We are searching for the right combination

Dav Whatmore

July 18, 2001

Dav Whatmore National Coach

This tournament though will be a test. Both India and New Zealand have powerful batting line-ups and have also had their share of successes in recent times. We are therefore not taking anything for granted.

The famous saying, 'when it ain't broke don't fix it,' contains much truth, but we feel some adjustments are in order if we are to achieve the high standard and consistency that we crave. During this triangular we are faced with different options as to the balance of the side and believe that we should explore these options if we are to develop as a team and are serious about becoming world champions again in 2003.

Winning each game is naturally uppermost in our minds, and that goal should not be compromised, but we would like to play an additional fast bowler in place of the seventh batsmen wherever possible. Traditionally, of course, Sri Lanka has played four frontline bowlers and seven batsmen.

The reason is simple - to win in South Africa we will need to greater depth in our fast bowling resources and some of those will have to make significant contributions with the bat. Sri Lanka is a country where historically the batsmen have been able to bowl spin. Certainly, it's a major advantage whenever we play in the sub continent and has been a crucial component of our recent success. In South Africa though it will be less of an advantage.

A quick look around the world will show you that the successful teams that play in South Africa, Australia and England have bowling attacks stacked full of fast bowlers who can bat or batsmen that bowl seam up. Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan all usually play one specialist spinner in these conditions. This is the global trend and is clearly the way to go for sustained success in more temperate environs.

There is a growing awareness of this within the management now and an acceptance that the time has come to start experimenting where possible. We now need to provide useful match experience to the players concerned, to identify the players that might fulfill the roles envisaged, and for the team to gain a greater understanding of the new system.

Wherever possible we need to weigh up the value of an additional bowler against a seventh batsman. The case for and against will fluctuate according to the particular conditions, opposition and the batsmen selected. For example, if we have three real dashers in our top three, then the insurance of an additional batsman is justified.

When the top six is more stable though we can include a fast bowling all rounder, who would add greater value to the side than the seventh batsman. We would have far more options should the other seamers not fire, especially in the first fifteen overs, when we don't want to waste Muralitharan's overs. With the likes of Jayasuriya and Arnold available to bowl as well we would have a nicely balanced attack.

Picking six batsmen from the current eight in the squad would of course be a difficult choice. The final decision would have to depend upon the specific objectives and the current form of the players concerned.

By the end of this tournament then I hope that we will have achieved two specific objectives. Firstly we need to have a better idea as to temperament of some individual squad members, particularly those in the fast bowling all rounder character. We want to identify who has the necessary desire and mental skills to perform at this level.

Secondly, we should have learnt how to best juggle our resources, so that we understand better how to use the new formation most effectively. Naturally this process will take time and will need to be evaluated and reviewed over a longer period of time, but the time has come to start.

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