Thursday 12th February, 2009

! decides to step down after Pakistan series

by Rex Clementine ‘The Island’ that the selectors Lankan captain. ahela Jayawardene has During his three were surprised by his decision “In the best interests of the decided to step down as year tenure as to step down. “To be honest, his team, I have decided MSri Lanka captain after decision came as a surprise to to stand down as Sri Lanka - the team suffered an embarrass- captain, us. He has done a good job as tain after this Pakistan tour. ing 4-1 defeat at the hands of captain and has an exceptional This is something I have been India in the recent ODI series at Jayawardene made record in Test . We did considering for some time as it home. Jayawardene, who took the Sri Lankan struggle in a few ODI games, has been my long-held belief Career highs over from in but overall, he has a fairly good that my successor should have 2006, steps down after three team one of the record,” de Mel added. at least 18 months in the job to years at the helm, during which most respected The decision indeed would imprint his vision on the team and lows period he’s had his ups and have come as a surprise for the for the 2011 World Cup,” downs and reaching the finals outfits in world selectors as Jayawardene had Jayawardene said in a state- August 1997 – Makes half- on Test of the 2007 World Cup remain cricket and hardly spoken of looking forward to ment, issued by Sri Lanka the highlight of his captaincy. the future after the 4-1 defeat by Cricket. debut Jayawardene will lead the any Sri Lankan India. Addressing the media “After much thought, I have June 1998 – First Test hundred in side to Pakistan in a two match was penalised for after the series, Jayawardene concluded that the right time against New Zealand Test series and will hand over said that the upcoming tours has now come for fresh leader- January 1999 – First ODI hundred the reins to his successor, to be breach of the code and tournaments were crucial ship to takeover. It was not an against England in Adelaide named by the selectors for the of conduct during for the team and winning the easy decision to make because February 1999 – First double hundred ODI series against Zimbabwe at final ODI against India was a being Sri Lanka National cap- against India at SSC home. that period. step in the right direction, tain has been the source of September 1999 – Appointed vice-captain to Jayawardene had met the ahead of the busy international enormous pride,” he added. selectors at SLC head- schedule. He was named Captain of February 2001 – Fined 25% of match fee for quarters yesterday to “He feels he will be better the Year by the International excessive appealing in the announce his deci- off as a batsman and assured us Cricket Council in 2007 and first Test against England sion and of his fullest support for his under his captaincy, Sri Lanka May 2002 – Becomes third Sri Lankan to Chairman of successor,” de Mel added. went onto win successive Selectors Jayawardene Spirit of Cricket Awards, pre- score a Test hundred at Ashantha averaged more sented to the team that respect- Lord’s de Mel than 64 as a ed the traditional values of the December 2002 – While still a young players told batsman game, rules of the game, oppo- in the side refuses to sign while being sition and umpires. the ICC Ambush Marketing captain He won rich admiration Clause citing loss of rev- and had an from the cricket hierarchy and enue. impressive public support from all over April 2003 - Follows up a disastrous as the world by saving the ICC World Cup campaign where skipper World Cup final against he scores 21 runs from where he Australia in Barbados from seven had series wins ending in a farce when he April 2004 – Leads SL for the first time as against England, agreed to send his batsmen out selectors name a young side India and South to face the remaining overs in for an ODI against Zimbabwe Africa at home. Away complete darkness after ICC from home, the team match officials had made a 2005 October – Marries long time girl friend squared the Test complete miscalculation of the Christina Sirisena series in England, rules of the game. 2006 April – Named successor to Marvan West Indies and New During his three years Atapattu Zealand and Sri tenure as captain, 2006 May – His hundred made in over Lanka’s 121 run win in Jayawardene made the Sri six hours saves the Lord’s Guyana last year was Lankan team one of the most Test for Sri Lanka their first Test win in the respected outfits in world 2006 July – Hits 374 against South Africa Caribbean. cricket and hardly any Sri at SSC, a SL record and the In ODI cricket however, Lankan was penalised for third highest score in Tests the team struggled and breach of the code of conduct 2006 November – Named Captain of the Year recorded first ever home during that period. by ICC series defeats to England and Jayawardene lost some pub- 2007 March – Named one of Wisden’s five India before losing the recent lic support after he played a Cricketers of the Year series to M. S. Dhoni’s side key role in getting the two Test 4-1. Apart from a good run series against England 2007 April – Team reaches final of ICC in the World Cup, win- scrapped in order to take part World Cup under his cap- ning the Asia Cup was a in the Indian Premier League taincy big feather in tournament. He was seen as an 2007 October – Becomes first Sri Lankan Jayawardene’s cap outspoken critic of players captain to lose home ODI during his tenure as seeking the help of politicians series to England captain. to remedy cricket issues, but 2008 July – Accused of seeking Whitewashing later he himself was accused President Mahinda England 5-0 in of pleading with politicians to Rajapakse’s intervention for England in one of scrap the England series. a 100% pay hike. In an his first assign- Jayawardene is the tenth Extraordinary move, the ments as captain Test captain of Sri Lanka after board is forced to increase ranks very high in , D. S. de each player’s match fee from Sri Lankan cricket Silva, , Ranjan history and his Madugalle, , 1750 US$ to 3500 US$ in Test hundred at , Hashan ODIs and 3500 US$ to 5000 Lord’s during Tillekeratne, Sanath US$ in Tests the same tour Jayasuriya and Marvan 2008 August – Becomes first Sri Lankan to save the Atapattu. He has the best suc- captain to lose home ODI Test match cess rate by a Sri Lankan cap- series to India is consid- tain, having won 15 of the 26 2008 September – Refuses to play a two match ered one of Test matches while in charge. Test series in England due to the best, if Jayawardene is already the loss of revenue from IPL not the highest run scorer for Sri 2009 January – Becomes fourth Sri Lankan best rear- Lanka in Tests, having made to play 100 Test Matches guard over 7600 runs in 100 Tests at 2009 February – Steps down from captaincy knocks 52:36. His 24 Test hundreds is after 4-1 series loss to India by a Sri also a Sri Lanka record.

Thursday 12th February 2009