Hours of work ahead for Dav Whatmore
Pat Symcox - 6 December 2002
Sri Lanka's performance against South Africa in a vital clash that decided the series should certainly have their coach worried. The attention to doing the basics right was clearly missing and on this display, their World Cup chances cannot be taken seriously.
Too many times in this summer we've seen the bowlers not being able to bowl a line, never mind a length as well. Without Vaas, the rest have a club cricket look about them and need to mature considerably to become consistent. Sanath had his hands full trying to place a field almost every delivery! The fielding was mediocre to say the least with half chances not being taken at vital stages of the match. Losing is one thing, but the manner in which it happened is very disconcerting.
From a batting point of view, the Sri Lankans only look dangerous if they get off to a start enabling players like Aravinda to then come in and build on it. The tail is just too fragile to cope if early wickets are lost. It almost seems like a catch 22 position for the top order; play shots to set a total, but don't get out because you will not have enough batting at the back of the innings. This is no way to have play against a strong team with loads of bowling options available.
While I think that the young fast men like the Fernando's and Nissanka have loads of potential and in time will be of great value, potential alone never won a match in any sport. Dav Whatmore needs to spend hours and hours with these young men, making sure he gets their muscle memory in place very quickly. It probably should have been done before the tour even started!
Pressure is the name of the game at the coal-face of international cricket and the Kimberley match was right up there when it came to producing the goods and the wheels came off. The ability to do the job when required under tough circumstances is not something that can be acquired overnight. It can take a few seasons and even then it is still never easy. This team is still in the process of putting that in place. Only a select few can do the job and there are not enough of them.
The fifth and last match in Bloemfontein should see the Proteas rest key players and thereby allow some younger talent to experience the thrill of playing at the top level. The pressure will lessen and should the Sri Lankans lose, it will do their confidence no good in the light of their World Cup campaign.
© Viva Cricket
