Tuesday 28th June, 2011 The legend who made us look stupid REX CLEMENTINE reporting from There are some similarities between UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and Sri Lankan opening batsman . One is that they both are politicians and the other is that however much you push them, they won’t go. And at least one of them will bring down the curtain today ending an illustrious career that spread over two decades, 22 years to be exact. It looked as if Jayasuriya was ever present in the Sri Lankan side. Such was his longevity that , who is expected to bat at number four today was barely a month old when Jayasuriya made his debut for at the MCG. Sometime back, Michael Atherton, an opener himself, conceded that Jayasuriya reinvented the way ODI was played. While agree- ing that Jayasuriya was an exceptional ODI cricketer, people don’t give him the due credit for the role he has played in . His greatest knock, the 213 he made at in 1998 to help Sri Sanath Jayasuriya prepares to go on his final journey as an international cricketer at his Lanka win their first ever Test Match in England remains his best knock in any residence in Borelesgamuwa. He arrived in England during the third Test between Sri Lanka form of cricket and fittingly he would be Sanath’s three kids, Keshani, Yalindi and Ranuk. and the hosts together with the other ODI specialists. bowing out at the venue where he helped Sri Lanka create history in front of a sought political assistance not for him- of the tournament sponsors. Jayasuriya painted. er. Both players have 50 plus averages in packed house. The lowest priced ticket self, but for his team-mates. In 2002, when and four other players argued that they The fans, particularly female fans that Test cricket. During the 2003 World Cup, for today is 57 Pounds (approximately the selectors opted to rest Marvan were suffering financial losses due to the he won were many. More importantly, he he also resisted calls to drop Mahela 11,000 Rupees) and there will be plenty of Atapattu from the third Test against Ambush Marketing Clause. None of the inspired many a youngster, particularly Jayawardene after he went through the Sri Lankans paying that money to see at Asgiriya, Jayasuriya direct- Sri Lankan players had contracts with those from the rural areas. His case will tournament without getting to double him one last time. ly took up the matter with then Sports rival products of the tournament spon- be quoted in many years to come to figures even once. “He is too good a He may have overstayed his welcome, Minister . Eventually sors and they were just asking for more player to be dropped,” Jayasuriya used but you have got to respect him for fight- Atapattu was reinstated and mind you money. That was the reason for our bru- to say. ing till the last moment. All of us give up the selectors were sacked. tal attack even calling for his sacking. His high profile nature sees him too easily, but not Sanath Jayasuriya, It was clear from those days that he Just before he went on the tour, the being entangled in gossips frequently. well, for that matter even will take up politics one day. But what players agreed to sign contracts and The latest to emerge is that he has filed Wickramasinghe. Till the last minute, was not known then was that he will take Jayasuriya’s relationship with the media, for divorce. The truth, however, is far Sanath’s enthusiasm never wavered. The it up while playing and representing certainly with Upali Newspapers, had from that. Very few know that he argument that he should have been part SLFP. There was this belief that he was become strained. In Sri Lanka’s first ever agreed to his wife’s request to christen of the Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad is an UNPer. game in that World Cup at Bloemfontein their three children, Keshani, Yalindi still rumbling and the way he worked out There has been no other Sri Lankan against he scored a bril- and Ranuk. He’s been a caring father with his left-arm spin in cricketer who has been under so much of liant hundred and at the media confer- and a loving husband. the T-20 International at Bristol showed media scrutiny like Sanath Jayasuriya. It ence gave us that cheeky smile driving Very few also know that he takes that the old guile is still there. only took a few games without a big one home the point. inspire the younger generation. steps to celebrate the birthdays of his Sanath, however, may Then again in 2004 there were He may get the tributes for what he children at orphanages at times! The have cooked his goose by calls to drop him as he went has done as a player, but his record as a reason being to teach his children that seeking political interven- through a lean patch without a Sri Lankan captain is not spoken in the there are underprivileged people living tion for his selection for fifty in nine innings. Jayasuriya same breadth. But if you analyse, he has among us and to lift those who are 2011World Cup. Sadly, he would have probably been the best record for a Sri Lankan captain struggling in life. never realized that he didn’t dropped for the third Test at in Test cricket having won 18 matches for Sanath Jayasuriya was the golden have to associate with politi- SSC, but in the second innings at the country, including ten successive boy of a golden era of Sri Lankan cians to get what he wanted. Asgiriya he scored a stunning wins. cricket. He will be missed. Politicians rather needed to hundred to save his career. The impressive came to an abrupt This is not to show that Sanath was hang around with him