Category Archives: IPL

Courtesy of the Sunday Leader where the title is “Former Stars, Officials, Call For Major Changes”

The Sunday Leader interviewed some of Sri Lanka’s former test stars and leading administrators over the woeful performance of the Lankan team in the Boxing Day test at Melbourne where the Lankans were crushed by the humiliating margin of an innings and 201 runs in just two and a half days by a rampant Australian team. Those interviewed all called for major changes and blamed the surfeit of limited overs cricket as one of the causes for the lack of application at Test level. Former Sri Lankan opening batsman, former board official and chairman of selectors SidathWettimuny was visibly emotional about the match. Wettimuny was one of the most stylish and technically correct batsmen produced by Sri Lanka and has to his credit some of the best batting performances by a Sri Lankan overseas including a monumental 190 against England at Lords.

Q and A Review with Sidath Wettimuny

What are your thoughts on our performance at Melbourne?
It was a woeful batting performance and it clearly shows we are not playing enough test cricket and the longer version of the game – most of our batsmen were guilty of playing strokes more suited for the limited overs game. The match was effectively over on the first day itself and we were always playing catch up after that.  We are showing our mindset is not right and we clearly lack the temperament to compete effectively at test level which is the ultimate form of the game. Without playing test cricket regularly we are doing ourselves no favours by playing in limited overs tournaments and neglecting the maingame – test cricket. Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game and it is here that a cricketer is really tested and can really prove his class. Continue reading →