Dav Whatmore: The new Sri Lankan squad provides hope for the future

Dav Whatmore National Coach

The Sri Lankan selectors have named a 24-man squad - Upul Chandana and Kaushalya Weereratne will join the 22-man squad when they have recovered fully from injury - for the forthcoming triangular against India and New Zealand and Test series against India. It provides us with a Test squad with a nice blend of youth and experience and a One-Day squad that could provide the foundation for World Cup success in 2003.

Sri Lanka's recent tour of South Africa was a humbling experience. We went, we saw, but we certainly didn't conquer. Nevertheless, we gained valuable insights into the necessary ingredients for success in 2003. Make no mistake; preparations for that tournament have already begun. We want to be world champions again.

One conclusion that we came to is that we need to have medium-fast bowlers who can bat. The Sri Lankan sub-continental formula of two fast bowlers and three spinners will not win us the cup on the fast true pitches of South Africa. We may need to play four fast bowlers and therefore two promising players, both of whom have now recovered from longstanding injuries, have rejoined the squad.

Suresh Perera and Dilip Liyange are talented all rounders. Both have played international cricket and, crucially, both are hungry for further success. Suresh Perera played against England at the Oval in 1998, but then suffered a stress fracture of the back. He is now back to full fitness and is much stronger having put in the necessary time in the gym (fast bowlers simply have to be gym junkies, there is no alternative to hard work). He bowls with a classical sideways on action, moves the ball in the air and has the ability to push the ball through at a reasonable pace. Moreover, he will add depth to the batting as he has a solid technique and a good eye with the blade.

Dilip Liyange is older and made his international debut in the mid-1990's. He too suffered from injuries, this time to his ankle and knee. Despite these setbacks, however, he has pulled himself back into contention thanks to hard work and a fine season with Colts Cricket Club this season, for whom he has taken plenty wickets with his outswingers and scored important runs.

The young Kaushalya Weereratne and Akalanka Ganagama, both of who made encouraging starts to their international careers, are also included to make up a promising seven man fast bowling pool with Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa and Dilhara Fernando. All these guys are now working hard with Rumesh Ratnayake, who will now be working as an official fast bowling assistant. In addition the group have benefited from video analysis by Terry Oliver, a Queensland coach of distinction, who recently spent two-weeks in Colombo.

The other noteworthy selection is that of Hashan Tillakaratne, who has forced his way back into the squad through the sheer weight of runs he has scored in first-class cricket during the past two seasons. It is a welcome return to the international fold too because he remains very fit, is an excellent fielder, and is a determined batsmen, who places a high price on his wicket. Hashan is no dasher, but he is a tenacious accumulator who can bat for long periods of time and is thus particularly well suited to Test cricket.

There is no reason why the selectors would not consider playing both Aravinda de Silva and Hashan Tillakaratne in the Test series against India. It is now up to them to show their hunger and prove to the selectors that they deserve a berth. Moreover, they should be looking to offer share their experience to younger players and adhere to the common goal of improving as a group. I have little doubt that they will do so.

Likewise, the youngsters - Tillakaratne Dilshan and Indika de Saram - have further opportunities to prove their worth. They, however, need to prove that they can perform under pressure if they are to secure a regular place in the Test team. There is no doubt in my mind that they have the necessary talent and technique to perform at the highest level.

The training squad chosen by the selectors provides us, I believe, with the building blocks for future success in both Test and One-Day cricket. I am genuinely excited for the long term - although I know, and fans must appreciate too - that the road ahead could be bumpy. Lets keep our eyes fixed on the major goal ahead, support the players and save judgment until South Africa 2003.