Thursday, September 22, 2011

It hurts most when your people turn against you - Jayasuriya



More than five and a half months after the event, Sanath Jayasuriya still struggles to hide his disappointment. He attempts to put on a brave, philosophical face, but it is obvious that being left out of the team for the World Cup still rankles the 42-year-old.


As much as his own absence from the Sri Lankan team that worked its way to the final of the competition, the former skipper is also upset at the loss Kumar Sangakkara’s men suffered in the title round at the hands of India despite having put up a big total on the board.


“It was disappointing not to play in this World Cup,” Jayasuriya concedes in a chat. “People like the then chairman (Aravinda de Silva) said the team picked for the competition was the best team that could have been selected. Yes, I am disappointed personally for not having played in the World Cup, and I know it was very disappointing for the Sri Lankan people when the team lost in the final.


“At the interval, we all felt the team had a great chance of winning the title. When you have 270 on the board in a Cup final, it is as good as having the game in your hand. But I don’t think the defence of that total was planned properly, and I feel the bowlers were not used properly.”


Does he think he would have made a difference, with his vast experience, in a game as crucial as a World Cup final? “You can never say with any certainty exactly what would have happened,” he laughs. “But whenever I have got the opportunity, I have always done my best…”


Jayasuriya eventually called time on his international career a couple of months back, afforded a farewell in the limited-overs series in England. “It was a bit tough,” he recalls of the walk back to the pavilion after his last day in international cricket. “To have played 20 years of cricket and then to call it quits, it is a bit tough. But that is a reality you need to face some day. I took the decision to retire, and I have taken it in the right spirit.”


The destructive left-hander admits to a few regrets, and while he does throw up a few hints, he refrains from targeting individuals. “When you play as long as I have done, definitely there will be a few things that will not go your way,” he offers, measuring his words with great care. “What hurts most is when your own people turn against you.


“These are the people you have played with for a long time. Sometimes, when people who you have played with hit you in a different way, it becomes hard to digest. They have their own articles to write, and if they have something to say about you, they don’t do it straight up but go in a roundabout way in their criticism. That hurts. That’s something I will never do. But I have played enough and been around long enough to be able to take it in my stride. I feel if you want to make a point, come out in the open and make it directly,” he continues, leaving no one in any doubt which current players he is talking about though he pointedly chooses not to come up with names.


Jayasuriya says he hasn’t found juggling his multiple roles of a politician, a businessman, a commentator and an occasional cricketer difficult at all. “You can manage all these if you want to, and if you have a plan,” he shoots back. “I have some kind of a plan, and that makes it easy for me. I am very happy that I do a bit of everything.”


Source: DHNS

Sunday, September 18, 2011

CLT20 2011: Age No bar for Sanath Jayasuriya


As Ruhunu Eleven embark on their journey in the Nokia CLT20 Qualifiers with a game against Trinidad and Tobago, legendary opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya spoke to the media.


On playing his first CLT20

It’s nice to get this opportunity, especially of representing my provincial team. We are the domestic champions in Sri Lanka and we’re all happy to be here.


On Ruhunu being the underdogs

Yes, we are the underdogs. We’ve got a young team with exciting players who have been playing good cricket at the domestic level. Now they have got an opportunity to replicate that at the big level and they’re keen on doing well.


On playing T20 cricket at the age of 42

If you’re playing well and your team is happy with you, age doesn’t matter. I was a part of this team when they won the T20 domestic championship and did well there. I also played a lot of T20 games outside Sri Lanka, which helped me stay in shape. I want to share my experience with the youngsters and I hope it helps them.


On comparing the standard of competition between IPL and CLT20

The standard doesn’t matter. We just need to perform at our best as a team and as individuals. I just want to give my 100 per cent to my team as a batsman and a bowler.


On the absence of world class bowlers

It takes time. You cannot produce Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan overnight. You need to give youngsters time to prove themselves and that’s how great cricketers are made.


Source: CLT20 Official Website
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