunga have stirred up a hornet's nest, although they still won't give details. I have little respect for people who are happy to destroy cricket's reputation with unsubstantiated words, the delaying tactics possibly the result of negotiating lucrative newspaper deals - or am I just being a cynical so-and-so?!
Maybe the real problem facing Sri Lanka is succession planning, or at least not having the strength in depth they once had, nor the young guns ready to force their way into the side. Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene remain three of the world's best batsmen but, with Vaas and now Murali effectively out of the equation, plus Malinga's withdrawal from the five-day game, the bowling line-up looks very thin indeed. Also, who will step into the shoes of the aforementioned batting superstars. The success of cricket in Asia will probably prevent a haemorrhaging of talent and deterioration of international standing of West Indies proportions, but I hope Sri Lankan cricket keeps its eye on that particular ball. Once the IPL contingent return, they must celebrate recent successes in the World Cup and build on that, beginning with the tour of England which starts this month. I hope they do.
