Jayasuriya to bat down the order by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	ST Jayasuriya, ALF de Mel
Event:	Sri Lanka in India 2009/10

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DateLine: 30th October 2009

 

Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya has been told by the selectors that he would feature in the team as an allrounder and might have to bat down the order. He also has been told that his performance against India would be under the scanner, leading upto the 2011 World Cup.

 

Speaking to reporters in Colombo, the chief selector Ashantha de Mel said, "What we expect from Sanath is that one in three games he should win a match for Sri Lanka which he was doing in the past. But now that has reduced, we are a little concerned about it. In the Champions Trophy in South Africa his performance was below par. That's the reason why we have gone in with the option of playing him as an all rounder."

 

"We have spoken to Sanath on the role he has to play. He has the option to play as an allrounder. We have considered him for this tour only, after that his selection will depend on his performance. He has to perform to hold his place in the team for the World Cup," said the chairman of selectors.

 

de Mel said the selectors did not have a particular position for Jayasuriya in their mind and that Jayasuriya's flexibility would be his advantage. "Especially in the batting power play having a spinning allrounder like Sanath is useful in the subcontinent because he can hit the ball. He might bat in the middle or in the top order depending on the situation," he said.

 

"Also, the World Cup will be held in the subcontinent where his left-arm spin can become useful. He can perform that role because in South Africa in the game against New Zealand when they scored 300 runs he was the one who bowled ten overs for three wickets and 30 runs. He has done well in the subcontinent especially with his bowling."