After three defeats against South Africa, Pakistan and Australia Sri Lanka team have to play under pressure situation to go forward and all the Sri Lankan cricket lovers are very disappointed about the team performance.What went wrong ? What type of areas to develop as a team Can
we have a chance to enter semi finals ? .These are questions all of us wanted to know about I“met a suitable person to talk about these issues.He is none other than renowned International cricket commentator Russell Arnold who is the only Sri Lankan in the world cup cricket commentary panel .He was a former National player and a good commentator based in Sydney but always available for TV cricket commentary at International level.He has ability to talk in all three languages English ,Tamil and Sinhala.
Russel Arnold still loves Sri Lanka cricket and he is keen to give his advice to the young players .We met him at the Ekana International cricket stadium in Lucknow and he came to see Sri Lanka team training session.Cricket is his passion while his cricket commentary is always interesting with facts and figures
Here are some excerpts of the Russel Arnold exclusive interview.
Q/ Sri Lanka team players taking much about Indian wickets and they said not familiar with home ground wickets. What is your comment about world cup cricket wickets in India?
A – Getting used to the wicket is idea of playing these type of tournaments and it’s same for everyone and every team. You look at how Sri Lanka missing some players but then look at other teams who are still competing and they look like they want to be out there and I don’t think it is an excuse. This is a world cup it’s where you want to be representing the country and just have to perform.
Q/ Do you think Sri Lanka still have chance to enter semi finals after three consecutive defeats ?
A – This world cup cricket tournament is still wide open. There are couple of teams much stronger than others but the results have proven that almost every team can be beaten. The favourites can be beaten as Afghanistan and Netherlands showed and Sri Lanka can come back strongly
Q – What type of areas to be developed in Sri Lanka team?
A – It is disappointing that in two Sri Lanka matches we were in a very strong position should have easily won against Pakistan and Australia.But the fact so many mistakes were made from advantages position and sad thing finding itself right at the bottom of the points table and also lack of confidence and respect from other teams .
The energy levels in fielding just seems to be wanting even when we watch the other teams seems to be lot more urgent in everything they do and it is disappointing. But yet we did find ourselves in situation of being dictated by other terms.
Q– Do you think Sri Lanka team can go forward?
A – If Sri Lanka team can start winning it can. Because now with Afghanistan and Netherlands winning against bigger teams or the more fancied teams Initially you needed six matches to qualify now it becomes more difficult. So it still gives some expectation but then also it put you under pressure playing against even those two teams
Q– – Sri Lanka batting was very good in first two matches but they failed against Australia What can Sri Lankan batters do in the next few matches?
A – We hope Sri Lanka batters do better in next matches and they would come out as a team collectively. But chasing 428 against South Africa and Sri Lanka did that in great style and got 326 and only 102 runs behind South Africa Other than Kusal Mendis,the top order failed except Sadeera Samarawickrama and in last 20 overs Sri Lanka scored only 110 runs and lost by six wickets against Pakistan in good batting conditions.
Q– How do you see about change of Sri Lanka captaincy after two matches?
A – Dasun Shanaka’ s form is questionable and his body language was not what we expected and then again Kusal Mendis taking over captaincy .It was a situation that forced him to get that position.But no better person because the person who has been performing and leading from the front and he seems to be in a different level to the others when it comes to play cricket at the moment. I also feel it was unfortunate that Kusal Mendis was not on the field when we fielded in the match against Pakistan in Hyderabad even as Vice Captain of the side and it’s not a problem he is Captain at this time .
Q– What can Sri Lanka team have to do?
A– I think whole team should take responsibility and make sure we play and compete all the way make good partnership or top order batsman gets some runs doesn’t mean that next batter has the right to go in and it’s a thing about basics and look at every step they you normally take than thinking everyone scoring runs and just is going to hit the ball. There is a process that everyone put up their hands up and make a change.
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