Sanath Jayasuriya, my favourite cricketer, every bowler's favourite victim, what an icon he has been for Sri Lankan cricket, if not for the International game of cricket overall. He revolutionized the one day game to what it is today and has broken/created multitude of records, most we aren't even aware of. He's a humble man from the southern tip of Sri Lanka with an undying passion for the game and despite all the fame, glory and respect he has earned from fellow crickets and fans all over the world, he still remains to be so. His mere presence in team makes a world of difference and one wonders (damn...that sounded like Ranjith Fernando), let me rephrase that: I wonder how the Sri Lankan cricketing fans would bear when he departs from the game for good.
Ok ok...enough of the ado. This post is not a history roll out on Sanath and his achievements in the game. I just wanted to share with you all a thought that came upon me following the Bangladesh series that ended yesterday. Sanath Scored a little over 50 runs in the series but bagged 9 wickets, which eventually won him the Man of the Series award. Sanath started as a left arm spinner in the early 90s before he earned the title of being the official Master Blaster in the game on his way to becoming the batsman legend that he is today. But taking his performance during the last series in to consideration, is he going back to being just a bowler who can bat, like when he started his career? has he lost the 'mojo' for destruction? Is he a spent shell? OR am I thinking like a typical Sri Lankan? Well, I think its the latter :)
We Sri Lankans, not all, but most, tend to degrade a person simple by focusing on the present. He didnt score that many runs and did not display a fluent picture of batting, but hey, he made sure he contributed with wickets. Thats the buoyancy of the man. He's a battleship with all kinds of armour. A selfless cricketer who would sacrifice everything to earn a victory for the country. Why is he the Greatest All-rounder the gentlemen's game has ever produced? I think I know, I know you do too. Sanath, you have always been one of the greatest ambassadors to represent this glorious nation, your job is not over, may it never ever be!
3 comments:
Wow!! Nice post :) I totally agree with you... Sanath, is a great great cricketer, and a very humble man! :) He has done wonders for Sri Lankan Cricket, and even if he doesnt do much now, that's ok :) My opinion is that, after everything that he has done for us, I do not expect much from him now. Simply because he was (and still is) a great cricketer, we expect so much out of him and its quite unfair at this stage. I guess its because of the trust and faith that we have placed in him. But we need to just give the guy a breather, he has right fully earned that, dont you think so? :) He is such a great player that even when he doesnt perform with the bat he has still a state of mind to somehow contribute. And the wonderful thing is that he excels in any way he contributes! :) I think the best quality that he possesses, and the quality that has made him an ambassador for not only cricket but for Sri Lankan as well, is his humility!
Me so glad you wrote something of this wonderful player! He deserves nothing less! :)
Oh, and to answer your question... hmmm, maybe he is a spent shell, sometimes it really looks that way, but then again can we expect anything more from him now? He is 37 (or 38) old, and to be playing cricket at that age is a magnificant feat itself... And I dont think that its fair for us to expect so much from him either... Sometimes I do feel that he should retire from cricket at a stage where people will remember him for his greatness rather than a dying-out-Sanath... But then again it is his decision and if he produce the goods, then that's great! :)
Yes you are right!He deserves a breather but he's the kind of guy who would never ask for one. You just cant keep him out of the game.Take these stats in to account (courtesy of cricinfo(c)) : His crucial role for Sri Lanka with the ball is reflected in the fact that the team has won 22 of 30 matches when he has taken three wickets or more. His matchwinning ability with the bat is well known, with 22 of his 25 hundreds resulting in victory for the Sri Lankan team. Thats truely amazing!!Yes,Retire at some stage he should, but he just keeps producing the goods when the team needs it the most. But then again there are mixed feelings about his the lenght of his career but just as you say, its his decision :)
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