Mahela Jayawardene is optimistic that Sri Lanka will extend their ruthless form into the Super Eights
Dileep Premachandran in Georgetown27-Mar-2007
‘We bury teams [at home] but never seemed to have that kind of edge when we travel. Over the last 15 or 16 months, we have developed that’ – Jayawardene © AFP
Having enjoyed their lone World Cup triumph on the subcontinent, Sri Lankahave frequently flattered to deceive away from it, but there’s a growingfeeling that they might be the team to upset Australia’s applecart on thisoccasion. Having thrashed India to get into the Super Eights undefeated,the first real test of their Cup-winning mettle comes against South Africaon Wednesday, and Mahela Jayawardene is convinced that the team’s ruthlessstreak will stand them in good stead against a side ranked No.1 in theworld.”We win pretty well at home and have that ruthless instinct,” he said,talking to the media after rain had disrupted a training session at Guyana’sProvidence Stadium. “We bury teams [at home] but never seemed to have thatkind of edge when we travel. Over the last 15 or 16 months, we havedeveloped that. We’ve done well on tours in England, New Zealand andAustralia.”According to Jayawardene, a pitiless approach has helped bridge the gapbetween talent and results when the team leaves its comfort zone. “As ateam, we have realised that we have to compete harder and be ruthless,” hesaid. “Once you have the opposition down, you have to finish the games. Athome, you feel that you could win a match from any situation. If you cando that when playing away from home as well, that’s what ruthlessness is,that self-belief.”Much of that confidence has been created by the effort put in by TomMoody, the coach who was appointed to inspire the World Cup push two yearsago. “Tom has brought something new to the table for us,” saidJayawardene. “He’s pushed us from our comfort zones and pushed us to bebetter players. Mentally, he wanted us to be much tougher as a group, andnot just as individuals.”They’ll still need more than self-belief against a South African side thathas enjoyed extraordinary success in the one-day arena over the pastyear. There’s a bit of history too between the sides, what with Sri Lankannewspapers labelling the South Africans chickens after a bomb blast causedthem to abandon a tri-series in Colombo last July.Jayawardene wouldn’t dwell on such things, except to say: “As far as thehistory goes, this is probably our turn to win. They are the number-oneranked team, so everyone wants a piece of them. We do carry points [fromthe win against Bangladesh], but we’re not taking them into account.Taking those early points against South Africa will definitely benefit us,so it’s a very big game for us. They’re a good side, but have theirweaknesses as well. So you just have to penetrate them, and see if theyare tough enough to handle it.”With Ireland and Bangladesh making the Super Eights, most of the fanciedteams have had to revise their expectations of what will be required toreach the last four. Sri Lanka are no different. “We’re not sure becausethe top six teams are battling for four places,” said Jayawardene. “So Ireckon you have to win at least half of those games. That would be aminimum. If we can win more, we can be in a comfort zone.
One of the most impressive aspects of Sri Lanka’s progress has been their allround depth © AFP
“The earlier you get those wins under your belt, the easier for you goingforward. You just have to make sure that you make the most of theopportunities you get because things like rain could be a factor.”One of the most impressive aspects of Sri Lanka’s progress has been theirallround depth. The batsmen pummelled Bangladesh out of contention, andthe bowlers did a tremendous job of choking an illustrious Indian line-up.”When we came to the World Cup, our objective was to have the rightbalance in the squad,” said Jayawardene. “We knew that different venueswould give you different conditions.”Trinidad gave us a new challenge. The ball was moving around a bit andour quicks came to the fore. We handled the batting part of it pretty welltoo. It was one of the things we looked at when we picked our squad. Wewanted to have variation in the 15. You can’t say that we’re perfect, butwe’re trying to make sure we have the right balance.”In striving for the ideal combination, some have been left kicking theirheels on the sidelines, including Marvan Atapattu, Jayawardene’spredecessor as captain. “He’s very passionate about the World Cup, butknows what’s best for the team,” said Jayawardene when asked about a mansurely playing for the last time at this level. “I am sure he’ll have arole to play. It’s all about having the right combination.”He was not a part of our playing eleven in the first three games, butlikewise others who would like to play at this level. Malinga Bandara hasbeen doing very well but has not got an opportunity. Dilhara [Fernando]got an opportunity against India and proved that he’s ready.”Guyana, and a pitch that has never been used before, represents a uniquechallenge. “It looks a bit different from the Trinidad wicket,” he said.”That was obviously bouncier with a bit of grass on it, and did a bitthroughout the day. This one does not have that much grass. It lookspretty flat. But there’s been a bit of rain here and much will depend onhow firm the wicket is. I don’t know if it will favour us or not.”The events of the past week have seen cricket in the news for all thewrong reasons, and Jayawardene was anxious to steer clear of innuendo thatsuggests that match-fixing rackets are alive and well within the game.”Whatever I know is what I read in the media,” he said, cleverlydeflecting the question. “Personally, I’ve not experienced anything likethat.”Obviously it’s something everybody is concerned about, but unless youhave substantial evidence, you cannot judge anybody from what is beingsaid. What has happened is very unfortunate. We’re sad and shocked aboutit. Hopefully, time will tell us exactly what happened, and we just haveto make sure these things don’t happen in the future.”For the moment, he has other matters to ponder, such as a World Cupcampaign that could yet emulate the magic-carpet ride of 1996.