Sanath Jayasuriya faces uncertain future in cricket
Colombo: Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya faces an uncertain future in international cricket after the selectors decided to push him down the batting order from his usual opening slot.The 40-year old explosive batsman, who has been extremely successful as an opening batter for the island nation over the last few years, has been picked as an allrounder for the upcoming tour of India.
Talking to reporters, Sri Lanka’s chairman of selectors Ashantha de Mel said:
"What we expect from Sanath is that he should win one in three games for Sri Lanka, which he was doing in the past. But now that has reduced and we are a little concerned about it. In the Champions Trophy in South Africa his performance was below par. That`s the reason why we have gone in with the option of playing him as an allrounder."
Although Jayasuriya’s performance has been fabulous in the last T20 World Cup in England where he scored 177 runs at an average of over 25, he could not live up to expectations during the Champions Trophy ODI tournament.
The selectors also said that Jayasuriya’s performance will be scrutinized during the Sri Lanka series and his future will depend on that.
"We have spoken to Sanath on the role he has to play. He has the option to play as an allrounder. We have considered him for this tour only, after that his selection will depend on his performance. He has to perform to hold his place in the team for the World Cup," said de Mel.
"Especially in the batting power play having a spinning allrounder like Sanath is useful in the subcontinent because he can hit the ball. He might bat in the middle or in the top order depending on the situation. Also, the World Cup will be held in the subcontinent where his left-arm spin can become useful. He can perform that role because in South Africa in the game against New Zealand when they scored 300 runs he was the one who bowled ten overs for three wickets and 30 runs. He has done well in the subcontinent especially with his bowling," he added.
The selectors also said that Jayasuriya’s performance will be scrutinized during the Sri Lanka series and his future will depend on that.
"We have spoken to Sanath on the role he has to play. He has the option to play as an allrounder. We have considered him for this tour only, after that his selection will depend on his performance. He has to perform to hold his place in the team for the World Cup," said de Mel.
"Especially in the batting power play having a spinning allrounder like Sanath is useful in the subcontinent because he can hit the ball. He might bat in the middle or in the top order depending on the situation. Also, the World Cup will be held in the subcontinent where his left-arm spin can become useful. He can perform that role because in South Africa in the game against New Zealand when they scored 300 runs he was the one who bowled ten overs for three wickets and 30 runs. He has done well in the subcontinent especially with his bowling," he added.
