Sri Lankan Cricket is going backwards: Mahela

19 October 2018 09:01 pm - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lankan Cricket is going backwards and right now it is right at the bottom, Mahela Jayawardene has told Sky Sports.

"We are going backwards from where we were and right now we are right at the bottom, which shows in our ranking," Jayawardene has said.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports Cricket's Ian Ward and Nasser Hussain, Jayawardene said:

"What you have to realise is that it has not gone into the fixing allegation yet - it is just not co-operating.

"So we just need to wait and see where this is heading. You have to give the benefit of the doubt but at the same time it is disappointing.

"You had these guys who were trusted to do a job and to not be able to deliver for your country is a huge disappointment.

"If you don't get this right, if there are any of those things happening in that dressing room or around it, you need to clean it up completely. That should be the starting point.

"Forget about the cricket you play out in the middle. There is no trust in that dressing room if those things are happening. I think the coaching staff and the management are important as well - try to sweep it out.

"It should happen quickly as well. It shouldn't take six to eight months because that is going to directly impact how the Sri Lankan team is going to perform out there because there are a lot of young players, not many senior heads who have played 10 or 15 years.

"You need to start at some point and I think, rightly or wrongly, for these things to come out is a good thing for Sri Lanka - I don't think it's a distraction. It's a positive thing.

"If that's the reason the performance is getting affected, or there's no unity in the dressing room or there isn't the culture there was before, then try to sort that out so we can start planning going forward," he said.

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Comments - 21

Wise Donkey Friday, 19 October 2018 09:23 PM

Cricket on the reverse gear, no hope for revival in the near future. Extremely sad. Let's support netball.

Chams Saturday, 20 October 2018 07:25 AM

This is the result when politics takeover things. We have seen this in almost all the fields not only in sports. The damage third class politics has done to this great nation who used to fly even before anyone else did, to mention just one example, is irreparable! I hope people understand this sooner than later to get things back on track.

Sambo Saturday, 20 October 2018 07:43 AM

Not only cricket but the entire country is going backward. This is cause our Sri Lankans have big heads and think they know it all.

Yahiya Saturday, 20 October 2018 07:50 AM

All the culprits are in the board. Need another Gamini Dissanayake or Ana Punchihewa.

rohanabey Saturday, 20 October 2018 08:02 AM

This is the time all Sri Lankan cricket lovers should support our team. Lets go to matches and provide ground support. If there is a problem in the cricket constitution it should be addressed by the minister and officials of SLC.

Garage Man Saturday, 20 October 2018 08:23 AM

Everything SL touches goes on reverse gear, politics, sports, culture

Kumara Dharmarathne Saturday, 20 October 2018 08:25 AM

From top to bottom in the Sports ministry and in the Cricket Board,they do not know what they are doing. Recently,current cricket Captain was saying " Please don't blame my players for losing ,I am responsible for everything." That statement itself proved that he was not suitable for a Captain. On the other hand, he should now tell Sri Lnkans who maintain him and his team, as to why he lost the last matches played against England. If he cannot answer, he should resign from the captaincy. We have heard enough of nonsense of these guys by now.

Akila Saturday, 20 October 2018 08:44 AM

Main reason is their lack of preparations for the game one , so the major blame has to be directed at the Coaches

Anthony Saturday, 20 October 2018 10:59 PM

True ,its time the Head Coach and Chairman of Selectors what's UP ????? Mr Minister of sports it's time up,where are you ??????

Sanka Saturday, 20 October 2018 08:51 AM

You and your partner also responsible for that..

karigalan Monday, 22 October 2018 09:43 AM

I have lot of respect to you and sanga but as Arujuna and Aravinda grow you two you didnt train anyone to take over from you. you both just left the cricket without proper replacement

Cricketmad Saturday, 20 October 2018 08:56 AM

Find talent and coach them to win matches instead of fixing to make money. Now, I just don't watch when Sri Lanka plays anywhere. Losing is the new norm. We are always one after the last in rankings.

Bookie Saturday, 20 October 2018 10:01 AM

Indian bookies made 1/2 of our Cricket team permanent jockeys. Ava, Giya, or ride some distances and pace. this is all about horse racing and a betting game which Indians are excelled.

Pradeep Saturday, 20 October 2018 10:14 AM

Get an example from other fellow cricketers from other countries and do something good for the cricket without boasting around.

ghostlanka Saturday, 20 October 2018 10:18 AM

There are more squabbles by both present and past cricketers with the Cricket Admins in the Media, than there is consistent schedule of televised matches to be played with so much 2-4 month gaps available in between, but still cricketers incur continued injuries during, before, or after the match with a poor or good performance resulting in inconsistent team continuity of selection. WHY??????

ghostlanka Saturday, 20 October 2018 10:33 AM

Its too late for Mahela or any others to go public with this statement even if it was said 6 years back. Our U19 teams is quite pathetic too, they have not won any major U19 ICC Series title, unless someone tells me when was the last time the SL U19s won a major world or asian title?????

Samson Saturday, 20 October 2018 12:06 PM

May be a complete clean up is necessary. Cant the GMOA do something about the sad state.

Ronnie Bugger Saturday, 20 October 2018 02:34 PM

Mr. Sports Minister. The SLC need to be fumigated. Get rid of the unshaved and drunk hierachy and inject new strategies and untainted blood into the Board.

Nilam Saturday, 20 October 2018 03:00 PM

What is going forward in sri lanka other than prices? And currupton?

Rama Saturday, 20 October 2018 04:23 PM

mahela, i know you are a decent bloke. can you tell me how can this country make progress when the country is deeply divided into ethnic lines? as you know the power is in the hands of the majority and they are unwilling to share power with the minority. the attitude of the majority must change for the country to make any progress either in cricket or otherwise.

lakshitha Monday, 22 October 2018 10:43 AM

Silly Coach has to be replaced,,,he is over rated,,

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Sri Lankan Cricket is going backwards: Mahela

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