We need to groom another leader-Mahela

By Sunil

5 December 2012 08:12 am - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene who is in Australia, Wednesday said that Sri Lanka should groom another captain to lead the Sri Lankan cricket team.

"We need to groom another leader as well. It's very important to have that changeover done smoothly while the senior players are still in the side,” the AFP reported quoting Jayawardana, ahead of a three-day tour match against a Chairman's XI in Canberra.

"That's something that I will speak with the selectors (about) and see what's best for them and then make a call," he said.

He also said he will consider his future as captain after the Australia tour which includes three Tests, five one day internationals and two Twenty20 matches.

"After this, we get a well-deserved four weeks off, after about three years, so it gives me a bit of time to think what I need to do," he told reporters.

Jayawardene said he expected Australia to attack his men like "wounded soldiers" after their hard-fought loss to South Africa and the retirement of Ricky Ponting.

Australia suffered a 309-run defeat in the third and deciding Test against South Africa which ended Monday, losing the series 1-0.

It allowed the Proteas to retain the number one world ranking and meant 17-year veteran Ponting was not given the send-off the team wanted.

"I see them as wounded soldiers -- they could come back stronger against us," he told reporters, adding that even without Ponting Australia were still a "decent lineup".

"Australia will come hard at us, especially after the (last South Africa) Test because of what happened to them. We need to brace for that and make sure we handle those tough situations."

Sri Lanka begin their tour just days after being beaten by New Zealand in Colombo in the second of a two-Test series which ended 1-1.

Prolific batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who earlier this year won the International Cricket Council's Cricketer of the Year award, disappointed against the Black Caps, scoring only 21 runs over three innings.

Jayawardene said the 35-year-old batsman-wicketkeeper would be out to prove something in Australia.

"I am happy that he went through a lean phase because he'll be really hungry for runs -- that's Kumar for you," he said.

Sri Lanka and Australia begin their first Test in Hobart on December 14, the subsequent Tests beginning on December 26 in Melbourne and January 3 in Sydney.

Comments - 28

PoliticallyIncorrect Thursday, 06 December 2012 05:45 AM

Your English is as bad as his.

sobers Thursday, 06 December 2012 10:30 AM

don't be cry- babies, a good cricketer should be able to play on any wicket. Face it! Pundits of cricket should have readied the boys, No excuse, deliver the goods or get out of cricket. you need guts to play aussie bouncers.

nasrullah-beruwala Thursday, 06 December 2012 10:18 AM

if we want a steady LEADER even matches lost, my first choice is Ranil Wickramasinghe!! Because, every one knows about his career !! haahaaahhaaaaa

Chow Chow Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:47 AM

Ane Nodakin. Pot calling the kettle black!

Jaramara Man Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:44 AM

Thank you for your two-cents Nodakin, but I and most people prefer to read opinions written by proper cricket commentators and not from half-baked people like you who start off your comments with words like "idiot". Next time please don't think everyone else is like you.

PoliticallyIncorrect Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:32 AM

why does EVERY news have to involve politics?

jena Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:30 AM

you have another four years mate.. its all profession.. Before thinking about the future, think about the present.. if you really want to serve your own team, stay as captain.. u ll be, unless u want more freedom to concentrate on IPL and other private leagues..

mohamed asfar Thursday, 06 December 2012 07:42 AM

your captaincy and your boys showed to the world really who Sri Lankans are.

Hafiz Thursday, 06 December 2012 07:19 AM

Don't worry about grrooming another leader. Just play the game and leave it to our politicians to decide on it.

Jay Thursday, 06 December 2012 07:10 AM

Mahela is reluctant because he and other leading cricketers in the country more concerned aboout IPL, probe ably they are not passionate enoughof leading and represent ing the country any longer.

Sad situation, and prediction is this beautiful game will be badly affected due to swollen headed cricketers.

SHALANI Thursday, 06 December 2012 07:00 AM

HIS STATEMENT IS APPLICABLE FOR THE POLITICAL GAMES (of the govt. side and the opposition) AS WELL!

Cobra Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:33 AM

How about a Rajapakse?

sambol Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:26 AM

Get one young minister from MR's govt.

Sammy Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:17 AM

@sampath please note that Mahela had given up captaincy earlier but was compelled to take it up again after Sanga did not want to continue and Dilshan proved ineffective. This was done at the Board's request & for the team's sake, as there was no one experienced enough to take over. It was a sacrifice he had made & not because he was greedy for the post of captaincy.

mirror Wednesday, 05 December 2012 08:26 AM

forget that and play. crooked pitches in Ausi favour?

ASHRAFF NAZIM Thursday, 06 December 2012 04:27 AM

WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN A CHANGE IN CAPTAINCY THERE WON'T BE SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE SOMETHING WRONG SOME WHERE

Muthu Thursday, 06 December 2012 01:00 AM

Best of luck.

ponil Wednesday, 05 December 2012 10:54 PM

make it history guys .Good luck.

kandykolla Wednesday, 05 December 2012 03:47 PM

Something says to my mind !! We are going to register our first win in test at Aussie soil..................!! You guys can do it- All the very best guys !!!

Upu Wednesday, 05 December 2012 01:19 PM

Leaders are needed for opposition, Government also.

perali murali Wednesday, 05 December 2012 09:31 AM

Why, you woke up only now? Should have waited another few more years before realizing this.

pasha Wednesday, 05 December 2012 09:22 AM

Will Jaysuriya in the commentary team?

King Wednesday, 05 December 2012 09:16 AM

Ane nodakin!!!!!!!!!!

galapitamada Wednesday, 05 December 2012 09:05 AM

All the best guys Your put your heads down concentrate and create history to win the first series victory in Australian soil.We cannot get for a better time than this with the guys down under going under and under and also our guys come what may in full gear

Nodakin Wednesday, 05 December 2012 09:04 AM

Who is this idiot Tarzan writing about MALAKA. Please read ESPN cricket comments and learn to write something interesting and worthwhile to read, idiot Tarzan
About Captaincy We have no choice now its Anjelo Mathews Then groom someone like Munaweera, I see a lot of potential in Munaweera for all formats. Bring them in and drop Dilshan, Chamara , Prasanna Jayawardene, Suraj Randiv.from test format.

Team for next years

Mahela, Kumar, Dimuthu K, Munaweera, Dinesh (wk) Thilan,Angelo,Nuwan K,Thisara Perera, Ajantha, Herath,Akila dananjaya

Dont brand people only to T20 try them out with good coaching ,

Dilshan only 50 over cricket player not a test or t20 anymore

Drop Lasith Malinga form 50 overs also. He is no macth to players like Chaminda Vaas

lunta-muus Wednesday, 05 December 2012 08:50 AM

trust me boys......you guys have no idea about what's coming on following weeks......they lost to SA in their own backyard with possibly the worst send-off for punter....... beware of fears counterattacking from bunch of "wedi wedunu ooro"......"wake me up when January ends"!

sampath Wednesday, 05 December 2012 08:47 AM

yes, someone who will not leave captaincy when a championship final is lost

tarzan Wednesday, 05 December 2012 08:33 AM

how is MALAKA

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We need to groom another leader-Mahela

Comments - 28

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