Transition is a funny word, especially in Sri Lankan cricket. A sporting team would be in transition in reality for a maximum period of three to four years.
Alas, this is Sri Lanka and per the selectors, administrators, and players, this team has been full of youngsters and has been in transition since 2015 and are still gaining experience in world cricket.
We have had a record of seven changes in captains in the last five years and the coaching staff has also changed frequently. A brand new set of selectors were appointed and they took a decision to remove the seniors from the squad and name a brand new Captain and Vice Captain.
Kusal Perera faces a herculean task of leading an One Day International (ODI) unit lacking experience, modern ODI skill sets and the much-needed temperament required in the fast paced game.
The selectors with a view of building up a team for the World Cup 2023, possibly named Perera the skipper of the side as he has played the most number of ODIs in the squad.
The Sri Lankan Team is at the worst of its rankings in ODI, ranked a dismal No. 9 in the rankings and are placed just above the babies of international cricket, Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka also has won only three ODI series during the past four years having played 18 series’ in total.
This series win came against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
The new team just concluded an ODI series against formidable Bangladesh and managed to win the dead rubber game thus losing the series 1-2.
However, this Bangladesh team can dance and shout to the Nagni dance as they have won the last 11 out of the 12 bilateral series’ played at home.
It was a tough challenge for the new Captain and his team to face this powerhouse Bangladeshi team at home and they bowled and fielded commendably.
But, as always, it’s the batting that has let the Lankans down.
Although the Lankan batsmen have enough games under their belt, they seem to have completely forgotten the need to build an innings and then up the ante.
The Sri Lankan ODI teams over the years didn’t have high- quality power hitters in the lower middle order and hence, the top order and middle order played smart, sensible cricket to win games.
Kusal Perera has been adamant on playing fearless cricket. However, there is a fine line between fearless cricket and careless cricket, and you expect a professional cricket team to be smart with their stroke-play.
This batting line-up seems to be wanting to hit the boundaries, but don’t seem to understand the need for a solid foundation by the top-order letting a batsman bat through the innings and the others supporting him.
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