The Hindu : Sport : Oldies ready for new challenges

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Wednesday, Oct 04, 2006
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Oldies ready for new challenges

Special Correspondent

A BAND APART: Marvan Atapattu, Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya have contributed much to Sri Lanka's success in the past and will yet again play a big part in its quest to lift the Champions Trophy.

NEW DELHI: Experience has no substitute. Years of hard work, the wisdom and maturity gained from tackling situations that pose challenges in varying degrees, all contribute to the expertise of a successful performer.

The Sri Lankan trio of Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu and Muttiah Muralitharan has done it all. Each one has had his share of conquest and controversy. But truly amazing is their longevity in the cricketing world.

If Jayasuriya and Atapattu have fought lack of form and fitness to survive this far, Muralitharan has repeatedly courted controversy after being `called' more often than any other bowler in modern-day cricket.

Interestingly, the thought of giving up the sport, though for different reasons, has crossed the minds of these gallant cricketers during their illustrious careers. But they have come out stronger from the low phases.

The fact that the Sri Lankan Board finds these `oldies' indispensable in the one-day scheme of things is a tribute to their proven abilities to contribute.

Best in the business

At 37, Jayasuriya remains one of the most feared all-rounders. With 11,104 runs and 278 ODI wickets, he is ready to face his biggest test after taking back his decision to quit Tests in April and ODIs after the World Cup.

"Nowadays, nobody can take his place for granted. One has to perform consistently. Being a senior, I have to live up to the expectations of my people. I still bat pretty much the same way I did in 1996 but now, I concentrate on staying for a longer duration," said the seasoned campaigner.

Atapattu has reasons to wish a similar comeback for himself. Much unlike the explosive Jayasuriya, the former captain is considered a slow starter but pretty effective once he gets going.

However, the 35-year-old has lost his opening spot to Upul Tharanga and the No. 3 slot to skipper Mahela Jayawardene after pulling out of the England tour due to a recurring back injury. He is expected to bat at No. five in the Champions Trophy.

"I'm happy to be back. Honestly, I wouldn't have regretted if I had to stop playing due to injury. After all, health comes first. Now I think, it is a good time to come back into the side that is doing so well," he said.

Adds to variety

On his orthodox style of batting he said: "I think it adds to the variety and remains a surprise element for the opposition. If we have players of the same style, it would be so much easier for the opposing captain to plan."

When it comes to making things difficult for the rivals, there are few like Muralitharan. The off-spinner, with 657 wickets in Tests and 416 in ODIs, is eagerly looking to better his form in the shorter version of the game.

For the record, he could get only 36 wickets from 28 ODIs compared to 108 from 15 Tests between September 2005 and August this year.

He disagreed that pitches in India were as spinner-friendly as in Sri Lanka. "Maybe the conditions are similar but in India you have more batting wickets than bowling pitches. Irrespective of the conditions or the state of the pitch, my job is to perform well and take wickets," he added.

With renewed vigour, the aging trio is out to prove a point or two. No wonder, Lanka's journey to the World Cup is full of exciting possibilities.

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