( Written to SLCF Blogs - http://www.slcricketfans.com/showthread.php?tid=2064&pid=137824#pid137824 )
My Fellow Sri Lankan Fans,
I know it is a hard time for you as a fan to be more patient about cricket or the players or the administration of Sri Lanka.
I am a Sri Lankan fan too; A hardcore one at that. Also, just like you, I am disappointed by how poorly Sri Lanka played in 2017; In fact about how poor Sri Lanka was in the period following 2015 World Cup or even from Sri Lanka's momentous tour of England in 2014.
It is not a secret that 2015 World Cup wasn't the happiest of memories for Sri Lankan fans because two of the country's most respected cricketers retired after that tournament; Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena. The other powerhouse in Thilakaratne Dilshan followed the path soon after. Hence, it was already a gloomy time for Sri Lankan fans. However, since then the things had only gone chaos.
Remember when Rohit Sharma smashed 264 against Sri Lanka, highest individual score in an ODI? I was heartbroken. When he hit a second double-century against us, it was depressing I cursed myself for not turning off the TV. I was angry when Glen Maxwell sent our bowlers out of the park giggling his way to a T20 century while breaking the record Sri Lankans held for the highest T20I team total. I didn't smash my TV only because in my unconscious mind I knew that I hadn't saved enough to buy a new one. Yes I know, most of you must have felt the same, if not worse.
It was equally as painful when Sri Lankan fielders were dropping catches like doing so is what earns you the win in cricket.
We all - Sri Lankan fans - for numerous days had trouble attending social media or meeting that foreign friend who is also a cricket fan. That is how bad Sri Lankan fielding was at times during the last couple of years. Add the countless number of injuries occurred. It was a total nightmare for all of us - Sri Lankan fans.
It was the same nightmare that had repeated over and over - again and again, throughout the last couple of years to crush all the hopes on the match day.
It got to unacceptable levels in 2017 and wasn't easy for the fans when Sri Lanka was whitewashed thrice in ODI's. Five captains - including a captain who forgot the team's decision at the toss - didn't make things less dishearting. Letting Graham Ford, one of the best coaches in the world, leave in the middle of a contract didn't help. And, then to find out some of the personnel who had replaced Ford as batting coaches were underqualified didn't help either.
During India's tour of Sri Lanka, we saw some of the reactions by fans - disgraceful behaviour on their part - to Sri Lanka's slump in cricket and politics in the administration since 2015.
It is not a lot different even if you log into a facebook or twitter account. There are a lot of things said about everyone from administration to players; From rumours, light-hearted jokes to absurd accusations.
Some of the fans were worried about how some of the players got selected to the team repeatedly despite repeated failures. Those players were accused keeping unethical connections with selectors. Some even suggested them to retire untimely because it is obvious they are not good enough to play at the top level.
Among them, there were many accusations about the players from ''he looks disinterested'' to ''he is stupid''. And, in a way, no wonder in the fact that passionate fans could feel that way looking at our past performances. It is natural for fans to be frustrated. There is no wonder in it because even writing this article reminded of those horrifying memories I want to throw away my pen. Or if not to make an insulting, but a funny comment at a player and then to laugh all the stress out.
And, I am angry - kind of pissed off - about the whole scenario like every other Sri Lankan fan. The brand of fans once widely regarded around the cricketing world as the best in the world.
However, the question is whether it is fair to judge these players based on their performances at these unstable times? Whether it is fair to decide on them without looking from their perspective? Or whether it is ok to blame them for long-term mistakes of the administration?
Is it fair to ask a player who had dedicated(risked - more appropriate word for a country like Sri Lanka) his whole life - money, time and even relationships - to play for his country to voluntarily made him unavailable for national selection because a group of fans think he isn't good enough? Or retire pre-maturely?
If not, should underperforming players come out and say, ''I'm not good enough to play international cricket. Please, don't choose me for the national team again.'' despite having lifelong dreams of representing the country? Despite dedicating a lot to the same cause?
