Somebody needs to explain that to Mahela Jayawardena.
Don’t get me wrong – I admire and support this gentleman of the game and wish him well however with his form being out of sync once again – one must
forget ego and focus upon the bigger picture, both as a player and more importantly as a former Skipper.
To be dismissed 7 times by a Bowler in 12 matches shows the internal mental game struggle. Run outs and Catches signify more of a fight methinks and for all the Willow in the world, young Mahela needs to make some necessary adjustments perhaps?
Its demoralizing certainly for any Team member to admit to falling short of the expected standard. And it isn’t rare for a Sportsman to live in denial and try to push through in the hopes of coming back.
But this is not merely a bad day in the office chum and whilst everyone is entitled to having a bad day or bad week, when the individual contribution affects the spirit and performances of those around you in the sporting
arena, then being spirited enough to put Team and Country ahead of ones ego counts more.
A lack lustre performance in the ODI’s highlighted the clear lack of focus. As the stats showed – there are currently under 16 year olds whose batting could have saved the day.
Even worse was the case during the Tests and even though you did dig deep down and pulled off a good score in the second Test, for a master batsman one can understand that the hopes and expectations of this Nation are upon you not for sudden bursts of greatness but in consistency.
Naturally the disappointment on a national scale will hit hard and it is solely the Selectors and the Boards fault for allowing this needless scenario to continue.
Experienced players were all greenhorns once and the continued practise of giving into the big name and sacrificing the game has got to stop.
As a respected and admired Cricketer, knowing that you are out of form, stepping back to consider the greater good is what the Sport, the Squad and
the Nation needs.
The current batting prowess today highlights the ongoing mental struggle out there. It appears that the confidence is slowly returning, however I stand by the notion that at this level of the Sport, if one isn’t performing up to scratch, then put in somebody who can.
Respect the fans, play the Game as it should be and take on the other side with a Squad ready to prove themselves. That way the love for the game is ensured and so are the Endorsements. Sponsors don’t like to pay top billing for nothing do they?
If loyalty is what is being questioned – that loyalty should extend both ways. Not just the fans or the Nation to bite back and allow one big name to find his form; after all patience does have its limits and the faltering player should show his loyalty in turn to his Squad, the Sport and the public and have the strength to step back allowing one in proper form to do the job.
