Chairman of Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya termed Sri Lanka’s 1-0 Test series win over England as undeniably outstanding and extraordinary. He said henceforth it should be used as a springboard for further success in five-day cricket outside the Indian sub-continent.
“This Test series win has been undeniably outstanding and extraordinary for Sri Lanka,” Jayasuriya told Ceylon Today, in the wake of Angelo Mathews’ men clinching the second and final Test at Headingley by 100-runs off the penultimate delivery of the game.
The first Test at Lord’s was drawn.
“I run short of adjectives to describe it.
It has been one of the most hardest fought Test series wins for Sri Lanka that I can ever think of and it coming at this juncture bodes well for not only Test cricket in this country but for the team in general.” He said the epic Test series triumph in England could also herald a new era for the island-nation in five-day cricket outside the Indian sub-continent.
Former captain Jayasuriya put down the momentous Test series success being possible due to the massive input of the captain, senior players and the coaching staff.
He highlighted the superb team effort and the spirit, which was evident throughout the squad as also being a decisive contributory factor for the historic Test series win in England .
“I think at this moment we need to salute the hard work put in by all and most notably the captain (Angelo Mathews) and the senior players.
It is their magnificent performance and the work done by the coaches that went a long way in Sri Lanka recording such a historic Test series victory on English soil. I like to take my hat off to all of them.”
The Chairman of Selectors also heaped praise on skipper Mathews, former captains Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and the opening pair Kaushal Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne for producing the goods in the batting department for Sri Lanka in the Test series.
He also singled out paceman Dhammika Prasad as one of the finds of the Test series following the latter’s impressive Test best figures of 5/50 during England’s second innings total of 249 all out in the second and final Test at Headingley.
The Chairman of Selectors though expressed caution when handling Prasad in the future as his body is prone to injuries. He said as coaches and selectors they will need to manage the bustling quick carefully.
Pressed for his views on vice caption Lahiru Thirimanne’s dismal returns with the bat throughout the series, Jayasuriya agreed that the lanky left-hander had gone through a lean period in England. But, the Selection Chief backed Thirimanne to regain his form in the upcoming twin home series against South Africa and Pakistan.
Jayasuriya also commended the performances of all the Sri Lankan bowlers throughout the Test series and especially experienced left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who turned in an all-round performance to help the tourists clinch the second Test and the series at Leeds.
The Chairman of Selectors also expressed his kudos to the coaching consultant of the Sri Lanka team Chris Adams who was specifically hired by Jayasuriya himself to seek advice and guidance during the series in England.
Former Surrey coach Adams joined the Sri Lanka coaching set up last April following the abrupt departure of former Sri Lanka coach Paul Farbrace, who quit his post to link up with England. (JK)
