New selection panel headed the right way
AT LAST….we are headed in the right direction. The goal of building for the future, whilst not compromising on experience and quality, has been achieved.
Selecting a Test match train on squad of 20 is a good way to go, it will bring many changes to one’s life once selected to the squad.
I may have chosen a few different names but I understand the thinking and direction they are heading, essentially covering all bases and nod my head in approval.
Tough decisions needed to be made in order to build for the future and with a Test series against Bangladesh up next, followed by Zimbabwe, 2013 presents the ideal opportunity to do so. A year down the line these youngsters will only be better when the tougher Tests come their way.
You might wonder why there are 20 players picked?
There are quite a few youngsters picked and this group will train together for the next 3 weeks or so. It’s an ideal opportunity to get this group together and have the younger guys mixing with and learning off the seniors. They will be able to absorb the way the senior guys practice and go about their business. It will also allow selectors to judge their bottle with the demands and changes that happen to your life when you are brought in to the system.
Many of these players may not play but to give them an opportunity to take away the experience with them and use it to improve will be priceless.
Let’s take a look at some of the players included and some of those to miss out on making the train on squad.
The Squad – Inclusions
Firstly, congratulations to Angelo Matthews on being named captain of the Test and ODI teams. I wish him success personally as well plenty of success for the team.
Kumar, Mahela and Dilshan – retaining these three seniors adds stability and also recognizes that the Bangaldeshi’ s are vastly improved.
Ashen Silva – the 2nd highest scorer in the domestic comp last season and provides a good back up option to Dilshan and Dimuth at the top of the order.
Kithruwan Vithanage – a great choice to bring in to the system. He has been among the runs, is young and has a great temperament going by his under 19 days..that’s your wild card.
Kushal Perera – a good choice as extra keeper in the squad.
Tharindu Kaushal – the teenage spinner that the selectors are eyeing to win games in the future.
Dinesh Chandimal – it was a great decision to appoint Chandimal as Vice Captain of the Test and ODI team and Captain of the T20 team. Captaining T20′s provides little risk as there are not many games this year. It does allow the selectors to test his ability to handle the responsibility and decision making that comes with being captain. Ultimately, T20 is a good platform to ease him into a leadership role. I have no doubt about his ability.
Jeevan Mendis – I was trying to understand why he was included. Just watching him bat against quality quicker bowlers, I feel he is not a long term option to build your batting around or invest in. Looking around if you need a spinning all rounder to balance the team he is your option.
The Squad – Who missed out
Prasanna Jayawardene & Thilan Samaraweera – spots need to be freed up and that’s where the likes of Prassanna and Samaraweera miss out. The senior batting group of Sri Lanka are all in the mid 30′s, so you need to hold onto the best players who will also give the most to the younger group.
Upul Tharanga – he is one I may have thought about but with Dimuth, Dilshan and Ashen Silva in the squad, there is no longer room for him.
Thisara Perera – as of now he is brilliant at the dash but that’s not a role for Test cricket. He has a long way to go, especially in his batting. Sri Lanka are not confidentto bat him up the order when an innings needs to be built, even in the shorter format. He needs to be able to bat at 7 or be picked as a bowler. At the moment he does not make it as either. That’s the issue. If he does improve his ability to build an innings, I am sure this will change.
Sachithra Senanayake – you could argue whether they could have gone for Senanayake instead of Randhiv. I feel it’s touch and go. Since they have invested in Randhiv they have opted to stick with him, however his inclusion will depend on how well Kaushal goes.
Sennanayake has caught everyone’s eye in the short form so don’t be surprised to see him in the ODI squad along with Angelo Perera who is an attacking batsman.
Senanayake recently played for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL. The coach of the Sydney Sixers was none other than Trevor Bayliss, who not so long ago was also coach of Sri Lanka. He was picked to play for the Sixers towards the end of the BBL after a few different options had been tried by Bayliss. Senanayake was outstanding for the Sixers in the few games he played. This is a great example of how quickly your life can change for you….so you should never give up and keep chipping away. Guess who is the coach of the Kolkatta Knight Riders and who picked him in the IPL?
Angelo Perera – another who has been consistent and improved. Whilst there are plenty of middle order options at this stage, I am sure he is not far away from selection. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks in into the team, it’s up to him to keep pushing.
Sohan Boralessa – while the bowling picks itself, Sohan has been wonderful but I think he will have to wait a little longer as Rangana has a couple of years left in him.
There are plenty of players in the domestic league vying for selection. However, the domestic season is only into its second match and you will identify certain players on form there but you can’t pick players totally on form shown there.
Players are looked at over a period of time and other qualities such as skill, mental strength and a players ability to grind your way to success will all form part of the equation.
Overall, I am impressed with the squad and direction that the selectors are heading. At the end of the day you cannot accommodate everyone. For those not picked, it’s not the end of the road Now is the time to pick up your performances and be in the face of the selectors.
Time will tell whether the next generation are ready for the next challenge that awaits them.
