by George Mendis
My brief commentary will be on (l). South Africa in preparation to avenge their defeat in SL (2). Commonsense advice/warning to SL players + (3). Team Discipline, Cricketing Rights and Obligations.

1. S. Africa in preparation to meet SL and avenge the defeat in SL:

They are already at it - doing well against N. Zealand, who came near the ICC championship in England and Kenya; and they are well prepared to meet Sri Lanka, while SL has had a long rest from bat and ball play at international level. SL players will have to detect the strengths and weaknesses of the S.A players who seem to be currently in form.

* BATSMEN - The 3 Ks-Kallis, Kirsten, Klusener - They try to manage the spin of Murali yet with extra care/fear - Murali can keep them at bay for less than about 30 runs each, if the ‘right fielders are placed in the right positions’ say Chandana/Mahela at long/off overhead near Boundary line, able to move left or right after ball is bowled. Vaas must have the correct slip fielders and the men at long extra cover and 3rd man to cut the boundaries and twos - and provoke rash hits ...; In bowling Donald will create fear by bowling bodyline/bouncers and yorkers for lbws and edges to the keeper. .(Hope Umpires will be efficient/sharp). ..

2. SL Players to be aware: BATTING:- *Sanath J. has been batting like the hero of the past- he has to play safe the first 10 overs - not get caught at extra cover on the Boundary — Kallis/ Donald will tempt him — I feel that Sanath with the correct MIND-SET will do as well as in Sharjah * Atapattu must warn S.J on the field placings/traps and continue in his stylish play, making the short runs and, avoid the rash dash over slips/gully. He has to remain as SHEET ANCHOR and where possible be an incentive to the other batsmen. *Mahela, the outstanding batsman, has to be patient and play his shots seeing the types of field placings. Care is necessary on square cut at gully and being prone to be given out Ibw often. * Kaluwitharana-must be patient, his wish to score off every ball needs to be curbed - He is a great world class batsman but must not be hasty and try to cut every ball. SI expects at least a few 50s and long stays.. *Sangakkara, Dilshan .. need more experience -they must go slow scoring ones and twos; they will definitely be a Sanath J/Aravinda in time to come provided they are not hasty and not over self-confident/too optimistic. RUNNING between wickets needs training- even Sanath J., Atapattu, Kaluwitharana, Mahela etc. need to be loaded with know how—when/ how to call and follow others call, on agreement to call loud on runs..

BOWLING: Murali can get the wickets if the fielders are placed nearby/in the deep B’line at least he can cut short the runs and create a situation for the other bowlers like Vaas, Soysa, Jayasuriya to get the wickets. While Upul Chandana can grow up in the field as a good legspinner with a regular straight one, SL needs a good slow off-spinner like Arshad Khan/Tendulkar etc. * In pace other than Vaas and Soysa, Pramodaya, Weeraratne etc. are liable to gave too many runs let them bowl length to the particular batsman. .

FIELDING:- Needs special training in safe catching, especially the crucial difficult chances of the very good batsmen like the 3 Ks of SA . Even the wicket- keeper Kaluwithrana has to look sharp as he has often missed rare chance off very good batsmen at great cost to SL.... Throwing at the wickets/Wicket Keeper need special direction /motivation/ emphasis.

3. Team discipline—We are happy that United effort, democratic leadership and careful obedience to the Leader/Captain have been well seen; ,also the Captain and senior players have paid good respect to the junior players also. Even the Coach and and Physio-therapist seem very keen and are doing a fine Sri Lankan type loyal commitment. May all these good things continue, whatever happens among the controllers .

The Board of Control Members have to realise that their actions can be reflected on the cricket grounds - their responsibility is to help keep the SL team in good humour. The Board has to display a gentlemanly noncontroversial cricketing sense/ culture in their deliberations.; it will not ‘be cricket’ for the Board to show friction and have factions in their work to uplift the standard of the game in the field rather than be buried in disposal of cash,- please note that monies that come to the country is the legal property, and belongs in fact to the country and not to the national institution alone. Let the Board pay attention to popular responses and to the media .

As for myself - I am disappointed with the way the Board is getting about - even the former Interim Committee also did not do as well as spoken about (I wish - The Island paper oŁ March 28 ‘2000 that carried our article on the Role and Responsibilities of a Board member on Cricket Administration is referred to on the Qualifications desired).

**OUR HOPES: While the SL patrons hope that Sri Lanka will make the BEST of EFFORT to maintain its position in the CEAT table at the top to One Dayers and about 3rd. in Test Cricket, all of us will be glued on to the Radios/TVs to listen/ watch our players in action. Please note I refer also to our 3 wheel drivers and sweep sellers in Kohuwela town. ***My hazy prediction—Not seeing Sanath J’s (cricketing) horoscope, I cannot make a categorical statement — but yet state if Sanath J. stays at the crease, makes the runs at the beginning and Murali has good soft wickets to bowl on, SL will WIN the One-Dayers and at least draw the tests.