Congrats to Captain Kusal and his team

Our country is famous for having wrong people in the right places. As a result, the educated intellectuals have left the country en masse for greener pastures, where they can make use of their talents and knowledge freely, without any interference, for the benefit of mankind. They are well recognised in those respective countries, quite contrast to the stepmotherly treatments inflicted upon them in their own motherland.

Athletics in our country is no exception. In a recent article, ‘Barrier Breakers’ in this newspaper (21st May edition) I read how a top-class athlete in the 1940s and 50s, Summa (Sumanthiran) Navaratnam, was not selected to represent then Ceylon in the London and Helsinki Olympics in 1948 and 1952 respectively. Decades ago our long distance running maestro, S. L. B. Rosa was deprived of representing our country in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He was barred even from running under the Olympic flag. A personal grudge cost an Olympic medal for the country?

Sri Lanka had to wait 52 more years to be blessed with an Olympic medal after Duncan White brought a Silver medal to our motherland way back in 1948. It was then that our own ‘iron lady’, Deshabandu Susanthika Jayasinghe, brought a silver medal in 200 meters in the year 2000 in the Sydney Olympics, amidst a plethora of obstacles not from the rival competitors but from the sports hierarchy.

In our country, when a regime changes the cricket fans can expect a change in the set up of the cricket selectors. Such selections for this ‘elite’ group sometimes were pathetic, and were purely done because of personal affiliations. In the past, on numerous occasions the selections of the ‘knowledgeable’ selectors were full of obvious favouratism. Let’s forget about the past, as now we have a new set of cricket selectors, and I prefer to abstain from commenting on that.

However, the infusion of young blood into the recently held two Test series gave desired results. Young Praveen Jayawickrama emerged as a hero. Also the selection of young faces into the team that toured Bangladesh for the just concluded ODI series, should be applauded and commendable. That was a very intelligent and an appropriate move in view of the World Cup 2023, to be staged in our neighbouring country India. Kusal Janith Perera (KJP) who was axed on certain occasions from our national sides, despite having done yeoman services to the country as a cricketer, was deservedly elevated to lead the side, although it was long overdue. To make a long story short he is suitable for all three formats of international cricket for many more years to come. He had proved that with his willow.

Not all captains were 100% successful in their maiden engagements, but later have achieved greater targets with much needed experience, perfect backing and also with team spirit and unity. Therefore our 2 – 1 defeat to Bangladesh (although it was the first occasion) was not a big blow, considering the present excellent forms of BG cricketers. KJP’s captain’s knock of 120 in the final third ODI brought a much-needed win for us. The present Bangladesh cricketers are really an advanced lot, compared to the bunch of cricketers that commenced their international appearance 21 years ago in 2000, as a full test playing nation. With regard to KJP, we all should recall the epic match winning knock of 153 not out (12 fours and 5 sixes) in South Africa. His commitments were and are truly remarkable.

The International press had the following praiseworthy words to describe that innings of a simple golden boy, who really plays for the country and not for his personal glory. “This knock is arguably one of the best in Test cricket’s vast history”, “Kusal Perera’s 153, miracle in Durban, one of the greatest of all time” and finally from former South African captain Faf du Plessis – “It was a superman effort”. Subsequently, he was dropped from the Test squads for reasons unknown to the intelligent cricket fans.

Dear KJP, it was not a road full of roses during your elevation to the top. The Majority of the cricket fans are with you because of your simplicity, loyalty to the country, and your proven batting heroics. Now you have been appointed to lead the country again, Sri Lankan cricket fans wish you and your team all success in the upcoming ODI and T20 tour of England.

The success of your team will make you the automatic choice for the leadership role in the 2023 World Cup to bring glory to the motherland. Good luck KJP.

LALITH FERNANDO Panadura