A performance to celebrate despite selection farce

FanZone Editor

November 2, 2004

When Thilan Samaraweera was succoured into a cover drive off a floated leg break from Danish Kaneria and caught at slip, a momentary lapse that ended a long and determined resistance, it precipitated a sudden rush of anger, not with Samaraweera for he had batted bravely, but with Asantha de Mel, Sri Lanka's chief selector.

De Mel's decision to discard Tillakaratne Dilshan from the Test team, not because of an alarming slump in form but because he had become "frustrated" by the team management's apparent reluctance to blood new players, turned out to be of crucial significance.

There can no doubt that Jehan Mubarak has talent. He also has displayed guts in the past, most notably against South Africa at Centurion in 2002 when he was thrown into the deep end and scored a gritty 48, but this was not the time to throw him back into the fire. His time should have come naturally, against weaker opposition or after injury to one of the top six.

His case for immediate inclusion was hardly overwhelming: a first-class average of 29.04 and one century in 92 visits to the crease. Statistics can be misleading - Kumar Sangakkara's first ever first class century was in a Test match - but there was simply no need, or indeed point, in thrusting Mubarak into the limelight at the expense of Dilshan, a player who had seemingly just cemented his place.

Mubarak was put under intense pressure. Deep down he would have known in his heart that his team-mates, although they may have tried to make him feel welcome, were surprised and shocked by Dilshan's omission. Mubarak fought bravely in the first Test, scoring 34 important runs, but thereafter it was all downhill with scores of 0, 13 and 2. It would be a true tragedy if he was to become the second innocent victim of de Mel's "frustration".

When Samaraweera snicked to slip it was a pivotal time in the Test match. Sangakkara, with help from Mahela Jayawardene and Samaraweera, had resisted for two and a half sessions. The score was 333 for 4 and Sri Lanka had finally established a slim lead. It was the perfect time for Dilshan to enter the arena. Since returning to international cricket he has played his natural aggressive game, with some notable success against England and Australia.

An injection of energy into the innings would have eased the pressure on Sangakkara's tired shoulders and carried Sri Lanka away from Pakistan. Instead, though, the innings stagnated and then nosedived with three more wickets tumbling in the final hour. Pakistan were left jubilant at the close, aware that only a miracle could prevent them from levelling the series. The duly did so.

Sri Lanka though can be proud of their performance. They were put into bat on a tricky damp pitch and forced onto the backfoot from the start. But they battled hard, session after session, refusing to be broken as the Pakistan lead ticked up. Certain doom appeared inevitable but the likes of Chaminda Vaas, Jayasuriya and Sangakkara were heroic in their refusal to surrender.

If you measure results in with results it mattered little, Sri Lanka were the losers and a series was shared, but this was a performance to celebrate. Once again, it showed how well Atapattu has bonded together and inspired his team. They are once again a tight unit, committed to fight for each other and for Sri Lanka until the very end. This spirit is so precious.

Unfortunately, their task was undermined by a selector. De Mel may well be upset with the attitude of John Dyson, who has taken a stronger stance on selection than Dav Whatmore, and Atapattu, both of whom are focused on winning, but he must understand that they are accountable for results. Their job is to win series and to carry Sri Lanka to the top. Their mission was to beat Pakistan.

De Mel may have had some sound reasons for his frustration, but there was no need for a public attack two days before a tri-series final, and there was no need for Dilshan to be sacrificed. De Mel made a misjudgement, a serious series-wasting clanger, but will he be held accountable? Only the Sports Minister can answer that. But he should go, and go soon before more damage is done.

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