2017 Could Unarguably be considered as the ‘worst year’ in Sri Lanka cricket history. The team, once amongst top four playing nations in the world, slipped alarmingly and gave sleepless nights to its fans with consistent poor performances throughout the year, in all formats of the game.
In tests, they tested first ever defeat against Bangladesh, that too on home soil. In ODIs, they faced three whitewash : each against India, South Africa and Pakistan. Once, they were on a 12 match losing streak. In T20Is, they prospered in the first half of the year, then stumbled in second half.
However, very few will put blame on the team or players for the disastrous year. When a cricket board field almost 10 Captain’s in a single year, Changes Coach frequently, Selectors resign midway through the series, Captains forced to step down, injuries put half of the team out of the game for months, one can sense that the outcome was more or less inevitable!
It all started when Thilanga Sumathipala, the President of SLC, brought back Asanka Gurusinha in March. A world Cup winning player though, he was out of the system for a good decade. He was doing some marketing things in Australia actually, and had been enjoying his new life, sans Cricket. Suddenly, Sumathipala summoned him and appointed the manager of the team. Within few days, he also became the selector of the team, and unofficially team’s spokesperson too. Graham Ford didn’t like the interfering nature of Gurusinha and stepped down as the coach just after the Champions trophy. It was the first setback for a young Sri Lanka side, in a awful year. Though results were not that much under Ford, that thing was that he was instrumental behind the rise of young talents like Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Lahiru Kumara, and Lakshan Sandakan. The easy going nature of Ford was a blessing for these players to express themselves without a fear.
But, SLC was mesmerized by Gurusinha, instead of Ford. So Ford departed, and team was without a permanent coach for until December 20. Fortunately for Sri Lanka, Nic Pothas, the interim coach, turned out a fighter and took care of a unstable team with great intensity. However, other factors weren’t go on his way. Angelo Mathews forced to step down after Sri Lanka lost a ODI series against Zimbabwe first time in their history. Now, team had no permanent coach and no Permanent captain.
Bangladesh came after Zimbabwe and put salt on wounds. They managed to draw all three series during the tour, and pushed Sri Lanka for further embarrassment.
However, the real problem started with the arrival of Indians for a full tour in August. Even before that, Sanath Jayasuriya had established himself as a notorious and nonconsistent selector. During the Indian series, team stumbled and result was 9-0 in all three formats. Sanath and Co resigned as Indians flew back with three trophies.
In that tour, many things happened, that harmed the reputation of Sri Lanka Cricket in a big way, thanks to SLC. Pitches were supportive more to Indian, than the home side, thanks to Godfrey Dabrera, one of the closest associate of Thilanga Sumathipala.
Angry fans, who decided enough is enough, protested against their own players and the board. After first two ODI matches against India in Dambula, fans decided to not to go to Stadiums to watch the matches. As a result, there were no spectators for the reminder of the matches.
SLC was in a disarray after India tour. But, Sumathipala is not only a cricket administrator. He is also a politician, knows very well how to divert people’s attention. So, when entire nation was mourning debacle against India, he came with a most pathetic idea : that Sri Lanka to go to Lahore to play a match. Same venue, from where Sri Lanka previous generation returned with bullets in their bodies in 2008.
But Sumathipala was unmoved. This could have saved him. This could have added another feather in his bio data. So he forced to play a match in Lahore. He changed the entire team, as all top bracket players refused to take the risk. He appointed Thisara Perera as the captain, collected 14 other players from here and there and throwed them into Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
The team was not stable after the daprature of Ford and Mathews. By forcing a team to play in Lahore, Sumathipala destroyed the unity of the team as well.
But, Sumathipala led SLC shows interest only in commercial things. So, there was another series against India. This time they visited and India hosted. But, nothing changed as Sri Lanka lost all the three trophies once again.
Sri Lanka Cricket was in disarray, once again. So, this time, Sumathipala played another master stroke : he snatched Chandika Hathurusingha from the disposal of Bangladesh and made him as the Head Coach of Sri Lanka.
A shadow Coach of Sri Lanka in 2010, Now Hathurusingha is a world class, world famous international Coach.
Since he arrived on December 20, all media focus is on him only. He is doing media briefings after every single practice session. It’s great thing for Sumathipala and Co. Particularly in a year like 2017.
For a while, no one will focus on them. No one will ask them how perfectly they destroyed Sri Lanka cricket in a single year!
