New strategy - what became of it? (5 June 1999)

5 June 1999

New strategy - what became of it?

Richard Dwight

"What is this thing called light, which I must never enjoy, pray tell me", cried a poor blind boy. We too, though not in much the same vein, were groping in the dark, waiting for someone to throw light on the oft spoken of new strategy that was to be set in motion against our opponents at the world cup matches.

It did intrigue us, as to why they played their hand with the cards close to their chest, secretive if you like, before leaving for England. However, this new strategy, if there was one, failed to make the right kind of impression to be effective - It turned out to be a damp squib that did not ignite, akin to the emperor's new clothes. If Ralahamy of 'He comes from Jaffna' fame was around, he would have said "I have heard that story tell me something new."

Strategy apart, the stark naked truth is that we were well and truly beaten all ends up. And what's more without a semblance of a fight which certainly wasn't worthy of the last world Cup champions Indeed a most undignified exit, where in comparison the margin of our defeats caused much embarrassment to many.

In the curtain raiser against England we surrendered tamely to lose. In the next match, having contained the South Africans to a moderate score, we undid the good work by our inept abysmal batting that sank very low. The redeeming feature and the irony of it all, was the courageous batting of Roshan Mahanama.

Then came humiliation of a high degree inflicted upon us by the Indian batsmen, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly. Batting with impunity they tore into our attack with sheer disdain and utter contempt to rock us to a position of stand still, to register what looked like a score in test cricket. The manner in which the Indians played and won, exposed our weakness all round to the full.

Unlike other cricket playing nations our domestic tournament is confined to Clubs. They are played on not so hard surfaces with tame ordinary medium pace bowlers. This gives the performing up and coming aspiring youngsters a false sense of form, only to stand disillusioned when stretched at the international level. The only exception is that of prodigious Mahela Jayawardene who is oozing with talent and would have done even better if he had stiff competition by way of really genuine pace bowlers at the local level here.

Provincial or District cricket should be encouraged so as to generate interest and an awareness in those areas. Cricketers must be made to play for the Province or District of their birth. We may in the process unearth a crop of sturdy pace bowlers. The clubs should be the feeder to the District teams, from which the national side is picked. It may be feasible to get a highly reputed, mature coach from abroad. If the Districts could, they must explore the possibility of getting down some really good pace bowlers to play for them.

Source :: The Daily News