Shot into Retirement - Samarweera

Back in 1993 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia batsmen Damien Martyn played a shot that left him in the wilderness for six years.  Luckily for Martyn age was on his side but in the case of Sri Lankan batsmen THilan Samaraweera it should cost his test career. 

Samaraweera, one of the veterans in the Sri Lankan team, came to wicket with the match in the balance at 3/145. Sri Lanka had just lost 2 quick wickets and needed Samaraweera experience to nullify the Australian momentum.  Conversly, Samaraweera ran down the wicket and tried to heave Nathan Lyon over the top of mid on only to mistime it into the hands of Mike Hussey.

Mahela Jayawardena reaction at the non-strike told a tale. Samerrawera didn’t even bother looking eye to eye with his captain and walked off. It was shot of batsmen willing to surrender and not willing to stand up for himself, captain, teammates and most importantly his country.

The Sri Lanka media were agitated and were eagerly awaiting the press conference to fry a fish. But to their disappointment the team management decided to send out DImuth Karuratna, Sri Lanka’s shining light of yet another hero of the day.

Asked about the Samaraweera, horrible shot the youngster replied “I think the things he is used to doing haven’t been successful for him in the last two or three innings. I think he tried to do something different. He tried to attack and get some runs, spread the field and then he could play his normal game. There are different plans for different players. He had a different gameplan and he tried it, but he was unlucky.”

The first few sentences had some significance as the Karnunaratna gave an indication of Samaraweera mindset but the most disconcerting sentence was “I think next series he will come to the fore again”.

Looking ahead Sri Lanka’s next test series is against Bangladesh and if Samerwerra is chosen in the squad Sri Lanka would have succumb to idiocy that affects sub-continent cricket.  It will be disgrace for Sri Lanka n selectors to name Samaraweera to be named in the countries colours again. 

With players such as Thiramane, Karnunaratna and Chandimal coming along Sri Lanka need to forget the past and look forward to the future.  Sri Lanka need to be ruthless in their selection and attitude. Perhaps take a leaf out of the stubbornness of former captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

Arjuna Ranatunga was not present at the ground but another former captain Ian Chappell stated his thoughts about Samerrawerra dismissals. “If I was Thilan I would be walking out of the ground and into one of the pubs in Paddington, because there is no way any player should let him get back in the dressing room”.

Chappell comments and Australian selector’s decision 20 years ago emphasized the importance of wearing the baggy green.  If the sub-contienet teams were ever that ruthless perhaps there results would stand out as well.