Just like we all have a career's in different fields whether it is business, production, IT or transportation, Cricket is the career of a national cricketer. It is their living as well.
Just imagine if the manager at your branch gets transferred due to a promotion. How would you feel?
You will be wondering who would be the new manager guy until he arrives at your branch. Then, even if he is the kindest and friendliest person, it will be a couple of awkward weeks or even couple of months before finally, you two will be comfortable to share a lighthearted joke.
Now, look at what Sri Lankan cricket players had to go through.
Sri Lankan players had played under six captains in the last year. They had trained under three separate head coaches and couple of other batting and bowling coaches. A new team manager was appointed. The previous selection committee resigned. On top of all, players were frequently swapped in and out of the squads by selectors.
Forget youngsters, look at a senior like Angelo Mathews or Dinesh Chandimal. Both of them had to cope with more head coaches than the number of years they had played for Sri Lanka so far in their careers.
Would it be easy for anyone to ''work'' efficiently in such an unstable working environment regardless of the field of work?
Under these circumstances, what is the wonder in it if the players had acted in a selfish or silly manner? Is there any wonder in it that their body language suggested they are disinterested? Also, Little wonder about it if they had looked like just a bunch of lost individuals, not a team.
Players were lost not knowing what to expect. They were failing to keep up with the cultures, training and selection methods that comes with every new coach, captain, player or the selector who was appointed. Ultimately, the players got lost in the cyclone of changes that had happened around them.
Now, This is 2018, a fresh year. Sri Lankan team is playing under the guidance of a new coach. There is a new hope.
Like each one of us writes down the wrong year, unconsciously, at the beginning of every fresh year before finally getting it spot on, players too will make few mistakes before getting it right. As fans, please have some faith in them. Give them a chance to prove themselves and win our hearts.
Yours sincerely,
Passionate, yet disappointed Sri Lankan fan.
Written to - http://www.slcricketfans.com/showthread.php?tid=2064&pid=137824#pid137824
My Fellow Sri Lankan Fans,
I know it is a hard time for you as a fan to be more patient about cricket or the players or the administration of Sri Lanka.
I am a Sri Lankan fan too; A hardcore one at that. Also, just like you, I am disappointed by how poorly Sri Lanka played in 2017; In fact about how poor Sri Lanka was in the period following 2015 World Cup or even from Sri Lanka's momentous tour of England in 2014.
It is not a secret that 2015 World Cup wasn't the happiest of memories for Sri Lankan fans because two of the country's most respected cricketers retired after that tournament; Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena. The other powerhouse in Thilakaratne Dilshan followed the path soon after. Hence, it was already a gloomy time for Sri Lankan fans. However, since then the things had only gone chaos.
Remember when Rohit Sharma smashed 264 against Sri Lanka, highest individual score in an ODI? I was heartbroken. When he hit a second double-century against us, it was depressing I cursed myself for not turning off the TV. I was angry when Glen Maxwell sent our bowlers out of the park giggling his way to a T20 century while breaking the record Sri Lankans held for the highest T20I team total. I didn't smash my TV only because in my unconscious mind I knew that I hadn't saved enough to buy a new one. Yes I know, most of you must have felt the same, if not worse.
It was equally as painful when Sri Lankan fielders were dropping catches like doing so is what earns you the win in cricket.
We all - Sri Lankan fans - for numerous days had trouble attending social media or meeting that foreign friend who is also a cricket fan. That is how bad Sri Lankan fielding was at times during the last couple of years. Add the countless number of injuries occurred. It was a total nightmare for all of us - Sri Lankan fans.
It was the same nightmare that had repeated over and over - again and again, throughout the last couple of years to crush all the hopes on the match day.
