Pathum’s  arrival gives new hope

By Rex Clementine

There’s new found excitement as young Pathum Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan to score a hundred on debut overseas. There’s been a lot of talk about him when he was snubbed for South Africa after a prolific domestic season and then for the home series against England. His opportunity finally came in the Caribbean and he has shown what he’s capable of.

Pathum is good enough to be an all format player like he was made to do in this series. The way he adapted from white ball cricket to the longer format was remarkable, exhibiting patience in abundance during his century.

Former greats have been quick to congratulate him particularly making mention of his appetite for runs; he averaged 67 in First Class cricket in the last three seasons. A point noted by former captain Sanath Jayasuriya took the attention of many followers of the game. Jayasuriya reminded the need for young Pathum to be ‘managed well’.

For Jayasuriya to say that he needs to be ‘managed well’ there must be something wrong with the way young players are being managed at the moment.

The likes of Jayasuriya when he started his cricket and when he was at the peak of his prowess, had many well wishers like S. Skandakumar, Sidath Wettimuny and Jayantha Dharmadasa to support him. Currently they are replaced by player agents some of whom have clearly mismanaged players.

We are left with too many examples and the fans will be hoping that Pathum Nissanka’s will not be the same story. Sri Lanka needs some solid players to come out from their current mess and the game’s main stakeholders – the players and their agents need to fall in line.

Now that Pathum has made a dream debut selections for the home Test series against Bangladesh is going to be really tough with Angelo Mathews and Kusal Janith Perera expected to return to the side.

 It was so good to see Niroshan Dickwella showing maturity that he has been lacking all these years. A clear message has been sent to him and Dickwella knows that more is expected of him. He’s been excellent behind the wickets and since the second England Test has taken more responsibly with his batting. If only he can get his act together with his reviews, Sri Lanka will have someone solid in their ranks.

Sri Lanka fought back in the first Test after being blown away for 169 runs in the first innings. Suranga Lakmal was brilliant with career best figures of five for 47 to restrict West Indies’ lead just over 100 runs. Then Sri Lanka took the game away from the hosts in the second innings with significant contributions from Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum and Dickwella.

If they win the second Test, history will be created in the Caribbean as a Sri Lankan side has never won a Test series in West Indies.