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Captaincy only for short time: Jayawardene

27 January 2012 03:16 am - 25     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Mahela Jayawardene on Thursday said he has taken up the Sri Lanka captaincy for a short term and rejected rumours that there was an internal bickering in the side.

"I took up the captaincy once again, for one-year. Our target is to win matches, to regain our place as one of the top-four Test playing nations," Jayawardene told reporters in Colombo.

"We have failed as a team in the past. But we have to look beyond that and move forward. We face India and Australia next month. We need to take the positives from South Africa and focus on winning matches again."

Jayawardene captained the team between 2006 and 2009 before making way to Kumar Sangakkara.

Immediately after Sri Lanka's loss to India in the world cup final last April, both of them resigned leading to Thilakaratne Dilshan's appointment as captain.

Jayawardene dismissed rumours that internal politics between players had affected the team morale, leading to defeats.

"Kumar (Sangakkara) is the number one batsman in the world. It is ridiculous to think that he would under-perform due to internal politics," Jayawardene said.

Responding to Sri Lankan decision to sack Geoff Marsh as coach and replace him with Graham Ford, Jayawardene said "That is not my area. That is up to the selectors. My focus is to work with what I have got. Graham is experienced, and we need his services to rebuild, harness new players and win games.

The outgoing captain Dilshan said Marsh gave more than 100 per cent" to the team and declined to comment further on the issue.

Asked about his sacking as captain, Dilshan said he had been only picked captain until the South African tour and he was happy to see Jayawardene back as captain. (Source: Times of India)

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  Comments - 25

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  • Nirmal Friday, 27 January 2012 07:28 AM

    This is not moving forward but going backwards... the player who doesn't even belong in the team (due to poor performance) is made captain. Thats 10 players + a VIP passenger. Lo and behold we are truly the "wonder of Asia".

    Dilshan was a victim of circumstances, we should be grateful that he did what he can coz no else was there to take the lead. He doesn't have the captaincy qualities but that's not his fault, the selectors should have thought better.

    UK Banda Saturday, 28 January 2012 03:49 PM

    SL CRICKET-
    Mate which game you talking about.....hope not cricket ? or may i ask which planet you live then?

    SalesRep Saturday, 28 January 2012 06:24 AM

    SL Cricket admins have run out of bowlers, batsmen and now captains. This is purely because of ill planned (if there's one at all) weak cricket heirachy. And who's next? I don't think Angelo Matthews fit in. We don't need another below par captain like the West Indies. Let the youngsters come and stay. And the real one will rise.

    kaluwaa Saturday, 28 January 2012 05:26 AM

    Right Decision. Even Tom Moody had said that Mahela has better leadership qualities than any of the other captains. Good Luck Mahela!

    Nilesh perera Saturday, 28 January 2012 04:13 AM

    We as pass cricketers of SRI LANKA,proud of you how you played the game and captained the National side.
    Keep it up and show once again to the NATION

    Shamil Saturday, 28 January 2012 03:38 AM

    MS Dhoni lost two major test series (lost all matches by big margins) and he will continue as the captain of Team India. Our Dili won the 1 test match ever in the history vs. SAF and drew two in England and he is not given another chance. Wow! way for the future.

    Wonder who will be the captain after Mahela's 1 year stint?

    Srilankan Saturday, 28 January 2012 03:32 AM

    You are the most suitable person to be the SL captain,
    GO Mahela Go

    Cricketer Saturday, 28 January 2012 02:00 AM

    Seriously, you call one of the worlds most respected, prolific run scorers, 'incapable'.....idiotic.

    hinni Friday, 27 January 2012 10:12 PM

    Mahela is a great Cricketer but a greedy person..he was collecing money for a cancer hospital..nobody knows where the hospital is..!
    He never gave any support to Dilshan as a senior player ..he wanted Dilshan to fail..!

