Trevor Bayliss hails talent in Sri Lanka, Aravinda de Silva rues missed opportunity in World Cup final
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Bayliss, who is set to travel back to his home country, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, might end up coaching a state team there. He feels that the Asian players have done remarkably and are very strong mentally to be able to ward off distractions around them that are a part and parcel of being a leading international star in the cricket mad region.
He thinks that it is the Sub-continental way of life that has helped players to perform under sustained pressure emanating from huge expectations that the big populations of the area bring on the players.
He added that the resignations of Sri Lankan captain, Kumar Sangakkara, and, Mahela Jayawardene was a shame as the duo had done a stellar job for the Island nation in all formats of the game. He thinks that they finally gave in to the pressure that was being exerted on them from all quarters.
"They are the best two guys to take Sri Lanka forward. They probably had enough of putting up with distractions. I am constantly amazed how well the players do [on the field], with all the distractions put in front of them”, Bayliss said.
According to the Aussie, the Sri Lankans ought to invest in their budding all-rounder, Angelo Mathews, as he has the potential of becoming a good captain.
He added. "I think 23-year old Mathews could be a future captain of Sri Lanka. Maybe a couple of years for him at the international level first would get him some confidence, before adding on the responsibility of captain".
On the other hand, man of the match of Sri Lanka’s World Cup 1996 final win over the Australians at Lahore, Aravinda de Silva, is aghast at the Sri Lankan loss to India in this year’s final. He stated that he had made a vow that he would select a team that would win the World Cup and had told Kumar Sangakkara about his desire.
He added that he had told him that he wanted another Sri Lankan team to win the World Cup and not have the 1996 team as the only World Cup winners.
The batting great, who had scored an unbeaten century at Lahore in the 1996 final, stated that the present opportunity was as big as any, and, the Lankans should have made the most of it and won the trophy.
He added that they should have gone out with a greater degree of confidence in the final and should have given their 200%.
The former captain, who led the team in the 1992 World Cup, added that the failure of the team to win the tournament is a very big disappointment for him.
The Sri Lankan Cricket Board is expected to soon announce a replacement captain in the limited overs format.
Kumar Sangakkara has indicated to the governing body of the game in the country that he is willing to lead the team in the Test match format for the time being and the board should find a captain for the limited overs format.
The most likely candidate to replace Sangakkara is Tillakaratne Dilshan, the flamboyant opening batsman, who was the top run getter in the ICC 2011 World Cup.
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