In defense of Hasaranga and co

Sri Lanka failed to enter the prestigious Super 8 in the T20 World Cup being hosted by the United States of America and the West Indies. This outcome is particularly heartbreaking for Sri Lankan fans, who are struggling to come to terms with the early exit. The stakeholders of Sri Lankan cricket, including the selectors, coaches, and other individuals involved in the game, along with the team under the versatile leadership of Hasaranga De Silva, are undergoing severe mental strain. They unfortunately run the risk of being unfairly criticized, putting their reputation and integrity at stake. This scenario is not uncommon in world sporting events, particularly in cricket, a game famously known for its ‘glorious uncertainties.’

The manner in which former national team skipper and highly respected cricketer Angelo Mathews expressed his apology to the country reflects the mental anguish and the challenges the team faced. These included the difficulty of adapting to unfamiliar wickets in the USA and tactical mistakes made during the games. Mathews is neither alone nor isolated in his unconditional apology to the nation, sharing the burden of disappointment with his teammates and expressing a collective sense of accountability.

As ardent fans of Sri Lankan cricket, it is our responsibility to thoroughly analyze this episode. The last group match, played early in the morning on 17 June (SL time), justified the selection of the team. Despite losing the toss under early seaming conditions, the team managed to score a mammoth 201 runs, thanks to contributions from almost all the batters in quick time. This impressive performance, which led to a victory over the Netherlands, should not be overlooked. There are many questions being asked in the media rightly or wrongly. Full test playing countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand faced the unfortunate ignominy of exiting early from the prestigious event. Great players like Virat Kohli, De Cock, Williamson, even the most celebrated T20 player Russel could not make any impact on the under-prepared pitches of the USA. It has been observed that the pitches in USA were tough for batters.

The maxim “success has many parents, but failure is an orphan” aptly applies to the team’s disappointing performance. The cartoons in popular English newspapers and the unkind, cruel comments on social media provide ample evidence that the criticism is often misdirected. Criticism has spared no one, targeting the SLC top management, selectors, coaches, supporting staff, and the Sports Minister, as well as slow wickets in Sri Lanka. This tendency to blame overlooks the historical achievements of Sri Lankan cricket. For instance, Sidath Wettimuny’s remarkable 190+ score in the inaugural Test at Lord’s, Duleep Mendis’s near-centuries in the same match, and Amal Silva’s century are often forgotten. The performance of the pacers and spinners during that period was superb, as attested by the renowned commentator Tony Lewis. These cricketers emerged from the same first-class setup in Sri Lanka, demonstrating the potential and talent within the system.

Sri Lanka’s past cricketing pride is inexhaustible, marked by world-class cricketers across all ranks. So, what is the issue? The cricket landscape has evolved. The emergence of teams like the USA and other second-tier nations, and Afghanistan’s recent show of strength as a white-ball cricketing team, illustrate this change. The second stage of the world event, the Super League, highlights how batting conditions have shifted. A good example is the English players, who successfully chased the total set by the West Indies but struggled on the USA wickets during group matches.

While the selection committee is also under fire, it is not proper to make harsh criticisms. The selection committee, under Upul Tharanga, has done excellent work in a short period. Although there are no significant numbers to justify their efforts, Sri Lankan fans can take a cue from the cricket boards of New Zealand and Pakistan, who are in a similar position and are working hard to set things right. Unconstructive criticism is not helpful in making amends. A final word to the Chairman of Selectors, Upul Tharanga: Please continue your dedicated responsibility. Fans will soon witness the revival of the Sri Lankan brand of cricket.

Ayampillai Dharmakulasingham,
Retired Sri Lankan Diplomat