for In 2008 too there was quite a end when he made a miscalculation, of a paragon of virtue. He was responsi- he was a global brand name. bit of criticism after then Sports all places at Lord’s. The year was 2002 ble, together with Sanath Jayasuriya was the Minister inter- and thanks to hundreds from Marvan and for the Michael Jordan of Sri vened in his selection for the Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardene, Sri rebellion against Lanka. And in the end, it . He had been originally Lanka posted a 500 plus total and bowled when the latter was the Board may have been a mistake overlooked and was picked on out England cheaply. This mind you was Chairman in 2008. It’s even said that not to pick him for World Cup, especially for journalists to write the epitaph. But his form at the IPL. But he answered us, without Muttiah Muralitharan. But the senior players of the side ensured given the fact that Sri Lanka did have a on each occasion, he bounced back mak- his critics, with a match winning hun- Jayasuriya then made the fatal error of that Ranatunga was snubbed after the specialist left-arm spinner in Rangana ing us look stupid. Here’s a case in point. dred in the Asia Cup final against enforcing the follow on and Sri Lanka team won the Asia Cup. It was all done Herath in their World Cup squad. Just before the 2003 World Cup, The when Sri Lanka’s had collapsed didn’t have enough fire power to bowl in retaliation to Ranatunga’s stance Politics and Sanath Island and Divaina carried out a ruthless in dramatic style. And he loved proving England out twice. Nothing went right that Sri Lankan cricket comes first It was no surprise when Sanath attack on him for refusing to sign the us wrong. from thereon as Sri Lanka lost that series ahead of IPL. It’s hard to think that Jayasuriya took to politics. He loved poli- World Cup contract ahead of the tourna- He was a ferocious reader too!. He 2-0. the very players that Arjuna himself tics and in turn politicians liked to be ment. The Ambush Marketing Clause, bought all newspapers during matches to During his tenure as captain, he over- nurtured turned their backs on him. seen around with him and most of his introduced for the first time by the read what had been said about him and saw the induction of several young play- Sanath, however, will have to pay for wishes were granted. Sadly, what’s not International Cricket Council, had been the team’s performances and he was ers into the side. was his sins, if his belief that ‘what goes known is that on most occasions he done so to protect the commercial rights offended if a grim picture had been one and was anoth- around comes around’ is true. Dilshan ruled fit to play first ODI

REX CLEMENTINE veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, who will end his 22 year down from shorter versions of the game. There has The game will be a day-night encounter and will international career just two days before his 42nd been some criticism on the decision to pick Cook as begin at 5:30 pm Sri Lanka time. REPORTING FROM LONDON birthday.Jayasuriya is the second highest run getter the ODI captain as he was not part of England’s Sri Lanka (Probable XI) Sri Lanka captain , who has in ODI cricket with over 13,000 runs behind India’s World Cup squad early this year. T.M. Dilshan (Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, not played since the second Test against England at while he’s the ninth highest wick- “As an international player you have to prove Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Lord’s, passed a fitness test yesterday and will play et taker in One-Day cricket with 322 victims. yourself and I am excited about that challenge. My Mathews, Thilna Kandamby, , Nuwan today’s opening One-Day International of the five He has plenty of happy memories at The Oval as One-Day game has evolved since I last played. I Kulasekara, , and match series against the hosts here at The Oval it was here he scored a match winning 213 when Sri scored runs in and I scored them quick- . today. Lanka beat England for the first time in Test cricket ly and I know I have got the talent and the skill to do England (Probable XI) When vice-captain turned up in 1998. He also scored an ODI hundred when Sri it,” Cook told journalists. Craig Kieswetter, (Captain), for the pre-match media briefing, it was expected Lanka last played here five years ago. Sri Lanka will fancy their chances against Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, , Ian that he will lead the side as Dilshan was still recov- Vice-captain Thilina Kandamby speaking to jour- England, who have struggled in ODIs in the last two Bell, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, , ering, but the 34-year-old was seen batting at nets yes- nalists said that the team wanted to give Jayasuriya decades or so. The tourists thrashed them by ten James Anderson and Jade Dernbach. terday and was passed fit to play.Dilshan sustained a a grand send off, but the plans could be spoilt as rain in the World Cup quarter-final in Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZ) and Richard hairline fracture on his right thumb during his is expected today. three months ago. Sri Lanka’s last tour to England Illingworth (Eng) record breaking 193 at Lord’s a fortnight ago. England, meanwhile, will have a new captain in saw them thrashing Andrew Strauass’ side 5-0 in the Third : Rob Bailey (Eng) Today’s first ODI will also be the last match for Alastiar Cook after decided to step ODIs in 2006. Match Referee: Alan Hurst (Aus)

Tuesday 28th June, 2011