Published: Feb 09, 2017, 07:56 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 09, 2017, 07:56 AM (IST)
Colombo: Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s chief selector, believes that the player’s inability to adjust to foreign conditions — rather than digging out flaws in the in the domestic system — was to be blamed for his side’s current plight in South Africa. Sri Lanka were clean-swept in the three-match Test series and are presently reeling 0-4 in the five-match ODI series. However, they managed to win the T20 series against the Proteas 2-1. Sri Lanka’s poor performance on the tour is also evident from the fact that till Tuesday, none of their batsman had made a century on tour, and only three half-centuries were hit in the Test series. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 5th ODI at Centurion
“We should be able to play under any conditions, not just at home,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Jayasuriya as saying. “There’s no point giving excuses or blaming our domestic structure after we lose a series. Your success depends on how fast you adjust to these conditions but sadly we have taken too long to do that,” he added. In the recent times, Sri Lanka’s domestic structure has been the subject of increasing criticism. It has been repeatedly claimed that the Premier League Tournament — featuring 14 teams — is too inflated to allow for adequate concentration of talent. Rabada, Dickwella fined by ICC
It has also been suggested that surfaces made in the home country are too spin-friendly. “I wouldn’t say there’s a dearth of talent but we don’t produce those champion cricketers as much as we did in the past,” Jayasuriya said. The former left-handed opener further said that there is not a problem with the domestic structure or the school structure as this was the very system that produced all those champion cricketers in the past. Tharanga’s ton in vain as SA beat SL by 40 runs in 4th ODI
“So, we need to assess this situation and find out where the problem is and correct it. The problem I see here is not lack of talent but their inability to adjust quickly to situations and handle the pressure. You can’t play cricket, if you can’t absorb pressure,” he added. The Sri Lankan chief selector further said that players need to find a way to play outside of their comfort zone.
“We do better in our own conditions and win matches, but when we go out, we struggle. If we don’t change this situation fast, we will only be winning matches at home,” he said. The Proteas will now aim for a clean sweep when they face Sri Lanka in the last ODI on Thursday at the SuperSport Park to go at the top of the ICC ODI Team Rankings.