    Senna Friday, 27 January 2012 09:14 PM

    Mahela brought the country to face final in world cups and all know his total scores . How can a person say " he is the most incapable player SL ever produced. Very unfortunate statement. As every player goes through very low patches , Mahela is also going through that.. I am certain and keep hopes that he will bring the team together. He is a very disciplined , gentleman of the game

    SL CRICKET Friday, 27 January 2012 10:41 AM

    Mahela is the most incapable batsmen Sri Lanka ever produce and I don't know why these people keep him and promote him again and again without giving chance to a young player.

    The God Father Friday, 27 January 2012 08:29 AM

    Yup Dude, only till the Government changes.

    Mohd Friday, 27 January 2012 07:55 AM

    Mahela, This is the time for you to retired from the cricket & not to lead the sri lanka Team, So pls give the chance for the younghers!!! As always u r playing for your 50 OR 100 & not for the team man. i had nitice this on many occasions.

    Kolomba Kaka Friday, 27 January 2012 03:35 AM

    He should not have been made the captain, cos we need to groom a young man who could take us through to the next World Cup. Another good year wasted by our Selectors!

    Ayanthi Friday, 27 January 2012 05:49 AM

    Mahela U have always behaved like a true gentleman and done the right thing. Sri Lankans know every thing about cricket and every thing else as well . See how smartly they use their vote to elect thugs and uneducated fools. so do not heed them go Mahela!

    Dammika Friday, 27 January 2012 05:57 AM

    Don't blame the selectors .... that is what politicians want to cover their blunders

    Analysis Friday, 27 January 2012 05:50 AM

    I love Sri Lanka as a great cricketing nation though it seems that internal politics (not supporting the leader by senior players) and some senior players being more powerful affected Dilshan in his leadership battle. I do not see any issues with Dilshan's leadership qualities.This could happen in any country, particularly in Asian countries.
    OK now let's give Mahela a chance to do his bit. Hopefully he will devote more time for SL cricket interests now

    Napso Friday, 27 January 2012 04:59 AM

    We would have to wait and see as to the outcome of Dilshan's replacement. Remember Mahela too had his misfortunes during his term as captaincy. If one looked through the entire gamut of ministers one would only come across square pegs in round holes, and people who should not be accommodated within the precincts of the parliament for the simple reason that for they are not suitable or qualified to lead. Except of course for Arjuna who has lost face with the government because of his straight forward hard talking ways, because he seems to be the only one able to call a spade a spade instead of backlicking his way to the top position. The manner in which Marsh has been dismissed is also very unprofessional and would invariably convey negative signals to all coaches of international repute making them think twice before undertaking any sort of contract with Sri Lanka. Bayliss's comments reported a few days ago would only further add salt to the wounds.

    judej Friday, 27 January 2012 04:45 AM

    Mahela not the best person to Captain SL at this moment. I still believe Angelo M. would be the ideal choice considering all facts. And I reiterate that seniors in the SL team abandon Dilshan during his captaincy. In other words left Dilshan in the lurch. Mahela, I agree that your buddy Sanga is # 1 bat in the world. However, the don't care attitude wont win matches. Mind you it applies to you too. Remember, you'll professionals and representatives of SL. Don't make SL the laughing-stock in world cricket.

    Ding Dong Friday, 27 January 2012 04:39 AM

    Good decion

    Lankan Friday, 27 January 2012 04:38 AM

    Mean time Mattews should train for captaincy under mahela and chandimal should train for Vice captain if Sri Lanka to go faward.....

    Sujith Friday, 27 January 2012 03:52 AM

    Real drama comes after this one year

    chithranganie Friday, 27 January 2012 03:56 AM

    We Srilankans know the reasons you agreed to take over the
    captaincy. We do not blame you. It is the way the country move forward. Any way congratulations. Please try to improve your personal performances. Otherwise this appointment will be a joke. You will become a JOKER - we do not like it as we respect you.

    aashick Friday, 27 January 2012 03:52 AM

    im sure mahela can do much better then dilshan as a captain, because dilshan does not have leadership qualities but he is great player and im sure now he will proform much better in coming days, Coz now he does not have pressure and only can concentrate on his betting, Wish you all the best for mahela and rest of the guys to have better show in Australia.

    Nodrog Friday, 27 January 2012 03:47 AM

    Good luck in bringing the team together again and re-gaining our deserved status at the top.


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