da fezbet： Sri Lankan captain, Sanath Jayasuriya, looked a confident man before leavingto Sharjah for the tri-nation tournament with Pakistan and Zimbabwe at thedesert city from October 26
Rex Clementine20-Oct-2001Sri Lankan captain, Sanath Jayasuriya, looked a confident man before leavingto Sharjah for the tri-nation tournament with Pakistan and Zimbabwe at thedesert city from October 26.Speaking at Dilmah team sponsorship launch, Jayasuriya claimed: “Theconfidence is really high as our one day form has been excellent. We haveplayed well at home and particularly in Sharjah in the last few outings.”The Sri Lankans won the last two tournaments in Sharjah by thumping margins.Earlier this year, they convincingly beat Pakistan in the final and thistime last year they crushed India. Jayasuriya, though, is taking nothing forgranted.”There’s no guarantee that we can win this tournament,” he said. “There’slot of responsibility on the batsmen and bowlers.”Safety concerns in the wake of military action in Afganistan have dominateddiscussions in cricket boards throughout the world in recent weeks, butJayasuriya is not voicing fears about a tour to the Middle East.”We are not very concerned about that,” he said. “The Cricket Board hasbeen in touch with CBFS and they are confident that everything is ok, so wedon’t have any problems in going there.”Sri Lanka travel to Sharjah without all-rounder Suresh Perera, a key memberof the team that defeated India and New Zealand in the Coca-Cola Cup inJuly, as his bowling actions is still be reviewed after he was reported byumpire Steve Bucknor.”It’s a big blow,” admitted the captain. “Unfortunately he’s having aproblem with his action. It’ll be rectified very soon I hope and he can bequickly brought back into the side.”However, Sri Lanka have the option of playing Dulip Liyanage who bowlsmedium pace and can chip in with the bat like Perera.”Yes, we’ve the option of playing Dulip (Liyanage) in the position whereSuresh (Perera) used to bat,” he said.The Sri Lankans have got two youngsters in their side. Prabath Nissanka andCharitha Fernando. Both choices caused some surprise, but that of Mataraborn Nissanka has created the greatest excitement.”Prabath (Nissanka) is having a very good future,” predicts Jayasuriya. “Hewas troubled by injuries but now he’s alright he can bowl really fast.Charitha (Fernando) can bowl quick as well and he’s got the ability to chipin with the bat, which gives him an extra advantage.”In the last tournament Sri Lanka went with the six batsmen policy withall-rounders Kumar Dharmasena and Suresh Perera batting in the middle order.Perera’s unavailability creates problems for the balance of the side.Asked as to what changes would be made, Jayasuriya said: “It depends on thesituation. There are quite a few bowlers who can chip in with the bat. Butanyway it’s too early to comment on the composition of the side. We have togo there and see. We have got to take into account the opposition, theconditions and lots of other stuff.”Jayasuriya, though, hinted at Kaluwitharana retaining the gloves in Sharjah:”We have been playing with Kalu for the last few matches and he has beenperforming well in the shorter version of the game, so we might settle withhim again in Sharjah.”Speaking for the first time since the World Cup draw, he acknowledged thatSri Lanka had been rewarded for their recent good form with a favourabledraw, but warned: “We can’t be confident because we are in a group thatgives us some advantage. To win an international cricket matches you need toplay really hard right from the start on that day. We are not thinking atthe group right now but considering about getting the right formula for theWorld Cup.”The team departs Sri Lanka on Sunday for the tournament that starts onOctober 26 and ends on November 4.