It got to unacceptable levels in 2017 and wasn't easy for the fans when Sri Lanka was whitewashed thrice in ODI's. Five captains - including a captain who forgot the team's decision at the toss - didn't make things less dishearting. Letting Graham Ford, one of the best coaches in the world, leave in the middle of a contract didn't help. And, then to find out some of the personnel who had replaced Ford as batting coaches were underqualified didn't help either.
During India's tour of Sri Lanka, we saw some of the reactions by fans - disgraceful behaviour on their part - to Sri Lanka's slump in cricket and politics in the administration since 2015.
It is not a lot different even if you log into a facebook or twitter account. There are a lot of things said about everyone from administration to players; From rumours, light-hearted jokes to absurd accusations.
Some of the fans were worried about how some of the players got selected to the team repeatedly despite repeated failures. Those players were accused keeping unethical connections with selectors. Some even suggested them to retire untimely because it is obvious they are not good enough to play at the top level.
Among them, there were many accusations about the players from ''he looks disinterested'' to ''he is stupid''. And, in a way, no wonder in the fact that passionate fans could feel that way looking at our past performances. It is natural for fans to be frustrated. There is no wonder in it because even writing this article reminded of those horrifying memories I want to throw away my pen. Or if not to make an insulting, but a funny comment at a player and then to laugh all the stress out.
And, I am angry - kind of pissed off - about the whole scenario like every other Sri Lankan fan. The brand of fans once widely regarded around the cricketing world as the best in the world.
However, the question is whether it is fair to judge these players based on their performances at these unstable times? Whether it is fair to decide on them without looking from their perspective? Or whether it is ok to blame them for long-term mistakes of the administration?
Is it fair to ask a player who had dedicated(risked - more appropriate word for a country like Sri Lanka) his whole life - money, time and even relationships - to play for his country to voluntarily made him unavailable for national selection because a group of fans think he isn't good enough? Or retire pre-maturely?
If not, should underperforming players come out and say, ''I'm not good enough to play international cricket. Please, don't choose me for the national team again.'' despite having lifelong dreams of representing the country? Despite dedicating a lot to the same cause?
Just like we all have a career's in different fields whether it is business, production, IT or transportation, Cricket is the career of a national cricketer. It is their living as well.
Just imagine if the manager at your branch gets transferred due to a promotion. How would you feel?
You will be wondering who would be the new manager guy until he arrives at your branch. Then, even if he is the kindest and friendliest person, it will be a couple of awkward weeks or even couple of months before finally, you two will be comfortable to share a lighthearted joke.
Now, look at what Sri Lankan cricket players had to go through.
Sri Lankan players had played under six captains in the last year. They had trained under three separate head coaches and couple of other batting and bowling coaches. A new team manager was appointed. The previous selection committee resigned. On top of all, players were frequently swapped in and out of the squads by selectors.
Forget youngsters, look at a senior like Angelo Mathews or Dinesh Chandimal. Both of them had to cope with more head coaches than the number of years they had played for Sri Lanka so far in their careers.
Would it be easy for anyone to ''work'' efficiently in such an unstable working environment regardless of the field of work?
Under these circumstances, what is the wonder in it if the players had acted in a selfish or silly manner? Is there any wonder in it that their body language suggested they are disinterested? Also, Little wonder about it if they had looked like just a bunch of lost individuals, not a team.
Players were lost not knowing what to expect. They were failing to keep up with the cultures, training and selection methods that comes with every new coach, captain, player or the selector who was appointed. Ultimately, the players got lost in the cyclone of changes that had happened around them.
Now, This is 2018, a fresh year. Sri Lankan team is playing under the guidance of a new coach. There is a new hope.
Like each one of us writes down the wrong year, unconsciously, at the beginning of every fresh year before finally getting it spot on, players too will make few mistakes before getting it right. As fans, please have some faith in them. Give them a chance to prove themselves and win our hearts.
Yours sincerely,
Passionate, yet disappointed Sri Lankan fan.
Written to - http://www.slcricketfans.com/showthread.php?tid=2064&pid=137824#pid137824
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